The Zetta Sonic
The Bee Worker

“We have to wait. Unfortunately. This robot is still charging.” Emil took a short breath. ”Now, come with me.”

Alex thought he would be taken to the command room or at least a room with lots of benches and a computer, where the operators were on duty. Turns out, emil instead took her through a wide white hallway that was a little different from the other aisle there. The difference lies in the neon green line that runs in the middle of the wall. It's not just decoration. There's a shitty surprise in there. Alex just hopes he doesn't see it when they act.

“Where are we going?” Alex asked. His fingers swept through the wall, confirming his expectation of those surprises. Something within him could feel the static electricity flowing faintly.

“Remberspace. Private.”

“Preferential treatment?”

“I'm sure it's because of Nadira. I'm a member of Special Force.”

Emil stopped in front of a white twin door. He typed something on the panel next to the door. Immediately the sound of ‘pip’ is heard. Almost simultaneously, the door shifted.

Both surprised. Not because of the white walls with green accents. Not because of the row of computers in the middle of the room with a screen as wide as the wall opposite it. Not because of the complicated screen and mechanism on the other side of the room. Except there was Fergus there. Alex recognizes the new head of the ICPA from the box face and a thick mustache complete with the scar.

As the two refrained from speaking, Fergus had already spoken first. “Sudden inspection is never fun for boys.”

Emil shrugged his shoulders. “No problem for me.”

“You don't think that I want to push this robot, ‘kan?” Fergus said as if he could read Alex's mind. Afterwards, he placed the screwdriver he was holding back onto the table. Right next to him, Alex sees Jason and the robot bee. The bee's eyes blinked slowly.

If Fergus hadn't spoken like that, Alex would've caught the impression that the boss was trying to ruin it. After Fergus puts it down, Alex is caught in doubt. That just makes him more alert.

Emil continued on. “I need assistant.”

“New boy? I saw he was hurt,” Fergus said. His eyes squinted at Alex, probing carefully.

Alex chose not to speak until the look disappeared. Fortunately, it was only for a moment.

“What's your name?” Fergus asked.

“Jason.” Alex knows his choice of name is bad. Maybe even very bad. However, it was the only name that flashed through his mind at the moment. “I can work with one hand. Don'worry. I can definitely help Emil, sir.”

“I'm not worried. Especially now that we have managed to find Rando.” Fergus approached the computer in the middle.

With a single swipe of the screen, Fergus changed the display. A short video of a man walking out of a mini market. The disguise should have been perfect if he had not reflexively fixed his hat that was tilted by the wind. His iron hands were exposed. It was indeed Rando in a long coat and hat. His figure walked over and vanished at the front crossroad. The video is short but more than enough to tell you what happened.

“Bend. Why is he there?” Emil asked.

Alex had involuntarily clenched his hand. He also recognized the arrangement of shops near the dam, more precisely near their headquarters. Rando sauntered leisurely there. The presence of enemies within such a close radius would make anyone panic. Alex and Emil are no exception.

“That's what we don't know. I'm trying to keep this information from spreading first. Not all layers of agents know what is there.” Fergus stopped for a moment. His eyes looked at Emil then Jason — aka Alex. “Either intentional or not, I thought Rando had bad intentions there.”

“You think that's the place?” continued Emil.

Alex finally spoke. “The water we talked about, the liquid that Rando brought. He's gonna mix it in a dam? Then, what? Make it a threat and ask the city government for ransom?”

“The government does not negotiate. We're in charge of preventing these kinds of things from happening.” Fergus smiles. “I don't want to be helped. No abduction of agents takes place under my watch let alone the cursed liquid flowing in the capital's waterways. Isn't that right, Emil?”

Emil did not answer, only nodding once.

Fergus continued, “I've spoken to Nadira. I think he wants you guys back. Later, he will definitely contact you soon. For now, in my opinion, you better be prepared.”

Fergus did not expect an answer from the two people in front of him. He walked away without speaking again. After the door closed again, Alex exchanged glances with Emil.

“What was that?” ask Alex. “I get the impression that he knows who I am.”

“Assistant. Jason. Nice name.”

“Not it.” Alex was about to continue the conversation but abandoned his intentions. He went to the table where the other Jason was sitting next to the robot bee. “This is Jayden designed?”

“Minds you something? Your name?” Emil moved across the room. He picked up a small suitcase from under the table and started packing small items around it. Starting from the screwdriver that was held by Fergus then the charger and other components. He left Alex stunned.

Alex just grunted amusedly. He took a little time to admire the details of the tiny robot then asked. “Hei, Emil. Do you think Jayden has everything ready? I mean, preparing a plan in case she gets kidnapped?”

“In general, every ICPA agent is always ready. Ready to be kidnapped. Ready to get killed. So, yeah. We usually have a plan. Plan to prevent bad things. Also plan if real bad things happen.”

“So, this bee robot is like his backup plan?” Alex draws himself closer to the robot bee. The bee's eyes are still twinkling. An indicator that the robot is still charging.

“Maybe. Jayden is a genius. Long-minded. Always full of calculations.”

“Full calculation.” Alex repeated those words. “Jayden predicted everything should he be caught or killed. If I were him, I'd set up an automatic shredder for classified data as a last resort. But, earlier I will prepare a plan to be saved.”

Emil took a glance at the robot bee. “Jayden used to install a tracker on him. Too bad, it got caught.”

“How about another tracker?”

“What do you mean? Another tracker? The kidnapper must have thrown it away. Especially if they are professional and have insiders. As we thought.”

Alex shook his head. “Try to see carefully. It's a worker bee. Not queen.”

“I don't understand. What do you mean, Alex?”

“Maybe Jayden wasn't just making fun of me. Maybe he purposely made it to send a message.”

Emil paused for a moment. “Lebah workers in charge of serving the queen. Where's the queen?”

Alex smiled knot. “I thought this robot would take us to Jayden.”