Part 1: Assemble The Team
On the 5th of December. In the conference room, Handoko stood at the head of the table, his expression steely as he prepared to introduce two new, unexpected team members. Around him sat a mixture of experienced operatives, analysts, and field agents—all looking at him with wary eyes. He glanced at Rano, Yenny, and the others before addressing the room with a firm tone.
"I'd like to introduce Joko and Maya," Handoko began. His voice commanded the room's attention. "These two have skills that will be crucial to our operation."
He gestured for Joko and Maya to step forward. Maya, a petite girl with an intense gaze, shifted slightly, her eyes scanning the room cautiously. Joko, a little taller and looking somewhat awkward, scratched the back of his head and gave a shy, nervous smile. He adjusted his glasses, glancing quickly at the unfamiliar faces before him.
As they stood there, a ripple of doubt seemed to pass through the room. Some members exchanged glances, their expressions showing skepticism, even contempt. Whispered comments barely reached Joko's ears.
"They're supposed to help us with this terrorist case?" muttered one agent under his breath.
"Are you serious?" added another. "One of them is mute, and the other—well, does he even look the part?"
Handoko raised his hand, silencing the room. "I understand some of you may have doubts. But believe me, these two have a talent that goes beyond what you see on the surface."
To emphasize his point, he turned to Maya, giving her a supportive nod. She opened her sketchbook and flipped to the most recent drawings she'd done during her training. The pages were filled with intricate, lifelike portraits of individuals in various public settings: a crowded airport, a bustling bus terminal, and a lively Sunday park. Her work captured each person's unique expression in astonishing detail.
"Look closely," Handoko instructed the team. "Maya's sketches are more than just pictures. They're a study of facial micro-expressions—fear, sadness, anger, disgust, and so on. She learned these during her training, and now she can capture a person's inner feelings with precision."
The team members leaned in, eyes widening as they took in Maya's work. It was almost as if the emotions on the faces she'd drawn were staring back at them, raw and vivid. Maya's sketches didn't merely show expressions; they revealed secrets, hints of people's emotions that most would miss in fleeting moments.
Rano, unable to hide his surprise, muttered, "Unbelievable. It's like she's reading their minds."
Handoko nodded approvingly. "Exactly. Maya can help us analyze public footage, suspect interviews, or even on-the-ground surveillance. Her work has already given us insights that would have taken hours to catch otherwise."
The room was beginning to soften in their skepticism, but Handoko wasn't finished. He turned to Joko. "And as for Joko, he's our encyclopedia of codes."
Joko took a deep breath, his face still slightly tense. But he mustered up his courage and began. "I, uh, h-h-have memorized all vehicle license plates and the standard route codes for Jakarta's public transportation. E-e-every license plate has a region code. F-for example, 'B' is for Jakarta, 'A' for Serang in Banten, 'D' for Bandung…"
He trailed off slightly as he realized the team was listening intently. His stuttering softened, and he continued with more confidence. "I've also memorized TransJakarta's routes and their corridor codes. For instance, if you want to travel from Bintaro Sector 1 to Lotte Mall Jakarta, you would start with Corridor 13, taking the bus to Ciledug, then transfer to Corridor 1 heading toward Blok M, and finally take a connecting bus on Corridor 6 to Lotte Mall."
Lia, one of the operatives, raised an eyebrow. "That's actually…impressive. It would take us all day to figure that out."
Encouraged, Joko went on. "And that's just one part of it. I've been memorizing the codes for every major landmark and vital facility in the city, including alternate transportation options."
Yenny decided to test him. "Okay, Joko," she said with a smirk. "What are the distinguishing features of Muara Karang in North Jakarta, and how would you get there?"
Joko straightened, his mind instantly racing. "Muara Karang is in a coastal area with major industrial and energy facilities, including gas pipelines and a power plant. From the city center, you could take the TransJakarta Corridor 9, then switch to a local bus line. Or, if there's heavy traffic, a faster route might be a train to Kota Station, then a metered taxi."
The team was astonished, some of them exchanging nods. Even Rano, who had been doubtful, couldn't help but grin. "Looks like you're not just a desk clerk, Joko."
