The warehouse complex in North Jakarta stood eerily quiet under the glow of street lamps. The loading and unloading operations typically occurred under the cover of night, extending into the early hours of the morning. The logistics trucks, essential for transporting goods to be stored in this sprawling facility, only had access after dark, when the streets were quieter.
A sleek, metallic black four-wheeled vehicle rolled slowly through the deserted expanse, its engine purring softly. It was flanked by six sporty motorcycles, their headlights cutting through the night. As the convoy neared the checkpoint, one of the passengers in the black car stepped out, his figure tall and commanding. It was Bintang.
"Hey, Brother Bintang! Been a while, where have you been?" greeted the guard at the entrance with a cheerful grin.
Bintang's eyes twinkled with a mischievous smile as he nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, a lot more shipments lately," he replied, his voice smooth and confident.
"Is everything secure?" Bintang asked with a knowing glance, his expression shifting to one of serious concern, despite the casual tone.
"Safe as ever, Brother. Since you've been around, the area's been a lot quieter," the guard replied, a touch of admiration in his voice. He was well aware of Bintang's influence here.
Reaching into his pocket, Bintang pulled out several red bills and handed them to the guard. "Share this with the guys back at the post," he instructed with a smile.
The guard, nodding enthusiastically, pocketed the money. "Good to see you, Brother. Take care." He dashed off to distribute the tip, leaving Bintang to survey the area.
As Bintang walked through the complex, memories began flooding back—memories of when he first arrived at this very place. Back then, he had taken a risk, renting out a warehouse to serve as a temporary storage hub for imported goods. At the time, no one had wanted to partner with him on his ambitious project—a special gadget designed for online gaming. The prospects hadn't seemed promising, and the market was difficult to break into. Yet now, as Bintang stood here, the project had blossomed, evolving into a major force. The old era was fading away, and a new one had begun to take shape.
Walking deeper into the warehouse, Bintang entered the gym Felix and Nicholas had set up in an adjacent space. The sound of feet thudding against the floor and the clink of weights filled the air. Several candidates were prepping for sparring matches, stretching and shadowboxing in the corners. Bintang's sharp eyes scanned the room, easily detecting the underlying potential in some of them. He wasn't just a man of strategy; his instincts had been honed over years of navigating the underworld.
Bintang's attention shifted to the next room, where Puteri was waiting for him.
"Puteri," Bintang greeted her with a knowing smile. "It seems like there's finally a balance between Felix and Nicholas' operational team and the IT support team. Are we ready?"
Puteri offered a hopeful glance. "I think this time it's going to be better. Things are looking promising for the future, Bintang."
Bintang's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Good, but what about your assistant? I heard you've got someone new helping out."
Puteri, still holding her gadget, contacted someone immediately. After a brief pause, a young woman in a black hijab approached them with a calm demeanor.
"This is Astrid," Puteri introduced, her voice warm and welcoming. "She's my assistant now."
Bintang offered a friendly nod, his gaze softening. "Astrid, good to see you again."
Astrid's lips curled into a smile. "Hey, Bro!" Her voice held a casual, friendly tone, though there was something in her eyes that hinted at a deeper concern.
"I heard you're not alone," Bintang continued, his brow furrowing slightly. "Your twin sister, right? And I believe she's working as Senior Operational Assistant with Felix?"
"That's right," Astrid replied, her tone still light, but there was a subtle tension in her words. "My sister's got things covered with Felix."
Bintang's sharp eyes lingered on her for a moment, sensing there was something more beneath the surface, though he couldn't quite place it.
"Puteri, I sense there's something you haven't told me yet," Bintang said, his voice steady but probing. He trusted her, but he knew she had been withholding information.
Puteri hesitated, then sighed, reaching for her device. "It's about Thalia," she said softly. "She's a Bio-Evolutionary student of Professor Rhinno. She's already here, and she wants to meet you."
Bintang's expression hardened at the mention of Rhinno. "Thalia..." His tone was neutral, but there was a hint of something darker underneath. "Alright, I'll see her soon."
"She's waiting for you at the hotel, just a short distance from here," Puteri explained, her eyes reflecting a sense of concern.
Bintang nodded in understanding. "Alright, I'll handle things here and then meet her."
With a brief wave, Bintang stepped into the next room, where the IT team was busy assembling components. The room was filled with monitors and tech equipment, a low hum of activity resonating throughout. He moved through the space with purpose, his eyes scanning the digital interfaces that flickered on the screens. The data streaming through was extensive—connected to a larger network of operations he had been building for some time now.
"How's the project coming along?" Bintang asked, his voice cool and commanding.
"Just a few more things to tweak. We're almost ready for the launch," one of the operators replied, eyes glued to their screen.
Bintang's fingers drummed on the edge of a desk as he waited for a response. "And how long until we're good to go?"
"Just a couple of 'Buzzers' left to check, then we're all set for release," the operator said, not looking up from their work.
Bintang's eyes narrowed, his impatience evident. "We need this launched by the end of this week. It's crucial. Make sure the 'Buzzers' are fully aligned. This is going to set the standard for everything to come."
The operators exchanged looks and quickly nodded. The approval came in the form of a string of emoticons flashing on the screen. Bintang felt a sense of satisfaction as the room erupted into smiles and quiet applause.
Once the meeting had concluded, Bintang made his way out of the room. He spotted Astrid waiting outside, her posture relaxed, though there was a noticeable tension in her eyes.
"Hey, Bro!" Astrid greeted him, a playful note in her voice. "How's the tech team doing?"
Bintang chuckled, grateful for the change in atmosphere. "All set, we're just waiting for the final pieces to fall into place."
They exchanged pleasantries, but it was clear that Astrid's mind was elsewhere.
"Hey, Bintang, can we get to the point?" Astrid asked, her tone suddenly more serious.
Bintang raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in her demeanor. "Sure, what's on your mind?"
"Are you planning on following in Professor Rhinno's footsteps? Will you become like him?" Astrid asked, her voice carrying a note of disappointment and concern. It was clear that she was struggling with the idea, torn between loyalty and the fear of what Bintang might become.
Bintang's face softened as he stepped closer to her. "No, Astrid. I'm not following Rhinno's path. I'm trying to create something different. Something that breaks free from the shackles of the old world." He paused, meeting her gaze. "One day, you'll understand. This isn't just about power or influence—it's about change."
Astrid took a deep breath, the weight of his words settling in. She nodded, but there was still doubt in her eyes.
"So, Astrid... will you join me? You don't have to stand in the middle anymore," Bintang pressed, his voice low but earnest.
For a moment, Astrid was silent, her gaze distant as if she was weighing her options. Then, with a smile, she shook her head. "I'm not interested, Bintang. I don't want to be caught between you and Rhinno."
Bintang chuckled softly, recognizing the sincerity in her words. "Alright, I understand. But hey, I'll treat you to something. You mentioned you were hungry earlier, right?"
Astrid's eyes lit up, and for the first time in their conversation, she seemed more at ease. "Now you're speaking my language. Lead the way!"
As Bintang and Astrid left the warehouse, their footsteps echoed in the empty space, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. For Bintang, the road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he wasn't going to follow in anyone's footsteps. He was going to forge his own path, even if it meant making difficult decisions and losing people along the way.
Meanwhile, not far from them, Rangga was rushing to meet Sebastian, his phone buzzing with a message. The time for action was drawing near, and everything was about to change.