Sam woke up to the bright sun beaming down through the window right over her face. She rolled over, feeling every ache she didn’t the night before but twice the pain. She took the next few moments to gather the strength to reach for her mobile out of habit, once again coming back empty handed. To think how much I had in that bag of mine. I’m sure some local got it, hacked it, and is loving life with that thing she thought to herself, still trying to finish rolling over to the edge of her mattress. As she let out a big yawn, she heard the door open. She sat up to find herself in a dingier storage room than she realized with the lack of light the evening before. “Good morning,” she said before being cut off by Sebastian’s flat response.

“It’s ten. You are losing time before I have to report for duty.”

“Shit,” she mumbled as she finally gathered the strength to stand up, still in her pilot suit. “Sorry, forgot without an alarm I wouldn’t be able to wake up.” She saw Sebastian was wearing his loaded tactical vest over his T-shirt and jeans. “What’s with the gear?”

“Just because I am not on patrol doesn’t mean I don’t stay ready for surprises. These are not the most stable times as I explained yesterday. Let’s go.”

“Well, better than nothing,” Sam shrugged, following Sebastian out the hallway and down a set of stairs that led them to a long underground walkway. It led to a garage where Sam got to see the MI-r’s he and Renzo took care of. They walked past them to find a set of pickup trucks like the ones from the day before. They passed several of the men on the crew as each nodded good morning to her. She nodded back with a small wave, then sat down in the passenger side of the smaller of the trucks that Sebastian had started up.

As she buckled up, she suddenly started feeling strongly self-conscious. Damn, I probably reek, and my breath is probably shit, too. Forget my mobile. What I wouldn’t do for a shower and a toothbrush. They drove down towards a ramp that took them out of the garage. With the windows rolled down, it was as hot just as was burned in her memory the prior day. Great, now I get to add on more sweat. The truck pulled up to a gate that opened for them, allowing them to pull out on a public road, merging with light local traffic. “Sorry about oversleeping.”

“It’s nothing. You saved me time. Now I get to make this all quick instead of having to use up many hours with you,” he quipped, holding back a smirk.

“Great, thanks” Sam sarcastically replied. “OK, so, since I have a minute, this is what I thought about last night. You and your brother are the only two LTAC pilots in the whole city?”

“No. We are the only two for our Familia. The Vera Familia has maybe one or two, and the Benitez have one. The Rochas have most of them.”

“And that’s the ones I saw with the funny colors?”

“Yes, those are Rocha, and they might have more than twenty as of this week. Many new ones keep appearing. They are the ones helping cause all of our problems.” He waited for Sam to make a response as a number of silent seconds passed. “But, you know, I learned yesterday that they have new foreigners with them. Powerful ones. Which is what I did want to ask you about, Samantha. You see, this morning, my bosses talked to me and my brother about some very important details they learned and I need you to explain us more about what you saw… yesterday in the last fight, you know? When we are back to the compound, of course.”

She figured he was speaking of the ones that knocked her out, even though she couldn’t imagine having any information worth sharing. “Sure, of course.”

Sebastian pulled them up to a curbside shop that had around a dozen four-person tables to the side. He put it in park, checked his holstered pistol and magazines, then got out and motioned Sam to follow. “Stay close.” He walked them up to the cashier, making their order: [Two arepas de perico and two coffees.] He held his watch up to make the payment, then motioned Sam to follow him. They took their seat at the only empty table left.

Sam was back to her bewildered state, studying her environment constantly. The architecture, the colors, the advertisement methods, the noises, the heat, the vegetation, the smells, the music mixing in from all around, it was still too much not to become mesmerized. Her moving gaze brought her back to Sebastian, who was looking impatiently at her. “Oh, sorry, can’t help it.”

“You need to be quiet. Don’t attract more attention than you already do,” he said in a subdued voice.

She looked around, conscious of that, noticing that in fact she did have a number of eyes staring back at her. “Sorry.”

“I ordered something you should find easy to eat. When we finish, we will get you a change of clothes.”

“What did we get?” She then nodded thanks to the waitress who brought them their coffee.

“Arepas are like, well, you will see. It’s got, um, eggs, tomatoes, other things. You do eat eggs, right?”

“Of course, who doesn’t?” Sam replied, still conscious enough of her voice levels as she stirred in some sugar and creamer into her coffee.

(*Arepas de perico)

Time passed, and Sam tried her best to eat quickly but carefully. She thanked him for the breakfast and quickly followed him to a shop a few store buildings down the way. She looked up to see it was a smaller boutique. “Are you going to come inside?”

