CHAPTER 55 : REINFORCEMENT

"They've returned, huh..." Syafiq moved alongside the other members of the Special Force, noticing the bodies of Strays lying abandoned in the middle of the road. The creature resembled a human with four arms, three fingers, and sharp claws; its elongated face and fused eyes bore two stab wounds on its chest."There are reports of five more abandoned mutated monster bodies... Some have also reported seeing a woman flying with two others and a large, exhaust-emitting car speeding down the highway," said a member of the Special Force holding a tablet, showing them the received reports. Syafiq turned to him."In just a short time, they've shown they can do a better job than us. Panic has arisen because the mutated monsters are dwindling, but they are still everywhere. The police and we sometimes fail to kill them. Mutated monsters will recover and return; we now know there are some who know and dare to attack people in their homes..." Syafiq moved towards the armored vehicle, observing the Stray bodies they had found being loaded onto a truck carrying goods."Will they get on our side?""We've betrayed them before, so I understand why they find it hard to trust us. We need to slowly show that we want the same thing... I don't want to be an enemy. Mutants using their powers for good. They are the key to our peace," Syafiq replied, entering the tank.They are our hope."The White Tigers are likely still around here. Yesterday, I met Danielle, one of their members. We fought, but I couldn't defeat him. His power is too dangerous and strong." Ali was on a video call with Khalid and Rose."I'll try to find out where they're operating now. They're definitely not in Klang anymore; I've searched everywhere but not even a single dust was found.." Ali added."They might not be in Shah Alam either... We can stop their operations here; it's also impossible in Kuala Lumpur because the Special Force is there." Khalid pondered, resting his hand on his chin."Usually, they will move their operations outside, going to other states. The members here might want to clean up the remnants of what they left behind," Rose replied."Fine, even if we can gather their 'remnants.' I need to find a way to get to Danielle as well. I can't let him go..." Ali clenched his fist."We will try to help in any way we can." Khalid smiled determinedly."For now, there's not much the police can do about the White Tigers. We have no intel at all. I'm sorry... but if you get anything, let me know immediately," Rose said."Alright.""Roger," Khalid and Ali responded in unison.After the video call ended, Khalid gathered all the HOPE members and explained what he discussed with Ali and Rose earlier."The only member of the White Tigers who is definitely still nearby is Danielle. A mutant with the power to control destruction and reality, a power that defies the laws of nature, even for mutants... He's too powerful and beyond our understanding," Khalid recalled the time he and the other HOPE members encountered Danielle. How easily he defeated them with his Chaos power."We're not done with those gangsters yet, huh. They're all strong. There are Strays under the control of the White Tigers and also Eric, a mutant with powers almost similar to Khairul's but whose body is fused with other Strays..." Kyoko sighed, remembering the Strays controlled by the White Tigers."Regardless, we need to try to halt any of their activities. At least, if we can slow them down or stop their operations altogether, that would be enough," Khalid suggested."As usual, we will carry out our investigation." Mikael replied."True. For Nasuha, Khairul, and Nur... You all just need to focus on exterminating Strays, but if we need you, I'll let you know. Is that alright?" Khalid looked at Nasuha, Khairul, and Nur, who were sitting at the end."We understand that we don't have the skills to assist in the investigation..." Nasuha smiled bitterly."I'm fine. I don't want to be a burden," Khairul replied."I don't understand at all what you all have been talking about from the beginning, so it's probably better that I don't get involved," Nur sighed."Alright. I'll think about what our plan will be now," Khalid said."Mutants, that's what the so-called 'Superhumans' we've seen before really are. Unlike mutated monsters, they still have the appearance and mind of a human, but they receive powers beyond our understanding from Mutant Cells..." Bella was addressing the leaders of Malaysia in a large hall. Everyone present there focused on listening to Bella's speaches. Police officers secured the hall, including Shaurya, who sat by the door."Now we have two Mutants under the Special Force's control. The information we obtained from them is that Mutant Cells come from another planet. There are aliens that spread them; on the night five months ago... The rain of colorful particles that day was the Mutant Cells," Bella continued, noticing Shaurya watching her as she spoke."Aliens?!""Is it possible that an entire country isn't aware of what's happening?""They're definitely hiding something from us! Do they think our country is so small and unimportant?!"Everyone in the hall began questioning other countries that might know about this information, but the Prime Minister remained calm. Bella then turned to him, bringing the microphone closer to her mouth."Thorough research is still being conducted. Human knowledge and our capabilities are not enough to fully understand what's happening. I stand here now to request the government's assistance. To provide full support so that we can find a way to understand and solve this problem..." Bella said, facing all the leaders before her, her gaze focused on the Prime Minister."The government's current approach to solving this problem is too short-term. Killing as many mutated monsters as possible... will only lead to more being created. We don't have the strength to fight the Mutants either; what happened in Putrajaya and Klang is proof. We are still very weak... We need a way to address this issue in the long term," Bella added, striking her hand on the table with determination.Everyone present fell silent, contemplating what should be done. Shaurya looked at Bella with admiration. She seemed to shine under the lights focused directly on her."Ms. Bella, you are right. We need a long-term solution to this problem. I won't hesitate or think twice. Whatever your lab needs, I will provide... as much as possible," the Prime Minister replied without hesitation, rising from his seat, a smile forming on Bella's and her lab assistant's faces."Thank you... Prime Minister.""You were amazing just now, Bella," Shaurya said, encountering Bella in the corridor of the building where