72. The Right to Choose
The morning of the seventh day began as usual.
The moment Rangga opened his eyes in bed, a blue screen immediately appeared before him.
Seventh Day Message Received.
Rangga immediately sat up and opened it.
The first message was from Putri.
Its contents were no longer filled with tears or panic like the messages from previous days. Putri mostly talked about her school activities.
She told him that she had started going back to school. Her teachers were kind, and her friends often asked about Rangga. A few of them had even asked Putri for her autograph because her older brother had now become a Pioneer who frequently appeared on broadcasts.
Putri also said that the compensation money from the government had already been received, so she no longer had to worry about school expenses or daily necessities.
At the end of her message, Putri reminded Rangga to eat regularly, not push himself too hard, and come home as soon as everything was over.
Rangga read the entire message with a small smile.
“Thank goodness…”
He closed the first message and opened the next one.
The emblem of the Garuda State appeared at the top of the screen.
To Pioneer Rangga,
First of all, the Garuda State would like to express our gratitude for the assistance you have provided to other Pioneers. The information, equipment, and support you have given to Mayor Deri, Fajar, Andre, and other Pioneers have significantly increased their chances of survival.
The government appreciates all the decisions you have made thus far.
Rangga slowly read to the bottom.
At present, we require additional assistance in the form of coal and metal ingots, in any form available. Processed materials would greatly assist the development of domestic industry.
Rangga nodded slowly.
“Sure… That’s easy.”
He continued reading. Several lines below were marked with a special designation.
Special Message for Pioneer Rangga
Based on our observations, you are currently the Pioneer with the best exploration capabilities among all Garuda State Pioneers. Therefore, we would like to share information we have recently obtained through cooperation with the Green Jaguar State.
Rangga began to frown.
It is suspected that a vanadium mine is being guarded by a Mechanical Ankylosaurus on Savanna Island ⭐⭐⭐. The Green Jaguar State has offered technological cooperation if vanadium can be obtained. According to their research, this material has the potential to serve as the foundation for developing next-generation battery technology, which could have a significant impact on the future industrial development and economic conditions of the Garuda State.
However, the decision is entirely up to you and the other Pioneers. Do not put yourselves at unnecessary risk if conditions in the field are deemed too dangerous. The safety of our Pioneers remains our highest priority.
Rangga read the final section several times. He then scratched his head and sighed.
“Man… That’s crazy.”
He looked toward the sea in front of his island.
“Nope… We’re not strong enough to fight something like that yet.”
Rangga closed the blue screen and slowly shook his head.
“Maybe later… Once more Pioneers reach Level Three… Then we can go back there.”
Rangga reread the government’s message several times before finally sighing. He still had no intention of approaching the mine guarded by the Mechanical Ankylosaurus. The risk was simply too great compared to their current abilities.
He then opened the regional chat panel.
Rangga: Mayor.
Rangga: I got instructions from the government about the vanadium.
Rangga: Did you get one too?
It did not take long for a reply to appear.
Deri: Yes.
Deri: I received the same message.
Deri: The government asked me to assist if you decide to obtain the vanadium, Mas Rangga.
Deri: But the decision is entirely yours. Whenever you think we're ready.
Rangga scratched his head.
Rangga: Damn…
Rangga: I'm not brave enough yet.
Rangga: We don't even know how to attack that Ankylosaurus.
Andre immediately joined in.
Andre: Yeah, Bang.
Andre: Just looking at its body yesterday was enough to make me lose motivation.
Andre: My crossbow probably wouldn't even do anything.
Deri replied calmly.
Deri: I agree.
Deri: We have no information about its attack patterns.
Deri: It would be too risky to force the issue.
Fajar joined the conversation.
Fajar: Just chill.
Fajar: The mine isn't going anywhere, right?
Fajar: We can go for it once we're stronger.
Rangga nodded to himself as he typed.
Rangga: Exactly.
Rangga: That's what I'm thinking too.
