“I hope Nara is doing alright, wherever she is…” Panji thought while riding on his bike, a flicker of concern crossing his mind. He remembered the promise he made to her father…
Meanwhile, in Canada, Nara had joined a brigade filled with deranged and mentally unstable individuals known as the Bastard Brigade. This was another one of Zion's tactics to break the stalemate in combat. They were used for sabotage missions or to carry flamethrowers into enemy territory—a risky job, but it paid off.
Nara, with her twisted sense of pleasure, saw this as an opportunity to stand out among the crazies. Little did she know, she might actually belong to their level of madness. She wanted to prove something; she craved attention. That’s what she craved. Too bad her attention was focused on the wrong person—Panji
The towering skyline of Triple Towers loomed ahead, three colossal structures reaching for the sky. Chrome shook his head, a smirk on his lips. “TT… heh, what a ridiculous name for a den of thugs.”
Panji narrowed his gaze. “Yeah, well… are you sure about this? It could be a trap.”
Chrome shrugged, glancing at the other Valkyrie members. “We could die with you or without you, so…” He took a deep breath. “Death is all that lies ahead.”
Panji nodded, determination set in his eyes. “Alright, let’s do this.”
The lobby was stark and sterile. A brooding guard stood at the entrance, arms crossed. “Only three can enter. All weapons must be left here.”
Chrome chuckled, unstrapping his arsenal with a flourish—chains, knuckles, three pistols, a sawed-off shotgun, a machete, and grenades clattered to the floor. “Heh… did you think I’d bring my entire arsenal?”
“Did you forget your automatic rifle?” the guard quipped, unimpressed.
As they neared the elevator, they encountered the Steel of Angles gang. Tension crackled in the air as they exchanged glances,they are the rival gang, but then moved on without uttering a word.
“Maybe only one of us will die,” Chrome mused with a grim smile as they crowded into the elevator.
The elevator dinged as it reached the top floor. They stepped out into a lavish office, where a woman sat behind an imposing desk, dressed in a military-style suit. Her white hair framed a face that was both striking and formidable.
“Ohh… finally, you’ve arrived,” Kassandra purred, a sly smile curling on her lips.
“Kassandra, my love,” Panji replied, feeling a mix of relief and tension wash over him.
She tapped her fingers against her lips, listening intently as Panji recounted their harrowing journey. “Only a few have access to the technology you mentioned… the White State has it.”
“Yeah…” Panji said, his brow furrowing.
Vita leaned forward, curiosity piqued. “Wait. So you’re not mad at us?”
“Not at all. This might be our fault too. We’ve heard rumors of rebellion in the south for some time. But… sigh… we’re about to start a war with neighboring countries. Zion thinks spreading this news will hurt morale,” Kassandra explained, her tone grave.
“Okay, what about those who were chasing us? And why did we run into the Steel of Angles?” Panji pressed.
“I don’t know who’s after you. As for the Steel of Angles, I only told them not to get involved,” Kassandra replied, her tone curt.
Vita crossed her arms, skepticism etched on her features. “So you’re here trying to fix things?”
“HA! Of course! That’s my job. What do you think I am?” Kassandra shot back. Panji thought to himself, 'She talks about fixing things, but it feels like she's just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Chrome interjected, “But something smells fishy here… what’s with the news on TV?”
“Good question. All news in this country originates from California. Everything that comes in is monitored by the Free World Council,” Kassandra explained, her voice steady.
“Oh, really? But the convoy incident took less than a day to broadcast,” Panji noted, suspicion creeping into his voice.
“You’re right about that. There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding it. But for now, this is all I can tell you,” Kassandra replied, her gaze locking onto Panji. “And why are you still wearing that old patched jacket? What happened to your billion?”
“WUT?! One billion?” Chrome and Vita echoed in disbelief.
As they exited the office, Chrome turned to Panji. “Alright, buddy. You’ve got a story to tell us… you’re not poor anymore, are you? Your little village in Africa must have gold floors.”
“Yeah, that’s true… a lot has happened,” Panji admitted, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
“Why are you still here?” Vita pressed.
“That’s something I… really want to know the answer to,” Panji replied, his expression darkening.
Later, Panji’s phone buzzed, startling him. It was Techno. “Hey! Did you escape the witch’s grip? … Good. Meet me at the garage, quick!”
Vita sighed, rolling her eyes. “Very funny…”
At Techno’s garage, a sense of urgency filled the air. “I found a link in the robot we discovered yesterday,” Techno said, excitement bubbling in his voice. “I posted it on a forum, and people have been spotting similar robots in the sewers and on rooftops.”
