The Timor Man (31 page)

 

BAKIN Security had at least a dozen operatives working the Hotel Indonesia around the clock as most foreigners on diplomatic or business visits were obliged to stay at the only four star hotel in Jakarta. Their function was mainly to stand around in the bars and lobbies watching and listening, reporting anything of importance involving the foreign community. The phones in the hotel were all monitored, recording most of the considerable traffic which passed through the system each day, only to be discarded due to the Indonesians' inability to cope with the sheer volume of information and their shortage of skilled technicians.

One of the team leaders observed
Si Jempol
leaving the lobby lifts and casually made a note of the time and date. The normally discreet trader was up late, the security agent thought. A little too late for the black market gun dealer. Surprised to see the well known figure in such an obvious location the BAKIN agent underscored the time then returned to watching the wealthy foreigners parade around the hotel lobby.

 

Coleman awoke early, completely rested and feeling more confident of his decision to return to Jakarta, although uncomfortable with the possibility of being compromised in having acquired the automatic. Anderson's approval for his trip, despite it being organized in his own time, was conditional on his undertaking to secure a weapon and carry it while he remained in Indonesia. He was also instructed to bring the weapon back to Australia upon his return. The service was always in need of foreign unregistered hand guns.

Stephen was concerned with customs but, unlike the United States, there were no metal detectors installed at Asian airports. He had agreed, albeit reluctantly and his Chief had then insisted that he use the contact numbers Coleman had tried upon arrival.

The weapon would remain locked in his baggage, he decided.

J
akarta
— the Kongsi

 

Nathan Seda had known of Stephen's arrival within an hour of his immigration
cap
being stamped into his passport at Kemayoran Airport. He was surprised that the former Attaché had elected to return. Seda considered the Australian's visit and admitted that he found his presence a little disconcerting.

He of all people understood just how fortunate the Australian had been to survive Umar's bullet.

It was not like the man to miss. As it turned out, the wounding was almost as effective as his death would have been. The world press, spearheaded by the Australian media, ran the story for a considerable length of time as Coleman was one of their own and his fellow journalists wouldn't let the story die. This had suited Seda at the time although the eventual outcome had been difficult to accept.

The surrender of the primitive Irian natives enabled the plebiscite to take place. The superior numbers and weaponry of the Indonesians Forces had prevailed. As one journalist had stated at the time, referring to the rebels, it had been an invisible war waged over invisible boundaries, as the primitive tribes of the region had no understanding of the import of political lines drawn by others which restricted their movements within their traditional habitat.

In retrospect, Seda acknowledged that although the desired result of the ambush had not entirely been achieved, considerable experience had been gained from the attempt. He had developed a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of, not only his own military and government leaders and how they reacted to provincial separatist threats, but also the international media and humanitarian groups.

He was committed to continue with his ambitious plans, adhering to the original oath he had sworn, motivated by a myriad of events so complex even he had difficulty sometimes understanding the strength of his own resolve and determination. Foremost in his mind, heart and soul was the one principle in which he really did believe, providing Seda with the necessary motivation needed to achieve this aim.

He swore that one day Timor would be governed only by the Timorese. And if his dedication could assist realize this outcome then he would be a very contented man. And a powerful one.

Even more powerful than he had already become.

Funding his operations was not overly difficult. The secret operational accounts from BAKIN had grown considerably, commensurate with the significant increase of foreign investment capital which had poured into the country over recent years. He had little difficulty in maintaining operations as he easily siphoned more than two million dollars off each year's budget allocations. The General realized that vast sums of capital would be required for his next war chest. Although thoroughly disappointed with the events in Irian Jaya he was determined to be better prepared when the next opportunity arose. Seda had learned to be more patient as he believed that the Irian uprisings were unsuccessful primarily due to the impatience displayed by tribal leaders and their lack of leadership. He would provide that leadership to his own people when the time came.

His current program involved sending specialist units across the Indonesian border into New Guinea where they terrorized the primitive groups and, on occasions, managed to successfully locate remnants of the Free Irian Movement. Occasionally he reported these incursions to the monthly defence and security sessions which he now co-chaired and was applauded for his dedication in eradicating these former terrorists.

The Indonesian Defence Council had received irrefutable evidence that armed bands of terrorists frequently crossed from havens in New Guinea and created havoc. They were more than happy to approve counter attacks and supplied Seda with additional funding to support these efforts. His position had never been stronger.

The Intelligence General realized that he had to be careful at all times, remain diligent and ensure that his position be maintained. The military had always been a competitive arena in the past but was even more so now, he discovered, due to the ever increasing number of commercial opportunities available to senior officers.

Coleman arrived in Jakarta without any request for official clearance and accreditation. This disturbed General Seda. All foreign diplomatic activity information was channelled through his offices. The General examined the dossier once again. Most he already knew as he had memorized the data through repeated readings of the Embassy journalist's information sheets.

