Social service activities have been completed, and Dava Alendra feels tired. Together with his friends, they have managed to gather all donations and move them to the orphanage. Although sweat wet their clothes and body muscles feel sore, Dava feels there is its own satisfaction in doing this. There are valuable lessons that can be taken, but his mind is still focused on investigations about who actually damages the school server.
After that day, Dava decided to talk to the members of "The Most Wanted" in their usual places to hang out, at a roadside restaurant near the school.
"I've tried to find out more about Kevin," Dava said when they sat.
"And?" Alex asked, taking the menu to start ordering.
"I think he is not involved. Someone like Kevin is impossible to hack," Dava said.
"How do you know?" Daren asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Because he is not interested in technology, unlike us," Dava explained. "He is just an ordinary student who tries to run his life."
Fahri bit his burger before commented. "If so, we need to focus on others. Maybe we should find among students who are more active in the IT field."
"Like who?" Reyhan asked.
"I have several names in the head. For example, Fira. She is a member of a computer club, and she is good at programming," Dava answered.
"Fira?" Alex repeated. "He who likes to be alone and is always in the library? Why do we never think about him?"
"Listen, Kevin is interested in creating a problem, there may be a possibility that Fira can find out more about the server," Dava said. "We can't ignore it."
"Then, we have to talk to him," said Daren, excited. "He must know something."
The next day, the atmosphere at school was still tense. Dava went to the library, where he hoped to find Fira. He saw the girl sitting at the back table, with books and laptops open in front of him.
"Can I join?" Dava asked, approaching Fira.
Fira looked up, surprised.
"Oh, Dava. Sure. Please."
Dava sat next to him.
"I need help. We are trying to find out who ruined the server yesterday."
Fira looked at Dava seriously.
"I heard a lot about that. But I'm quite confused. Why are you curious? You're the one who was accused."
"I didn't do that. We are scapegoats. Someone uses our situation," Dava explained. "I want to know in detail about the log activity log. And I think you might be able to help me."
Fira paused for a moment, then nodded.
"I can help you. But I need a chance to find out that log. I have to do our system."
Dava smiled broadly.
"If you can get that, I already owe you enough."
Fira smiled a little, feeling happy because he received attention from Dava.
"But please remember, even if we find anyone who does it, we need proof."
"Okay. I promise not to harm you," Dava said.
When the break bell rang, Dava returned to his gang and gave a report.
"Fira agreed to help me. He will try to get the server activity log."
"Good! If we can find who did it, we might be able to clear our names," Reyhan said.
Suddenly, Bella appeared from the side, listening to their conversation. "Are you sure it's a good idea, Dava? Tracking what you don't know might only bring more problems."
Dava turned around, not too happy with Bella's presence there.
"This is none of your business. We can take care of ourselves."
"But you still have to be careful," Bella said, still trying to stay polite. "If someone has damaged the server, he could be much more dangerous. There is a possibility that you will be the next target."
Dava feels that Bella tries to take care.
"You don't want something bad to happen to us, right, Princess? Or maybe your plan is to progress us deeper?" Dava tone tends to widen the distance between them.
Bella looked doubtful, as if realizing that Dava would not accept it.
"It's up to you, Dava. I'm just warning."
Bella turned and left, while Dava felt a mixture of anger and annoyed with her.
"He has a purpose. I know that," Reyhan exclaimed.
"Just leave it, we have a more important job," Dava answered.
The following days passed quickly. Dava and his friends learn from Fira and try to analyze the log server obtained. Apparently, there are some unusual access to record. They found that there was access to the network from temporary devices, which could be considered suspicious.
Dava was happy because they were close enough to find the culprit.
"This can be a big clue," Dava said, pointing on the laptop screen when Fira showed a log.
"This comes from two circles, one of which is people who have enough knowledge in order to enter this way," Fira said seriously.
"We have to match it with the list of students in a computer club. Maybe we can find similarities," Daren suggested.
"And if we find the culprit, we can immediately report it to school," Alex said.
They began to match the data when Fira asked, "Are you sure that no one else has a reason to damage the server? Being an enemy will definitely not be fun."
"We know we are not liked, especially by Bella and friends," Dava answered. "But that is not a reason to do destruction."
"And I don't believe in that direction," Reyhan continued. "It could be all just a coincidence."
After matching the data and in a few hours spend time, they find something suspicious. There is one name that caught their attention: Niko Santoso, a new student who just joined their class.
"He is not a member of a computer club. But strangely, he is always seen around the incident. Sometimes he is very interested in what we do," Fahri said.
"And someone sees him to open access to the server when we are not in the lab," Dava added.
"I think we have to investigate further about him," suggested Daren.