they had their meeting. Bella smiled slightly."Thank you," Bella replied."And you're still keeping Sister Rose's secret.""Haha... You do like her, don't you, Shaurya?" Bella teased, and Shaurya smiled, but his eyes were sad."Everyone can see it... She's just the one that didn't notice..." Shaurya replied."Eh, are you serious?""Huh?"Bella looked at him curiously while Shaurya appeared confused."You... like Rose... I mean... like that?""How else would I like her? Huh?" Shaurya was perplexed."Ah... Hahahaha!" Bella laughed so hard she leaned against the wall, causing Shaurya's expression to shift to discomfort."I thought... you were just her loyal friend. Since you've been working together for so long, right? Turns out you've fallen in love with her," Bella sighed, and Shaurya let out a small groan."Do you think I have no chance?""C'mon, Shaurya... For me, you're the only one who has a chance with her." Bella encouraged him, and Shaurya looked a bit cheerful again."Oh? Really?""I understand the situation is awkward to tell her right now... But Shaurya, think about it. Rose is exhausted, with everything going on; love always gives us a boost, you know. Just like you, no matter how tired you are or the possibility of dying every day... you still choose to wear that uniform for her, right?" Bella explained, and Shaurya smiled again."More or less.""Anyway, good luck. If she rejects you... Well... What can you do, right? It's going to be super awkward for the next 10 years while you work, hahaha!" Bella walked away, leaving Shaurya to exhale deeply."Please..." he sighed to himself, lowering his small cap slightly.For several months since the arrival of the mutated monsters and the Mutants... Everything I understood about my job became confusing again. Especially back when the police had to fight Strays every day before the Special Human Force was established.Many officers were severely injured and died. Sister Rose always looked gloomy whenever we had to pull out the black plastic bags, yet she kept fighting.I've known Sister Rose for almost five years now... No matter what happens, she will make the right choice...At first, I was puzzled why she cared so much about those two Mutant kids, Khairul and Nasuha, but I realized... that's Sister Rose. Someone who will do anything to protect the innocent...She isn't just a police officer. Sister Rose is a beautiful human being... Once I realized that, it didn't matter that we broke the law; I chose to stay loyal to her."How did it go? Did Bella manage to win the government's support for her lab?" Rose asked as soon as Shaurya entered their office."Thank goodness, everything went smoothly," Shaurya replied with a smile."Good to hear. I'm sorry, Shaurya... I know you just got back from a tiring job, but I need you to help me with something. I got information from HOPE that some White Tigers members are still lurking nearby... We need to find reports or anything that can help us track them down." Rose stood up from her seat and moved towards Shaurya while explaining what was happening."No problem, sis. I can help with anything; I'll do it.""Okay, thank you, Shaurya. You're the only one I can rely on... Alright, let's start with—" Rose responded, and Shaurya focused on her as they walked out of the office.Am I in high school?It's really hard to express what I feel when I see Sister Rose..."Come on... and you lost to him?" Aisyah sighed, turning to Ali with a disappointed expression."Yes... and it was a terrible loss," Ali replied. They were both on Aisyah's balcony, Ali wearing his 'Masked Man' costume without the mask. Several buildings near Aisyah's apartment glowed, and a few vehicles were on the road."You can't win all the time, hero. But look at the results of your fight. Klang is one of the areas almost free of Strays and crime... Now people can go out a bit more safely; they know there's a guardian looking after them," Aisyah smiled, then pointed to the revitalized Klang. Ali smiled bitterly."I talked to some patients about you... After your fight with the White Tigers, you're no longer a secret. Many people feel relieved and safe because you're around, Ali... Believe me," Aisyah said."You're the same, Aisyah... With your power, you're saving the future for many people. More than I am," Ali replied, and Aisyah was surprised to suddenly receive praise."And no one knows about the good you do. You're more of a 'hero' than I am." Ali looked at her."Ah... Oh... Haha... So... what's your next step?" Aisyah asked awkwardly, diverting her gaze from Ali."Find anything I can get about the White Tigers... No matter what scraps it is. There must be a reason they're still here. They want something or are up to something," Ali returned to a serious focus, and Aisyah nodded in understanding."Just don't go and die, Ali..." Aisyah warned."I won't. You're here, right?" Ali replied."I'm not a God; I can't bring the dead back to life..." Aisyah looked at Ali in confusion."No... That's not what I meant... Ugh. I'm trying, okay? I'm trying," Ali sighed."I've heard a lot about you two... Welcome to the White Tigers, Syakir... Lilly," Danielle said with a smile as he met Syakir and Lilly in an empty restaurant. The three of them sat at a dining table with various Western dishes such as steak, burgers, and turkey laid out before them."So you're the one, Danielle... the second boss, right?" Syakir asked."I don't like being called the second boss. The leader of the White Tigers is White; I'm just a member with a higher rank. My job now is to find a way for the White Tigers to regain our foothold..." Danielle replied, pouring wine into glasses and offering them to Syakir and Lilly."I don't drink," Syakir said."Alright. How about you, Lilly?""I... can drink," Lilly replied, and Danielle poured wine into Lilly's glass."So what does the White Tigers want to do to come back? Alex hasn't talked much about our objectives right now. We're members of the White Tigers now; we deserve to know what you want to do, right?" Syakir asked again."You're eager, Syakir. I understand. But you guys just joined us... Let's celebrate first, get to know each other, and we can think about work another time. Besides, we can't rush things," Danielle advised, and Syakir let out a small sigh."Hmm, delicious..." Lilly said after tasting the steak that was served."I'm glad you like the food here, Lilly," Danielle smiled again, looking at Lilly enjoying her meal."How can there be a restaurant open during quarantine like this?" Syakir asked while cutting the steak with a small knife."With money, you can get anything, Syakir. I think you understand that," Danielle replied, and Syakir looked at him and then smiled slightly."Oh. I understand..."