When I receive the call from Pierre that tells me Anden wants to have a meeting regarding the people we are after — the ones behind the incident during the gala where I ended up hit by a bullet, and the ones who've been sending us creepy notes since then, claiming that they have Tess with them—I know that I must go. It is with a heavy heart that I leave Day behind, still asleep, exhausted from another blissful night. I, for one, also am. But there's no point in backing off, now that we are getting closer and closer to finding out who the real enemy is.

I stop on my way to Anden's office, placing a hand on the nearest wall to steady myself. My legs are wobbly beneath me, I can barely stand for long. I blush upon remembering how the night and this morning were for me. Despite all my military trainings, there is nothing that can match such activities.

What am I thinking about, in the middle of all this problems? I almost make myself punch the wall so hard it breaks my knuckles, just to feel the pain and wake up from the delusions I've been having right now. Come on, June! Now's not the time to think about such things! Focus on finding Tess. Focus on catching these people who wish to return the 'Old America' that even you know nothing of! Focus on the present! Don't daydream about the future...

A thought crosses my mind, instantly making my cheeks warm. The knowledge that Day and I can just run away, letting other people, Anden and Pierre and the rest, deal with this new problem. I remember that both Anden and Pierre offered the option of running and keeping ourselves safe for once. I can just take it and walk away, smack that idea into the minds of our enemies.

But not yet... when we all have our responsibilities to our people.

I sigh heavily and push myself away from the wall, trying to move one foot at a time, hiding the tremble and ache every time I walk. When I reach Anden's room, the guards he stations outside don't even bat an eye. I hesitate to knock the door, even though I intend on doing so. Anden's voice is so loud, so strained, even from the other side of the door.

If it had been for reasons unrelated to me or anyone I know, I surely wouldn't have hesitated to barge right in. But his voice rings so loudly, clearly saying my name and Day's... it is a different thing, knowing that all the problems that Anden (knowingly) and the Republic (unknowingly) are dealing with involve us. Their so-called "Champions of the Great War against the Colonies" ten years ago.

Anden has been so direct with his words.

"Are you insane?! Using Commander Iparis and Mister Wing as bait?!"

I stand right there outside of his door for more than a minute, before I finally muster the courage to knock. I've caught Pierre stops in the middle of an explanation, and Anden acknowledges my entrance. Upon closing the door behind me, I see their eyes wild with shock, as if they hadn't anticipated that I'll be here so quick. Well, Babel is closer to here than from my own apartment. When they recover, they instantly turn their gazes away, guilty that they've been talking about Day and me without our consent.

Pierre is the first one to get over it. He straightens and salutes, just like any soldier does. He greets me, his voice snappy, "Commander."

I merely nod at him, disregarding formality. But when my eyes meet Anden's, being someone much lower in ranks than him, I snap at attention, saluting him. "Elector."

Anden, like me, dismisses the formal greetings. Instead, he nods and sighs heavily, leaning his full weight back against his seat. It is just past lunch, and it already seems like Anden has had a full, tiring day. His hair is already a mess from all that countless combing with his fingers; His dress shirt is already rumpled, the sleeve rolled up to his elbows in a rush. It truly has been a rough start of the day. Well, it has been like this for all of us since this issue was brought up into a clearer light.

"Both of you have asked for me," I go straight to the point, not giving away any intention or a hint that I've heard them talking louder than they intended. For some reasons, it surprises me to imagine that Pierre, being a captain, has been this close to the Elector that he seems like the Princeps-Elect. But I know that it's his intellect and skills and knowledge that makes him part of the so-called "team", those aware of whatever is going on, unlike others who know so little. "I am expecting that you have a progress report that regards the insurgents."

"Before we continue on to that, it will be very helpful for us to know where you've been, Commander Iparis," Anden remarks, hating the fact that I've managed to make it past the guards he had asked to watch for me. He doesn't make any eye contact at me, fearful that I'll rehash what I've just overheard earlier. "You know that your safety, as well as that of Mister Wing, is important. And yet, I've been informed early today that both of you weren't at your homes. I take it that you were together."

If there is a jealousy in his voice, I don't let him fall for it. Instead, I reply, honestly, "Forgive me about that, Elector. Please do not take it as an insult for the guards you've asked to keep me safe, as well as those of Mister Wing's. Leaving is in our intention, evading the security team assigned to us. Also, it is indeed true that we've been together at Babel, Elector. I can give you proof that we've been together." I bite my lower lip when both Anden and Pierre turn to look at me, waiting for me to continue. I blush slightly when I ask, to Anden in particular, "Can I take a seat?"

"Please," he replies. "Sorry about that."

When I settle down onto the couch across from Pierre, I can't help but sigh in relief. I can swear that for a moment right there, I almost feel my legs turn into jelly beneath me. It will embarrass me so much to act all fine, just to fall on my knees because of all the wobbling. It'll surely serve as my evidence that Day and I have been together last night.

Pull yourself up, June. When did you turn like this?

