Chasing Your Own
Luis took a communication, square-shaped device from his suit chest pocket before placing it on a small stand. He pressed the only button it had, where his index fingerprint was read before the screen lighted up. Then, Luis voiced, “Can we get any view from the people inside?”
The device beeped before another angle showed in the large TV screen, minimizing the news anchors’ angles to a minimum while creating another. This one came not from a helicopter, but a drone made purposely for observation. The meeting hall watched as the camera zoomed and thermal readings were shown, but only in images.
It couldn’t give an accurate nor broken thermal reading when in movement, let alone at such speeds, but images were good. The images weren’t perfect replicas of human models’ bare bodies, much less their facial expressions. Either way, one’s genitals wouldn’t show like a camera that can transparent clothes and walls; a fantasy tool.
There were only outlines of people and some red dots sparsely filling the humanoid-shaped thermal figures. Some hair, dents, and protrusions in their faces were drawn, but nothing else.
“One of them looks really young and… it looks like someone’s sitting on their lap?” - “Oh, they’re kissing in the next one.”
Luis and Roam wore helpless grins as the images showed for another few seconds. At last, the president shook his head and talked to the device. “That’s enough. Thank you.”
A beep went off from the communication device before it turned itself off. The TV screen returned to normal, with the persecution continuing. Luis watched with relaxed eyebrows now, as various units from the SPD and national guard moved to intercept them.
There were also elite police forces moving ahead to force the lagjs to stop. They had already seen the massacre from the footage spread on the internet. Just one of them was capable of so much, and so horrendously, against even the weakest in society. Their skills were… maybe used a bit too wrongly. Of course, whether this was double-faced or right, only time should tell.
… Inside the truck, Phesx held Pheli’s face as the last smacking sound of their lips sounded. They looked at each other again, preparing to move, when Phesx Caolia tilted his head. “I think I’m hearing a drone. If it’s looking at us…”
“Leave it to me,” Imán said before opening one of the doors. He directly lied his weight on his back as he aimed upwards with a rifle. The bald man sitting beside him acted fast and held his legs, balancing Imán’s back at the same level as the truck back’s floor.
Baang… pak- crash!
Imán rushed back inside after taking care of that. A group leader driving the truck yelled as soon as the door closed, with the drone Phesx mentioned long turned into a smallish explosion high in the air. “We’re getting there! Our route to the contractor in the east is blocked. And some are preparing a blockade ahead. Get ready!”
Pheli silently nodded, slowly blinking her eyes. Phesx nodded to the rest of the circle before standing up to crouch in front of their seats, waiting for the moment. Then, it happened.
The truck suddenly crashed, spinning as it went down a hill, once, twice, 10 times… When it finally stopped, and everyone held tight with their lives on the line to the handles at the sides, Imán and the bald man kicked the doors open. Each carried their bags outside before the group leader driving the truck and a communications’ guy closed the backdoors, making them look broken and stuck.
Meanwhile, Phesx and the rest of the circle had already opened the hidden manhole to the Riverlye tunnels. They weren’t worried about giving hints. If these manholes were easy to find, they wouldn’t have been built in the first place. This one was located at the end of the hillside, beneath the dirt.
Everyone rushed inside after Pheli and her group went in. When that group leader and Artista arrived, only they were left. Soon, all Artistas disappeared into the manhole, with the door closing on itself after no more Artistas were found around.
… Back in Proteros, the president looked at the pursuit, when the SAs’ truck collided with a parked, ordinary car and its bouncing shock absorbers made it jump all the way down the bridge it was just crossing. Its position in the air remained diagonal until it collided with a few trees.
Then, it rolled all the way to the bottom, where a lake and numerous palm trees besides tall trees covered the passing of a spring’s spilled waters from upstream. Every force became helpless as they stopped and had to continue the pursuit on foot.
The national guard seemed used to such movement, but the police forces weren’t, not even the elite. The news anchors transmitted everything as a brave camera dropped from a helicopter with a rope and all, perhaps a hidden military veteran, or else.
It followed the police forces after the national guard brusquely pushed them aside. Finding comfort in the police’s side, the camera showed the truck where the lagjs suffered the end of their tragic accident.
However, when they opened the door, with more than a few dozen weapons aiming inside, they found no one.
It was one thing to not find someone in the driver or co-driver seats, but to find no one behind the doors that seemed destroyed and locking the other lagjs inside… What?
