2
Golden Dragon Tower Casino, Roanapur
The smoke-filled casino was roaring. Coins clinked in the slot machines. Bleeping buzzers and twirling red lights announced jackpots. At one table a small wooden ball could be heard bouncing in the grooves of the roulette wheel. Dealers skillfully juggled playing cards, while shooters at the crap tables threw their dices to the gleeful eye of enthusiastic crowds of onlookers.
Unlike the gambling capital of Asia in Macau, Thailand have few casinos, catering mostly to tourists and rich locals. The Golden Dragon is the only high-end casino in Roanapur. Twenty stories tall, the first three floors are specially constructed for the casino and restaurants, the rest of the floors are devoted to high-end residential condominiums. In a city littered with poverty and crime, it was not uncommon to see Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces parking on the casino's spacious lot.
Crime boss Bai Ji-Shin Chang prided the high-life. Tall and handsome with striking resemblance to Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat, Mr. Chang is well-known for his extravagant lifestyle. As the big boss of the dreaded Sun Yee On Triad, one of the most feared and powerful criminal organizations in Asia, Chang is pulling millions of dollars every day from every kinds of illegal businesses. A battery of high-price lawyers and an army of well-trained, well-armed soldiers and bodyguards made sure no one would dare cross him.
Of course, the Triad also needed legal businesses to launder funds and make sure the paper trail is clear. The Golden Dragon was built and funded by the Triad using dummy companies as fronts. Millions of baht was invested to bribe corrupt officials and police officers to ensure Mr. Chang's syndicate remained one of the most powerful and feared force in the Asian underworld.
Tonight, Chang is alone on his office at the penthouse. The luxurious suite is the biggest on the building, filled with expensive furniture and modern appliances. Chang's office had huge glass windows that gave a spectacular view of Roanapur. The glass is bulletproof, of course, and could block .50 caliber rounds at point blank range. The mob boss himself sat behind his massive desk, made from ultrahard Asian ebony wood reinforced with Kevlar and armor plate that could stop an antitank rocket. Chang is relaxing, dressed in his usual Versace shirt, pants and tie while drinking cognac and smoking cigarettes.
The intercom on his table buzzed as his chief bodyguard spoke. "Sir, Two Hands is here," the guard announced.
"Let her in," Chang ordered.
The heavy oak doors of the office opened and Revy stepped inside. She is now dressed in her usual shorts and tank top with a thin windbreaker to hide her firearms. "Sorry Mr. Chang, I can't surrender my guns," she said.
"That's alright, Two Hands" Chang replied with a smile. "Take a seat."
Revy did.
Chang stood and poured her a drink. He offered her smokes and she obliged. Revy took a sip of cognac as she noticed a framed picture on a shelf. It's Lotton and Shenhua smiling on their wedding day, while Mr. Chang is making a funny face between them.
"That is our last picture together," Chang said. "I still can't believe that they're gone. They are still very young. A great tragedy."
"It's not a tragedy," Revy replied, her voice as hard as granite. "If they died by natural causes, that would be a tragedy. They were murdered. And the perpetrators must pay, with their lives."
"Speaking of which, I heard you took care of them."
Revy shook his head. "I took out the ones that did the actual assassination, yes. But I still need to kill the head."
Chang sat again and tossed a folder at Revy. "The guys you iced are indeed just muscles. Unfortunately, we don't know much about them, other than the fact that they are Indonesians."
"That's what I thought," Revy confirmed. "Mr. Chang, I have a hunch. The leader of the Indonesians that I encountered, he said something big is behind this. Mr. Chang, there is only one Indonesian that I know who is capable enough and has the ultimate grudge to destroy the Lagoon Company."
Chang eyed her curiously. "You are not thinking Widi Sukandar, right? Revy, she is dead. YOU killed her."
Revy flicked her cigarette on an ornate ashtray. "Yeah. But take a look at this. I got this from the leader of the assassins." She placed the knife on the desk.
Chang examined the knife. He nodded. "This is indeed an Indonesian piau. Very likely the weapon of a prisai sakti practitioner. But Revy, penchak silat is practiced by millions of people in Indonesia. This doesn't mean that Sukandar is behind this."
"Well maybe not Sukandar, but the remnants of her gang."
Chang agreed. "There is a possibility of that."
Revy finished her drink. "Mr. Chang, I need to go to Indonesia."
"Well that's not difficult. I can get you passports, money, everything you need. Dutch, Rock and Benny can accompany you…"
"No," Revy shook her head. "I'll go alone."
Chang nodded. "Very well. Just a reminder, Two Hands. Revenge is a double edge sword. You may as well dig two graves."
"They're gonna have to dig more than that."
"Good luck Revy. And god speed."
Revy turned towards the door.
Dressed only in white tank top and panties, Revy stared at her bathroom mirror unblinkingly. Revy is not a vain woman, but she is concerned about her looks. Too many battles and too many beatings are starting to take its toll on her. Her face still has thinning bruises and pink scar lines. Her body is also battered and bruised. On her last fight in Bangkok she suffered several hairline fractures, with minor hematoma on her internal organs.
But she can still fight. And for her, that's all that matters, especially now.
She noticed her long flowing hair, dyed deep purple. Aside from her telltale tattoos, her hair is her most identifying features. If she wants to blend in, this had to change. She took the scissors. Hair started falling on the sink. In a few minutes, Revy was satisfied with her new shoulder-length hairdo. Next came the dye. After an hour, her hair became a fiercer reddish in color.
After washing, Revy dressed up in simple shirt, denim pants and jacket. She zipped her small duffel bag close. She checked her aging Omega diver's wristwatch. It was already past 12 midnight. Her flight is due in an hour. She carried minimal belongings and no luggage. As she exited her room, she was surprised to see a young man standing on hallway.
"Rock."
"Revy, you don't have to go alone. We can go with you," Rock said.
Revy just shook her head. "I have to do it alone. Dutch agreed with me."
"This is getting too personal, Revy."
"The murder of Lotton and Shenhua on their wedding day was personal," Revy replied, her voice hard. "They sow the wind, now they will reap the whirlwind."
Rock stood silent as Revy walked passed him. "Take care, Revy," Rock managed to say.
Revy glanced at him and smiled. "I'll be back." She disappeared in the darkness.
Rock breathed a sigh as Dutch and Benny approached him. "She's gone," Rock announced. "Should we follow her?"
Dutch lit a cigarette. "No, Rock. She'll be okay."
"But Dutch," Rock insisted. "She could get killed…"
"Revy is a big girl, Rock," Benny said. "She will get the job done."
"Don't feel bad for Revy," Dutch added. "Feel bad for the people crossing her way. There wouldn't be enough body bags in Jakarta when she's done."