Episode 15: Deceit and Goodbyes (End of Volume 1)

I asked Gustave to give me a sunset view in the space that he created. I intended to use it as a place to think. To calm down.

I needed it.

Especially after the duel.

As I sat on top of a hill, meditating with the golden rays of the sun on my skin, I replayed that day.

Rico's rage towards me. The revelation of his relationship with the cartel. And of course, the man behind it all: Chakob Rodriguez.

"Hello, Andrew."

I turned to see the one person I least expected to see.

"Alejandro," I greeted back.

He gave me a slight smile.

"Mind if I sit beside you?" he asked.

"Be my guest," I replied while gesturing to the empty space to my left.

His gigantic figure gingerly lowered itself on the grass. Then we just sat there in silence, appreciating the golden and orange paint on the canvas that was the horizon.

"How is he?" I finally asked.

"He's ok," he replied. "The doctor couldn't save his limbs, but he should heal soon enough."

"That's good..." I said with a bit of a relieved sigh.

Then, the silence took over again.

There was just too much going through my mind to hold a proper conversation. It was a jumbled mess. A raging storm of thought.

Fortunately, Alejandro continued the conversation for me.

"It's not your fault you know?" he said. "You did what you had to do."

"Did I?" I scoffed. "Or did Chakob force my hand so I'd kill him?"

Alejandro furrowed his brow. "I don't think I like where your train of thought is going, Andrew," he said.

"I'm a cop, Alejandro. I was literally trained to use lethal force if it meant saving lives," I continued. "So I'm not upset about what I did to Rico. No. I'm more upset at the fact that Chakob trained him to fight me even when he knew how bitter and angry he was."

"Andrew-"

"And don't even try to convince me that he didn't know. Chakob's insight when it comes to people is second to none."

"Andrew."

"Chakob groomed him, made him think that he'll inherit the cartel one day. And when he changed his mind, of course he can't just get rid of his most loyal general. So when he's showing a bit of rebellion, he left me to clean up his mess. That's why he didn't let him stay near us right? So that he'll stay as a stranger to me. So when the time comes, I won't have trouble killing him?"

"ANDREW!"

Alejandro's firm voice shook me out of my spiraling thoughts. He was always the calm one in the group, but looking at him now, it was clear that my words triggered something in him.

"Are you done?" he sighed, his fists clenched white.

I just turned my face away and stayed silent.

"Look, I know you've only known the boss in a short time so I understand that you'd still have doubts about his character," he continued. "But know this: he's always been a father to us. Even if we do stupid things or things that would ruin our lives, he'd still be there. Loving us. Supporting us. So please, never say those things again. Especially not in front of Maria."

I flinched at the mention of her name.

"Well, I've said my piece," he said as he stood up. "There's someone else who wants to talk to you."

I turned to see Maria, back in her regular grey jersey, slowly approach us with a hesitant look on her face. Alejandro gave her a reassuring smile as he left and she took her place beside me.

"So... Alejandro beat me to the punch," she said.

I stayed silent. I couldn't even find it in me to look at her.

"Are you mad at me too?" she asked. "For not stopping dad and Rico?"

My heart skipped a beat and I instinctively turned to her.

"I..." I started, but what should I say? Was there a right way to approach this?

No, Andrew. Just talk. And whatever happens, you'll deal with it.

"I'm not mad," I finally said. "Not of you, or Chakob."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I'm just... disappointed," I replied. "I know it's cliché but I thought I finally figured you guys out. Everything I knew about your family came from crime reports or our informants but when we finally met, something inside me believed that those might actually be wrong. That this family might be full of criminals and cutthroats but they're actually good people. That YOU'RE a good person."

She stayed silent. Then, she shifted until she was facing me. Her eyes locked with mine as she asked me a question: "Well, am I?"

Her question unnerved me. And a specific voice echoes in my ears.

"Get your head out lala land Andrew!"

I pressed the bridge of my nose to stave off a headache.

"I don't know anymore," I replied. "I honestly don't know anymore..."

She smiled, seemingly satisfied with my answer, then proceeded to walk away.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Wait!" I called out.

"Hm?" she turned.

"Is that it?" I asked.

"Is what it?" she asked back with a bit of confusion.

"Well, I just thought that you'd have something more to say," I replied. "It's usually around this part when you'd give me a speech that would change my mind you know. Or at least make "

She chuckled. "Andrew, you watch too much movies," she said. "As if a speech can help you with what you're going through right now. No, you have to figure things out mi amor. I didn't marry a baby who needs to be spoon-fed everything. You're a man right? And a cop to boot? So take action! Find your answers! And when you're ready, I'll be here to listen to the lessons you've learned."

I smirked.

