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105 | A Little Fun
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The LGBT Gang, Kacey, and I were back together in Gary's car. The smell of alcohol wafted from the mouths of my friends. Even so, I did not mind. After all, they did not seem too drunk either. Perfect for attending music concerts.
"Hey, Langley?" asked Gary from behind the wheel, "are we going back to Saltyville Square?"
"Yes, let's go straight there," I replied.
Gary nodded then typed something on his phone. Looks like he was texting someone.
As we drove towards the Saltyville field, we saw that there were many people also flocking to the same destination as us. There were children, men, women, and even parents who did not want to miss the Refuse and Resist concerts.
Not long after, my cell phone rang a dial tone. Apparently, the call was from Jack the punk boy.
"Yes!" I said, "What's wrong Jack?"
“Where are you, Brother Langley?” asked Jack.
"I'm in Saltyroth with my friends and now on my way to Saltyville Square,
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 106 | Refuse and Resist
Just as Gerald and two of his men arrived, then, the crowd roared from the front of the stage. They were calling out the name of our band, Ryg's.The MCs also tried to calm the impatient crowd. A moment later, dozens of people carried bags, suitcases, and crates were seen bursting into the stage door, then climbed the stairs and disappeared behind the backdrop."Looks like it's our turn to go on stage," said Big K."Okay, let's rock Saltyville," Cole said.Santos was alone as usual. He just stretched his fingers.While the three of them were warming up, Kacey suddenly approached me."Looks like you don't need a scarf this time?" Kacey asked."But I need something to cover my face," I said."Use this," said Gerald, suddenly surprising me. “I know you need it, Che.”I looked at Gerald's hand. Apparently, he gave me a black cloth that I recognized. The black cloth I used to cover part of my face at Ryg's concert
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 107 | Refuse and Resist 2
At the end of our performance, Big K said that Che's appearance together at Ryg's in Saltyville was the last time. After performing at Saltyville Square, Che will play with The Boumerrank."Let's congratulate Che," said Big K, "hope that during his time with The Boumerrank, he doesn't forget the struggle for the people."I, behind my mask, just smiled while enjoying my hands towards the audience who were clapping congratulating me.After that, we got off the stage, and my friends immediately greeted me from below. Especially Kacey, who immediately took me."You're cool," Kacey whispered as she took off my mask without permission.It was as if I had become her boyfriend so that she could do anything to her lover. Even so, I did not care. It was also possible that Kacey did not like me to linger in Julia's cloth.“That was so cool!” said Tiffany, as usual, starting a conversation."Thank you," I replied.“The la
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 108 | Refuse and Resist 3
"I heard you guys were talking about me?" asked Vincent."Forgive us, Langley asked about parliament supporting the surreptitious eviction of Saltyville," Big K explained."Is that true, Lang?" asked Vincent."Yeah, I'm curious, why the parliament is not speaking against the city government," I said."You know the majority of MPs are supporters of Mayor Jamaal," Cole said."Yes, I know that," I replied, "I mean, why aren't there voices of disapproval from the opposition, for example."“Actually, my party has tried a no-confidence motion against the mayor of Jamaal,” explained Vincent, “but politics is not that simple. Moreover, the coalition of parties supporting the government is very strong in parliament.”"That's why you ran for mayor?" I asked."Yes, that's true," replied Vincent, "the only way to cancel the eviction is to win the mayoral election. In other words, it's in the voice of the people."
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 109 | Involvement
I did not understand what Vincent means when he says he's here to find out something to do with IMD, Guysville and Saltyville.At that moment, I thought back to the conversation I had with Zoey under the fig tree that night. The night when we admired the stars.At that point, I asked Zoey if it was really IMD that attacked Guysville in Newton Regency. Zoey then confirmed it.I then asked her if she was sure about that. The problem was, this had not been proven in court. Indeed, several people in a turban were caught. But law enforcement did not find any connection between them and the IMD.That was the legal fact, as stated by GCP Franz Labossy. He said that at the In-Depth with Aaliyah some time ago."Of course, I'm sure it was them," Zoey replied me at that nigt.I then asked her how she could be so sure.Zoey then revealed things that she had heard from city officials when she became a tribute to them. The IMD, said Zoey, would del
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 110 | The Activist
I faintly heard Vincent Limantoro's name being shouted. Apparently, the villagers of Saltyville asked Amelia's eldest brother to give a speech. I thought it is appropriate for a candidate for mayor to assert himself in front of the oppressed citizens."Looks like you were summoned," I said."Yes, I think so," replied Vincent.Vincent then turned to one corner of the stage and called the committee. He asked him. It seemed that the committee has the authority to set the schedule."How? Can I give my speech now?" asked Vincent.The committee rushed to ask their colleagues for consideration, then said they agreed. Vincent was invited to come on stage to give a speech. But only 15 minutes. Vincent agreed.Vincent also said goodbye to us and stepped into the center of the stage. I could see her confidently in the sea of people in Saltyville Square.After giving a boringly trivial remark, Vincent then got to the heart of his speech. He fir
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 111 | The Activist 2
