76. One Last Relay

"With enough funding, we could push its capabilities even further," Erwin replied, a spark of enthusiasm igniting in his eyes. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the cold metal table. The room buzzed with the hum of machinery, a constant reminder of the technological battleground they were navigating. "Also, for those who haven't heard, EPCU task forces are no longer affiliated with any government agencies in their respective countries."
"Which means we only have each other to rely on now," Binsar muttered, his brow furrowing as the weight of their isolation mixed with a sense of freedom settled around them.
"It's already happening," Rini interjected, her voice firm and resolute. She paced slightly, the soles of her boots echoing against the concrete floor. "There’s a backlog of equipment and cash trapped in the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. We need a way to transfer everything here." She gestured toward a wall map, dotted with red markers, each representing a missed opportunity that could bolster their mission.
"Jalu?" Erwin's voice cut through the tension, seeking guidance. His eyes lingered on Jalu, waiting for the next move.
"Who are the heads of operations I should contact?" Jalu asked, his tone steady yet carrying the weight of the responsibility ahead.
"Just one," Rini replied without hesitation, her gaze sharp. "A high-ranking official from BD39—the Black Division in Singapore. His name is Nathan Theo."
Jalu froze, his mind racing before a bitter laugh escaped his lips. The face of his late father flashed before his eyes, smiling that familiar proud smile—a smile that had always steadied Jalu’s resolve. But this time, it cut deep, bringing a sting of longing and regret he hadn’t felt in years.
Even after his death, Bayu’s plans were unfolding with the precision of falling dominoes, each piece cascading into the next. And here was the final piece—one last relay in a generational race, a baton passed down from father to son, pushing Jalu to continue the path that had been so meticulously laid out.
"Your father was the best planner," Martin said quietly, placing a comforting hand on Jalu's shoulder.
"I know," Jalu murmured, lighting a cigarette with a slow, deliberate motion. The smoke curled upward, a silent testament to the burden that never left him.
Erwin leaned forward, his question more of an assignment than an inquiry. "What do you want to do?"
"I'll handle the EPCU aid routes," Jalu replied, his voice firm now, as if the weight had already settled on his shoulders. "The goods will be shipped to one of Banar Group's logistics warehouses in Surabaya before we distribute them." He paused, locking eyes with Erwin. "But... can you quit your job?"
Erwin’s face remained unreadable for a moment before he nodded. "I’ve planned to, after Gugus Niskala is established. Thirty-two members are already a stretch, considering the vast territory we need to cover. Once all of you are spread across every major island, I plan to form a unit similar to FN's Les Nomades to assist each region in need. And since you all have your jobs as covers, I’ll be the first operator."
"Then I hope you're willing to become the director of one of Banar Group's subsidiaries, Sangkala Logistics, in Karawang," Jalu suggested, his tone thoughtful but firm. "They’ve got plenty of warehouses there, right in the middle of an international industrial district. Container trucks pass through constantly, so it would be easy to use it as the final transfer point for the goods. Plus, you’ll have the freedom to move whenever and wherever you need. You could even open branches on every island, setting up operational bases for our members."
Erwin nodded with a glint of enthusiasm in his eyes, and the others followed suit, their silent agreement rippling across the room. The idea was simple but effective: a business facade that would shield their operations from the Regime’s prying eyes, allowing Gugus Niskala to transport goods and manage finances with far less scrutiny. Their movements, once restricted by constant surveillance, would finally be liberated.
"At last, I can go home to Tapanuli," Binsar quipped, though the wistfulness in his voice was hard to miss.
"Sorry, but I need someone trustworthy to handle immigration and gather intel on the Regime," Erwin countered, his tone gentle but unyielding. He caught Binsar’s bitter smile and offered a small reassurance. "Once we’ve got a team embedded in government agencies, then you can return to the field, Binsar."
"Are we going to recruit new members?" Edo asked, his voice filled with a flicker of hope.
"You could say that." Erwin nodded.
Sekar, always cautious, leaned forward, a crease forming on her brow. "Isn't that too risky? The Patriot Bureau has eyes and ears everywhere."
Erwin’s gaze sharpened as he leaned back in his chair, unfazed by the concern. "I've learned that organized crime syndicates often have people working for them who aren’t officially part of the organization. They call them associates," he explained, then turned toward Jalu with a knowing smile. "Isn’t that right?"
Jalu grinned, the edges of his lips curling up slowly, a mix of admiration and amusement flashing in his eyes as he caught on to the direction of Erwin’s plan. It was subtle, but the shift in his expression spoke volumes. His mind was already racing, piecing together the potential alliances they could forge. The thought of turning former adversaries or overlooked allies into quiet supporters for their cause thrilled him. This was exactly the kind of strategic thinking that had kept them one step ahead of the Regime for so long. Jalu let out a low chuckle, his fingers lightly drumming against the table as if already plotting the next steps. This was a move his late father would have admired—a network built not with brute force but through careful manipulation of relationships, just as Bayu had once taught him.
"Most members of Division 96 survived because of the support of people they called allies—sympathizers," Erwin continued, his voice steady but charged with purpose. "These are people we’ve helped over the years or who’ve been tangled up in the cases we worked on. They know the risks we face, and they understand our mission. Now, they’re scattered everywhere—hidden among the common citizens, officials in the Regime, and even those operating in the shadows. They hold significant potential for Gugus Niskala’s movement, and we will embrace them!"
The air in the room thickened with the weight of the revelation, as if the stakes had just been raised. A few of the team exchanged glances, the magnitude of what Erwin was proposing settling in. They were no longer fighting alone; there were unseen allies, quietly waiting to be called upon.
"Excellent!" Martin’s voice cut through the silence as he slammed his hand down on the table with a resounding thud, the impact reverberating through the room. His enthusiasm was contagious, his energy almost sparking in the charged air. "So, when do we begin our move?"