Rangga: Don't get ourselves killed just because we want to rush things.
Their conversation continued as they discussed possible strategies for dealing with the Ankylosaurus when suddenly the sky began to rumble again.
The mechanical voice that had always signaled a change once again echoed throughout the world.
[WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT]
The number of Level 3 Pioneers has reached the minimum requirement: 50 Pioneers.
A new feature has been unlocked.
Pioneers who have not sent a shipment to their home country for three consecutive days are eligible to apply for a change of citizenship to another country.
The regional chat immediately fell silent.
For several seconds, not a single person typed anything.
Then…
Andre: …
Fajar: Huh?
Rio: What?
Bima: Seriously? We can change countries?
Yusuf: Damn…
The chat suddenly began moving rapidly.
Andre: Is anyone actually planning to leave?
Fajar: Why would they?
Rio: It's pretty good here too.
Bima: Yeah.
Yusuf: We've been helping each other out too.
Amid the flood of messages, one name suddenly appeared.
Broto: I want to.
The chat fell silent again.
A few seconds later, replies began pouring in.
Andre: Huh?
Fajar: Wait, seriously, Bang?
Broto replied without hesitation.
Broto: Seriously.
Broto: I don't feel appreciated here.
Broto: All I ever see is Rangga getting all the attention.
Broto: And the others too.
Broto: I work hard too.
Andre immediately replied.
Andre: That's not what it's like, Bang.
Andre: We help you out too.
Fajar: Yeah.
Fajar: We all help each other.
Broto remained stubborn.
Broto: Still.
Broto: I'm tired.
Broto: Maybe another country would appreciate what I can do more.
The chat filled with arguments again. Some tried to calm Broto down, while others urged him not to make a rash decision.
Meanwhile, Rangga simply read the conversation in silence.
He had known Broto longer than the others.
The project foreman's stubborn nature had never changed. Once he became upset, almost no one could immediately change his mind.
Amid the heated conversation, Mayor Deri typed again.
Deri: Bro Broto.
Deri: So you really intend to change your citizenship?
A few seconds later, Broto's reply appeared.
Broto: Yes.
Broto: If it's actually possible.
The chat slowed down again.
Andre: Huh?
Fajar: Seriously, Bang?
Broto typed again.
Broto: Why not?
Broto: There must be a country that needs people.
Broto: Maybe someone there would be willing to pay more.
Rangga frowned as he read the reply.
Rangga: What's the point, Bang?
Broto immediately answered.
Broto: For my family.
Broto: If another country can guarantee them a better future, then I'll move.
Broto: I came here to work too.
Broto: Not to seek recognition.
Andre clearly disagreed.
Andre: But, Bang…
Andre: We help each other here too.
Fajar joined in.
Fajar: Yeah.
Fajar: The government hasn't abandoned us either.
But Broto remained firm.
Broto: That's how things are now.
Broto: It might not stay that way.
Broto: I'm just being realistic.
Rio: But, Bang…
Rio: Aren't we all Garuda citizens?
Bima: Yeah.
Yusuf: It'd be a shame if you left.
The argument continued to grow longer. Some Pioneers tried to convince Broto to stay with the Garuda State, while others began to understand the reasons he had given.
To him, changing citizenship was not about pride or betrayal. It was about finding an opportunity to give his family a better life.
Mayor Deri eventually typed again.
Deri: Enough.
Deri: That's Bro Broto's right.
Deri: The system itself gives us that choice.
Deri: We can't force anyone to make a particular decision.
The chat became somewhat calmer.
Deri: As long as he's still a Garuda Pioneer, we'll continue helping each other.
Deri: Whether he chooses to remain with Garuda or move to another country later is a personal decision that we have to respect.
No one argued anymore.
Some still hoped Broto would change his mind. Others chose to remain silent.
They all realized that, in the end, every Pioneer had their own responsibilities and their own reasons—especially when it came to the families waiting for them back on Earth.