Fort Agoncilio, Defense Compound II
Siete Road, Metro Tondo
Rotonda Island, Republic of Coronias
4th of 3rd Month, 2015 C.E.
1000 Hours
The operatives of the National Intelligence Service - Cyber Unit were busy tracking the whereabouts of the Chimera terrorists. At 0800 hours that day, a malicious and subversive email had been delivered to their office through an unencrypted address.
This breach allowed the operatives to trace the origin of the email. Director Emilio Rodriguez summoned Alexandra Giras, the lead Cyber Unit Operative, to his office to report on the Chimera terrorists’ location.
With a folder in her hands, Alexandra knocked on the director’s door and entered when he gave the signal. Alexandra, with her jet-black hair pulled into a ponytail and wearing a military dress uniform and a pencil skirt, saluted the Director.
“At ease, Alexandra. By now, you should have the information we need,” Director Rodriguez said.
“Yes, sir! The terrorists identify themselves as the Chimera and have claimed responsibility for the recent attacks,” Alexandra replied.
She handed the folder to the Director, who began to review the documents. After a moment, he looked up and asked, “Are you certain the terrorists aren’t trying to deceive us? Is their location confirmed?”
“Yes, sir. They didn’t mask their IP addresses,” Alexandra confirmed.
“Would you like to play the video they sent?” Alexandra offered.
“Yes, let’s see it,” Director Rodriguez replied.
Alexandra handed the flash drive to the Director, who inserted it into his laptop and played the video.
The screen revealed a man in black attire, his face obscured by a mask. With a youthful voice and a slender build, he wielded an AR-105, a rifle commonly used by the Slavic Bloc countries and their allies. The video showed him standing with five other members of his organization.
“Greetings, citizens of the Republic of Cornias! By now, the treacherous Samuel D. Roa should have become your president. I congratulate you on your choice of a tough and assertive leader. There is much more I could reveal, but for now, I am here to send a message! You may call me Agaton. I am but one among many. We are here for vengeance…
Our vengeance is both righteous and just. Betrayed by your so-called leader, who found us no longer useful, we, the Chimera, will deliver our wrath. I challenge your leaders, your law enforcement, and your military to protect you from our vengeance. Rest assured, we will come for your leaders, and we will execute our plans flawlessly. We, the Chimera, will see justice served!”
“I’ll be damned, Alexandra!” Director Rodriguez said, astonished. “They have the audacity to send such a message without fear for their safety?”
“That seems to be the case, sir,” Alexandra replied.
“That will be all for now, Alexandra. You may leave,” Director Rodriguez ordered.
Alexandra saluted and exited the director’s office. Meanwhile, the Director picked up his phone and dialed a number. An officer from the Special Action Unit of the Coronian Constabulary answered.
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“Greetings, this is the Special Action Unit of the Constabulary. How may I assist you, sir?”
Director Rodriguez cleared his throat and said, “This is Director Rodriguez from the National Intelligence Service. I need to speak with Colonel Lucban.”
“Certainly, sir! I will check if Colonel Lucban is available,” the operator responded, putting the call on hold.
After a brief wait, the operator came back on the line. “Thank you for your patience, Director. Colonel Lucban is available. I will connect you to his office now.”
“Thank you,” Director Rodriguez said.
Sigana Country Golf Club, Sugbo City
Sugbo, Visayan Islands
Republic of Coronias
4th of 3rd Month, 2015 C.E.
1100 Hours
Enrique Gomez was one of the wealthiest men in the Republic of Coronias. He had several businesses and owned the country’s top-selling brands, including alcoholic beverages. Currently enjoying his leisure time, he wore a white polo shirt with black slacks and shoes.
He wore a confident smile as he struck a golf ball across the green fields of Sigana Country Golf Club in Sugbo City. The island of Sugbo is part of the Visayan Islands, one of the major island groups in the country.
While he was engrossed in his game, two military officers in dress uniforms and five constabulary officers arrived. They were there to interrogate Enrique about the recent events and his potential connections to the Chimera terrorists.
As the two military officers approached, Enrique’s confident smile faded. He greeted his visitors and asked, “Greetings, gentlemen! How may I assist you?”
Lieutenant Geronimo Torres spoke directly, “Good day, Mr. Gomez. We have some questions for you. I apologize for the intrusion.”
“Of course! What is this about?” Enrique asked, trying to maintain his composure.
“Sir, there is information suggesting you might be involved in a conspiracy. We need to clarify a few things with you,” Lieutenant Torres explained.
“A conspiracy? I’m not sure I understand, Lieutenant,” Enrique said, feigning confusion.
“I see…” Lieutenant Torres said, looking concerned. He then turned to his colleague, Lieutenant Joel Tolentino, an intelligence officer from the National Intelligence Service, and whispered, “Can you take over from here? I’m not sure how to proceed. Also, are you sure the intel was correct?”
Lieutenant Tolentino nodded and replied, “Yes, it is correct. I’ll take it from here.”
Lieutenant Tolentino approached Enrique bravely, undeterred by Enrique’s status. He began the interrogation with a professional tone.
“Good morning, Enrique. I am Lieutenant Joel Tolentino from the National Intelligence Service. I have a few questions for you, and I promise it won’t take long.”
After the brief introduction, Enrique’s face showed a hint of annoyance. Lieutenant Tolentino, focused on his job, ignored the slight irritation on Enrique’s face.
“Didn’t your colleague just ask me the same thing?” Enrique said, his tone tinged with annoyance. “Go ahead.”
Tolentino began the questioning, “We would like to know where you were on the 19th of the 6th month last year. What were you doing at that time?”
Enrique replied calmly, “I was at a science fair hosted by the Department of Science. In the afternoon, I attended the opening of the new STLEX and Pinagsama Bridge in Sugbo.”
Lieutenant Torres’s phone suddenly rang. When he answered, his face turned pale. He turned to Lieutenant Tolentino and said, “Tolentino, it’s the Chief of Staff. He wants to speak with you.”
Tolentino looked at Torres, annoyance evident on his face. He took the phone and said, “Good morning, sir. This is Lieutenant Colonel Tolentino.”
“Where are you?” Chief of Staff Gregorio Amorsolo demanded.
“We came from the National Intelligence Service to interrogate Mr. Enrique Gomez,” Tolentino replied.
“Are you out of your mind? You don’t know the kind of trouble you’re causing by harassing Mr. Gomez! Apologize to him immediately!” Chief of Staff Amorsolo ordered.
Amorsolo ended the call, and Tolentino turned to Enrique. “Mr. Gomez, we apologize for the inconvenience. We’ll be taking our leave now.”
As they left, Torres asked Tolentino, “What about the intelligence report? Are we just going to ignore it?”
Tolentino glared at him and said, “Shut your mouth! It was the Chief of Staff who ordered us to stand down!”
“What should we do now?” Torres asked.
“Go back to HQ,” Tolentino said, hurrying back to the van.
Enrique watched as the officers and constabulary left, a satisfied smile on his face. He dialed one of his associates and said, “I was almost caught, no kidding! They had two officers and some constabulary with them. I’m glad our friends at Fort Agoncilio helped me out.”
“Yes, keep monitoring their progress. We can’t afford any mistakes!” Enrique concluded the call.