Reaching for the doorknob of my room, the cold iron knob felt welcoming, a signal that it was finally time to rest after a long day. Stepping inside, I found my room to be just the same size as Sam's room, cozy and familiar.
My steel companion, Russ, was already waiting for me on the bed, wagging his tail in excitement. "Hey Russ, how's it going?" I greeted him with a smile, ruffling his soft fur affectionately.
Dropping my remaining gear on the desk, I made a beeline for the bathroom, looking forward to a well-deserved shower. Turning the shower faucet on, I let the warm water trickle down my skin, washing away the soft dirt and grime from the day's activities. I relished the soothing sensation, feeling the fatigue start to melt away.
After a soapy battle, thorough rinsing, and quick dressing, I stepped out of the bathroom, now feeling refreshed and invigorated. I had changed into a comfortable tank top and shorts, ready to relax for the evening.
A quick glance at the mechanical wall clock informed me that the hour hand was already pointed at 9. Time had flown by quicker than I realized.
I laid down on the bed, closing my eyes, taking a moment to reflect on the events of the day. The unexpected addition of Sandra and Sam to the mothership had caught me off guard. I had always imagined that Gustav and I would form a dynamic duo on our journey to Luzon, so this change was surprising. Memories of my former classmates flashed in my mind, a reminder of the life I had left behind.
I opened my eyes, the mechanical wall clock ticking away - tik tok tik tok. It was already 6 o'clock in the morning. Rising from my bed, I sat at the edge, taking in the peaceful silence that surrounded me. Russ was likely out on a recon mission near the ritual site, while the two girls were probably still fast asleep.
Stretching my arms, I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of regret for not exerting more energy during my last mission. I decided to change into more suitable attire – a black shirt, grey sweatpants, and a cozy Miami Heat hoodie.
Stepping out of my room, I heard Sam's door open, and she emerged, rubbing her puffy eyes, looking rather sleepy.
Sam's eyes darted around the room, and then she finally focused on me, offering a tired smile. "Good morning, big bro," she greeted with a cute yawn at the end. "Is breakfast ready?"
I responded with a casual shrug. "Maybe. Let's head to the cafeteria and find out," I suggested, making my way towards her door. "By the way, is Sandra awake?"
Sam shook her head, her pigtails swaying slightly. "Big sis slept like a baby," she said, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
"Alright then, let's go check out the cafeteria," I said, leading the way down the main hallway with Sam following closely behind.
As we stepped closer to the cafeteria, a tantalizing aroma of soy sauce filled the air. The mothership's constant air filter had been turned off for maintenance, allowing the delicious scent of Japanese Fried rice to drift throughout the hallway. It was a recipe I had taught Gustav three years ago in Zamboanga, and it seemed he had perfected it after months of practice.
Inside the cafeteria, Gustav was meticulously arranging the serving trays. The first tray held a heaping portion of the mouth-watering fried rice, while the second tray displayed a tempting assortment of fried eggs and sausages.
Sam's eyes sparkled with excitement as she waved at Gustav, who returned the gesture with a warm smile. "Come and get some!" he called out cheerfully.
Equipped with a plate, spoon, and fork, I made my way to Gustav's station. He skillfully filled my plate with a generous serving of the savory rice using the rice spoon. Next, he deftly used tongs to gather ten perfectly fried eggs and a variety of eight mouthwatering sausages, arranging them on a separate plate.
"Sandra is still asleep, which works in our favor," Gustav remarked as he handed me the loaded platter. The aroma of the delicious meal filled my nostrils as I eagerly accepted the Mt. Ricemore from him. Sam followed suit, balancing the plate adorned with mouthwatering eggs and sausages.
With our plates in hand, we found our designated spot in the cafeteria and set down the rice plate, while Sam placed the eggs and sausages beside it. Settling into our seats across from each other, I pondered Sam's suggestion. "Can we complement this meal with a few additional dishes?" she inquired, her eyes curious.
I nodded, appreciating her enthusiasm. "Of course! The Japanese fried rice itself already contains eggs, and it's a delightful dish." I explained, a hint of satisfaction in my voice from Gustav mastering the recipe.
Sam eagerly spooned out some rice and tasted it. "Wow! It's incredibly delicious on its own," she exclaimed, a twinkle of delight in her eyes.
Observing Sam's enjoyment, I couldn't resist taking a spoonful of the rice myself. Its savory flavor and fluffy texture evoked a slight smile, reminiscent of the times my grandmother had prepared it for our family. Letting out a sigh, I murmured, "It tastes like home."
Sam's choice of attire, a sleeveless tank top, revealed her slender appearance, indicating that she might have experienced periods of starvation before our encounter. I watched as she ate, noticing her restrained eating habits, quite different from Sandra's hearty appetite. Sam displayed impeccable table manners, skillfully using her spoon and fork.
