The Destruction of Batana

THE - PI CITY 2

A city on the brink. That's how I witnessed it.

Rock-shaped buildings line up down the gorge. Making a gap like a shoulder. The building is dominated by brown color along with trees that grow in some parts. Maybe as camouflage. The windows and doors are tightly closed, protecting them from RP-2. There is a waterfall that divides the city and forms natural ponds. The waterfall looks shiny and clear. His voice echoed in the middle of the canyon facing each other. Some planes, no, it looks more like a car with a turbo underneath. The car flew over the city, delivering goods from the building to the building.

“Uy! Don't just gawk! We have to get your friend to the hospital.” Tell one of them.

I'm nodding.

We went down the stairs. Hundreds, or thousands maybe? I don't know, I didn't count it, we had to hurry, Marko needed help. As soon as we got below, a flying car floated in front of us. We rushed in. One of them said the destination, automatically the car darted quickly. Towards the nearest hospital.

We arrived at a three-story building. It was abstract, more like a giant stone. One of the gates opens. The car enters the building and lands in one of the available parking lots. We rushed down, the medical team was already waiting for our arrival. They carried a stretcher and placed Marko on it, removed the helmet and installed a breathing apparatus. Of course, its function is different from oxygen recycling tubes.

While Marko was being treated, we rested in the waiting room. The green troops are still accompanying us. I waited anxiously for Marko. If anything happens to her, I'll blame myself.

“Lian, what's wrong with Marko?” Vero asked in silence.

I was silent for a moment. I haven't told you about the disease.

“She has a disease.” I answered briefly.

“Why didn't you tell us?” Vero exclaimed ketus. His face looks angry.

“Quiet first, Vero! Lian must have had a reason to take him. Didn't you see for yourself Marko's ability when competing with the Prosperous Master?” Bundara.

Vero. No more staring at me. Jora patted my shoulder softly, trying to cheer up. Tell me it's not my fault entirely.

One of the green troops approached us. “Aaaa.... I don't know what you're talking about, man. But your friend will be fine. Oh, yes.. actually your plane crashed because of us.”

Instantly we all looked. Vero who had just calmed back up pitam.

“You said what?” Vero gripped the collar of the soldier's shirt.

Bundara. Snatching Vero's head. He complained of pain, grumbling.

The figure took off the mask. His face is young. His age might be equivalent to Vero. His eyes were light brown with straight black hair covering his forehead.

“You can remove your masks in this place. I'll also explain what happened.” His word.

We took off our helmets. The figure again explains.

“Previously introduce, I'm Dikes. Mayor The-pi. Your plane is completely our fault. One of our weapons detected a foreign object coming and thought you were one of the bandits. The weapon automatically attacks you. We really don't know, sorry.”

“Apardon me?” Vero asked ketus. He didn't just accept getting an apology.

“Eh, of course we will also fix your plane. However it takes a long time.”

“How long?” I asked worried.

Dikes thought for a moment. Holding his chin. “Maybe about a month to fix the whole.”

I rubbed my face. “It's too long. We can't wait that long.”

Dikes back to thinking. “Then give us two weeks. We will also upgrade your aircraft as our apology.”

We thought for a moment. That's a better choice. At least we can rest until our plane fully recovers.

Ten minutes later, a nurse told us Marko's condition.

“She's fine, just fainted. But because of his illness he needs a longer rest time.”

I'm nodding. I know that. I know Marko more than anyone.

“What if I take you around? Take it easy, this area is safe from the robots.” Said Dikes. He tried to entertain.

I shook my head slowly. I'll stay here until Marko wakes up. There's something I want to say to her.

“I'm coming with you, Dikes!” Vero raised his hand. He seems to be upset with me.

“Lian, I will also come with Vero. The boy must have someone watching. Otherwise, he's like a chicken that slipped out of the cage.” Bundara patted my shoulder slowly.

Now I looked at Jora who was sitting next to me. “You can also come with them, Jora.” I said shush.

Jora shook her head slowly. “I'll stay here.”

All right, that's his decision. I can't force him.

An hour later, Marko was conscious. One of the nurses called us. I rushed to Marko, followed by Jora. We both headed to his room. Marko still looks limp. He tried to sit back as soon as he saw me. I helped him.

“Marko, I'm sorry for putting you in danger.” I said softly while looking down full of regret.

“Ja... Don't be like that, Captain. Either way, I'm the one who's troubling this team. I am the obstacle to your journey. When you brought me in, I was so happy. It feels really heartwarming to know if there is one person who values me and believes in me. Before entering the Sky Academy, I was a student of a teacher. She was the one who taught me a technique called Tha-pak. However, before I could master all his teachings, he died.”

A moment later, Marko stared at the ceiling of the hospital with crystal lamps. Eyes glazed. He looks very sad.

“He's the same as me, a person who was never recognized by the Sky Academy. He had a deadly disease that made his life short. Having never been acknowledged, he made martial techniques himself and taught him to me.”

“My teacher had one dream, he wanted to see the outside world before he died. He wanted to look up at the sky before death picked him up. Therefore, he had the ambition of being the foremost soldier. To see the outside world. Seeing birds flying, feeling the wind blowing in the face, hearing the gurgling of the river water flowing slowly, letting the rain wet the face, and many more wishes.”

The room was silent again. Marko's words really touched me. He's two years younger than me, but I really respect him.

Someone stepped into the room. Vero, he's standing next to Marko. Staring sharp.

“You can insult me as you please, Vero.” For the first time, Marko mentioned the name Vero.

Vero smile. Embracing Marko's neck and curling his head. “You should respect me more, Marko. Your words are so cool.”

I was worried earlier. I thought Vero was gonna be pissed. But no, they both laughed together.

