Chapter 2: Conundrum
A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.
WARNING: OOC, LANGUANGE, LIME, SUGGESTIVE NARRATIVE.
Argilla woke up with a start. She panted heavily as she forced herself awake from her nap.
'It seemed so real…' she thought to herself.
She hopped out of her bed and dashed for the lavatory. There, she splashed cold water on her face. She had seen Serph in her sleep.
As she continued to look into the mirror, the more she began to remember what it was that she saw. Blood traveled to her face and her face became beet red.
"Hmph. It's just silly. It's disgusting!" she told herself as she saw flashes of it in her mind…
She blinked several times as she saw him…naked. Her muscles stiffened and she let out a frustrated cry.
"This is just weird. What is this thing anyway?" she asked herself about her vision.
She frowned; but still, it had been entertaining, to say the least. In there, she saw him and herself completely nude…She also saw themselves…within each other's arms…
"Why could that be?" Argilla asked herself. This was strange…She shouldn't be harboring such thoughts about her leader!
It was simply preposterous.
She shivered, "This is just…gross…"
Gross?
"Whatever." she grumbled.
xxxxx
Argilla smiled heartily at him; her pink eyes, twinkling, "Serph…? What are you doing?"
Serph scratched his head and smiled at her sheepishly, "Well…I…"
"Hey! Come on you morons! We haven't got all day!" drawled a voice from afar.
Serph turned and saw that it was Heat. Cielo crossed his arms, "Heat is right brudda! You could do all dat stuff once de mission is over, ja?"
"Serph, if we are to proceed, it is prudent that we-"
"Yeah, yeah man! Don't get your knickers in a twist!" Argilla interjected, chuckling.
She looked at him again, "Well, let's go hm? We'll talk when we get back…"
And with that, she left. Serph's mouth was left hanging open. That was supposed to be his line…but she beat him to it. With a small smile, he followed.
This was it. It was their army versus the Vanguards…The plan was simple. They were to infiltrate their base and kill Harley. No fuss, no muss. But just in case, their troops were positioned at the outskirts…
Serph didn't feel right though…This was a very dangerous mission. And there was a good chance that some of them won't make it. He bit his lip as he realized that it could be one of his comrades…Or himself, for that matter.
He took a deep breath. He had to tell her now.
He ran to Argilla and grabbed her elbow. She was quite startled, "Serph! What are you doing?"
He blushed and said nothing. And then, in that same instant, he crashed his lips to hers. Her eyes widened as she felt his warm and moist lips on hers. Why was he doing this? She opened her mouth to speak but was unable to as he slipped his tongue within.
He kissed the woman within his arms arduously, pouring all of his feelings of nervousness, passion, want and fright into her…
A moment later…
It was over.
He pulled away and smiled at her. He looked at her intently, trying to decipher what she would do…or say…
She opened her mouth to speak but said nothing. Instead, she smiled and held his gaze a moment longer before turning away completely.
He understood.
Goodbye was a painful thing to say…He'd rather not hear it at all and just leave…They would talk again…when it was all over.
Serph found himself at the outskirts of Svathisthana…this was it. Their objective was at their feet. He gave the signal to move out…
Soon, they reached the wall of the city when he heard the transmission…
"Alpha One, this is Charlie One! We're taking heavy fire here!"
His heart stopped. How did this happen? This was a preemptive strike! His forces were well concealed! It was impossible to detect unless…
The sound of a bullet zipping through the air broke his thoughts…
"Take cover!" he shouted.
The team scattered.
He ran and rolled over to the debris, "Enemy snipers! 12 o'clock!"
'Argilla!' he mentally screamed. 'Where is she?!'
He grabbed his gun and looked around. A scream pierced his ears. He turned his head to the location of the scream, and there, he saw her, sprawled on the muddy ground. He cringed and cursed under his breath. She had been hit.
With his sharp eyes, he saw Heat and Cielo evade the snipers and get close enough to neutralize them. He grinned at that. Now, there was just Argilla…
Giving Gale a nod, he made for Argilla while Gale gave him cover fire. With the speed and accuracy that he was known for, he quickly dove for the female and carried her body.
He inspected the wound on her side and saw that it was bleeding excessively. He pressed his palm on it firmly. She grunted.
"Hold on…You…you won't die…" he said, his voice a whisper.
She coughed up blood and it traveled down to her chin. He immediately wiped it off, "Don't worry…I'll get help…" His eyes were beginning to water…Somehow, this was all déjà vu for him; he felt as if he had been there, in this particular situation before…
But it didn't matter; the only thing that mattered was that Argilla was dying…She was dying, right in his arms…
Argilla shook her head, "No…don't bother…"
She then touched his face and again, he leaned in, moaning as her hand made contact with his cheek. Her touch was soothing…but at the same time, her touch…hurt him. He let a single drop of tear fall from his eye and it landed on her cheek.
