Legionaries

Rama Lazuardi's

15 October 2018

At 07.23

MR. MARKUS could not hide his enthusiastic expression when reading the raw draft of the Cloud investigation just finished reworked in a large album book. The man's eyes looked very excited. His fingers would not stop flipping through every page of the new album book a few minutes ago in his hands. However, a moment later, his mouth clucked. His head shook repeatedly.

“Why, Sir? Is there a sentence I wrote wrong?I asked, curious about the change in his expression.

"Mmmm Look, Mas. Has Mas Rama confirmed that the data here are all valid?"

I smiled at Mr. Mark's question. "Sir, I've taken about five days to make sure these data are correct. I have also checked into several related sources. Some of the data in it can be accounted for. Yes, there are indeed some information that still must be checked the truth. But, people like us know how to outsmart it. Markus is also a journalist. I must understand what I mean."

"Sorry, Mas. Not that I was sassy. I just want to remind you. As journalists, we must maintain objectivity. Investigating is legitimate, but don't involve speculation that makes public opinion grow wild."

Hearing that not-so-pleasant response, my forehead pursed. "Sorry, Sir. Didn't mean anything. If you're talking about speculation, isn't that what infotainment reporters do?"

Mr. Mark's face suddenly changed. "Yes, indeed," he said, admitting. "But even though I've been in infotainment magazines for a long time, that doesn't mean I agree with the methods they apply."

The face of my new colleague who was no longer young looked somewhat offended. I was actually waiting for further defense from him, but he said nothing more. His view was estranged to the corner of the Metropolis office room which began to be crowded and employees passing by.

When he glanced back at me and found me watching him, he hurriedly threw away a glance. This time he turned to the window glass that happened to be located near his desk. Incidentally, the window was still tightly closed. To reduce his misbehavior, he immediately got up from his seat and shifted the glass to escape the sunlight.

Mr. Markus was clearly offended by my words. Even though my opinion of the infotainment journalist just now was guaranteed, his countenance still could not lie. Gradually, I felt bad too. Anyway, I haven't known the 40-year-old for a month. And, more importantly, he's older than me. I shouldn't have spoken words that offended him.

"Oh yes, sir. By the way, as a former infotainment reporter, you must know a lot about scandals in the artist's environment, right?" I was trying to find other talk to melt the atmosphere.

"Why is that, Mom?"

"I need a few more sources to ask about the prostitution business among artists, sir. Mr Markus has an acquaintance who can give you valid info about this business?"

Mr. Markus scratched his already somewhat expanded eel. "There are a few, Mas. I know some nightclub employees who are frequented by artists. In the past they also gave information to the media infotainment about prostitution activities among artists. What's the matter, Mom?"

"This is about Erwin Hartanto, one of the murder victims whose name is also listed in my data. According to police, the night before she was killed, she contacted prostitution agents by phone. For the completeness of the data, I need to find information about the prostitution agent."

"Ready, Mas. So, when are we gonna go night-time?" Slowly, Mr. Mark's smile returned.

"Let's go, sir. I'd better communicate the results of this investigation first with the boss. It's not ethical to go over the procedure."

"Lho's? In fact, the editorial meeting is still a week away, Mas."

"Yes, I know. I'm just making sure if the boss agrees or not. After all, later I will still present in front of friends during editorial meetings. So, everything stays in accordance with the procedure."

"Ooh, it's kind of like that." Mr. Markus nodded. I seem to have managed to get rid of his offence even though I believe he still harbors some hurt feelings because of my words earlier.

"By the way, where are we reporting today, Mas?" I thought for a moment. However, I have not had time to answer the question, suddenly Mr. Markus pointed his index finger at the editor's room. "Mas Rama, well, Mas Andika has come out of the Boss' room."

Since this morning I have been waiting for my turn to enter the editor's room. No, Boss Raymond didn't call me. I took the initiative to face him myself. Once again, I have rearranged the Cloud investigation files very neatly, and put them in the album book. I did it so that Boss Raymond would be more comfortable checking the files one by one. The plan, I do want to recommend the draft investigation to be the headline on the special tabloid edition of the investigation that will be published next month. Furthermore, I will also apply to be part of the lead investigator team that will be formed later this month. It has indeed become the standard procedure of coverage of the type of investigation. Because, this type of coverage will require several investigators in charge of collecting material and the results of the investigation.

As for the members of the investigation team itself, I have considered a number of candidates. One of them is Andika who according to rumors among Metropolis journalists, her fate in this office is on the edge. As a good friend, I think I need to give her a chance to repair her reputation to keep her here.

I smiled as I passed Andika who had just stepped out of the editor's room, but the smile did not last long after seeing Andika's gloomy face. He didn't say a word. He just smiled knot. Already that, he quickly bowed listlessly. I understood right away. He must have just fallen victim to the 'Eastern Dog' barking for the umpteenth time. Oh, naw. This could be a bad sign for me. Everyone in this office understands one thing that is the most avoidable taboo: 'Do not disturb Boss Raymond when he just finished getting angry.

(Ah, who cares? Your boss has to study professionally. From now on, you have to teach her a lesson so she doesn't get mad at just anyone.)

There was a slight sense of hesitation when I was in front of the editor's door. I briefly considered delaying my intention to meet Boss Raymond and discuss the raw draft of this investigation. However, for some reason, when that doubt appeared, there was something inside me that was trying to solidify my intentions.

