April 12, 2050 - 21:38
Hue, Vietnam - Nguyễn Đình Chiểu walking street
Pvt. My Phan
"Oooh, look at this!" Chisato called happily.
My looked away from the goods on the ground and at Chisato, who wore a bright smile. My was about to ask what Chisato wanted her to see, but she didn't have to, once she noticed the difference.
Her girlfriend, who usually didn't wear jewelry, wore a pair of small stud earrings shaped like a five-petal flower.
"You look cute with that on." My complimented.
"Thanks, I thought I'd spice myself up once in a while; wearing a uniform all the time wears me out."
"Just be like me. Leotard, short, simple!" My smiled confidently.
"Nuh uh, no thanks."
She was rejected immediately.
"My, I'm pretty sure that's a you thing only, to dress like that when going into a life-threatening situation." Long, who was also checking out the goods, joined in.
"Oh trust me, there are definitely people wearing weirder drip than me out there in the mercenary world."
"How would you know?"
"Heard it from the old man. Turns out, you see a lot of weird shit throughout the war. Most of it, mercenaries."
"Old man, you mean the captain?"
"The very same."
"You know, when Katya told us that the captain was a MARSOC Raider, that blew us off. He doesn't seem or feel like a raider, you know?"
"He get that a lot. Apparently he's weird for being a relatively normal dude during his service." My smiled.
"Yeah, I can imagine that." Long chuckled.
She went back to checking out the wares offered by the old and kind-looking woman.
All of the old woman's wares were laid out on the table. Necklaces, pendants, earrings, chains, rings, anything you can name, there was probably one on the table. The sheer selection of jewelry would put a luxury store to shame.
My didn't really want any of this stuff for herself, but she did want to get something for her friends and close ones, Harrison, Luzia, and some others.
For Harrison, My got a simple jade pearl bracelet, since he was a simple man and didn't like stuff that looked too extravagant.
For Luzia, My got her a more elaborate gold necklace. Not actual gold, but still, My thought it would be enough for Luzia. It's not like the woman wasn't already drowning in money and could get literally any expensive jewelry for herself if she really wanted to.
Last but not least, Chisato and Long. My picked three of the same black bracelets that the old woman had pointed out for her. It's simple enough in appearance, but to My, the relationship is what was important, whether it was friendship or more.
Finalizing what she wanted to buy, My gave the old woman 180,000 VND for all of her purchases.
My got up, and looked around, only to find Chisato and Long had already moved on to the next few stalls.
'I didn't take that long, did I?' My wondered to herself as she walked toward the duo.
My approached from behind both of them, and to their surprise, My slapped both of their cheeks.
"Ow!"
"Eep!"
They both yelped before turning around.
"What was that for?" they both asked.
"For leaving me in a crowd, duh! What if someone kidnaps me?" My put on a fake angry face while imitating Chisato's usual pouting.
My didn't know what she was expecting from Chisato and Long's reaction, but laughing out loud was not one of them.
"Pffft, I'mma be honest My, you'd be the kidnapper instead!" Long wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes from laughing.
"Same, I don't think anything would be in their right mind to kidnap you!" Chisato was holding onto her stomach.
"Waow, heartless, both of you!"
My's pout only last for a moment before she returned to her usual happy self. She grabbed the three bracelets from her bag and presented them to the two.
"I got this for you guys!"
Chisato smiled warmly and picked one.
"Thank you, sweetie!" She gave My a sweet peck on her cheek.
Long picked the other one and put it on his wrist before looking back at My.
"Should I also give you a peck on the cheek like Chisato?" Long teased while making an exaggerated kissing face at My.
"No thanks."
My shoved his face away while Chisato was laughing at his face.
"Not fair, you two get to be close together, and I'm stuck here being a third wheel." Long complained, though it wasn't a genuine complaint.
My finished putting Chisato's bracelet on, and then herself, before replying to Long.
"Well, if you behave, maybe one day you won't have to be a third wheel." My winked.
"Yeah, be a good boy, and who knows." Chisato caught on immediately and added a follow-up.
If life were a game, one could certainly say that Long was stunlocked by the girl duo. Seeing his stunned face, the girls giggled before moving on.
It took Long a couple of seconds to reset his brain before he looked for where the girls were going.
"Wait! Did you guys mean that?"
He yelled while chasing My and Chisato.
April 12, 2050 - 22:23
After a long walk around the night market, the trio decided to take a break in a less crowded area to grab street food and snacks to refuel.
Leaving the crowded walking street for a calmer nearby area, they found a smaller alley lined with street food stalls. The smell of the food alone was enough to lure them into the alleyway.
"Look at all these bánh tráng nướng and bánh tráng trộn." Long said.
"Yeah, I'm salivating already," My said.
"Yeah, I think I saw something on the other end of the alley, something with mung beans?" Chisato asked.
"Oh, you mean those bánh đậu xanh? Yeah, those are pretty good. Me, I'd like some of those spring rolls." My said, pointing at a stall where an old man was making some spring rolls with rice papers.
"I'll go get us a table and some chairs; you two go get your food. I'll wait until you both get yours." Long offered.
"Seems like chivalry isn't dead. Thanks Long." My joked.
Chisato also said her thanks before the three split off to go get their food.
My approached the old man and ordered two sets of spring rolls, one for her and the other in case Long and Chisato wanted.
With nothing else to do, My stood there and watched the old man make the spring rolls. She didn't even have to ask to know he had been doing this job for a long time, just from how fast and precise he was at rolling a spring roll.
It didn't take long for My's food was ready. My paid the man along with a tip before bringing the food back to the table.
"I got my food. You can go get yours." My offered.
"Alright, thanks!"