In the midst of the excitement of Vincent Limantoro giving a speech about his family, Santos suddenly opened his mouth. He confirmed Vincent's story about Benjamin.Santos started talking again about the nostalgia of being a student. When the left palm was clenched in the air. When a human child was not afraid to die. When the campus really becomes a localization for young intellectuals.But now, said Santos, the campus has been reduced to a factory that produces capitalist men.I was offended because I was the only one who was still a student among the Ryg's members.“Back in the 70s and 80s,” said Santos, “Shu Benjamin was a student when he was one of the loudest critics of the New Order.”Yes, I still could not believe that Shu Benjamin - who was a quiet Wigan Chinese - was an ex political activist."Until the end, the New Order government became angry and injected political movements on campus to death," continued
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 112 | Mastermind
Listening to stories from Big K and Santos about Benjamin Limantoro's heroism amazed me. You see, Benjamin was a quiet person and did not talk much. But who would have thought that he was once a respected activist?In fact, he had principles that he still holds today. Not cooperating with the government. Moreover, the Surabaya government, led by Mayor Jamaal Alrasheed. Because of that, the garment business was just like that, never getting rich.Even so, it actually amazed me. Benjamin's children had become humble Chinese in the villages of Wigan and Certajava.I remembered Amelia Limantoro. How was she? Should I send her a message? She was already staying with me when I was in shock that my house was attacked.But now I was with her brother, Vincent Limantoro, who is giving a speech on stage."What are you thinking?" Kacey suddenly startled me."It's okay," I said, "I'm just admiring the Limantoro family.""Yeah, I've heard about Ben
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 113 | Mastermind 2
"He is the leader of the Surabaya mafia," said Gerald, looking straight into my eyes, "you are from Surabaya, but you don't know him. Very weird?""I'm not one to get involved in that sort of thing," I said defensively.In fact, in my mind, I wanted to say that Brody was my uncle. However, I still could not believe that the two corpses are Uncle Brody's men. Were the two people really ordered by my uncle, or did they act alone?"Yeah, you're more suited to just playing music," said Gerald sarcastically.“Then what do the police know about this Brody?” I asked."Do you really want to listen?" asked Gerald, still looking into my eyes as if suspecting something."Yes, of course, tell me," I replied.Gerald then explained that his old man was the most powerful person in the underworld in the city of Surabaya. The thugs in this metropolitan city even submit to him."If that one person has said something, it will happen,"
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In the Name of the Sacred Tree 283 | The End
News of my arrest spread rapidly and wildly - from surrender, twisted by the Indonesian Herald by forced arrest. The wave of mass demonstrations was getting bigger in Surabaya.Until one day, a man was demonstrating alone carrying the body of a woman in the Surabaya House of Representative building yard which was recorded by television broadcasts. A moment later, he poured gasoline over his body and the old woman's body. Then, he started a fire which quickly burned himself and the body he was carrying.Everyone knew that he was Mr. Wayan who intended to show his protest by presenting himself and his wife in front of the people's representatives. He had a desperate on the government.When that happened, I was in the detention room.All the prisoners present stood up to learn of Wayan's self-immolation on television. I thought the prisoners would kill him for being the instigator of this distressing incident. Apparently, they even cursed the authorities. Th
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 282 | The Black Mask Movement
Julia then revealed that her pregnancy was actually from my seed. Therefore, Julia asked in return whether it meant that the child she was carrying was a bastard child too. That was why Julia was forced to accept Gerald's marriage proposal to cover my disgrace.I asked Julia why she hadn't said that earlier. Julia admitted that she had tried but was afraid to ruin my happiness. At that time, I received a phone call from Quinn if I was appointed as Hendryx's replacement at The Boumerank. Besides, I was already a famous person. Julia was afraid of damaging my image and defaming Bradley.I also asked how could this happen? Julia reminded me of when I lay in the courtyard of a closed Middle Eastern restaurant. That night, I forced Julia to make love to vent my frustration.I asked why Julia didn't refuse or fight me. Julia admitted that if she fough
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 281 | The Bastard
When my mother found out that I wrote a book, she could only cry. I softly asked Lidia again. Lidia admitted that she did not want one of her loved ones to be lost in front of her again.Lidia finally told how Bradley disappeared. At that time, Brad and George were advocating for Saltyville residents not to be evicted by the government. The reason at that time was the same, namely the eviction of the brothels. The goal was to control coastal land to build an industrial complex.Bradley struggled on the pitch staging protests, while George, a journalist, struggled through writing. Because George's writings were considered threatening, he was hunted down by a group of unknown people. George during the New Order era was more famous than Bradley because of his profession as a critical journalist.One day in February 1998, a group of people dressed i
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 280 | Saltyroth Rhapsody
I visited Aisha at her palace at Royal Certajava. There, I asked Aisha if it was true that the Rasheed's were eyeing a new source of oil in Saltyville. Aisha said she knew, but was not involved.I asked, why didn't Aisha try to block her family's intentions? There were thousands of people living on the land of Saltyville. Aisha replied that she was only a Muslim woman. She had no power to decide. I accused Aisha of enjoying the result.Aisha started crying, telling me this was not what I accused her family of. I asked, then how exactly. Aisha replied she couldn't expose it.Then, I clashed with Aisha by accusing her of being hypocritical because she pretended not to know what was going on. We both mourned each other and move away from each other.So it was with Kacey.
