The Zetta Sonic
The Bugs

Alex nodded in disbelief. It seemed too real to be an illusion. He was wearing a black suit with a light blue tie. Either it's just Alex's feelings or his father is now bigger and more muscular. Dad's gaze swept through the room once then stopped at Alex who was still gawking. Then, he snorted at the officer.

“You should have a good reason to keep my son here.”

“This is just a little misunderstanding,” said the officer. “We call Alex to give a description because he is an important witness—”

“You threatened that he could be a suspect.”

“Please forgive them. I'm sure it was just a bluff,” said another man who had just arrived. “True ‘kan?”

It was the organizer of the exhibition Alex had seen before. Beside the dashing father figure as well as the security guards, the organizer of the exhibition looked frail and old. The old man rubbed his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief. Besides being frail, she also looked a little nervous.

“True ‘kan?” ask the man again to his security guards.

“True.” The officer in front of Alex finally answered. “Which I was talking about is just a possibility.”

“If it is done,” said father, “I want Alex to come with me.”

“Sure. Please.”

Alex doesn't pay any more attention to who gave him permission to get out or how he got out. He had walked away from the exhibition building in a dim street light. His heart was racing, his hands were clenched, his lips were tightly clenched.

“You angry?” The man beside Alex asked.

Alex let his emotions out. “What are you doing? You think that was a good show? Your cheap acting is disgusting, Tiger!” Alex snapped, even so he managed to control the volume of his voice.

“Sorry. I'm not an actress like your mother.”

Alex snorted in annoyance. Slowly, his father's face vanished replaced Tiger's face complete with scars and his shaved head. As the change took place, Alex accelerated his efforts to leave Tiger behind.

“This technology is perfect,” Tiger said again as he pressed a small button on his shirt collar. He hastened the pace. “ICPA has long developed this kind of 3D projector. If you're wondering how there's another Alex at home, eat this your answer.”

“I didn't ask!” Alex hastened his pace.

“Where did you know?” ask Tiger again.

“What's the problem?”

“If I wasn't your father?”

“I am anak—” Alex suddenly stopped. His words and steps came to a halt as if aware of the almost-outgoing answer. So far he believes that cell phone cameras and photos at home have a clearer memory of his parents. The reality may not be so. When he saw the figure of the father earlier, something inside him shook. He knew that it wasn't his father even if he couldn't explain it. “I just... know for granted,” said Alex shriek.

“You angry?”

“Neg. It was just a joke, ‘kan?”

Tiger was standing in front of Alex. His hand patted the boy's shoulder. “Jayden said it was a bad joke. Not the thing you want to see.”

No. gabe. Quite the contrary. That's what Alex wants to see. He wants a defense from his father. He wanted help from his father. He wants to see his father. Unfortunately, he was never able to reveal it to anyone. Alex felt his eyes wet. The harder he held the water flowing out of his eyes, the more his throat hurt. He could feel his shoulders trembling.

[We can discuss Tiger's acting another time. Now, I have good and bad news. The good news is, I found a bug. He wears a costume as recorded on the surveillance camera at the time of day. The bad news is, he got his opal.]

“What? How?” Tiger asked half the protest. “I myself accompanied the organizer that kept the stone in the safe.”

[It looks like a safe is no different from a glass display case for this one of our friends.]

“How did you know he had the stone?” sahut Alex's.

[Carely curious? He waved the stone at the surveillance camera. Now, he's getting into the car—]

“I saw it!”

Without orders, Alex activates his combat uniform. In the distance, he could see a black sedan was passing out of the city hall complex. With the help of his helmet sensor, Alex can see more clearly. He could see the person driving the car. The system immediately matches it with the data. That was Cody.

Using his powers, Alex jumps high. So high and far away that he could arrive at the path the car was about to take. Seeing that there was a barrier, Cody tried to turn. Alex is faster. He stretched his hand forward. Dragon Aura radiated in a straight line. That force shattered the front tire of the car, forcing it to stop after several turns. The car is now a few meters from the position of Alex who was fluttering.

[Have you just used your power to stop your own friend!?] This time Jayden's question turned into a protest. [You can catch him without hurting him, Alex.]

Alex ignores Jayden's nagging. His mood was bad and it got even worse when he saw Cody get out of the car. The boy staggered out, just for a moment. Next, he looked at Zetta Sonic and instead laughed loudly.

“Zetta Sonic! You're real! This proves that research on secret police called ICPA is as real as those conspiracy theories. Amazing!” Cody showed me the black opal and played it. He threw the stone into the air and caught it again. “You must think I'm a villain, don't you?”

“Indeed!” Alex yelling. He ran, trying to get the stone. “You Bug the thief.”

Not yet able to get close, Cody had already soared into the air. Actually, he just jumped. However, his jump was so smooth as if someone had pulled him into the air then helped him land on top of the car. “Wait! Don't rush. Let's have some fun for a second. I wonder if Zetta Sonic is as good as the rumors.”

Alex stop. He hated having to look up. It makes him feel inferior. His hands were clenched but ready to shoot when needed.

[Alex, keep him talking.].

“For what?” reply Alex lirih.

[Just do it. I think I almost found the Bug's secret.]

According to Jayden's wishes, Alex also invited him to chat. “I don't think money is your main destination, ‘ do you? You're the son of a famous game company owner. You could have bought that gem.”

“Oh? You already know my identity but didn't arrest me? So weak!”

“Tell us what you want!”

“You know? I used to let myself get played at school, at home, everywhere. Then I realized when I faced death. We don't know when we're alive, do we? So, why shut up? It's time to prove yourself!” Cody laughed again. “Prove myself that I can too. But, what's the thrill of being a hidden hero like Zetta Sonic? It's more fun!”

Alex's fist tightens. The screen in his helmet started to twitch. “He's crazy!” he said more to Jayden than Cody himself.

[You see what I see?]

“Ya,” reply Alex weaned, “para insects.”