056. Point Zero

"I won't inform Pyotr if I take on a job against Eristovskaya, *Pakhan*," Jalu addressed Oleg with the title of leadership in the Eastern European criminal world. "The truth is, I'm very grateful for the assistance you've provided. I'm also greatly honored that you've come all the way here to meet a delinquent like me."
Oleg burst into hearty laughter and then hugged Jalu. Pyotr then took his turn to shake hands with the young man. After a brief chat about the flight from Indonesia to Russia, the shoulder-length-haired man signaled to the two guards who promptly handed over the keys to the adventure motorcycle and a thick leather jacket to Jalu. Pyotr then explained the situation in Karabash and handed Jalu a device with GPS already set to the location his guest was heading to.
Upon hearing Oleg’s story about the explosion at the Ural border, Jalu's heart thudded as if it were about to burst from his chest. Concern surged from within, sending a chill throughout his body. He quickly put on the jacket, bid his farewells, and expressed gratitude once again to everyone. However, before igniting the engine of the motorcycle provided by Eristovskaya, he turned his body back.
"Aren't you curious about my business in Karabash?" he asked as he mounted the motorcycle.
"As long as it doesn't endanger us, your affairs are your privacy," Oleg said without a hint of hesitation. "Contact us if you need anything, Mr. Mahawira!"
Jalu smiled. After a respectful nod, he swiftly revved his motorcycle, following the directional cues on the device screen affixed near the speedometer. Sometimes those labeled as villains turned out to be more open-minded than those who deemed themselves good people. As a member of a task force destroyed by its own government, Jalu understood it well. That was why he opted to reach out to Pyotr, a *Bratva*, rather than the OCK with its ties to the FSB, despite the precarious circumstances.
The man truly felt grateful as the Russian mafia family provided him with a jacket. They even supplied gloves and an ushanka in addition to the helmet on the motorcycle. Jalu had visited the country several times for work, but it was his first time setting foot in the Chelyabinsk region. The man was quite surprised at how cold the area was. Without proper gear, riding a motorcycle at high speed in the freezing air would undoubtedly be excruciating.
Not even an hour had passed when Jalu arrived in the Karabash mining area. Seeing some soldiers and individuals in suits with long coats guarding a hill, he quickly parked the motorcycle next to a black SUV whose body was almost completely destroyed. He then walked towards them. As he had anticipated, he faced a series of questions, checks, and requests to leave the area. However, their demeanor changed instantly when Jalu mentioned the name Andrei Volkov.
"He's waiting at the top of the hill," said one of the men in the all-black suits after contacting the leader of OCK operational in Chelyabinsk.
His words seemed to command everyone guarding the area. They quickly shifted, making way for Jalu, who promptly ran up the barren hill. He widened his eyes at the sight from the hilltop. Several kilometers from where he stood, a chasm yawned amid the sunken land resembling tentacles reaching out in all directions.
Jalu's anxiety intensified, quickening the pace and strength of the heartbeats in his chest. Anxiety transformed into pain as his eyes beheld Andrei and Oswald walking towards him, waving. The young man began to speculate, dark thoughts emerging in his mind. However, with a deep breath, Jalu suppressed all the emotions starting to creep into the recesses of his soul. He smiled as he walked briskly towards the two men.
"You should have informed me, Jalu," Oswald said in English as he shook hands with the young man.
"I didn't want to trouble you, Mr. Wheatley," Jalu replied, addressing him with courtesy.
"How did you manage to get here so quickly?" asked Andrei.
"Eristovskaya gave me a motorcycle and everything I need to get here, Mr. Volkov," Jalu honestly replied.
"I won't ask how you came to know those *bratvas*," the Russian man said, locking eyes with Jalu. "But I want you to remember that you have family across the world, Jalu. Ask for anything and we'll do everything we can to help!"
Jalu responded to Andrei's words with a smile. He nodded respectfully before his eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for one more figure. The person who was the reason he traveled from Indonesia to Russia without bringing any clothes except what clung to his body. There were still a few people examining the blast site at the mountain border. However, even Jalu's enhanced vision couldn't find the figure he was looking for.
"I'm deeply sorry, Jalu," Andrei said, handing over a pair of small, wireless headset-like devices. "Your father left a message for the members of Division 96. But this message is specifically for you."
Dazed, Jalu stared at the two black objects resting in the palm of his hand. The hope that upheld the fortress of denial that blocked any thoughts about his father's fate, was instantly shattered. He closed his eyes, his forehead creased, holding back immense pain. The pair of headsets gripped tightly in his hand, the same hand he had intended to use to shake his father's hand.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Jalu," Oswald said, gently squeezing the man's shoulder. "Bayu was a colleague and a dear friend."
Jalu lifted his face and looked at the two men in front of him. "May I have a little time alone?" he requested. "I want to say what I should have said to my father a long time ago."
Without responding, Oswald nodded and patted Jalu's shoulder once more. He then walked towards the barren hill behind Jalu. Meanwhile, Andrei spoke briefly into his device. Immediately, everyone in the area of the blast site walked in the same direction as Oswald. They nodded in respect to Jalu. Though not saying anything, their eyes spoke louder than words. Those eyes filled with compassion that the man used to loathe. But this time, Jalu felt their gaze as if affirming that he was not alone. And he deeply appreciated that.
"Take all the time you need," Andrei said, diverting the man's gaze from those who had passed by. He then squeezed Jalu's shoulder and walked away to join the others.
Once everyone disappeared from his sight, Jalu walked to the edge of the chasm. He then put the headset on both ears. With just a touch, the man's fingerprint activated the device. After a faint hissing sound for a moment, Jalu finally heard a recording of his father explaining the circumstances of the events that had tainted their bond of blood.