“No, I will wait here,” Sebastian said as he passed her a money pass, then stood against the wall near the entrance. “Go ahead. Don’t take more than ten minutes.”

Sam didn’t waste too much more time before finding a pair of sandals, a decent T-shirt, and a pair of athletic shorts to go with a set of underwear. She passed the cashier the money card and then proceeded out the door.

“That was fast,” Sebastian said as he took back his money pass and led them back towards their pickup. “You can change when we get back, and then I have to go to work. You will be safe at the compound. Someone will be there at all times.”

“Thanks so much again, Sebastian, I will make sure to repay you all somehow.”

They made their way back to the truck and loaded up. As they pulled off, a group of men across the street watching them turned away while one picked up his communicator.

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A gentle breeze rustled the branches of the canopy above. Isaiah didn’t seem to mind the heat nor the unpleasant humidity as he still donned his field jacket, albeit sleeves rolled up and main zipper undone. He had a street map of downtown Bogota covered in red and blue ink annotations on top of his clip board which was already stacked somewhat haphazardly. The cluttered state of his collection of clipboards and notebooks resembled the state his father’s office was in. “Reap’, come in,” he heard a voice speak out through his communicator. He stood up from his chair he had set in the shade by his detection equipment to answer.

“Go ahead, Req’.”

“One of our cells in Kennedy spotted your sister. She’s with the Galeano kid, still. Do we take him down after drop-off or wait until the next outing? They want your call.”

“Tell them forget about it. After some calculations it won’t even be necessary. Also, I don’t want her caught up in any crossfire over a guy that isn’t terribly important.”

“Well, by what we picked up, sounds like the Galeano’s really are trying to send her home.”

“Good, then let her leave in peace. And if Hexa doesn’t show up tomorrow, we can move in, get her out, then send her on her way ourselves. Let’s just hope we can do it the easiest, quietest way, first.”

“Roger that.”

“And don’t forget to keep all of your data logging on paper. We can’t afford to be hacked or traced not even once.” He then took his seat, placing the clipboard from earlier back on his lap.

Marian was now walking up to him with a viewfinder in hand. “I got all necessary activity around the other compounds logged, but before we start calculations, I want to know what’s the deal with your overprotectiveness. I know you care for your sister, but that compound they are staying at is still the Galeano’s number one protection priority for that Kennedy District.”

“You said it yourself yesterday as well as the day I found you. This is the Vincent Vrey we are about to fight against. And for all I know, with his connections with my father, he is once again simply trying to capitalize on the products of the best out there. But I digress. She was all I had when we grew up. Mom ran off and stayed gone for years, never came back until after the 2nd War. Dad was always gone, busy. We raised each other with the help of my grandfather sometimes.

You and I are going to always somewhat have that in common, growing up without real parents.” He saw the look Marian gave him, striking a soft spot. “You helped prepare for the day we would run into Infinity’s first full force attempts, and now the day is already coming. That’s why I want things to go according to plan more than ever with this stage in the game.”

Marian lifted a brow as she retorted: “Then that’s why we have to strike that compound. They have the last two LTACs of the city not under control of the Rocha family. Why do you think the other families kept borrowing them?”

“No. You give them too much credit,” Isaiah calmy rebutted. “Even if those two Gamma pilots do our cells in, they still helped us. We attack elsewhere- hey, let them show up. If they bite the dust, we are in the clear. If they hold out, we as a group still play our aces Friday night and it won’t matter who lives and doesn’t.”

Marian felt patronized by the tone but continued to listen, still unsure when it would be better timing to question his confidence. You make it sound so simple, like anything dealing with Vrey ever goes to plan.

“You and I have to worry about our next and final testing ground, remember? The least of our problems is seeing if Sam leaves in one piece.”

“Well, then, we just have to pray that this doesn’t get heard or caught onto by the higher-ups.” She then walked back over to one of the cloaked LTAC’s. “Unlike Tamaz or Elias, I didn’t have a life to throw aside for this,” she said, followed by a long pause, staring up at the sky. “Which means if we can’t stop that man’s mad, life stealing ambitions, I have nothing left to exist for. That’s why I am always so worried about anything I find possible to cause everything to fall apart. I can’t help it, even if it involves your family.”

Isaiah remained silent, not even giving a glance or a change in expression and only continued to annotate the map further.

