"For our product's special feature. We were able to implement them one by one as requested, Mr. Mandelios," as said by Varkin.
The three Mandelio brothers are seated around a white long table. Blue led lights are also attached on each corner of the table. Sa gitna ng lamesa ay may nakapatong na isang kakaibang klasi ng baril. The brothers are wearing long black sleeves. One of them wears that sleeve in a formal way. Nakasara lahat ng butones at may suot rin itong salamin. He's in fact seated in the middle which gives him the highest authority above his two brothers given that he is the oldest one. Sa kanya direktang nakatapat ang baril.
On the other side, the one on his right side wears a black necklace with a black star in the middle, nakabukas rin ang dalawang butones nito sa itaas. He's also smirking at the moment. He's none other than the middle child of Mandelio Family.
While the youngest one, the one on the left side...
Nakatupi ang long sleeves nito hanggang siko at may isa rin siyang kulay itim at bituing hikaw sa kanang tainga nito. All of them are popularly known as the trio brothers, Mr. Mandelios or Mandelio brothers.
But specifically, they are called "The Triple M or the Black stars."
Aside from them, there's also this other man named 'Varkin', he's currently reporting about the weapon's special features as requested by the bosses. Siya rin ang right hand ng tatlo.
"Go on, you may speak," saad ng panganay and his name is none other than Maximus Gael Mandelio.
He's the genius above all brothers, the one and only CEO of Mandelio Company and Corporations, and most especially, the co-founder of Estrella Vermelha, the head and highest boss of The Red Star Organization.
Kasalukuyan siyang may hawak na ballpen at pinaiikot yon sa isang kamay habang ang kabilang kamay naman ay may hawak na folder. Kasalukuyan niya yong binabasa habang nagsasalita si Varkin.
May hawak namang stick pointer si Varkin habang itinuturo ang mga parte ng baril na nasa harapan nila, "On this part, the head architects, engineers, IT specialists among with other departments have been able to attach a laser which can burn a person's skin as long as the light passes through the human skin. Aside from tha— "
"Wait a minute," bahagyang itinaas ni Maximus ang isang kamay nitong may hawak na ballpen.
"Yes sir?" -Varkin
"Does the laser automatically activates when you use the gun?"
"No, Mr. Maximus," pag-iling niya, "It depends on the user whether he wants to activate it for the utilization of the laser."
"Nice. Parang gusto kong subukan," pagsasalita ni Maxcord habang malapad ang ngiti na tinignan ang dalawa pa niyang kapatid, "Subukan kaya natin sayo Varkin?" tanong pa niya. Napayuko naman si Varkin.
"Shut your mouth, Maxcord. He's reporting. The audacity," sermon ng panganay at seryoso siyang tinignan.
"Hindi naman kayo mabiro haha. Sure ball, I'll be good, brother," sumandal si Maxcord sa upuan at nanahimik. Nandon pa rin ang masamang ngiti niya habang nakatingin sa baril. Pansin naman ng bunso na si Axton na may interes doon ang kuya niya.
Napatingin sa kanya ang kuya nito at saka siya kinindatan, "Why? Nagwagwapuhan ka ata sa kuya mo?" sinamaan na lang ng tingin ni Axton si Maxcord kaya natawa na lang ito.
"Go on, Varkin," saad ng panganay.
"And as suggested by the armor department sir, the design of our gun 88 must remain unattractive to public."
"I was just thinking... about the design," sabay turo ni Maximus sa baril, "Why does it look like a children's toy? Are we playing some hell of a game here?" sarkastikong tanong niya.
Bahagyang napaubo si Varkin hanggang sa magsalita si Axton, "Actually, I was the one who suggested the design, kuya."
Tinignan siya ni Maximus, "Yes, I remember giving you the permission to make a design about this but why does it have to look like that?"
"As you have said before, we have to make our product unattractive. Yes, it is made of diamonds and golds. However, we can't make a design that would make it seem like a diamond and a gold, right?" sagot ng bunso.
Bahagyang ngumiti si Maximus at napayuko, "I do understand that you love games, Axton. But you don't have to apply your gaming knowledge on this one. We're on business and not just some type of... a play. "
"Lagot ka," pagngisi ni Maxcord kay Axton kaya sinamaan siya nito ng tingin.
"But have you ever heard that someone outside the organization have had any attention of our weapons given na may palpak sa mga tauhan at naiwan ang ibang armas sa daan? None right? Because all they thought it was just a children's toy." -Axton
"Oh, burn," saad pa ni Maxcord kaya sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Maximus, "Alright, I'm done. I'll keep my mouth shout," saad niya na itinaas ang dalawang kamay at sumandal sa kinauupuan. Iniikot niya ang upuan nito at saka humarap sa baril para talikuran ang dalawa. Nagkibit-balikat pa siya.
