"These latest tasks left by the young lady are almost impossible. First she told us to go to the middle of nowhere to search for who knows what districts for 3 months then tell us to leave everything abandoned and come to the other side of the world"
Although Ethan would like to complain the way he does, the sad reality is that he would prefer to do this 10 more times than face Miss Kalika's wrath.
"I agree with Ethan captain. Although we are Kalika's subordinates, this is outrageous and a waste of time."
'Here we go again!'
"You see captain, although I'm not always in agreement with this unbearable witch, for the first time we agree on something; besides, why are we looking for a child and more so why did you send Gabriel, Grace and Mia back to Japan?"
"Hey! who are you calling a witch you damned bastard. and continuing with what the idiot said, it's true!, why did we have to end up here in the middle of the Amazon."
"Hey", who are you calling an idiot witch"
When the two agree they can be exasperating.
Although not in the way one would believe they support each other.
"Ethan, Emily, shut up both of you!; can't you see you're driving the captain crazy"
'Thanks Cloe, you do support me, not like those two', that's what was going through Caleb's mind as he looked at the other 2 with disgust.
To be practically siblings one would expect they've improved their relationship after so many years in service.
"I gave them minimal specifications because that's all I was given. Just a video from a security camera at the target hotel we came to search for and some possible subjects who took the target. Nothing more"
'Although we found clues about where those who took the boy are, I still haven't given anything about his nickname.'
'Just like the young lady, it seems Heiss is just a nickname. But...'
"I know you're tired about the districts issue, and I know it was one of the most difficult missions we've had. But orders are orders"
The people here are easy to influence if you give them an incentive, that's why they were able to find some clues.
"But captain, it's a bit unfair, and incomplete if you allow me to speak frankly. Miss Kalika has never given us a mission with so little information and lack of support, besides I wonder what she wants that child for, doesn't she have enough already seeing signs that there will be a civil war in the family?"
So Cloe has her doubts too.
Caleb raised his head and sighed resignedly.
"Haaaa, it's okay. But first of all, I already told you to stop calling me captain, my name is Caleb. Being the leader of operations doesn't mean you have to call me that. Is that clear?"
"Yes captain" x3
'Haaa these brats...'
"Captain I think we've arrived"
The conversation would have to wait.
'This is something bigger than expected' the surprise was reflected on his face.
It looks like an enormous drug manufacturing factory, 'this is the size of 3 football fields!'.
Perhaps from the view of an airplane it wouldn't look very good, since the vegetation helps cover everything very well. But they were surprised that something this size exists in the heart of the jungle.
What's more, there's a thin but long gravel runway where small planes and other types of vehicles seem to enter.
"I don't think we can get closer until nightfall, prepare yourselves to enter when the sun sets"
The 3 looked at me and confirmed.
"I can't believe that in a country this kind of acts can be permitted, even if they're discreet, this is crossing the line". He murmured in a low voice as he turned around.
Without looking further, he knew there were corrupt hands involved, that disgusted him.
"Still if necessary we'll make the whole jungle reverberate" Ethan mentioned with a bit of ecstasy on his face.
Although the idea doesn't entirely displease me, this could cause a scandal at the national level.
"We will maintain stealth, we will only make noise if necessary, I don't want to stir up a scandal that could anger Miss Kalika"
'If Ethan, although you look at me like an abandoned dog, I won't change my mind.'
We just had to wait for nightfall.
It's close to 6 in the afternoon and the sunset is already beginning to appear; with the information obtained and what was seen by others it was likely the boy was in that place.
'Although everything was going as planned in the agreed time, I didn't expect to have the inconvenience I was seeing at that moment'
"Emily come here for a moment, and tell me if what I observe is just my imagination, tell me you didn't see movement a kilometer and a half away"
'She is the best sniper among us, since we trained with Miss Kalika we have always been good at each task, but for certain tasks it's better to leave those who have better faculties'
"Mm... I'm sorry to report that you're right, I see a patrol of several men in a line, as if they were doing reconnaissance searching or patrolling"
It continued to surprise him the sight she has even without tools. What concerned him was whether they were from these facilities, which Caleb doubted, which meant they were coming for what they themselves were coming to search for.
"Tell me if their route creates conflict with the one we're going to use"
'I wouldn't want an unnecessary battle'
"According to the path they're taking, it's possible they'll find and go directly into armed conflict with the cartel without us being seen, but we won't be able to approach the facility unless they withdraw or manage to enter"
Although they were near the first entrance, they were well camouflaged, trying minimal detection.