She smiled as she felt his tear on her cheek and sighed.
"Your eyes…" she whispered wearily.
His heart thumped as she spoke her gentle words…waiting for the next line to leave her lips…
"They're so…beautiful…Oh…Serph…" she whispered.
He leaned in, "Don't talk…Save your strength…"
She coughed again and shook her head, "I…I have to tell you…Serph…"
"Tell me what…?" he urged her.
"I…I've always…wanted…to be…with you…" she said slowly, smiling at him.
He cupped her face in his hand, "I want to be with you too…"
She sighed and closed her eyes, "Really…? I'm glad…"
He waited for her to speak but she didn't. He gently shook her…but she did not move. Panicking, he felt for a pulse but there was none.
She was gone…
The battle ensued all around him…But somehow, he was blind, deaf and dumb to it all…
"Serph! Let's move damn it! Harley's been spotted!" came Heat's crackling voice from the intercom.
"Sir! We've lost Company Echo and Company Tango! I repeat! We've lost…"
"Alpha One! This is Charlie Company! We've been surrounded!"
He was deaf to all of them…
She was gone…
Serph gasped as he bolted awake. He felt cold sweat all over his body. He fell back down on the bed as he tried to calm himself down.
He had a nightmare again…
He sat up and buried his face in his hands…The nightmare…it just hurt him. Argilla had died…But at least, she had told him what she had wanted to tell him. He narrowed his eyes as he hardened his body, controlling his emotions. The dream had happened. She had died and his army had most probably been defeated…
But it hadn't happened yet.
And if Sera's explanation held water, it would mean that he still had the chance to change the future. He just had to know when it would happen…
He allowed his mind to travel back to the dream. He couldn't remember very well…He cursed himself. He just had it and suddenly it flew out of his head!
'Damn…'
He closed his eyes and willed himself to remember.
After a few minutes of pure thought, he opened his eyes. The battle; they couldn't have won.
'It had been an ambush. The Vanguards knew that we were launching an attack that day…There was a spy.' he thought disgustedly.
He felt disgusted that someone from his own tribe would sell their own comrades out to the other tribes…
For what, he wondered.
"For wealth? Promise of power?" he asked, snorting.
There was no such thing as those things there…He felt sorry for however that person was…Didn't he or she know that there was no one you could trust except your own tribe? Did they really think that the other tribes would honor their promise once they had done their end of the bargain?
He sighed.
First thing tomorrow, he needed to conduct an investigation. He needed to comb the personnel to find out who had been spying for the Vanguards.
"That's not the future that I'm going to have…Argilla won't die." he said with burning resolve.
"I won't let it happen…"
xxxxx
The next day couldn't come sooner for Serph. He had been so disturbed by his previous nightmare that he had been unable to return back to sleep. He had been thinking all night about the spy.
Who could it be?
Finally, morning came. He hopped out of his bed and prepared for the day.
xxxxx
Argilla woke up with cold sweat. Her pink eyes were as wide as saucers. She had a vision of her leader again…
And this time, it was…
"A lot more graphic than the last…" she said shamefully.
She gritted her teeth as she fought the blush that threatened to come to her cheeks. But it was in vain as she felt the blood invade her face.
With a growl, she proceeded to the lavatory.
"A cold shower…I need a cold shower…"
She stripped herself and turned the faucet, letting the water run free. She sighed as the cool and soothing water touch her skin…All over her body…
"That feels so good…" she told herself as she felt the water run down her back…down her spine…
"It does, doesn't it?"
Argilla stiffened and turned around; who said that?!
"Serph?!" she yelled.
Her eyes widened; there was no one there…
"It's just my…imagination…" she said, relieved.
Relaxing once more, she closed her eyes and returned to her soothing shower…Her mind involuntarily returned to her vision…
Their bodies were linked together…The air felt hot…and sweat glistened their skin…Moans and groans filled the room…And all she felt was unexplainable bliss…
"That's enough!" she screamed at herself. She panted, "That's…enough…"
She was about to curse herself when she heard the siren go off.
'An emergency?!'
She narrowed her eyes and dashed out of the lavatory, her towel in hand.
xxxxx
She arrived at the strategy room four minutes later, wrapping her hair in a bun as she ran. It was tricky but she managed to do it. She arrived at the appointed time without looking haggard.
The doors slid open, "Gale! What's going on?!"
Serph's heart skipped a beat as he saw her running, almost out of breath. His eyes flew to her gaping jacket…and he saw that her corset was just halfway pulled up. It showed her skin…The flawless skin of her ample breasts.
Blushing, he walked up to her and leaned in, "Argilla…"
He saw her stiffen…Why was that so? Was he making her uncomfortable? He had only the best intentions…
Serph was leaning in! What was he doing? Her mind and heart began to panic…
"Pull up your corset…" he whispered, before leaning back.