Sandali pang nagkatitigan ang panganay at bunso bago hinarapan ni Maximus si Varkin, "Alright. Makes sense, good job Axton Rhys," sinenyasan niya si Varkin na ituloy ang pagsasalita.
"Yes sir. As I've mentioned, we don't have any problems with regards to the laser and the design since it was confirmed and signed by our head department. Some bullets are built distinctively from one another. There are bullets whom what we call the bomb bullets, once they enter someone's body, it would immeditaly explode in five seconds leaving remnants of that person's body, and of course, no chances of surviving. Most especially, we have a bullet whom what we call the magic bullet."
"Wait a minute," itinaas ni Maximus ang kamay nitong may hawak na ballpen habang nakatingin sa hawak na folder, "I have a question."
"Anything sir." -Varkin
"Regarding the bomb bullets, what are the materials used?"
"The bomb bullets are composed of metal, ammonium nitrate, black powder, nitroglycerin, flammable liquids, aluminum powder, oxidizing and reducing agents and most specifically, the most important, a tiny bit of nuclear powder, of course, from the nuclear plants of Russia and China."
"And who's the one responsible for making those country agree with our terms and conditions?"
"I'd like to commend Mr. Maxcord West for that one sir," sabay ngiti ni Varkin sa gawi nito. Napatingin na rin ang dalawa kay Maxcord kaya itinaas nito ang isang kamay habang nakatalikod sa dalawa at nakatingin pa rin sa baril.
"Thank me later," taas-noong saad niya na hindi naman nila pinansin.
"You may continue with the magic bullets." -Maximus
"Yes sir. And of course, we have the new and most special magic bullets wherein it can pass through human skin just like the laser but the only difference is that the laser can only damage one person at a time while the magic bullet can damage at least two to three people everytime the user shoots," ngumiti si Varkin.
"So, you mean... " pagsasalita ni Axton, "It's like a bouncing bullet? Pagkadaan sa isang tao, pwede pang tumama sa iba?"
"Exactly, Mr. Axton Rhys," pagtango ni Varkin.
"Impressive," napahawak si Maximus sa baba nito at bahagyang nakangiti habang nakatingin sa folder, "Who's idea is this one? It was never in the report though," pagtingala niya rito.
Ngumiti si Varkin at tumingin sa gawi ni Maxcord kaya sinundan siya ni Maximus ng tingin, "I never thought you could be a genius too, West? You should have informed me first so I could give you incentives," saad niya at bahagyang nakangiti na tila hindi makapaniwala sa ginawa ng kapatid.
"Ts," iniikot ni Maxcord ang kinauupuan para harapan ang dalawa, "Kapag pinapirma ko sayo, baka ireject mo. Alam ko naman na wala kayong bilib at tiwala sa akin. Pero Mandelio ata to, dumadaloy din sa dugo ko ang pagiging matalino," taas-noong saad niya. Natawa na lang ang bunso.
"Dumadaloy lang sa dugo mo pero hindi sa utak," pagharang ni Axton kaya napako sa kanya ang tingin ni Maxcord.
"Anong sabi mo? Hindi yan totoo ah," nanlalaking matang saad ni Max na napatayo habang nakaharap kay Axton.
"Not telling the truth but stating a fact," sagot pa ng bunso sa paraang walang gana at nakaupo lang.
"G*gu to ah," aktong lulusob si Max ay humarang ang panganay.
"Enough with your immature fights. What did I say about foul words, Maxcord? Mandelio Family never thought you any kinds of disrespect so always keep that in mind whether you are talking to an elder or younger," and his authoritative voice once heard again kaya sinamaan ng tingin ni Max si Axton at naupo.
Inilipat ni Maximus ng pahina ang papel sa folder at binasa ang mga nakasulat hanggang sa makarating siya sa pinakahuling parte, "Based on the report, that's all you should say, Varkin. Am I right?" sabay tingin niya rito na nasa pinakadulo ng lamesa.
"Yes, sir."
"Alright. Good job, you may tell all departments for another incentive that they may get. Just inform them to continue impressing me with our products and their incentives will surely blow interminably."
"Definitely, Mr. Maximus," bahagyang napayuko si Varkin. Inilapag ni Maximus ang folder sa lamesa at napasandal. Nagpakawala pa ito ng buntong-hininga at tinanggal ang suot na salamin bago kinusot ang mata gamit ang isang kamay.
Nang magmulat nang mata ay pansin niyang hindi pa rin umaalis si Varkin, "Is there anything you want to say?" tanong niya.
Lumapit si Varkin habang nakayuko at tinignan si Maximus, "I just want to inform you sir that one of our experiments died."
