Code of Retribution

Chapter 2 : Defiance

The day after the Neotrax Tech explosion, the heart of Jakarta remained tense. It wasn't just the smoldering ruin of the building that haunted the city—it was the figure of Nemesis, his masked face and ominous message replaying in countless minds.

At the government offices, the mood was different. In a polished, air-conditioned room far removed from the chaos of the city, several ministers and high-ranking officials gathered, looking more annoyed than alarmed. They huddled around a long table, the smell of coffee strong in the air, murmuring dismissively about the Nemesis broadcast. Minister Agus Wiranto, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and an air of impatience, stood at the head of the table, shaking his head.

"This Nemesis thinks he can frighten us with his little theatrics," Agus scoffed, voice laced with disdain. "He's just another terrorist, hiding behind a screen. We can't be shaken by every madman who gets his hands on a keyboard."

Another official, Wira Hamzah, a younger politician known for his bold opinions, leaned forward, smirking. "Honestly, he's doing us a favor by taking out that eyesore of a building. Maybe now we can finally rebuild it with a better design."

Several officials chuckled, sharing in the mood of easy dismissal. To them, this was nothing more than a hiccup in their day-to-day operations. They couldn't fathom the idea that one individual could hold real power over them. The notion was laughable, almost insulting.

But not everyone in the room shared this confidence.

Across town, in the National Police Headquarters, Chief Galih Gunawan watched the unfolding events with grim resolve. Flanked by several members of his task force, he stared at a screen displaying the shaky news footage of the ruined Neotrax building. He felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on him, each second a reminder of the ticking clock Nemesis had set.

Standing beside him was Eka Saputra, the head of the National Intelligence Agency. The usually calm Eka's face was tense, his gaze sharp as he replayed Nemesis's broadcast over and over, looking for any hint, any detail that might betray a clue to his identity or whereabouts.

In the corner, a team of IT specialists from the police department and National Intelligence worked frantically, their screens filled with lines of code and complex data graphs. Rizky Wirawan, a junior analyst with a knack for digital forensics, was typing furiously, but he looked up, frustration evident on his face.

"Sir, we've combed through the broadcast's origin multiple times," Rizky said, his voice tinged with awe and frustration. "Nemesis used a chain of rerouted servers across at least five countries. Every time we get close, it loops back. He's... He's good. Really good."

Galih folded his arms, frowning. "So what are you saying? We're at a dead end?"

Rizky hesitated, glancing at Eka. "For now... yes. But we're working on it."

Eka nodded slowly. "This isn't just someone playing with basic hacking tools. This is an expert, possibly with resources we haven't even considered."

Galih's jaw tightened. "Then we find another angle. We've got less than twenty-four hours until his deadline. Focus on potential targets. We need to anticipate where he might strike next."

Eka agreed, though he knew their options were limited. Nemesis had already proven he wasn't bluffing. The stakes had never been higher, yet here they were, scrambling without a single lead. And all the while, the government seemed oblivious, wrapped in a false sense of security

Back at the government building, the ministers had decided on their approach: a public show of strength. A press conference was quickly assembled. Cameras and journalists packed the press room, buzzing with questions and speculation, the echoes of hushed conversations bouncing off the walls.

Minister Agus stepped up to the podium, flashing a smile of confidence that felt slightly out of place in the aftermath of the recent tragedy. As the cameras zoomed in on him, he raised a hand to quiet the murmuring crowd.

"People of Indonesia," he began, his voice steady and reassuring, "yesterday's events were the actions of a coward. This so-called Nemesis hides behind a mask, attacking innocent people to create fear and chaos. But I stand here today to assure you: this government will not be intimidated."

The crowd shifted, uncertain. Some people nodded, wanting to believe in the government's strength. But others watched with skepticism, aware of how little had actually been done.

Agus continued, his gaze steely. "Nemesis is nothing more than a terrorist. We will not bow to his demands, nor will we entertain his threats. Our police and intelligence agencies are already on the case, working tirelessly to bring him to justice. I urge you all to continue with your lives and trust that we will keep this nation safe."

He paused, letting his words settle. "We are committed to protecting our citizens, and we will find this Nemesis. Soon enough, he will learn that Indonesia does not cower in the face of terrorists."

Watching the press conference from a quiet office, Eka Saputra clenched his fists. This was not the message they needed. Every bravado-laden word only seemed to provoke the figure lurking in the shadows. He could already imagine Nemesis watching from some hidden location, calculating his next move.

As the press conference ended, Eka caught Chief Galih's eye. "They're digging themselves into a deeper hole," he muttered, the tension in his voice unmistakable.

Galih nodded. "They're calling Nemesis's bluff, but we've seen what he's capable of. This won't end well."

The IT team continued their efforts, but with every hour that passed, the futility became clearer. There was no trail, no obvious pattern just a brilliant, methodical ghost that seemed to slip through their fingers at every turn.

Rizky finally leaned back in his chair, eyes weary. "Sir," he said quietly to Eka, "it's like he's daring us to find him, but only on his terms. This isn't just a threat. He's making it personal."

Eka glanced over at Galih, a dark understanding passing between them. Nemesis wasn't after money or power; he wanted something deeper. A reckoning. And the government's show of arrogance had likely only strengthened his resolve.