Their growing respect spurred Handoko to move forward. He showed them more of Maya's work, specifically her ability to draw expressive faces with astonishing clarity. He explained her skill in micro-expression reading, which had allowed Maya to decode subtle facial cues indicating emotions like fear, anger, or deceit. Her work was now invaluable to the team's efforts, allowing them to understand their suspects and witnesses on a deeper level.
Another member, Anton, was intrigued. He leaned toward Joko, determined to test his skills further. "Alright, Joko," he said with a playful challenge. "What's the route code for a sleeper bus from Tangerang to Bali?"
Without missing a beat, Joko replied, "That's generally listed under interprovincial routes. Tangerang to Bali would be marked 'TG-BL' with the company adding a specific route identifier, maybe like 'TG-BL-10' for the 10:00 p.m. departure."
Anton's jaw dropped a little, impressed. "Alright, you really do know your stuff."
Another team member, curious about the depth of Joko's knowledge, jumped in with a question. "What about airline codes, Joko? Could you handle those?"
Joko smiled shyly but didn't hesitate. "Airline codes use the origin and destination airports. So a flight from Jakarta to Denpasar in Bali would be CGK-DPS, with a number after to indicate the specific route, like CGK-DPS-320. If it's an international airline, the number might be longer, like SQ956 for Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Jakarta."
The room broke into applause, and Handoko smiled, patting Joko on the shoulder. "Excellent work, Joko. You've proven you're ready for this. You too, Maya."
But Rano wasn't done yet. "One last thing, Joko," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Do you know the ferry codes for routes out of Jakarta harbor?"
Joko nodded, his confidence growing. "Of course. Most ferries from Tanjung Priok would use codes like 'JKT' for Jakarta. If it's a ferry heading to Sumatra, it might be 'JKT-BDG' for Bandar Lampung. If it's going to Surabaya, it's 'JKT-SUB.' They use similar numbers as identifiers—'JKT-SUB-01' would be the first morning ferry."
A chorus of impressed whistles and nods circled the room. Anton gave Joko a pat on the back, while Rano looked genuinely amazed. "Alright, you've convinced me. You're a genius, Joko."
Handoko, clearly pleased, turned to the entire team. "I'm proud of the progress Maya and Joko have shown. We need every ounce of skill and dedication to solve this case. Now, let's put everything we've got into catching these terrorists and preventing another attack."
With newfound respect, the team members nodded. They now understood that Joko and Maya, despite their unique challenges, were irreplaceable assets. The initial doubts had faded, replaced by admiration and camaraderie. They were a team—and they were ready to take on the fight together.
In that dimly lit conference room, the team sat in tense silence as Yenny prepared her presentation. The atmosphere was thick with an uneasy anticipation, and many of the agents exchanged wary glances, sensing the gravity of the revelations to come. Handoko sat near the head of the table, his arms crossed as he looked on expectantly, while Rano, who was more relaxed, waited beside Yenny, ready to assist if needed.
Yenny cleared her throat and began, bringing up images on the screen—stark, detailed photographs of the deceased truck drivers, from the pile-up accident on November 10. The first slide alone had the room tense, as a close-up of one victim's body appeared, bruised and battered, organs partially visible from the collision. A murmur of discomfort swept across the room.
Yenny, noticing the growing unease, continued with a clinical tone, explaining her forensic observations and the tragic injuries each of the ten victims had sustained. She'd laid out extensive documentary evidence of the incident's brutality, zooming in on broken limbs, exposed organs, and the signs of a brutal crash.
Several agents looked away, shifting uncomfortably in their seats. Lia, the usually tough-as-nails analyst, bit her lip and leaned back, her face pale. Rano noticed the effect the presentation was having and felt the discomfort rising. Finally, one of the team members couldn't hold back.
"Yenny…do we have to see all this?" he asked, his voice strained. "This is… well, too graphic."
Handoko nodded in agreement, his expression taut.
"Yenny, perhaps there's another way to approach this. Focus on what the bodies reveal about the code, not so much on the bodies themselves."
Realizing her misstep, Yenny turned red and nodded, muttering a quick apology. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable." She fumbled with her notes, unsure of how to pivot smoothly.
