Caliph
7

Rais, 2002

A year after the 9/11 tragedy, Rais was a new rising star in the business world. Thank him, a lot of business improvement had happened in Hoetomo company. For Rais, it was no problem. It’s just a piece of cake. Rais found a lot of fun in improving the Hoetomo business. Hoetomo’s business lines varied to every single human need. Rais kept studying different processes and improving them every time he got a chance.

Because of the business lines of Hoetomo’s, Rais can explore many things, found out where the best line was, and make it better. He even rotated the management lines based on his analysis. Then Rais went around the world, visiting Hoetomo branches everywhere. He greeted the employees who work there, remembering their names one by one, and solving a lot of company problems.

Sometimes Rais stayed in a hotel room, but sometimes he stayed in one of the employee’s houses. He had dinner with their families to know them better. That made Rais’ popularity rise in Hoetomo Company’s circumstances.

Rais had gone through everything. At the age of twenty-two, he watched what happened from time to time since the sad events in New York City. From there, he thought that he must be a defender of civil society. Defend them from big and small terror. Also, destroying terrorists who spread fear everywhere.

Then he must learn martial arts. All of that is the start of big plans. He spent one-year studying martial arts, which he enjoyed so much.

He faced one by one of his opponents.

Hit, kick, dodge, trick, and knockdown.

It’s the beautiful days that he enjoyed.

Also, what he did was enough to distract him from the great tragedy of humankind, where he became a witness of it.

The lab Rais built a year ago didn’t seem changed from the outside. But inside, Rais had added some monitors and computers to make his work easier. Rais also added some workbenches and lighting facilities. He was working on a modified car to increase its power and speed.

Beside the car, Rais was working on something else. In the cabinet of the lab, there was something covered in black. It was something that Rais paid attention to. Something that could protect him during his mission in fighting terrorists. It was armor.

No, it’s not military armor. Rais had learned about that kind of armor. Rais had one of those that he used when there was military training held by Leo’s friends. The military armor was expensive, perfectly made, light, and comfortable. But it was not enough for Rais.

The armor Rais was working for was a more advanced one. Its engineered material resembled nanotechnological stuff that had been assembled, like a chemical chain. It can move freely and wasn’t stiff like steel. The armor was flexible so Rais could move and fight freely in it. He also could execute all martial arts movements that he had mastered during these years. Rais had spent a lot of time finishing this armor. He created high-tech experimental material from his research stuff when he was on campus. Rais finally got the result as his armor perfectly fit his body. No professional engineer or scientist had made an armor like this before.

Rais thought that he needed this kind of armor.

If I have to take down the terrorist alone, I need something that protects me and guarantees my mission. I have to use my weapon to keep me winning. I need armor, a flexible one, covering my whole body. It has to be strong, made from engineered materials, and have a long lifetime. But it also has to be highly durable.

I don’t have all the sources here. This house is not complete enough to produce such kind of materials. I need to replace a place where I can get everything I need.

Campus?

Nah, too far. I have to bring the materials here with trucks. And it will gain people’s attention. Where else can I get that?

Where is the one-stop place that has such a completed facility and research stuff?

After a moment of pause, Rais realized something. He was a chairman of Hoetomo, Inc.

What kind of chairman am I?

My company has everything. It is more complete than any campus in the world. Why I am so stupid?

Rais laughed at himself, realizing his silliness. Then he started to contact his employee.

At that time, Rais found out the advantage of running his business. Because he knew a lot of people in his company, he could easily get access to anything he needs. He asked his employee to give him everything he wanted. They supported Rais, anything he want, without raising any questions.

Rais was waiting for the materials that he requested to be delivered. His men promised that it will come to Rais’ residence before noon. Then it must be not more than two hours from now.

But later, Rais’ phone showed a notification. It was an unknown number. It’s a message.

Good afternoon, Dr. Hoetomo. My name is Aisha Mahmood from Hoetomo, Inc. If I’m not disturbing you, may I call you now?

No one outside his circle contacts him on this phone. Only some people knew about this number. Maybe only his family. But the unknown number didn’t belong to one of the Hoetomo family members. Rais was silent for seconds before deciding to answer the text.

