The Zetta Sonic
S9 - (Winter) Warm Meal

Alex is sure they asked the same question at exactly the same time. “You okay?” Alex quickly added, ignoring Jayden's questions for him. “I mean, you just got attacked by a bear.”

“Do not worry. Tiger is scarier than a bear,” he replied casually. “So, everyone is busy with their family?” Jayden made his best guess for Alex's show that was off.

Alex puts his shoulders. “Kless more. So, I think I should look for another activity.”

“How about intensive training?”

“Again?” Alex laughed after that. “Actually that sounds interesting. But, I need to know one thing. Do I have to sleep in Zetta Sonic's room, I mean in that capsule bed?”

“You can sleep wherever you want, even in the generator room.” Jayden wasn't expecting Alex's answer. He knew that behind the helmet, Alex was smiling at him. When he saw Emil installing a drone, he got up. “I think they're done. You can go home first.” In order not to feel like you're driving away, Jayden added, “But, if you still want to be here, go ahead. We still need protection from bears.”

“I want to know how that drone works.”

Jayden and Emil mounted a pair of drones on a tarp. So, one drone holds the two ends of the tarp. They tapped something on each tablet to balance the two drones. Do not let one of the drones move too fast or too high and then drop all. When they finished, they moved up the hill to the top of the plane.

There, they returned to moving his belongings manually. Together they took him to the laboratory. Kara hitchhiked on this plane and returned to the capital. Alex was riding his own plane. They just met again at the dam. Alex got there first.

Jayden was amazed as he crossed the runway to Alex. Alex's plane is already in the hangar. The boy himself was staring at his dashing plane. “I'm impressed you can take him in and out without ruining anything,” he said.

Alex turns off his uniform. Without that helmet, he could give Jayden a wry smile. “You hope I ruin something. Maybe robot factory again?”

“Neg. Don'tdon't. I think we're all tired of killer robots.” Jayden waved his right hand. His left hand is in the buffer. When Alex glanced at the addition that Vanessa's doctor had given her on the plane, she said, “doctor Vanessa said that I wouldn't move my hand much first.”

“See the bright side, it's left hand.”

Jayden agreed, it wasn't his main hand. “Alright, I'll be putting together your training schedule soon. You can come here tomorrow night.”

“How about today only?” suhut Alex fast. He tried to sound enthusiastic, hoping Jayden would be eaten up by his lies.

Jayden stopped for a second. “Sure. But, your training will still only start tomorrow. I won't have time to get everything ready in a few hours.” Jayden grunting. “Alright, then go home and get ready!”

Alex finally stayed at the base. The first time, just for training, not a mission let alone lying down because of injury. Alex is allowed to sleep in an agent's room available on the underground second floor. He got his room next to Tiger's. Opposite him is Emil, Jayden, and professor Otto. So far, only they have stayed there.

At this time, professor Otto's room position was vacant. The professor is taking a leave of absence. Similarly, Vanessa's doctor's room is in a different hallway. After their mission yesterday, Vanessa's doctor also took her leave. In addition to that room, there was also a room Caitlin had been empty for a long time. Their headquarters had plenty of rooms to occupy. Alex is curious if Nadira will soon add personnel for the Special Force.

After training, that night Jayden sent him to the Zetta Sonic room after a bath. Alex walked alone that night. He didn't ask what they were going to do that night. Alex expects a new feature to be included in Zet-Arm or maybe a new weapon, but he doesn't expect any fanfare there at all.

In the meadow we can build a snowman

Will pretend that he is Parson Brown

We'll say: No man

But you can do the job

When you're in town

When the door of the room opened wide, his eyes widened. The song filled the bright room. There is a Christmas tree decorated with gold balls and white ribbons. At the bar table, a row of various foods. Starting from roasted chicken, pie, various breads, pudding, to a large pot containing soup. Tiger was taking out ice cubes from the refrigerator. Emil was arranging a clear glass on the table.

The strange aroma of the room is now replaced by an inviting aroma. His nose smelled a seductive spice scent. He also discovered the scent of mint and ginger. The source came from another table near the computer. There, Henrietta was closing a jar of gingerbread and placing it next to a jar of cookies and other sweets. In addition, there are also large cups. Doctor Vanessa is covering it with whipped cream. When he saw Alex coming in, the doctor threw a smile and waved his hand.

Alex replied awkwardly.

On the other side of the room, there was a low table surrounded by chairs. There are pillows and blankets on every chair except for one. One blanket was covering Nadira's legs sitting in a wheelchair. He was next to professor Otto.

Nadira was upset. “Let me guess, Jayden didn't tell him.”

Professor Otto nodded. “A little surprise won't hurt.”

The conversation between the two men made him feel wrong. Alex crossed the room, directly to Jayden kneeling under the Christmas tree, turning on the twinkling lights on the tree. His hands no longer wear a buffer.

“What happened?” alex whispered, half protest.

“We will party.”

“Party? Here?”

“Yups. This room is not too big. Warm enough. Near the warehouse too, so we have no hassles moving chairs and tables here.” Jayden could see how Alex's forehead was furrowed by his words. He also laughed. “When I heard your party was off, I thought that we all deserved to enjoy the party. So, I submitted this idea to Nadira and the others. Now, they're all here.”

“It was awesome and crazy!”

“You know what's even crazier? Most of the food here is made by Henrietta and doctor Vanessa. So let's forget about intensive training for a moment. Tonight, we'll have fun.”

Alex could only smile. It was the Christmas party she enjoyed the most. Not because of the food or the warm chocolate, but because of the atmosphere. They might not be the ones closest to him, but he had spent a lot of trouble with them. That moment was precisely used by Alex to get to know his colleagues. In the depths of his heart, Alex knew he would be stuck with them long enough.

After Jason captures their dinner, Nadira and Henrietta leave. Professor Otto came out after a chat with Dr. Vanessa. Alex sat down with Jayden, Emil, and Tiger near the low table. He saw how Emil could fall asleep quickly after eating. Tiger was sitting nearby, with a beer bottle in one hand, his gaze fixed on the twinkling of a Christmas tree. Jayden checked the picture Jason took.

Alex turns to doctor Vanessa who is sitting alone at a high table. He accompanied readings on a tablet PC and a cup of warm chocolate. Alex moved, sitting across from him. “Thank you for coming,” he said softly. I don't think that sentence fits. Alex wasn't sure the party was made for him. However, however, Vanessa's doctor came even though she was on leave. He even brought food for them.

Dr. Vanessa reached out on the table, which was no longer full of food. He clasped Alex's hand and gave a warm smile. “Thank you for fighting with us, Alex. You've been through a lot. If there's anything I can do for you, just say it. If you need a friend to chat or hug, I will always be there.”

Alex felt his lips shake. She had to admit a little disappointed hearing the remark coming from another woman instead of her mother. However, the words of Dr. Vanessa so gently touched his heart. “Thank you, Doc. That means a lot. Really.”