Outside the study hours, Dava and his friends plan to track Niko's whereabouts. They do not want to cause a commotion, so they decided to disguise their search.
On Friday, when school was finished, Dava found Niko throwing trash outside of school. He is with his friends.
"Eh, Niko!" Dava exclaimed trying to look relaxed.
Niko stopped and looked at Dava with confusion.
"Yes, what is up?" he asked.
"We are curious about you. Listen, we hear you are interested in IT. Maybe we can exchange ideas," Dava said.
"Exchange of mind? What do you want to talk about?" Niko asked rather suspiciously.
"Let's come with us to the cafe. We discuss a number of things related to coding," said Dava.
Niko did not seem to believe. "You must have another goal, right?"
Dava smiled broadly.
"Ah, we just want to talk."
At the cafe, Dava and his best friend invited Niko to sit with them. The atmosphere became a little awkward.
"So, what do you know about the server at this school?" Dava opened the conversation.
Niko looked confused, averted his eyes around.
"Ah, not much. Just know enough for simple improvement."
"Really? Because I hear you look good enough in that. There are strange things lately on the server, maybe you can help us understand more deeply?"
"Looks like it's none of my business," Niko answered, looked a little tense.
Dava's friends exchanged views. This is clearly something wrong.
"Look, Niko," Dava tried to speak calmer. "We know something is happening. Actions that cause damage. Why not share with us what happened?"
Niko frowned, looking surprised. "I don't know what you mean."
"Don't lie," Reyhan exclaimed. "We have proof. We know you access the server."
Niko's face turned pale. He pressed his lips, trying to hold back.
Then Dava continued, "We don't want this problem to continue. If you are open, we can solve this well."
"You don't understand," Niko replied quietly. "This is more than that. There is something bigger behind all this."
Dava gasped.
"What do you mean? What do you know?"
But Niko just kept quiet and avoided their gaze. The atmosphere is getting tense.
"Niko, if you are not willing to share, we can't help you," Dava said.
Niko looks confused and scared. He squeezed the arm of his chair. "You don't understand."
"Or maybe, you are responsible," Reyhan interrupted.
Niko opened his mouth, but looked confused and scared.
"Please provide the information we need. If not, we have no other choice. We will bring all the information to the principal," Dava said.
Niko paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll say. But this is not that simple."
While in fact, Dava knows that larger conflicts are in front. And there is no way back.
Confession and a New Trap.
The atmosphere in the cafe became very tense. Niko Santoso sat stiffly, his face pale and his hands trembling holding the glass of mineral water he hadn't drunk.
"Start from the beginning, Niko," Dava asked, his voice flat but full of pressure. "What do you know?"
Niko took a deep breath.
"I... I didn't damage the server. I was just told to."
"Who?" Alex pressed.
"I don't know his name. He contacted me via anonymous message on the dark web. He offered me money to do something at school."
Dava frowned.
"Dark web? So you're a hacker?"
"Not a high-level hacker. I only know basic things. Usually I sell assignments or change grades for students who are willing to pay. That's my side job," Niko explained nervously.
"Continue," Dava ordered.
"That guy knew about your plan to harass Bella in the computer lab. He said he'd give me five million rupiah if I exploited the loophole you guys opened to access the server and flood it with junk commands until it crashed."
"And you did it?" Fahri asked angrily.
Niko nodded slowly, his eyes full of regret.
"He sent me half the money first. I did it from my house, using my laptop. I thought it was just a joke. I didn't know the damage would be that bad."
"Why didn't you stop after the server crashed?" Daren asked.
"Because... because he threatened me. He sent me messages, he knew everything about me, about my parents, my home address. He said if I talked, he would leak all my illegal activities to the school and the police. I was scared."
Dava listened intently.
"How do you guys communicate?"
"Always through an encrypted platform. He's the one who always contacts me. I can't contact him back."
"Do you have any proof? Chat logs? Transfer receipts?" Dava asked.
Niko nodded.
"I screenshotted some of the conversations and saved the transfer receipts. They're all on my laptop at home."
Dava thought for a moment.
"You have to give us all the evidence. And you have to be willing to testify that you did this on someone else's orders."
Niko looked panicked.
"No! He'll destroy me!"
"And if you don't, we'll destroy you now," Reyhan said threateningly.
"Wait," Dava raised his hand. "Niko, listen. This person is using you. And he's using us too. Now, the only way out of this is to work together. We'll protect your identity. We just need evidence to clear our names. After that, we'll help make sure this person can't touch you."
Niko looked doubtful.
"How can I trust you?"
"Because your choices are very limited now. Trust us, or face us and the mysterious person alone," Dava replied firmly.
Niko lowered his head, then nodded slowly.