Sure, it’s the only answer Rais sent to that number. A few seconds later, Rais’ phone rang.

“Yes?” Rais said.

“Good afternoon, Dr. Hoetomo?” a woman’s voice was heard.

“Yes, Rais Hoetomo here. Who I’m speaking with?”

“My name is Aisha Mahmood, as I mentioned in the text. I am the head of the research and development division in Hoetomo, Inc. I apologize to contact you directly like this. Is it the right time to call you? Or I will call you later when the time is suitable for you?”

“It’s okay, you can talk to me now. Is there anything that I can help you with, Ms. Mahmood?”

“Thank you, Dr. Hoetomo. I just need to confirm that this morning you asked my division to send you some materials, is it true?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Okay, then it’s confirmed. I just need to confirm that it’s you that ordered it.”

“Is there any problem?”

“Actually no. But we both know, Dr. Hoetomo, that the materials you have ordered are usually used to create military stuff. During the situation right now, we are monitored by the government.”

“What do you mean ‘we’?”

“We, Muslims, Dr. Hoetomo.”

“Are you suspecting me that I will use those materials to do terrorism thing?”

“Do you?”

There was a pause for a moment.

“Dr. Hoetomo? Are you still there?” Aisha Mahmood asked.

“Yes, I am here.”

“No offense, Dr. Hoetomo. I just need to confirm your order.”

“No worry, Ms. Mahmood. I understand.”

“Okay then, Dr. Hoetomo. Thank you for your time. And I apologize if I disturb you.”

“Pleasure’s on me, Ms. Mahmood.”

Rais put his phone. He was surprised by that woman. Aisha Mahmood, she’s brave. No one was brave enough to ask the chairman of Hoetomo, Inc. directly like that. She got the point, and she didn’t have hesitation in asking what she want to know.

Interesting.

But what was more interesting to him for the moment was building his armor. His materials arrived less than two hours after Aisha Mahmood’s call. Rais grabbed his stuff and started to work on his project. During his time of waiting for the materials, Rais was already designed several features that could enrich his armor’s function.

Rais was surprised that some of the materials could be used for his car. Using his knowledge, Rais was trying to improve the powers and abilities of his armor and car.

He worked late that night. Rais was still in the lab, writing a journal about his progress that day. Then he thought about something. He didn’t have it yet.

A symbol.

Yes, a symbol that will introduce his project to the world. He would fight terrorism and destroy them until their grassroots. But he needed a symbol to send the world his messages. The symbol would make the world know who did that, without revealing who was behind the act.

During the year, Rais traveled to the world to manage Hoetomo Businesses. He felt the need to visit his parents sometimes and see what was new in his family.

Rais then took a taxi to return to his father’s house. He carried himself all his stuff.

Pandji Hoetomo welcomed his son at the gate.

“You didn’t say you were going home,” Pandji said. “I can tell the driver to pick you up.” He continued.

“Please don’t, Father. I do not want to bother you.” Said Rais. “Moreover, the road is currently jammed. Increased car sales have a negative effect.”

They walked together to enter the house. All Middle Eastern awards and antiques were there. Even the miniature of the Kaaba, Al Aqsa, Dome of the Rock, and the pyramid of Egypt adorned the closet of Pandji Hoetomo.

“How is the business, Father?” Asks Rais.

“It is pretty good.”

They sat in the living room. Rais looked around. A house that hadn’t changed much, he thought.

A few moments later, the gates opened, and their driver entered driving a Mercedes.

Maryam Hoetomo, Rais’ mother, was in the back seat.

“Are you planning to stay here and start a new life in New York?” Pandji asked. “Or are you willing to help me with the company?”

“I haven’t decided yet,”

“You don’t like this place?”

“I like it, but I feel like I have something to do.”

Maryam Hoetomo entered the house. Rais stood to greet and kissed her cheek. His mother said that she had just returned from out of town. At these times, they must entirely be concentrated on their business by considering difficult conditions.

That was early October, which was usually fulfilled by the beauty of autumn.

Rais left with Pandji shortly after. They drove the same Mercedes that Maryam used, leaving Hoetomo’s house’s gate, and heading for their office.