This could ruin the silent entrance they planned. And according to what Emily said, they won't be able to enter from another side due to the geographical composition that prevents it.
'That is unless...'
"The landing strip has a view that wouldn't allow us to enter without being seen, but if the ones coming make the commotion on the other side that we estimate, we could enter without being seen" said Cloe.
'Maybe we can take shelter in that part where the jungle is tall and then enter at high speed'
'It seems he thought the same as me'
But there was still the problem that on both sides there were many, this could cause the battle to drag on too long and they could lose who they were searching for, if either side decides to save them and escape or even eliminate them. He didn't know what positions they could take.
"What do we do captain"
'Ethan seems to have the same concern. What would be best...?'
"If we enter a limited amount and maintain control from a distance, we can do it without letting them lose sight of us" is the best option he found.
"Captain, are you saying what I think you're insinuating?"
The eyes of the 3 light up like when you give dessert to a 5-year-old child.
"Yes, 3 of us are going to enter and kill and another will stay to cover us flanking from a distance" their excited faces said it all, they deserved to release stress after the tedious time they spent together in Kazakhstan.
"You have free rein to murder whoever you want, the most important thing emphasized to us was to bring the boy by all means; if we manage to bring someone who can provide information capture them, the same goes for the men approaching, I don't know if they're military, mercenaries or even the mosqueteers band, eliminate them. If you capture one you can extract information from them as you see fit, welcome to it"
"Yes captain!"
The emotion burst and they began to prepare in their respective positions, at this point each one knows what they have and where they'll do it.
'Ethan and Cloe will accompany me in the field and Emily will eliminate from a distance'
'The circumstances require a strong touch, that's why no one should survive when we leave here. It will be a great scandal, Miss Kalika might let it slide understanding the situation as such or she might not, but that doesn't stop even me from getting excited, us from getting excited.'
***
2 KILOMETERS AWAY
Personality #1: "Tell me Peter, who is Jouska?"
I'm not a person who likes repeating things twice and even less wasting time, maybe I should break something else for him to answer, but this man is on his last legs, he could pass out any moment.
{Maybe it's time to kill him right?} says #10.
'Maybe it is'
but I still have to find a clue to his boss's whereabouts. On the other hand, it could end up helping nurture a fruit that is still green at this moment.
{But even if that maniac Rudolf reaches what you expect, that doesn't explain why we should risk so much, and especially if the Principality is looking for you to assassinate you} says #10.
'Don't you think it's worth it?, maybe I'm omniscient and superior in some aspects, but that doesn't stop me from bleeding'
{....., we're with you until the end, more so with me if you try to commit suicide at that level, but we won't support negligence, you know that Heiss} says #10.
'Yes... I know'
{Drop your spectacle #10, what is life without a little risk.} says #4 while smiling ironically.
'Let's leave the talks about our molars and problems for later, I remind you that in my current state I can't afford to overload myself with information, I'll only be able to use the void one more time, so prioritize. I don't want to end up passing out in this situation.'
{....}, 'Thanks'.
My greatest concern during my stay was not being able to sleep almost at all. My mind can cloud from accumulated exhaustion.
{Since I'm not going to bother anymore, I would like to know one last thing, what will you do with the 4 remaining men besides Rudolf, don't tell me you're also going to adopt them} says #4.
As I look at #4 I change my view toward #13, and showing a slight smile.
"...wwwwhy.., is it..", while Peter didn't know how to answer
Personality #13: "You truly are useless"
Raising the weapon.
If I can't find reliable information in this place maybe it's good to move to the next stage and not waste more time.
"Waaaaait, please!, I need to know where my son is"
I turn to look at him.
No matter who the person is, they can never get used to the gaze of the void. Rudolf trembles because he knows he can't do anything against this existence that oppressed with just its presence, but it's that strength of searching for his son that allows him to overcome the terror and show his true value.
"I...may not be at your level, but I'm not giving up for my son.., even if I have to die trying"
He raises his weapon against me, it's suicide, and he knows it. But that's what I saw at the beginning.
I turn and look at Peter, the immersion was over 50% compatibility with #13, my pupils began to darken.
Personality #13: "Tell him, Peter, what did you do with his son, where is he?, and what happened to him?"