"Okay. I'll give you the proof. But please, don't let anyone know I did it."
"We promise," Dava said.
They exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet the next day in a more private place for the data transfer.
The next day, in a deserted internet cafe, Niko gave Dava a flash drive containing all the evidence.
"This is all there is," Niko said.
Dava immediately opened the files on the internet cafe laptop. There were screenshots of conversations with strange usernames, proof of bank transfers from an account under a pseudonym, and even a voice recording sent by the mysterious person that had been disguised.
"This voice was altered with software," commented Fahri, who was listening.
"But this is enough to prove that someone else is responsible," Alex said with relief.
"Not enough," Dava argued. "This only proves that Niko did it on someone else's orders. But we don't know who the mastermind is. We need this person's real identity."
"Then what should we do?" Daren asked.
"We'll use bait," Dava replied. "Niko, you'll send this person a message. Tell them that the police have started investigating the server case and they suspect you. You can ask for advice on what you should do."
Niko agreed. He sent the message through the same platform.
A few hours later, a reply came.
"Don't panic. They have no evidence. Just stay quiet. If you stay quiet, you're safe."
"This person is very careful," Dava muttered.
"So?" Niko asked.
"Try asking again. Say you need assurance that you're completely safe. Ask to meet in person," Dava suggested.
Niko sent another message.
Not long after, the reply came even harsher.
"No meeting. Do as you're told and don't ask again. Remember, I'm always watching you."
The message was followed by a photo. A photo of Niko that was taken secretly when he entered the internet cafe this morning.
They all froze.
"He's watching us!" Reyhan shouted.
Niko immediately panicked.
"I'm out! I can't continue! He knows! He knows we're together!"
Dava held Niko's shoulder to calm him down.
"Calm down. He's just trying to scare you. He doesn't know for sure what we're doing."
But Dava himself felt uncomfortable. Someone was indeed watching their every move.
Meanwhile, at school, Bella was surprised because Dava and her gang suddenly looked very serious and often whispered. They were no longer making noise or bothering anyone.
"What's wrong with them?" Bella asked Anindi and Zara during lunch.
"Maybe they finally feel guilty," Zara replied.
"Or maybe they're planning something worse," Anindi added.
Bella observed Dava from across the cafeteria. She seemed to be discussing something seriously with Alex. There was something different about her demeanor.
Bella's curiosity began to grow. What really happened to Dava?
In the middle of the cafeteria, the student council president, Rendra, approached Dava's table.
"Dava, there's a community service evaluation meeting tomorrow. You have to attend."
Dava raised her head.
"We're still under punishment. Should we attend?"
"Yes. This is part of the punishment too. Listening to the evaluation," Rendra replied.
"Okay, we'll be there," Dava answered briefly and then returned to her conversation with Alex.
Rendra left a little disappointed because he didn't get any resistance.
Bella who saw that was even more surprised. Dava usually would have responded or at least shown an attitude of dislike. Now he just accepted it.
After school, Bella decided to follow Dava secretly. She was curious about what Dava and her friends were doing.
She saw them go to an internet cafe, not the one students usually go to. Bella waited outside, hiding behind a food stall.
A few moments later, she saw Niko Santoso coming out of the internet cafe with a panicked face, followed by Dava and the others. Dava said something to Niko which made him nod quickly and then leave with hurried steps.
Bella was even more confused. What was Dava's relationship with Niko? Niko was known as a quiet and unpopular kid.
Dava and her friends then parted ways. Dava walked alone towards the bus stop.
Bella dared to approach.
"Dava."
Dava turned, her face shocked.
"Bella? What are you doing here?"
"I want to know what you guys are doing. You guys seem very mysterious lately."
"It has nothing to do with you," Dava replied trying to avoid it.
"Is this about the server? Are you still looking for an excuse?"
Dava took a breath.
"Bella, trust me, this is more complicated than you think. Something is going on. Something dangerous."
"Dangerous? What do you mean?"
"I can't explain now. But please, stay out of it. This could be dangerous for you too."
Bella laughed sarcastically.
"You think I'll believe you? After everything you've done?"
Dava looked around, then looked at Bella seriously.
"I don't expect you to believe me. But for once, don't interfere. Trust me."
It was the first time Bella saw sincerity in Dava's eyes. Usually cold, they now looked a little worried.
"Okay," Bella said finally, for no apparent reason. "But one day, you have to tell me what happened."
Dava nodded slowly.
"One day."
Then Dava left, leaving Bella still curious and confused by her own feelings.
Meanwhile, from behind the window of a black car parked nearby, someone watched the two of them. His fingers tapped the steering wheel in satisfaction.
"Go on, Dava. Go on. The more you investigate, the deeper your trap becomes."