The Zetta Sonic
Winning Laughter's

Damon gasped every time he saw a video recording of his fight with Zetta Sonic. The footage of the fight was taken from high altitude by the helicopter of one of the private TV stations. The tape never reached the public. ICPA cuts its path before it successfully saves any cloud. Damon has his own path.

Roban was behind him.

[You did it spectacularly, Damon. Very spectacular.]

Damon laughed again. The praise was received non-stop since five minutes ago. While recuperating in one of his underground bases, came an unknown transmission. The transmission turns out to be Roban's communication connection. His men prepare the transmission so that it can be connected directly in the lounge.

The room is not so stylish now. No fancy interior, just gray paint. The lamp is just a row of elongated LEDs instead of carved chandeliers. The lounge chairs are also just regular office chairs instead of velvet sofas. Even so, his victory felt so sweet. It was as if he was in the throne room instead of a simple space in an abandoned former building.

“You didn't contact me just to send this video, ’ did you? Come on, old friend. Tell me what do you want? Cooperating? The cover? We can talk business again.” Damon finally stopped laughing. He picked up a new cigar that was on the table right opposite him. One of his men lit the cigar as soon as it landed in his mouth. After one puff, Damon continued. “Think, I owe you, Roban. You told me the contents inside that dilapidated dam. No one would have thought that they were developing this advanced biological weapon.”

[How does it feel? You are the strongest person in the world right now.]

The compliment made Damon laugh again. “Hahaha. I liked. Feels intoxicating. I need a little rest and after that I'm ready for action. We can start from a small ICPA branch in the suburbs.”

[Dropping small pawns one by one, just drop the king.]

“Bobbing ICPA center will be a little troublesome at this time. I need a little time for that.” Damon enjoyed his cigar for a moment and continued. “How about you? So, what do you need from me? What are you doing now?”

[I got good stuff. A valuable asset that managed to get the video before the ICPA eliminated it for good.]

“We talk about people?” guess Damon. “Who?”

[Your favorite ex. A traitor—]

“Jayden?” Damon makes a good guess and laughs again. “I've heard the news. That's just amazing! The ICPA must be a crime because of this. How much information have you got from him?”

[Not much. There are many things that can still be done with him.]

“In addition to getting information? What is it?”

[Makes Zetta Sonic aware that she is actually helpless. You saw it for yourself, didn't you? Without Jayden, Zetta Sonic not only lost a member, he lost his direction and confidence. Isn't that what you're doing too? Showing that there's something better than him? Sending him in despair?]

“True. Admittedly, it's a pleasure in itself.”

[Do you have any additional suggestions for torturing Zetta Sonic while Jayden is with me?]

Roban's face was replaced by images from the surveillance cameras. Jayden was sitting on a hard mattress in a narrow cabin. His expression read as tired mixed with annoyance. There's nothing else there. Without technology, he's no different than a nerdy kid ready to be tortured.

Damon snorted and smiled. He enjoys how Jayden looks miserable there. “Actually, in my opinion, we should quickly extract ICPA confidential information from him. Then, we can shoot him and dump the body. That's your main purpose for kidnapping her, ‘kan? If not, there is no point in kidnapping him from the beginning.”

Roban's voice was heard again even though his figure did not appear. [I told you. There's still so much we can do with him.]

“Now I'm thinking if it's not the information you want.”

[One by one, Damon. One by one. Don'worry. He will be with me for a long time. Maybe forever. The ICPA will never be able to get Jayden's position. Zetta Sonic has been missing her since the kidnapping began.]

“You are sure the location is safe?”

[Don't worry about that.]

Just finished talking, there was movement in the monotonous video. A tall girl clad in a thick coat came in carrying a bowl of food and a water bottle. Their conversation sounds are inaudible. From the giraffe, Damon guesses that it's a meal for Jayden. There's no fight there. Jayden ate his food without speaking. The girl stood at the end. The position is not in front of the camera but quite clearly visible.

[Accurate. You know a lot of ICPA members as well apparently.]

“Of course. I've admitted some spies. Those caught will be tortured before they die. I've killed five people.”

Hearing that, one of Damon's men approached and whispered. “Four people, boss.”

Damon replied, half whispering. “Five, if I count the agents I didn't accidentally run over in front of the bank. It was a sweet accident. Damon's back with Roban. “There is no harm in finding information about them in the underground world. Preventive measures.”

[Agree. This girl is a former ICPA agent of parts equipment. Called Camellia. We met last year, if not wrong. I offered him three times what he used to earn. It's always nice to be able to plow from the opposing company.]

“No, no. That's not his name.”

[You sure?]

“I'm sure he once infiltrated my hideout. Her name is Cindy or Amy. I don't really remember it, but it certainly wasn't Camellia. His task was specifically to infiltrate the opponent's headquarters. She's like a chameleon.”

[You sure?] Roban asked again.

Damon murmuring. “Lumayan.”

The screen changed again. The picture of Jayden and Camellia shifted to the end. There was another video recording that appeared in the middle of the screen. This video shows Camellia talking to Roban. Then, there were also some photos of Camellia on several occasions. Her photo when getting off the plane, a photo when wearing an evening dress at a party, also a picture of her wearing an ICPA gray uniform.

Damon turned to his men and got a few nods. It made him more sure. “Thousand percent, Roban. That's her! He broke into my base, took the data, and got my new casino shut down for not a month. He can change his appearance but cannot change his movements. I remember the curves of his body and face. In fact, his seduction.”

[So, do you think I've been tricked?]

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I think so.” Damon made a grin. “Begin only. Consider me wrong. You get rid of her and realize she's Camellia. An ordinary former ICPA member, not dangerous. Try imagine. What was your loss when it happened? I thought you just needed a new member. Not more.”

[Preventive measures?]

“Absolutely. Do it, Roban, before he steals more from you.”