“It is about our teammates that went home yesterday, Sir. I just wanted to know if they are already home by now.”
The man straightened up and seat properly, examining her in a way that she isn’t aware of.
“I see. The nine personnels—astronauts, I mean. I believe they’re already got home last night.”
“You believe? Sir, I need a certain answer.”
“Are you saying that I am not certain with what I am saying?”
She got stunned as he raised his voice. “No, Sir. I’m sorry.”
“Haven’t you received their letter?”
“We have, Sir.”
“Look, Captain. I am…” He paused and took a deep breath; and think as if he’s picking the right words to say to not offend her.
“I am busy during these hours everyday. And to be honest, I had just refused those who came before you that has requested to have a meeting with me. It just happened that I don’t want to be so rude to send a wan away.” He looked away and raised his hand.
“Program, send one of my bodyguards here now,” he ordered, looking at the door as if he’s already waiting for the man to come and stopped him from getting in even before he could—to save time, of course.
“Sir!”
“Yes, 0864! Will you please tell Captain Eve what time I’ll be having my break today.”
The bodyguard look at her way and without looking at her directly, he informed her about the query.
“Captain, the boss will be busy until two in the afternoon today and will take his rest at exactly 3:00 PM.”
“Did you hear that, Captain Eve? I will try to free some of my time later if I can. But if that’s the only concern you are going consult with me, I am already telling you, the organization had already sent them back to land.”
She nodded, still feeling disrespected, though she understands that she came at the wrong time.
“Okay then, Sir. Thank you very much. I’ll be leaving now.” She stood up and left him a salute before marching out of his room.
The closing of the door gave her relief. She took a few deep breaths before calming down herself.
'That is just okay, Eve.' She comforted herself.
“I am deeply sorry for that, Captain. I should have not persuaded you to meet the boss—” the guard apologetically stated, but she cut him off as she thinks he is not at fault for what happened.
“That’s fine. At least I have already got my answer to my query,” she assured him and smiled before leaving the building.
—
‘I am sorry, officer, but my Captain is not here at this moment,’ Anne dismissed the upper politely but the man still insisting to let him see Eve.
The guards stayed still as well, as they received no order from the team’s Captain they’re working for.
Just then, Euno came after receiving her notice. He immediately got disgusted to see the man standing outside their vicinity.
“Head! An officer wants to meet our Captain. Should we let him in?” the guard approached him.
“Yes. We will.” He nodded to the man and glanced at the one outside. “Let him in, Eve,” he commanded to the program and ready himself to face the man.
‘Yes, Head.’
Euno stood up firmly and man up himself, letting the officer know that he isn’t an easy deal.
“Good day, Sir. Captain Eve is not here now. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, please. Where is your Captain?”
“I have already told you, Sir. She isn’t here—”
“Then I will wait.”
He stopped himself from frowning and reminded himself not to let the man boss him around.
“Then I suggest you to wait for her in our office, Sir.” He was about to lead the pace when he refused.
“Waiting here would be fine. I am not interested in any of your boring stuffs. And if it is not her I’ll be talking to, I would rather leave and—”
“Officer, please, I don’t want to be rude here. This is our place. And without the Captain, I am entitled to rule here—”
“And who do you think you are?! Just because your team had been recognized by the boss doesn’t mean you can treat anyone by any means of rudeness you want!” the man yelled that echoed in their building, making Eula get in and left the garden.
“What is happening here, Euno?” she asked wonderingly and went to where they are.
The officer glanced at the woman and looked at her from head to toe and vice versa with his forehead creased and wondering look.
Euno stood in front of her and covered Eula with his built. “Sir, I believe even the officers can be branded as trespassers and be punished accordingly to the Rules and Regulations if they barge in just to make commotions in any team’s area of responsibility. Who am I? Just to let you know, officer, I am the right hand of our Captain Eve. Without her presence, I have all the right to govern things here. Right now, at this moment, you are standing in my place without paying even just an ample amount of respect. If only I would want to, you and I know what you have to deal with if I report this to the boss’ office.”
He then stepped a foot forward and looked down at the man, as he is inches shorter than him. “And one more thing, you have no right to belittle anyone of my teammates. This woman you’re looking at is not just a member of this team. Sir, I give you no right to mess here and with my co-Head as well. If you really want to meet the Captain, you can wait but move not. Stay where you are, for that is what you insisted—wait right where you stand.”
He stepped backwards and gave the man a warning look, like if he ever moved away, the consideration deal will work no more.
“Go back to what you’re working on, Head Eula. I am sure the officer is patient enough to withstand standing for at least an hour.” As he turned around, he was grinning from ear to ear.
“Didn’t you overdid it?” Eula whispered.
“They always overdo everything. Doing it once will surely scratch their ego, but that is okay. At least they will know that they have no power like the boss has.”
“What if he turns the tables and report to Lux that it was us who have been disrespectful towards him?”
“That will never going to happen. We have the videos and recordings, witnesses and the RAR. Whatever written on it should prevail, what will be decided to settle his rants.”
“Wow, bud. Right now, you are definitely, literally and obviously the man!” Eula praised him and give him a fist bump.
He chuckled. “Definitely is already okay. Omit the other two! I am fully aware of it!”
“I know right. I am just reminding you that you are the only man here now. Hence, no other man can defend us like you did a while ago. Neither bodyguards nor guards can—I mean, will do that. They have no power over anyone here.”
Euno tapped her head. “Silly, even if I weren't been here, if our members are with you, they won’t let anyone disgrace you, too.”
They went straight to the meeting office and watched the officer stamping his feet.
“He’s already feeling numb, I think.” Eula laughed.
“Well, he’s not used to standing. All they know is just to sit and lay down comfortably on their settee and beds!”
They timed his patience that actually had surprised them—it really took him an hour to wait for Eve to come.
—
Eve creased her head as he sees an officer standing inside her building.
“What’s the matter here?” she asked the guards as she entered.
“Head Euno made the officer do it for disrespecting Head Eula, Captain,” the man uttered with his lips almost not parting.
“Oh, I see. Serves him right, right?” she smiled to the two guards.
They nodded as they refrained themselves from smiling, obviously.
“Officer!”
“Captain Eve! Where have you been?! Your Heads are so—never mind. I need to talk to you, in private, if we may. Please.”
She looked at him and took a sigh. “I actually need to rest today—”
“This is about your nine astronauts—”
“Come.” She led the walk after hearing the first words.
“What about them, Sir?”
“I know our first meeting wasn’t pleasant but believe me, Captain, I am no one of them.”
That stopped her from taking him to her office. Instead, she took him to the garden, as she had already guessed that the two are waiting in her room.
“So, what about them?” she murmured.
“I was informed that they are still not coming back to their hometowns. I am afraid they have taken them somewhere we don’t know.”
“You are an upper. How am I supposed to trust you?”
The man tossed a coin in the fountain. “Get it later, Eve.”
He turned around and shook his head. “I know Eulysis and Eulejius. If ever you made it back home, do what they are supposed to do. In case you get trouble leaving the organization, notice me right away and let’s see what I can do.”
He stepped away and is already about to turn left when he looked back. “By the way, I like your Heads. Indeed, your team is full of Captains.”
She turned around and looked at him but similar to how Eulysis and Eulejius could run away without their footsteps being heard, he left without her hearing him leaving.