Still as part of the army’s mission against Abdul Waajid (Sid Lucero) and other terror groups, the troopers led by Lourdes (Sue Ramirez) continue their search in areas where the target was reportedly sighted. As they go into the woods, Lourdes signals her team to hold their positions upon stepping on a wire connected to an improvised explosive device. Lourdes commands Alex (Gerald Anderson) and his buddy, Abe (Carlo Aquino) to look for the explosive’s main source. Alex is able to do so. He finds the device deployed just at the surface of the forest floor.
Lourdes orders Alex to diffuse the bomb after instructing him of the specific wires to cut. The scene is enveloped in suspense as the soldiers hold their breath while entrusting their lives to Alex’s success. One wrong move can bring them all to their death. But Alex seems distracted. Memories of the ambush attack set in Butuan haunts him again. Lourdes opens her eyes as Alex calls her name and says that the bomb has been successfully diffused. She thanks Alex for saving their lives. Later, Alex tells Abe that he often gets haunted by images of a skirmish where children’s cries can be heard.
Before nighttime approaches, Lourdes starts to intentionally test Alex’s patience by asking him to dig a trench for his comrades’ rest time. Alex happily obliges despite being puzzled by Lourdes’ unreasonable exasperation towards him. Lourdes checks on Alex and scolds him every now and then; and she even pokes fun at him at times. Abe teases his buddy.
The team feasts on a boodle fight for dinner. Alex secretly glances at Lourdes when someone mentions Noah’s name. Obvious sadness is seen in her eyes.