บท 26: Phase 25
David's Perspective
The ship berthed in Rota Harbor. Rota is an island and one of the municipalities of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It is the southernmost inhabited island in the chain. We were advised that there's someone waiting for us at the port that will send us to a private jet that will be our transportation to Barnstable Municipal Airport and back to Woods Hole, a village in the town of Falmouth on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, United States, but we are not going straight to the company as things are still too unstable for us to show ourselves. The journey will probably take around 15 to 20 hours of flight time, and after that long journey, we're going for another vehicle that will now send us to some kind of shelter near the company.
After that conversation with Mandryx, I tried to avoid him all through our journey. Though he keeps trying to get near me, I always manage to divert him from directly involving me alone. I always drag San along, so nothing about us he can bring up again. I'm not avoiding him because I hate bringing up the topic of us, but rather because I hate the fact that we're still far from him sharing with me his reason for our parting ways. It has been a long time, so I am no longer holding that grudge I had for him in the past years. I'm now willing to acknowledge him and hear everything, but he's the one who's not willing to.
As the journey continued, I found myself growing more restless. Despite my attempts to avoid Mandryx, his persistent efforts to get close to me were beginning to wear me down. Every time he approached, I would subtly steer the conversation towards more general topics or insist that San join us. It was as if I was dancing on the edge of a precipice, afraid that at any moment he would bring up the past and shatter the delicate balance I had managed to maintain.
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One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and cast a warm golden glow over the landscape, I found myself walking alone along a quiet stretch of the trail. The air was crisp, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze provided a soothing backdrop to my thoughts. Lost in my contemplation, I didn't notice Mandryx's approach until his voice broke through the silence.
"Beautiful evening, isn't it?" he remarked, falling into step beside me.
I gave a noncommittal nod, keeping my gaze fixed ahead. "Yes, it is."
He sighed softly, his expression pensive. "I know you've been avoiding me."
I hesitated, then turned to face him. "I just thought it would be better if we took some time apart."
He nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I get that. I've respected your space."
There was a long pause between us, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. I finally gathered the courage to broach the subject that had been tormenting me. "Mandryx, it's been years. I've moved past the hurt and anger. I just... I want to understand why you left without an explanation."
His gaze dropped to the ground, and he let out a heavy breath. "I know I owe you an explanation. It's just... complicated."
I stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "Complicated how?"
Mandryx looked conflicted, torn between wanting to share and holding back. "There were things happening, things beyond my control. I had to make a choice, and it wasn't easy."
I searched his eyes, trying to read the truth in his expression. "Then tell me. Help me understand."
He looked up, meeting my gaze with a mixture of regret and longing. "I will, I promise. But not here, not now."
Losing hope, I left him there and went back to the house where we are currently staying, waiting for further instructions. I saw San in the living area fully emerge from what he was watching. I sat next to him, which caused him to look in my direction. "Want to talk?" He asked, to which I replied with a nod.
As I sat down next to San, I felt a mixture of relief and vulnerability. It was clear that Mandryx held something significant back, something that seemed to haunt him as much as it did me. With a heavy sigh, I began to recount the story, sharing my frustrations, my uncertainties, and my newfound willingness to understand.
San listened attentively, his expression a mix of empathy and concern. When I finished speaking, he remained silent for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words. "It sounds like you're ready to hear Mandryx out. Whatever he's been holding back, it must be important for him to keep it hidden all these years."
I nodded, my gaze fixed on a distant point as I mulled over his words. "I know. I just wish he'd trust me enough to finally tell me."
San placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Maybe he needs time. Opening up about something like this isn't easy, especially if it's tied to pain or regret."
I leaned back against the couch, closing my eyes briefly. "You're right. I just hope that he'll eventually find the courage to share with me."
San gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze. "In the meantime, try to be patient. If he's willing to talk, it means he values your understanding."
I offered him a small smile, grateful for his support. "Thanks, San."
