The Destruction of Batana

THE PRAIRIE VILLAGE

Preparation is done. I managed to get my gun back. Jora borrowed the weapon. Ask the gun company to make the same function. Only, each of us can determine the shape and size of the weapon. Bundara asked for a slightly larger size. He had already gotten used to weapons with heavy loads before. Vero asked for the muzzle to be a little long and there was a scope on the top. He is good at long range attacks. Marko asked for the weapon to be rather small with two shot holes. Vero was able to tease him. But he doesn't care. Tell me if we are free to make choices.

My rifle was also refurbished, there was no rust left. The gun was shiny as new. I still want to use this rifle. The rifle my mother gave me. Jora asked me if I wouldn't change my weapon. Of course I don't want to. This gun protected me while I was out there.

We're making our departure tomorrow morning. I had a good night with Ruzdora. Ask him to watch over the fourteen other soldiers who are now taking shelter in Ruzdora's house. He gladly accepted. Before leaving he could give me supplies. Just like when I was about to go to the Sky Academy. Ruzdora hugged me, letting go of me.

Four o'clock in the morning.

We went to the secret airport. The team consists of Vero, Bundara, and Marko. Jora offered to increase the number of members. I-i refused. Too much is not good either. I also don't want to sacrifice many lives in this mission. As long as we can work together, we don't have to worry.

We arrived at the airport. Jora also provides private aircraft for us. Luckily, Vero learned to ride a plane. We don't need a pilot to take us anywhere. Marko had doubts about Vero's ability. Replying because Vero had time to tease him about the shape of the weapon. They still can't get along. Maybe this trip will be filled with noise every day.

The plane has a large like a house with a forked muzzle and there are propellers on its side. The color is metallic blue with the main room is half-spherical. There is a little bit of gold as a decorator.  The wings are similar to the plane I was on last time. The wings are shaped like Wallet wings. There is a turbo hanging under the wing.

We entered the plane, but we were surprised by someone's presence. Jora, she's sitting on one of the passenger benches. Greet us with a smile. He even wore full clothes.

“What are you doing here?” I asked first.

“Of course I intervened directly in this mission.” Jora replied casually.

Can't! I can't accept a woman on this team. We might even be disturbed. Considering he was an important person in Keios City. It would be a problem if something happened to him.

“Hei! You doubt me, Lian?” Jora showed me a card.

That's the Sky Academy identification card. That means he graduated from that place.

“I've graduated since I was fourteen years old.” He shakes the card. Then move to the front bench.

“After all I have obtained permission from the mayor. My job is to keep an eye on all of you. Vero and Bundara are still under surveillance because you're ex-convicts. Marko is not an official graduate of the Sky Academy, plus he is the youngest of you. Last you, Lian. Of course you're still in the surveillance stage because you're not.”.

“Good! I accept you joining this team. But, I'll think of you as a stowaway. You can't act as you please, understand?” I said ketus. This is really shitty.

We sat on each other's benches. Vero's in the wheelhouse. The others were in the cabin of the plane. I'm still upset by Jora's presence. Not glancing at him one bit. I was even more upset once Bundara and Marko were familiar with the girl. I decided to look out the window.

“Ehmm, Lian?” Vero. Wanted to ask.

“What?” I'm turning.

“Where are we going?”

I almost patted my forehead. I forgot to give my first goal. Jora's presence made my mood worse. I let out a breath.

“We go south, there is a meadow that stretches like a rug. I have to investigate the place. It's three days from here on foot. Which means, we only need half an hour of travel if using the plane.”

“Hei, Lian. I have an idea, what if we name this plane. You're the one who's gonna name it.” Vero exclaimed cheerfully.

All agree. They looked at me, waiting for me to give a name.

“Not this plane has a name?” I asked clumsy. It's not unusual to be looked at like that.

“The name is ugly, I don't like it. Too long to pronounce, IRH-0218.” Vero. He strongly disagrees with the name,

“Since when did I decide?” I asked slowly.

“Jeez, Lian! You're the captain of this team. You're the one who recruited us and it automatically made you captain.” Bundara laughs. His voice filled the room.

“I agree, Senior. Uh, I mean Captain Lian.” Marko raised his hand, paying his respects.

I swallowed spit. Jora even nodded in agreement. Though he's not part of this team. As good as he's treated me, I'll still consider him a stowaway.

I took a breath back. “Alright, it's an honor for me. I'll name this plane, Falcon.”

“OK! Falcon plane is preparing to take off. All passengers are expected to wear seat belts.” Vero is like a flight attendant.

The plane started to whiz. Turbo-turbonya on. Vane whirring. The gate began to open. The sky is still dark, the sun is not yet out. The plane has now taken off. Floating in space. Marko exclaimed in amazement, sometimes his childish nature appeared. He gawked at the expanse of rubble down there.

While the plane was flying, I asked three of my friends questions. (Jora is not considered )

“I have a question for you guys. During the RP-2 revival, what happened to you? Why did you survive?”

“We are not too affected because Keios City is surrounded by slopes. The slopes are like walls that protect the city. RP-2 can still be prevented by sending soldiers to block RP-2 who try to enter the city. Meanwhile, Mayor Keios was stockpiling the entire city with rubble. We only need two full months to be able to hoard an entire city.”

I'm nodding. They have no bad memories with the robot.

The sun began to appear at the horizon. The color of the sky turned bluish green. White clouds began to hang in space. Morning dew filled the glass of the plane. The air must be cold out there. We started to cross the forest. Vero occasionally flies low-key aircraft. The birds flew in the wind caused by the plane. I could also see the rivers flowing quietly on the edge of the forest.

And my eyes were on a building.

I recognize the building. That building was the place where I had a rest before I arrived in Keios City. The building has not changed much. It's just that the roof is filled with tree roots with moss that adorns the roots. There are even beautiful flowers. I looked at the building.