Arrived at the office, Rais noticed the same building he had seen as a child. Not too much has changed. It was clean, luxurious, and fabulous. He admitted that his father had been struggling to keep this place as it was before. All circumstances that characterize the Hoetomo Group are maintained.

Even though he knew things were difficult.

“I have prepared a room for you.” Said Pandji.

“Just an ordinary room, please, Father.”

“Rais, you are one of the owners,” said Pandji.

“But you built this company, not me. And all of this is your hard work. I’m just continuing it. Is it proper that I immediately act as a king?”

“You have the ability to,”

“I don’t doubt that. I’m as great as you are.”

“Then what holds you back?”

“Your people, will they welcome me?”

“We built this company from our first generation. They will respect you very much.”

“As long as it’s clear. Just give me time. I’ll show you who the king is.”

Pandji smiled.

“That is my son.”

Rais nodded.

“Ah yes, I almost forgot, your friend looked for you several times.”

“My friend?”

“Yes, Russell girl.”

“Malikha?”

“That’s right, that’s her name. When you were adventuring, she looked for you several times.”

“What’s for?”

“Maybe she missed you.”

“Could be. Did Malikha leave her contact? ”

Pandji gave Malikha’s contact.

“Before we begin, believe me, Rais, we can fix this situation.”

“You always trust me.”

“Always.” Pandji patted the arm of her only son and smiled.

Rais walked down the hall and entered his office. This was a room he had never entered in his entire life. It’s very different from his room when taking doctoral education. It’s much broader.

There were no stacks of science books and simulation drawings. There was a spacious room with a clean work desk neatly arranged. Some cabinets contained documents that Rais found as contract documents.

Many photos of Rais during high school and college were in a cupboard, displayed with frames. Likewise, on one of the shelves was a photo of the Hoetomo family.

Rais saw himself standing next to his father, and he was taller, then it can be concluded that it was the last photo until this day. Pandji wore a coat and tie in the picture, accompanied by Maryam, wearing casual clothes.

Rais smiled, took his seat, and flipped through the document on his desk. Some were annual reports, some were pictures of the company and its subsidiaries.

There were even photos of their products.

He heard the door knock. Rais immediately finished the documents he had read and put them in the cabinet. He put on his suit to greet the secretary, who came to tell him that someone wanted to meet him.

Rais left his office and went out to meet the person in question. It turned out that it was a woman around her twenty-fifth with an attractive face, who sat in the guest chair and immediately stood up as soon as she came out. This woman approached him casually and held out her hand.

“How are you?” Said the woman.

It’s Malikha.

But Malikha was very different from what he had ever met. She seemed much more mature and confident. Malikha wore a blouse suit combined with a black skirt that made her even more attractive.

“Hi, fine, thank you,” Rais answered. “It’s been a long time since the last time we met.” he continued.

“You are also getting taller now.” Said Malikha.

Rais watched his body.

He never noticed the increase in his height.

“I didn’t pay attention,” said Rais.

“You prefer great things,” Malikha answered.

“And you still remember me so well.”

“You’re still trying to rule the whole world?”

Rais shrugs.

“You know that all the things I want are never released. But things are different right now, even though that doesn’t change me. I heard you have become a top scientist.” Rais said.

It was Malikha’s turn to shrug.

“This place is very nice,” Malikha said.

“Good, but I didn’t build it at all.”

“You’re part of it, especially right now.” Malikha looked at Rais right in his eyes.

“I’m just about to start.”

“Ah yes, I’m also sorry about everything that happened. The tragedies.”

“You are also affected.”

“Certainly, and the trial will start soon.”

“Atta?”

“That’s right.”

“When exactly?”

“In a few moments,”

“Then let’s watch,”

“What do you think?”

“About the trial? I hope they will be punished severely.”

“I believe so. What Al Qaeda did is truly unforgivable,”

“Then, why only them?”

“What do you mean?”

“Their parent, a bigger organization, why isn’t it also eliminated?”

Malikha took a deep breath.

“Do you still want to watch it?” she asked.

Rais nodded.

“But not here, let’s go to your place,” Rais answered.

“Oh, okay.”

Rais rode Malikha’s car to go to the woman’s apartment. Along the way, he saw the face of New York City on weekdays, and he enjoyed every second of it. For a long time, he had not enjoyed the mobility of this city.

