It was not lost on the host that his young guest had elected to mention that the previous invitation was, in fact, sent in his wife's name, as he had instructed.
The General smiled, the slight gesture of his right hand indicating that it was of no consequence. “
You're here now, that's what is important.
”
Seda viewed the Australian.
As did many of his race, he admired these people from the rugged southern country who had fought alongside the Timorese against the occupation forces of the Japanese. There was almost a camaraderie between their two peoples and yet, race colour and politics demanded that this not be so. Seda believed that the young Australian could play an integral part in his overall plans. He knew he could use this man to his own advantage. He had thoroughly considered the opportunity Coleman represented and, having expended considerable energy and time developing an offer which would be attractive to the foreigner, arranged to broach the subject before other guests arrived.
Even though he had put a great deal of thought into the proposition he was about to offer Coleman, Seda still had reservations as to the man's dedication to himself, as distinct from his country. This was imperative as he was about to take a dangerous, but necessary chance on the man's natural human failings.
Avarice and greed.
For a limited time they discussed Indonesia's rapid changing economic and social structure and, satisfied that they had exhausted all other topics unrelated to the real purpose of the meeting and, pressed for time as the other guests were due in thirty minutes, the General raised the question.
“
Have you managed to obtain an acceptable sponsor to enable you to continue in Indonesia?
”
Having advised the older man
en passant
and earlier in their discussion that he had left the Australian Government and now intended staying on in Jakarta, Coleman had hoped that the conversation would take this new direction.
“
No, Pak Seda
,” he responded, indicating his lack of success with a slight gesticulation of the hands, “p
erhaps you could advise what course of action I should take?
”
Seda studied the Australian. His decision had not been made lightly. The former government employee had been investigated both in Indonesia and through the Embassy in Canberra to ascertain this man's real function within the government apparatus. He was not considered a political risk although any journalist's credentials were always of concern to the Indonesian authorities. Considering absolute proof was impossible, the Timorese was sufficiently convinced of the former Attaché's sincerity to reside in Indonesia for purely personal considerations.
“
I will arrange a sponsor,
” Seda advised, smiling at Coleman as he extended his hand.
Coleman gripped the hand lightly but warmly, understanding that Asians preferred not to have their limbs pumped in the Western way.
“
Pak Seda, you honour me with your offer.
”
“
It is the least one should do for one's business associate,
” the General offered the surprised foreigner and, not detecting any negative reaction, continued, “
survival in this environment requires more than a sponsor, Mas Stephen.
”
Seda's use of his first name and the insinuation of a possible future relationship caught Coleman by surprise.
Maybe he'd misheard?
“
Pak Seda,
” he started only to be interrupted.
“
Mas, we'll talk tomorrow. Tonight I want you to celebrate quietly, as
what we have to do together will be our secret and to our mutual benefit
. ” “
Tomorrow
,” Stephen again started to speak and was again prevented from continuing.
“
Tomorrow will be a very important day for you, Mas. We will talk about many things, but particularly we will discuss a new organization I am involved with and, as it requires the knowledge of someone, a foreigner, I wish to offer you the opportunity to join with us.”
“
I have observed you since you first arrived in my country. You are intelligent, respectful and clever. You are also young and impetuous. However, you have my support.
”
Stephen sat quietly as the General continued.
“
Whatever we discuss tomorrow, regardless of your decision, must be kept confidential.
”
Stephen became restless. “
Of course,
” he replied, hesitantly.
“
Mas Stephen
,” Seda spoke softly, “
I must have your assurance that whatever you hear during tomorrow's discussions will remain between you and me only
.”
It had all been presented too quickly, and Coleman was not only surprised but confused. He wanted to respond in the affirmative but felt that he should know more before making such a commitment, even though it appeared that he was being offered the very opportunity that suited his own personal yet undefined needs.
“
Pak
,” he began, “
I agree to keep anything you disclose to me completely confidential
.”
“
I require your word, Mas!
”
Stephen stared at the powerful man. He realized that to hesitate now would lose him an opportunity to really befriend one of the most powerful figures in the country.
Coleman extended his hand. “
I will be here tomorrow, General, and you have my word.
”
Nathan Seda smiled, obviously satisfied.
He would utilize this relationship to achieve his goals. The Australian would be of immense assistance to him. He would place Coleman at the front of his commercial activities, supporting him silently with his financial and political strength. The relationship would be most beneficial to both parties as he was reasonably confident in this man's abilities and unusual understanding of the Indonesian people. Then there was, of course, the question of maximizing the former government representative to access some of those foreign military suppliers who resisted dealing directly with Third World buyers.
They spoke quietly together, pausing only when the other guests arrived. The amazingly brief dinner party
Njonja
Seda had arranged for the small group of guests lasted only one hour. It was apparent to Stephen that the others had been window dressing for his meeting with the General.
They had been left alone again as the other visitors had excused themselves relatively early, obviously to permit the private discussions to continue. The problem of sponsorship was considered further and then settled. Seda would arrange for one of the departmental heads on the Foreign Investment Board to personally sponsor Stephen.
