The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 33

Fahri and Rio went down the stairs of the ship with vigor. Walking fast.

After a bit of debate and coercive action, Sergeant Heiho was finally willing to come along. Fahri smiled holding Heiho's hand all the way down. While Rio was already some distance ahead walking excitedly.

"You two were so long ago." Gerrutu Rio's.

"You're the one who's way too fast." Fahri.

The three of them rented a horse carriage. No other Japanese soldiers went to accompany them, Sergeant Heiho did not dare to take the risk if until there are rebel communities who recognize him and make his men dragged into trouble.

One horse-drawn carriage passed through the crowds of the docks, heading for the port gate.

"Passengers from Manila this year seem like a lot." Fahri sees the passengers on the steps of the ship.

"Commodity prices have improved since a year ago. Although the United States is also targeting Japan, but conditions in Manila are still stable as in Batavia. There was not much rebellion except in Labuan and Surabaya."

Rio nodded in agreement. As a representative of a country abroad. They are both tasked with carrying out activities in order to increase cooperation between countries or international organizations in all fields that benefit the interests.

Both are also tasked with relaying information on the results of the implementation of tasks, observations and analysis in the fields of politics, law, security, economic, social and cultural in the framework of relations with foreign countries. Regarding the incident that happened in Labuan, they have also received the report.

Some Japanese soldiers had checked the documents of the three of them in front of the Port gate. There's no problem. They were let through. The horse-drawn carriage began to enter the city streets.

"Remember we just ate for a while and then came back." Heiho said coldly while occasionally glancing around vigilantly. Feeling regretful for accepting Rio's persuasion to get out of the ship.

"Yes, we're just going to Phrase Manila, Sergeant. A famous dining spot near the town hall. It was adjacent to the office of the Japanese Governor-General in Manila, so the Sergeant had nothing to worry about. The security there is well preserved."

Sergeant Heiho's eyes were quoted as saying, "Governor General of Japan?"

Fahri and Rio nodded in unison.

"Royuko Kimon." Heiho called the General's name in a dislike tone, "The old man can't help at all. He's my uncle, but he's just a concubine's son. How much power."

"Aren't you strong enough to protect yourself?" Rio nudged softly on Sergeant Heiho's shoulder.

"Damn, you two must take full responsibility in case something goes wrong."

Fahri and Rio just laughed in response.

The horse-drawn carriage turned into a road that was not too narrow, but not too broad. They had passed a large field that contained a large building at the edge of the field. The building is the Governor's office.

In the large field in front of the building, seen dozens of Japanese soldiers and their cars. Also parked on horse-drawn carriages. The Japanese government in Manila is busy.

The horse-drawn carriage turned onto a smaller street, though it still looked crowded. The train continued for several blocks, until it docked up the sidewalk in one of the Spanish-style buildings. The restaurant they visited was right in the middle next to the night entertainment venue.

Gadang Pera, a large Board, the name of the entertainment venue was hung on the top of the street pole. Attract attention with gold inked writing. That place is closed.

Sergeant Heiho looked at Fahri and Rio asking for an explanation as to why there was an entertainment place beside the restaurant they were heading to. He thought Fahri and Rio must have planned something, and sure enough.

"We can't just eat. The ship leaves tonight. We have plenty of time to have fun. Take it easy, man, you'll enjoy it." Rio's embracing Sergeant Heiho's shoulder.

Sergeant Heiho did not react, he expected it to be like this. One of the reasons he likes Fahri and Rio because both have a free mindset, not rigid let alone backward like most indigenous people. But for now, Heiho really did not want to linger in the city of Manila.

While waiting for the order, Heiho looked around. In the corner of the restaurant, judging from his clothes it seemed like the two people were local government employees. In the other corner as well, there were several other government employees, dressed neatly. Heiho smiled faintly, Fahri and Rio knew very well that he was so dislike of the untutored natives. The dining room was suitable for him.

Two waiters came carrying trays containing vegetable soup dishes but there was a meat mixture in it, unique vegetable sauce using coconut water.

After he finished eating, remove the napkin, make sure his hands were washed clean even though he ate using a fork and spoon. Sergeant Heiho followed Fahri and Rio again. Both of them did not come out of the place to eat, instead getting into it. Heiho just followed without the slightest suspicion.

Apparently, the kitchen behind the restaurant was directly connected to the Gadang Pera Entertainment place next door. From the front it looks if the place is closed, but in there it is crowded. Comforter woman down and down. Men Government officials as well as the Japanese Army were seen enjoying alcoholic beverages in front of them. Women were dancing, sitting spoiled on the laps of men, busy pouring drinks into glasses.

Fahri had already booked his own place. They were just about to walk to their place. The sound of gunfire filled the ceiling of the entertainment venue.

The women shouted hysterically, "Sergeant Heiho" A man with a cut scar in his left eye walked over towards Heiho. Silent moment. Sergeant Heiho's face was deathly pale, as was seeing a ghost. He walked back a few steps until he hit the table behind him.

"Does Master still recognize me? Ah, I hope you know. How dare a fucking Japanese like you set foot in Manila." Shouted The man.

Sergeant Heiho swallowed his hard-earned saliva. He clearly knew the man well, he was one of the indigenous people of Manila who were allied with Spain. The man was one of the leaders of the rebels who managed to escape. The scar in the man's eye was the mark Sergeant Heiho made.

Unlike Sergeant Heiho who seems afraid of the man. The Japanese soldiers who heard their country called ugly, did not like it. The soldiers broke down the table, looking angry. Start pointing a gun at the guy.

The man smiled. Out of nowhere it came from, about thirty men had suddenly been all around the man. With weapons in each hand. Their number is now more than the Japanese army which only amounts to a dozen.

One of the Japanese soldiers opened fire first, directly on one of the rebels. Gunfights cannot be avoided.