They entered Malikha’s apartment complex and parked her car in her spot marked “Russel” on the spot wall.

“I can’t wait to see this trial,” Rais said.

Malikha smiled.

“Malikha, they are responsible for our suffering,” Rais said.

Malikha looked at Rais’ face, trying to understand this man. Finally, she just tapped Rais on the shoulder and showed her the way to her apartment.

Rais followed her after Malikha was sure that the car was locked, and they began to climb the stairs.

Rais walked behind Malikha while looking at the environment of this apartment.

“Welcome to my place,” Malikha said.

Rais watched the surroundings. Of course, he knew this building. The building was built in the style of Ancient Egypt, and the carvings of the walls and style of painting.

This apartment was built by the Hoetomo family company.

He could recognize it from one of the photos he saw on the table in his office this afternoon.

Maybe this was built after the second world war.

They entered a room on the fifth floor.

“This is where I live,” said Malikha.

“Beautiful,” said Rais.

They turned on the television.

“Just in time.” Said Malikha.

The trial had begun. The jury and a judge faced Mohammad Atta. Rais was waiting for everyone to be ready, and it didn’t take long. Someone stood and read the demands, while Atta’s lawyer read his defense.

Atta did not reply, nor did he give a defense except to say some words pitched “Jihaad”.

“I do not regret my actions. All is in our belief. Our High Priest has promised that heaven belongs to us. Do what you want to do. America is the devil. America is a country that must be destroyed.” Atta said.

Atta sat down again.

Everyone seemed to be discussing. The Jurors were seen concentrating on the demanded documents.

Some of them asked permission to approach the judge, and while in the room saw several victims’ families. Rais could recognize their resemblance to the people who ran on that fateful day.

Atta looked around, and his gaze seemed meaningless. He was like a person who had lost his memory. Then he looked down again, and his mouth muttered.

Rais leaned back on the sofa and realized that Malikha had been in that position for some time. He then went to the window and breathed in the fresh air. Malikha followed him and stood beside him.

They waited for the hearing to be finished while listening to the sound from the television.

The court had not yet decided what sentence will be given that day. There would be several trials until finally, all defendants were sentenced to death.

“Is this the fairest for them?” Asked Malikha.

“For them, yes, but for this case, no.”

“What do you mean?”

“As I said, this is a big event. The organization should receive a harder reward.”

“We are going to attack the Taliban in Afghanistan. You know it, right?”

“Sure, but I guess that’s not enough.”

“How is that so?”

“All of them, throughout the world, must be eliminated.”

“You think like that?”

“Why not?”

“They are our brothers, Rais,”

“Do you still consider them as brothers?”

“Why not?”

“You will not make your brother suffer.”

“Maybe it’s a different point of view.”

Rais exhaled deeply.

“We must uphold justice,” said Rais.

“What do you mean?”

“Justice for people who had been hurt.”

“Our fleet is working on it,”

“I doubt it.”

Malikha glared at Rais.

“Come with me,” she pulled Rais’ hand.

“Where?”

“Just come along.”

Malikha turned on her Toyota and drove through the city with Rais.

“I’ll show you a real problem.” Said Malikha.

Malikha’s car went through the dimmed streets. Malikha took him to an entirely new area for him. They entered a place where many people wear robes and beards.

Malikha turned her face to them.

“Look, they are our brothers, but that’s not what I want to show. Look at the mosque.”

Malikha pointed to a dilapidated building.

“There is a person named Imam Akbar. If you want to meet him, you will know why there are many people like Atta. Atta did kill a lot of people, but that would not have happened without anyone telling him to do so. It’s the people who are their thinkers. Akbar is someone like that. He is a thinker.”

Malikha parked her car and then turned off the engine. They parked in an area where raindrops from the gutters would continue to drip all day. From the building called “mosque” by Malikha came the sound from the direction of the loudspeaker.

“If you want to talk to him, then talk,” said Malikha.

Rais opened the door and left before Malikha could speak further.

Malikha then took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. She can only think.

I hope you know what you are doing. I can only pray for the best for you. People like you are the pride of our people. Don’t break it.

