Chapter 29: Loss
The world was in chaos. News stations across the globe continuously replayed footage of the attack. Governments were mobilizing. Military forces were on high alert. Social media was flooded with fear, theories, and grief. But none of that mattered to Shane Buron at the moment. Because two people were gone. Two people he considered family.
--- After the initial emergency briefing ended, Shane stood silently inside the command center of the Philippine PPDC Branch. The giant holographic displays still showed reports arriving from different countries. Casualty numbers. Damage assessments. Satellite imagery. None of it mattered. His mind was elsewhere.
Finally, he spoke. His voice calm. Too calm. "Prepare the plane."
His assistant immediately straightened. "Sir?"
"We're going to Sydney."
The room fell silent. Everyone understood why.
"Yes, sir." --- Several hours later.
A private jet of the Buron Enterprise aircraft cut through the clouds. Inside the luxurious cabin, Shane sat alone. A glass of whiskey rested in his hand. The amber liquid gently swayed as the aircraft experienced mild turbulence. He stared at it. Silent.
Lost in thought. The brand was familiar. Very familiar. It was the same whiskey Raleigh liked. The same bottle they had shared countless times over the years. A bitter smile appeared on Shane's face. Then memories resurfaced.
--- Ten years ago.
The day the twins were born. The hospital had been overflowing with excitement. Mako was inside the delivery room. Doctors and nurses rushed around. Meanwhile, Raleigh and Shane stood on a balcony outside the hospital. The city lights illuminated the night. Both men held glasses in their hands. Neither spoke for a while. Then Raleigh suddenly broke the silence.
"Shane."
"Hmm?"
"If something ever happens to me and Mako..."
Shane frowned. "What kind of nonsense is that?"
Raleigh laughed. "Just listen."
The American pilot looked toward the stars. Then spoke softly.
"Please take care of the children."
Shane blinked. "What?"
Raleigh continued. "You're the only person I trust enough."
"Besides Mako's father."
"That old man is too busy."
Shane rolled his eyes. "Raleigh."
"I'm busy too, you know."
Raleigh immediately nodded. "Yeah, But you still have more free time than him."
Shane nearly laughed. "That's not exactly reassuring."
Raleigh chuckled.
The sound carried through the cool night air.
Shane shook his head.
"Nothing is going to happen."
"The war is over."
"The world is peaceful now."
Raleigh smiled. "Yeah, I hope you're right."
--- Back in the present. Inside the aircraft. Shane slowly looked at the ceiling. The whiskey suddenly tasted bitter. Painfully bitter. His eyes closed. Then he whispered.
"I shouldn't have said that."
The words lingered in the empty cabin. A regret he never expected to carry.
--- Knock. Knock.
His assistant entered. "Sir."
Shane looked up.
"We'll be arriving in Sydney in twenty minutes."
Shane nodded. "Understood."
He placed the unfinished whiskey on the table. Then stood up. Time to say goodbye.
--- Sydney. Australia.
The city felt different. Heavy. The atmosphere itself seemed burdened by grief. People gathered along the streets. Many carried flowers. Others held photographs. Some simply stood in silence. The world had lost heroes. And everyone knew it.
--- The funeral was being held in one of the largest memorial halls in the city. Security was everywhere. Military personnel. Government officials. Former PPDC staff. Pilots. Engineers. Scientists. People from all walks of life. All gathered for the same reason. To honor two heroes. Raleigh Becket. Mako Mori.
--- The moment Shane entered the hall. He saw them. Mamuro. And Shane Becket. The twins. Both dressed in black. Both standing beside their parents' coffins. The sight nearly broke him. They were only ten years old. Too young to experience this kind of loss. Too young to understand why the world could be so cruel. Slowly. Shane walked toward them.
"Mom..." The little girl noticed him first.
Then her eyes widened. "Uncle Shane!"
The boy immediately turned. The next second. Both children ran toward him.
"UNCLE SHANE!"
Their cries echoed throughout the hall. Shane immediately knelt down. Opening his arms. The twins crashed into him. And then they broke. The dam holding back their emotions shattered.
"Uncle!"
"W-Why weren't you there?!"
"Why?!"
"Mom and Dad..."
"They..."
The words never finished. The twins could only cry. Their small bodies trembled. Shane hugged them tightly. One arm around each child. Protecting them. Just like he had promised. Years ago.
People nearby looked away. Unable to bear the sight. Others wiped tears from their eyes. The whispers began.
"Poor children..."
"They lost both parents..."
"They're too young..."
"Why did this happen?"
"Those heroes saved the world..."
The tragedy felt unfair. Cruel.
Unjust.
--- Outside. The media frenzy had reached unimaginable levels. Hundreds of reporters filled the streets. Satellite vans lined the roads. Cameras pointed toward the memorial building. Every major news network covered the story. One anchor spoke solemnly.
"Today, humanity mourns the loss of two of its greatest heroes."
Images of Raleigh and Mako appeared behind her.
"The legendary pilots who helped close the Breach have died during a recent unidentified attack."
Another news station showed footage from around the world. Mass prayer gatherings. Candlelight vigils. Memorial services. Protests demanding answers. Citizens marching through city streets. One question dominated every broadcast.
"Is another war beginning?" Nobody knew. And that uncertainty terrified everyone.
--- Later that evening. After the funeral ended. Shane sat inside one of the Becket family residences. Across from him sat Mako's father. The old man looked exhausted. Older than Shane remembered. The loss of his daughter had clearly taken its toll. For several minutes. Neither man spoke. Finally. Shane broke the silence.
"So."
"What are your plans for the children, sir?"
The old man sighed heavily. His eyes remained fixed on the monitor showing family photographs. Mako. Raleigh. The twins. Smiling. Happy. Alive.
"I don't know."
His voice sounded tired. Very tired.
"The world is changing again."
"The attack has created panic."
"There are responsibilities I must handle."
He paused. Then looked down.
"I don't know if I can properly care for my grandchildren right now."
Shane remained silent. Listening. The old man continued.
"I lost my daughter."
"My son-in-law."
And for the first time. His voice cracked.
"I don't know if I have the strength left."
The room became quiet. Very quiet. Then Shane finally spoke.
"Sir."
The older man looked at him.
"For the time being."
"I'll take care of them."
The old man's eyes widened slightly. Shane continued.
"They're family."
"And Raleigh trusted me."
"Mako trusted me."
"I won't abandon them."
He paused briefly. Then added.
"There is one thing."
The old man nodded.
"What is it?"
Shane looked directly at him.
"If they're staying with me."
"I'll need to bring them back to the Philippines."
The room fell silent. The old man thought for a long time. Several minutes passed. Finally. He slowly nodded.
"Yes."
His voice was reluctant. But firm.
"They'll be safer with you."
He looked toward a family photograph. Mako's smiling face stared back at him.
"I think..."
"...she would've wanted that too."
--- That night. The twins were already asleep. Exhausted from crying. Shane stood alone on the balcony. Looking toward Sydney's skyline. The city lights reflected in his eyes. Somewhere out there. Something had killed Raleigh and Mako. Something powerful enough to eliminate two legendary pilots. Something capable of starting another war. His hand clenched into a fist. The grief remained. The anger remained. The guilt remained. But above all else— A promise remained. He looked toward the room where the twins slept. Then quietly spoke.
"I'll take care of them."
A promise to Raleigh. A promise to Mako. A promise he intended to keep. Tomorrow morning. They would leave for the Philippines. And the next chapter of their lives would begin. But tonight— Tonight was for mourning. Tonight was for remembering. Tonight was for loss.
End of Chapter 29: Loss