Rano, sensing her discomfort and the team's tension, stepped in, giving Yenny a reassuring nod. "Don't worry, Yenny. I'll take it from here," he said, addressing the group as he moved to the front. "Let's shift focus to the codes we've discovered so far. This is where things really get interesting—and where they get real."
He pulled up an image of the two initial codes they'd found: "8T101109100" and "3C1212071000."
The agents immediately leaned in, curious. Rano had a way of speaking that drew people in, with just enough intensity to stoke their curiosity and keep them engaged.
"These codes aren't random," he began, his voice carrying a mix of gravity and restrained frustration. "Each number and letter has been crafted for a reason. We started with two drivers, each with their own cryptic messages. We overlooked them in the beginning, not realizing their significance."
He looked around the room, letting the weight of that admission sink in. "And because of that oversight, because we missed those first clues, we failed to prevent the pile-up incident on November 10. Eight trucks. Eight drivers. From eight different cities. Over a hundred casualties."
Rano's words hit like a slap to the face, the harsh truth of their failure ringing out in the silence that followed.
Several team members looked down, pained expressions on their faces. Lia wiped her eyes discreetly, and another agent clenched his fists in frustration.
"We could've saved them," murmured one of the younger operatives, shaking his head. "If only we'd caught it in time…"
Rano's expression was serious, but his voice remained firm. "We can't change what's happened. But we can change what's about to happen." He pulled up the next code, highlighting it on the screen: "3C1212071000."
"This is our last chance to stop the next tragedy," he said, his voice thick with urgency. "This code was left behind by those eight drivers. They were a part of something bigger—a larger plan we've yet to uncover."
Handoko leaned forward, eyebrows knitted in intense focus. "Explain this code to us, Rano. What are we looking at?"
Handoko leaned forward, eyebrows knitted in intense focus. "Explain this code to us, Rano. What are we looking at?"
The team absorbed his words, tension radiating through the room. They exchanged worried glances, trying to imagine the scale of what they were dealing with. It felt almost incomprehensible.
Lia was the first to speak up. "And the last number—'1000'? Are you saying… that's the number of potential victims?"
Rano's eyes held a heavy sadness as he nodded. "Yes. One thousand victims. These terrorists have orchestrated an event that could claim the lives of a thousand people in a single day."
The room went completely silent, everyone too stunned to speak. For a moment, the horror of it all washed over them. Joko swallowed hard, his hands clenched into fists, as he looked down, guilt flashing across his face.
"We failed to see it before," he whispered, almost to himself. "People died because we weren't fast enough. How many more have to suffer?"
Handoko stood up, his voice cutting through the tension. "Enough. We cannot afford to wallow in our mistakes. We know now what we didn't know before. This time, we have a chance to stop them."
Rano nodded in agreement, his eyes blazing with determination. "We've been handed a code—a map of their plans. We have one month until December 12. That's our timeline to figure out where these attacks will happen, what the targets are, and how to prevent them."
Yenny, finding her voice again, chimed in. "We should start with locations in each of the three cities that could hold high numbers of people—train stations, airports, public events…"
Another agent interrupted, a look of dread on his face. "And if they're planning to use vehicles again—trucks, buses, or worse—anything could be a weapon. We're not just dealing with one city anymore; we're dealing with three."
The realization was staggering. The enormity of their task sank in. Every face around the table held a blend of fear, anger, and resolve. There was no room for error this time; failure was not an option.
Handoko took a steadying breath. "We have our work cut out for us. Each of you has a role to play in decoding the location and method of these attacks. Lia, Rano, Yenny—I'm putting you three in charge of analyzing every last detail of this code and these cases. Joko and Maya, your knowledge of codes and expressions will be invaluable."
With that, Handoko's gaze swept across the room. "We owe it to those hundred lives we lost last time. We won't lose another thousand."
The team nodded, a palpable determination filling the air as they understood the gravity of the task before them. They had a month, a cryptic code, and a mission: stop a terror attack that could devastate three major cities. And this time, they would do whatever it took to prevent another tragedy.
