The Zetta Sonic
Video Calls

ICPA can move fast at one time and slow at another.

When Alex and Emil return to ICPA headquarters, Fergus calls them into a sophisticated computer room. Fergus stood in the middle of the room massaging his forehead, putting on a gloomy face. Tiger in a wheelchair folded his hands in front of his chest. On the large wall across from them, Caitlin's fierce face appeared.

[What is this? After taking Zetta Sonic away from me, letting the professor get killed, now you're accusing me and Baron of kidnapping Jayden? What am I? Bad guy? I'm part of the Special Force until you screw things up. What the hell do you want, Alex?]

Spontaneously, everyone turned to Alex. Alex was unmoved, unable to respond. Emil moved to close the door behind him. In that silence, Fergus' eyes took turns looking at everyone in the room. As if to get out of there but want to join the listening because the responsibility of the mission to find Jayden is on him. Fergus opened his mouth when Caitlin was back talking in a high tone.

[Originally you know, Baron tried to get me out of the ICPA repeatedly. He said the organization is dangerous. And, I am in danger of securing the world with you. Just a while ago I left the ICPA, you guys have accused me like this. Is this the reply I got?]

Tiger moved his hand, gesturing for Caitlin to calm down a bit. But it didn't work. The girl is still nagging.

[I had a much better life with the Baron. He's correct. You are no different from criminals. Equally dangerous. It's only natural that he wants me not to get involved with you guys anymore. So, why would I kidnap Jayden? A vendetta? Don't be silly! If I want revenge, I'll kidnap you. Not Jayden. Try using your brain!]

“Then, prove it!” Alex yelling.

This time, all the pairs of eyes looked at him differently. They weren't waiting for a response like the one that happened when he walked into the room. Everyone didn't expect Alex to be able to reply that way. There was no fear or doubt in his eyes. He was actually challenging Caitlin virtually.

[What? What evidence do you mean? Prove that I wasn't involved? Huh! You're the one who accused me, so you have to prove it!]

“Emil and I found many similarities in your mission in Jayden's abduction. That's proof from us,” reply Alex quickly. “Where's your evidence? If you are truly innocent, you should be able to prove it too unless you are indeed involved.”

Caitlin grunting. [Silly! Listen, yeah. Baron and I were out of town when Jayden's kidnapping happened. There are airline tickets and proof of hotel booking, if that's what you want.]

Fergus. “Agen Caitlin— I mean — Miss Caitlin, I contacted you to give me a little question instead of accusing—”

“You can prepare it in advance!” Alex ignores Fergus' words anyway. “This abduction is well planned. Too kind. Only the person who knows the details of your mission can imitate it exactly. As if... As if you told Baron the details and made it again.”

Fergus rubbed his forehead. “OK. That's a new accusation.”

[Baron is innocent. He's busy with this business. I can give you the agenda if you want. Or, you're saying it's all fake? Like the fake agenda your father used to do?]

“My father has nothing to do with this!”

[Baron has nothing to do with it either! Don't involve him! I thought we could be friends after I quit ICPA. It turns out you're trying to find my fault. Giving Dragon Blood to you was truly a huge mistake. We should have let you die—]

“Enough!” Tiger shouted.

No one dared to break the silence until Tiger himself spoke again. “Caitlin, I trust you. I also believe in Alex. We are all partners. Whether it was then or now. We're not kids. Don't play with emotions. You just took Alex's identity apart. It was really childish.” Tiger glanced at Fergus. “This problem... you... just heard, ‘kan?”

“What? Oh. Aboutwhat? No. gabe. I mean. Yeah, yeah. Of course.”

Alex swears to see Fergus misbehaving. He was about to massage his forehead or temples or even rub his chin. The hand eventually folded to the front of the chest, exposing his muscles behind a long grey sleeve shirt. Fergus clumsily clapped. Alex knows that Fergus isn't surprised by Caitlin's words about Zetta Sonic's identity. Alex rolled his eyeballs.

Fergus added. “This... It is indeed a little... very surprising.”.

Tiger frowned in confusion. In the next second, his face returned as usual. “Talk based on facts, colleagues. Give proof. That's what we should be doing, isn't it?” Tiger looked at Fergus.

Fergus cleared his throat then gave a few steady nods. “Come talk about facts.” The country's ICPA leader finally got a chance to talk. “What Emil and Alex found about the similarity of Caitlin's mission in Jayden's kidnapping is very difficult to ignore. On the other hand, we believe whoever kidnapped Jayden will be able to profit. While Baron — if true he is the culprit — will not be able to profit anything. We can talk about this together. Caitlin, you can provide the evidence you have so that Emil can continue the investigation.”

Caitlin was silent for a moment before finally nodding along. [I'll send you the data in a minute. After that, I hope no more crazy charges are sent to me or the Baron. Excuse me.] The video connection was also cut off.

Emil just made a sound. “You need to sit down, Alex. Your heart rate is too fast.”

Alex didn't fight. He did feel his heart racing as if he wanted to jump out. Shaky hands. Maybe by anger, maybe by others. He felt weak as well as annoyed. He wanted to fight as well to rest at the same time.

“I shouldn't interfere in the affairs of the Special Force. You are under Nadira's leadership. I was just helping find Jayden. That's all,” Fergus said. “So, I'll leave you alone. Call me if you need anything.” Fergus left the room.

Tiger opened the conversation. “Hei, boy—”

“You want to tell me I'm being too rash?” Alex cuts Tiger's speech.

Tiger shakes. “No. That's brave.”

“You trust him more than me.”

“No. I trust him just as much as I trust you. I trust you just as much as I trust Caitlin and Emil and Jayden. Even if we have to admit, we have a lot of differences. One equation we have right now is the Baron thing. I don't trust the Baron. At all. Even if he didn't kidnap Jayden, I'm sure he has a hidden agenda.”

“At least he has motive. Proving Caitlin is better than me,” Alex added.

Emil grunts amusedly. “It sucks. Seeing today. The communication connection just now. You have proven you are better than him.”