“Hey, wait a minute… what forum?” Panji asked, brow furrowed.
“Internet, stupid!.. yes that old legend. I can access anything there. That’s why I have a higher IQ than… ‘Valkyrieee’,” Techno replied, grinning.
Panji sighed. “Why are they finding these things in sewers or on roofs?”
“Dunno, maybe the batteries died? Or they crashed? Oh, yeah, sometimes they hit car windows too,” Techno chuckled.
“How long have these robots been showing up?” Panji inquired.
“Well… the earliest post about these robots is around two years ago. They’re still pretty new… hot news,” Techno explained.
“Do we have any clues about where they’re coming from?” Panji pressed.
“Hmm… I don’t know. There are conspiracy theories flying around, even aliens, but I think that’s all nonsense. Not a single one of them has a real profile picture or bio,” Techno snorted.
“Oh really? What about your own account?” Chrome chimed in with a smirk.
“Hey! Only idiots reveal personal information online!, pokemun, facebik, they all goverment tools!” Techno retorted.
“Alright… hmhm…” Panji muttered, deep in thought.
Techno continued, “But I might just have a feeling… the posts about these robots seem to be centered around California, like Cascadia and Las Vegas. More people in those areas seem to have computers than elsewhere.”
“Of course…” Panji mused, piecing it all together. He thought, 'It's always the centers of power that cause the most trouble. Like those ancient cities, attracting all the wealth and causing all the problems
Vita chimed in, “So, are we heading there? Or do you want to see those two kids first, Panji?”
“Well… I’ll let fate decide,” Panji said, pulling out a coin. “If it lands heads, we go to California. If it’s tails, we head to Canada.”
“An excellent choice for a madman. Good luck,” Techno laughed.
“This is it,”
Panji flipped the coin into the air, watching it spin against the backdrop of uncertainty. As it landed, a vision flickered in his mind—an image of the iconic California skyline, bathed in sunlight.
“YES! Gambar!” he exclaimed, a grin breaking across his face.
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Vita and Chrome exchanged glances.
“Um, so we’re going to California?” Vita asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course,” Panji affirmed, excitement bubbling within him.
Back at the Valkyrie Bar, the familiar dim light and the smell of stale beer were a welcome sight. Bart, the bartender, looked up from wiping down the counter. “California, huh? Heard you’re heading west. If you see the Red Highway, grab me a shot, will ya? That place is iconic. I’d love to hang a picture of it on the wall.”
Panji chuckled. “Sure thing, Bart. If I remember.” He slid onto his usual stool, a weariness settling over him despite the successful meeting with the Lord.
Later, as the bar emptied and the remaining Valkyrie members drifted off to sleep, Panji found himself alone with Vita. He rubbed the side of his head, a grimace twisting his features. “Damn implant’s acting up again.”
Vita’s brow furrowed. “Still giving you trouble?”
“Constant sting,” Panji muttered. “Worse since we left the Free World. Feels like it’s amplified out here.”
“That explains the… jumpiness,” Vita observed, her eyes narrowing. She reached into her bag and pulled out a syringe. “Hold still.”
“What’s that?” Panji asked, tensing.
“Something to take the edge off,” Vita replied, injecting him in the back of the neck before he could protest.
“Au! What the—?” Panji exclaimed, rubbing his neck. A wave of drowsiness washed over him.
“Night, Panji,” Vita said softly, covering him with a blanket.
The next morning, Panji stood before the cracked mirror in the back room, examining the faint mark on his neck. “Thanks, Doc,” he muttered as Vita passed by, already dressed and ready to go.
“Anytime,” she replied with a tired smile.
Back in the main bar area, Bart had the news on. A headline flashed across the screen: “Gang Boldly Attacks Council, Valkyrie Shooting at SUVs.”
Panji took a sip of his drink, a wry smile twisting his lips. “Well, looks like we’ve been framed.”
Chrome burst into the bar, his booming laughter echoing through the room. “Rise and shine, you sleepyheads! Eat! Drink! Get your fill of music and mayhem! Because tomorrow, we going to fucking hell!”
As they rode, the Valkyrie spotted a group of bald bikers in dark shades parked by the side of the road. The Steel of Angels.
“We’re not looking for trouble,” Panji called out.
“Of course… someone’s put a bounty on your head,” one of the Steel members replied.
“Oh? Who are they?” Panji asked, curiosity piqued.
“Don’t know… maybe Corp,” the Steel member shrugged.
