The Chase

UN Station

Manila

March 22, 2992

0120H

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"Hold on. Hold on. Please stop for a moment"

Ethan said while panting, trying to catch his breath. He sits on the street side while struggling to make things clear on his head

"Why are they shooting at us and who the heck are you?"

Ethan wailed to the man as he was oblivious of what's happening and under tremor. He's trembling and dripping in fear, his adrenaline spews throughout his body and his hands were so frigid.

"Come on men let's keep moving. We don't have much time, they're gonna catch us"

The man said to Ethan as he attempted to pull his hand out and off the alley.

"Can you at least explain to me what's going on?"

Ethan exclaimed. He is now ultimately withering to disarray and fear.

"I'll tell you once we got out of here. Now let's move!"

The two keeps running until they reach the City Hall of Manila but they detected three black Innova 54ai trailing after them. It was marshaled and speeding up for the objective of lessening the distance between them and the two men sprinting away from them.

"There's the target's boss, running on the front of City Hall. What do we do about them once we seized them?"

Asked one of the armed men as he was talking on the phone with Mr. Clark, the chief security of Novel Genetics. He is a buffed guy with a mustache and beard in his face, he has the composure of a leader in the group and he has a blotch on his cheeks and two skull tattoos on both of his shoulders.

"Neutralize the targets, don't leave any evidence and witnesses behind"

Answered back by Mr. Clark. He was feverish about the incident. He then shoots the guard that wasn't able to capture the two men while on the premises of NovGen in the head, blasting his brain and skull into bits.

"Yes, boss. Loud and clear"

And then he dropped the call.

"Clean this up and I want no records of this. You all know what will happens in your family if you don't follow me. "

Mr. Clark threatens the other guards on the scene and shoots the guard again in his already shattered head and went inside the facility. The guards who left outside silently sympathize with their former comrade but they have no other option but to follow orders from their boss.

Meanwhile, the boss of the group that chases Ethan and other man send his command to all of his men

"You heard him, boys. Let's get this over with.

The armed men get ready and put silencers on their pistol. They position themselves near the windows aiming to get a clear shot.

The City Hall of Manila has a nearby park where the monument of Andres Bonifacio, one of the Heroes of the Philippines during Spanish Occupation lies. With the night market and food stalls, there's a lot of people even during late nights and daybreak.

"Come on let's go, we can lose them in this crowd. We'll move through the underground tunnel." said the man

Ethan and the man run through the crowds, then they peeled off their jackets and get one from the stall as they walk through the crowds. They also get glasses while the stall owner is occupied with his customer. They walk past through and go the underground tunnel leading to the right exit to ride a jeepney going to España, Manila.

"Ahh shit, they blend in. Let's split up. We turned the place upside down. Cover all exits. Let's move! "

The armed man said while getting off the cars, followed by others. They go through the crowd, scanning people off while concealing their handguns. They carefully skim the surrounding, keeping any skeptical person under their radar.

" Well good luck looking losers!"

The man spoke to Ethan as they ride the cable car off to España.

After passing Jones bridge, they reached Quiapo. Ethan was clearly panicking. He's sweating really hard, his heartbeats are tighter than usual and his breathing heavily. After entering Morayta, they got off the cable car and through one of the houses.

"Okay now, can you tell me what the heck was that?" Ethan asked the man

"Later buddy. It's not safe outside. I'm gonna make a call. You can rest for a moment".

The man phoned someone and shortly, an old man nearby move towards them and they went to his house.

" Thank you Frank." the man said as they went inside his house. They were apparently catching their whiff but Ethan was still stress about what's happening.

"Feel at home. There's food on the table, help yourselves. I'll let you talk, I will prepare your beds". Frank replied

Then he walks away, leaving Ethan and the man discreetly in the dining room.

"Can you tell me what's going on, what are those things they put inside the Facility? Why are those men after us? Who the hell are you?"

Ethan clamored as he drinks a glass of water.

"Easy there, Ethan. Though I must admit, we were on the brink of death just a while ago. Those bastards are not intending to take us alive" the man said in a steadier voice.

"My name is Mark Doslov, I'm an Intel and Special Ops working as a mercenary under the HEILPHARMA INDUSTRIES.", Mark said.

"You know me?" Ethan queried Mark.

"Yes, Ethan. We know you. We have Intel on Novel Genetics working as a staff." Mark added

"Sorry for interrupting your normal life. But as of today, your life is in danger Ethan."

Mark said as he drinks a glass of cold water. Leaving Ethan in a state of shock.

"But we can offer you protection. And for your family as well"

Mark said after finishing a glass of water.

"How? Please keep my family safe. I'll do anything!" Ethan cryingly mumbled in a dread.

"You'll know soon enough. We need to rest. It's gonna be a busy day for us tomorrow "

Mark said as he left Ethan at the kitchen heading to the room. Ethan left in a state of shock once again, his daughter came first in his mind.

"Why is this happening to me?" he said in a sigh

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What will happen to Ethan and Mark? Who is Frank? How will they escape this ordeal? Follow on the next chapter of Year 3000