058. The Cruel Fate

Jalu’s breath came in ragged, heated bursts, each one heavier than the last. The revelation struck like a physical blow, sending a surge of heat racing through his veins. Anger, sharp and searing, mingled with sorrow, creating an unbearable storm of emotion. His jaw tightened, and deep lines furrowed between his thick brows, reflecting the storm brewing within. It felt as though a dagger had pierced his chest, twisting deeper with every word his father spoke.
Yet, Jalu’s heart wrestled against the harsh truth. Memories of Yanti’s warm smiles, her soft-spoken words, and the cherished moments they shared surfaced, replaying in his mind like a film he couldn't shut off. He clung to those images, refusing to believe the woman who had never raised her voice at him could be capable of such a betrayal.
She had been nothing but kind, always patient, offering comfort in the times of his father’s absence. The thought that this gentle soul could have been the one to tear his family apart felt absurd, impossible even. His chest tightened with the weight of disbelief, struggling to let go of the affection he still felt for her. How could he hate the one who had always been his refuge?
"She loved you more than anything in this world," Bayu's voice continued. "As a survivor of an interdimensional emergence, Yanti's understanding of Division 96 was deeper than any civilian's, but even then, it barely touched the surface. That left her lost, with nothing to guide her but the regime's controlled narrative and her fear—fear for the uncertainty of your future, driven by a love so profound it clouded everything else."
Of course, the news of Yanti’s betrayal reached Bayu swiftly, like a poisoned arrow. Without wasting a moment, he left the capital and flew to Bandung, his mind racing with thoughts of damage control and the grim reality his wife had unwittingly set into motion. As soon as he stepped through the door, Yanti’s face was already pale, her guilt etched deep into her eyes. She could barely look at him, the weight of her decision hanging between them like a guillotine. Desperation flooded her voice as she tried to explain, tried to undo what she had set in motion.
But the truth was undeniable—it was too late. Bayu’s efforts to explain the grim reality behind the regime’s lies and manipulations fell on ears already drowning in remorse. Yanti had been too thorough in her misguided attempt to help. Her report didn’t just name Bayu. It contained every piece of intel she knew—names, facility locations, contact details—all handed over to the Patriot Bureau. The betrayal ran far deeper than either of them could have imagined, sealing the fate of everyone connected to Division 96 in a web of danger and death.
The fallout from Yanti’s report was catastrophic for the remaining members of the task force. As one of the few high-ranking officials left, Bayu was forced to abandon his original plans and start from scratch. What was once a well-coordinated network now teetered on the brink of exposure, vulnerable to the reach of the Patriot Bureau. The weight of it all bore down on him, but there was no time to linger on the personal devastation. His only option was to act.
Fortunately, Division 96 still had active connections with officials embedded in various government agencies. These contacts, loyal to the cause, relayed critical information about the movements of the Patriot Bureau. Armed with this intel, Bayu swiftly devised and executed a series of preventive measures, rerouting operations, securing key members, and erasing any traceable data. His priority became containing the damage, knowing that any misstep would mean the destruction of everything they had fought for. The clock was ticking, and the noose around Division 96 tightened with each passing hour.
"I had to ask for help from friends to erase your name from the family," Bayu revealed in the recording being listened to by his son. "We have no connection whatsoever in government records."
Bayu explained to Yanti that his actions were necessary to shield Jalu from the Regime's relentless hunt. The Patriot Bureau's reach was vast, and the last thing Bayu wanted was for his son to become a target in their purge of Division 96. Every decision he made was to keep Jalu out of harm’s way.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Yanti cleverly proposed a solution to protect Jalu’s interests. She suggested increasing his ownership stake in Banar Group, ensuring that Jalu had a more substantial presence within the company, but without drawing unwanted attention. To deflect suspicion from the government, Bayu took her suggestion a step further. He added a foreign investor as a shareholder, effectively diluting the family’s control over the company.
Nathan Theo, a Singaporean entrepreneur with a long history of strong business ties to the Bagas Group, was the perfect candidate. His impeccable record would ensure that Banar Group appeared as a legitimate, internationally backed enterprise in the eyes of the authorities. The move not only safeguarded Jalu but also disguised Banar Group’s operations, making it harder for the government to trace its roots back to Division 96.
With the backing of Division 96's remaining allies, Bayu moved swiftly to set his escape plan into motion. He borrowed three container trucks and, under the cover of night, began driving them from Bekasi to Bandung. Meanwhile, Yanti played her part, arranging for a branch company of Banar Group to prepare the containers at a shipping yard. The plan was daring—smuggle the hunted members of Division 96 along with Yanti out of the country before the Regime could close in on them.
But fate wasn't on their side. The Patriot Bureau's intelligence was far more advanced than anticipated. Before the operation could even commence, the Bureau uncovered the plot. Their agents moved swiftly, tightening the noose. Yanti was captured in Bayu’s house, the same house that Jalu lived in, before she could warn anyone, leaving the plan in ruins and Division 96 exposed to a deadly threat.