Alarm signals went off in Argilla's mind. She immediately looked down and saw her heaving and gaping chest…He was right! Almost everything could be seen!
Damn!
With inhuman speed, she immediately pulled up her zipper, while muttering a few embarrassed "thank yous".
Wait a minute! The others! They might have seen!
She quickly looked around! No! There was no one there! Well, that was a relief…But then, where were they?
She was about to ask Serph of their whereabouts when the doors slid open once more and her comrades walked in. So, it had been Serph who sounded the siren.
"Wat's happenin' brudda?" came Cielo's curious voice.
"What has happened Serph?" Gale asked stoically.
Argilla was immensely relieved; no one was there…But then, why did Serph have to whisper it to her? Couldn't he just say it like any other normal person?
She was going to have to talk to him about that…
"So, what the hell is going on you bastard?" Heat spat.
Serph frowned, "I called you all in here for an important reason…I…" He had to choose his words well. He knew that none of his comrades or anyone from the Junkland for that matter would believe him if he came up with an allegation with explosive repercussions and implications without proper proof…and the fact that he would be telling everyone that he found out through a "dream" would hurt his credibility to say the least.
"I have reason to believe that there is a spy amongst us." Serph said stoically, his silver eyes landing on each of his comrades' eyes.
"A spy? Who?" Heat asked, narrowing his red eyes.
Serph sighed, "That's why I called you all in here. I want a thorough investigation of the current troops, staff and personnel."
"You must be kidding mon! Dat could take forever!" Cielo protested, whining.
Gale touched his forehead, "I understand your concern Serph but I also understand Cielo's point. Time is of the essence if we are to bring down the Vanguards."
Argilla shook her head, "But still Gale, we can't fight like this if we're divided. We'll just get murdered out there!"
"I understand that Argilla. What we're saying is that such an investigation would require manpower and time."
"Just get it done!" Serph growled, "I want this under a microscope. No one else is to know! Is that clear?"
Argilla looked at her comrades and took in their shocked faces. She herself was surprised. Serph had never raised his voice like this…He had never spoken to them in such a manner. Before she could contemplate things any further, Serph spoke once more, "I want the reports on the recently new recruits with their background checks. I want a thorough report on the recent mission logs…And the current resource allocation. I want this spy and his group apprehended. Give me a report in three days. Dismissed."
She watched him go with wide eyes.
"Man, what is up with the bastard?" Heat asked, rolling his eyes irritably.
"Leader's gone gaga ja?" Cielo whined.
Gale sighed, "Be that as it may, his instructions are clear. We have our orders."
She raised an eyebrow, "Serph…What's going on? What's wrong with you?"
xxxxx
Serph sat on the bench with dead fisheyes. He didn't mean to be unfeeling towards his comrades, but he had no choice. He had to get those people caught; whatever it took.
"Permission to sit sir?" a voice whipped through the air.
Serph turned around and met his pink-haired comrade, "Argilla."
She smiled at him, "Sir? Permission to sit?"
Serph chuckled, "Carry on."
She sat beside him and with the same smile, she spoke once more, "Permission to speak freely, sir."
Serph quirked an eyebrow, "Why bother? You do always speak to me freely Argilla. Why bother with protocols now?"
She chuckled, "I'll take that as your 'At ease soldier' command." She looked at him seriously, "Serph, what just happened back there?"
His silver eyes met the ground, "I just want this person caught. That's all. I don't want my orders questioned." he finished, slightly irritated at her.
She bit her lip and draped a hand over his, "Sir, we'll follow your orders anywhere…no matter what they may be. You know that. What we want to know is…why this all of a sudden. You didn't exactly tell us anything…How can you ask us to understand the nature of your sudden decision when there's no data to precede it?"
He smiled; this was what loved about Argilla. When things would get confusing, she would always keep things together…She always managed to keep things in perspective for him…Like now.
"I'm sorry." he said sincerely, "But I do have my reasons."
He couldn't tell her either…no matter how much he wanted to. He can't…Not without further evidence…
'What evidence? There is none…This is purely hypothetical.' he thought with disdain.
He suddenly felt pressure on his hand. His eyes flew to his hand and saw that she was squeezing it, "We understand sir…And we trust you." she smiled.
She stood up, "We know that you'd tell us…when the time is right."
Serph watched her go and he grinned, "I haven't dismissed you yet soldier."
She turned with a grin of her own, "Like you said sir, why bother with protocols now? Right?"
Serph stiffened; there was just something in her eyes and her smile that had him freeze. She pouted playfully, "Sir? Are you going to court-martial me?"
Feeling the onset of a blush coming on, he quickly spoke, "Er…no…You're dismissed."
"Thanks." with that, she was gone.
xxxxx
Another night had passed and again, Argilla woke up with cold sweat, "Okay, this is getting out of hand…I think I need to go to Psy Ops for a thorough exam."
