The Zetta Sonic
Morning Tea

Alex didn't miss the two names that Vanessa's doctor proposed to her. Oscar Robin and Greg Arson. Whether since when, he now has a tendency to compare himself to the agent he is studying. He was curious if he could complete the mission better than them. Can he decide which is better, shoot the fuel tank instead of the tires of the fugitive car or choose which hostages to save first.

Gonggongan Rover brought him back to his senses. He is not at ICPA headquarters. He's at home. The sun is shining softly. Weather's sunny, a little cloudy. A perfect time to swim. Their sports teacher chose the right time. Once again, he was made to regain consciousness when Preston entered with a tray filled with teapots and cups.

“I didn't think you were awake, Alex,” said the butler.

“There are school assignments I want to perfect.” Alex spontaneously yawns. The rover who was watching his employer also yawned. While closing all ICPA files on the tablet PC in his lap, Alex moves from the bean bag to the orange sofa, just across the coffee table. “You often bring me tea in the morning now,” Alex said again.

“Maybe because you never rejected it.” Preston poured warm tea for his employer. He glanced at how Alex was back yawning. “The horse is already waiting for its first trip.”

“Horse? Oh, horse.” Alex knows he hasn't had time to test his father's robot horse. An interesting snitch. He himself had actually been looking forward to the opportunity to try it. “Will arrange a schedule for it.”

Preston frowned. “I think Alex is now very busy like his mother's father.” Preston catches Alex's nerves but chooses not to speak. His master ignored his gaze.

“For exams,” says Alex fast. He was not very happy compared to his father, especially his mother. For the time being.

“One more, Alex. About party. I've sent a reconfirmation to the organizers. You'll come to represent Mark Hill and Alicia Remnant. Tomorrow night. Right, ‘kan?” Preston poured the tea and gave it to Alex.

“Sure.”

Alex remembers the party. The same party as the party before. Festive, decorated with beautiful decorations, fragrant smells, filled with famous people such as officials, ranks of artists and influencers with their families. There will be live coverage as well as journalists thirsting for curiosity. On the bright side, the food is always delicious.

As if he could read Alex's mind, Preston chuckled. “Start tired of attending parties, eh? As I recall, you're replacing your father more and more coming to the party now. Ah, no. Bila kuralat. Not replacing but representing.”

“I don't see the difference.” Alex chuckles.

Alex doesn't always like parties. He likes parties more than not. Unless the party is held at night, in the city hall, it also requires a tuxedo as a dress code. The memories of the killer robot and how he fell into the river were not at all good memories. Had the invitation not been sent away and he had promised to take the place of father and mother, Alex would have made up an excuse.

Sometimes he cannot use his lying ability because he does not want to give a bad impression. Usually, he promised himself that he would find something interesting there. Such as delicious food or unique attractions because meeting artists no longer makes him excited, especially if his friends are indeed from among artists.

“I can always try to find a friend,” Alex told himself.

“Try not making friends with the wrong person.”

“You can learn from other fish in different ponds. Different environments, different people, different thoughts, different values. There are many things that cannot be learned in school.”

Alex is pretty sure, even too sure, that Preston is talking because he knows he's been in a different pool lately. A pool called ICPA. Alex had no other environment that could make his mindset change so quickly. He does not follow any particular club or community. She goes to all the shows she likes as long as she has time.

Preston returned Alex's gaze in a friendly manner. “There's something wrong with my face?”

Alex shakes. “Neg. I was just thinking what I should wear tonight.”

“I've prepared it for you. You just need to make sure that your tasks are done.”

Alex once again nodded. The talk of duty did not make him think of schoolwork. He immediately recalled the ICPA penalty where he had to complete the task of watching nearly a thousand hours of missions of other ICPA agents. Doing it little by little does not mean that it can be ignored. That means he has to divide his time well.

Preston continued. “Some of your father's colleagues will come.”

“I know,” says Alex. “Maybe they will bore me.”

Preston smiled again. Alex finished the tea. The butler tidied his cup and teapot and walked out of the room. Preston will prepare breakfast for him and Alex will join him below. But before that, Alex thought of something else. Father's partner.

Encouraged by curiosity, Alex went to the computer chair. As usual, the large screen before him flashed and showed a bee symbol at the bottom. He was just a little curious about his father's partner.

Dad's coworker. Because of this conversation, Alex got a hunch that Preston knew something about the ICPA. Something impossible. The curiosity made him check the guest list of the party invitation later tonight.

I don't know what he expected. When the name line comes up, Alex cross-exams the video list and mission reports he has. There are many names of agents on the mission report. Alex chose a few names on the invitation list at random. Hoping to find common ground on the agent's rosters. Of course, there are no names that fit the list.

Alex snorted amusedly, laughing at himself. He began to think that even if his father's ICPA partner came, there was no way that person would use his real name. Ah, no. Alex probably won't even know which one's real name. Name on the list of invitations or names registered with the ICPA.

As his cursor moved to close the row of invitation names, his eyes were fixed on a name. The name is not foreign. Caitlin Daniels's. He heard the name yesterday when Emil read out the names of Special Force members. If Alex wants to find out about Caitlin, it'll be a good time.

Alex knew he was wrong. The party that initially felt boring, now made him impatient.