Rais walked farther from Malikha’s car. He knew Malikha had driven her car, and he also knew that she was only moving her vehicle to a safer place.

He continued walking towards the mosque referred to by Malikha. After Rais reached the building, he found that the mosque was on the second floor.

He entered the building and found that the first floor was used as a Chinese restaurant. He realized that he did not carry a weapon at all. Only this time, he felt alarmed that something would happen to him. He did not want to rely on Malikha even though he knew she was not far from him.

Rais entered the mosque, opened his shoes, and began to sit cross-legged. For some time, he waited. A person mentioned by Malikha had not yet appeared.

He also did not know the person’s characteristics. So, he went outside and took ablution water because the call to prayer had been ringing.

He joined in praying in the congregation with everyone who was there. There were only a few lines. After praying, he sat at the end of the room, waiting for the person that Malikha meant. Some people were still sitting cross-legged while praying.

About an hour later, someone appeared and was welcomed by the people who were there. They called him “Sheikh Akbar”.

Rais believed that this is the person Malikha meant.

“I feel offended because we are treated that way!” Sheikh Akbar said to the people around him.

“This country is a cowardly country. They are trying unarmed people.” he continued.

“We must gather our strength. Do not let our people be oppressed. We must hold everyone. We must be the most powerful. Everyone must be afraid of us. Caliphate! That’s the solution.”

Rais watched this person. The longer he watched, the more he understood what was happening.

He also understood more about what Malikha said.

Muslim’s world is sick, and one source of the disease was in front of him.

“People in this world have a lot of fear, a very much fear. Fear of losing what they have is their weakness. We see poverty on the streets, and people who are in despair. While people who are higher up are so afraid that they will suffer the same fate. They are afraid of the bitterness of life.” Sheikh Akbar said.

“We do not. We strive! And God will give us heaven! We are a world leader. We are a caliphate! Then get angry! Get angry about why we are not where we should be! We will show the world who we are. We have to show the world that they never understood. And they will experience what fear is like!” he continued.

Akbar paused for a moment to take a breath, then resumed.

“We will hit them right in their face. We will remove America from its position! We will seize them, destroy them, and kill them up until their roots. There must be no one other than us to do it!”

The room was silent. People were quiet listening.

“You have enthusiasm. I appreciate that. And we will get the victory from here. We will finish America off until they beg us. That moment will arrive, and the time won’t be too long.”

Akbar was silent again.

“Enough, for now, Salam Alaykum,”

The congregation answered his greetings.

Rais is a logical person. Because of that, he decided to leave the mosque. Even so, at that time, he knew what the problem was. People like Akbar weren’t just one person. There were many of them out there, and Rais was sure of that.

Fear, they will spread fear!

Indeed, fear is a source of enormous power.

Rais walked down the alley to replace Malikha’s car still there. The girl waved her hand. Rais got into the car, and Malikha offered him a glass of coffee.

“It took you a while.” Said Malikha.

“Now I understand, thank you,” said Rais, receiving Malikha’s coffee.

“This is one of the starting points for the emergence of extremism,” said Malikha. “You have seen, even in our country, extremism seeds have still emerged from these kinds of places. Can you imagine what happened in Afghanistan?”

Rais was silent.

Malikha patted his friend’s shoulder.

“If you want to do something, I think you should think carefully.” Said Malikha.

“I’ve thought about it, Malikha. I’ve been thinking about it for a year.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll show you, but later, in due time. ”

Malikha looked at him.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Then what do you want to do now?”

Rais smiled.

“Making a better world.” He replied.

“How?”

“I’ll show you later. Let’s go. ”

Malikha nodded and started the car. They went down the road to New York City. In one place, Rais saw a wood craftsman.

“Please stop here for a moment,” he said to Malikha.

Before Malikha could ask, Rais had come down. He approached the woodworker and talked for about ten minutes. Rais was seen writing checks and giving them to the wood craftsman. Soon he returned to Malikha’s car.

“What are you doing?” Asked Malikha.

“I ordered some carts from him. Afterward, I told him to give it to street vendors who needed a cart.” Rais answered.

Malikha was stunned.

Even so, she smiled broadly in disbelief.

“We will make a better world,” said Rais.