The Zetta Sonic
Empty Hallway

[For animals.]

“What?” Alex snorted amusedly after understanding what the operator meant. “So, this is a veterinary clinic? Do you think animal-loving Baron bought this factory?”

[Entai. I don't know Baron as well as Caitlin.]

“She is near you at the moment?” guess Alex again.

[Of course. But, in a minute, she's gonna try on a shirt with Dr. Vanessa. So, I took advantage of this little time.]

Alex just shook his head. On one hand, he was clearly annoyed at Caitlin who was insistent about the Baron. On the other hand, he was a little pity. Caitlin was alone without anyone's support. For a moment, Alex wanted to believe in what Caitlin believed.

Alex went further. In the next hallway, Alex caught a glimmer of light at one end of the hallway.

“In the film,” said Cody, such “lorong usually invites danger.... the actual... might match our condition..... at this time?” Cody obviously did not want to admit that what he said was very appropriate.

“Ayo.” Alex waved his hand as he stepped forward again.

The two children walked up to the wall, just in case someone was wandering around. However, as far as Alex's vision was concerned, he had not seen anyone since. Perhaps whoever had been detected by his radar had disappeared at the end of the passageway.

There's a big iron door there. That door has no sign. Not rusty and still shiny. The door was clearly in stark contrast to the conditions around them.

“Jayden? Can you make sure behind this door there is a trap or not?” ask Alex.

Cody and Alex had yet to actually walk into the bright area. The light beam in front of that door formed a clear area between light and dark. Alex was on the verge before he was hit by a light beam.

[Unfortunately, no. You saw for yourself that the heat sensor showed two people missing in the middle of the building. I'm pretty sure they disappeared behind that door.]

Alex squinting. He did not see any writing or warning on the door or on the wall around the door. That door is suspicious. And, as Cody had said earlier, headed for the danger they were seeking,

“Alright, I think I should check it out.”

Before Alex took a step, Cody had extended his hand to hold Alex's arm. “You sure? In the back there can be criminals, armed people, or robots that you said earlier.”

“It is precisely because of that, we have to check it.” Alex hastily corrected. “I. I mean, I should check it out. You wait here. Be here if there is a surprise attack. Protect me from behind. You can, ‘kan?”

Having no choice, Cody nodded. “Oke.”

Alex stepped forward. His body was flooded with long LED light. The lamp itself looks new. If the assumption is correct, the building should have been built before LED lights were invented. There's something behind the door. Something he really needs to find.

As he approached, Alex only realized that there was a panel on the iron door. The panel has a gray color almost the same as the door itself so it is difficult to see. It is big enough for the palm.

“Fingerprint panel?” guess Alex.

[Give your hand there, but don't touch it. I'll help you from here.]

Alex obeys Jayden's orders. He put his left hand on the panel. A green light shot out from his palm. They moved up and down as if they were scanning the panel.

Alex according again. He put his hand on the panel. There was no need to wait for long, there was a soft clicking sound and the door started swinging inwards. Over Alex's head, Jason the drone had slipped in first. Alex was still waiting until the door was completely open for him.

Behind the door, there was another gloomy passageway. The light is embarrassed. Remang but enough to show that their gray walls are much newer than the walls outside earlier. In addition, Alex found several doors on the left and right sides. Of course, the more interesting is not the door, but the iron stairs leading to the underground.

[I just let Jason scan this basement. Jason can't scan too far. The wall is too thick. The good news is, I have enough room for you to choose from. The bad news is, Jason has to walk deeper to find out more.]

On the screen in his combat uniform, Alex could see the floor plan underground. In front of it is an iron bridge extending from the stairs. From there, Alex could see there were large tanks that were almost reaching the bridge. He could also see the stairs descending on some parts.

“I saw some rooms below. Maybe one of them is in that video.”

[Can be. Informants in the field always provide ambiguous information about Baron — I mean, Roban. Different from other criminals. Roban's information is always too much.]

“How can it?” Alex started to move slowly. He tried to stay calm so as not to cause a noise that triggered a commotion. Eyes squeaking. He did not want to surprise anyone, either from the bottom or the front.

[I thought Roban was deliberately releasing far more information than he really was. Mostly fake. It's a way to outwit the opponent. Don't ask how much info you should choose to get this place.]

“How about the video?”

[Caitlin said she got it from Baron's laptop. On the laptop, there are several e-mails containing threats from Roban. He said Roban often threatened the Baron to keep his mouth shut. If Roban gets caught, Baron gets caught. Roban often asks for money but the Baron never gives it.]

“You believe the story?”

[If you ask me, obviously not. I don't trust Baron. Now, I'm also starting to doubt Caitlin's story.]

Alex is again. He was right in front of a staircase down next to a large tank. At the bottom of the stairs, Alex saw no one or anything. Besides, he could see there was a door not far from there.

“Good, I'll start by getting off here,” whispered Alex shrill.

[Ba—]

His connection to Jayden was cut off. Alex paused for a moment. He has come this far and is unlikely to turn back. At least, Jason's still airing on it.

“Wait for me!” Cody spoke with a high tone but a soft voice. He, half-run, headed for Alex.

“What are you doing here? I told you to stand guard outside.”

“Don't leave me alone. What if there's a criminal in there? Besides, you also told me to protect you from behind.”

“Are you aware now we are disconnected from headquarters?”

“Tu— Wait. Whahuh? You serious?”

Alex rolled his eyeballs despite knowing that Cody couldn't see them. “Already. In that case, now don't be far from me.”