Chapter 5
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5-1 Green Gang
The Green Gang’s headquarters was located in the Tanah Abang district. This gang was one tier stronger than the Red Gang.
Inside the headquarters, Giono — the leader of the Green Gang — sat in his chair. Tall and broad-shouldered, with a scruffy beard, he had the habit of cursing in Javanese:
“Wedah!” and “Wedus!”
…every time he got annoyed. Understandable — Giono was originally from Ponorogo.
Note: Ponorogo: Town in East Java, famous for Reog dance.
The pce was filled with around fifty of his men, including several trusted lieutenants.
Giono: “Word is, Tarno’s hideout got wrecked by a woman in red. Anyone know who she is?”
One thug stepped forward. His name was Turiman.
Turiman: “Her name is Nagini, Boss.”
Another thug, Karto, chimed in.
Karto: “She’s fast — lightning fast. Her punches are strong, too.”
Giono scratched his head.
Giono: “Wedah! A woman was able to take out Tarno and his whole crew?”
Turiman: “Since that incident, Tarno’s been missing, Boss.”
Karto: “His territory is up for grabs now.”
Giono fell silent, thinking.
Giono: “Hmm… Wedus tenan! Should we move into Kampung Rambutan and repce Tarno?”
Turiman: “If we do, we’ll have to face Nagini.”
Karto: “Not to mention, the cops there are hard to bribe.”
Giono: “Wedah! Wedus!”
Giono cursed again.
Turiman: “The precinct there is led by Inspector Burhan.”
Karto: “He’s honest, Boss. Can’t be bought.”
Giono exhaled in frustration.
Giono: “Damn it! Expanding our business is tough! Dasar wedus!”
His gaze swept the room. Fifty of his men stood with their heads lowered.
Giono: “Anyone know about the Cobra Gang getting smashed?”
Turiman: “Rumor is, the Cobra Gang got beaten up by twin girls.”
Giono: “Twin girls?”
Turiman: “Yes, Boss!”
Karto: “They were taken down right in front of the Seroja Indah Apartments.”
Giono: “Those punks!”
Turiman: “That’s our turf, Boss!”
Giono: “How dare the Cobra Gang cause trouble in Green Gang territory…”
Karto: “They need to be taught a lesson.”
Turiman: “Cobra Gang’s just a small biker crew that harasses the locals.”
Giono took a long drag of his cigarette. The smoke curled slowly upward.
Giono: “Anyone know who the twin girls are that took them out?”
Karto: “Information’s unclear, Boss.”
Turiman: “But they beat Cobra with throwing knives.”
Giono: “Throwing knives?”
Turiman: “Yes, Boss. Throwing knives.”
Giono froze for a moment, trying to remember where he’d seen such knife-throwing skills before.
Giono: “Ah, forget it. I can’t recall.”
He pushed the thought aside.
***
5-2 Giono, Leader of the Green Gang
Giono took a deep drag of his cigarette, then slowly blew out the smoke. He sipped his coffee, eyes scanning over his men.
It was clear his face showed worry and unease.
Not about Nagini beating Tarno…
Not about the twin girls beating the Cobra Gang…
But about rumors of The Big Madam — a mysterious figure conquering gangs all over Jakarta.
Any gang territory under The Big Madam’s control had to pay tribute.
Giono: “Wedah… Wedus…”
Turiman: “What’s wrong, Boss?”
Karto: “You look uneasy…”
Giono stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and looked at his men again.
Giono: “Any of you know who The Big Madam is?”
Turiman frowned, Karto shook his head.
A skinny man stepped forward — so skinny his ribs were showing, his shirt hanging loose, and his wide eyes darting around. His name was Tikno.
Tikno: “Who The Big Madam really is… no one knows, Boss.”
Giono stared at Tikno for a moment, then looked back over his fifty men, all standing respectfully.
Turiman: “What else do you know, Tikno?”
Tikno puffed out his chest to look important — but instead of respect, some of the men had to stifle their ughter.
Instead of looking authoritative, Tikno just made his bony ribcage stick out.
Tikno: “Her bodyguards are vicious. They won’t hesitate to cripple people, break arms, bust lips, even leave big perkedel-sized lumps on your head!”
Note: Perkedel: Indonesian fried potato patty, sometimes mixed with meat.
Karto: “Any murders yet?”
Tikno: “No info about murders.”
Turiman: “Why not?”
Tikno stared seriously at Karto and Turiman.
Tikno: “Because they’re afraid.”
Karto: “Afraid of what?”
Tikno gnced around, then lowered his voice.
Tikno: “They’re afraid of getting charged… with murder.”
The entire Green Gang burst into ughter.
Even Giono cracked a smile at his goofy underling.
***
5-3 Tikno
Giono: “Wedah… So, what do The Big Madam’s bodyguards look like?”
Tikno rubbed his chest after being ughed at.
Tikno: “Like the military. Buzz cuts. Firearms.”
Sm!
Giono smmed the table. His men jumped.
Giono: “Wedus… Wedus…”
Tikno: “Many gangs have surrendered without a fight.”
Turiman: “Afraid of getting shot!”
Karto: “If they fight back, they’ll end up spraining something or pulling a muscle!”
The gang roared with ughter again.
Giono took a deep breath and lit another cigarette.
Giono: “Wedah! The Green Gang is the only one left that hasn’t been visited by The Big Madam.”
Turiman: “Sooner or ter, they’ll come here.”
Karto: “We’ll fight back!”
Tikno’s spirit fred up.
Tikno: “If they dare come here, we’ll turn them into tahu Sumedang!”
Note: Tahu Sumedang is tofu from Sumedang West Java
Once again, the Green Gang couldn’t hold back their ughter at Tikno’s absurd line.
Giono felt a little relieved seeing the fighting spirit of his men.
***
5-3: Kembang Setaman Diskotik (Kembang Setaman Discotheque)
Jakarta—a city that never sleeps, buzzing with life and noise.
In one corner of the city, near Tanah Abang (a busy commercial district), stands one of the most luxurious and elegant nightclubs in town.
From the outside, fshing neon lights bathe the building in bright colors. Inside, the infectious beat of dangdut music fills the air—tonight it’s the cssic hit Kopi Dangdut. The tune is so catchy that anyone who hears it can’t help but sway or tap their feet.
At the entrance, two towering, broad-shouldered security guards stand watch.
Inside, the vast dance floor is packed. People move to the rhythm under fshing neon lights, the shimmering atmosphere cranking up the heat and excitement.
The name of the pce:
“Kembang Setaman Diskotik”
Note: Kembang Setaman means “garden of flowers” in Indonesian poetic nguage.
Its owner and manager: Pak Handoyo
Note: Pak is an honorific, like “Mr.” in Indonesian.
***
5-4 CCTV at Kembang Setaman Discotheque
Above the main floor lies an opulent upper level reserved for VIP guests.
On the same floor is the exclusive office of Pak Handoyo, the club’s manager. The office door is equipped with high-end biometric security, reflecting the vishness and exclusivity of the venue.
Not far from there is the CCTV control room—a small, cramped space filled with monitors showing live feeds from every corner of the club, ensuring that nothing escapes surveilnce.
End of chapter 5
To be continued chapter 6
