Legionaries

Markus Priyambodo

October 27th, 2018

At 00.04

"WHAT's the next plan, Pap?"

After helping Teja lay down Rama's body in his room, I went straight to Papa on the top floor to talk about the next steps.

The body of my old man seemed to be getting older. Although his arms were still densely packed, his movements had already considerably slowed down. His hands and fingers trembled as he grasped the cup containing the coffee he had just brewed. It's been eleven years that I've left her aging alone in this place. Secretly, my mind was crying over guilt.

"After hearing the news of your arrival to this country, Papa immediately remembered the old plan."

"Old plan?"

A smile suddenly puffed up at the corner of Papa's lips. "You always ask like that. As if, you've never known Papa."

"Pap, this is not a good time to keep a secret. Maybe I can trust Papa. But what about Dr. Edward and Raymond?"

"Raymond?" Papa's tone was full of question marks, but his face did not look surprised at all to hear the name I mentioned. "It's true that I've been guessing all along about his involvement. You two are bad boys. Dare to fool Papa."

"I just wanted to make sure the kid was in good hands, Pap."

"So you've been willing to admit him as your foster brother? So you're ready to put an end to that childhood dispute?" Papa's tone again seemed curious, but a calm smile still adorned his face. Papa is amazing. It's very hard to fool him.

"We're not kids anymore, Pap."

Papa snorts cynically. "Papa longed for those days."

That speech honestly touched me. My memories are carried over into the past. The dispute between me and Raymond was eternal. At that time Papa wanted a child who was strong and physically tough. And Raymond's presence as an adopted son in the midst of our family has met his expectations. Meanwhile, I, who is Papa's own biological child, was more fond of books and school. I'm not interested in physical combat at all.

Papa's often-comparative attitude between me and Raymond has made the half-brotherly relationship between the two of us heated up. However, Papa's pride in Raymond finally had to end in disappointment after my stepbrother rejected Papa's request. The dark-skinned man refused to follow Papa's desire to enter the Army.

Raymond's choice to pursue the field of journalism has broken Papa's great expectations for him. Previously, he was the only one who was predicted to be Papa's successor in the military scene. The disappointment made Papa finally decide to end his military career. Instead of following in the footsteps of my uncle Rico, who was a Great General, Papa hung his beret hat for good.

"How's your son doing in Germany?" continued Papa, after asking me to sit in front of a recliner that for many years still loyal he controlled. "Are there any plans to get my granddaughter into Military School?"

"He hasn't finished formal school, Pap. I plan on handing over the decision completely to him anyway. Times have changed, Pap. As parents, we have to get rid of the conservative mindset."

While swinging his favorite recliner, Papa again snorted cynically. "Conservative? Ancient, you mean?"

"Not keeping up with the times, rather."

"It's been too long that Papa's been immersed in this place. That makes it difficult for Papa to follow the mindset of modern humans. I never get tired of asking Papa to come live with me in Germany."

"You don't understand the history of this place. Were it not for hiding in this orphanage building, perhaps our family would have fared similarly to the Chinese businessmen around us at that time."

"Then what's the function of this orphanage, Pap? Is it still the same as when Papa first built it with the help of the Germans? Instead Papa has squandered that help by turning it into a shelter for a bunch of cold-blooded killers."

"You should know that this country is experiencing too much political climate change. After all that has happened lately, it is too risky to develop a Nationalist Socialist in this country. It's still a good thing Papa has an old friend in the military whose career is shining in intelligence. Papa needs his role to ensure the safety of this place from the public spotlight."

"But, does it have to be in a way to get Papa's hands dirty?" It was my turn to snort sharply.

"That's the only way this place can survive."

Suddenly, there was an unusual feeling of seeing Papa's face. His heavily wrinkled face seemed to show an expression of despair. As if, he was really tired of fighting for the ideals of the late Grandfather who was a former Japanese soldier.

Eighty years ago, a Japanese soldier named Shinji Nakano was part of the imperialist imperial army that landed on the Malay Peninsula. After the war, Shinji chose to settle in the country and decided to change his name to the indigenous name, Priyambodo. Since then the Priyambodo breed began.

"alright. Then now what does Papa expect from this place?"

Papa looked at me. "You misjudged Papa, son. This isn't Papa's main destination." His sight suddenly shot up into the air. "You know, ever since your uncle decided to be completely loyal to this country, Papa was practically your grandfather's only hope to continue the family struggle. That's why, Papa prepared you, Papa's children, to continue this struggle."

"As I said, Pap. Times have changed. The military is no longer the only path to fight for ideology. Papa knows for himself at this time I still hold firmly to the principle of that teaching. I still fight for this ideology. I am still actively communicating with some of the descendants of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in Europe. To date, they still hold fast to the Tripartite pact."

Hearing my explanation, Papa got up slowly from his recliner and put the coffee cup he held on the table. With a full face, his palms touched my cheeks. Just this time, I saw a glimmer of pride in the look on his face. Looking at me full of hope, he said, "Continue! Papa believes you'll make a big family proud."

Smiling with relief at Papa's sparkling expression, I nodded my head. However, just after Papa removed his palm from my face, I recalled the chaos that was currently going on.

"What's the next plan, Pap? The situation is getting messed up. Shouldn't we just leave this country? Forget the General, Pap."

I turned to look at Papa who knew already standing behind me. This time, he looked at a picture of a man. Photos of his late grandfather, Shinji 'Priyambodo' Nakano, is still faithfully decorate his private room.

"There's one thing that Papa hasn't done with the General" Papa said, glaring at the face of the grandfather who briefly resembled a Chinese. "Your grandfather once said, no matter what happens, brotherhood is brotherhood. Even if your Uncle has chosen his own path, he's still your Uncle."

My forehead is wrinkled, trying to study Papa's words. "I mean Papa?"

Slowly, Papa glanced back at me. "That's it. Next time, Papa will tell you everything. Now go back to the boy's room. This morning the general will come to visit. Don't let him know where you are in this place."

As I got out of my seat, I asked for permission. Although I failed to understand Papa's secret plan for General Edi, I chose to trust my biological parents. After all, he was an accomplished masterplanner. As I hurried out of the room, I looked at him again.

"It's good to see Papa again."