“Come on… you want cash? Here…” Panji tossed a bag of money toward him.
“I don’t want your dirty money, man. We’ve got business that’s cleaner than yours. All I know is that someone reached out to one of my guys, offering 50,000 credits for your head.”
“Then take this 100,000 credits just for the info,” Panji said, tossing the bag again, satisfied.
“Hey…” the Steel member started, but the Valkyrie gang continued riding.
Vita shook her head. “I doubt Kassandra would set us up with such a small bounty. Hah!”
“Small or not, there are plenty of people willing to kill for 500 credits in front of us,” Chrome replied, glancing back at the road ahead.
“Yeah…” Panji muttered, lost in thought.
The sign reading “Farewell, Arizona” blurred past. Chrome sighed, a hint of melancholy in his voice “Goodbye, home. Goodbye, Grandma… huh.”
The gang took a break after navigating some treacherous mountain trails, parking their bikes near a cliff edge.Some of the Valkyrie members were busy taking pictures with their cybernetic eye implants, capturing the moment for their digital memories.
“Ahh, ahead is Iron Maiden territory,” Chrome announced, scanning the surroundings.
“WOMEN!!!” one of the Valkyrie members shouted, and laughter erupted around them.
“Huh?” Panji looked around, confused.
Vita smirked. “Oh, you don’t understand, do you? A lot has happened in this place since you’ve been gone.” She took a sip of her drink.
Chrome continued, “Long story short, there’s a mad scientist who sympathizes with the Redlight robots. He freed them, and now he’s got an army of robots.”
Panji burst into laughter. “Oh, I get it now. This place never gets boring.”
“Of course! The average life expectancy here is thirty! We’re all a bunch of old-timers!” Chrome joked.
“And that’s not even mentioning the Iron Maidens,” Vita added, taking a swig from her water bottle. “They’re… well, you’ll see.”
The gang continued riding, the landscape slowly changing from rocky desert to scrubland. They soon approached a roadside tavern, its parking lot packed with motorcycles. These bikes were different from the Valkyrie’s choppers – sleeker, faster-looking, with intricate paint jobs and custom modifications.
“Who are they?” Panji asked, eyeing the bikes suspiciously.
“Hellfire,” Chrome muttered, squinting at the emblem on the tavern’s sign – a stylized skull engulfed in flames. “Looks like we’re sharing breakfast with some pyromaniacs.”
“I want breakfast…” Vita said, her stomach growling.
“Alright, keep your attitude in check. We’ve got a long journey ahead,” Panji cautioned as they dismounted. As they approached the roadside tavern, its parking lot packed with motorcycles, Panji noticed a couple of sleek bikes parked a short distance away, their chrome gleaming under the afternoon sun. The riders, clad in dark bodysuits, remained motionless, almost blending into the shadows. He couldn't make out any insignia, but something about their posture, their stillness, made him uneasy. but he shrug it of. gang war is norm in red nation,
Inside, the tavern was dimly lit and smoky, filled with the smell of stale beer and burnt grease. A group of riders in red and black vests sat at a table near the back, their eyes fixed on the newcomers. Panji ordered a coffee and a plate of whatever the cook was serving. As he took his first sip, a burly man with a scarred face and a Hellfire patch on his vest approached.
“Hey… off to wander the wasteland, are we?” Hell, a burly man, sneered.
“Yeah, we’re not looking for trouble,” Panji said, taking a sip of his drink.
“Oh, is that so?” Hell spat on Panji’s plate, causing the rest of the Valkyrie to stop eating, their eyes narrowing.
“Listen, big man. How about I give you $50,000 to walk away?” Panji suggested, trying to diffuse the situation.
“Ahhh, and what if we take your money and your bounty?” Hell retorted, his smirk widening.
Panji’s patience wore thin. “Grrr…” He smashed the plate against Hell’s face.
“Listen up, everyone!” Hell yelled, standing on a table. “This guy’s got a bounty of 50,000 credit !”
“FUCK!” Chrome roared as the tavern erupted into chaos. Tables overturned, chairs splintered, and fists flew. The air filled with the clang of metal on metal and the satisfying thud of bodies hitting the floor. It was a full-blown bar brawl, and the Valkyrie were right in the thick of it.
Later, outside the Bar, chrome hold panji and help him walk outside. they all heavy bruised from brawl
Chrome glared at Panji. “You said to keep our attitude in check? My ass!”
“Yeah, well…” they pushed through the crowd to exit, but a couple of women in bodysuits greeted them outside.