He had almost successfully had this man executed. Why would he want to return? And then Seda remembered the girl. What was her name, Louise? Seda smiled darkly. He would have the Australian followed anyway. It was always best to be sure with these foreigners who had obvious government links. He could be troublesome but Seda didn't feel there was any real threat. Suddenly he smiled again, a thought playing to his cruel sense of irony. He would invite the former Attaché around for a social function as he had in the past. Then, first hand, Seda would be able to determine the foreigner's intentions in revisiting Indonesia.

 

Seda was pleased with his new home.

His wife had not played any significant part in its planning, having merely stipulated that she wished it to be large and impressive. The mansion was both. The General knew that it impressed as he had observed the envious looks on guests' faces when they first visited his household.

He was selective in whom he invited to his home. At least once each month he would host a formal function at his residence, always arranging for at least two or three foreign diplomats to be present. Rarely would these senior members of the expatriate community fail to attend as to do so would inevitably result in missed opportunities.

The gregarious General was renowned for his generous hospitality and powerful associates, many of whom often appearing unannounced at Seda's functions. Some embassies actually requested that their ambassadors be invited. He enjoyed the power but he had not let it influence his thinking, nor diminish his resolve to achieve his final goal. His recent affiliation with the President's family was dangerous he knew, but essential as he was realistic enough to appreciate that the First Family would be around for a long time to come and to advance his power base any further would require the President's support.

Seda smiled when he remembered his first meeting with one of the sons. He couldn't believe the young man's arrogance and total absence of personality. They had met through a Chinese intermediary and discussed an arrangement whereby a Japanese consortium would be given priority in a military tender due to be called over the following months. Seda had deliberately ingratiated himself and asked for nothing, knowing that this is what the self-centred youngster had expected of him. After all, he was his father's son and Nathan was merely one of his father's generals.

The delicate relationship had paid off well. His shoulder displayed the additional star before the end of that year and it was then that Seda's name had become synonymous with the powerful forces which steered the nation. He had learned the game. When the Palace spoke, he listened. If there was a request, he endeavoured to have it fulfilled. As his superiors unabashedly demonstrated their greed, he helped satisfy their appetites. And, within a very brief time, a day would not pass without his name being mentioned with respect by his peers, in awe by his competitors and in fear by those who were foolish enough to consider themselves his enemy.

Seda had indeed become a force to be considered.

He called his adjutant, explained what he wanted and then informed his wife that she was to invite a small gathering of friends for the weekend. Seda was confident that the visitor would accept an invitation to meet up with an old acquaintance.

‘
If he was really here in a private capacity then why would he not accept such a social invitation?
' he pondered. ‘
Then again, if he was involved in something covert for his government surely they would want him to accept the invitation as an opportunity to dine with the General Seda, these days, was not something to be scoffed at!
'

There was something about this
bulé
, something which made the General slightly uneasy. Incredibly superstitious, Seda decided that maybe it was an opportune time to drive out to Bogor and visit his
dukun
again. He made a mental note to do so. These days he could not afford to be as complacent as he'd been before, he warned himself, such as when he was involved in orchestrating the disturbances in Irian Barat. The medicine man would offer him guidance and solace.

Feeling that he had resolved the slight annoyance he dispensed with any further thoughts relating to the foreigner and turned his mind to one of the many other problems he faced on a typical day. He looked up at the photograph of General Sudomo, his predecessor, his lips curling into a tight grin as he remembered his first visit to this office and the assignment he'd been given regarding his step brother.

The image of Umar substituting the powerful director's heart tablets with the wrong stimulants flashed through his mind. Without further thought General Seda turned his attention back to his work.

 

Stephen Coleman remained in Jakarta until Thursday.

“I'm off, Phil,” he advised, “heading for Samudera Beach for a week and then on to Bandung, maybe Jogjakarta. ”

“When do you intend returning to Jakarta?” Walters inquired.

“Haven't decided yet. I will call from wherever I overnight to keep you current with my itinerary. Okay?”

“That's fine, Stephen, you're a free agent,” Walters responded, with no innuendo intended. “Just have a good time. ”

Coleman wanted to catch a bus but just could not bring himself to board one of the speeding giants. It wasn't just that these buses contributed to most of the road casualty figures. They were dirty and unreliable. Instead, he hired a private taxi for the week, departing from the city around mid-morning, finally arriving in the village of Pelabuhan Ratu in time for lunch at the Bayu Amerta.

The small seafood restaurant had been constructed along traditional lines, positioned on the edge of a cliff overlooking the majestic swells of the Indian Ocean. The panoramic view was spectacular. Waves crashed against the rocks below, showering spray high into the air, threatening the open garden restaurant setting. He ordered the swordfish which was served grilled, basted with sweet soya sauce, and placed on a bed of saffron rice. His favourite.