Tension on the Upper Floor of Kembang Setaman Disco

  Giono: "Well, would you look at that! They're already clashing!"

  Rani: "Must be Sister Nagini."

  Rina: "The one fighting Mariana."

  After all, Rani and Rina had experienced Mariana's skill firsthand in the Ramayana basement some time ago.

  In fact, the two had been saved by Nagini, who blocked Mariana's attack with a small needle.

  Karsiyah reached into her pocket, gripping four marbles.

  Karsiyah: "Blast it all! Come on, let's hurry so we can help beat up Broto!"

  Ngatmo: "Truly amazing! If I were the one fighting, I'd probably have twisted something already!"

  Ngatmo Wijaya shook his head in awe at the waves of heat and cold radiating from both fighters.

  Tono merely wiped the cold sweat from his brow, though he too could feel the heat. But as a police officer, Tono always tried to think logically.

  They quickened their pace up the stairs.

  Moments later, they saw a door at the top.

  Reaching it, they were met with a tense scene:

  Nagini stood in front of Burhan.

  Broto, pale-faced, was holding Sawitri. His left hand clutched a black suitcase chained to his wrist.

  In his right hand, he pointed a pistol at Nagini and Burhan.

  Near the helicopter, Mariana stood in a low, solid stance. Her face was cold, her eyes glinting with anger.

  Meanwhile, in the four corners of the room, four heavily armed guards lay unconscious.

  Giono: "Well, damn!"

  Karsiyah: "Blast it!"

  Rani: "Sister Nagini!"

  Rina: "Brother Burhan!"

  Tono, seeing Burhan pale and weak, rushed to him.

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  Tono: "Are you all right, Burhan?"

  Burhan merely nodded.

  ***

  Nagini's Four Needles Bring Down Four Heavy Guns

  After clashing with Nagini's energy and seeing her four guards knocked out, Mariana's anger flared.

  She saw Nagini standing protectively in front of Burhan, in a low fighting stance, ready to strike.

  Behind Nagini were Giono, Ngatmo, Karsiyah, Rani, Rina, as well as Officer Tono and his two colleagues.

  Meanwhile, Broto still had his gun trained on Burhan, Sawitri behind him.

  Assessing the situation, Mariana thought realistically.

  Facing Nagini alone would already be troublesome—let alone if Giono, Ngatmo, Karsiyah, Rani, and Rina all joined in.

  What if they ganged up on her?

  Even if she won, Mariana might be badly injured.

  And if Tono and the police decided to open fire? Definitely not a good outcome.

  Meanwhile, Nagini looked at Sawitri with concern.

  Nagini: "Sawitri, go home! Your parents are worried about you!"

  Sawitri looked at Mariana, then back at Nagini.

  Sawitri: "But Sister Nagini… Madam's been kind to me."

  Nagini glanced briefly at Mariana.

  Nagini: "Come home with us, Sawitri…"

  Sawitri stood frozen—torn between staying with Mariana or leaving with Nagini.

  ***?

  Mariana's Decision

  Hearing Nagini's insistent call to take Sawitri home, Mariana considered the situation.

  She reasoned that Nagini only wanted Sawitri. If she let the girl go, Nagini probably wouldn't attack.

  Ngatmo, Karsiyah, Giono, Rani, and Rina were only after Broto.

  As for the police—only Tono was after her personally, and that wouldn't be difficult to handle.

  In a heartbeat, Mariana made her decision.

  Mariana: "Broto, let Sawitri go back to her parents!"

  Broto slowly lowered his gun, gripping the black suitcase chained to his left hand.

  Broto: "Yes, Madam."

  Mariana: "And you, Broto! Get on the helicopter now."

  Broto: "Yes, Madam."

  Broto turned and moved toward the helicopter, leaving Sawitri standing confused.

  Mariana: "And you, Sawitri… return to your parents."

  Sawitri looked bewildered, frozen in the tense atmosphere.

  ***

  Karsiyah Throws the Marbles

  Meanwhile, seeing Broto head for the helicopter, Karsiyah's anger boiled over.

  Karsiyah: "Blast it all! Where do you think you're going, Broto?!"

  She hurled the four marbles in her hand with full force.

  Whoosh!

  The marbles shot toward Broto.

  Seeing them fly, Mariana—ready for anything—snapped open her paper fan.

  Fwoosh!

  A wave of hot air blasted the marbles.

  Bang! Bang!

  Clink! Clink!

  The four marbles clattered to the floor, now glowing red-hot like tiny steel balls fresh from a forge.

  Karsiyah froze in shock, fuming.

  Karsiyah: "Blast it! Blast it!"

  Meanwhile, Broto, pale as ever, hurried to the helicopter door.

  Mariana stood guard beneath the helicopter, still in her strong stance, prepared for any follow-up attack.

  Sure enough, Nagini flicked her hand toward her—four needles shot forward with a faint chill in the air.

  They were Nagini's "number one" needles—the least dangerous kind.

  Naturally, Mariana deflected them with ease.

  With a single sweep of her fan, all four needles dropped to the floor.

  ***

  The GPS Tracker Needle

  But the four needles were just a distraction.

  In reality, Nagini had thrown five: four toward Mariana, and one special needle toward Broto.

  Not at Broto himself, but aimed at the black suitcase he was carrying.

  Thunk!

  The tiny needle stuck into the suitcase just before Broto boarded the helicopter.

  Strange!

  This was no ordinary needle—its tip had a tiny round bead, like a pinhead.

  That bead was a GPS tracker.

  How had Nagini come to possess such advanced tech at the tip of her needle?

  ***

  Tina Modifies the GPS Needle

  Three days earlier, at the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) office.

  Burhan and Nagini met Tina, a cyber-tech specialist at the KPK's digital unit.

  Burhan: "You called us, Tina?"

  Tina: "That's right, Mr. Burhan. Nagini's an expert at throwing needles, isn't she?"

  Burhan looked at Nagini.

  Burhan: "That's right, Tina. No doubt about it. Her needles can even beat bullets."

  Nagini stayed silent. Tina smiled faintly.

  Tina: "Good. I know you're after Mariana to rescue Sawitri."

  Burhan exchanged a glance with Nagini.

  Tina: "Mariana is cunning. She could disappear without a trace."

  Burhan and Nagini listened intently.

  Tina: "It'll be hard to track her again, especially since the police now have enough evidence to arrest her."

  Nagini: "So?"

  Burhan waited.

  Tina: "I have a plan."

  Burhan: "Meaning?"

  Tina: "To stop Mariana from escaping and vanishing, I've modified a needle to carry a GPS tracker."

  Nagini and Burhan looked at each other, then at Tina.

  Tina took a needle from a small box. Its tip had a tiny bead like a pinhead.

  She handed it to Nagini.

  Tina: "At the tip is the GPS tracker, Mr. Burhan."

  Burhan looked at Nagini as Tina adjusted her glasses.

  Tina: "Can you use it, Nagini?"

  Nagini weighed the needle in her hand, smiling faintly.

  Nagini: "Of course I can, Tina."

  To be continued