The plane kept on splitting the wind. The leaves were twisting and twisting around us. We are now treated to a lake. Marko exclaimed enthusiastically. Bundara even stared at the lake haru with a sparkle like a jewel. I also remember the lake. That day I was running on the edge. I don't care about the tempting scenery around the lake. Now I can watch it calmly. Vero even had time to maneuver on the surface of the lake.

Suddenly the plane was shaken. The lights inside the plane were flashing. We started to panic. Vero is fiddling with the plane button.

“What's up, Vero?” I asked in panic.

“Wire, Lian! There was a wave that disrupted the aircraft's engine. A kind of veil that covers an area. I can't go any further, maybe the plane will crash. I suggest landing.”

I nodded in agreement. It makes me even more curious. I used to ask Mom why our village can be safe from RP-2. Maybe by checking it out for myself I can find the answer to my question.

We landed on flat ground. The plane is slowly grinding. Make dust fly around us. We started to prepare, holding our guns. Worry if there is RP-2 in the area. I asked Jora to stay on the plane. I don't want to jeopardize it.

“Eh! I want to come too!” Jora exclaimed inadmissive.

I shook my head strongly. “Cannot! You're a stowaway on this plane.”

“But..”.

“Cannot!” I snap. Even if he is a graduate of the Sky Academy, I will not allow him to be involved in this mission.

Jora grunted softly. Mumbling irritated. Stay in the passenger seat. I told Vero to turn on auto pilot mode. Send him home to Keios City if anything happens to us.

We started to get down the plane. Of course, by using a helmet equipped with a mask. I could have taken off my helmet. But considering that my face had been battered, it made me take a wise decision. I'll wear this helmet wherever I go. I checked the communication tools. It's so weird, this thing can't light up.

We're tracing the trail. I know this area. Debris with several abandoned vehicles. The forest is not so close, some rabbits jump here and there as soon as they see us, the path is filled with dry leaves, and a small river that crosses the forest. This place is very close to my village. My heart is beating fast. What will my village be like now? Did any of the residents survive?

The morning light scoured through the leaves. Make the forest a little brighter. We keep walking. And we finally got to the end. Instantly, the wind blew shaking the grass around me. The sunlight waters the grassland. My village, it's flat.

I blinked both my eyes. My hands vibrate. My village has been overgrown with wild grass and some flowers. I ran. Vero, Bundara, and Marko followed me. They were screaming for me. Ask what happened. I don't care, run as fast as I can. I stopped right at the gate of my village. It's just, there's no welcome sign there. I looked down at the ground, even though it had been two years, I could still see the scars of the fire. I started to step. Walk into the village that is already flat with the ground.

I remember the village structure. The place where I played with my cousin, the place where I learned to hunt, the place where I spent time with Liana. All of that was visible in my eyes like seeing a three-dimensional projection. I almost cried. Now I'm starting to get closer to the place that should be my home. Unfortunately, there was only a mound with grass on it. Like a grave with a few stones on it.

There was nothing left of this place.not even the bones of the residents were slaughtered by those damn bandits. I clenched my jaw. All of this will only deepen my grief. I cannot linger in this place and remember all my past. My goal is only one, I want to find out the cause of my village not being attacked by RP-2.

“Captain, are you okay?” Marko touched my shoulder slowly.

I nodded, looking at the three of them.

“I want us to split up around this area. As you can see, in this area there is absolutely no carcass, nor any sign of RP-2 presence. Look for anything that could be a valuable clue. We'll meet again at this point in half an hour. If you find anything, fire your beacon.”

“Ready!” They answered compactly. Split up.

I decided to pierce my house which was already a mound of earth. At least I need Mom's notes or some of her diary. I've often seen my mother record her daily life. I hope he noted something important in the book.

Fifteen minutes later.

No, I couldn't find anything at all. It is as if it were swallowed up by the earth. I decided to look elsewhere. Until a flare is fired. It was about a kilometer from the meeting point. I hurried.

Fifteen minutes later we were together. I looked up at a tower with a brightly lit bulb. I knew the existence of the tower, only I never wanted to know.

“It looks like this tower is interfering with the system on our plane, Lian.” Vero explained. Among us, Vero knows the most about machines.

“If this tower can interfere with the flight of our aircraft, it means that it can also interfere with other electronic devices, including RP-2. They won't be able to get through this tower. The maker must be a very genius person, if the world knows there is a tower that can block RP-2, this will be a very valuable asset. We can make this tower in Keios City, this way we no longer need to look at the sky filled with debris.”

I nodded in disagreement. My goal is to destroy the RP-2. Not to look for tools that can protect us from these robots.

I decided to go back to the plane. Heading to the dead city of Batana. At least I already know the cause of my village not being attacked by RP-2. The tower emits a wave that disrupts the performance of high-tech devices. But I still don't know who created the tower.

Arriving on the plane, Jora greeted us. Ask about what we got. Vero explained, I decided to shut up. Lazy talking to him. Marko and Bundara joined in. Vero was already sitting on the steering wheel. The plane took off again.

“Lian, where are we going next?” Vero asked slowly.

“Our next destination, an untouched dead city, Batana City. I don't know where that place is either. But someone told me, if the city is located in the north direction of this area. I also had to meet a thick bearded man with an iron hand.”

“I wonder who gave you that order, Lian?” Bundara.

I sighed for a moment. “Ibuku”

Bundara nodded, no longer asking.

Vero has activated the plane. The turbo and propeller of the plane started to light up. Ploughing dry leaves around the plane. The plane began to float a few meters, I could see my village that had been flattened with the ground from a height. Staring at the nanar while sighing softly. All my memories are stored in that place. My happy days were left in that place.