“Bonjour…”a leader of group, maid, woman with brown wavy hair greet him
“Wait, let me guess: you’re Iron Maiden, right?” Panji adjusted his shades.
“We’re not here to hunt you. We’re here to escort you to our Lord,” one maid said nonchalantly.
“What if we refuse?” Panji asked, crossing his arms.
“You might have to walk to your destination, as…” she pointed at their broken bikes, “they won’t take you anywhere.”
“Fak. Is this your doing?” Panji asked, incredulous.
“No. While you were partying inside, someone else did that,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “So, hop on. Hellfire will be here soon.”
panji squint, and lower his red shade, thinking. these woman might had hidden camera all over the places
Panji exchanged glances with the others, then nodded. “Alright, we don’t have a choice. Move to the back, ladies.”
“Hell no. This is our bike, and you’re just passengers. Chop chop, time’s ticking,” she said, insisting.
“Fine, boys, swallow your pride,” Panji said reluctantly.
“Only you, Panji,” Chrome replied with a laugh as the rest of the Valkyrie climbed onto the Iron Maidens’ motorcycles.
“Ugh…” Panji sighed, then suddenly, Hell reappeared from the bar.
“You’re not going anywhere!” he shouted, drawing a gun.
“Hop in!” the maid yelled, and Panji jumped on just as they sped away from the tavern.
“Where are we going?” Panji yelled over the roar of the engines.
“Mansion,” the maid replied, her voice steady.
“Alright… who are you, and what do you know?” Panji pressed.
“Not the time for chit-chat. We have many eyes watching,” she said, glancing back.
As if summoned by her words, a roar of engines echoed behind them. A group of riders in crimson and black vests – the Hellriders – swerved into view, cutting them off.
“Hey! Wait a minute… Iron Maiden is riding with outsiders!” Hell shouted.
the man Panji had clashed with earlier.go outside of tavern, He pointed a greasy finger at Panji. “That’s him! The one with the bounty!”
“Fuck! That’s them! Chase them!” another Hellrider yelled while raise his chain on motorbike
“YEAH! Time to work, guys!” they cheered as they revved their engines.
She turned to Panji, her expression hardening. “I need you at the mansion. Now. But I can’t afford any more delays.” She pulled a submachine gun from beneath her coat and tossed it to Panji. "Make sure they can't follow."
Panji caught the gun, surprised. “You want us to…?”
“Disable their bikes. Tires only. No unnecessary casualties. Understood?” Her tone left no room for argument.
“You heard me. If you do, I’ll throw you and your dirty gang off the bikes,” she warned.
“Alright…” Panji signaled to the Valkyrie. “NO BLOOD!”
“Ha! Tell that to yourself, buddy. You’re the most psychopathic of us all!” Chrome laughed, adrenaline pumping.
“Shoot their tires,” she instructed.
“Alright,” Panji nodded, signaling the Valkyrie. “Wheels on fire!”
“Did you hear that, boys?” Chrome grinned, A brief but intense firefight ensued. Panji and the Valkyrie focused their fire on the Hellriders’ tires, expertly disabling their bikes without causing serious injuries. The Hellriders, caught off guard by the sudden aggression, scrambled for cover.
Panji looked back, seeing the Hellriders struggling to keep their bikes upright. “I think they’re out…”
“Good. Take the forest path,” the maid instructed, Once the Hellriders were effectively neutralized, the maid nodded to her own riders. “Let’s move.” She led them off the main road, taking a winding path into the dense forest.
The ride through the forest was rough, the bikes bouncing over rocks and roots. Panji gripped the sides of the bike tightly, wincing as they hit a particularly large bump.
“Wow! Isn’t there a smoother way?” Panji asked,
“Shut up,” she replied curtly, her focus unwavering.
“Women…” he muttered under his breath.
The maid didn’t respond, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.
Finally, they emerged into a clearing, revealing a sprawling mansion nestled among the trees. The maid dismounted, turning to the Valkyrie
. “Alright, when was the last time you all showered?”
“Uh… about three days ago,” Panji admitted sheepishly.
She sighed dramatically. “Go wash up before meeting the Lord.”
“Wow… you’re not my mother,” Chrome shot back, crossing his arms.
“And I wouldn’t want to have children like you,” she quipped, rolling her eyes.
Vita stretched, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Come on, boys. Are we a bunch of cats?” She yawned and added, “Can I borrow a towel too?”
“Ah, of course, darling… I’m genuinely surprised to see a woman in your gang,” the maid replied, raising an eyebrow.