As Rano finished explaining the last code, a heavy silence blanketed the room. The realization of what was at stake hit each of them, hard. They had missed the clues that could have prevented the previous attack, and now a potentially catastrophic event loomed, coded in chilling precision: *3C1212071000*—a plan set for December 12, with a target of 1,000 lives.
Rano's voice broke the silence. "We've got less than a month, and this time, we know what's coming."
Handoko nodded gravely. "Exactly. We can't let this one slip through. We need to find this operation's heart—where it's coming from, who's behind it, and what they're planning to use."
The team listened intently, their faces a mixture of resolve and dread. Handoko turned toward Joko, then at the rest of the team. "There's one place to start," he continued. "We know trucks are involved, and December 12 isn't just any day. It's the closing deadline of the year, when deliveries and shipments peak, and the roads will be crowded with trucks of all sizes. Our attacker is counting on this. It's the perfect cover."
Yenny looked up. "If the roads are going to be packed that day, how will we even begin to trace one specific threat among hundreds of trucks?"
"We'll have to understand everything about the truck routes, models, meeting points, even the repair workshops," Handoko replied, his expression intense. "If we're to find anything unusual, we need to know every aspect of this network inside and out."
Joko, still processing the enormity of the task, nodded. He might be known for his stuttering and quirks, but he was now determined. "I—I'll make sure we know what to look for. E-every kind of truck, every route."
Handoko smiled with a glint of encouragement. "I knew you would, Joko. This is where you shine."
With the surveillance team listening attentively, Handoko laid out the specifics. "Starting tomorrow, Joko, you'll work with the field surveillance team to track every piece of intel you can on Jakarta's truck logistics. Study every route, corridor, and even workshop locations where these drivers might cross paths. We don't have time to waste."
Rano chimed in, "So we're looking for any deviation, anything odd in the typical truck patterns?"
"Yes," Handoko confirmed. "Anything that doesn't quite fit. If they're planning something, they'll likely need a staging ground. We'll be watching areas in and around the dense industrial zones like Pulogadung and Cakung, especially the toll-free roads where trucks will crowd the most."
Joko took a deep breath. "I'll do my best, Pak. E-every detail, every p-pattern, I'll learn it."
With the weight of his assignment sinking in, Joko felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. This wasn't just about proving himself; it was about stopping a massive tragedy. As the meeting wrapped up, Handoko addressed the entire team.
"Remember, December 12 is our cutoff. They're counting on a massive, chaotic day in Jakarta's transport network, but we're going to be there, two steps ahead. Find me every lead, every suspicious sign. We have one shot to stop this."
With their mission clear, the team left the room, and Joko could feel his pulse racing. His path was set, and he knew this would be his hardest test yet. Now, it was time to dig into the gritty world of Jakarta's trucking industry and get to work.
As the team continued to piece together the clues, the gravity of their task became painfully clear. The impending date, December 12, was less than a month away, and they knew that, during this time of year, truck routes were going to be flooded with year-end shipments. With industrial zones like Pulogadung and Cakung set to be packed with delivery vehicles, there was a palpable urgency to their investigation.
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Part 2: Hunting The Countdown
5 days left...
Handoko gathered the team in the briefing room to lay out their next steps. He began with a quick nod to Joko, acknowledging his knack for memorizing every code and identifying the unique activity patterns within Jakarta's logistical landscape.
"We're focusing on Pulogadung and Cakung for a reason," Handoko explained, scanning each team member's face. "These are densely populated industrial areas with warehouses that will be overrun with trucks, especially on December 12. If our suspicions are correct, the attackers are planning to use the chaos to blend in—becoming just another truck among many."
Yenny raised her hand. "So, you're looking at checking trucks around these areas, right? But won't it be impossible to sift through all of them in such a crowded space?"
"That's where intelligence comes in," Handoko replied. "We'll work with clues. Joko, you're our point man for understanding the codes. Anything you pick up about the truck models, license plates, or company markings will help us narrow down the search. We're not looking for a needle in a haystack; we're identifying patterns."
Handoko then assigned Joko, along with several surveillance team members, to visit truck yards, distribution hubs, and mechanics around the city to gather more intel. Their objective was to learn everything about truck models, typical routes, and even meet-up points among drivers. Understanding the truckers' daily routines and habits would help the team spot anything out of the ordinary.
