Chapter 721 - The Meeting in the Principals Office, The Ability to See Mutagen and Differentiate Its Hosts (1/2)
Day 153 - 6:01 PM - Principal's office, Mardijelos National High School, Barangay Madrijelos, Municipality of Algeria, Province of Cebu
Like what Officer Emilio wanted to do, he and the other leading individuals in this place gathered in a meeting. It was not just the high-ranking soldiers who were present. There were also other people like Doctor Janice and some able-bodied people from the residents.
”Sir Emilio, why are we called here suddenly? My group just returned from the coast.”
A well-built man asked. He was not a soldier from his appearance, and he had the aura of a man of the sea, a fisherman. His name was Caudillo Alcoseba, a Mutator and the person in charge of leading a group to find food near the coast.
”It is about the group that arrived, I presume.”
Doctor Janice spoke.
”A group? Survivors? How many?”
Caudillo asked as he was not present when the group in question arrived.
”Eight people. Four little girls, two men, and two women. I saw them when Officer Emilio guided them to where they would stay.”
A lean-bodied young man replied to the fisherman's question. He had a pretty handsome face, and accompanied by his lean stature, he looked like an actor. This man's name was Denver Briones, an aspiring actor before the outbreak. He was not able to reach his dream, though, since the world had gone chaotic.
”But damn, that woman's beautiful.” Denver continued. ”Is she some international star or something?”
”You better not target them with your shenanigans toward women, Denver.” Doctor Janice interjected as she glared at the womanizer in front of her. ”If you dare mess with her, we won't care what will happen to you.”
”Oh, shut up, Janice,” Denver argued. ”I'm a playboy, I admit. But I also have my virtues. I don't put my hands on women who are obviously taken. Besides, I'm not stupid. That man leading them had strange powers. He drove the flies around them away without even uttering a single word.”
Denver's last sentence took the attention of everyone in the room. Some of them looked skeptical. Murmurs began as they started to speculate.
”Don't look at with those eyes.” Denver frowned. ”Officer Emilio is there. Why don't you all ask him?”
Finally, everyone's attention was back on the leader, who was standing there silently waiting for them to stop their talk.
”You all done?”
Officer Emilio asked.
Everyone fell silent while some let out coughs in embarrassment.
Since everyone was ready to start, Officer Emilio began to speak.
”We will talk about what Denver saw earlier, but the unexpected guests really are the center of this meeting.”
”Sir Emilio, did you learn about who they are?”
Another military officer asked. His name was 1st Lieutenant Gerard Cañete. He was pretty much the right hand of Officer Emilio in running this group.
”We only had a brief introduction, but from what they said, it seemed that they had direct connections to the higher people in the military. And when I said higher, they were two Military Generals from settlements in Luzon.”
Officer Emilio explained. That, however, made the soldiers in the room surprised.
”Sir, you are not kidding, right?” Gerard asked. ”I might believe it if you mentioned General Aguilar that should be leading the Bantayan Settlement or the late General Epifanio that led us. But Generals from military settlements in Luzon? Did they magically fly here?”
”I might think of the same if it only came from their mouths.” Officer Emilio shook his head. ”But their leader gave me a proper identification doc.u.ment signed by General Faustino of Infanta Settlement and was even stamped with the confidential military seal. I can't see any way to fake that seal. I'm sure you are the same.”
”I had heard about that seal, but I haven't seen it,” Gerard replied. ”Is it really the seal?”
”Yes, there is no doubt.” Officer Emilio nodded. ”The seal is not fake.”
With Officer Emilio's confirmation, the room became noisy once again. It was not surprising that they had this reaction since the conversation earlier basically said that their guests actually came from Luzon. They traveled over the dangerous seas during this outbreak.
”With how dangerous the sea is, is it really possible?”
The fisherman, Caudillio, asked. He knew how dangerous the sea waters now more than anyone here in this room.
”It might be hard for us, but probably not them.” Officer Emilio answered. ”Doctor Janice might be able to support this claim of mine.”
”That's probably the case.” Doctor Janice agreed. ”They might just be eight people, but except for two people, the others were powerful.”
”Wait.” The playboy, Denver, interjected. ”There are four children with them. Why are there only two weak ones?”
”What are you talking about?” Doctor Janice frowned. ”The weaker ones are the two teens. Those little girls you are looking down on might be stronger than you.”
Everyone was taken aback at the doctor's words.
”You're joking, right?”
Denver said awkwardly.
”Do I look like joking to you?” Doctor Janice argued. ”You all here knew my ability. I won't say anything like that without basis.”