Mr. Stegen: A Man with a Hidden Identity

Night Crawlers

“Night Crawler is a containerless organization engaged in the smuggling of military weapons and war equipment to conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa. Their profit is so big, so the leader has an idea to expand into other fields,” explained Oliver.

“Radko Trava, the leader of Night Crawler, wants to explore the world of entertainment and gambling. He wanted to build an entertainment center in Berlin. At that time, I was trying my luck in politics. Radko offered to help clear my path. He gave me unlimited funds. With that money, I can lobby lawmakers so I can get into government circles,” Oliver continued.

“Let me guess. Did you finally betray them?” Ludwig raised one eyebrow.

“They helped me reach the seat of government, on condition that I become a defender and facilitate the licensing of their business in Germany. I was also pressed to continue to protect their lunge, without fear of being watched and arrested by the authorities,” Oliver said.

“After I managed to get the ministerial post, I actually eradicated them until they were not left in this country. Radko Trava fled abroad. I don't know where. I never thought that they would come back and get revenge.” Oliver breathed out slowly.

“Ah, it turns out you are not as good as General Inre. At least, your father has a much better and sincere attitude,” Ludwig sneer.

Oliver immediately stared intently at the handsome man who was taller than him. “You have no right to comment on anything. Just shut up and listen!” jolt Oliver.

“You should also know one thing, that I do not receive orders from anyone. However, this time I made an exception,” reply Ludwig coldly. “Please continue, Mr. Harald.”

“I had trouble detecting the man. In fact, yesterday I was faced directly with members of the mafia group. But I still had trouble catching them. Moreover punishing its chairman.” Oliver massages the temples. He did not expect at all, that the political question turned out to be so dizzying and full of venomous traps.

“What if I manage to find and finish him?” ludwig asked confidently. A single smile rattled from the lips of the handsome man with the honey brown eyes.

“I'm not sure you can do it. I think you'll even die halfway through before your goal is reached,” Oliver, with body language that greatly belittles a Ludwig.

“Father did not know that Ludwig managed to incapacitate four people at once in less than an hour. They're all dead and ..” Petra was instantly silent, as Ludwig turned his head towards her with an extremely sharp gaze.

“If you still want to be here, you better shut up!” sergeant Ludwig was cold, but full of emphasis.

“Ah, alright.” Petra turned her face. He did not like the attitude of Ludwig who felt rude to him.

Ludwig glared sharply at the girl. “Can you remove this girl from our conversation. Women are not needed here,” said Ludwig dislikes.

“Ya, you're right.” Oliver gestured to one of the soldiers standing guard by the door. He ordered Petra to be escorted to her residence, which was not too far from the building. Petra refused, because she wanted to be with Ludwig. This time, however, Oliver was firm. The girl did not dare to refute the orders of her father.

“Your daughter makes me sad,” Ludwig complained after Petra was not there.

“He always makes trouble,” timpal Oliver.

Ludwig was silent for a moment, before returning to speak. “What if I manage to find the whereabouts of Radko Trava?” ludwig asked, full of challenges.

Oliver who was originally standing while half leaning on the edge of the table, straightened up. He walked closer to Ludwig who was standing gallantly, as if he did not care that he was talking to a minister of defense.

Ludwig was not daunted by Oliver's challenge. He knows what he is saying. The handsome man only smiled a faint smile. “Give me access to contact some of my confidants. I also need adequate facilities to make movements. Besides, you definitely have a little bit of information that I can go through about Night Crawler and Radko Trava. After everything is fulfilled, you just need to sit quietly to receive good news from me.”

Oliver stared fixedly at the young man before him. He did not know Ludwig very well, unlike his father who had become a partner and protector for the man's business network. However, if Ludwig becomes the most wanted fugitive, then it is certain that he is a dangerous person. There is nothing wrong with using a tiger to fight a lion.

“I have prepared a place to stay for you on the bottom floor of this place. It's the most secret room, so you'll stay safe there. If you want to make a move, I suggest doing it at night, to minimize the risk of being caught by the authorities."

"You know that I also have to be very careful in this regard, because my political career will be at stake. Besides, I also don't want to suffer the same fate as General Inre Harald, who died to protect a Ludwig Stegen.” Firm and emphasis, the words that Oliver blurted out. It all sounds like a harsh ultimatum to Ludwig.

Again, Ludwig only smiled a cynical smile. He doesn't have to say much to prove his words. “Good. I am very tired and want to rest soon. Can you take me to the place you've prepared?”

Oliver turned to one of the guards dressed in military clothes, who had been standing like a statue by the door. He gestured to the sturdy man, with a long barrel gun slung over his right shoulder.

The man in uniform just now nodded firmly typical of a military man. He turned his attention to Ludwig. However, the man did not say anything, as if waiting for a verbal order from Oliver.

“I hope I am not escorted to jail,” Ludwig said coldly.

“Take it easy. You'll love your new home,” Oliver replied. “Take him,” his word is firm.

Ludwig stepped dashingly following the man in uniform out of the meeting room. They walked down the hall quite long, until they arrived at the door that was more like a wall. After passing through the secret door, they returned through a long hallway with much darker lighting. There, there are only a few yellow outboard lights that are quite far apart.

After passing through the dark hallway, the uniformed man brought Ludwig down a row of winding staircases made of concrete. The stairs brought the two to a much darker and damp basement.

Their journey is not over yet. Ludwig continued to be taken to walk down the narrower hallway. Fortunately, because the hall was not too long. After arriving at the sliding door of the iron, the man in uniform stopped. He's telling the secret code to unlock it.

“You can enter the new code if you want,” said the long-barreled gunman expressionlessly. He doesn't talk much anymore. The man immediately left Ludwig alone.

“Jeez, truly a secret room,” mumbled Ludwig while pressing some of the buttons mentioned earlier.

Instantly, the iron door opened and revealed the room inside. Without a second thought, Ludwig went straight in. “This is not like a prison,” he said as he circulated the view, to every corner of the stone-walled room that he would occupy.

In the room, there was a bed not too big. Near the bed, there was a small table. There, have been provided computer devices and mobile phones ready to use. However, Ludwig was sure that he would not be free to use all these electronic devices.

Ludwig, pick up the phone lying on the table. He typed in a row of numbers on the screen. He waited for a while until the call was answered.

“Who is this?” ask a man's voice.

“This is me, Dietmar,” replied Ludwig.