UNMASKED

PROLOGUE

Hey Fam,

Just a heads up, the prologue is gonna be short, but buckle up for the next chapters – we're talking 5kish words of pure feels, and maybe a sprinkle of chaos.

This story's a slow burn, but I'm all about those regular updates – I gotchu fam!

..

PROLOGUE

The room buzzed with a low hum of electronic activity as Colonel Pacheco leaned over the Quantum Cipher Interceptor (QCI), he activates the high-tech device, (QCI), a sleek, black tablet with an array of buttons and a holographic display.

Isa itong latest technology na naimport pa ng team nila mula sa Japan. Maliit na tablet lang ito pero naglalaman ng napakaraming impormasyon. It can also display the exact location of the target.

Colonel Pacheco is the head of the operation. Kasalukuyan nilang tinatarget ang isa sa pinaka notorious drug lord ng Pilipinas.

His fingers dancing across the holographic display. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of urgency, the weight of a mission that could change the course of the relentless pursuit of OMEN, the elusive drug lord.

Si Omen ang most wanted drug lord sa bansa. Napakailap. Walang nakakaalam ng tunay niyang itsura, dalawang taon na niya itong sinusubukang hulihin. Pero sa pinaka huling operation ng grupo nito they were able to plant a tracking device sa isa sa mga tauhan nito, his underdog, si Astra.

Pacheco's team was able to deploy the tracking device, attaching it discreetly to Astra's gear. The device seamlessly integrates with Astra's equipment, ensuring it won't be detected. Matagal na nilang sinusubaybayan si Omen ngunit napakaingat nito.

He's always one step ahead. Not until sa isa sa mga operation nito, their last operation led by his underdog Astra.

Pacheco's team successfully planted the tracking device without a trace.

Ngayon, ito na ang pagkakataon upang mahuli nila ang napaka ilap na drug lord na ito. And this time, he is so sure he's gonna get him.

"Listen up, everyone," Colonel Pacheco's voice sliced through the tension, commanding the attention of his elite team. "We've got a lead on OMEN. Tonight, he moves. And we move with him."

The QCI lit up, casting an otherworldly glow on Pacheco's stern face. The city sprawled across the holographic map, its details highlighted by the device's sophisticated technology.

"We're intercepting OMEN's communications. Martinez, patch me through to the field team," Pacheco ordered mula sa intercom.

"Go ahead, Colonel," came the response over the intercom.

Pacheco's fingers danced over the QCI, a symphony of buttons and holographic adjustments that resonated with the precision of a maestro orchestrating a critical performance.

"We've got something!" Agent Garcia exclaimed, breaking the suspense.

The room fell silent as Pacheco stared at the map, his eyes narrowing in on the intercepted transmission. OMEN's voice, distorted and encrypted, filled the room.

"...meeting point at coordinates 34.0522° N, 118.2437° W."

Pacheco smiled, a shark-like grin that betrayed his satisfaction. "Garcia, get the team ready. We're going to the coordinates."

Mabilis na kumilos si Garcia. Ang kanang kamay ng Colonel. Hindi nila ito maaaring palagpasin. Hindi nag atubili si Colonel Pachecho kahit alam niya na nasa panganib ang buhay niya. Alam niyang sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, his life is at risk.

"Colonel, andito na po yung sasakyan. Let's go!" pukaw ni Garcia kay Pacheco.

Nagmamadali silang lumabas para harapin ang mailap na drug lord. Hindi na nag-aksaya pa ng oras ang grupo. Sabay sabay silang sumakay sa itim na bulletproofed van.

Nang makarating na sa lokasyon, naiwan ang ibang team bilang look out sa mismong sasakyang itim. Garcia and Colonel Pacheco entered the casino cautiously while looking around.

"Keep a close eye on the surveillance cameras. We need visuals on OMEN," Pacheco instructed through his earpiece.

"Copy that," replied Agent Martinez.

They went into the fancy casino and fit in with the busy crowd. Pacheco looked around the room with sharp eyes. Pacheco's gaze swept across the room, his eyes sharp and calculating. The QCI beeped, a subtle signal that they are near the target.

"I think we've got him. Move in," Pacheco commanded. Kitang kita niya ang isang grupo ng mga lalaki na papasok sa VIP room at hindi siya pwedeng magkamali. Kasama sa grupo ang underdog ni OMEN.

Hindi pwedeng magkamali si Pacheco dahil kilalang kilala niya ang underdog nito. Although, hindi pa niya nakikita si OMEN, personally. The face of every operation is Astra.

The team closed in, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the casino. Colonel Pacheco, with the swagger of a man on a mission, moved with purpose, his eyes scanning the faces in the crowd. Mabilis na nawala ang grupo na papunta na sana sa VIP room. Hindi siya pwedeng matakasan nito!

The Quantum Cipher Interceptor guided them unerringly, its beeping growing more insistent. Nasa paligid lang si OMEN at hindi sila pwedeng magkamali.

"We've found him," a voice crackled through the earpiece.

Colonel Pacheco's lips curled into a determined smile as he moved forward, ready to confront the shadowy figure that had eluded them for far too long—OMEN, the most wanted drug lord.

"Estás muerto" Pacheco whispered.