After a few minutes, Ka Ricky entered a nipa hut, in which are two people sitting on a wooden bench waiting for him. The interior has no decoration except for two flags, one is a red flag with a golden-yellow symbol that is supposed to represent the oppressed and their struggle to end the oppression – this was their organization’s official banner. The other flag is also red in color, but on it is a triangular symbol with three letters put on every point of the triangle, while on the sides of the triangle were the words in which the letters represent. When Ka Ricky went inside the hut, he looked at the two flags with eyes filled with passion and determination. It seems that Ka Ricky really believes in the ideals that these two flags represent.

“So, have you two been inducted into the camp? I apologize for what happened today, but I think that the two of you understand that this is the kind of life we live and the life that you choose to live from now on?” Ka Ricky looked at the two recruits with a stern face, cold and aloof.

“Yes, Ka Ricky. We understand.” The two recruits answered in unison.

“Just that, it was our first time experiencing that, so we may be a little bit shaken.” One of the recruits added with a shaky voice. This recruit is a young woman in her early twenties, she has short, black hair that reaches down to her neck. A fair complexion reflects that she might be from a well-off family, and a beautiful face that could make many men fall in-love at first sight. Her build is petite, standing at only five feet, and one inch tall, and a slightly muscular figure. Although her slightly muscular build could not hide her feminine charms.

The other recruit is also a female but is slimmer than Ellie. Although her looks seem average compared to Ellie, her height which is at five feet and four inches adds to her charm. Though she is taller than Ellie, she is only eighteen years old. During their induction, she was called Layla by the person who was in charge of them.

“You will get used to them, Ellie. Also, although this is normal in our lives now, it does not mean that we eat bullets from the government’s soldiers for breakfast. Unlike today, we usually spend our day peacefully here in the mountains, or at other times down at the city to join or add people to some anti-government protests. For now, the two of you rest, and tomorrow we will go down the mountain on a different route.” Ka Ricky continued to talk with the two, orienting them on the tasks they will have to do, and further inculcating in them the ideals of their organization.

“Our organization was formed forty to fifty years ago as an organization to resist the tyrannical regime of the Marcos Administration. We started off by holding protests and rallies back then, calling out the abuses done by the administration and its cronies. However, as time passed, our organization evolved to not just call out the injustices done by the government and its cronies but to also raise our arms against it, we also came to represent all those who are oppressed and ultimately replace this government that is already rotten to its very core! Therefore, we have formed the armed group of this organization to act as the peoples’ new army!” Ka Ricky briefly explained to the two recruits the history of the organization and its aims.

“As you two are new here, your first task is to immerse yourselves on our legal fronts, so you can be familiar with how we operate under the sunlight, and this coincides with our plan to temporarily disband the camp tomorrow. I will escort the two of you down the mountain, and we will travel by bus to where the two of you will be assigned. We will issue you two new IDs tomorrow; they will be your new identities. After your immersion, you will then be assigned to whichever group your talent will be most useful, and then the organization will do its best to groom you.” After talking to the two of them for a few more minutes Ka Ricky then dismissed them and assigned them to an empty hut in the camp.

“Hello? This is Ricky. I have two new recruits here. Yes, they have already been inducted, and I have already informed them about the immersion.” After talking to the two women, Ka Ricky called someone to inform their organization about the two recruits.

“We will be travelling immediately tomorrow; some things have happened here– I think it is better to report this personally. Understood, we will see you in three to four days.” After the phone call, Ka Ricky could not help but release a sigh while bringing his thumb and index finger to his forehead and massaging them. He felt and already knew the big trouble and headache waiting for him.