The General noticed his guest stifle a yawn and understood that his new associate had absorbed enough for one night. He reminded Stephen of the agreed meeting scheduled for the following day. The hour being late, Coleman took his leave, his head spinning. Everything had fallen into place for him like pieces in some giant but complicated jigsaw puzzle.
He was driven back to the house on Jalan Wijaya. Physically tired but mentally exhilarated he was unable to sleep for some hours, until finally drifting off, as the faint light encroaching on morning sky heralded the approach of
fajar
.
Â
Njonja
Seda's car called for him at precisely nine o'clock as arranged. Coleman was impressed, not just with the driver being on time in a country which put little store in being punctual, but more with the expensive sedan. It was a dark brown Mercedes 450, the windows heavily tinted, permitting those inside to easily view the outside world while remaining obscured from the onlookers. This gave the German-manufactured vehicle a sinister appearance.
He had received telephone instructions earlier to leave the embassy accommodation and wait to be met outside the Brawijaya Guest House, not more than a five-minute walk from Walters' house.
The impressive sedan had pulled up directly beside where he stood, so close the tyres almost touched the tips of his shoes. The door immediately in front him was opened slightly from the inside, signalling for Stephen to enter. Having done so, the driver sped away without so much as a greeting, guiding the machine dexterously through the maze of
becak
and pedestrian traffic which blocked the road.
They wound their way through this maze of humanity easing into the Kemang turn-off before speeding quickly along the Kemang Raya road towards Cilandak. The surface was yet to be sealed and they accelerated forward, the driver with his palm pressed continuously on the double horns, roadside vendors waving their fists menacingly at the passing vehicle which trailed clouds of red dust.
The driver remained unconcerned, concentrating only on steering the expensive vehicle to its destination. They stopped momentarily at the junction leading off to the Navy's large depot which, for some unknown reason, had been built more than fifteen kilometres inland and south of the city. Here the car turned away from the Navy establishment and then continued twisting and turning, following the red-coloured dusty surface, broken from the constant pounding of oversized military trucks which used this track for transporting their river sand and other building materials.
They travelled for another twenty minutes and Coleman guessed that, by then, they should be somewhere around halfway to the town of Bogor. He couldn't be sure, of course, not having been along these roads before. Their vehicle approached a small village house, inconspicuously simple in appearance. And very isolated.
Guiding the now filthy Mercedes with considerable skill between a number of tall
rambutan
and mango trees, the driver managed to bring the sedan to rest directly behind the building, concealed from all who may pass by. Coleman was again surprised that the surly driver did not alight to open his door, a gesture expected by all
tuans
.
“The General is waiting for you inside,” the voice from the front of the car advised.
Stephen opened his own door and proceeded towards the small and rustic dwelling, stepping cautiously as the soggy ground was covered by chicken and duck droppings. He knocked.
“
Masuk, Mas
,” a voice ordered.
He did as instructed and found the General sitting alone drinking coffee. There was a red thermos and several cheap glasses on a teak table. There were no servants evident. He joined Seda, accepting the glass of black coffee, wishing he'd remembered how hot these could be to unsuspecting hands.
“
Let's begin
,” Seda said, opening a folder and placing it so that his new associate could view the documents inside.
They discussed the mechanics of the new arrangements. From time to time Coleman interrupted to ask questions, continuing only when both were satisfied that he clearly understood the subject matter. They worked well together and, by mid-afternoon, they had established a mutual respect for each other's obvious capacity to understand the complicated issues and tasks with which they would be faced. Approaching five o'clock, they were both showing the strain of the tiring day.
Seda's powers of concentration increased as the in-depth discussions and Stephen's briefing led them into areas yet unknown to the Australian. They evaluated everything revealed by the Timorese General, together, and Stephen was pleased that he'd understood the older man's explanations when questioned on points still unclear to him.
It was agreed that Coleman would appear as the sole proprietor of a new company established as a supply conduit to the Department of Defence. Behind the scenes, Seda would manipulate others within the Department to consolidate the new company's position as a recognized and reliable supply source for the military's needs.
A series of subsidiary companies would be established in regional capitals such as Singapore and Hong Kong to facilitate the double documentation associated with buyer's commissions.
Coleman listened, fascinated and impressed with the General's thoroughness and the extent of the elaborate plan. As Seda talked, with obvious knowledge and authority, Coleman became aware of the General's superb understanding of commercial matters relating to the Defence Department.
Seda took him through the concept, step by step, explaining his reasoning for the complicated procedures he had insisted on introducing prior to implementation of the project. Stephen thought he'd misunderstood when the General had indicated that his potential share of the company's proceeds would, within three years, exceed one million dollars.
As Stephen sat, stunned, Seda deliberately rolled the figure off his tongue again, more slowly, so that the ramifications of the potential their arrangement had would be overwhelmingly engraved on his mind. He could be wealthy!