Tests of Xibalba [Part 2]

“Target obtained, heading back now.” Cash announced to Yollohtli.

“Heard, you have a clear route back.” Yollohtli communicated.

Tenoch then tossed Abel Hernández onto his shoulders, somewhat harshly, to expedite the mission smoothly.

“Wait-wait-!” Izel sat up in the van, getting Yollohtli’s attention. “What about the others?!” He cried in concern.

“Izel, just relax, I understand your concern. But we are only here to rescue one person.” Yollohtli promptly explained.

“But, they’re right there-” Izel remarked.

“Listen Izel, I know this is hard to take in. I had the same reaction when I first started, and the sad truth is we can save so many… We’re not quite the good guys.” Izel fell into the chair as Yollohtli spoke. “You just have to keep reminding yourself that there are people that are fighting everyday for these people. Also, we cut their binds and left them some equipment so they have the opportunity to escape.” They finished with a sympathetic smile.

“But…” Izel wanted to continue but knew it was useless.

“I know, seldom justice shines in Nuevo Eztli.” Yollohtli expressed, returning to their post.

With heavy hearts, this is an unfortunate reality for many. Ever since the rise of Androids and more cheap machinery, Industry found little use for human labor causing the workforce of many nations to dwindle over the years. Quickly forcing many nations to construct new ways for their citizens to prosper, with many grand ideas to be successful, but still came with countless failures. Such as Nuevo Eztli, unable to fulfill the needs of their people, they found new avenues to maintain a livable income. Tecperado, techno hustling, crypto skimming, cyber embezzlement, but most impactful on the average soul: Black market Organ Trafficking, natural and cybernetic prosthetics.

Transmuting Nuevo Eztli into one of the Human Abduction capitals of the world. With this title brings the cost of many lives each year from these underground trades, Nuevo Eztli has become a hot spot for this immoral career. With the small silver lining that many Vigilante groups came to be as the failures of the law enforcement had shown zero improvements over the years. However, that is not quite the case for this little Team as they can only save so many, so the ones that are often saved are the ones with deep pockets on their side. At the very least, the Team still tries to prosper on the side of justice, and save those taken by this underground, instead of growing with it.

“Yollohtli.” Tenoch asked, but opposite to his normal tone.

“Oh god, did you guys do that?” Abel Hernández recoiled in fear at what the Team encountered.

Just steps away from the exit to the upper levels of the building, the Team was greeted by three dead guards of the facility. However, they weren't slaughtered in the conventional sense, fallen from the heat of combat. They were taken down by what seems to be assassination, simply stuck in their own pool of blood. Yet, this isn’t what froze the Team and forced a cyberized chill in their minds. The three fallen guards were lined up side by side, lying down in very deliberate positions. Each had both hands on their head: One had them over their eyes, one over their mouth, and one covering their ears.

“Quiet prince.” Cash barked out loud. “You see this right?” She then asked in her Thought Phone.

“Yeah. What the hell? Nothing came up on our sensors, no alerts buzzed either… Just keep moving, remain cautious, and be aware of your surroundings.” Yollohtli professionally instructed.

The Team quickly nodded with ‘Heard’ and wasted no further time. Quickly making their way out of the building with the target. With the exception of Chima, whose gaze was still focused on the bodies, which caused Cash to holler at him to move and catch up.

“Yollohtli?” Izel suddenly asked, fixed on one of the monitors in the van.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“This might be a normal reaction, because when they saw the bodies, everyone’s vitals were really the same, small spikes here and there. But, Chima totally was calm, then it’s like his heart skipped a beat.” Izel explained.

“Hmm.” Yollohtli pondered for several seconds. “Thanks, that’s definitely not like Chima… Just get ready for now, they’re almost here.” They then instructed Izel, as he promptly readied himself, prepping the van for the Team to swiftly dive into and safely speed away.

It was less than obvious that the mysteriously dead guards triggered some form of alarms, as the Team began to shout from a distance for the van to be ready. Yollohtli and Izel prepared themselves for the hasty arrival of the Team, throwing on protective gear as the sharp snaps from bullets colliding with the van. With the van ready for the escape, the gravel cackle of Tenoch echoed closer, accompanied by Cash’s overzealous gunfire and mantic laughter.

“Water boy! Catch!!” Tenoch screamed just under a block away from the van, he recklessly threw Abel Hernández directly into the van, just barely being saved by Izel.

Espectro then threw an electrified smoke grenade to greatly slow the pace of the pursuers. As the four closed the gap to the van, Cash felt the need to continue her assault into the electric smoke to dissuade any further advance from anyone chasing them. Hosting an overjoyed grin, Cash was then forcefully snatched by Espectro to be reeled into the van. More bullets ricocheted off of the van just as the wheels ferociously spun on the pavement. Ending the mission with the Tenoch and Cash laughter full of energy, their mission was a success, and the Team is now returning to their base unscathed.

⧮ ⧯ ⧮

Safely driving into their main base of operations, as well as Carmen and Chima’s home. The Team had a clear sense of accomplishment of the mission placed on them this evening. Each making their way into the base, Tenoch and Cash were still cackling at the expense of Abel Hernández’s shaken mind and body, unable to diminish the overflowing adrenaline of the rescue.

“Izel? You okay?” Yollohtli asked with care.

“Yeah, I’m fine… Just a little bummed, I guess.” Izel mentioned.

“Sorry, Izel, believe you me, I’d love for there to be a perfect solution that can solve this underbelly of Nuevo Eztli.” Yollohtli expressed.

“Aww, is our little Coatl disappointed that we’re not the heroes.” Cash rushed to Izel’s side with a sarcastic hug.

“Cut it out!” Izel whined, trying to push Cash away from him.

“Heheh, Nuevo Eztli isn’t the place for ethics.” Tenoch grimaced. “Just because we saved you and others doesn’t make us the good guys.” He then added.

“Yeah, yeah, Yollohtli already said that!” Izel hollered with annoyance at the brash behavior of his new colleagues, releasing himself from Cash’s grip.

As the others walked into the base, Izel stood still watching them enter with a look of mild frustration at the circumstance that he’s found himself in. For his expression to then change once he sighed with acceptance of those unimaginable circumstances. His gaze then moved to the van, as he noticed that Chima hadn’t yet walked in the base. Chima was still sitting silently in the back of the van.

“Chima?! You coming?” Izel politely shouted to Chima.

Chima moved his head in Izel’s direction, for him to sit up straight and to simply provide Izel a thumbs up. Once Izel saw this, unsure of how to approach a man that he’s only known for a few days. So he slowly turned to the base to finally end the day.

Chima saw that Izel entered the base and recognized that it was time to lock up the van. Securing the van as he often routinely does, he pauses for a moment. As if something was echoing loudly within him, forcing him to focus on the sound, a thought that he’s unwilling to share. With one heavy breath Chima mutters.

—Zuma—