“Why are you running?” asked Cid as he pursues the man wearing a hood through the narrow alleyway – where the garbage can are placed outside the establishments. The man that Cid was chasing stumbled down as his feet land inside the trashcan. The garbage rolled out as he quickly rose and entered the bustling crowd. Cid didn’t know what happened to him, first thing is that they approached him outside of a night club then in a second, when he recognizes his face, he started to run.

It’s one of his informants that he relies on gathering information in terms of Don Trifalgo’s action ever since after the time they blew up the experiment sector, but he rarely sees him as he was busy on his given assignment.

Cid look at the surroundings and jostled his way to the crowd. He caught a glimpse of his target entering another alleyway. Cid pressed his earphone.

“Linda, our mole is getting away again.”

“Don’t worry, I’m on my way.” She replied.

Linda thrust her way in the bustling crowd. Her eyes caught the man on her side – running in the alleyway. She sprints faster as she finally gets out and with a push on her feet against the ground, she bumps the target and crashes in the dumpster. Her back aches as she found support to stand up.

Cid finally caught up and grab him in the neck, pulling him up.

“I promise man, it wasn’t me.” He frantically said.

“What?”

The perplexed face returns to normal; relief engulfed his heart for a moment.

“So, you didn’t come here to kill me?”

“No, we want to know where the hell is Don Trifalgo. We can’t find the bastard. We look everywhere but it seems there’s no mark of his presence.”

He breathes heavily, “I thought you came to kill me because I said that you’re an agent.”

“What?!” shouted Cid.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? Guilty as charged. Those bastards threatened me.”

“How did they find out?”

“Well… I kinda snuck on of their warehouses and saw something that I shouldn’t then one of his goons caught me and ask me who am I working for.”

“You son of a bitch.”

“Look, I didn’t tell what you look like, okay. I said that you only meet me at the bar in a disguise in order to gather information. I didn’t tell them who you are I promise.”

Linda taps Cid’s shoulder and steps forward.

“You said you saw something you shouldn’t, what is it?” asked Linda.

The guy jogged up his memory trying to remember the words they said when Don’s goons transferring a cargo.

“It’s something about, ‘The spear is ready. All we need is confirmation.’ Yeah, that’s what they said.”

Linda and Cid exchange glances. Their face is stiffened.

“You sure you heard it right, about the spears part?” asked Linda, breaking the silence.

He said, “Yes, yes. I am sure of it. What does it mean by the way?”

Cid slowly muttered the words he couldn’t believe of, “Nukes.”

“You mean the thing that explodes and goes kaboom like a big mushroom puff they’ve said happened in the Taronda Kingdom?”

Cid nods and clenches his fist.

A single flash had caught their attention on the gloomy sky, and then there’s another one – followed by a hundred more sparkling lights as they fall under the faint moonlight.

Ɵ

“Let’s start again.” Said Cid. “How did you know that they’re going to unload the nukes in that warehouse and what happened to that fat bastard?”

“Hey, have pity to the nearly dead man. First of all, I didn’t know that they’re gonna unload those nukes in that warehouse and how would I know the meaning of spears or whatever that is. I only knew that they’re being sketchy and careful with their movements after someone blew up the building. Don Trifalgo since then appeared very few times. Said by one of my associates that they’re busy exporting products and unloading it to that site, they’ve been avoiding using the main road, and obviously, it caught up some of the people’s attention. I’ve only confirmed their items is when I snuck last week in their warehouse. By the time I was about to get out in the fence, one of his men caught me and I was held for the entire day. They tortured me, man, they threatened me to hurt my family if I don’t cooperate. I have no choice.”

Cid's face remained unchallenged and strict.

“I’ve told you before, your job was just an informant. Infiltrating and sneaking was up to me.”

He scratches his head, “Yeah, I know. But they might change their location if I don’t make a move. Besides, the mayor has no intention to do something about this. He was wrapped around Theo’s finger. I can’t let the bad guys do as they want them to do.”

Linda eyed Cid beckoning him to let her take over.

“Where is this warehouse that you’re talking about?” asked Linda.

“Southeast of the Jules Market. You’ll see abandoned establishments there.”

“Why am I not surprised? It’s always been abandoned buildings.” Said Linda. She gazed at Cid. “You okay?”

Cid shakes his head. “I’m fine. I can’t seem to process what’s happening right now. The more we divert to our mission – the more the enemy is gaining an advantage.”

“What do you suggest?” asked Linda.

“Let’s split up. I’ll infiltrate Don Trifalgo’s warehouse, while you’re going to infiltrate the city’s bank system and look for any records on where do those cargos going to.”

“Do you think this is a good idea, about splitting up? This might be a trap. We don’t know how our enemies think.”

“Do you think we have a choice?”

“No. This is a must. I got a bad feeling about this – that they’re going to do something, and it’s a big one. Sooner or later, they’re gonna cause a wreck in this city.”

“No doubt about that. For now, we must take a step.”

Cid’s informant called them. “Can I go home now?”

Cid sigh, “Just don’t tell anyone about this, okay?”

“I promise, I’ll keep my snout away from them. I learned my lesson now.”

Linda and Cid stood outside the alleyway. Cid pulled out a cigarette and had the fire burn the tipping point.

“You smoke? Asked Linda.

“Only when I’m in stress.”

The two walked in the opposite direction and as they vanished among the crowds. The clouds began to accumulate and stretched across the sky – covering the moon.

Ɵ