“Hey, you know? Vero was eavesdropping from outside the room. His face looks worried. He'd love to join you guys. But he prestige wants to approach.”Bundara. He's already standing behind me.

“Really? I really didn't know she could be like that.” Marko raised an eyebrow. Smiling cynically.

“Di...Shut up, you fucking kid! You are also Bundara! Why are you telling unnecessary things like that anyway?” Vero face like a boiled crab. Wrong attitude.

“You've forgotten how to call people's names correctly, huh? Old Base Bangka forgetful!” Marko replies to Vero's love for him.

They fought back. As usual, Jora and Bundara broke up. If this is the case, I don't have to worry. That means the team is back to how it was.

“Mmm...Aren't we going around?” Dikes who had been standing on the door leaf cut the quarrel.

***

Dikes took us around in The-pi City while Marko was taken care of.

We did not travel by flying car, but by boat. Tracing the rivers covered with cliff rocks like a passageway. On some of the walls are clear glass the size of a house window. We could see the city from the glass.

“Sorry, I can't get you around in a flying car. Such vehicles are only used in emergency situations and also to deliver goods. But this boat is no less sophisticated with these cars. The residents here use boats equipped with engines as daily transportation.”

We nodded, no objection.

Dikes took us to explore the highest waterfall in the city. They call it the Horizon Waterfall. I could see a rainbow near the waterfall. Water drops hit our faces. Fortunately, in this city we do not need to wear masks everywhere. The air here is clean. Probably because of the mountains. I was busy hearing the rumbling sound of water falling and making a bang around the cliff. Jora even asked Dikes to get a little closer to the waterfall. But he refused, the current near the waterfall is very heavy. The boat could sink.

Sometimes we greet the people around us. As soon as they saw Dikes they looked down respectfully, then smiled. They're all very friendly. One or two even gave us greetings from the residents of The-pi. Lifting both hands while saying “Ahlan!”. It's really funny to see it. Vero even mimics their movements.

We entered one of the buildings. Inside was filled with white pillars. The roof is painted with the concept of nature. It seems that the residents here like something related to the natural scenery. Especially forests. Dikes even explained the intent of the various paintings.

We visited a school. Oi! It was like the Sky Academy. They also learn various techniques. It was definitely different from in the Sky Academy. They focus more on balance and speed. Maybe that's what makes them easily down the cliff and avoid RP-2 attacks. Dikes even offered to teach us the various techniques they mastered. That's a great idea. We are still fairly public if faced with RP-2.

Finally, Dikes escorted us to an inn. The place is surrounded by trees. The roots are even allowed to blend into the walls of the building. There are lotus flower-shaped lantern lights around the canopy. Making the feel of the inn very close to nature. We entered the inn. A woman had been waiting for us at the dock waving at Dikes. I thought he was a friend of Dikes, but I was mistaken. She was Dikes' wife.

“You already have a wife?” Vero gawking. I don't believe Dikes' words.

Dikes nodded innocently. “ Of course, in our city the average population is married at the age of 18 years. Maximum age of 20. That's already a rule. The reason is so that residents of The-pi City can still survive.”

This is inversely proportional to the City of Keios. In this city they increased the population, while the City of Keios tried to reduce the population.

Dikes's wife greeted us and drove us to their respective rooms. The air in the room is cool. Some paintings are hung on the side of the wall. The mattress feels soft and comfortable. I lay. Tired off.

　

　

The next day, as Dikes promised, he taught us how to ride in the steepest places. He led us to the rock track.

“There are three important keys to mastering this technique. The first is faith. If you hesitate a little, you will end up in failure. The second is precision. While your body is moving, you should be able to analyze the place that if it is safe for you to massage. And the last one is speed.”

We nodded in unison.

In this simulation, I slipped many times. Fortunately the clothes I was wearing protected my body from impact. But it still hurts. The police repeatedly complained. His body was too big to jump on the rocks. Vero repeatedly mocked him. Jora is quite fast in mastering this technique. He did not have much trouble landing his body on the rocks. She's obviously a talented girl. Learning this technique is quite time consuming.

A week later, I'm starting to shirk. No more falling. It's just that I still can't be as fast as Dikes. Sometimes I still hesitate in deciding where to land or make a jump. This time Marko has rejoined us. But I didn't allow him to take up training. He protested, grumbling if he was okay. I refused firmly.

It doesn't feel like two weeks have passed. Dikes told us if our plane had been repaired. What we saw was shocking. It's not a plane! It was a ship floating a few inches above the water.

“What the fuck? This is not our plane!” Vero complained of not accepting.

Dikes scratched his head that did not itch. “I'm sorry, my workers don't understand the construction of your plane. He decided to remodel it and turn it into an airplane. At least the function is still the same, can fly. But this ship is only able to float on the water. Besides it can't. I'm really sorry for the stupidity of my workers.”

Vero was about to grab Dikes' collar, but Bundara first intercepted him and clawed his head. Vero complained, his face looked sour.

“Lian, say something!”  Vero.

Of course I replied, “It's okay. As long as we can continue the journey, it does not matter.”

Vero glared at me. The cry does not accept.

“Alright, then hopefully you can complete your mission. Take it easy, RP-2 is afraid of water. They won't go swimming and chasing you.” Dikes smiling friendly.

I'm nodding. We boarded that ship. The color remains the same, metallic blue. The snout is pointed with a golden color. There are two screens from special materials so it is not easily torn. On the deck of the ship are three rooms. The steering is the same as the plane. Vero doesn't need to fiddle with the ship's buttons or learn them first.

“Oh, yes, I remind you to be careful with the waterfall!” Dikes said the sentence while waving his hand.

I raised my hand. Paying respects. The ship started to speed away from The-pi City. Drifting down the river.