The Zetta Sonic
Back Seat

What isn't Alex listening to? Alex wanted to protest. However, he paused the intention after recalling the moment when he left the Special Force headquarters. He also remembered ignoring the call from the doctor. All that makes him sit quietly down in the back seat of the SUV car.

His eyes observed the rapidly passing streets. Tiger always ignored the speed limit when sitting behind the wheel. One or two car horns do not make it brake. So far, Tiger has never crashed due to negligence. He only crashes when needed. In the world of criminal countermeasures, such a thing is already considered commonplace. Alex remembers Jayden saying it.

The atmosphere of the car feels worse now. Air tightens. The invisible weight pressed down on his shoulders. Warm mentors don't help. For the last time this week, Alex has been feeling bad. His eyes looked at the interior of the car. Not anything special. Grey upholstery. Small buttons on the front. There are also some that stick to unnatural places, for example behind the driver's seat.

Maybe he didn't listen.

Alex remembers that Jayden told me. At least, he offended some car-related matters. There is also a matter of central ICPA technology that is being developed. Then, there is also the ICPA trick to clean up the mess about secret identity. Alex let go of a long sigh. Emil was right, he wasn't listening. Some things just passed from his ears and mind. Reasons easy. He doesn't think those things are important. But does it fall into the category of not listening?

“I...” Alex's remarks came to a halt. His defense sentence vanished. He also had to find another defense. Alex is convinced that all the things he does with careful thought. Explanation will take a long time. Very long. Alex opened his mouth again. Before the sentence came out, the exact same sentence had been heard from the driver.

“We need to talk. Tons.” Tiger growling.

Alex saw Tiger's eyes from the middle spy. Although only from the reflection, Alex could feel those sharp eyes as if they were investigating him. Tiger's growl gave a sense of trepidation down every inch of his body and pierced his bones. Even so, he hid it well. “Talk? Aboutwhat? About Melodiza?”

“On how you infiltrated the ICPA.” dungeon Tiger replied while giving another sharp glance through the rearview. “So, talk!”

Alex couldn't believe that the big man he had killed when he first broke into the dam could make him tremble now. Shaking in the real sense though not so obvious. When they first met, they were clearly enemies. Tiger plays the defensive side and Alex the attacking side. As Alex remembered, he was undaunted at that moment. He's more nervous at the moment.

Indeed, the main reason for his agility was not the look of Tiger's eyes but rather the forbidden actions. He was not surprised at all when his actions were discovered. Being an ICPA member does not mean Alex is immune. He was well aware that he could go to prison for breaking into prison. The situation made it look like he was riding in a police car as a suspect instead of a colleague.

Okay, maybe not to jail. Nadira will definitely do something about it. But, still Alex will get his replacement punishment. And, run away, definitely not the thing he did.

Not hearing Alex speak, Tiger snapped. “Speaking, boy!”

“I— I just want to help Jayden.” Alex realized his voice was shaking. He had no intention of telling how the details could get there. According to Alex, he needs more emphasis on the reason for being there. After all, Alex was worried Tiger would get them caught up in another accident if he talked too much with her.

Tiger snorted loudly.

Alex gulps. He was forced to continue after a stifling silence. “I know it's wrong. I just... I just want to know where Jayden-” is

Emil is responding. “Dan, you think he knows? Another villain?”

“They.. have network.”.

“What did he tell you?”

Tiger cut in. “Damon has no boss. He just gets information from others. But he has no boss. You're obviously eaten up by his lies if he says he has a boss.”

Alex gnashing. “Wait. You guys know that? Why didn't you tell me?”

Emil turned his head slightly until Alex could see the doubt on the young man's face. At the same time, the young man seemed to want to talk but also refused. Tiger glanced at Emil and let out a long sigh.

“Why not say? I'm a member of Special Force!” Alex started suing.

Tiger shakes. “You are not ready to be a real ICPA agent.”

“I've been practicing.”

“It doesn't then make you ready.”

“Then, let me know! What is less?” Alex's tone is up. His eyes glared. His sight met Tiger. If he had hoped Tiger would have trembled, that was definitely not the case. What happened, just the opposite.

“You know what you're lacking? Much!” exclaim Tiger. Pressure changing. Tiger started to curry. At the top, he shouted even louder. “You're not just endangering yourself! You jeopardized this operation! You're just a kid trapped in an adult world!”

Alex vibrates. His shoulders, his hands, his fingers were trembling. His eyebrows are linked. Lips interested. His throat was hot, and so was his face. He could see how his cheeks were flushed. His entire neck muscles stiffened. It's the first time Alex has tried to hold back her tears until it's like that.

“And, if there is something that is clearly lacking from you,” Tiger continued, “that is determination!”

Tiger's words did not make the tension in Alex disappear, but clearly disturbed his curiosity.

“You definitely didn't realize it, but we all know,” Tiger said. “You consider all this a game. There is not a single mission you take seriously. Always by himself. You think you're a hero with superpowers. Always on the cloud. Always winning. Look at your condition now!”

Alex flinching. At the rearview reflection, he saw Tiger preparing to speak again. When their sight met, Tiger avoided it. Whatever he wanted to say also disappeared with him.

Alex's hands are clenched now. All Tiger's words were correct. With Dragon Blood, Alex felt he could do anything. Including ignoring Nadira's orders also infiltrated into ICPA prisons. Finally, he was instead stuck with Melodiza. If not helped by Emil and Tiger, not only his identity is threatened, but also his life. Of course, it will affect the Special Force. If he were to disappear, ICPA Sinde would have no spearhead against criminals.

“I... just want to help Jayden.” His voice is so soft. Alex doesn't care if he's not heard. The sentence was more about himself. No longer as a plea, more as a plea.

“Hei.” Emil has looked at her. “Alex. We're gonna find him. Sure.”