The Destruction of Batana

THE WANDERER

“THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, DAMN BOY!”

“You can't call people's names correctly, huh?”

Vero and Marko are fighting again. I also don't know who started it. But Marko seems to enjoy this fight.

“Grrrrr..” Vero growled like a beast. Stare at Marko.

“Come on, until when did the two of you not get along?” This time Jora broke up.

It's magical! The two of them no longer quarrel. Is this what is called the power of a woman who is able to subdue men? I shook my head, I'll still treat him like a stowaway. No matter how good an influence it is on this team, I will still not consider it to exist.

I was staring at the view. The day began to pass, replaced by the evening that painted the sky.

We've been on the air for thirteen hours. Luckily this plane uses solar power, so we don't have to bother to refuel or anything like that. But this is the drawback, the plane will not be able to last long if at night.

Vero decided to land the plane. We were on a barren land. The place is only covered with cactus plants. Ground's cracked. There are several buildings with iron walls. But there is no life there. We chose to sleep on the plane. It is very dangerous if we decide to go out. RP-2 could have attacked without our knowledge.

I woke up right in the middle of the night. I was dreaming of meeting a girl about seven years old. His hair was short and his eyes were covered with bangs. I dreamed the same thing two years ago. I just forgot what the girl said. I stared at the clear ceiling of the plane. The star formation shimmered up there. The full moon shone perfectly, its bright light illuminating the contents of the plane. The night wind was seen flying dust on the barren plains. Adding to the silent night.

I don't know why life feels so fast. It felt like just yesterday my village was attacked, I ran away with Mom and Liana, then I separated with Mom, RP-2 attacked, and I arrived in Keios City. It was only yesterday that I was in prison, spent a night of agony, met with Vero and Bundara, got to know Ruzdora, continued my life in the Sky Academy, got to know Marko, and became a Keios Warrior. I really didn't imagine being outside of Keios City. Look at the star-studded sky. With my friends now asleep.

A fella?

I don't know if I deserve to think they're my friends or just colleagues. Doesn't the definition of a friend have no secrets between them? They may have told me a little secret. But me? I've only told Vero and Bundara a little bit about the state of my family. So, have I ever told you the whole story of my life?

Maybe tomorrow I will tell you.

Tomorrow when? Doesn't “esok hari” mean very much? It could be next week, next month, or next year. There is no certainty about that word.

Tired of looking at the sky while contemplating, I decided to look around. Quiet, silent. There's no life around here. There are no signs of RP-2. Maybe the robot is just looking for a place that would have life. More precisely human. They do not attack other creatures. Their system was already focused only on wiping us out.

Till...

I saw a man peeking out of a building. The black figure peeked behind the window. I'm standing. Look at it clearly. There was only the moonlight that shone on the building. How'this? I'm afraid that someone is a bandit.

I looked towards Vero. She's asleep. I don't want to wake him up, he needs energy to drive the plane tomorrow. This time I looked at Bundara, he too fell asleep. Make a snoring sound. I'm afraid he'll get angry if I wake up. Marko's? I immediately shook my head. He does have great skills, but he is still very young. Jora's? That's a bad idea. She's a woman, and more importantly, I still consider her a stowaway. Not part of the team.

All right, I'll make sure myself. I don't want anyone else to die because of me. Be me getting off the plane alone. I don't forget I'm wearing a full uniform including a helmet. Pressing my communication tools that are directly connected to their own. Prepare for all possibilities. It could be that the figure had a gun and shot me.

I walked as slowly as possible near the building. Occasionally hiding behind the rubble of a rusty building. There has been no reaction from this figure. I step back. Luckily, this helmet is equipped with night vision. I could easily see the area around me.

I was already in front of the rusty worn-out building, opening the door slowly. Unfortunately, the door made a creaking sound. Right away, before I could even put my gun on, a huge hand grabbed my neck. Slammed my body on the floor. I stood back up. Trying to point my gun at the figure.

“Eh, you're not a bandit?” The figure was surprised.

I took off my helmet. The man did not wear a mask. It's shocking! I keep pointing my gun. He could have set me up.

“You are who?”

“Oho, relax, Bro. I didn't mean to hurt you. Let us correct the misunderstanding between us. You saw it for yourself, right? I don't bring any weapons.” He nodded his hand.

He's correct. I didn't find any weapons hanging around his body. He was just wearing a shabby shirt with a scarf around his neck. I nodded down my weapon.

The figure is a grandfather with a burly body. His chin was filled with a grizzled beard. He's wearing a grey skullcap. His eyes are bright brown. I could see it clearly because we were sitting by the fireplace.

“I Happy. A wanderer. You yourself, what's your name, son?”

“Lian.” I answered briefly.

“Ohohoho, you don't seem like a person to talk to.”

I'm shaking. Not to justify it completely.

“By the way, are you okay not to use a mask?”

I'm nodding. I've been used to it since childhood.

“It's really surprising to meet someone like me. I was walking, and then I saw your plane landing. At first I thought the plane belonged to bandits. I ran as fast as I could to the nearest building. I kept an eye on your plane from this building.It turns out you're just a normal teenager. Hey, guess how old I am! If you answer correctly, I'll give you something. ”

“Seventy, maybe?” I called out unsure.

“Come on, you could've been better, bro. Don't value someone by their face. Value me from my stocky body.” Happy showed his burly arms.

“Fatty.”

“Ding-dong! More precisely forty-one, son. But in appreciation because you almost answered correctly, I will give you a gift.” Happy picked up a roast located near the fireplace. Poked it at me.

