Jay's POV
The school bell rang, officially announcing the end of another school day.
And honestly, I was ready to leave.
Not because I hated school. Well, sometimes I did.
But because I had somewhere else to be.
"Jayjay!"
I turned just as Ci-n came running towards me, his bag hanging from one shoulder.
"Why are you running?" I asked.
"Because I have an important question."
I narrowed my eyes. "What?"
"Are we really training today?"
I stared at him.
He stared back.
"Ci-n."
"What?"
"You ask me this every single day."
"And I keep hoping your answer will change."
Felix walked past us, shaking his head. "You're wasting your energy. She doesn't care about your suffering."
"Thank you, Felix. Your support means a lot."
"That wasn't support."
I laughed.
Keifer appeared beside me, casually taking my bag.
"Let's go."
I looked at him. "I can carry my own bag."
"I know."
"Then why are you carrying it?"
"Because I want to."
Well, there went my argument.
Yuri joined us, his hands tucked into his pockets.
"Rina said we're doing endurance training today."
Ci-n stopped walking.
"Endurance?"
"Yes," Yuri answered.
"Like running?"
"No, Ci-n. Like sitting down and watching you run."
"Really?"
Felix looked at him. "Do you ever think before speaking?"
"Not when I'm tired."
We all laughed as we headed towards the parking area.
The drive to the base was peaceful.
Well, as peaceful as it could be with Ci-n sending messages to the group chat every two minutes.
Section E Disaster Group
Ci-n: I think we should discuss our training schedule.
Drew: What schedule?
Ci-n: Exactly. We need one that involves less suffering.
Felix: Leave the group.
Ci-n: You're not even the admin.
Felix: I can still leave you behind.
I shook my head, smiling at my phone.
Keifer glanced at me.
"What's funny?"
"Your classmates."
"They're idiots."
"Your friends."
"Unfortunately."
I laughed and put my phone away.
By the time we arrived, the base was already busy.
A few members of the team were in the main training area. Others were working in the computer room, while someone had apparently decided that the kitchen needed an audience.
I walked in and immediately heard Ci-n's voice.
"WHY IS THERE NO FOOD?"
I closed my eyes.
We had been here for less than thirty seconds.
"Welcome back," Lila said, appearing from the kitchen with a drink in her hand.
"Thank you," I replied.
She glanced at the boys.
"Training clothes. Everyone. Now."
Ci-n pointed at her.
"Can I ask something?"
"No."
"But you haven't heard my question."
"I know you."
Felix quietly walked away.
Smart boy.
The training area
Rina stood in the middle of the room with a tablet in her hand.
"You're late."
"We're three minutes late," Yuri replied.
"Three minutes is still late."
Ci-n raised his hand.
"Can we start by discussing how unfair this is?"
Rina looked at him.
"Would you like an additional ten minutes?"
He slowly lowered his hand.
"Actually, I think three minutes is perfectly reasonable."
I sat on one of the benches, watching everyone prepare.
Rina had been working with them for weeks now, and the difference was becoming noticeable.
Keifer, Yuri, David, Calix, Blaster, Ci-n and Felix were all improving. Some were naturally quicker than others, but everyone had made progress.
Especially Ci-n.
Although he would probably deny it.
"Jay!"
I looked up.
Zane was standing near the entrance.
"Come and see something later," he said.
"What is it?"
"Just an update."
I nodded.
"Alright."
He disappeared back into the computer room.
Meanwhile, Rina had already started assigning everyone their exercises.
"Keifer, Yuri, David, Calix, Blaster, Ci-n and Felix. Warm up first."
"Why does my name always sound like a punishment?" Ci-n muttered.
"Because you behave like one," Felix answered.
I laughed.
Training began.
Rina was strict, but she wasn't unreasonable. She corrected their movements, pointed out mistakes and made sure nobody rushed through an exercise just to finish first.
Keifer was particularly focused.
Yuri wasn't far behind him.
David listened carefully to every instruction, while Calix and Blaster kept challenging each other.
Ci-n, meanwhile, had found a new hobby.
Complaining.
"Can I get water?"
"You just drank water," Rina said.
"That was yesterday."
Felix turned his head.
"It was two minutes ago."
"Time moves differently when you're suffering."
I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh.
Rina pointed towards the next station.
"Move."
Ci-n sighed dramatically.
"One day, someone will write a book about what I've endured here."
Felix nodded.
"I'll buy it."
"Really?"
"To make sure nobody else reads it."
I nearly spilled my drink.
The other training rooms
After watching the first group for a while, I decided to check on the others.
Zane was working with Rory and Edrix.
The two were seated in front of separate computers, going through information and practising their investigation work.
Edrix was already comfortable with most of the technical tasks, but Zane kept introducing more complicated exercises.
Rory, on the other hand, was enjoying the investigative side.
"You're getting better at spotting inconsistencies," Zane told him.
Rory nodded.
"People leave clues without realising it."
"Exactly."
I leaned against the doorway.
"How are my detectives doing?"
Rory turned.
