Chapter 21: Prelude

Metro Tondo, Tondo

Republic of Easting

February 13, 2023 C.Y.

0800 Hours

The day started dark with heavy clouds looming over in the sky. Moments later rain started to pour down, pedestrians and bystanders were scrambling to cover, covering their heads with whatever they could. The downpour suddenly intensified flooding parts of the road especially the in potholes that have not yet fixed.

The traffic was heavy as flooding became imminent in some parts of the highway making them impassable to some vehicles. Commuters extends their patience while waiting inside their vehicles. Luis is waiting in his car for the rain to subside. He is stuck in a traffic jam for at least an hour already and is still halfway to his destination. He looks at his watch and ten minutes has passed since eight in the morning.

He realizes that the traffic to his destination despite of the heavy rain is taking too long. Supposedly he should be at the U-belt by this time already. He has no choice but to wait,for honking and trying to maneuver through the traffic or looking for shortcuts is not a viable solution.

His phone suddenly rings and he responded the call after the third ring. "Good morning Luis, this is Miller. You know that friend of yours during boot camp. It has been a long time since we talked."

Luis who recognized the man replied to him, "Oh, Miller? I remember you. It's been a long time indeed. What is up by the way?"

"You have done incredibly these days. I admit I must be envious of you." Miller commended him of his last exploits receiving his medal days ago.

"It's nothing actually, I only do this to serve my country. How are you and Louise doing by the way?" Luis asked.

"We are doing well, I am planning to propose to her this weekend. We have been engaged for a long time you see. It's about time we tie the knot already." Miller replied to him.

Luis felt happy for his friend in hearing this and encouraged him, "Best wishes my friend, I think it is best you propose to her. Pick me as your best man!"

"You jest!" Miller laughed and paused for a while and said, "Thank you by the way my friend but, I called you this morning because I have something I would ask and talk to you about."

"Okay, what is it?" Luis asked his friend.

"It is involved with your mission during the Siege of Dalisi and Infante. I am having doubts recently and my gut is telling me something is not right." Miller said sharing his suspicion to his friend.

"What about it?" Luis asked who also became troubled with his friend's question.

"Cobra and his affiliates they said have not been caught yet." Miller said.

"I do not think it is the good time to talk about such things Miller." Luis said in reply.

"It's okay, no one's listening. I am alone at my office right now." Miller assured and continued, "These people are supposed to be in government custody. They are not being announced in the news because of confidentiality."

"Okay, what is your point?" Luis asked.

"Someone in our ranks are helping them. Cobra and his men were captured ten miles from the tunnels that is found in the city. Recently, he escaped custody and is nowhere to be seen. The higher ups I think are covering up the incident in order to prevent outrage from the President." Miller said and continued. "Maybe there's someone helping these people..."

Luis spaced out for a while and remembers the deal a certain General offered him for his silence. Despite of his motives, Luis felt a little bit guilty about his choice to keep his mouth shut about the matter. He can do nothing about it, he at least in his mind wishes to redeem himself.

"Are you listening?" Miller asked Luis who was spacing out.

"Ah, sorry... Something suddenly popped out in my mind. I was lost in thought, what were you saying again?" Luis replied to his friend.

"Never mind, its nothing really." Miller said in disappointment.

"Okay, I am going to end the call now. I am currently driving." Luis said.

"I understand, let's talk again later." Miller replied.

Luis ended the call and focused on his driving as the traffic started to move moments after the rain stopped. Meters away the movement of traffic again stopped Luis has no choice but to wait for a while. After ten minutes of waiting he decided to check outside what is happening.

"The traffic has been taking longer than usual." Luis said on his mind.

Luis turns on the radio of his car and listened to traffic updates or news. There hasn't been anything particular recently he says switching channels on the radio. He looks outside and saw some military vehicles that are moving towards the center of the city. There were at least ten trucks escorted by several armored fighting vehicles.

"Is there a reason for troop movement inside the city?" Luis asked himself he took his phone and contacted his friend Miller once more. His friend seems busy as he was not able to receive his call. Minutes later, the military vehicles had already passed and the traffic situation had become better. This time, Luis have a suspicion in what is going to happen.

He continued to drive until he is one kilometer away from his destination. He realized that he need to urinate and refuel he pulls over to a nearby gasoline station. After using the toilet he receives a phone call from Miller.

"Hello, what's up?" Miller asked Luis who just left the toilet.

"Yes, I happen to see some troop movement. Some military trucks and vehicles heading towards somewhere in the city." Luis asked Miller.

"Is that so? Let me check for a while..." Miller said and asks his friend to wait while he confirm what his friend is telling him.

It took longer for Miller to return, Luis dropped the call and decides to continue driving since he was done refueling his car. Moments later, Miller called back and sound concerned with regards to the issue. "Where are you Luis?"

"I am at a Gasoline Station at the Highway, one kilometer away from Huffman Boulevard. What's the matter?" Luis sounds confused of his friend's reaction.

"I do not know what happened but those troops you saw earlier have no clearance or whatsoever. How many do you think they are?" Miller asked Luis.

"From what I seen, the convoy had ten trucks and escorted by some seven AFVs." Luis replied.

"This is bad!" Miller said in reply.

"Why?" Luis who is still confused asked him.

"They could have been plotting a coup. We also received reports in the office that there are some troop movements from different camps in the city. They are heading towards the Presidential Palace I think." Miller explained in reply.

"This could be bad! I will cancel my trip and return back to camp." Luis said and hurriedly went to his car.

"Please do so, we need every hand we could get. Every personnel is needed in this situation." Miller replied to him.

"I shall be off my friend, thank you for the updates!" Luis started his car.

"My pleasure, if it were not for you, we would have not noticed of these movements. We will alert high command and monitor their movements." Miller replied.

Luis turned off his phone and received another call. It came from his unit commander in Fort Aguirre near Roxas City in Metro Tondo. He is called for an emergency briefing and deployment. After receiving the call, Luis went back and rushed to Roxas City five kilometers from his present position.