"GET IN!!" boss Raymond exclaimed after hearing the knocking sound of the door. My guess is exact. There's a dog that just finished barking. No wonder his voice was so hoarse. From the outside of the editor's room, I who had already knocked on the door had no other choice, other than to immediately turn the doorknob, enter to see Boss Raymond, and begin to express my intentions.

(Who cares? If he gets angry at you, you just give him a lesson.)

"What's wrong? You want to bother me too?" Not to mention, the lecherous man had already greeted me with a less friendly tone which made me somewhat daunted.

"Nggg Anu, Boss If I interrupt, maybe next time, boss."

"DARK!!" Just now I was about to leave the room, 'Eastern Dog' suddenly attacked me with his barking style. "YOU WANT TO WASTE MY TIME TOO, HUH?! ALREADY BEEN GIVEN IN, EVEN GOING OUT AGAIN! WHAT DO YOU MEAN??!!"

(Alright, Rama. Now time. It's time you showed me who you really are.)

Suddenly I felt something strange happen to my body. There was an anomaly that made my entire body feel like it wanted to rebel. My chest cavity was suddenly filled with hot air. My breath's snuffled. It was as if there was something inside of me that I was unable to control. No, I need to be able to control it. I don't want everything to fall apart.

sorry about earlier, boss. I just want to propose a topic for the tabloid edition of the investigation next month," I said, slowly insisting on regulating my sudden breathing. While handing over the investigative files to Boss Raymond, I tried to remain calm in the face of the unusual situation that struck me.

The editor-in-chief was apparently still reluctant to release a tinge of anger from his face, but he was apparently curious about the contents of the album book I brought. Evidently, shortly after receiving the thick book, his fingers immediately moved nimbly flipping through the sheets per page. Sometimes he glances at me with a question mark.

About a minute later, the editor-in-chief of the Metropolis daily put the album book containing my investigative papers on his desk. The release of convex oval glasses that had been faithful to decorate his dark face. Not a word came out of his mouth. His face was expressionless. Cold as ice. Meanwhile, his right hand began to move actively pinching his forehead which began to wrinkle.

"Where, Boss?" I'm getting impatient. However, instead of giving a comment, the editor just took a deep breath. Riled up because I did not get a response, I went up too long. However, just now that I wanted to go back to asking, my boss started to open his voice.

"Rama," No more barking dogs. The Eastern dog suddenly lost its fangs. "I have to tell you this." To be honest I've never heard her tone become this calm. "The news agency cannot grant this investigation proposal."

Suddenly, that unusual anomaly came again attacking my body. "What do you mean, Boss?!"

"You know the risk, right? It's too dangerous, Rama," said Raymond's boss, "You know what I mean. I don't want to get in trouble for this."

"I'm sorry if I was presumptuous, boss! I know the issue I raised in this investigation is indeed rather sensitive! Especially for them, the bigwigs and conglomerates! But, Boss still has a big name! We can consolidate with the press board if the Boss wants to! After all, wasn't it in this era of democracy that the power of the press was always able to defeat other, much larger forces?!"

"You are wrong, Rama! You're not looking any closer! Are you deliberately turning a blind eye to what happened to the press industry recently?" The former senior journalist began to show his capacity by grinding out all my pretexts. "The politicians and conglomerates have straddled the profession of people like us!"

"With all due respect, Boss! Isn't journalism a field of profession that demands that we maintain credibility and independence?!"

Suddenly, Boss Raymond chuckled. Then, he slowly reduced the volume of his voice. "It's not the right time to think idealistically, young man. Look at the conditions around you. The press companies in this country are already under the armpits of the big guys. It has become a political machine and is only used for the benefit of certain races!"

Meanwhile, my chest is getting tighter. I was no longer able to hold back something that had been constantly pressing on my body and asking to be released. This time, I can no longer. I need to let go right now.

(Let go, Rama! Release him!)

"DON'T YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, BOSS! IT IS PRECISELY AT TIMES LIKE THESE THAT PEOPLE LIKE US SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIGHT THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA FLOW!!"

"IN WHAT WAY?! COLD WAR?! OR, CONFRONTATION? IT WAS SUICIDE!"

"SO YOU'RE SCARED??!!" My words that are no longer controlled seem to have gone too far. I don't understand why my anger has become unstoppable. Meanwhile, Boss Raymond, who was quite surprised by my violent reaction, seemed to be silent for a few seconds.

"You must learn to think realistically, Rama. Think about the fate of your colleagues, your family, and everyone you care about. We're not the superheroes in those movies. If they really existed in the real world though, we're definitely not one of them."

Suddenly my conscience was touched by the sympathetic words of Boss Raymond. Today he has revealed another form. His voice no longer blared. What seemed to be just an aura of tranquility washed away. The usually sharp gaze rained down, this time suddenly blunt even though it still contained a mystical cold impression.

"okay, Boss. Okay fine!I tried to catch my breath again. “If you remain unwilling to accept, I will continue this investigation. I'm not going on behalf of Metropolis because I don't need your name to complete this investigation. I can offer it to another editor's office."

For a moment, Boss Raymond retreated his chair. His hand beckoned to let me do whatever I wanted. While his face was still ice-cold, the look in his eyes scoured my movements vigilantly.

"That path you chose won't be easy to walk through, young man."