“There is no one here!” - “It’s all clear!” - “There’s a trail! Follow me!” - “No, there’s a trail here, too. Heavensdammit!” - “Don’t move around. Wait for reinforcements. Hey, you, sergeant, captain. I don’t care what your rank is, tell your people to stop moving around!” - ”Ugh…”
As the national guard and police had a strange standoff, the camera showed everywhere around before a small drone flew from the news anchor helicopter, slow and with only about 100 meter radius of reach.
It tried to find something the others couldn’t, and it was only the first of many drones of the same quality, but none would find a thing.
“Siiigh… They escaped our grasp. Well, I think that’s that.” Luis heavily sighed before turning the TV off. They could see the disappointment in his eyes. The cabinet pressed their lips together or nodded before rearranging the table to continue their meeting. Roam walked out of the room to bring more tea and coffee.
As the meeting progressed, and Luis showed he didn’t lose focus on the meeting, his cabinet became more attentive and cooperative. Most of the senate, states, and deputies were either neutral or from the opposition. It was time they planned for the election, as they had to work with everything they had… because this time, they started believing in the ridiculous ‘aspiration’ of the President. They had to go against so many odds…
***
At night, Riverlye HQ. Pheli’s workshop.
“Wooohoo!” The 3 groups mingled at a party as the clean, empty wall had the drawings of the 2 Artistas who perished in the mission. They would later be burned. The tomboy’s body was delivered back to the closest family she had, while the young Artista was an orphan since turning 17, and only came out of the orphanage’s program at 16 because of his academic skills.
Now, however, the joint group celebrated the mission’s success and in honor of those 2. It wasn’t typical to do, but after waiting for 2 weeks, the 3 groups exchanged a few talks and spars once in a while. Still, they would go on their separate ways after this was over, but why not grief in group.
Phesx Caolia sat at a corner on a tall, metallic, yellow stool. Pheli sat on his right thigh, drinking some liquor from a bottle while looking at everyone have fun.
Everyone was relaxing. Even Teon and Layo danced with each other, Gesán, and their medics and communication comrades. Waleks had 2 girlfriends, so he didn’t receive more attention, nor did he need any.
As for Imán, he flirted with his man at a corner. It was obvious he would be the active one tonight, with his elbow on the wall above the bald man’s left shoulder. Quite the lovebirds, but manly.
“Hmmf,” Pheli finished her bottle before throwing it into the garbage can put inside just for tonight. Phesx Caolia jumped his eyebrows before she turned around, leaning her body on his torso. “Hey, I wanna feel your body on me.”
Phesx blinked a few times. Then, he took her hand and helped her up before bringing her to the dancing floor. He didn’t like the stares on him, thinking he’d be moving like them. But since it was his woman’s request, Phesx didn’t have second thoughts.
Phesx stopped near the center before holding Pheli’s waist. Despite the party yet relaxing music on the background, the lights dimmed and they moved slowly. Their hips connected, they moved onto each other’s bodies, with their faces held close, rubbing their skin slowly and so softly.
The others kept moving faster, with the music’s rhythm, but they remained in their own little reality, unafraid of the disparity with that of other worlds.
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“I’ve thought of a name, at least.” Phesx said, beginning whispering in her left ear before finishing it at her right ear as they rubbed their faces. Pheli smiled thinly, “Oh? What is it, then?”
“Comet,” Phesx simply worded. Pheli jumped her eyebrows. “I see. It makes a bit of sense. Mn, we should get to perfect it. You’ll need iconic weapons as you become more famous, mm?”
Phesx just smiled, contented to know another 80,000 credits with the contractor’s ‘apology’ as an extra was making it easier to continue experimenting. It would also give them much more time together… Simply perfect.
. . .
A week later. Year 1,024, 8th month, 1st week’s 5th day. A rainy night.
Phesx Caolia was in the farm as he watched the… success of a male pig successfully granting a female pig a ticket out of her estrus. Pheli stood beside him, watching under a bench with a little roof above them for the rain. Phesx looked ahead with empty eyes, finally muttering after a few minutes, “I think we’re observing a very long orgasm.”
Pheli blinked her eyes, nodding as she saw the female pig in bliss in the distance. Phesx pulled Pheli to lie on the bench with him. His hands hugged her tummy and his mouth kissed her shoulders before staring at her. Their eyes locking, as usual.
“I’ve had thoughts. Mn, living peacefully now seems doable. I know see it is ironic.” Said Phesx. Pheli smirked from ear to ear, but she let him continue. “I suppose that can be left for the far future. Riverlye should still have some time left before it either breaks or evolves, so.”
Pheli moved on top of him, getting comfy as she looked at him with indifferent, resting eyes and face. Phesx felt secure, so relaxed, and the odor of the farm didn’t come closer to their spot. Besides, a rain in the climate where cold is finally returning? Once again, perfect.
