Malacañang Palace, Manila, Philippines
TAP, TAP, TAP
The sound of her metallic heels touching the cold marble which has stood for hundred years echoed in the grandeur hallway. She usually has a much steady pace but the recent incidents this last couple of months gave her sleepless nights and a pimple in her forehead! Gosh!
She stopped in front of a rich brown door, blew unto her hair and covered the red mark with some strands. After, she pushed as a 'creak' sounds all over the place.
"It has already been 6 months since the Ascension happened. Some countries in the Union has already spoken their dissatisfaction with how the United States is slowly cutting international money transaction. Furthermore, based on our information, they're building a wall and other unknown infrastructure surrounding the different Ascension Areas. In addition the damage from 'The Trumpet' is still under construction, cutting out the month's budget to..." Hannah, The Presidential Secretary keeps reporting while adjusting her glasses. She sometimes gazes at the man in front of her.
He's sitting in the highest seat of honour, only given to someone who was chosen by the nation itself. He's contemplating something and looks like he doesn't even hear what she is saying. 'This annoying guy!' she secretly cussed the man out.
"And lastly, regarding the Flight 1XO crash involving 127 passengers that happened in April. After constant persuasion from Admiral Kilawi on the border of Taiwan, they've finally let us search the area." After her last sentence, Hannah steeled herself...
Bang!
"Those f*ckers with a superiority complex! I've already given them every respect I could but in return, they give me this!" President Ricardo banged his table and shouted in an annoyed way.
"Tell Admiral Kilawi that his service will forever be appreciated."
Hannah bowed and walked towards the door.
"Oh, and tell him to bring Second Lieutenant Daniel Marson with him, in case those 'things' showed up again."
Hannah nodded and said, "Anything else, sir?"
"Yeah... I don't think this is necessary, but just in case. Assemble all the Ascended in the main hall, call Jake here."
"Jake?... Okay, it will be done."
"Oh, lastly Ms. Hannah, no need to hide your pimples, with or without, you're just as beautiful." President Ricardo teased Hannah with a smile.
"Wh-? You! Hmph!"
BANG!
Hannah closed the door forcefully with a red face. It's unknown what's running on her mind.
Meanwhile, Ricardo is gazing at the glass window of the office. He came from a family of lawmakers and has been involved in the political current of the Nation, and now the world. He knows that the Ascension is a big deal. The damned media has already let the dogs out, but he's doing everything to mitigate the damage.
"Mother, what should I do?..."
The usual orange hue sky is blinding today.
.......
"Admiral, just what is this island? Even the map by the Beauro of Intelligence doesn't have this." Said a young man wearing a Navy uniform. At his shoulder are 4 solid lines and at the top is a sun emblem. He is the young captain of this boat, Captain Ryle.
"The Taiwanese may be hiding this place. Look, even now the radar isn't reacting... I swear that when we come back I'll make President Ricardo buy a more effective one, sigh." The man talking has a thick moustache, uncommon in the mainland and is measuring 6'2 feet in height. This is Admiral Kilawi, the source of admiration for the young Navy.
Captain Ryle: "..."
The captain signals for the crew to slow down as the boat approaches the coast of the island. In addition to this boat, there are 2 same boats at their rear.
Two boats dismounted on the island while the last one was left as a lookout.
When everyone has aborted, each with a rifle in their hands, Admiral Kilawi shouted.
"Attention! Navy! Our main mission here is to rescue any survivor of Flight 1X0! We have 90 Navy here, and we will split into 3 teams, Alpha, Beta, and Charlie. Team Alpha will be led by me! Team Beta will be led by Captain Mark! Team Charlie will be led by Captain Ryle!"
The Navy splits into 3 teams, forward are the leaders. Admiral Kilawi made sure that their communication devices works, and it does work but he still gave each team a warning flare. Blue flare means: survivors spotted, Green: Unforeseen Events Occurring, and Orange: Assistance needed from other teams.
After explaining all the necessary details, Admiral Kilawi added, "Finally, Second Lieutenant Marson, any thoughts?"
Everyone looked weirdly at a person at the back. He's eye-catching not only due to his different uniform from everyone there but also because of his well-defined feature. Manly face, tall stature, sculpted-like body together with his thick eyebrows. He can be put to the local cinema anytime. This is Second Lieutenant Daniel Marson, an Ascender from the Philippine Army.
The Navy has mixed emotions about Daniel. They've already heard about how much stronger an Ascender is and how they've been given supernatural abilities for killing monsters. Some of them think that the media is overinflating the egos of the Ascenders even calling them "The Future of Humanity". I mean who would believe that? Any man if shot with a bullet will die.
Marson's attention was on the forest as he was intently looking somewhere with a frown on his face. 'tsk' sounds can be heard all over as some of the Navy were somewhat annoyed by his behaviour. He's even dazing off in the middle of a mission!
"Second Lieutenant?" Admiral Kilawi asked in a much louder voice.
"Oh, yes! I'm sorry for dozing off Admiral. I have a very dangerous feeling in this forest, I advise everyone to be extra careful and check each other's communication devices more frequently.
"Hmmm..." Admiral Kilawi looks at Second Lieutenant Marson intently and made a quick decision.
"Since we need to push this mission as fast as possible, we can't decrease the number of teams. As such, every 10 minutes interval all teams must report their current situation. A 2-minute no report from one team means an immediate rescue and reconnaissance. This will be the spot a team will take the survivors! Once a survivor was seen, the priority is to make sure they're safe and bring them to safety immediately! Second Lieutenant Marson, please stay at Team Charlie until further orders."
"Roger!" Second Lieutenant Marson saluted!
"Navy! Do you understand!?" Admiral Kilawi shouted.
"Sir yes sir!"
"Are you sure about this Admiral?" Captain Ryle asked.
SMACK!
Kilawi smacked Ryle's head and reprimanded him "You kid! Stop asking questions and survey the area!"
Some of the Navy chuckled. They were already used to the Father and Son antics. It's a good atmosphere considering that they're in an unknown territory. Admiral Kilawi reprimanded them as the three teams marched unto the Island.
Unbeknownst to them, an eye was looking at them from a distance.