The Zetta Sonic
S11 - (Spring) Lunch Hall

The seven continental level ICPAs have competent and assertive leaders. They certainly have different ways of leading each other. Even so, they managed to secure their respective benua.

Two of them are quite famous, of course, Nadira from Sinde and Mark from Regis. The two led a large continent with thousands of reliable agents as well as technologies that were continuously developed. Because of its vast territory, the level of criminality that occurs is also as much. No wonder that the two regions also never stop making innovations to prevent crime.

Apart from Sinde and Regis, it is no secret that every branch of the continental level usually sees each other developing on other continents. This, indirectly, makes them compete with each other. Healthy competition makes them more developed. There are cases where a technology imitation of another continent actually proved more perfect. Unfortunately, there are also some cases where they actually tackle each other.

With the division of the continents, there should not be leaders from outside to interfere with the problems of a continent. This includes solving cases to extract resources from the continent. This problem almost always takes the most time when the leaders meeting occurs.

When the Zetta Sonic appeared, along with it also raised many questions. They tried to extract information from Nadira. In a short time Zetta Sonic is considered successful in suppressing the terror that occurred in Sinde. Other leaders are trying to figure out what Nadira is doing. Like how they create the formula, prepare equipment and weaponry, to find adequate agents.

Nadira always reasoned that Zetta Sonic is not perfect so he is not ready to share it with the world. Usually that reason gets him off the hook easily. Ordinarily. However, when a continent faces the problem of high-tech criminals, inevitably the leader must find a way.

That day, a leader from the cold continent forced Nadira to divulge a bit of his secret. When Nadira remained unmoved, the leader asked if Nadira could lend Zetta Sonic to him. The question only got a long sigh by Nadira. After that, there was a lunch break. If anyone can cut the leaders' meeting, it's an empty stomach.

“I don't think you'll be that easy to lend your agent.” Mark Hill opened the conversation. The big man was picking up his coffee when Henrietta pushed Nadira in a wheelchair past behind him.

“I?” reply Nadira. The woman also waved her hand.

Henrietta nodded and left. As an assistant, he was only allowed to accompany her at lunch instead of meeting. And, when his leader asked for time, he had to obey immediately. There are a lot of things that leaders should talk about.

Mark turned. In his hand was a white cup filled with black coffee. He always likes bitter coffee whenever and wherever. Especially black coffee made by such a famous hotel. The room where they met and had lunch was on the top floor. There were air lanes and secret doors that could be used just in case. The hotel itself is a colleague of the ICPA.

Their meetings usually changed places from one continent to another. Meetings are always held in places like this. Luxurious, cozy, delicious food, coffee, and - most importantly - high-level security. The blurred path is mandatory considering they are always targeted every time. The meeting place must be declared sterile at least one day before and after the meeting. During this time, each leader can send agents to the area for security reasons even if the number in the building remains limited.

The leaders can still invite them to lunch together as Nadira did. Mark is too. He has some trusted agents in the room. One of them had been to Sinde and met directly with Zetta Sonic recently.

“Hmm. Refuse to lend Zetta Sonic to solve the crisis of the poison bomb armed criminals. You think I'm that cool?” Nadira asked a question in response to Mark's question. He didn't have to really answer Mark's question. Leaders usually know there is a rejection behind his long sigh.

“Yang is special.” Mark blew on the hot coffee, making his thin smoke fly away, before sipping it slowly.

“Zetta Sonic? Of course.” Nadira. “He's my best agent at the moment.”

“We need the strongest for world security.”

Mark spread his eyes around the luxurious dining room. There was a crystal chandelier above the ceiling painted scene. Thick ornate carpet lining the floor. High pillars with intricate carvings as well as tall windows and waving curtains. The room looks more spacious especially now there are only a handful of people. Mark's eyes stopped on a short-clothed man at the end of there, the leader of the cold continent.

“Even if you have to take from others?” There was no change in expression on Mark's face as he asked and continued. “One of your best researchers died recently. Some of your agents were also pronounced dead by faulty experiments. Then, the appearance of monsters.”

“Unless you have another point, I think you're repeating the report I read. You don't think I killed them, do you? Death is always a risk to our jobs, Mark.” Nadira. “What do you want to say, Mark?”

“You must be very careful with research. It is difficult to ensure its development. Especially when we are dealing with living beings.” Mark smiled. “I remember being a bodyguard for professor Dominic. Rainforest, pure springs, exotic tribes.”

“That was one of your first trips when you became an agent. You call it a failed trip,” guess Nadira.

“Sometimes I hope that trip never existed.” Mark sipped his coffee. He circulated his gaze around the room once more before landing on Nadira again. “But, I think that journey shaped all of us. Professor Dominic, me, also my only son, Alex.”

“Then, it is not a failed trip.”

“Not on paper.” Mark smiled again. “Can I give you a suggestion?”

Nadira did not answer, only shrugged his shoulders.

Mark also spoke again, “Jaga region and people around you are fine. You're not the only one who can get into people's territory, Nadira. Excuse um. I want to enjoy my lunch first.”

Mark is away. Henrietta, who was standing guard at the end of the room, approached the leader. He could see how the look on the woman's face turned even more sullen. Whatever Mark said to her had no effect.

“A mockery?” guess Henrietta, half whispered.

“Not. A threat. Find me the report of his first mission in the Kloster rainforest with professor Dominic Jeremy English. I want to know everything that happened there.”