The tone of my words gave the idea of as if I had an idea of what happened to his son.
Rudolf trembles at the idea of thinking that his son could be dead, unconsciously he must have seen through Peter and found the answer, only he still refuses to understand.
"..I...I, didn't kno.." disbelief at hearing the word Codices, and not knowing how to tell the harsh truth facing the immense terror of the person who executes the question. That action was enough to tell everything.
"Bang!", is what was heard followed by a heartbreaking silence.
The other four guards didn't know what to do, they were in shock. Over the death of their boss, over Rudolf's decision to kill his boss, and simply over the fear that infected their minds.
The look in Rudolf's eyes reflected his emotions; rage, sadness, loneliness, hatred, and many things that are difficult to clarify.
Similar to an effect of the void, Rudolf stopped being in the automatic response of answering with a simple YES or NO, and of following everything without doubt to touching something that can reach you at the touch of enlightenment, like some idiot monk once told me. He reached the thin layer of reality and madness in his moment of weakness.
He changed his gaze toward me seeking an answer before what he had in front of him. He must feel lost or in a flow where the touch with reality makes him overload.
This is the stage of what I expected to find, but what is significant is what comes after that, since after the storm comes the calm or in this case the flow similar to the zone.
A measured stage of confrontation and his reality and rage.
The simplification and closest way that a mortal can come to feel the void; with the death of a loved one.
"I'm sorry about your son" whether I'm sorry or not, is not important, what's important is letting him know that there's still someone who can feel something for his distress, it does me no good if he goes crazy from his sudden loss.
"ji...aaaaaaaaah!"
Cries filled the room, a pure reaction that reached the soul, it's like he said my bro....crack, crack!.
That's what I heard from above, as if it were an earthquake, or...
Everyone in the room heard the sound of concrete cracking.
"How many floors down are we Rudolf?"
"..."
At this point it's not strange that he can't answer, in the worst case he could fall into a psychotic state and kill himself.
But I already had that foreseen.
"The 4 of you remaining, prepare to leave"
They look at each other without fully understanding and take a stance, but it's obvious that if they don't work with me they'll end up dead.
"The sounds coming from above are not from some small trivia, it's likely your companions are already dead, if you really want to get out demonstrate that you're worth your weight in usefulness"
The changes were necessary to show that there was no fixed hostility toward them.
Personality #13: "Keep in mind that if you don't make an effort with your lives you'll be murdered; they expect to sweep this zone to leave not one alive. If you're wondering why, it's simple, that my head is what they want on a silver platter and that yours roll at the side of mine"
There was still one that I had doubts about whether to leave alive or not, but the answer came immediately making things easier.
"Not us!!"
It didn't matter what I was going to say, it was simpler to shoot and remove him from the plans than to have someone who might be opportunistic. I had already observed him several times during this time, one thing is being intelligent and another is being opportunistic, taking advantage of situations is important, but degrading yourself to achieve it are the bases of someone who can betray at any moment.
"Bang!"
And the features he showed me gave me enough to assassinate him
Personality #2: "My eyes can see beyond what they believe, if you think you'll survive, only I will give you the option, after leaving you can go or stay, but betrayal is death"
They look at each other and as if they didn't have a better option, they agree.
Before we take off we must make the awakened talent count, the synesthesia of the flow will last short so I'll have to give the final blows in order to see the new Rudolf be born.
I approach and stand in front of him; being merciless is not my thing, maybe some personalities. In general one must be cautious in how one treats a person; too abrupt a change and it would leave Rudolf with trauma for life and too soft and it would leave him in his current state, like a living dead.
The loss of his wife left him unstable and that of his son fractured him.
Walking slowly I approach him.
Personality #2: "Each one will have their reasons to leave this place, those 3 will be to survive. For me it could be the opportunity I've been waiting for to free myself from my past. But I wonder what will motivate you Rudolf?"
"…"
I wonder what will become of you if you keep staring at the floor the way you do. Since I looked at Peter I knew your family no longer existed and that I could make your life take a completely different turn.
What's more I already knew you were probably doing this for your family, who in themselves trembles in slight tics while torturing?, your life was no longer in the present, so your motives would be reflected toward a trauma, there would be several, but one in particular could be your past that still torments you, when Peter came he only made my conjecture take strength.