"No need for proof, Commander," Pierre replies. "When we tried to reach out to contact you, we learned your location. Also, forgive us for sending guards to ensure your safe exit from Babel. We have left others amongst the crowd, to keep watch of Mister Wing's in case anyone dares to cross the line."

I am about to speak up. But Anden instantly removes the anger that is starting to burst in me, in regards of Pierre's incoherent action. Anden says, "My orders. Especially when both of you were almost torn into shreds."

I frown, turning Anden's direction. "I beg your pardon?"

"A box of cake for Mister Wing, and a bouquet of flowers for Commander Iparis," he answers as he stares somewhere, avoiding my stare. "The rebels should have known that the team assigned for your security had been warned to watch for all possibilities. The deliveries were made early this morning to your apartments.

Upon receiving those gifts and finding out that neither you or Mister Wing were in your apartments, they'd taken a precaution to check it for whatever was strange. In the end, they recovered improvised bombs planted in those gifts. At the last minute, they threw the packages into the open field. Those things detonated." Slowly, Anden turns his eyes at me. "Someone out there is truly wishing you dead. Weird that they wanted to recruit the two of you in the first place."

I don't back away from the challenge of Anden's stare at my direction. I try to analyse what is going on in his mind, apart from the relief that Day and I weren't injured or killed. But before I can make a conclusion of what is going on, something ticks me off. I narrow my eyes and say, "What if... the reason that they originally send those items was because they knew that neither me nor Day were in our apartments?"

"Like some sort of wake-up call, you mean?" Pierre ponders, as his frown deepens. "That is a point that we must also note."

"Either way, they also left another letter. This one though had been sent through my e-mail." Anden sighs and offers a piece of paper to me. "This is the hardcopy of the letter that I received early this morning."

"Have you done any test run of the sender's e-mail?" I inquire as I take the paper.

Pierre chuckles before composing himself again, remembering that this is a serious matter. I surely want to punch him right now. But I am glad that within a minute, he is able to stop and answer, "That's a funny inquiry. After all, the sender of the e-mail is none other than you, Commander Iparis."

My frown deepens, before I finally trail my eyes to the paper that Anden gave me. And indeed, the hardcopy version of the e-mail, directly printed from the screen states the following:

TO: Elector Anden Stavropoulos

FROM: June Iparis

SUBJECT: [No Subject]

Elector,

Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.

—People of the Old America

"I don't remember sending this message," I remark, almost throwing the paper onto the table that separates me from Pierre right now. I am furious with all that's going on. "I won't dare to send something as trivial as that."

Pierre raises an eyebrow at me, completely challenging. But before he can speak up, Anden does, saving me from a series of accusation from Pierre. He speaks up after a heavy sigh, "Of course. Though the e-mail is misleading, we managed to track down other information about the message."

Hope flourishes inside me. I know that the people we are truly after will not make it so easy and frame me for all of it. They have tried to recruit and kill me for numerous times. Now is not the time for them to wash their hands from their mistakes. I turn to Anden, waiting for him to continue.

"The e-mail was sent via your personal laptop, Commander," Pierre answers in behalf of Anden. It takes all of my willpower not to beat him up right now, to suppress my anger at how annoying he has started to become. "If you've been with Mister Wing throughout the night, then it is surely a surprise that you managed to send an e-mail for the Elector this morning, just three minutes before the Elector saw it."

I cross my arms on my chest. My hands close into tight fists in a controlled anger. "Have you tried tracking down the IP address? Because there is no way that my laptop was used at that time. I am certainly an expert if I know the webs of the internet to well to do a thing such as sending the Elector a message at a very precise time."

"The IP address belongs to you, Commander," he continues, his eyes boring straight to me. "And as you've said, there's no way that you were using your laptop at that time. Unless..." Suddenly, there is an edge in his voice. "...someone used your laptop when you were gone and used the resources that you have."

What? I gasp in absolute shock as realization hits me hard. No one had been inside my apartment or in my bedroom when I left last night. Except for the guards that had been stationed outside to ensure that no one would come in and threaten my life. And my security team only found out that I'd been gone since last night was when the present arrived and they looked for me. A cold shudder runs down my spine as I bite my lower lip. The question passes my lips before I even know that I've said the very thought inside my head: "What did you receive first, Elector? The e-mail, or the notice that I and Day were not in our apartments?"

"The e-mail," Anden answers, unbothered by a trivial question. "I received the notice that you were both missing three minutes later."

Sure, it is trivial, but not for me. It means everything.

If Anden had seen the e-mail first, sent three minutes before he even read it, it would mean that the present arrived at my doorsteps and underwent inspection around the same time that Anden finished reading the e-mail. A total of six minutes, enough to add another question to our long list of questions. But for all of it to be done with almost perfection... to even know that Anden would be reading the e-mail around that time, exactly at the same time that the present was delivered... it was so flawless that the idea of coincidence is unacceptable.

"I need some air," I mutter, dismissing myself. Within seconds, I am already out of the room, heading out of the building, needing to find a place to clear my mind from all of this.

