The Zetta Sonic
S12 - Narrow River (Spring)

It happened more than ten years ago. Alex himself did not remember it clearly. Different from his father. At the time, Mark Hill was just an up-and-coming field agent. His sharp mind, his fighting skills, his speed of decision-making, as well as the many missions completed decorate his football lunge. He's a young agent with a bright future. It was a little strange considering he was willing to put himself on that mission.

Contrary to his ability, the mission of accompanying a professor to the rainforest was boring. Other than the wild animals and the local language of the local tribes, there was no meaningful threat. The ICPA has even had an intermediary, an independent woman from the tribe and has become a worker at the ICPA.

The three were on a motorboat driven by a tribal resident. The man had no intention of speaking, not even with the woman I was with. While the woman hid her face under a wide hat, busying herself with reading. Two other people, the agent and the professor, spent time playing.

“So, what forced you to join this mission, agent Hill?” the professor opened the conversation again. His thin hands moved the white horse to the black swath, trying to pose a threat to the king.

“No one forced me.” Mark Hill was wearing a thick light brown suit and boots. Steady posture, jet-black hair, as well as that sharp gaze could easily intimidate opponents. Except the professor who was in front of him at the moment. “I volunteered, professor English.”

“Call me Dominic,” interrupted professor quickly. He turned to the other direction of the ship, more precisely towards the little boy who was sleeping under the blanket. The little boy was well camouflaged near their pile of luggage. “No agent is free to take a child on mission.”

“Not many missions allow this. I just took advantage of a rare opportunity.”

Professor Dominic chuckles. “No. Something forced you. Come onl. What's-her-name? Alex, huh? Where's his mother? Busy with a shooting session?”

Mark did not immediately answer, only narrowing at his interlocutor. Then, he moved the black fortress, dropping the white pawn at the end of the board. “You like to listen to rumors, prof?”

Again the professor chuckled. “This is not a rumor. I heard it directly from our leader. Brilliant career, charming wife, cute boy. We're all wondering how you balance time. You live in Sinde, but you chose to be an agent in Regis. When your wife and son visit, you take your son for a walk into the rainforest. You're fighting. Or..”

Mark continued the unfinished sentence. “He insists I need to spend father and son time with Alex.”

“Good wife. So, while he has a photo shoot here, you take your son for a walk. Be careful of the people around your wife. They could be third. That sucks.” Professor Dominic continues his game. He noticed Mark's sharp gaze on her. “Hey, I'm just trying to make friends, okay? It's just advice from a man labeled a playboy like me. I'm experienced.”

“As third person?”

This time, the professor laughed. Next, he whispered. “Listen, if you want to know what a workaholic professor is researching, approach their wife. That woman will talk a lot. Very much.”

“That's the reason you haven't been married to date, prof?”

“I just haven't found the right one yet. Besides, why the rush?” The professor glanced at the board in front of them. “Your turn, agent.”

Mark smiled knot. “As our leader said, he says you like to tell stories.”

“No, no. I like to talk, not tell stories about myself. I prefer to hear other people's stories. And, right now I'm wondering why you chose to be an agent at Regis. You not only live in a different city with your family, it's different continents.”

Mark glanced at the driver of their boat.

“Says, he's the grandson of the chief.”

“Indeed. It makes it heavier. So, what about you? What's your reason for being an agent here, stuck in a secluded place with a freak like me, while carrying that five-year-old?”

“I was born here and I see many opportunities here.”

“You're eyeing the leader position?”

“We all need ambition, prof. Like yourself. You are looking for holy springs, I am looking for good prospects at my job.”

“That's what I want to hear from a Mark Hill. I'm sure in ten years, you could be the head of the continent-level ICPA.” The professor lifts his beer can on Mark. “Don't forget me when you're at the top.”

Mark lifted the can too.

Just then, little Alex on the other side of the ship blinked. He's yawning. His hand held up the blanket while calling out to his father. When his eyes saw the father in the middle of the boat, his feet began to step. The waves of the river made their boat wobble. Shortly, Alex stumbles. Fortunately his father was already there, he held his little son down before stumbling on the floor of the ship.

Before Mark could speak, the professor had waved at them. “Hei, Alex. Can I play chess?”

Mark brings Alex back to the game. “I've shown it. Once,” said Mark. He let Alex move his pawn into the wrong position.

“That's a bad move.” Professor grunts amusedly. This made Alex laugh.

“Dan,” continued Mark, “my job is to correct his mistake.” Mark took the pawn and moved it to the correct position. “This pawn can only step one box, son.”

“You can't fix it all the time,” said the professor.

Alex blinked at the father curious about the father's reaction. He realized that Mark was no longer looking at him. His father was already standing, instead was circulating his gaze around with wide eyes. The professor slowly stood up as well, forgetting their play.

The middle woman took off her hat. Her golden brown hair was cut pixie cut, making her unshakable by the wind. His head was facing the narrowed river. The trees from each side of the river were now docked by a natural gate as if to protect whatever was behind it.

The sounds of wild birds were heard. Tunable at once gripping. Mark doesn't remember hearing the sound of such a bird. There is also the sound of rustling leaves combined with the boat motor that began to be slowed down.

Different atmosphere. The air feels different, as well as the aroma and humidity. Although she could not see him, she knew that they were being watched. The Kloster tribe observed them behind ever more dense trees and shrubs. It would not be surprising if they did so while carrying the arrow that had been aimed. Unknowingly, his grip on Alex's shoulder tightened.

“We're up,” whispered Mark.