The two had almost covered the entire park, making sure they had eyes on everything.
'Hey Jason, how do you suspect that a person might or might not be from Jira?'
'By observing. WS agents are trained in psychology. By observing trivial details and small habits such as facial expressions, body language, vocabulary, etc. It is possible to withdraw specific information from an individual.'
'Cool, I'll try this too.'
'Go ahead.'
Jason wanted to teach the fool the difference between them. After all, it takes years of practice and dedication, including experience that can't be taught in books, to perform such a feat.
Psychology is a vast subject with many variants and exceptional cases. For example, there are many reasons a person could be biting his nails. It can be anxiety, nervousness, a posture for thinking, or the person just like his body's taste, etc. To be able to pin everything down and work out all the possibilities and variants is easier said than done.
'I found him, look.'
Alex pointed towards a man wearing a hood in the crowd.
'What?'
Jason's pride was shattered.
'How?'
'By applying what you said. First of all, the man's face is hidden, making it impossible to read his facial expression, but the same can't be said for the people around him.'
Jason fell quiet as Alex continued.
'You will see that they are at least six people constantly looking at him from the corner of their eyes. Over there, there and there.'
Alex pointed towards six people who looked like ordinary citizens enjoying their visit. However, in their field of vision, the hooded man was always there. This doesn't mean the citizens were with the man, but it gave another piece of data concluding that the man was suspicious.
'After a minute passes, they switch people and switch places with another set of six people. Also, the person isn't walking randomly like the people around him. He knows where he should go and what to do, which is proven by his fluid manner of walking. Did I get that right?'
'Correct.'
'Well, that was to be expected. You're a great teacher, Jason.'
Jason's perspective of Alex rose a little. He was told that the subject had developed superhuman capabilities and confirmed that the abilities didn't limit themselves to the body only.
'Shall we follow them?'
'Yes.'
They followed the man from a safe distance with the help of the cameras. None of them had yet managed to get a clear picture of the man that could be used in identifying him.
'I wonder why is he collecting DNA samples from so many animals?'
'Perhaps he is trying to merge it with human DNA and is not getting satisfactory result.'
'If that's the case, then why doesn't he try the DNA of a monkey or something? Scientists are always ranting about how similar we are to them, and our DNA is 98% alike.'
'That is an excellent idea. You should go tell him that.'
Even WS agents can be sarcastic. Jason was trying to focus on the mission, observing every small detail while Alex kept bugging him. This was the delicate part of the mission. It is essential to be vigilant to every little aspect. One mishap could spell disaster.
'I don't think I need to. He had the same idea too this time.'
They both watched as the man walked randomly like a tourist, slowly making his way towards the gorilla section, coincidentally, the only place where the cameras were yet to be set up.
'Why there?'
Jason was vexed.
'Nothing we can do about it now. Come on, let's go.'
They both watched as the hooded man walked to the edge of a gorilla's cage and took out a professional camera.
'So, this time, it is a gorilla beringei graueri.'
'Dude, just call it a gorilla. It's amazing how you can say those words without stuttering.'
Usually, nobody would pay a hundred yen for a mere housefly, but in that gorilla's cage, there was one which was worth over a million.
A unique fly that caught Alex's eyes. A shimmering particle that floated in the air, reflecting the light of the sun. Its reflected rays entered Alex's eyes. He saw that one particular fly wasn't just flying randomly in the cage, but had a specific pattern.
The fly had started its journey as soon as the man turned on the camera/controller. It poked its head out from a small hole just enough to house a common housefly. It came out and, after a quick diagnosis, took flight.
It flew into the cage skillfully flying and maneuvering its way onto the gorilla's hairy back. After landed successfully, a tiny titanium needle emerged from its abdomen. It pierced the back of the gorilla to suck three mosquito's worth of blood in one go.
It flew back out of the cage into its small house after filling up its cartridge, just to head out again. The little fly managed to extract about 2 tablespoons of blood without harming the gorilla in any way. The gorilla didn't even realize he lost some blood.
Jason blamed himself for the fact that there were no cameras in the gorilla section, unaware that the man had already started collecting the DNA and was almost finished. He thought about what he could do in this situation.
'Jason, I'll go.'
--They just happened to go into the gorilla isle? The only place where cameras were yet to be setup.
Jason thought. Alex did a quick stretch and watched the crowd waiting for the perfect window.
--Coincidence? Wait, could it be that…
In amidst of it, Jason realized something frightening.
--It couldn't be that they were watching us this whole time!
Jason turned to find Alex wasn't there. He had forgotten to ask where Alex was going and saw him sprinting up to the man. Panic arose within Jason.
'Alexander, stop.'
Alex didn't have a plan on how to uncover the hooded man. He decided to simply run fast enough to get past the watchers and bump into the man, uncovering the hood. Simple yet effective.
Jason's voice failed to reach him as he bolted. He went past the 1st watcher, then the 2nd watcher, onto the 3rd and 4th, eventually passing everyone before they had time to react.
He headed straight for his target. The man bent on his knees, becoming a more vulnerable target, and started packing his camera.
'It seems you're doing well, Alex.'
Those words rattled Alex, making him jump above him at the last moment. But it wasn't the words that surprised him. It was the voice. The voice was recognizable, but the problem here was that how could it be heard again.
'Dr. Watson? Is that you?'
'It's been a while since we last saw each other.'
The man stood up and purposely lifted his hood to reveal himself to confirm Alex's suspicion. Those white hair and amber eyes with a devilish smile belonged to only one person.
'I thought you died in the fire.'
'Now, now, don't go off killing me. I'm still pretty young, you know.'
Alex saw the watchers gathering. He hadn't thought what he would do when the hooded man was exposed. Watson snapped his fingers to order the men to show their guns.
'What?'
Alex started to believe that maybe Jason was telling the truth. No health organization would casually bring guns to a public zoo.
'Don't be afraid, Alex. These can't possibly harm you. I didn't create you this weak, but if you don't want other people losing a limb or two, you will come with us quietly.'
A man appeared from the back and handcuffed Alex, who showed little resistance. Dr. Watson had taken about 50 people in hostage without them knowing.
'Why are you doing this, Dr. Watson?'
'Why, you ask? It's because you are special.'
Alex admitted he messed up. Jason watched from afar, seeing how quickly things escalated.
'The idiot.'
They took Alex and started walking.
--Jason, just give me a split-second window, and this will all be over.
'Wait, Alex, why don't you wear this first?'
Watson pulled out a blindfold as he walked towards Alex.
'You can never be too careful.'
He knew Alex could easily take down the men if given a chance. He created him.
'I know this isn't my place to say, but wouldn't this attract attention?'
Watson appreciated his concern and felt obliged to answer him.
'It would, but it won't bother people much if they don't think this is a threat.'
'What?'