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4 days left...
Joko and his assigned team hit the ground running, hopping from one truck depot to another. Each stop became a lesson in gritty reality. They met with truck drivers who spoke in colorful slang, mechanics covered in grease, and dispatchers more interested in their cigarettes than in answering questions.
"So, you think we're just gonna tell you all our secrets, huh?" chuckled one burly mechanic at a workshop near Cakung.
"W-w-well, y-y-yes, kinda," Joko replied, his stutter not stopping him from smiling awkwardly. The team had come to admire his dedication, which won people over more often than not.
"Look, if you wanna know about trucks, here's one thing: they're all different, just like people. Each has its quirks. Some make more noise, some burn oil like crazy." The mechanic leaned in, smirking. "But if you want the best kind of truck for blending in, go for the Mitsubishis. Common as dirt, nobody bats an eye when they pass by."
Joko nodded, mentally storing the information. "Th-thank you, sir. W-we need all the h-help we can get."
As they continued, they found themselves in yet another bustling truck yard, where trucks from across the archipelago rested like tired giants. A few drivers were sharing cigarettes and joking around as they leaned against their vehicles, each one discussing their routes, deadlines, and the pressures of year-end quotas.
A driver from Bandung, hearing their questions, chimed in, "Look, December 12? That's gonna be insane. Everyone's pushing deliveries to make deadlines before the new year. If you're expecting something weird to happen, well, you're not alone."
Joko nodded, absorbing every word, while his partner, Rano, took notes. They shared a knowing glance; their sense of urgency only intensified. From every interaction, the team was building a mental map of how these trucks moved through Jakarta, which routes were most heavily used, and where unusual behavior might catch their attention.
As they wrapped up another visit, Lia, one of the newer team members, couldn't help but laugh at Joko's relentless questions. "You're practically a walking GPS now, Joko! I mean, if anyone even mentions a code, you're on it in a second."
"Y-yeah, well, m-maybe I can help us g-g-get there in t-time," he replied, laughing, though his eyes were full of determination.
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Back at the base,
Joko presented his findings to Handoko and the team. They had accumulated valuable insights about the kinds of trucks commonly seen in the industrial zones, the times when the roads were busiest, and even the routines of some frequent drivers.
Handoko listened carefully, nodding. "Good work, Joko. Now that we know the hotspots and patterns, we need to be ready for anything on December 12."
Then, almost as if remembering something crucial, Rano spoke up. "You know, there's one other factor that might play in our favor—or against us. On December 12, most of these trucks will likely take toll-free roads to save on costs. That means the toll-free roads will be jam-packed."
Handoko's face turned thoughtful. "Good point. That means our search narrows even further. Focus on those toll-free routes in Pulogadung and Cakung. And watch the industrial areas closely, especially near large warehouses."
Lia looked at Joko with a grin. "Think you're ready for one more assignment, human GPS?"
Joko blushed, nodding. "B-bring it on."
Handoko smiled, pleased with the progress his team had made. "Alright, everyone. We've got the leads we need. It's up to us now to stop this before it happens. I know it's been exhausting, but you've all done incredible work. Now let's make sure this ends here. December 12 may be their chosen date, but it will be ours to turn the tide."
The team dispersed with renewed determination, each of them carrying the weight of what was at stake. December 12 loomed large, a deadline not just for truck deliveries but for their mission to prevent a massacre. With Joko's deep knowledge, Maya's sharp insights, and Handoko's strategic leadership, they knew they were closer than ever to uncovering the final piece of the puzzle and stopping the nightmare before it unfolded.
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3 days left... On December 9th,
the team gathered in the dimly lit conference room. Shadows of fatigue and worry etched deep into their faces, and a tense silence hung thick in the air. The past few weeks had brought nothing but dead ends and frustration, and it was beginning to show. Handoko sat at the head of the table, his face set in a grim line, his eyes scanning the room as he absorbed the lack of progress. Joko sat hunched over his notebook, staring blankly at his carefully compiled lists and maps. The usually animated Rano had his head down, lost in thought, with furrowed brows betraying his inner turmoil. Yenny's shoulders sagged under the weight of her frustration, flipping through pages of records, her gaze distant and unfocused. Maya sat quietly, her hands fidgeting in her lap, knowing that this wasn't a problem her unique skills could solve, and that made her feel as helpless as everyone else.
