HALF: DEAD NOR ALIVE

Archie and Eve attended the big meeting with Faye, Fanheim, Marlon, and Gard. They were talking about the mission to find the Ex-Human behind the incident, and Fanheim already knew the culprit behind it and she was right in the room with them.

Fanheim didn’t say anything and had been told about what actually happened and the reason behind Eve’s decision to steal the serum. Ruby and Vincent told him about it, and now he was sitting there listening to a mission that was unnecessary.

The meeting ended and the mission had become a big operation thanks to the fund that Victor provided. Everything was financed by Victor including equipment and transportation that were going to be used for the operation.

Everyone left the meeting room, Ruby, Vincent, and Fanheim went to the bar because Ruby wanted to report the secret plan. Fanheim knew about the current situation of the newly developed world which seemed suspicious, and not only him but Marlon as well.

Marlon and Fanheim did have a high rank in the military but since they were in a different nation, they only have the title but not the power. They didn’t dare to do anything that jeopardize their position and so all they did was observe and listen to the report from Fanheim that was given to him by Ruby.

“Where did you guys go?” Nova asked when she saw Ruby and Vincent walk in the hallway.

“We have a drink with Colonel Fanheim, talking about the operation,” Ruby answered as she unlocked the door to her room. “What’s wrong? Were you waiting for us?” Ruby continued as she looked at Nova and entered the room.

“No, I mean, yeah,” Nova said and she sounded confused.

Ruby furrowed her forehead and smiled at Nova. “What is it?” Ruby asked.

“I feel like you both are up to something and not just both of you, but Archie and Eve as well. Are you guys doing something that you hide from me?” Nova stared at both of them.

Ruby and Vincent looked at each other and then Ruby looked at Nova with curiosity. “Do you know anything about Victor Maxim?” Ruby asked.

“Victor Maxim? I only know a little about him, but I know that he owned half of the Sky Station and I heard that he’s the richest man in the world,” Nova answered with her arms crossed. “Are you guys investigating him or something?”

Ruby put her finger on her lips as she looked around the empty and silent hallway.

“Let’s talk about this on the rooftop, with Archie and Eve,” Ruby said as she walked past Nova and stood in front of Archie’s room.

Archie opened the door for them and learned that Nova might be able to help Ruby and Vincent on finding information related to Victor Maxim. They all went to the rooftop where there were no people around them and CCTVs weren’t really a problem since they could find a spot where CCTVs couldn’t spot them.

Ruby explained everything to Nova, and she was a bit skeptical at first but then Ruby gave evidence that she got from the investigation she and Vincent did. Nova was surprised when she saw the photo of the building that Archie showed her, she was curious about what kind of information they were hiding in that building.

“So you guys are going to investigate this building after the operation?” Nova asked.

Before Ruby could answer that question, Eve answered. “Yes, we are planning to go there and pay a visit once we are done with the operation,” Eve looked at Ruby and Vincent.

Ruby nodded her head with understanding. “Yes, that’s the plan,” Ruby said.

“I see, maybe I can get someone that can help us in,” Nova said.

“Sure, if you think they can help us, it’s better,” Eve replied with a smile on her face. “Let’s talk about this once we are done with the operation, we are going to leave early in the morning tomorrow, right?”

All of them nodded and then went back to their own room.

The next morning, everyone gathered in the headquarters and there were thousands of Axis Humans on the field. Archie looked at them and it reminded him of the expedition team that Iohann led back then, it felt the same and the atmosphere was similar.

Marshal Marlon and Marshal Gard were giving speeches before sending everyone outside the wall.

Archie and Eve were in a different group and it was just the two of them because Eve requested that from Faye. The reason that she used this was that she didn’t want anyone to hold her back during the mission, and it was quite reasonable. Faye also thought it would be better to deploy the other Axis Humans to different groups that were lacking in number and strength.

“Archie, Eve, can you come here for a second?” Faye said when she saw they were about to leave the headquarters.

“Victor has prepared each time a vehicle and you can use this key if you can drive a car,” Faye showed the key that she took from her pocket.

“No, we both can’t drive a car nor a bike, it’s more practical if we go on foot because we can explore the forest without having to worry about the vehicle,” Archie answered as he shook his head.

“Are you sure? We are going to meet in the Western Nation though, are you sure you can walk that far and reach there in a week?” Faye asked with her eyebrows raised.

“That won’t be a problem, we will be there in a week,” Archie nodded his head.

“Alright, and don’t forget about the checkpoint area. You both can go there to get the ransom and rest there if you need it,” Faye said as she put the key in her pocket. “I guess you both are going now since you will be on foot for the mission. I can only say be safe, both of you,” Faye continued and looked at both of them.

Archie and Eve nodded and left the headquarters with only a backpack on their back.

“We should be visible or seen by the others to reduce their suspicion and at least so we can have an alibi. Let’s be patient and just keep walking for the next two days, then we can go to the checkpoint area to report that there was nothing suspicious and spend a day there,” Archie said as he looked at the empty road in front of him after they both went outside the wall.

“Fine by me, I will follow your lead,” Eve said as she looked at Archie who grabbed the map in his backpack.

“Let’s see, the nearest checkpoint is 63 kilometers from here, that’s only half a day of walking from here,” Archie said as he looked at the map, and then they heard the sound of engines from behind.

Cars and buses went past them and honking their horns at them, Archie and Eve just waved at them with a smile. They saw Ruby and Vincent in the car with Daniel and Tommy, then they saw Faye with Aster and Nova in the same car.

“Look at them, they looked like they’re going on a vacation or something,” Archie said as he waved at the cars.

“Aren’t they? I mean they won’t find anything,” Eve replied and looked at Archie with a smile.

“I guess you’re not wrong,” Archie said and turned around, he didn’t see any more vehicles. “Alright, we have shown our face, now let’s go somewhere near the checkpoint area and just chill there,” Archie continued and looked at Eve.

They both entered the forest and immediately flew away to where the checkpoint was. They could see the convoy from above the sky and flew past them unnoticed.

As Archie planned, they both went to the checkpoint on the third day. They both were not expecting to see Faye there, and so they approached her.

“What are you doing here, Faye?” Archie asked after he grabbed the free ransom.

“Ah, Archie, Eve, you guys got here already,” Faye said as he put her phone down. “I’m just checking if everyone has passed the checkpoint, and you both are the last ones,” Faye answered as she pointed at the camp.

“I see, well, we have checked the area near the city but we found nothing. We also checked the area around here but only found a few parasites,” Archie said and pointed in the direction where he found the parasites.

“Good work, both of you,” Faye smiled and nodded her head with understanding. “Are you going to continue after this?” Faye asked.

“We will rest for a bit here and continue tonight,” Archie nodded his head.

“Alright, since you both are here and my job is also done, I’m going to the second checkpoint. I will see you guys there then,” Faye said and then left.

“This is perfect, we can go to the Northern Nation tonight,” Archie said to Eve.

“Yes, let’s make a mess in a single night where everyone is sleeping. It’s going to be fun,” Eve replied with a smile on her face.