10 Chapter 9: A Day Off

Metro Tondo, Tondo

Lusong Region, Republic of Easting

June 20, 2022 C.Y.

1000 Hours

Five months after the battle of the cities of Dalisi and Infante Lieutenant Luis Alfonso was granted a leave. He took a stroll in the country's capital in Tondo. The national flag was displayed in government buildings. He remembers that it was already the 20th of June, 2022 C.Y. The day of the country's independence. He forgot about his plans to go to the city of Maynila east of the country's capital to see the ceremony. It is already 10:00 am when he went outside his house.

"The ceremony must be over!" Luis went back to his house.

His mother is away and is vacationing in the northern part of the country to Batan islands. It is only him who is in the house at the moment. He got several missed calls from his friends but did not bother to answer because he is not interested. Instead he went to a local mall near his house and bought some drinks to chill at home. While strolling at the mall he sees a lot of foreigners of different races, they seem to be having fun with the locals.

He turned away from them and looks for a place to calm his mind. He saw a coffee shop and decided to buy and take a sip of coffee before heading home. The place is full and there isn't a single table left for him. He looks for another place to chill and went outside. Near the plaza he saw people protesting. They were against the current administration and its policies, protesting their sentiments and views.

"How troublesome." Luis said with his palm in his face.

A familiar voice suddenly calls his attention and asked him. "You must be Luis Alfonso, correct?"

Luis looked behind him and saw a beautiful woman in her early twenties, wearing sunglasses and has a silky black hair. With her is a good looking foreign man in his thirties who looks wealthy. They were happy with each other Luis can tell by just looking at them.

"Maria Echavez? Long time no see, and this man must be your husband! I am Luis Alfonso her childhood friend." Luis extends his hand to the man.

"Martin Davis, I am a businessman from Atlantican Federation." The man shakes his hands in exchange.

"We are not yet married but are talking about it. We were trying to stay at the city of Infante for a vacation but sadly it did not happen because of the war down south." Maria said to Luis in front of her.

"You told me you had a friend in the military. Is it him?" Martin asked his fiancee.

"Oh, sorry I forgot! Luis is a soldier in the military. You were assigned during the war in Dalisi and Infante are you?" Maria answered her fiancé.

"Yes, I was assigned but I do not wish to discuss to you the details." Luis explained and said no further about the details about his mission.

"I see, nice to meet you my friend." Martin said and excused himself and his fiancee.

"I wish to talk but we still have business matters to attend to." Maria added.

"No worries, I am heading home too." Luis said and waves his left hand as they left.

"Times sure has changed!" He commented and headed back home.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the city of Tondo the country's capital. Deming Zhao and some delegates of other countries were attending a social gathering at the Fords hotel, a famous hotel chain in the country. Some of those that attended were prominent figures in business and politics. The president was invited but refused because of his tight schedule. While talking with his colleagues Mr. Zhao's phone rings and he answered the call. He excused himself and went outside of the convention hall. It was Erick who was waiting outside who was calling him on the phone.

"My apologies I shall prepare what I have promised you. Can you please wait at the lounge?"

"I shall wait." The man whom he is talking to replied to him on phone.

Mr. Zhao went downstairs to the parking lot to get to his car. Inside the car is a briefcase that he uses in his work. In it are some documents which are unimportant but related to his work. He took a white envelope that contains airplane tickets and a document with a secret message. After taking what he needed he closes the briefcase and placed it in the trunk of his car. Before he leaves he checked out the place if he was being followed. After that he hastily went to the hotel's lounge near the front desk to meet up with Mr. Erick.

Erick, a blonde haired man, six foot and two inches tall sat comfortably in a couch reading a newspaper. Mr. Zhao immediately recognizes the man. He approached him and asked to accompany him to the cafe where they could talk privately. Erick nodded and followed Mr. Zhao to the cafe. In the cafe Mr. Zhao handed Erick the white envelope. Erick inspects the contents of the envelope. Inside are two tickets one to Qina and the other to Toledo, Hispania.

"I arranged the tickets to your arrival to my homeland. Inside the envelope is an important paper that serves as a passport to an audience for the politburo. Whatever your purpose I just hope that it may not ruin the relationship between us and the organization you are working for."

"I will not stir trouble, I just want a little talk to your superiors. The gift that we give you is a matter of goodwill. I hope that our parties share the same interest in this rat-filled sewer we are standing."

Mr. Zhao who was able to comprehend what Erick said agreed and nodded. Before he forgot his question Mr. Zhao raised it to him and asked.

"Why do you hate this country so much?

"We the organization does not tell you of our main objective but, we only do what we think is right for mankind. The world suffers as we see these pretentious garbage wish to compete with others. We only wish to weed out what is not needed for this world to flourish once more!" Erick said in a serious tone.

"You people are kind of harsh." Mr. Zhao reacted.

"Harsh, nothing is too harsh nor is fairer towards the other. I believe the leaders of your country are concerned with the East Yalu Sea issue. If you weed out one, the others will follow." Erick said.

"Why are you telling me this?" Mr. Zhao asked Erick who was sitting in front of him.

"My organization and your leaders share the same interest towards the matter. My proposal if the leaders of your country are wise enough. Should see the benefits it can give for the prosperity of your nation." Mr. Erick explained.

"Very well, you shall have my blessing my friend!" Mr. Zhao replied.

Erick stood up and takes the envelope with the plane tickets plus the necessary documents that he needed. "I shall take my leave!"

"Very well take care in your voyage!" Mr. Zhao bids him farewell.