Handoko's phone rang again. The sound cut through the oppressive silence, a harsh reminder of the pressure that Santoso and the entire chain of command were placing on him. He answered it with an exasperated sigh.
"Yes, Sir, we're working on it," Handoko said, his voice a low, controlled monotone as he forced back the urge to snap. "Yes, I understand the time constraint… No, sir, we don't have an exact location yet, but we're working on every lead." He clenched his jaw as Santoso continued on the other end, the rising impatience in the voice on the other end almost unbearable.
The call ended with a curt click, and Handoko closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. The pressure was suffocating, and it weighed on the entire team. The feeling of help lessness seeped into every corner of the room. They were so close to December 12, yet so far from understanding where or how the attack would happen.
Handoko finally spoke, his voice softer, yet laced with urgency. "Three days," he murmured, almost to himself. "We only have three days left."
Rano looked up, a hint of defeat in his eyes. "We've been through all the reports, every code, every possible warehouse… but nothing is leading us anywhere concrete. It's like we're searching for a ghost."
"Maybe they're hiding in plain sight," Yenny offered, though her tone was hollow. "We keep assuming there's a special place they're staging, but what if it's on a more common route? Somewhere we'd overlook?"
Joko's stuttering voice broke in as he flipped through his pages of notes again. "W-we checked every d-d-depot, every hub… th-there's just too much movement. Trucks are everywhere, and it's impossible to trace every one of them without… without more."
The tension thickened, punctuated only by the scratching of a pen or the flipping of pages. Everyone looked drained, their minds worn thin from chasing down leads that always seemed to fade into the mist.
Handoko's eyes landed on Maya, who sat there, quietly taking everything in. Her usual spark was dimmed by the grim mood, her fingers tapping nervously against her notebook. She had spent days trying to contribute, but the chaotic world of logistics and routes was beyond her reach. Her drawings had no power here, and she felt every bit of that helplessness.
Handoko cleared his throat, trying to bring back some semblance of focus. "We can't let this beat us. We have three days, and I know it seems like an eternity and nothing at the same time. We need a breakthrough."
Just then, another shrill ring filled the room. It was Handoko's phone again. Santoso. Everyone tensed up as Handoko answered, forcing himself to respond calmly, his face contorting as he listened to the impatient tone at the other end.
As he hung up, he let out a sharp breath. "Santoso's losing his patience," he said flatly, his face pale with the weight of expectation. "If we don't have something by tomorrow, he's bringing in more resources."
The team looked at each other, their faces a portrait of despair and frustration. The pressure was crushing them, and yet they couldn't break through the wall of mystery around this impending disaster. Handoko slammed his fist onto the table, making everyone jump.
"We have to dig deeper. We're not leaving until we get a lead," he ordered, his voice more steely than ever.
Joko took a shaky breath and began scanning his notes again, the lines blurring in his exhaustion. Rano and Yenny exchanged a weary glance, knowing they had to keep going but feeling the weight of the long hours. In this room, they felt the terror of the unknown drawing closer. The clock was ticking, and the shadow of December 12 loomed over them like a storm that threatened to engulf them all.
Certainly. Here's a heightened, intense version with more detail on the location
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2 days left...,
All teams are at Pulogadung and Cakung. The tension is electric, anticipation thick in the humid Jakarta air.
The sprawling industrial zones of Pulogadung and Cakung are labyrinths of warehouses, truck depots, and looming factory complexes, where rows of massive trucks and machinery crowd narrow lanes, barely leaving room for maneuvering.
Pulogadung is known as a vital hub for Jakarta's heavy industry, a place buzzing with constant movement, where the clanking of metal, grinding engines, and shouting drivers create an incessant noise. The team is on high alert, their eyes scanning every corner of the zone, waiting for the slightest sign of unusual activity. Every shadow could be hiding the threat they've been racing to stop.
