Another Peaceful Day

Indra's petition was signed by 50,000 people, but the regional government dismissed it, and business continued as usual. A quicksand won't stop Indra from striving for his goal, with a mettle made of galvanized square steel and an implant resting close to his meninges.

"Ayu, explain to me. How can I be a governor of this region?"

"Yes, master, the government system is pretty much the same as any other region in Indonesia. Considering you're of lowly position and strong implementation of meritocracy… You must start from the very bottom… Please wait… Recalculating… You can work your way up, starting as a representative of your urban village, Caturtunggal. Once you've become a member of this region's House of Representatives, you may nominate yourself as a governor candidate. That is if you work hard, win the hearts and minds of the people, and have a partner as your vice governor."

"I'm 30 now, so it shouldn't be a problem. The problem is my partner; I haven't found one. Would you like to be a vice governor with me, Ayu?"

"Yes, I will do anything to be of your service. In order to do that, you have to activate the humanoid droid. My consciousness will be cloned and transferred into that droid. In order to avoid legal issues, we must make a written statement and submit it to the government and my manufacturer, Droidatus."

"No problem!"

"What? Are you sure about having me as your partner? Why don't you search for a human that can accompany you as vice governor?"

"Humans make mistakes, droids and A.I. aren't. Plus, it's legal anyway, as long as there's a written statement. Many regions in this world allow A.I. to be a vice governor, governor, minister, or even president. I don't see that as a problem."

"But you're human; what if you make mistakes?"

"I have you to check all my decisions and policy making. I can turn on overdrive mode on my Neurotik implant as well."

"No need to turn on your overdrive mode; you'll only last a month before laying on a revival bed and have 9 chances left before your natural death arrives."

"Alright then, let's get started. First off, writing a statement!"

"We have ten thousand pages to complete. Are you sure you want to write it on your own?"

"Yup, I just turned on painkiller mode for my right shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, and hand. Just give me some papers. Typing it and sending it through e-mail would've been easier if a human authenticity system didn't exist."

"Very well, my condolences to you, master."

Bayu and Iwan sleep together through noon. At night, they rethink their previous decision.

"Wan, what've we done?"

"No idea, I just hope that there are no grieve consequences from our action."

"For real, rambling on so many forums was tiring. I hope my account won't get banned."

"Yup, even if you make a new account, the app still knows it's you. Except if you erase all traces of your identity. ID account, driving license, membership account, bank account, and passport… Become a hermit and make a new identity from scratch. I don't think I'll be able to do it."

"I can!"

"Are you kidding me? Don't tell me you're so hungry that your brain just short-circuited."

"Nope, I'm good. But I have to agree with you; that decision was poorly made, and we cringed ourselves to death."

"Absolutely right! I don't think I can forgive myself. How about you?"

"Psychotherapy mode of my healing is still working, so no problem. Meditating always works, so why don't we meditate together? You rarely do it, right?"

"My legs will enter a state of pin and needles for a long time. The last time I meditated, I couldn't walk properly. I ended up crawling around for an hour even though I've healed my legs."

As Bayu finished talking, the sound of adhan soars into the sky. It's quarter past seven, the time for Isha prayer. The Muezzin is a gerong, so the adhan has a distinct vibrating sound that is loved by children. Bayu changes clothes and goes to the mosque. Iwan is still at Bayu's house like a watchdog, sitting, walking around, and looking out the window.

A three-tiered roof mosque with massive open space and a welcoming aura. There is no wall, only wooden beams and a long room for the toilet, wudu, and equipment storage. At the very top, a sliver three-tiered crown with a pearl-shaped tip. Fish ponds surround the mosque and look over the beams and rattan ceilings. Apparent remnants of Hindu-Buddhist culture. It's the same for Iwan's church, but that's for another time. Bayu's finished praying.

"Thanks for waiting, Wan, now who's a good boy?"

"Since I've done my job, it's your turn to give me food. Lamenting our past deed ain't helping, let's get a grub."

"You want a grilled chicken?"

"Sounds good to me!"

They travel far and wide to a grilled chicken food stall. A sign confuses Iwan. 'ayam bakar Sukabumi' (Sukabumi grilled chicken). In the same dish, each region has its own touch. This time, it's misreading. Iwan reads it as 'ayam suka bakar bumi' (chicken like to burn the Earth), but all this confusion is cleared up with a nice talk and dinner. A yellowish chicken with black scars of flame, the spices kick in really nice. Iwan only grabs the breast and thighs, and the rest goes to Bayu with extra rice.

Going all the way to Parangtritis for a whole grilled chicken, fragrant uduk rice, and tea is surely worth it. While heading to Kretek station, they passed the scorched village, which was enclosed and off-limits for everyone. Trucks and construction workers were outside the enclosure, silent to anyone else except themselves. But Iwan and Bayu overheard those workers.

"exclusive housing? Who would buy a house here? It'll be better if this whole place turns into a city because the only amenities here are a train stations, roads, bus stops, bike paths, and neighbouring villages in the distance."

Iwan and Bayu are shocked. Their phones are jammed and unusable. Without clear evidence, their information is useless. So Bayu wants Iwan to meet his friend, an expert in investigation.

Notes:

Muezzin: The person who recites the adhan.

Gerong: Javanese male chorus singer.

uduk rice: Rice cooked in coconut milk.