Personality #2: "If you don't have a purpose I can give you one, of course it's obvious why I have you in my sights, even after the torture, it's not masochism or anything you might imagine. I just hope to have a good start again"
"Why should I listen to you. … Your selfish and idealistic desires are not something that should matter to me…. I have nothing left"
The rage was freezing and only gave way to a broken container.
Personality #2: "Yes, my desire is selfish, but yours is the same isn't it?; my goal is not to live in an appropriate or comfortable way"
"I only hope to die in a way that doesn't disappoint those I once knew, and for that I need people who I can keep a promise with. Even if it's only for mutual benefit", I said this from the depths of my being, there was no lie in what I intended.
It's not my place to know what others feel, because even if I've already experienced it it's not my right to give advice they haven't asked for.
Rudolf raised his head and fixed his brown eyes on mine.
"But I still wonder... why should I follow you, what do I get for giving you my miserable life!"
The insipid emotionless depression began to turn into something more than desire, it wasn't hope, maybe it was longing, I couldn't say what.
Personality #4: "Revenge"
{What do you think you're doing #4, I'm supposed to handle this}, says #2.
{For someone who only thinks of people for their usefulness, it's not your concern how to handle losses like family, not like me} says #4.
'....I wish I didn't remember my brother, so I wouldn't know that this pain in my chest and head' memories of my past words struck me.
Feelings and memories.
'Go ahead #4'
Personality #4: "With those who got you into all this and with whoever you need to vent to…or, maybe revenge isn't something you desire deep in your heart at this moment, since revenge can be obtained by your own hand, ...I offer you my help to end this drug trafficking organization and if you wish and I think I know more or less that, it's to give a proper burial to your son"
"....if you're referring to finding my son's body….I...I only want them to be…..at peace"
Tears fall and his fists clench reaching an idea.
Personality #4: "To get out of here I will need you all, and you all will need me, if District #3 is looking for me it's very likely they're the ones attacking up there right now"
Personality #4: "You three, you will be 1, you 2 and you 3"
A sadistic smile shows on my face that makes the 3 young people in front of me think 'We're dead!'.
Personality #4: "One more thing; it's likely that those fighting above with the cartel are the Principality's exploratory unit, if that's the case, there won't be a problem"
The number 3 boy raises his hand. {Ha ha!, like this was elementary school haha} says #7, the other 2 look at him with bewilderment and a slight laugh. These environments help a bit with the eerie scene they might live in a few moments.
Rudolf stands up and takes his weapon that he had left to the side, for the first time tonight his gaze changes to determination and fury that's what I desired.
"What happens if they're not the exploratory unit?" asked number 3.
Personality #4: "It's possible that everyone dies… I can get out because I believe I can, but you all are the ones with the least chances; I know because I've observed you during a week in my stay with you and because among the others, although I could have eliminated you, you were the ones who thought rationally, plus you are quite young"
The 3 look at me with a face I couldn't forget, the same face of many boys who died in the same circumstances in the Principality.
It was different from the mercenaries who died, there was no arrogance before death.
"I know how money behaves and I probably have a vague idea of why you're here, so don't you want to take the risk to get out and go with your families?"
The 3 showed expressions, although one in a somewhat eerie manner.
They look at me and accept your challenge to survive.
Personality #4: "Well guys cheer up, let's go all out" I clap and start to prepare.
I take the first step and lean back a bit before straightening up by reflex, the exhaustion is evident.
{I'll slowly take your body Heiss, so you can rest a bit} says #4.
Although I don't oppose the idea of resting it worries me a bit too.
{What are you worried about?} says #4.
'You have some nerve asking that question'
{(The other personalities nod in the same way.)}
{Ehhhhh guyyssss!} says #4 while pouting.
'Haaa, well, go, but remember, at the moment our change as our compatibilities are not the same as the ones I have with #13 it could become unstable if you don't stay focused'
{Yes, yes, yes, I know, if I go more than 80% it gets complicated and we risk a discharge, I know}
'Okay, I hope that's so.'
Personality #4: "Well guys here's the plan come closer"
At that moment Rudolf felt the change, a slight greenish color appeared in my eyes.
He could feel the change before, but now that he felt a different vibration coming from the boy he knew there was another change, a more positive one to the eye. It's good.
As we collected supplies and Heiss changed clothes, everyone prepared for the exit to the outside.
At this point my consciousness remains, unlike with #13 here my mental effort is not as high for some reason.
As if I was immersed in a television channel watching from the wings.