In Cakung, similarly dense with factories and warehouses, the roads are filled with delivery trucks coming and going in tight cycles, bringing supplies for assembly and goods for distribution. The team feels the weight of urgency in the air as they track each truck's movement, searching for patterns in the chaos. Every vehicle, every truck yard feels like it could be the cover for something far more sinister.
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1 day left....,
Tension simmers to a boiling point. Nothing has happened yet.
The entire team remains stationed between Pulogadung and Cakung, exhausted yet watchful. Handoko and Yenny are back at headquarters, scouring every alternative scenario, desperately exploring every angle they might have missed. Rano is in the field, readying the emergency response unit, checking every supply and communication line, while Sena double-checks each vehicle, ensuring fuel levels are topped off and that they're ready to deploy at a moment's notice. Every second feels like a countdown to disaster.
In Pulogadung, Joko and Lia were on the ground, carefully combing through the seemingly endless line of trucks and cargo vehicles. The police assisted them in pulling over each vehicle that seemed even remotely suspicious. Their goal was to ensure that the goods each truck was transporting matched the declared items listed in their permits. With so many trucks on high-volume routes, the team knew they couldn't check every single vehicle, so they focused on patterns: trucks that appeared slightly off-schedule, ones with older or mismatched license plates, or drivers acting nervous under inspection.
Joko, meticulous as always, had a checklist he had drawn up from the various inconsistencies he'd noted in the past days of investigation. Lia coordinated closely with the police officers, working efficiently to verify each truck's paperwork and get a quick look at its cargo. She scanned each driver's face, looking for signs of anxiety or attempts to mask nervousness as they answered questions about their cargo. Joko checked the physical cargo and marked down anything unusual: packages that didn't match their size or shape, unfamiliar symbols on boxes, or items that didn't logically fit in with the rest of the declared goods. He would pause each time he came across a truck carrying goods unrelated to logistics hubs or having routes unfamiliar to the team's map, noting these irregularities with even more caution.
As the clock ticked down to the final day, Joko and Lia pressed on with their checks, knowing each truck that passed without incident only narrowed down their suspect pool but heightened the risk of missing the one critical vehicle they were after.
Maya's role at Pulogadung Bus Terminal was different but equally crucial. One of Jakarta's largest and most crowded bus terminals, Pulogadung was a chaotic scene, bustling with constant arrivals and departures. Amid the steady flow of travelers and drivers, Maya's task was to observe micro-expressions and subtle body language cues, looking for anyone who might seem out of place or unusually tense. Rano stood nearby, keeping a watchful eye to ensure her safety and assist if she needed help engaging with any bus driver.
As bus drivers milled around during their breaks, Maya focused on reading their expressions—searching for anything that betrayed more than just fatigue. She watched for signs like excessive eye-blinking, stiff postures, or drivers who glanced nervously around them. She knew that the kind of tension they were looking for would reveal itself in small, barely perceptible cues: hands gripping their cups too tightly, eyes darting towards the exits, or laughter that seemed a bit too forced.
Maya also turned her attention to the passengers stepping off buses. For travelers, arriving in a bustling city like Jakarta should bring a mix of relief and anticipation, but she was looking for something different—people who seemed too alert, too tense, or perhaps overly interested in blending in. As she scanned the faces in the crowd, she paid particular attention to travelers who kept their heads down, avoided eye contact, or seemed hyper-aware of their surroundings. Some seemed to adjust their bags nervously, or glanced frequently at their phones, while others wore facial expressions that flickered between tension and attempted indifference.
When she noticed a bus driver who seemed a bit too hurried to leave, Rano quietly stepped in, offering to help with a few questions. Maya observed from the side, noting the driver's clenched jaw and fidgeting fingers as he gave hurried answers. Another driver seemed overly friendly, laughing loudly with a forced confidence that didn't sit right with Maya. She continued her silent, intense observation, capturing these small details in her notebook.
Together, Maya's micro-expression analysis and Rano's support kept the terminal under a watchful, almost forensic eye. Every flicker of anxiety, every unusual gesture became a thread in the larger pattern they were piecing together. As the hours slipped away, she felt the weight of the impending threat, knowing they were inching closer to uncovering a plot hidden beneath everyday movement.
----------------------------------------End of Chapter 14-----------------------------------------------