I stared for a moment at the meat. I'm afraid he'll give me sleeping pills or something. I still can't believe it.

“Of course it is very difficult to trust people in this world. Especially if you've been betrayed. It must be hard to trust anyone. But for this case, I'm asking you to trust me, son. The meat I gave you nothing, just plain venison. Try it, you'll know what it feels like.”

All right, at least a bite.

I chewed the meat. Sapid. It feels soft and the roof is soaking. I can judge if Happy is a person who is good at cooking.

“Can I ask?” I started to say.

“No harm, Son.”

“Is it true you don't have a gun?”

Happy laughs. His voice is very loud. “Of course I have, the weapon is in me. Weapons that have existed since we were born. Indra panca. Know it? Panca indra is the most beautiful weapon as well as delicious. I can hear sounds with my ears, feel things with my skin, see sights with my eyes, taste food with my tongue, smell things with my nose. Besides, what do I need? I always rely on my senses, son. Use whatever is around me. Wherever I go, when danger lurks, if you ask me how do I deal with the Border Guard Robot? of course with my senses.”

“I know it's dangerous. Which means I just have to avoid meeting him. With my ears I could hear his voice from a distance, then find another way to turn. If I ever meet, I'll just beat him up with my body. You believed? I can crush them with one punch.” Hapyy. Back to showing off his arm.

“If you ask, how do I earn money during my trip? Of course by looking. I watched the way people earn money, study it, process it in my brain. As a result, I found a very powerful way. Selling something that humans desperately need. Food.”

“I often hunt during the trip, as I said earlier, I use whatever is around me. Find rare animals such as deer, rabbits, and jungle chickens. The animal is very difficult to catch, and the meat is also delicious. I always sell it in the nearest village or town. Then get the money. Just as simple as that.”

I nodded in agreement. In my village, rabbits are animals that are difficult to catch even if they have to use a rifle. Their movements were agile and their hearing was extremely sharp. As long as you step on the twigs at a distance of tens of meters from the rabbits, they will run very fast. That's why rabbits have always been the target of quarry in my village. So that we get used to living in this cruel world.

“You want to know why I travel?”

I nodded, it looked interesting.

“I've visited various places, countries, nature, in this world. Believe it or not? I've been a wanderer for twenty years. I even forgot where I was born. I travel because I like it. Watching new places, meeting people of different tribes, learning a foreign language. It was really nice doing it.”

“You can imagine, there is a continent that snows all year round. They built a semi-circular house with sophisticated heaters inside. They rode the Yak and hunted with wolves. It's like a legend, isn't it? But it's real, son. I witnessed it myself. It's nice to know them. Then there is also a tribe called the Nomad Tribe. They're always moving around, wandering around places just like me. It's just that they're in groups, using migration theory. Find a warm place if the weather is cold, and find a cool place when the weather is hot. Their technology is no less sophisticated, their house can be folded and turned into a car. I've met them, chatted, exchanged knowledge. There is one rule in their tribe, you should smile when you meet, and smile when you part.”

“If you ask me how many places have I visited? So much so that I forgot the exact number. I can only remember a very memorable place for me. Now it's your turn to tell the story, son. Why are you here?”

“I have a mission.”

“Gosh! Am I bothering you, son?”

I'm shaking. “We are resting. On the plane were three of my colleagues. We want to destroy RP-2.”

“It's really glorious! I really don't like that thing. Other than the bandits, they were one of the obstacles to my journey. They are also the ones who make people act greedy for their own safety. Like it happened eight years ago. The day that man uses nuclear weapons.”

“I remember that day I was in a city. Enjoying snacks, shopping, and others. Then I heard a rumbling sound from a distance. Feeling the danger approaching, I told the people around me to run. The robot came, massacring hundreds of residents in the city. Then another rumbling sound came, the sound came from the sky. Hundreds of aircraft fleets arrived. They cover the sky, make it around dark. Then casually dropped the nuclear bomb. That's really sad. All become victims, young children, women, teenagers, and other innocent people.”

“I was very lucky to survive the great disaster. It's so sad to see him. But, I am even sadder if I find out the cause of the rise of RP-2 is because of humans. I don't know who did it. Maybe he has his own purpose.”

I let out a breath. Feeling guilty about it. My mother took part in reviving the RP-2. Of course it makes me heavy-hearted.

“Ah, soon morning dawns. I need to continue on my way, son. Oh, by the way where are you from, son?”

“Kota Keios.”

“I didn't know there was a city called Keios. Alright, that might be my next destination.”

I shook firmly. That's a bad idea. “The city does not accept foreigners enter.”

“Oi! Then I cancel. I don't like to go to places that aren't visitor friendly. Then I'll get ready. It's good you get back on your plane, son.”

“I still have one question.” I cut.

“What is it, Nak?”

“Do you know of a dead town called Batana and a thick bearded man with an iron fist?”

“Hmm...I forgot, Son. There are so many dead cities in this world. I don't know which city you're referring to. When it comes to thick bearded men with iron hands, I don't know either.”

I'm nodding. There was a bit of disappointment in my heart.

“Yosh! Then I go first, it's nice to know you. What was your name?” Happy raised one of his eyebrows.

“Lian. Lian Clue.”

“OK, Lian, hope we meet again. I give you advice, stay away from radiation areas. You won't be happy to be in that place.”

I'm nodding. I will remember that message well.

“Greetings to your friends, Lian. See you.” Happy waved his hand. Left me.

I stared at the extinguished fireplace. It would seem that it would be difficult to find the City of Batana. Right now my lead is only one, going north.