Behind the Mask
"Where are you taking Coope?"
I asked, following Agile and Coope.
Why does she always have to tag someone along with her?
And worse, she always has to bring someone with her either under my charge or under hers.
Why can't it just b–
"Coven, remain with the others. I am going to find Stella."
My eyes narrowed as I watched her.
My jaw clenched. My hands curled beside me.
I watched as she walked away, as if I didn't exist.
I turned around, storming back to the GOU lounge.
But before I could enter, my steps came to a halt. I looked behind me. Agile and Coope were no longer in sight.
Doxie and Aureolo wouldn't care if I was gone and Tig—Tigeralla—was too lost in her thoughts to even notice.
Whatever was going on with her was Agile's duty. None of my business.
I already had my hands full with my own team members and other stuff.
I started to head over to my chamber.
I closed the door behind me as soon as I entered. The light automatically turned on.
It was dark. The blue LED barely lit the room. My nightwear was thrown on the bed—I was in a hurry after hearing that Agile was returning.
She would hate the little mess in my room.
Now that she was back, she seemed to be focused on Coope and Tigeralla.
They were fine. Just because they want to keep to themselves, she thinks it is a problem.
I took off my suit gloves and tossed them onto the bed carelessly.
I scanned the room, searching for any hidden cameras. The arena was a mystery—one that could get me caught if I was not careful.
It was better and easier when we were staying on the mothership, Axiom.
Aliens, staff—eyes everywhere in the arena.
I walked over to the filing cabinet and pulled it open. A transceiver—an old one compared to the brand-new ones the GOU provides—hidden behind the mounds of paperwork. They were all related to the Coope's and Doxie's stats and missions we had gone on.
Useless.
Behind the mounds were more papers, all related to the Meron mission—all of them failed.
I didn't need them anymore.
I searched for the opening to the secret compartment.
All I needed were results.
My fingers yanked the compartment open. A mess of tape fell out.
I picked it up, peeling away the tape to find a chip. With careful precision, I inserted the chip into the transceiver.
Click.
I was back in the system reserved for high-ranking GOU officers.
If anyone saw this, the mission—and my life's work—would be undone.
My bare hands tightened around the device as I stared at it.
A meeting held among the Grand Directorate. Hornet Mask was there. My foot impatiently tapped against the floor.
My mind raced.
Hornet would be in danger.
Agile would… lose her mind if anything were to happen to Hornet but…
Mission is mission.
The Grand Directorate deserves it.
After what they continue to let their high ranking officer do behind their facade of 'heroes'.
The word repulsed me. Made something ugly burrow into my guts.
Press.
Tap-tap.
TT: We are all set.
C: Alright.
A brisk smirk flashed across my face.
This time, the mission will succeed.
Minutes passed by…
The room fell quiet except for the beeping coming from the device.
I followed the beeping icon. The bombs were already planted days ago, so what was taking so long?
I felt relief settling in. I would be one step closer to my plan.
Another ten minutes passed by.
What was taking them this long?
Irritation started to fill me.
There was a nagging feeling in the back of my head.
What if this one fa–
No.
I glanced down at the screen.
TT: The Grand Directorate was empty.
C: What?
My eyes narrowed as I stared at the message. My fingers aggressively moved against the screen.
Typing…
C: What are you talking about?
TT: It was empty! The building blew up.
Typing…
My teeth ground together. It was perfectly planned. From the meeting—who will be attending. The cause, the effect.
Everything!
TT: The system has been alarmed. We are planning our escape.
Failed.
Another failure.
AGH!
The 27th failure and I still couldn't wipe the Grand Directorate off the face of the universe. How hard can it be?
Useless, all of them.
After months of planning, after years of keeping up the charming facade—
It was for nothing.
They were useless now.
I reread the message—maybe those incompetent fools wanted to mess with me.
But no… it was real.
Failure. Failure. Failure.
Anger brewed inside. No.
No. No. No!
The screen cracked from the violent grip on the device.
My arm snapped forward. The device left my hand before I could think. I smashed the transceiver against the wall.
THUD!
It hit the floor with a crack, breaking into pieces.
My face flushed hot from frustration.
I pulled off my mask, staring at it.
It represented nothing.
Lies. Nothing but lies.
Staring at it made me feel repulsed. It was mocking me—reminding me of the things I did to get here. The arson, the killings… massacres.
My breath quickened.
The ones who ruined me wore the same mask—my eyes fluttered as the fragmented image flashed before me.
Young me pressed against the dark wall as the man stumbled towards me.
I gasped, forcing my eyes open.
The same mask embedded with the armored shield that GOU stood for—represented a shield for the innocent.
Lies.
What about the ones who they stole their innocence from?
It burned my hands.
It burned my face.
I threw it on the ground. I repeatedly stepped on my mask.
My chest heaved as I took deep breaths to control my rage.
Again and again.
AGH!
Sweat dripped off my forehead.
They failed.
I failed.
Without me, nothing gets done.
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