She was right. When did I become a guy who expected the answers to just come to him? No! I'll investigate. I'll continue to explore this crazy family that I married into. I'll find out how my in-laws ticked. I'll find out even the generals' quirks. And of course, I'll uncover everything about Maria too.

With this newfound determination, I stood up from my seat and followed her.

"It looks like you're ready, then," she smiled. "Everyone's waiting."

She then led me to the cottage where it all started. But unlike before, the empty meadow was filled with people I knew. Mr. Han, Rosemary, Chakob, Shel, mom, dad, Gustave, Mateo, Alejandro, and Christina, who immediately ran to me. My allies. My friends. My family.

"Hijo!" Chakob was the first to greet me back with open arms. "Are you done sulking?"

Usually, I would just let him hug me. But I've finally decided to get to know these people on my own terms. So I did something unexpected: I put up my hand to stop him.

"Hold it, Chakob," I said.

The sudden rejection froze him for a second. But he regained his composure almost as fast.

"I... still don't trust you," I said. "Any of you in the Rodriguez Cartel. I went along with the beat of your drum because I thought it would be best for the mission, but as Maria helped me realize, I need to come to my own conclusions about what kind of relationship I want with all of you. So until then, our relationship is strictly professional."

"Oh, love!" Chakob cried in Shel's arms. "Andrew's rejected me. He's entering his rebellious phase."

Shel returned Chakob's theatrics with a smack on the head.

"You know, for someone so smart, you're really dumb when it came to people around you," Shel said to me. "It's about time you grow some eyes at the back of your head. Never trust anyone. But when you find people you won't mind getting betrayed by, then cherish them for the rest of your life."

"Thanks, Shel," I said.

"Alright! Enough with the sap!" Mr. Han interrupted us with a clap. "Are you ready, Andrew?"

I nodded.

"Alright, Minerva!"

At once, Minerva appeared through a crackling portal in front of Mr. Han.

"Yes, papa?" she said.

"Please explain the plan to Andrew one last time," he ordered.

"Roger!" she replied with a salute and hovered to me. "Officer Andrew Roberts. After running trillions of simulations, I've developed a plan to drive 'Operation Feeding Frenzy' to its conclusion. And you, officer, is a crucial part of this."

She then waved her hand and pulled up hundreds of graphs and statistics.

"According to my predictions, the operation will progress seamlessly for two years. Weak underground organizations will die out and the strongest ones will remain. And when that happens, the SPD and these organizations will be in a deadlock. That is the time when you, Officer Roberts, will be released in this space."

She waved her hand again to clear everything.

"Now you might be asking yourself, 'Why should I stay in this place in those two years? Can't I just help out?' Well, that's because releasing you now will actually be detrimental to the plan. Thus, you must stay here for two years and sharpen your skills. Shel Rodriguez offered valuable data regarding a deadly jungle in her original world. Using that, Gustave and I will develop a hostile environment where you can train your skills to their highest possible form within those two years. During this time, no one can visit you And when the time comes, you'll be able to fight off every adversary that awaits you."

She then snapped her fingers and a thick binder passed through a portal in front of me.

"Now, knowing all this, do you consent to this plan? If you do, just sign on the dotted line and you will be locked in an unfamiliar place without the comfort of your friends and family for two years. If you refuse, then I'll use an alternative, albeit less efficient, plan."

I felt the binder in my hands. It was heavy. Not just from the weight of the document but from what it represented. Two years without these people. Two years of danger and training. Two years to make the world a safer place.

I looked at Christina who looked back at me with sad eyes. My body just moved by itself and gave her a hug.

"It's ok, Christina," I said. "Our contract binds us. We'll always be together even when we can't see each other."

She just nodded as she wetted my shoulders with her sniffles. I tried to let go of her but her grip was so tight that Maria had to wring her away from me.

"Now, Officer Roberts, what's your decision?" Minerva pressed.

"Wait just one more second," I said. "Maria!"

She turned with a raised eyebrow.

I called out to her for no reason. I had nothing to say. But somehow, deep inside me thought that it was the right thing to do. So, I mustered everything I had to say a few words to her. Words that I meant from the bottom of my heart.

"Thank you... For everything."

She gave me a smile. The brightest smile she ever gave me in our short time together. And in that moment, the entire world seemed to have stopped existing.

"Officer Roberts we don't have all da-"

"Yes," I replied absentmindedly.

"Finally!" Minerva groaned as she rolled her eyes. "Say goodbye to everyone now. You'll see them again in two years."

Then as she clapped her hands, the entire space warped into shape. The meadow turned into trees. The balanced climate turned into a humid one. And the people faded away like mist. Except for one.

"To keep your sanity in check, I left a version of myself to keep you company," Minerva said as she sat on my head. "Looking forward to these next two years, Officer Roberts."

"Oh. Great..."