After Two Decades
The Attack at the Port

After a long flight, we finally arrived at our destination. Early in the morning when the sun was still half-rising at the east end there, the CN295 aircraft we were riding landed smoothly at an airport in East Nusa Tenggara. I don't know exactly which airport. What is clear, wherever it is, I believe that at that time the airport was still very quiet, still too early for commercial flight activities. There are no scheduled departures or arrivals. It was still early morning blind.

"Ren, wake up, buddy! We have arrived!" I heard Jan's voice wake me up, but my eyes haven't fully opened. I'm still half awake, conscious or not. Wiggling and gathering energy. Still leaning lazily in the soft passenger seat of the plane.

"Renato," call Jan one more time. My face is still sleepy and lethargic. This time I opened my eyes, and blinked a few times. I could see Jan clearly, my best friend seemed ready and fresh. He woke up a few hours ago.

"We've arrived?" I asked with a half-mumbled tone.

"Yes, we're here, buddy. Hurry up, we need to hurry!" answer my friend.

"All right." I took off my seat belt. For a moment of leaning again lazily, it felt like my body was still tired and still needed to rest longer. However, given my purpose in coming here to save Prof. Ram Ranayuda, then I realized I shouldn't waste time. I have a lot of work and I can't be late. Then I rise from my position. A moment of wriggling once again then rushed towards the rear cabin of the plane, looking for a bathroom to wash your face.

A few minutes later, I was back with a fresh and excited face. Ready to start your next adventure. Jan stood up as soon as I got to her.

"Take this, just in case!" jan said as he threw a gun at me.

I caught the Glock 17. Research the design for a while then save it.

"Alright, come!" Jan stepped forward, towards the open exit of the plane bringing in the morning light.

"Where are we really?" my many.

"Tardamu Airport, Sabu Raijua Regency, East Nusa Tenggara!" Jan answered as soon as we arrived at the doorway. I looked out, staring at the sunny morning in the airport building complex that was still quiet.

"Sawu Island?" my many.

"True, Sawu Island." Jan answered while stepping down the stairs. That's right I thought, the airport was very quiet. I've never come here before, but I knew the condition of this airport a few years ago. Now it's different, looking forward and growing.

We got off the plane. Breathe the fresh morning air. Not wasting any longer, we immediately exited the airport area without the need to go through any procedures. Some of the airport security officers here also know Jan well. They greeted us kindly.

Once out of the airport gate, a police car was waiting for us on the side of the road. Jan has contacted the local police and coordinated with them to help with our affairs here. So Jan and I boarded the police car to get to our destination. Without the siren room, the car we were riding in was sliding fast on the road. Crossing among the activities of the townspeople who just started in the morning. Sabu Raijua was already advanced and majestic at this moment. The regency on Sawu Island, East Nusa Tenggara has developed into a metropolitan city decorated with shopping buildings and public facilities. We crossed the streets of the city, heading for the coastal areas of the island.

"We're heading to the Port of Biu" Jan replied as I asked.

"Biu Port?" I'm parroting.

"The headquarters of the Black Skull branch in the eastern part of the country" Jan replied. "With the data from Junior's work computer that I obtained, I was able to track down the whereabouts of the troops who kidnapped Prof. Ram. Since last night, I've noticed that the coordinates keep moving indicating the journey I believe to be on the plane. And at this moment that coordinate point stopped at the Port of Biu. They must be there."

Jan pulled out his phone, showing a screen displaying a map of Sawu Island. There I could see two twinkling points, one was the point of our existence passing through the city streets, and another was the coordinate point of our hunt. That point is on the east coast of this island, the Port of Biu which was mentioned by my friend earlier.

"Good, then we must hurry to get there!" enthusiastic say.

"Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Jan," said the police officer who was driving the car. "Are you sure you'd come there just the two of you? We once again offer troops to accompany you, we can bring down the East Nusa Tenggara Police Brimob troops!"

"Thank you, sir, but I assure you once again, do not bother to bring down many troops. I am not inviting war with them. We're just picking up our partner and hurrying out of here."

The police officer sighed.

Then we kept going. The distance we traveled was quite far. The journey from Tardamu Airport to the Port of Biu takes a long time. Fortunately, the condition of the city streets is not jammed and not crowded like the city of my birth. The road is not crowded and not too quiet. Either because it's like this or just because it's still morning. Along the way, I researched the atmosphere of this city. It's been very advanced compared to a few years ago. It is no longer a remote area.