Long got up and went to the bánh tráng nướng stall. My took out her phone and checked it out for a moment.
Japan and the United Korea are preparing for the upcoming World Cup season, marking the second time these two countries have collaborated for an important international event.
Piracy rates worldwide are rising for the tenth month in a row!
Wars are still raging on the African continent, driving more PMC activity in the region.
Palestine increased its security in the quarantine zone of Bel Azir, reinforcing the wall separating the biologically infected zone from the outside.
Mexican President announced an increase in the national defense budget in hopes of fighting against the various cartels that have taken over several major areas of the country.
'Meh, shit's always going on in the world.' My thought, swiping away from the news apps and switching to a social media app.
Just as she was about to check out a meme video, she suddenly heard the signature screech of tires drift on asphalt and the clanging of metal dropping on the ground.
My looked over at the direction of the noise, where Chisato was supposed to be getting her food.
Her eyes opened wide at the sight.
Chisato was being grabbed by a group of masked men, who were restraining her while covering her nose and mouth with cloth. Behind them was a white van, where the men were dragging Chisato, who was struggling against the restraints.
My reacted immediately.
She launched out of her seat and sprinted toward the other end of the alleyway with all she had.
She swiftly dodged the curious and confused onlookers and jumped over piles of furniture lying all over.
She could feel a surge of energy rushing through her body, pushing her forward against the wind.
FASTER!
She could see the men managed to shove Chisato into the van.
FASTER!
My shoved through a couple who were staring at the kidnappers.
FASTER!
The van closed the door and revved its engine.
FUCK!
The van drove off before My could reach it.
"MOTHER FUCKER!"
My stared at the back of the van driving off. She tried to look at the license plate, but unfortunately for her, it was entirely blank.
She tried looking for anything to identify the van from the others. There wasn't anything unique for her to identify.
My clenched her fist. Her face contorted in rage.
Long arrived shortly after the van had driven off, panting heavily as he also stared at the back of the disappearing van.
"Chisato…" Long muttered.
He then looked over to My.
In the short amount of time he had spent alongside My, training, fighting alongside her. He had always expected her to be just a chill, silly girl, maybe a bit too excited about violence and a little bit uncaring about her own safety.
Nothing had prepared him to witness the sheer rage on her face.
"Long, call the squad up. Ask Katya or Kasem if they could track Chisato."
Long snapped back to reality.
"On it. What about you?" he asked.
"I'm going after her," she answered coldly, almost like a cold killing machine that had just found a target.
Long was taken aback.
"How?"
My answered by not answering, and simply turned toward the nearby motorcyclists who were stunned by the sudden kidnapping.
The motorcyclists stared at My as she approached them. Before they could say anything, My was already right next to one of them.
She quickly shoved the man off, got on his bike, revved the engine, and dashed off at a breakneck speed, all before the motorcyclists could voice out their grievances.
Long stared at My as she drove off before he steeled his nerve to deal with the situation. His squadmate was just kidnapped by an unknown group; he had no time to be stunned.
Long took out his phone and dialed a number.
*Ring*
*Ring*
*Ring*
"Hello? Hey Long, what's up?" It was Peter de Santos on the other side of the phone.
"Get the squad together, NOW!" He yelled.
"... What's going on?" There was hesitation and concern in Peter's voice.
"Chisato's been kidnapped."
"... Shit!"
April 12, 2050 - 22:27
Hue, Vietnam - Black Angel's operated hotel
Sgt. Peter de Santos.
Peter was in his room, along with a few of his squadmates, namely Katya, Enzi, Luis, and Maximilian.
Peter was originally assigned a shared room along with Maximilian. He wanted to retire to sleep after a long day and early morning, but unfortunately for him, Maximilian had another idea.
One thing after another, his room was now a meeting room for the guys, and gal, to play some poker. If anything, Peter was glad that not everyone decided to gather in his room.
Peter sighed as he look at his cards. If you can't beat them, join them, they said.
At least everyone else was having fun, including the introverted Katya. Peter let out a sigh before putting down his cards, as it was a bust anyway.
Enzi let out a hearty laugh as he put down a Flush, while everyone else groaned.
Suddenly, Peter's phone rang.
He took his phone out and swiped to answer.
"Hello? Hey Long, what's up?" he asked as soon as he saw the contact name.
"Get the squad together, NOW!" Long yelled loud enough to startle the others in his room.
Peter was shocked by the sudden turn of events and quickly put the phone on speaker for everyone to hear.
"... What's going on?" He hesitated for a moment.
"Chisato's been kidnapped." Long replied frantically.
Suddenly, the entire room's mood took a swing for the worse. Katya looked at Peter with concern on her face. Enzi's happy demeanor dropped and was replaced with a serious attitude. Max stood up from the bed with his fist clenched. Luis furrowed his brows.
"... Shit… Tell me what happened." Peter asked calmly.
"We're getting food and separating to get our own food. A group of men, 5 of them, got out of a van and took Chisato. My took a bike to chase after it, but she'll need backup. I'm going after her now." Long quickly answered. There was the sound of a motorbike engine revving in the background of the call.
"Do not be rash about this, take it slow!" Peter commanded.
He then looked back at his teammates and nodded his head. Without a single word being communicated, they all stood up and rushed out of the room.
"I fucking know that, but My need help! Get the squad here, and get Katya or someone to see if they could track Chisato."
"Already done. Just hang on and deal with the situation accordingly; we'll be there soon."
"Tell that to My. She's about to dive straight into the lion's den!"
"Control her if you can!"
"I'll try… Look, gotta go now, just track her quickly and get here!"
The call ended as soon as Long finished his last sentence.
Peter then rushed out of his room and ran toward the armory.
"Looks like I won't be getting any sleep tonight."