<h4>Chapter 257 Sending a Message to the NPA</h4>


    The MQ-9 Reaper lined up for a missile strike at one of thendmarks of the Mcanang Pce, the Mcanang Park. The park sat across the Pasig River, which served as a perfect target for sending a message.


    "I have locked on the Mcanang Pce," Sara informed.


    "Good, then pull the trigger," Richard instructed simply.


    Without dy, Sara engaged the missile. The Reaper''s payload was released, the missile elerating rapidly towards the target.


    The missile hit the designated area near the park, a safe distance from the pce, causing a significant explosion.


    Meanwhile, inside the Mcanang Pce, the chandeliers shook violently from the st, enough to alert every guard stationed there. One of them was Commander Reyes''s lieutenant. Who immediately rushed towards hismander''s office which is located in the presidential office room.


    Arriving there, he didn''t even bother knocking, he simply forced his way in and found Commander Reyes standing by the window, his eyes fixed on the billowing smoke rising from Mcanang Park.


    "Commander Reyes," the lieutenant began, his voice urgent, "there''s been an attack at the park."


    Reyes, without shifting his gaze from the window, replied, "I can see that, Lieutenant. Any word on who''s responsible?"


    "We don''t know, but one of our men stationed outside said that they heard a whistling sound over the sky, and saw a missile."


    "Missile? Are you sure? Because that changes everything…"


    "What do you mean it changes everything?" the Lieutenant tilted his head to the side, confused.


    "The missile could have struck the pce but they chose not to. It must be that there''s still left in the government, working from who knows where."


    "That may be the case but I don''t think it''s the work of the Philippines Armed Forces. There are no helicopters or jets seen above. Something like that could have been done by a drone…" the Lieutenant spected


    Commander Reyes turned from the window, considering the lieutenant''s words. "A drone, you say? Well whatever that is, it appears that the strike is trying to give us a message?"


    "A message?"


    "A message that there''s still someone out there and they reject our newly established control," Reyes concluded. He understood that this missile strike was more than just a military action; it was a political maneuver, an act of defiance against their im to power.


    The lieutenant absorbed this, the gravity of the situation bing clearer. "So, they''re challenging our authority. What''s our next step?"


    Reyes sat down at his desk, his mind already formting a n. "We need to reach out to whoever is responsible for that explosion, and second is to discuss…"


    "Discuss…not negotiate?" The lieutenant interrupted a hint of skepticism in his voice.


    Reyes leaned forward, his expression stern. "Negotiations cer, but first, we need to establish contact and understand their intentions. We must know who we''re dealing with and what they want. Then we can decide how to proceed.


    The lieutenant nodded. "I see, but how are we going to contact them?"


    "We have broadcasted a message yesterday, right? That must be how they were able to know of our existence. Set up a broadcast again and announce that we are willing to discuss with them. They''ll contact us."


    "Understood sir, we''ll set up the broadcasting equipment and make the announcement immediately," the lieutenant responded, determined to carry out his orders.


    "Very well, you are dismissed."


    The lieutenant saluted and left the room to organize themunication team and prepare for the broadcast. As he did so, Commander Reyes remained at his desk, contemting the situation. He may appear strong or stoic on the outside but on the inside, he is nervous, panicking that there is still someone out there. He had believed that the government''s control over Man was secure, but the missile strike had shattered that illusion. As he waited for the response to their broadcast announcement, he couldn''t help but wonder about the identity and motivations of those responsible for the attack.


    Minutes felt like hours as themunication team worked diligently to set up the broadcasting equipment and ry their message. The tension in the pce was palpable, and every passing moment only deepened Commander Reyes''s sense of urgency.


    Finally, the broadcast message was ready to be sent out. Reyes turned his radio on to listen to what his subordinates were going to say.


    "This is the NPA calling to those who have made an unwarranted attack on the seat of the government, we demand that you establishmunication with us immediately."


    Reyes clicked his tongue after hearing the message. It sounded like a firm demand from the NPA, indicating that they were not to be underestimated, which is something he wouldn''t say to someone who has air assets.


    Fifteen minutester, Reyes tapped his foot impatiently as he awaited an update from hismunication team. He couldn''t shake the feeling that time was slipping away, and they needed to establish contact with the NPA as soon as possible to defuse the situation.


    Finally, the Lieutenant''s voice crackled over the radio. "Commander Reyes, we''ve made contact with whom we believe is responsible. They''re on the line and ready to speak with you."


    Reyes wasted no time in responding. "Put them through immediately, Lieutenant."


    The Lieutenant swiftly connected the call, and the voice of a representative from the NPA came through the speakers. "This is themanding officer of the NPA who currently holds control of the Mcanang Pce, the seat of the government."


    "The government doesn''t exist anymore," interrupted a person with a man''s voice. It sounded young, like in the early to mid-twenties. "It was decimated during the apocalypse. It may be gone but that doesn''t mean it can be restored by anyone, including youmunist."


    "Communist?" Reyes repeated.


    "That''s what you are, amunist. We don''t want amunist regime to be set up in Man while we fight for humanity."


    "The what?"


    "Our goals are beyond your understanding but I''m going to make it simpler for you guys. I want you to renounce your deration as the legitimate government of the Philippines and mislead survivors who are in Man, in exchange, we are not going to blow you up. You have until two hours."


    "Who are you to demand that? Is this the Philippine government? If so, where are you?"


    "Don''t question us. Comply with our demands immediately or you''ll be swiftly dealt with. Are you near the window? Can you walk towards the window?


    Commander Reyesplied with the voice on the other end, walking toward the window, though he still had many questions. He could see the smoke from the earlier missile strike rising in the distance. "I''m near the window."


    "Now, can you look up to the sky for me and tell me what you see?"


    "I don''t see anything," Reyes replied.


    "Well, it doesn''t matter because we can see you from up here. That''s the scariest part, you don''t know where we are in the skies but we have a missile locked on your target that will be dropped if you don''tply with our demands."