Pagkalapag ng SINAG ay tinungo nila agad ang parking area sa loob ng military camp ng Philippine Air Force. Hindi na sila dumaan sa mismong airport dahil confidential ang kanilang paglabas at pagbalik ng bansa.
The surroundings were already quiet, with only the runway lights and the low hum of the wind greeted them.
LRR, o Light Reaction Regiment of AFP, known as the most elite unit of the Philippine Army. Sila ang unang ipinapadala kapag may high-risk na banta, urban man or remote terrain. Ngunit sa loob mismo ng LRR ay may mas lihim pang puwersa.
SINAG is a special unit with almost no official records. Hindi sila ipinapakilala sa media, hindi sila binabanggit sa briefings maliban kung kailangan. Ang kanilang mga operasyon ay kadalasang na sa pagitan ng classified at deniable. When a mission requires precision, silent movement, and the total elimination of a threat without noise, SINAG is the one that moves. Among soldiers, their name is spoken only in whispers—tinged with both respect and fear.
As soon as they reached the parking area, they headed straight for the waiting Jimny. Kai got in first and practically collapsed onto the back seat, slumping down with his head resting against the backrest.
“Sa wakas ay makakatulog na rin ako ng maayos,” sabi ni Kai na halatang ubos na ang lakas.
Binuksan ni Silver ang pinto sa likod at umupo sa tabi niya. “Sana bigyan tayo ng additional rest day,” aniya habang inaayos ang vest niya.
Rowan was at the very back of the vehicle, carefully arranging the bags and weapons they had brought. Because of that, he could clearly hear the conversation between the two.
Up front, Tres opened the front seat and got in, his back straight and his eyes still alert despite having had almost no sleep for days.
“We need to report tomorrow sa headquarters. Huwag na kayo umasa,” pagbasag ni Tres nang walang emosyon sa boses.
Napailing si Silver. “Sabi ko nga,” sagot niya agad, sabay bawi sa sinabi niya kanina.
Naglabas ng mahabang buntong-hininga si Kai na may kasamang inis. “Grabe naman,” mahinang daing niya.
Rowan closed the rear door and circled around to the driver’s seat, since he would be driving them to the headquarter. He sat down, took hold of the steering wheel, and looked into the rearview mirror.
“Let’s go? Wala na bang naiwan o nakalimutan?” paninigurado ni Rowan.
“Sana ‘yong pagod ko na lang ang naiwan,” sagot ni Kai nang nakapikit pa rin.
Napatawa sina Rowan at Tres sa sinabi niya.
Maya-maya ay umandar na ang sasakyan palabas ng air force camp.
While on the road, they noticed a group of SWAT officers deployed outside a supermarket. A section of the lane had also been closed off for police radios and monitors set up along the side. It was clear that an operation was underway, and the vehicles gradually slowed down.
“Anong meron?” tanong ni Rowan habang pinapabagal din ang takbo ng sasakyan.
Napatingin din ang tatlong kasamahan niya.
“Simulation ba ‘yan?” tanong ni Silver na nakaangat ang kilay.
“Huh? Magsi-simulation sila ng gabi?” wika ni Kai na medyo naguguluhan.
“Di ka sure,” sinagot agad ni Silver, sabay silip sa paligid.
“Nood tayo?” pag-aya ni Rowan na parang inaaliw ang sarili.
“Seryoso ba ‘yan? Hindi ba kayo pagod?” reklamo ni Kai na halatang nahihirapan pa rin sa kakulangan ng tulog niya.
His seniors paid him no mind. Rowan simply turned the steering wheel and headed toward the parking area near the supermarket.
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