Code of Retribution

Chapter 3 : The Price

The second day dawned with a strange hush over Jakarta, as if the city itself held its breath. The looming threat from Nemesis hung over every corner, but by noon, there were still no signs of action from the government. Offices, markets, and bustling streets moved at a slower pace as rumors and anxiety spread. People glanced over their shoulders more often, wary of some unseen danger.

At a sleek, modern meeting room in the center of government headquarters, a gathering of high-ranking officials, police, and intelligence officers convened. At the head of the table sat Minister Agus Wiranto, his expression tense and guarded. Seated across from him, Chief Galih Gunawan and Eka Saputra exchanged frustrated glances, visibly fatigued from their fruitless overnight search for Nemesis.

Eka began, his voice tight with controlled urgency. "Minister, we're running out of time. It's noon. There are no leads, no clues, and the possibility of another attack today is real. Our teams have combed through every digital and physical trace we could find, and we're still at a dead end. I strongly recommend"

Agus held up a hand, cutting him off sharply. "Let's not jump to conclusions. We're in contact with several countries, Japan, China, Australia, South Korea, and Singapore. They've all been informed of Nemesis's server rerouting, and their cyber divisions are working with us. We have no need to capitulate to this... hacker."

Galih leaned forward, his voice steely. "With all due respect, Minister, this isn't just any hacker. He took down Neotrax Tech like it was nothing. If we don't fulfill his demand, we risk another attack more innocent lives lost."

"Or he could be bluffing," Wira Hamzah, another government official, interjected. "If we give in now, he'll only demand more. This is a matter of principle."

Eka's patience was wearing thin. He gripped the edge of the table. "And if he isn't bluffing? We can't gamble with people's lives. Chandra Wijaya's crimes are well-documented. One corrupt official is not worth risking an entire city."

The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air. Agus finally spoke, his voice ice-cold. "The government has made its decision. We do not negotiate with terrorists. If Nemesis thinks he can intimidate us, he's sorely mistaken."

Galih and Eka left the meeting, frustration etched on their faces. The conversation had led nowhere but to an impasse.

By late afternoon, televisions and social media were ablaze with public speculation. News anchors discussed the threat, replaying Nemesis's first broadcast and analyzing every word. Commentators debated the government's decision, questioning whether it was wise to ignore Nemesis's demand. Many were torn between anger at the corrupt officials and fear for their safety.

As the programs continued, every channel flickered, briefly going black. Then, the unmistakable, distorted figure of Nemesis appeared once again, his face hidden behind the crimson mask, his voice a low, controlled murmur that somehow felt colder than before.

"You disappoint me, Minister," Nemesis began, his tone dripping with contempt. "It seems your loyalty lies with your own, not with the people who trust you to keep them safe. I warned you, but you chose to protect a thief over innocent lives. I won't waste any more words. In fifteen minutes, you'll understand the cost of your arrogance. Maybe then you'll see who you're really protecting."

The screen faded to black, and within moments, the regular programming resumed. The broadcast left the city in stunned silence, as millions processed the threat. Fifteen minutes. Where would it happen? People gathered in homes, workplaces, and public squares, murmuring in fear and anger. Some felt a twisted sense of justice at Nemesis's challenge to the government, while others were simply terrified.

Galih received the notification at his desk. Beside him, Eka's face paled as he checked his own phone. "Where is he going to strike?" Eka muttered, voice hollow.

Before either could respond, a cascade of notifications rang out across Jakarta. Each phone bore the same message:

"WARNING: Evacuate Gambir Train Station immediately. Move as far away as possible within the next ten minutes if you value your life. You have been warned."

Panic erupted as commuters at Gambir Station received the alert. Mothers clutched their children, travelers abandoned their bags, and people raced toward the exits, scrambling over one another in their desperation to escape. The scene devolved into utter chaos as they fought for the stairways and hallways, desperate to put distance between themselves and the ticking clock they couldn't see.

Meanwhile, military and police units mobilized, sirens wailing as they sped toward Gambir Station. Galih's hands trembled as he barked orders into his radio, urging all nearby forces to the scene. Eka was at his side, frantically coordinating with the emergency response teams. Ambulances were dispatched, medics on high alert, and every available unit surged toward the station. But time was slipping away.

Nine minutes.

Eight minutes.

The last few stragglers stumbled down the station steps, trying to keep pace with the flood of humanity pouring out. The entire city seemed to hold its breath, waiting, hoping, praying.

And then, the blast.

The explosion tore through the station, a wall of fire and sound that rattled buildings blocks away. A towering column of smoke and debris rose into the sky, casting a dark shadow over the city. People screamed, some ducking for cover, others frozen in shock as they watched the disaster unfold.

From his office, Eka gripped the edge of his desk, knuckles white. Galih's face was grim, rage simmering in his eyes as he took in the carnage Nemesis had unleashed. He could already see the reports coming in the dead, the injured, the shattered lives.

As night fell, a grim, sorrowful silence settled over the city. Jakarta's heart was scarred, wounded by the blast, and the people mourned the lives lost. In their offices, Eka and Galih knew they couldn't let this pass. They had failed to stop it. And somewhere in the city, Nemesis was watching it all, knowing his message had been delivered.

That evening, a heated, explosive argument erupted in the same government meeting room where pride and indifference had ruled just hours before. Chief Galih stood nose to nose with Minister Agus, his face flushed with fury.

"Do you understand now?" Galih demanded, voice laced with barely restrained anger. "This is what your arrogance cost us. Innocent people died because of you!"

Agus's composure faltered for a moment, but he regained it quickly, brushing off the accusation. "Watch your tone, Chief. This is a delicate situation, and we can't afford to bow to every demand made by a criminal."

Eka, equally livid, stepped forward. "You called him a terrorist, but you're the one who let him dictate this bloodshed. Your refusal to act cost lives. We could have avoided this!"

The argument continued, voices raised and tempers flaring. Finally, Minister Agus's face hardened, his voice cold. "Enough. We will not tolerate another incident. I'll see to it that we reach out to Interpol for assistance. This Nemesis will pay dearly for what he's done. Mark my words."

The room fell silent as the officials, police, and intelligence agents absorbed his words. Though the pain and anger of the day's events would linger, there was now one unifying resolve: Nemesis would be found. And there would be retribution.