As the evening wore on, I found myself feeling a renewed sense of determination. Perhaps it was time to confront the past and bridge the gap that had grown between Mandryx and me. The journey had taken us far from where we started, and in more ways than one, I realized that it was time to move forward—not just in our physical journey but in our emotional one as well.
The next day, I sought out Mandryx, finding him gazing out at the landscape from a quiet spot. I approached slowly, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. "Mandryx, can we talk?"
He turned to me, his expression a mixture of surprise and apprehension. "Of course."
I took a step closer, looking into his eyes with a newfound resolve. "I'm ready to listen. Whenever you're ready to share."
He met my gaze, his features softening. "Thank you."
And as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its warm light over us, I felt a glimmer of hope—hope that with time and patience, we could mend what had been broken and finally find closure to the unanswered questions that had haunted us for so long.
Afternoon came, and Captain Kylan arrived with two men who I didn't expect to be here. "How was your stay at my place?" Captain Kylan asked as we were all seated in the kitchen.
"It was a great stay, Cap. However, I suggest you pay your bill as mail is arriving nonstop." It was San who stated those words without a second thought.
Cap. Laugh at that, but San is not. "Don't worry about the bill, son; I'll pay later."
I glanced at Kevin and Vincent, who were with Cap. Kylan, Kevin stuck out his tongue at me, teasing the hell out of me. I did the same but halted when Vincent shot his dagger eyes at us, as always, he's annoyed. "So, shall we discuss what conversation we had?" Cap. asked.
San raised his hand. "Can I ask?" Cap. nod his head. "What is your role in this story?"
Cap. rested his back on his chair and crossed his arms, looking seriously at San. "Years ago, my brother and I joined the air force and encountered our senior, Mister Lex. He was a brilliant scientist collaborating with a company on a project that initially fascinated us. As time went on, we began to suspect that something was amiss in his partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Our investigation revealed disturbing experiments aimed at creating highly destructive weapons that could pose a global threat.
In a daring move, we hacked into their system, retrieving evidence of their dangerous activities. We uploaded the proof to a draft on a website, planning to publish it to the world with a single button. But our actions were discovered by Mister Lex, who orchestrated a scheme resulting in my brother's death. My brother chose to keep the truth hidden, protecting me from the same fate. Though I feigned innocence, I became a target.
While remaining in the air force, I was unexpectedly reassigned to WHOI, likely as a means for the company to monitor my activities closely and retrieve the hidden evidence. Unfortunately, I had forgotten the website where we stored the evidence, and the only person who knew it perished under suspicious circumstances linked to the company's actions. The company is systematically eliminating anyone aware of their true intentions, using their facade to gain public support while pursuing their ominous agenda."
"Who is this person? Maybe he has relatives that we can ask?" I asked, not knowing how to react to what really happened to my father.
Cap. looked at me with perhaps sympathy, but I ignored it. "You're the only relative he has, Raiden."
I got silenced by what he replied. I looked at him full of confusion, and he heaved a sigh and looked at me intently. "Your older brother was the one who possessed the website, perhaps you've forgotten about him since he was raised under my watch rather than with you and your mother. I want you to understand that Étienne doesn't wish for you to become entangled in this mission, given that your older brother met his demise due to the same mission. Recall the tragedy from fifteen years ago—the juniors who were attacked by the snake-like creature? He was one of those juniors, and your mother kept this information hidden from you.
To safeguard you from the company's influence, she treated you poorly to distance you from your potential vulnerability. She didn't want you to form an emotional connection with her, as she continued to work for the same company that was responsible for the deaths of your father and older brother. The company has been holding her captive all these years, forcing her involvement in their operations due to her proximity to Mr. Lex's knowledge and skills.
Presently, the company has set their sights on you, Raiden. You're their next target."
Overwhelmed by all these unexpected revelations, I excused myself to catch some fresh air. I felt suffocated by all these. All this time, I was innocent of what really was happening behind me. I grew up hating Étienne, which I shouldn't have. She was only protecting me by hurting me in order for the company to not use me against her. All this time, I was wrong by forcing myself to get involved in what I wanted, now, I'm only adding to the pressure she was trying to control.
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