Busy naman sa pagcecellphone ang dalawa maliban kay Maximus, "And so? That's good news then. We have another soldier."
"But sir, our soldiers were not able to take him right away. He's nowhere to be found and I'm afraid that the red star already activated," sabay-sabay napatingin sa kanya ang tatlo.
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" kunot-noong tanong ni Maxcord.
"The name is Oak Kingston. He's from another organization and we can't just interfere with them. They were the ones who took him away."
"Since when?" -Maximus
"1 month ago, sir."
"Seriously?! One month? Bakit ngayon niyo lang sinabi?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Maxcord na napalakas ang boses. Sandali siyang tinignan ni Maximus kaya pinakalma nito ang sarili.
Naipatong ni Maximus sa lamesa ang salamin na hawak at napahilot sa sentido nito habang nakapatong ang siko sa arm chair, "Why did you only have to tell me about this now?"
"I was about to tell you right away sir but the lower department demanded me to keep it from you because they promised to handle it without any problems."
"Without any problems but a month passed and they still have the problem?" hindi makapaniwalang saad ni Maximus na natawa pa at napailing.
Maya-maya ay seryosong tinignan ni Maximus si Varkin, "We should be the prioritized authority to be informed because we are the head. Then you would only tell us when it's too late? What is wrong with you?!" hindi man malakas ngunit may diin sa bawat salita ni Maximus.
"What organization does that man belong to?" tanong ni Axton. Mahahalatang magkakapatid nga sila sa dugo dahil iba-iba man ang porma ngunit pare-pareho ang talim ng kanilang mga mata.
"A sub-organization of LaCosta Saoirsa, sir. The Alzini Mafia handled by Aendriacchi Family. It is now headed by Alistair Aendriacchi and his wife, Erin Clemente."
Napatayo si Maxcord at napahilamos ng mukha. Si Axton naman ay napasandal sa kinauupuan nito at nagbuntong-hininga. Tumayo si Maximus at nilagpasan si Varkin para lapitan at maayos na titigan ang baril. Nakalagay pa ang dalawa niyang kamay sa mga bulsa nito, "That man knew that much where to hide," ani niya at saka napayuko at natawa, "What an interesting person," sabay tingin sa baril.
"Can you track him?" tinignan niya si Varkin.
"No, his location is blocked sir," pag-iling nito.
"How come?" kunot noong tanong ni Maximus.
"Our assumption is that the Alzini has a hacker from Japan and that person was able to block any connections directing to Oak Kingston's location."
"Impressive," sabay ngiti ni Maximus habang nakatingin sa baril, "That is why we cannot mess with LaCosta," sandaling natahimik, "Then, you have to eliminate the star," saad pa niya. Napatingin sa kanya ang tatlo.
"Seryoso ka ba kuya? He would die," saad ni Axton.
"He'd die or we die?" tanong pabalik ni Maximus habang matalim ang tingin dito.
"Can we not negotiate with LaCosta Saoirsa about this? Particularly Alzini? I will go in the Philippines and make a deal with the— "
"No, we can't do that," pag-iling ni Maximus kay Axton, "No one must find out about our real agenda, not even the largest organizations."
"Then I guess that's the best choice we can have," pagharang ni Maxcord kaya napatingin sila sa kanya. Ipinatong niya ang dalawang kamay sa lamesa at ngayon ay nasa magkabilang-tapat na sila ni Maximus, "In fact, patay na din naman siya. He's just breathing because of the pulse that the red star is giving him the moment it was activated."
"Alright. I might have to agree as well," sagot ni Axton.
"Then tell the elimination department to identify his star number and quickly eliminate of it," utos ni Maximus.
"Copy sir," yumuko si Varkin.
"You may now leave."
Pagkatapos noon ay lumabas na siya nang kwarto.
"What if LaCosta Saoirsa find out about this?" napatingin si Maximus kay Axton na nakaupo pa rin at magkahawak ang dalawang kamay habang nakatapat sa kanyang mukha. Mata lang ngayon ang kita sa kanya na ngayon ay tinignan ang kuya nito, "Alam mo namang pamilya ang turing nila sa mga tauhan nila."
Napatingin sa baril si Maximus, "Well I'm afraid that time would come, we have to destroy them too."
"That's world war 3 kung mangyayari man 'yan, hindi pa kasama ang LaCosa Vysta," saad ni Maxcord na ngumisi kaya't nagkatinginan silang tatlo.
To be continued...
Mandelio Brothers:
Maximus Gael Mandelio
- formal sleeves with glass
Maxcord West Mandelio
- two buttons open, wearing black star necklace
Axton Rhys Mandelio
-sleeves rolled up to elbow, black star earring on right ear