Chapter Helicopter Landing
The helicopter carrying Nagini and Tina slowly descended. Its rotor blades roared, shaking the front guard post that had already been shredded by Tina's drones.
Nagini and Tina stepped out of the helicopter.
Once they were clear, the helicopter lifted off again, circling overhead in case of stray gunfire.
Tina watched it rise, then glanced at Nagini.
Nagini: "Look, Tina! That ruined guard post—"
Tina smiled.
Nagini: "—That was your doing!"
Tina couldn't hold back her laughter.
Tina: "I did it to save Burhan."
Nagini's cheeks turned red. She pinched Tina's arm.
Tina giggled.
Tina stood with a small backpack slung over one shoulder, holding a tablet. Her glasses kept sliding down her nose, and her straight short hair framed her face neatly.
She also wore a bulletproof vest emblazoned with KPK.
Next to her stood Nagini in a red leather jacket, also with a small backpack. Her face was beautiful, but her expression tense and worried.
Tina: "Nagini, look at the tablet!"
Nagini leaned closer to see.
The tablet showed Giono, Ngatmo, Karsiyah, Rani, and Rina moving toward Mariana, who stood ready in a low fighting stance, her paper fan spread wide.
Nagini's face grew more tense.
Nagini: "I have to reach Rani and Rina now, Tina!"
Tina smiled.
Tina: "Don't you want to see Burhan first?"
Nagini frowned and pinched Tina again.
Nagini: "This is life or death and you're joking, Tina."
Tina chuckled softly.
Nagini: "They're no match for Mariana. They're in danger, Tina."
Tina nodded.
Without waiting for Tina's approval, Nagini darted toward the back post, where Giono, Rani, Rina, Karsiyah, and Ngatmo were about to clash with Mariana.
After she left, Tina kept operating her drone via the tablet. Then she pulled a stun-gun shaped like a small slingshot from her backpack and placed it beside the tablet.
***
Five Against One
Mariana: "Come, Giono! This time I won't spare you!"
Giono: "Weladalah! If you lose, you'll be my wife!"
Giono lunged forward.
Karsiyah: "Mbelgedes gombale mukiyo!"
She rushed in as well.
Ngatmo said nothing, but joined the charge.
Rani: "Get the knives ready, Rina!"
Rina nodded.
Rani: "Paired technique!"
The twins prepared to throw their blades.
Seeing them ready to swarm her, Mariana smirked.
Mariana: "Come, all of you! I'll fan each of your faces."
She spread her paper fan wide. The air around her seemed to grow hotter.
Giono: "Watch the head!"
Ngatmo: "Watch the waist!"
Karsiyah: "Mbelgedes, guard your back!"
Rani: "If she lets her guard down, we throw the knives!"
Rina nodded, ready.
Yes — Mariana was surrounded on four sides by dangerous attacks.
To be continued