The Valkyrie members exchanged glances, a realization dawning on them.
“Just like us,” Panji said, “This is the first time I’ve seen a gang that’s all women…”
The maid yawned again. “Chop chop. The Lord wants to meet you soon. Move your dirty backsides to the showers.”
“Sure thing,” Panji replied, heading inside with the rest.
“Sure thing,” Panji replied, heading inside with the rest.
A short time later, the Valkyrie emerged, smelling marginally less offensive. The maid, now looking crisper in a clean uniform, though still maintaining a casual demeanor, waved them down a hallway. “Alright, follow me. And try not to touch anything expensive.”
As they reached a heavy oak door, she stopped. “Only two of you can enter,” she then hold the golden door knob. “I don’t want the air inside contaminated.”
“Hey!” Chrome protested.
“Alright, three. I’ll go as the leader, Vita as the secretary, and Chrome as the general,” Panji declared, firm in his decision.
The maid raised an eyebrow. “You have a structure here? Interesting… Very well, you may enter.”
later after passing the long hall with red wall. they stepped into a large bedroom where an old man with long white hair lay on a lavish bed. He propped himself up as they entered.
The maid bowed slightly. “These are your guests, my Lord.”
“Please, come in,” he beckoned them, his voice gravelly yet commanding.
“Alright, let’s skip the pleasantries. What do you want?” Panji asked, cutting straight to the chase.
The old man smiled faintly, slowly rising to walk toward a small dining table in the room. “Before I tell you my mission, may I share the history of this place?”
“Fine, but I hope it’s not boring,” Panji replied, taking a seat. The others followed suit.
The Lord sighed heavily. “This was once part of the Free World—a Golden Mansion. Do you know what that means, boy?”
“I know the Golden Mansion. It was a place where nobles and politicians indulged in all their… high-class pleasures. And please don’t call me ‘boy’; my name is Panji.”
“Very well, Panji… After we became part of the Free World, all the women who were not sterile were sent to the farms, including my mother, the owner of this place. As the sole heir, I inherited it, but as you can see, nobody uses our services anymore. Now, we’re merely a gang hiding in a forgotten forest.”
“Okay… and what’s that got to do with us?” Panji asked, leaning forward.
“I dislike the Free World,” the Lord stated bluntly.
“Hey, aren’t we all in agreement on that?” Panji replied, crossing his arms.
“Yes, but you’re the one daring enough to start something,” the Lord continued, his gaze piercing. “You have a rebellious spirit greater than any of us.”
Panji rubbed his face, unsure how to respond. “Um… thanks?”
“Now, what do you want?” the Lord pressed.
“From your direction, I gather you’re heading west. Are you looking to go to the capital?”
“Alright…” Panji hesitated. “It feels like we’re being cornered by the media through the TV, and their headquarters is in California.”
“Ah, I see. But does that mean all the news is a lie?” the Lord asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Um… it’s half the truth, I guess…” Panji replied, his brow furrowing.
“Ah, well, it’s okay if you’re only half a rebel. I might be able to help you. It’s unfortunate if everything you do is merely a concoction of what’s on TV. But I have a feeling I can utilize you.”
“Huh? You’re pretty bold to say that to our faces,” Panji said, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course, but that makes it easier for me to be trusted, doesn’t it?” the Lord countered, a sly smile creeping onto his face.
“Understandable. What do you want from helping us? You don’t seem like the type who needs money,” Panji noted.
“Mhm… I’m sure there are plenty of gangs that will oppose you on your journey here. But there will also be many who sympathize with you. I want you to become an icon for them,” the Lord declared.
“An icon?” Panji echoed, skepticism evident in his voice. “And how am I supposed to do that?”
“Icon? Yes… that’s the right word to describe it. I want you to appear in the capital. This doesn’t mean you’ll create chaos there. Your mission is simple: let the people see you,” the Lord explained, his tone serious.
“See me? What for?” Panji asked, confused.
“To ignite hope among the people,” the Lord said, leaning closer. “You’re the spark they need, Panji. You can be the catalyst for change.”
The Lord’s smile widened. “You’ll have my support, and I can provide resources for your journey. Together, we can disrupt this so-called Free World.”
Panji took a deep breath, the gravity of their situation sinking in. “Fine. Let’s see where this leads us. But know this: if your intentions aren’t pure, I’ll bring my gang against you.”
“Fair enough,” the Lord replied, nodding his head in agreement. “Welcome to the beginning of a revolution, Panji.”