The Dusk of the Middle East

Episode 4

Jack Karaeng or Saleh knew exactly if he would not easily get on the ship that was why he let Yusuf get on first. The last time he traveled by boat was 4 years ago from Sulawesi to Semarang.

From having settled in Batavia, being a pioneer of youth anti-colonial, the attention of the Japanese in Batavia was full of him. He repeatedly failed to board the ship because he did not get a road permit from the Japanese soldiers guarding the port.

And this time he really wants to go to South Korea to watch the ongoing world cup, although Indonesia is no longer playing since the Dutch East Indies suffered a defeat in World War II. Until one of his acquaintances there who managed to persuade Mrs Misaka to give special permission to him.

"This letter I got directly from your leader. How can you say if the letter is fake, what if we ask directly to his son. Miss Mei clearly recognized her mother's stamp." He said as he looked at the beautiful girl before him.

After the woman called out the name of the Japanese army leader, Saleh immediately knew that the soldier in front of him was one of the sergeants major who served in the fort not far from the city square where he used to do oration.

Now he remembers very well if Heiho is the daughter of Madam Misaka's younger sister. Because of that Heiho often disbanded the oration actions he did, but all this time he had never met directly with the man.

And if it's true he's Heiho. So the woman he called Mei must have been the son of Misaka and Felipe, two leaders whom he disliked.

Seeing the reaction of Heiho who was looking at him more and more dislikefully, Saleh did not take the chance. He quickly thrust the letter into May's hands.

Heiho seemed to want to stop the action, but it was too late. The letter is now in May's hands.

A minute passed. Mei was seen to have read the letter three times, she made sure repeatedly. "This stamp belongs to my mother, sister also has not been memorized properly." May Say.

Saleh chuckled to see Heiho exhaling.

"Well you can ride this time." Heiho vented his frustration by yelling at the three soldiers to immediately lower their weapons.

"Thank you, watashi no yujin." Saleh Ledek.

"Fuun," stop calling me watashi no yujin! I'm not friends with an incitement-filled neitibu like you. And remember, Jack. I'll keep an eye on you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week during the ride."

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At exactly 7 when it was perfectly dark, the ship Karel Ambo began the journey.

The whistle was long, the sign of the ship was ready to leave. Captain Diego as the leader was already standing gallantly in the steering room. The crew was busy taking off and lifting the rope, raising the stairs.

Saleh had met Yusuf, the two men standing on an open deck with dozens of other passengers watching the ship leave port.

"Who are you waving to? Does anyone know you there?" Joseph asked Saleh.

Saleh followed the crowd of people waving to the delivery at the dock who had their departure.

"To whoever is down there." Reply Saleh lightly.

Joseph was only shaking his head at the reply of his friend.

There are about 200 more passengers departing for South Korea this year, double the number of previous departures. It consists of nearly 140 men, the rest being women.

The pier was more crowded this afternoon. In addition to relatives who are still waiting now added locals who helped release the departure of the large ship.

The crew of the ship in the steering room rushed forward to the command of the Captain. They all started a long journey. The ship's engine works faster, the propeller rotates faster. The long line of water bubbles is clearly visible below. The black smoke coming out of the chimney was getting thicker. The ship's bow heads east to Riau Port, on a two-day and two-night non-stop journey.

Almost the entire ship was happy. Including Gunso Heiho, who though always grunted annoyed whenever he saw Neitibu passing in front of him. The sergeant was standing on a special deck for the Japanese soldiers, he stared at the port of Batavia which was a little far away.

There was a platoon of Japanese government forces (Nippon) on board, and Heiho was the commander. This trip was fun for him because he was in full power over the ship, no one could rule him like in Batavia.

The letter of assignment from Governor General Felipe to escort Mai and her two younger siblings made Heiho feel happy, because after from South Korea, this large ship will continue to travel to Japan. It has been a long time since he came home.

Heiho is tired of the hot climate of Batavia, its food, let alone its people.

"Why didn't you let that guy not get on that boat?" Tanya Mei who just came with Robin and Robert.

Heiho turned his head, "He can jeopardize the whole trip that's the reason." Heiho answered, getting annoyed considering the incident earlier.

"But he had the ticket, and the letter was clearly from mom so you couldn't take him down at will." Mei still doesn't understand.

"I can do it. I'm a Japanese soldier so I can do anything on this ship, that man would've gone down if you hadn't come and ruined my plan."

"Even if I don't approve of the letter. Brother can't just throw her away, the letter was right from mother. What if he went to the mension and reported the actions of the older brother earlier? there's still plenty of time for him to meet mom, the distance between the harbor and the mansion isn't too far."

Heiho silently listened to his cousin's words. Out of annoyance, he didn't even think about it. Now he confirmed what May had said. But he still doesn't accept it.

"I remind you not to go near the man. Don't be fooled by his appearance, which looks like a gentleman. That guy is very dangerous. He could incite all passengers to take over the ship, against the Japanese army. Not even reluctant to kill.."

"Yes-yes, I won't go near that man." Sela Mei was quick before Heiho could finish her words. Mei glanced at her two younger siblings, she still did not understand what made her brother become angry.

Heiho took a deep breath.

"You may not understand because you are always protected by your father and mother. While still in the reign of your father, Gowa rebelled. Thousands of Dutch soldiers died because of the incitement of someone named exactly like the man." Pause Heiho while laughing

"The man was banished to Lombok shortly after the Japanese took over Indonesia, he instead instigated the Sultan Agung of Lombok to fight against the Japanese. Thousands of Japanese soldiers were killed in the cruel Neitibu massacre. Dumped again to Brunei Darussalam, but did not stop still continue to spread hatred, until finally banished to southern Africa. Finish it there."

"So you understand now how dangerous that man is?" Heiho stared fixedly at Mei, confirming her cousin's answer.

Mei nodded, although she herself still did not understand what the relationship of the person Heiho was telling the man was? Is it because he has the same name so he's dangerous?

Note:

Gunso : Sergeant

Watashi no yujin: A friend

Fuun: Shit

Neitibu: Indigenous people.

1.Captain Diego