The Advanced Drone Takes Flight
A large building on the slopes of Mount Merapi.
Broto watched Mardian's deft hands assembling the drone.
Mardian: "It's ready, Boss. Just need to sync it."
Broto said nothing, simply watching Mardian's work while thick smoke curled up from his clove cigarette.
Mardian: "Sync complete! The drone's ready to fly."
Broto: "Launch it immediately!"
Without replying, Mardian carried the drone outside. Moments later, he returned and grabbed the drone's controller, eyes locked on the laptop screen linked to it.
Blip!
The laptop screen lit up, showing an aerial view of the building.
Mardian: "Drone is operational!"
Broto shook his head in admiration, clicking his tongue.
Broto: "Can you detect the intruder who shot it down?"
Mardian: "Of course!"
Mardian worked the controls, the laptop display shifting as the drone maneuvered.
***
Mariana Has Been Waiting
Inside the headquarters building.
Broto kept his eyes on the laptop screen beside Mardian, scanning for a heat signature—an intruder who had taken down their earlier drone.
Suddenly, Broto heard light footsteps approaching.
Broto: "Madam…"
It was Mariana. She wore a fitted black outfit—both her shirt and pants elastic and sleek. In her right hand, a folded paper fan.
Mariana: "What's the commotion, Broto?"
Broto: "Our recon drone was shot down."
Mariana: "Oh, really?"
She didn't look surprised. Her smile stayed razor-thin.
Broto: "But Mardian has launched another drone and is hunting the intruder."
Mariana sat on the sofa in front of them. Her paper fan snapped open.
Mariana: "I knew they'd chase us all the way here, Broto."
Broto: "What do you mean, Madam?"
Mariana: "Let them in. I've been waiting for them."
Broto straightened, tense.
Mardian: "Bad news, Boss! Drone feed shows the airspace over Yogyakarta has been locked down temporarily by the Air Force."
Broto: "Madam… we can't leave by helicopter."
Mariana's smile tightened. Her eyes gleamed, jaw set like stone.
Mariana: "We're not running anymore, Broto."
Broto: "Understood, Madam."
Mariana: "Let them come in. I'll deal with them myself."
Broto: "Understood, Madam."
Broto quickly broadcast the order for every guard and security personnel in the building to be on full alert.
Meanwhile, Mardian kept operating the drone, his own face tense.
---
The Police–KPK Team Advances
Meanwhile, on the slopes of Merapi.
Tono: "Look! The building is right ahead."
Burhan: "Wait. We're close now."
Without being told, Rudin raised his handheld binoculars toward the building.
A drone could be seen rising vertically from inside the compound.
Rudin: "You're right, Burhan! They've launched a recon drone!"
Tono: "You mean… a combat recon drone?"
Rudin adjusted the focus—on the drone's body was mounted a gun barrel.
Rudin: "Damn! That's an armed drone—ready to fire!"
The entire team tensed. Faces went pale.
Burhan quickly pulled his phone from his pocket.
Burhan: "Hello, Tina. Can you jam the drone's signal over Mariana's headquarters?"
Tina's voice came from the other end:
Tina: "Of course, Burhan! I've been tracking your movement… and Mariana's people inside the building."
Burhan: "About the drone, Tina… We're moving in."
Tina: "Hold on a second, Burhan."
To be continued