The Zetta Sonic

Midnight

Jayden knows that a rejected card is not a problem. He's good at hacking systems. Access cards are nothing more than baby toys. Using Flipad, he can even change his card to access the presidential suite in a five-star hotel. The problem is not in the cards, but in the roommates. This isn't the first time Jayden has been denied an access card because people don't want to room with him.

It was late at night, his body was tired, his stomach was rumbling, and he could not enter the room. Long and exhausting day. He let himself sit on the floor, leaning against a wall, accompanied by a travel bag, before starting to figure out how.

He remembered that when he signed up to live there, he did not recognize any of his roommates. Then, he remembered that the registration officer gave a grin when handing over the key. Apparently, it was a warning that he was not welcome there.

If you remember again, Jayden does have a series of names of people who do not like him. He was on opposite sides and hurt ICPA members. He also met an agent whose brother Jayden killed. He was also insulted when he was selected to join Zetta Sonic. The reason is simple, always the same, he once worked for the bad guys.

Jayden wondered, since when did he become strong enough to survive alone? It seemed like he was always looking for support from the closest people. It's not that he doesn't like being alone, he just wants support. Jayden has a strong guess. Maybe since losing her sister, she's gotten used to being alone. But, there were times when he missed that there were people supporting him from behind.

Thinking that there was nothing worse than this, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him.

“What are you doing here?”

Jayden recognized Tiger before even turning to him. “It looks like I should ask. Why are you still here?”

“I can be anywhere I like.”

“Tap.” Jayden is arguing.

“Rejected?” Tiger lowered his gaze to the access card in Jayden's hand. “You've solved this problem before, ‘kan. Just hack the system. Those new agents definitely don't know who they're dealing with.”

“Instead it.” Jayden is back. “I'm lazy to make trouble.”

“You didn't come home?”

Tiger's question sounds awkward. “Which house?”

“First as I recall you had an apartment here.”

“I rented it out since we stayed in the reservoir.”

“Then, what are your plans?” Tiger started to move.

Jayden walked over muttering. “Perhaps, find dinner and find a hotel near here. Then, tomorrow morning ask for a new room after nagging to the dormitory clerk. It is not easy to start everything from the beginning.”

“Where are your friends?”

“Tasks in other branches. Life is not always the same.”

Tiger nodded. “If you don't mind snoring, you can sleep with me. I'm alone.”

Jayden chuckles. “At your sister's house? Very kind. But, no need, thank you.”

“Who said that I went home to my sister?” Tiger asked back, making Jayden realize that he was also staying at the dorm. “I haven't been in contact with him for long. So, I'd better stay here until the repairs are done.”

“Something happens between you,” guess Jayden. “You don't need to tell me if you don't want to. I don't want to ruin my roommate's mood.”

Tiger made a big smile. His offer was just grabbed. “Then buy me a burger at the Trooper shop. I'm starving.”

“They open twenty-four hours now?” Jayden realized that since moving to the reservoir, he had only once come out. All usual shopping needs are left to Tiger. He's just out for a special assignment. “Wait. How are we going to get there? Don't tell me you stole ..” Jayden let his sentence hang.

“Why are you, not me?”

“Nadira must be afraid you installed a strange system in his car.”

“Very funny, Tiger. I'm not that child.”

“Come on, we know you.”

Jayden hasn't heard that kind of phrase in a long time. He followed Tiger out into the parking lot. Their car at a glance is the same as other ICPA cars that are also parked there. Of course, the inside is different. Tiger and Nadira knew clearly that there was a possibility that Jayden would install a new system for their devices.

“Good. But, do not forget that the system that you say is strange is usually a development of the ancient ICPA system. Including, technological. Take my drone. They're making it big in ICPA's technical lab. Too bad they turned down my laser gun plan. Admittedly, theirs is more balanced.”

Tiger approached the white SUV parked at the end. “Alright, at least you've made something useful. I've seen the file. If it is not wrong, ICPA calls it by the project name XTD-210, yes?”

“What!? I should hurry up and give him a name!”

Tiger laughed too. He drove fast as usual. The Trooper burger shop is just a regular shop near the park. They have no special menu. To compete with the ever-expanding ready-to-service store, the store is now open twenty-four hours. At night, the signage of the tavern's neon sign is so striking. The multicolored neon framed the silhouette shape of a burger and a glass of milkshake.

Tiger observed how Jayden held his stomach all the way. “You blame Henrietta or blame yourself?”

Jayden put his hands away quickly while taking off his seat belt. They've arrived. “What? Notwithstanding. I was just thinking about what to eat.”

“You must learn to lie from Alex. The boy is professional.”

“It wasn't a compliment. That's a bad habit. Don't praise him!” Jayden grunting tickled. “Maybe it's one he learned from his parents. Something we sometimes need on a mission. But, he still has a lot to learn to be a real ICPA agent.”

“Physical exercises, shooting exercises, this and that knowledge.”

“More than that. Mastering Dragon Blood.”

“You have plans for him?” Tiger opened the door, jumped out.

Jayden met him in front of the car. “Yes. And, I have plans for us.”

“Repeat again. We?” Tiger was also laughing. “My martial skills are above average. If anyone has to learn, it seems to be you.”

Jayden folded his hands in front of his chest, making a knotty smile that made Tiger realize that he had misspoken. “Above average ability but can be put to sleep by a fifteen year old child-made capsule. Pretty reasonable.”

A look of annoyance was directly on Tiger's face. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Come training.”

Tiger laughed again. “You still have a lot of tasks that you haven't worked on and you are still thinking of practicing?”

“My fingers defend myself. Instead, I'll teach you a little bit about technology.”

Tiger stopped laughing. “What makes you think I'll obey your will?”