“I know you made sure your father didn’t accept Vincent’s offer to join the board before you left. Things like that say I know how particular you are with the small things. I’m not saying I don’t trust you on that.” But at the same time, I still can’t see how you can be so comfortable after my early departure leaving just enough of an unknown.

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Sebastian’s truck pulled back into the garage, backed into his usual spot, and the two of them got out to find Renzo waiting on them. [Any changes?] Sebastian asked as he got out.

[Kennedy West and Central Bosa reported more cases of arson. They have most of it under control, but the patterns say we expect bigger cases later tonight. Bosses think that the success they got against Infinity has their hopes up that Galeano will give in and release the Barrios. We need to change our patrol up, and needed you to look over something with us first before we head out.]

[Ok, but one second,] he said as he looked to Sam, who just walked up with her bag. “You have knowledge of Hexa and not-Hexa LTACs, right? Do you know what the cape wearing LTACs were? Could you see them or tell me if there were any special structures to them?”

“No, they were distorted on my visuals. All I could tell was they were covered in something. I recognize AiX variants, all current A models, and even many of the Bernaud variants. These were none of such. I couldn’t tell you a thing about them, sorry. Why do you ask?”

“I was asked to ask you. Which, by the way, what I asked about earlier is, I need to talk to you again about not just that but also the uh… knocks… radar… thing.”

“Oh, the NOx sensors. Why?”

“This morning, your father was in contact with us. Alexander Knight, right?”

Sam’s eyes lit up. “Right, but, what? What did he say?!”

“He sent us some install kits and also the details on how to make our own. Says it will help out security and alarm systems. We will install them at our compounds. He also sent us a message about the next security package details. And last, he wants you to call him one more time.”

He sent? Wait, does that mean he actually joined Hexa?!

“I have to go. Wait for my word this evening. Ask Dani if you need anything. She stays stationed here all today.” He then turned to Renzo as they walked off.

Sam stayed behind in thought, still perplexed by the message delivered. He sent sensor kits and technology blueprints? Hexa copyrighted those. He really did join, didn’t he! But… why?! She then noticed the two gone as she started back tracking her way to the main floor of the compound. He can’t possibly know all the package details and possess blueprint data unless he did… but damn even I remember the argument between him, mom, and Isaiah three years ago. That almost broke the family when he almost took that offer. What happened between yesterday and today?! she continued in thought as she approached the long connecting walkway. She then saw Dani approaching with her less-than-comforting smile.

“Good morning, did you enjoy the town?”

Sam quickly reset her thoughts as she returned the greeting with a wave. “Oh, it was a very unique experience. The food was actually pretty good. I was surprised. And I can finally go shower and change,” she said as she held up her bag.

“Good, good! I came here to tell you where to go. When you finish, you can come, and we will get you to give another call to your father. He left messages for you,” she continued as they walked together towards the main building. “So, first question. What are bone pills?”

“Ah, those,” Sam recalled it having been more than twenty-four hours since her last dose. “We have to take those while we are here on Earth every day. It basically keeps our bones strong enough for the gravity here. We can be in a lot of pain if we go too long without them.”

“OK, the father said you need to find some if you lost them, or to wait until tomorrow. I don’t think our stores sell them.”

“I wouldn’t imagine they did,” she replied with a sudden increase in consciousness of her body aches.

“Now, second question he said. Asked can you take a picture of what you eat and drink? Said it would make your mother feel better- but I say just tell her everything here is good. I don’t think you will find bad food or bad drink.”

“I-yeah, I can explain all of that,” she responded with a forced smile in return. She then found they had arrived at the same hallways of their quarters, and the room with the shower at the end of that hall before the break room. “Well, I will get showered off, then.” But when Dani nodded and started to head further down the hall, she got her attention once more: “Um, Dani, I never did say thanks to you, yet. I feel like I could’ve been saved by a not-so-nice um, Familia, if I landed somewhere else.”

“Of course, no problem,” Dani returned with a more genuine expression. “It is like I say, we are the best people of the best part of Bogota. Now go get your shower. You stink.”

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Sam stepped out from the restroom, now looking refreshed both mentally and physically. Her hair was still damp but in its usual ponytail, and she was now in her outfit she purchased earlier. The v-neck football club shirt and her shorts might have been a good look for a stroll around town, but it clashed horribly with her surroundings and those around her as she made her way towards the communications room she had visited the night before. There she was approached by two men, both with headsets around their necks.

[About time you showed up. You have your father on the line. He has been very persistent,] one spoke to her with a tired look.

