CORONAS

31. ULTIMATUMS

 

Tuesday, 15 May 2046. There is no roar of the vehicle engine, the chattering of the human crowd, the whirring of industrial machinery, or the sound of the beating of a wall clock. I stayed with Bang Auron and Brother Alma in Harpy. In this place, we spend a lot of time looking for ideas to solve the problems we face. During my time in prison, Kak Alma volunteered to buy food to the city and various necessities they needed – under her disguise. While Bang Auron collects information through internet media through his gadget.

“Power filler,” said Kak Alma while thrusting a small box-shaped object towards me. “Here there is no source of current. You need this to recharge your phone. Can hold about one week of usage.”

I'm picking it. I inserted it in a small bag that I carry because for now my phone battery can still last long enough. Dawn doesn't live in this place. I told him to go home and let him rethink his hand on us. It is possible that at home he will change his mind, and will no longer be involved with this madness.

However, my prediction seemed to miss a lot. Dawn came back to us. Even by bringing one more person. Cristae. By putting up a look of anxious face mixed with haru, he immediately stepped towards me and grabbed me. The sound of his sobs echoed from the direction of my left ear. Both of his hands were tightly clenched. I want to return the decapitation. Just want to. Because my hand seems reluctant to move.

“This has been our own decision. So I hope you don't mind this,” Dawn said by facing her face to Bang Auron and Kak Alma. They just kept quiet and did not comment.

After making small talk of introducing herself to Bang Auron and Sister Alma, Krista began to speak. “Last night, many crimes occurred from various parts of the city. Robberies, thefts, kidnappings, break-ins, all happened at about the same time. Even one of my father's businesses located in the middle of the city was broken into. In all places where the incident occurred, there was evidence of remnants of the security system hack carried out. Most likely the culprits are criminal prisoners who escaped together with Arfi and Eldan,” Krista said.

“Yuva really launched the action,” my murmurs regret.

“Unlike previous events,” added Krista again. “Insiden this time caused casualties. Many were seriously injured, and some were killed. Our city has turned out to be very insecure.”

“The prisoners who broke away were acting in the front row. While some users of the caldier role as a supporter of the activity. It's a really worrisome condition, ” Dawn added.

“How about this, Bang? We have to do what?” manya panic.

Bang Auron was silent regardless of me. His hand ransacked his own pocket and opened his smartphone. His right fingers danced quickly over the touchscreen. Then stop. Then dance again, and so on for a while. After feeling enough, Bang Auron began to comment confirming Krista's statement. But that doesn't make me happy.

“Then how?” ask again.

“Public authorities have already taken security measures. But it has not succeeded in subduing the perpetrators. I think Yuva has set all the way. Not only is the hacker reliable, he is also a great strategist,” praise Bang Auron.

My forehead was frowned upon feeling dissatisfied with his words. That doesn't answer my question at all. His fingers are still surfing on his phone screen and his gaze also does not want to escape from there. As if Bang Auron was acting up to avoid my question, he was like a demoralized person.

“Oh, come. I don't want to hear that. I want to know your opinion because I myself do not know what to do,”, I said a little furious.

I was like a boy whining about asking to buy a toy. Or like a daughter who forces her father to hold her up and lift her up high. Both are the same. Still can't rely on yourself. Bang Auron then stopped the movement of his finger. His eyes immediately grabbed me.

“The only way is to stop the mastermind. We have to convince Yuva to stop her actions. Or we arrest him and hand him over to the police. Can you do it, Eldan?” Bang Auron asked.

With my brain not so good at solving problems, I can't answer Bang Auron's questions.

“Yuva's whereabouts we don't know. Not to mention remembering his intelligence. Yuva must be careful in choosing a place that can disguise its existence. Also with Yuva's growing followers. It is not an impossible problem or not. But we have to have a lot of information first. It's a very tough task for just the five of us. Not to mention with our status as fugitives, to move we are difficult,” said Kak Alma Long. He had the same face as Bang Auron. They look desperate.

My ears want me to close them so that I don't hear a sentence that looks like I've lost that ray of hope. Vile sentences that rob the spirit. Even so those sentences made it to my brain. To stop the current Yuva was like an impossible thing. Perhaps when it comes to comics or hero movies, Yuva is a super villain with unparalleled power. What kind of girl? It only had a portable electronic box but could move so many people to commit crimes.

Then the holes of despair that started from Bang Auron and Kak Alma were like duplicating themselves. Gaping towards me on an invisible basis. And there were a lot of whispers that prompted me to jump right into it. Maybe when I get into it, I no longer have to feel how much suffering my brain cells are forced to work. I can relax thinking about nothing more. Maybe so.

“There will be an important announcement from the head of the medical company soon,”, Dawn said. I put my gaze towards him. Dawn returned my gaze. “Maybe we can do something when the leader also reveals what is on his mind.”

“About half an hour. Because it will be broadcast live on our local television,” added Krista.

In any group, there are always pessimists and optimists. Neither Dawn nor Krista showed any signs of despair. Their faces were calm. And the tone of their speech was not disturbed by the mental pressure that I and the others put on. Thanks to the two of them, the once gloomy situation turned bright again. Bang Auron opened his mouth. From his voice he seemed to be able to speak normally again. The look on his face faded. While waiting for that half-hour, we talked about light things\-things to break the atmosphere.

“It's time,” said Dawn glanced at her watch.

This fashionable roll-haired guy opens a mobile tv application on his gadget to see live broadcasts. Application running. A hologram screen measuring about ten inches poked like a fountain in front of us through Dawn's smartphone. The show opened with the ramblings of a reporter who was at the screening location. Not waiting long enough. Camera switched. Then a middle-aged man we had met some time ago appeared on the screen with a stern look.

“Related with the many criminal cases that occurred recently in this city. The intelligence agency has investigated every incident. All have something in common. Hacking security systems and control systems that cause criminals to act more freely without obstacles. Whether it's via internet connection or via USB mega radiation. And we all must have known who the mastermind who has such great hacking skills in this area. Yuvalika Julius. I command all caldier users to hand it over to us. I'll give you three days. If until then he is still not in our hands, then the caldier system will we disable the whole.”