"Excellent."
Edrix didn't even look away from his screen.
"One of us is."
Rory slowly turned towards him.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing."
I smiled and continued walking.
In the next room, Seraphine was working with Mayo, Eman and Josh.
Mayo was listening carefully while Eman tried to follow the instructions.
Josh seemed to be doing alright.
Seraphine noticed me.
"Your boys are making progress."
"That's good."
"Although one of them keeps asking when training will end."
I didn't need to ask who.
"Ci-n?"
She nodded.
"Of course."
I laughed.
Further down, Elias and Noah were handling the motorbike and shooting practice.
The boys were learning under supervision, focusing on discipline, awareness and following instructions.
I watched for a few minutes before heading towards the main area again.
The base had slowly become a second home for everyone.
There was always something happening.
Someone training.
Someone eating.
Someone arguing.
And somehow, there was always Ci-n complaining.
Later
By the time training ended, everyone looked ready to collapse onto the nearest available surface.
Ci-n was lying on one of the benches.
"I have a question."
Felix, who was drinking water nearby, didn't even look at him.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I know the question."
Ci-n sat up.
"How?"
"You're predictable."
"That's offensive."
"Good."
I laughed as I walked towards them.
"Everyone did well today."
Blaster raised his hand.
"Does that mean we get a day off?"
"No."
His hand slowly dropped.
"Just checking."
Keifer approached me, wiping his face with a towel.
"You're enjoying this."
"Very much."
"Of course you are."
I grinned.
"You're all improving."
"Even Ci-n?" Yuri asked.
Ci-n immediately stood.
"Especially me!"
Felix looked at him.
"Let's not exaggerate."
"Why are you always against me?"
"I'm not against you. I'm against misinformation."
I laughed again.
Honestly, these people were impossible.
The computer room
I was heading towards the kitchen when Zane called me.
"Jay, I've got the update."
My smile faded slightly.
I entered the computer room.
Zane was seated in front of his main screen. A few documents and reports were open.
He turned towards me.
"Come here."
I pulled a chair beside him.
"What did you find?"
He brought up a report.
"We've been monitoring some information connected to the group we dealt with two years ago."
I studied the screen.
"And?"
"Some of the names connected to their old network have started appearing again."
I leaned closer.
"Are you sure?"
"Not completely. Some of the information is still being verified, but there are enough similarities to make it worth investigating."
I remained quiet.
Two years.
Two whole years since we had dealt with that mess.
We had hoped that chapter was closed.
Apparently, someone hadn't received the memo.
"Have you found any direct connection to the old members?" I asked.
"Not yet. We're still checking."
I nodded.
"Keep it that way. I don't want assumptions turning into conclusions."
"Already on it."
I studied another section of the report.
"Anything from the Philippines?"
"There's a little information, but nothing confirmed. Most of what we have is still connected to the network outside the country."
"Continue monitoring it. Quietly."
Zane nodded.
"Anything else?"
"Not for now. I want a clearer picture before we make decisions."
He closed one of the files.
"Understood."
I leaned back in my chair.
I wasn't going to panic over a few names appearing in a report.
But I wasn't going to ignore them either.
"Send me the verified information when you have it."
"Will do."
I stood and picked up my phone.
"By the way, have you eaten?"
Zane stared at me.
"That's your question?"
"Yes."
"Jay, we're discussing an investigation."
"And you still need to eat."
He shook his head.
"There's food in the kitchen."
"Good. Eat something."
I walked towards the door.
"Jay?"
I turned.
"Yeah?"
"Don't worry. We'll figure out what's happening."
I gave him a small nod.
"I know."
The common room
When I returned, I found Keifer sitting on the sofa with Yuri.
Ci-n was playing a game with Felix, while David was reading something on his phone.
Mayo and Josh were arguing about what to order for dinner.
Normal.
Beautifully, wonderfully normal.
Keifer noticed me.
"Done?"
"Yeah."
He shifted slightly, making room for me.
I sat beside him.
"How was training?" I asked.
"Fine."
Yuri scoffed.
"He's lying. Rina made him repeat an exercise."
Keifer looked at him.
"You're still talking?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
I smiled.
Ci-n suddenly shouted from across the room.
"JAY! TELL FELIX HE'S CHEATING!"
Felix didn't even look up.
"He's losing."
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
I shook my head.
Keifer leaned closer.
"You're smiling."
"Because they're funny."
"They're annoying."
"You're also annoying."
He looked at me.
"Yet you keep sitting beside me."
I rolled my eyes.
"Unfortunately."
He smiled.
And just like that, the evening continued.
There was food, noise, arguments over games and Ci-n accusing everyone of cheating.
I didn't mention Zane's update.
Not yet.
There was no reason to bring everyone into something that hadn't been confirmed.
For now, we had training tomorrow, school the next day and an entire group of idiots to manage.
I looked around the room.
Maybe Percy was right about one thing.
I did have people looking out for me.
Even if most of them were incredibly annoying.
And honestly?
I wouldn't have it any other way.