* * *

The part of me that said "I need some air" seemed to have a deeper meaning than I intended to. Before I even know it, I've wandered about two blocks away from the capitol building already. What breaks me out of my trance is the fact that I have walked myself into an almost secluded alleyway. I know this alleyway still, a junction between two great roads of the city. But like gaps between buildings, this alleyway also serves as a shortcut for runners from one side to another. Well, this alleyway is familiar to my body already that my feet lead me right here.

It was a memory from five years ago that led me here. A man involved in a hit-and-run had abandoned his victim and his car at that main road behind me. Coincidentally, I'd been on the site of the crime that I called for back-up right away, cutting through the chase, blocking the possible ways for him when I caught up with him after a five hundred meter run from the crime scene. I remember it clearly. When all possible routes for him were closed, he took out the pistol he had inside his coat and pointed it at us with his trembling hands. Then, the most unexpected thing happened. He started crying, apologizing that it had been indeed his intention to hit the victim, his very wife, for cheating against him. He said, "Forgive me." It had been his last words, before he aimed his gun underneath his chin and fired.

The memory almost sickens me, but the incident had enlightened me about my duty. It made me understand that whatever happened, even in a time of post-war, there would always be crimes here and there. Not to mention that the peace that we currently have can be threatened and destroyed by people who believe in a different form of governance. One that had been defined as democratic. And I think, with that memory of the man... I think that this government lacks something.

I heard a metal can being kicked, rolling down the pavement. It makes me tense up and turn around, but before I can completely glimpse what it is, someone suddenly tells me, "Don't! Or they won't hesitate to shoot you."

Right on cue, I hear the sizzle of a sniper's laser pointed at my direction. I turn my head forward, keeping my feet on ground. My hand involuntarily trails to the holster at my waist and I almost curse when I realize that I don't have my gun with me. What a waste of skill for a commander such as me, going about in duty without any weapon. Then I remember that as some part of my security deal, I had to surrender my weapon. Double curse right now for moments like this. I pray that my security team are observant and have been tracking my position right now. But given the fact that I am yet to meet the new set of guards that Anden chose just from assumptions, and given that the old ones had failed because I escaped them... I highly doubt that they'll be acquainted with how to ensure my safety and security.

Triple curse. I'm certainly alone in this. Me and the six snipers that are pointed at my direction, coming from invisible places that I can't pinpoint at all. My mind analyses the angles to deduce where the snipers are. Mentally, I take note of it. When they are gone and I am free from their threat once more, I can order a few soldiers to scout the area for any evidence, in case they are indeed amateurs about this things.

The fact that they've sent a present is a complete shout out of how amateur their logic and method is.

"Miss June Iparis, we want your cooperation," the man behind me says, taking a closer step. "If you ensure us your cooperation, we can assure you that we'll release the girl, and Mister Wing will no longer be involved with all of this. Aside from the Eldest, the Council of Elders want to meet with you."

Eldest and the Council of Elders. No doubt the highest rank there is in their rebel group.

"I doubt it." I am going to make them talk more. Provoking them will be the best option. "After all, you said earlier on that you wanted the two of us on board. What made you change your mind?"

"If we have you, Miss Iparis, no doubt that Mister Wing will follow suit," he answers.

Just as I thought. Swindle one to side with them first before the other. The reason that they've kidnapped Tess is the same. They're waiting to strike whoever is easier to get, Day or I, with that ace they currently have.

"Or else, we'll have to take another aces to join ours," he continues, and I shiver. "If the girl isn't a pressure point for both of you right now, then, we better escalate. I guess Mister Wing will not take it so well if we—"

"Don't you dare," I hiss, almost turning to face him. It takes all of my strength and willpower not to. I try to ease my breathing and calm myself once more. "Don't try to make that move. Or else..."

Or else, what, June? When have I been weakened by threats? When have I lost the right words to use in moments like this?

"There's only one way to save him, June Iparis," the voice tauntingly tells me from behind, bold enough to come so close behind me, just about three meters behind. "This Republic is rotten from the core. Not of corruption. Not of injustice. But because of freedom. This Republic needs to change. The people are not slaves chained by one ruler. The people are starving for democracy."

"And what do you want to happen? When the Elector was removed from office, what will you do? You guys are going to place yourselves in the office? Clearly that's democracy for you," I ask, challenging, trying to eye the person behind me through my peripherals. But if I completely know who the man is, I'll surely be killed right away.

"I won't kill you, June Iparis," he assures as if he could read my mind. "You, along with Daniel Altan Wing, after all, are the most vital pieces needed. Perhaps, just another shot that will render you incapable or unconscious. Enough time for us to take you."

"Then, why—"

"Because this is another warning, June Iparis. Five days."

My ears perk at that. A trade.

"If you made no intention of hearing our cause even for a second, expect to have Eden Wing at your sight and inform him he'll receive a head as present."

Eden... God, not, Tess!

"You won't dare—"

"Five days, June Iparis."

I hear a snap of fingers and the sudden disappearance of the snipers all at once. I look behind through my peripherals, a moment too late to see the figure of a man, familiar in a distant memory, climbing into waiting luxurious car with dark tinted windows.

The car heads on.