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 279 | Investigation
Knowing that I again urged my mother to talk. However, Lidia did not budge. Then, I said goodbye and would find out for myself and continue Bradley's struggle. Lidia strictly forbade my intention. But I was determined.Based on clues from Brad's book and Zoey's notes, I and Amelia, with Vincent's help, discover the mode of money laundering by the Rasheed and Schielhort families. Bribes to and from Jamaal, Syahnaz, Fatima, and Malloch, were deposited through the CLIF Foundation and Islamic boarding schools and houses of worship as a form of charity.Besides, some were used to establish Islamic boarding schools in Jombang and Madura. This was done by asking one of the pesantren students to be used on his behalf. That way, the Rasheed and Torstein families were not legally touched. An example was Bowie.While tracing this dirty practice, I continued to experience terror.Exploring further to Jakarta, I also discovered a flow of money to state officials. The
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 278 | Bradley's Diary
The next day, I asked my mother, Lidia, about Saltyville in more detail. The village elders refused to talk about it unless Lidia had already told me. And how did Bradley relate to all of this? But Lidia refused to talk about Bradley and Saltyville.I insisted that I read old documents at the Dr. Sue Thompson Regional Hospital. The document stated that there was the name of Lidia Tanoto, who gave birth to twins without a father. Lidia didn't budge.I was not broken. Then, I rushed to the warehouse of my house. I unpacked old chests and suitcases that were there. Every old document I read to find what I looking for. But, actually, I didn't know what I was looking for. I only knew Bradley and Saltyville.Then there was a clean pocketbook, tied with ropes from torn cloth. I opened it slowly because the book had rotted with age. In the book, apparently, Bradley wrote his daily life up to three days before mysteriously disappearing.In the book, Brad wrote abo
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 277 | Burning Revenge
After Brody investigated, it was Troy who was about to collect Zidan's debt from Jamaal. Troy told Jamaal that Zoey was somewhere in Newton and would kidnap her as bail. Shortly after, there was an IMD raid into the Guysville prostitution complex that left three people dead.We said Brody - referring to himself and Troy - concluded that the mastermind behind the brothel attacks was the Rasheed's. Brody also revealed that the most responsible behind Calliope's past to bring down Jamaal was Vincent. I was surprised.Brody added that Vincent found out from Zidan. And the Zidan was pretending to be angry and running away from the house so as not to stand out, that he was the one who leaked it.I also asked, how did Zidan know if Calliope was Zoey aka Melody? Well, therein laid the mystery. Who told Zidan? Said Brody.I further asked why Brody was willing to let Zoey go to me. Brody answered because I was his nephew.Then, I was reminded of Troy. Actual
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 276 | Climax
Then, suddenly the rumor spread that Vincent Limantoro was a descendant of communists. Vincent's family said the issue once defended Saltyville because they wanted immorality to continue in Saltyroth. George Limantoro was touted as a dissident against the regime.Shortly, Mayor Jamaal announced three villages, not two, whose citizens were asked to leave immediately. The problem was, the three villages would be evicted by the authority in a couple of days. The three villages were Saltyville, Wigan, and Certajava. For Saltyville in particular, the eviction would be the next day.Those facts made me even angrier. I ignored Brody's advice to remain silent. At a concert that refused the eviction in Saltyville, I participated in openly voicing my rejection of Jamaal.At that concert, I was no longer wearing Che's robes. I wanted the world to recognize me and the voices I represented.Then hundreds of IMD masses suddenly attacked Saltyville. There were clashes b
In the Name of the Sacred Tree 275 | Dangerous Teror
It was Santos. To me, Santos confessed that he and other service officials travel to Singapore for a comparative study on the construction of city parks also the cleanliness rules. He gambled in his spare time. At first, I understood Santos's reasons.We then talked about music and other things. We didn't have much time together because Santos had to leave, while Quinn and I went back to the hotel.The next day, I had a concert with Boumerank. As usual, the atmosphere is always lively. After that, we all returned to Indonesia.Day by day, Zoey's life began to improve. I had also kept his promise to fulfill Zoey's dream of becoming a singer.However, when everything seemed fine, I and Zoey were suddenly hunted down by strangers. They demanded me and Zoey shut our mouths or be killed. Zoey and I at first thought it was someone from Zoey's past.In the midst of her popularity, news spread that Calliope was a former drug addict and prostitute with the