***

By noon, we finally arrived at the destination. The police car we were riding in docked to the edge of the dock and stopped there. The atmosphere of the port was not crowded at that time, there were only a few security officers who were running around, or some visitors who suddenly broke out due to the arrival of police cars to the port.

"That's him" said Jan, pointing to the ship I was looking at.

"What?" my many.

"Black Skull Headquarters," the police officer replied ahead of Jan.

"True," my best friend said with a knotty smile.

"That cargo ship?" I ask again as if I can't believe it. Alternately staring at Jan and the cargo ship ahead there.

"Yes, Ren!" answer Jan. "The unused cargo ship, along with dozens of containers, was transformed into their headquarters of operations, for this region. People only know it's a former Dutch cargo ship that can no longer be used and no one else has. However, in it, the business activities of the black world run in control there. It is also a hotbed of criminals and combat troops numbering in the hundreds."

"That's it, Mr. Renato," the police officer continued. "For many years they were based there, only the police and a few important people knew. To date, we have not been able to stop their illegal business activities. We have launched several assault or assault operations to bring them down. Even though we managed to wipe everything out without a remnant, in just a matter of days the headquarters would rise again with new members and troops dispatched from the headquarters. The new people immediately took control of the headquarters in place of their colleagues for the business to resume here. It happened a few times until we decided not to attack them again. Like a dead one grows a thousand, they are endless."

I was surprised to hear that story.

"That's why I don't want to trouble the local police to bring down a lot of troops" Jan said. "Because it will only be in vain, creating a lot of losses; wasting ammunition and energy, especially if there are casualties from the police. That's very detrimental. They will always have a replacement."

"So, how do you conquer them?" manya curious.

"That's my mission right now, Ren," replied Jan. "The current task of the headquarters for me is this Black Skull, even though I haven't really succeeded. However, I will draw up a plan that will run slowly but effectively. And I started by helping you, saving Prof. Ram!"

I nodded in agreement.

"Now we're there, sir!" said Jan.

The policeman in the steering cabin nodded his head in disdain and immediately stepped on the accelerator. We advanced along the edge of the pier for several tens of meters. Then it stopped at the front of the ship, in front of an iron ladder. Iron stairs which is the way up to the boat.

For a moment I looked and looked up at the stairs. Suddenly I saw some people coming down from there rushing towards us. They were dressed in neat black suits, as if to welcome us. However, I was stunned as soon as I saw those people getting down. It's nothing, but they're carrying assault rifles that have been fiercely pointed at us.

Jan and I gasped. In that surprise, we hurriedly raised all the car's glass. Just when the glass was covered, the rifles of those people instantly roared. The bullets clang to the glass and the body of the car—which fortunately bulletproof—. What the fuck? Not knowing what was going on, they suddenly appeared to attack us violently. I thought, maybe they were the guard

this base, and they're sensitive to the police cars that suddenly come here.

So inevitably we had to turn around. The cop plays the steering wheel smartly. Maneuvering turning and gas.

"What the fuck? Who're they?" Jan exclaimed in annoyance. He looked surprised as he looked back in surprise as we drove away from the men. I myself was surprised to see Jan's surprised face.

"It's not them that ...."

"No, Ren," Jan cut. "That's not the Black Skull's army, I know very well the characteristics of their appearance. The Black Skull Army was always dressed in black T-shirts and bulletproof vests with a logo on its back. That just wasn't them."

"Right," added the police officer. "The Black Skull Squad will not come out carrying weapons from that base. They will usually appear suddenly with their distinctive look, but no one knows where it comes from."

"Then who are they?" I cried out for being confused this time.

"I don't know either!" answer Jan.

I'm speechless. As I looked back again, a luxurious sports car that had come out of nowhere suddenly appeared chasing us. The car was speeding and the longer it narrowed the distance. The passengers were the gunmen, they were brandishing assault rifles through the car window. Flocking our car mercilessly.

Our race continued until we got out of the harbor. We are now driving on the city streets. Our car's sirens were lit, roaring all the way. While the roar of the rifle shuffled in the back. It certainly made people angry. Making a scene of citizens passing by and panic other road users.