“How ab-” Phesx opened his mouth, voicing, but was interrupted by the sound of his and Pheli’s phones ringing. It was the Riverlye ‘simple’ ringtone that called for emergencies, or important procedures such as immediate missions. The same as default, but different for their ears.
Both sat up on the bench, looking at their phones as they practically read the same message. There was a traitor in the organization, and they were to return to deal with this person. They, among a few others, were selected to complete with this dangerous mission.
“I’ll notify Paloma,” Phesx said, standing up. He momentarily frowned towards Pheli, and she to him. This was the first time they ever experienced a mission like this. Even Pheli didn’t get to know about traitor-chasing missions personally. Only that they existed.
“I’ll start the Myertha.” Pheli rushed to the road while Phesx annoyingly pressed a button and relaxed as he spoke instead of writing a message. “Hey, we must leave early for now. We might come back later. You can tell us then.”
Sending the message, Phesx was about to keep it in his pants, when a beep sounded. It was a reply from the blondie. He directly called out with his middle fingertip scanned by one of the phone’s sides. “Read message.”
“Voice message: “Don’t worry about it, Phesx. If something came up, go ahead. If you just want a place, you should just accept my proposal to have a little house here, you know? My husband and I will build some for our futur… Oh my heavens! Ñoño, Ñoño, come here! I am… I am… Kyaaaaaa!”. Voice message has ended.”
Phesx kept his phone and jumped his eyebrows, pouting a little, silently congratulating the pair. Then, he walked to the road, where Pheli waited for him. Phesx smoothly sat behind her and hugged her from behind as she voiced, “Send my congratulation to them, too.”
“Mn, I will. Let’s go.” Said Phesx, excited of using Myertha’s features for when it was raining, as much as right now, or even more. Pheli nodded before a small rampart slid down from the bike’s front. Its belly also changed a few mechanisms here and there. It was barely noticeable, but the ‘effect’ was much more than aesthetic.
Vvvrrrruuuuummm~! The Myertha rode forth, unaffected by the wet road and further on into the streets. When some cops saw the speed at which it was going on such a rainy day, they pursued, but after seeing it was a Myertha, they reluctantly let a good 15 minutes go.
They quickly arrived at the Riverlye HQ. After going through the elevator, they passed by the main workshop. Meaning, Phesx saw Emer as he passed by. However, Emer had a serious expression. Phesx ignored it, although he still saluted the old fart.
Then, arriving at the administration, they were brought into the long corridor filled with even more guards by a female, older Artista in Riverlye. Walking into the hangar, there was a small group congregating to the side, near some panels, and with a few tuned bikes.
Instructor Cala stood before the group, showing the panel, but it was static, without moving images or information. When they saw Phesx and Pheli arrive, they nodded at them, while Cala urged, “Finally. Now, we can start. As we speak, this traitor is slowly moving to the sewers leading to Himperyia.”
“You’ll use these bikes to hurry to the location. Only 12 of you can go, any more will become too obvious for the detection bugs he left behind.” As the Instructor spoke, not giving Phesx special attention, Phesx saw that his circle was invited here. Imán seemed clouded.
“Couldn’t we have destroyed those by now?” An Artista asked, looking experienced, tall, and ruthless. Cala just looked at him, “That either lets him know we’re coming, giving him time to become more alert and prepare to strike back, or first. Or slows us down and he flees faster.”
“We can do with both, but this is a seek n’ kill, nothing else.” Instructor Cala resumed, no longer gesturing to pay attention to the 6 bikes parked in the middle of the hangar.
“His name is Matías.” As soon as the Instructor said his name, Phesx, Pheli, and their circle changed their faces. Phesx looked at Imán with side eyes, slightly cocking his head to look at the left. Imán lowered his gaze, obscuring it as Cala continued.
“Don’t need to ask me what he did. He wanted to ‘flee’ Riverlye and do as he wishes with the information he ‘received’ from one of his helpers we caught before they could escape. We’ve let the rats become cold. It won’t be as dangerous to chase them now as before, so prepare and hop on those bikes. I won’t make any unnecessary remarks, those who go better intend to fulfill their mission.”
“Now, who wants to participate? A mission like this gives more recognition upon completion. And if someone does well, then all is good. You’ll receive wealth, fame, and an opportunity, perhaps. Don’t get greedy, something like this should amount to 1 such opportunity at most.” Cala added.
