Chantria's phone buzzed as she sipped champagne from a tulip glass cup.
She didn't need to look much at her phone as she saw the red notification on the screen and she instantly knew what it was. "Karl, the meeting is in three minutes." She said, rising up from the couch. "We have to get there immediately."
He came out of an adjoining room, with his tie slightly askew and his suit jacket folded in his hands. "The meeting?"
"Yes, I just got the message now." Chantria said as she straightened her gown.
"Wonderful." He said. "Now listen, when the issue is brought on, make sure you don't take the blame, and be careful of your accusation."
"I think it's going to go smooth as calling Mark out it wouldn't be much of a surprise. They all know how arrogant and troublesome Mark is." She said casually.
"Still be extremely careful, you don't want to be caught falsely accusing a high ranked official like Mark, the punishment may be severe."
She patted his shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry, this is going to be a smooth operation."
He heaved in a sigh, and followed Chantria out of the office.
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Col. Mark had barely gotten home when his phone buzzed and he received a horrifying message.
He turned around dejectedly to face the most excited Sylvian, who was staring happily at her long lost home.
"Hey honey." Col. Mark said sombrely.
She turned to face him. "What Dad?... Are you alright?" She asked as she noticed his sudden change in mood.
"Well... I'm really sorry but..."
"...you have to go." She concluded for him. She graced him a smile. "I understand. I'm not a kid anymore. I know you have to go because you're obligated to."
"Honey... I'm still really sorry. No matter what, I should have time for you. You're my number one obligation."
"I know... And that's more reason why you have to go, to protect me and the rest of Hoboran."
He embraced his daughter and when he retreated he chuckled. "Funny how much you've grown."
"Really? Cause I still feel five." She said jokingly.
"You've really turned into a lady. My baby is a lady now."
"Yeah, I remember when mum was still alive, she usually...."
Again the phone buzzed and col. Mark had to interrupt Sylvian. "I'm sorry but I have to go... How about we talk more about this over dinner, what do you say?" He said, vainly trying to not to ruin the moment. "What would you like? Nachos? Mushroom Pasta? Apple pizza? Or your favorite…"
"...anything." She said.
"Ok."
She offered him a faint smile and then turned around with less excitement. "Bye dad." She said dully.
Col. Mark couldn't help the sharp pain he felt in his chest as he watched Sylvian walk away into her room and shut the door.
He felt like he had failed in so many things, but the most painful failure was that he hadn't fulfilled his promise to Maratha, Sylvian's late mother.
Under his breath, he said. "I'm sorry, I haven't been there for her. I'm sorry I failed you."
Then his phone buzzed again and a code red message came in. The meeting was already in session and the head of the council was present.
Damn! He was going to be up for query but most of it will be on the poor Chantria, whom Col. Mark cared the least about.
He walked out of his six bedroom mansion and strolled past the sport cars and exorbitant vehicles in his compound and then he hopped into his outdated mini truck, which creaked loudly as he sat.
The old engine sputtered into life as col. Mark drove out of his compound with mixed emotions.
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Claudia and Hugh walked into their studio apartment holding almost empty cans of soda with their last few bucks in their pockets.
Hugh tiredly walked into the room and fell unto the bed and in minutes was fast asleep.
Unlike Hugh, Claudia couldn't possibly think of sleeping. When she was sure that Hugh was asleep, she walked out of the house and into the large green fields.
She sat down on a wooden bench and her mind wandered about.
She hadn't told Hugh yet that soon they'd be homeless as their stay here was overdue. And she knew the consequences of telling him that.
And now, the only thing, the only hope that had kept them hustling and striving for more was the hope of becoming a field agent. After being trained for a couple years, their dream had finally been accomplished and just like that... It had disappeared. All the excitement had died down into misery. On their first mission they had messed up. She had failed. They had failed.
Goddamn mission! Goddamn Col. Mark!
Goddamn Hope! Goddamn Life!
As she stared at the two moons in Hoboran, a heavy tear fell from her eyes and then she muttered a question under her breath. "What next?"