Sam caught me observing her and asked, "Do I have rice on my face?"
Shaking my head, I reassured her, "No, there's none. I was just noticing how thin you look without your jacket." I wanted to ensure she felt comfortable and at ease with us, despite the challenging circumstances.
Sam nonchalantly shrugged and shared a personal insight. "My mom used to say that," she sighed. "But I've learned to ration my meals."
Curiosity piqued, I inquired, "Why is that?"
"I understand what it means to go without food," Sam replied, setting her fork and spoon down.
The maturity displayed by this seven-year-old surpassed that of most children I had encountered. It was disheartening to think that Sam could have lived a normal childhood had it not been for the rapture. She reminded me of Sabrina in many ways.
I quickly finished my portion of the meal but made sure to leave enough for Sam to feel satisfied. "Eat up, Sam," I encouraged her, setting down my silverware.
Sam stared at me, her eyes puffy. "Can I, big brother?" she asked, seeking permission.
I nodded, affirming her. "Of course, eat up and grow strong," I replied, rising from the cafeteria bench.
A bright smile illuminated Sam's face, and she exclaimed, "Yes, big brother!"
After our breakfast, I made my way to the control room, with Sam giving me a warm hug before we parted ways. She headed in the opposite direction, her small figure disappearing around the corner, and I proceeded through the sliding doors into the control room.
Inside, Gustav was engrossed in studying the new hologram, his eyes fixed on the intricate details. "Oh, yeah, I forgot Sandra showed me her hand-drawn map," he mentioned, glancing in my direction.
"She beat me to it?" I responded, feeling a twinge of surprise. Curiosity piqued, I stepped closer to the hologram to examine it closely.
The hologram now displayed a more detailed and vivid depiction of the surrounding terrain, including the rugged hills that enveloped the base and the serene glimmer of nearby lakes. Over 50 red dots were scattered across the holographic landscape, each one signifying the presence of hostile entities.
"I adjusted the color scheme," Gustav explained, his fingers moving deftly across the keyboard. "Red represents hostiles, black represents unique entities, and white signifies docile ones."
The hologram revealed two ominous black dots confined within the heart of the prison camp, accompanied by 40 serene white dots scattered throughout the area. The existence of the two black dots sparked concern, as they clearly indicated the presence of formidable beings. However, the hologram also suggested that they were kept within some kind of containment, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
With a thoughtful expression, I asked Gustav, "What can you tell me about those black dots? Any idea what they are?"
"The two black dots could indicate," Gustav paused briefly, his finger tapping the holographic display, "either a gifted human or a demon in disguise."
As he spoke, the hologram zoomed in on the black dots, revealing faint outlines of figures with indistinct features. Gifted humans were individuals born within five years before or after the rapture, known for their extraordinary abilities. They were once common during the initial three years after the event, often exploited by religious organizations to fight on their behalf. Possessing powers considered akin to witchcraft, the gifted humans played a crucial role in defending settlements until their numbers dwindled in subsequent years.
"The demon might be in recovery," I speculated, my hand gesturing to zoom in even further on the holographic image, "or it could be a recent transition."
Gustav let out a scoff, crossing his arms. "Don't expect the images to be high-definition. Our drones are good, but not that good."
Indeed, the newest images appeared pixelated and blurry, revealing four unidentified objects heading toward the camera. These were likely the SAM sites of the base, indicating that the defense perimeter was well-protected and capable of taking down aerial threats.
"In your mission," Gustav instructed, his fingers deftly pressing buttons on the control panel, "prioritize the destruction of the SAM sites."
As he spoke, the hologram displayed a tactical map with the locations of the SAM sites clearly marked. The red dots representing the hostile entities seemed to grow in number, and I understood the urgency of neutralizing their aerial defense.
"What about the prisoners? Shouldn't they be a priority?" I questioned, feeling a sense of responsibility towards the captives in the damnation base.
Gustav let out a frustrated sigh, his eyes flickering between the hologram and me. "I understand your concern, but you, Russ, and Sam will be outnumbered by forty or more hostiles in there. Their numbers are growing, and the captives may be used as bait."
"The main army is currently engaged in an attack on a settlement near Marawi," Gustav added, a slight smirk on his face. "The settlement is vulnerable right now, which is why I suggested bringing Sam along. We can't afford to ignore that threat."
I nodded, realizing the strategic importance of diverting the main army's attention away from the damnation base. "I see. So, I'll focus on taking down the SAM sites first, weakening their defense."
"Yes, exactly Sam would be doing that," Gustav affirmed, his tone serious. "Russ is locating Sam as we speak. Once you're done here, head straight to the armory and prepare for the mission."