“…” - “…” Phesx and Pheli looked at each other, touching each other’s pinkies. Nobody really wanted to go, not from this circle. Matías was but the man of Imán, that easygoing, bald fella whose strength was only rivaled by Imán. His charisma fitted in so well in the circle that the group leader Matías belonged to felt a bit resentful towards them. Now… they had to hunt him?
“Oh, count me in!” - “Group leader, let me go on this one. I need it!” - “Wish me luck, babe.” - “Mn, shall we?” - “This is just perfect. I was getting bored killing random criminals everywhere.” - “I wonder if we can become an Instructor if we get that chance…”
The other groups had no trouble choosing a person, or letting them vie for a position in the mission, at the very least. On top of that, each group took a spot each, letting everyone have at least one chance to participate.
When they were mostly done, they looked at Pheli’s group. Only they remained from ‘picking’ at least one person. Instructor Cala looked from the side with crossed arms. He had given him tiny traces of glances when he emphasized a few words earlier, but now, he looked at Teon expectantly.
“Sigh…” Phesx squeezed Pheli’s hand before nodding towards her, she barely nodded in response, letting him step up to the occasion. “I will participate.”
Phesx said, stopping in front of Imán, who rested his back on a wall but whose body seemed ten times heavier as a whole. Phesx looked at him, his head a bit low, expressing, “Leave it to me. You know I will do this well. I won’t let anyone touch him!”
“Hoooh…” - “Hmph.” - “The fox is cunning and cocky? For heaven’s sake!” - “Tsk, what does he think he is? He’s just a masked celebrity at best.” - “Heng!”
“…” Imán looked at Phesx. Of course, he wouldn’t like that, but compared to others doing it… or even Pheli… He’d rather not trouble his leader with his personal matters, and Phesx would know what to do and how. That boy is a menace, a mad… fox.
“Mn.” Seeing Imán nod, Phesx exclaimed before walking forth. A young woman wearing a tight uniform, highlighting her bell-shaped small breasts and toned abdomen, held her arms crossed. She looked at Teon, annoyed, before unwillingly looking at him. She had red hair tied into 2 steep ponytails to the sides of her head, and a tiny one sticking out of the top of her head. “Well, I guess I’ll be checking that so-called Fox everyone is talk-”
“No, Teon is coming with me.” Phesx added, his voice, as always. It would never change. The redhead frowned, “What? No! Not that! This is my spot! What makes you think you can take it?”
“It wasn’t a question of whether I can take it or not,” Phesx looked at the young woman with his head still a little low, rotating it towards his right, where she stood. Teon’s footsteps sounded behind him before speaking, “I should do this. It’s an important matter.”
“Before you dare question my people’s conviction to complete the mission, why don’t you ask my mentor first?” Teon said before walking to a bike with Phesx.
Some heads turned to Instructor Cala, whose arms remained crossed. The redhead looked at him, too, becoming infuriated when she saw the grin in the former’s face. “Ugh!”
In the end, just with Phesx’s words directed at her, and his glare, she wanted to step back but had too much pride. Now, Teon hurt her pride, even though she didn’t do it maliciously. The young woman pouted and walked to the side, opening and closing her hands with top-quality melee gloves.
Phesx grabbed his submachine gun and small pistol from his equipment from an Artista in the group, holding their bags at the side. Teon only grabbed a small pistol and her melee gloves. They looked back at the group, and then at Pheli, exchanging a nod at the end.
Phesx Caolia hopped onto the bike, signalling he was already ready while the others still discussed what bions, weapons to take, and what things to do. Teon hopped onto the back after him, placing her hands on his shoulders, letting her head fall on his upper back.
“You won’t take too much, but you should still know that since we’re becoming famous now, you’ll have about 3 to 4 hours before 3 states’ police forces and national guard move to intercept you. Hurry, and don’t ‘cause trouble’. Good luck out there,” Instructor Cala walked to the side of the 6 bikes after everyone became prepared.
Phesx ignored him, and so did Teon. Cala soundlessly sighed with his head low before walking away with his head hanging down still. Phesx immediately started the bike, riding it with as much speed as it could possibly endure. He didn’t need a manual after seeing the bikes’ obvious modifications. Neither to choose the one to suit his immediate needs.
Vrrrrrrr brr vrrrrrooooooooooooommm~! The bike disappeared under everyone else’s startled, unprepared eyes. They immediately zoomed into the tunnel, the obscure ahead.
“Sigh.” Pheli let out a small, soft sigh from her lips, crossing her forearms below her belly. Layo came to her left side and held her shoulders as Pheli rested her eyes. When she reopened them again, they were… different… determined.
…