Sam was instantly reminded once again how heavy the language barrier had been on her nerves, this time having to guess what they meant. She finally figured things out by the other man’s gesture motioning her to the main screen. She walked up in front next to another who was at the controls.

He looked up to her while pointing to the screen: “A… uh… Alexander Knight. On line, for you.”

She nodded and looked up at the screen. When her father showed up it was like pounds of stress were lifted from her chest. And as suspected, he was sitting in front of a Hexa International logo just above his head on the wall. “Dad, thank God you were able to get back in contact with us. All this time I was wondering how to call you because I can’t do anything for myself here without my stuff.”

“Well, well, what do we have here? Trying to blend in with the locals already? How resourceful,” he joked, noting her new ensemble.

“I know, suits me surprisingly well, doesn’t it?” she joked back, tugging at her shirt.

“Glad you are still doing OK. I take it everyone is keeping you locked in for the most part?”

“Forunately for me, yes.” Her eyes once again fell on the Hexa logo. “Dad, why are you at Hexa? Are you at the main office building?”

“Yeah, uh, long story. I do need you to listen to a few things, though.” He then pulled up two screens that were profile pictures of Sebastian and Renzo. “These two guys are pilots I spoke with earlier. You made their acquaintance I assume?”

“Yeah, Sebastian was the one who saved me out there. Did you talk to them?”

“Exactly. So, the first thing I need to tell you is the change in plans. You know that ten package order on the way arriving tomorrow? I had to change the contents. It will be the same contents machines-wise but I am not sending any pilots.”

“No pilots!?” Sam fussed in confusion. “Dad, what is the point then of sending anything?”

Al returned a quickly changed tone: “Listen. I already saw exactly what happened, Sam. It was completely idiotic not expecting there to be such an effective anti-LTAC force there who seems to not only know the land far more than we could’ve ever calculated, but they’re equipped too well for us to simply do the same thing over again-”

“-or to just throw more numbers. I get it. You are arming the locals, aren’t you.”

“You caught on. I see your two boys run old Bernauds. I told them they would not only be getting our newer Ap50s to try out, but would also be receiving a mixed set of Am30s and Av25s as well to lead. Total of 12. I also am including a support set for one Ap60 ‘Axiom’ which needs field testing. Do you remember it well?”

“Of course, I ran about four or five beta runs about two months ago.”

“Good, that means you can test it for real this time. He then pulled up another screen full of tech files. “Next thing I need you to know. I sent these manuals to your boys down there. They already got the Spanish editions, but I need you to check and make sure they got everything, especially on how to operate and interpret the various scanner functions once the package arrives. Spanish or not, these systems aren’t exactly beginner friendly.”

“I don’t speak Spanish, though, and only two people here I know speak English well enough for me to-”

“You just have to relay everything through those who do, Sam. Find a way.”

Sam then started to wander off in thought, trying to ponder not only how she would get out in the end, but if she was even fit for piloting again. “Dad, are you sure you want me in the Axiom? I got crushed yesterday like it was nothing.”

“But if the Axiom can’t even help you, it means there’s more work to do. The armor set should hold up to physical weaponry like what we saw much better, but still best to keep your distance.” He then saw the worried look still on her face. “Look, the sooner we clear the threat, the sooner we can get you on that train. The last thing I need you to know is once you are clear to move out of town past La Candelaria, Mr. Galeano agreed to let me borrow your boy Sebastian once more for escorting you to the Brazilian Border. From there I made sure an official Brazilian government squad will safely transport you to Sao Paolo Spaceport for getting you back home finally.”

“But couldn’t I just leave like that as is? They wouldn’t see us leaving.”

“The walls have eyes there, obviously. You can’t just walk out. How else did they know exactly where our drop would be and what forces we brought? They are waiting to strike again, I guarantee. I am not about to lose you to ill planning. Follow their lead, OK?”

“Alright. That’s what I have been doing. But, wait, you keep saying ‘we’… did you really just join Hexa? What happened over the past night?”

“I said long story,” Al said with a sigh. “I promise to explain everything. I know what you are suggesting and no I had properly hashed it out with your mother already.” He then straightened up again. “I have to finish overseeing the drop launch. I made sure you are getting a new basic equipment set and a new mobile. Ah, and your bone density pills as well. Stay indoors, and just follow any instructions they give you. Stay safe, Sam.”

“I will, thanks dad.” The communication screen then went blank as Sam let out a long sigh. I hope he knows what he’s doing.

(Finally with a change of clothes!)