Hopping out of bed, she again prepared for the new day. She had paperwork to go through thoroughly. She was supposed to go through the paperwork of the most recent mission logs…
She groaned. Well, it was a dirty job but someone had to do it.
"Why does it have to be me?" she asked herself.
'Because there's no one else stupid.' her inner self explained, 'Besides, Serph did specify that he wanted this whole thing under wraps right? He just trusts us! That's all! We should be proud! He likes us!'
Argilla's face fell, "Talking to myself…I really need to check in with Psy Ops."
xxxxx
The day had gone smoothly. But of course, Serph still had the disturbing dream. The content would be changed every here and there, but the main thing was always the same…Embryon would fall and Argilla would die.
He gritted his teeth as he paced around the Strategy Room. Weren't those reports ready yet?
Soon his comrades had arrived. And thus began the meeting.
"Serph, I've found several things of notice from the mission logs. You spoke of a spy right? For the Vanguards?" Argilla asked.
He nodded. All eyes were on her.
"Well, there have been four recon missions to Svathisthana that had been granted by a Lieutenant Thor within the recent month. The report says that there weren't much success in their missions…The status reports always confer that Svathisthana is without change. This is a bit odd though…The Vanguards aren't stupid. They would be launching missions of their own…Those reports are a bit fishy." she finished, looking intently at each of their eyes.
Serph's countenance solidified, so, now they have a lead.
"In which company does this Thor belong to?" Serph asked Argilla.
"With the November Company sir."
"Good work. I want this person's background files pulled up." came Serph's stoic voice.
"I've taken the liberty of that." said Gale, "Argilla had told me of her suspicion and I had a background check on Thor. He was a recruit that we enlisted three months ago. He was found wandering the desert southwest of here. It is possible that the Vanguards had let him infiltrate the Embryon's territory in the guise of a new recruit."
Heat growled, "Yeah…and we found that the little bastard's scheduled for another mission in-you guessed it-at the Vanguards' territory. He's scheduled to leave tonight. Should we bring him in?"
Serph was glad; he had given his team three days and yet they had given him the report two days early. But still, he raised a curios eyebrow, "What about you Cielo? Is there any info that you'd want to impart?"
Heat laughed, "The idiot's useless."
Cielo stood up, almost knocking the chair down, "Hey! Dat's far from de truth mon!"
Argilla giggled, "Cielo's right. Serph, Cielo helped us a lot."
Gale smirked evilly, "Yes…Cielo makes the best cup of coffee especially when running through various paperwork in the middle of the night."
Cielo's face fell, "Dat…dat's mean…"
Argilla bounced up to him and wrapped her arms around him, "Aw…cheer up! You do make the best coffee brew! Honest! A lot better than Heat!"
Guffaws of laughter echoed through the room. But for some reason, Serph wasn't pleased…Heat…? Make coffee? For Argilla?
Why? For what purpose?
He shook his head of such thoughts and focused at the matter at hand.
"So, what should we do Serph?" Heat asked, folding his arms, "Should we bring in the little shit-head or what?"
Serph thought for a moment, "No. We have no concrete evidence. Just fragmented incidents. I want you to tail him on his mission tonight."
Cielo grumbled, "Do we really have to?"
"Don't bother." Heat smirked, "Two people could pull this off. Besides, if we're to be quiet and agile, we don't need a big number."
"Heat is right." Gale concurred, "Number in this situation would be a disadvantage. It would be prudent to designate this as two-man mission."
"I volunteer!" Argilla chirped, raising her hand.
Serph raised an eyebrow. Then he should volunteer as well.
"I'll go."
Serph raised an eyebrow and looked at Heat. Heat smirked, "Argilla and I will go. No biggie."
Serph felt a lump in his throat and he couldn't speak. Gale nodded at the two and looked at Serph, "Well, Serph? Should we proceed?"
Serph knew that he had no choice. His personal feelings about this had no place here. He simply must control himself.
So, he nodded.
"Yay! I don't have to go!" Cielo pranced around.
Gale touched his forehead, "No; you don't. But you have to track down more suspects."
"Ohhh…party pooper!" Cielo whined, sticking out his tongue.
xxxxx
She was going on a mission with Heat. Well, it was better this way. She had to control herself when with Serph. Things were already as awkward as they were…What she needed was time off.
"Right. Out of sight, out of mind…" she said to herself as she prepped for her mission.
This was the only way she could think of to get him out of her head anyway. She had only just been to Psy Ops and they had found nothing conclusive from her exam. There was no anomaly in her brainwave patterns…No disorders…No nothing. She was perfectly normal.
And so, she concluded that the problem just lay with her looking at Serph too much.
"I'm just spending too much time with him. That's all." she concluded.
xxxxx
