The Cover Up Syndrome Part 7
Every once in a while business at MiB come almost to a
complete halt. This meant to the agents only one thing that they
feared the most (even more so than being thrown into an angry nest
of bugs).Recreation Night hosted by yours truly, Dr. Zeeltor.
"Da** of all the rotten luck," Jay groaned. He mentally
kicked himself for suggesting to Zeeltor to take a break every once
and a while between his investigation. He regretted ever telling
Zeeltor to do something he enjoyed.
X sat at a table across from Elle, his head resting on his
arms. "Way to go, human. You just had to invite Zeeltor. I remember
the last time Zeeltor hosted our get together. I still find colored
sand in my ears," X remarked with a shudder.
Kay was more quiet than usual. This was his way of showing
his anger toward Jay. But Elle on the other hand was not as
forgiving. "Jay," she said in a mock sweet voice. "I'm going to kill
you." She reached over, seized Jay by the necktie, and would have
strangled him then and there had not Zed entered.
Jay sighed in relief and rubbed his neck. He gulped when he
saw the death glare Elle was giving him. But concern for his life
ended when he took a glance at Zed.
Zed looked like hell all over. The rings under his eyes were
darker than usual. The normally pressed and tidy sit he wore was
wrinkled. His tie hung around his neck, and his once immaculate
white shirt was yellowed and had stains of coffee upon it. Most
startling was the haggard expression on his face. It seemed all of
his years were visible in those lines and wrinkles.
"Big Z, what's.hap'nen?" a stunned Jay asked quietly.
He spoke for all of them, for the other agents too were
disturbed by the drastic change in their leader. Even the smug Agent
X had a cocked eyebrow directed toward Zed's unusual appearance.
In the midst of the troubled agents entered Dr. Zeeltor,
whistling a merry tune and dragging in a cart of games and odds and
ends.
"Salutations, agents," he greeted cheerfully. He began
digging into the cart and pulled out what looked like an orange
sponge oozing purple goop. "I think we'll begin with Snarzoball and
then." He paused and looked at Jay. "Why Agent Jay, you look like
you've seen a ghost." During this whole time Zeeltor had his back
towards Zed.
Jay cleared his throat and jerked his head in Zed's
direction.
Confused, Zeeltor looked behind him and widened his
eyes. "Zed, you should be resting," he exclaimed. "You need plenty
of sleep and."
"Your pills aren't working," Zed interrupted in a dejected
tone. He closed his eyes and massaged them with one hand.
Unfortunately for Zeeltor, H had entered as Zed made this
remark.
H took one look at Zed and harrumphed. "I knew it. I knew
that you can't diagnose your patients correctly," he said
triumphantly. He turned to Zed. "Sir, I've told you that you were
making a mistake by hiring Zeeltor. Now you see? For all we know he
might have been trying to poison you. He."
Zeeltor felt the burn of embarrassment. Here was H
proclaiming his failure before all of MiB. And he could not deny it.
He felt so helpless. But he was also shocked by the unthinkable
accusation against him.
Zed held up a restraining hand. "I'm aware of your opinion,
Agent H."
"But he."
"However," Zed raised his voice. "I will not allow you to
continue denouncing a well-respected physician. I've looked at his
credentials, H, and he indeed does qualify for his position. And how
can you think of accusing Zeeltor of attempted poisoning? I'm
disappointed in you. This is the lowest I've ever seen you sink.
Those pills did give me a moment rest before the dreams set in. I'm
grateful for Dr. Zeeltor's service, whereas you turned away when I
asked for help. Consider your own ethics before questioning others',
H."
H opened and closed his mouth. He was flabbergasted.and
betrayed.
Zeeltor on the other hand was relieved and grateful of Zed's
interference on his behalf. Yet he felt frustrated for not being
able to stand up for himself. Such was his nature. He loved
socializing but avoided conflicts when possible.
Kay was the first to notice that Zed was beginning to sway.
He rushed over, pulled one of Zed's arms over his shoulder, and
supported the large man. Clearly, the long-winded speech Zed made
had zapped a great deal of his strength.
"Come on," Kay urged gently. "I'll bring you back to your
quarters."
Zed nodded weakly and allowed himself to be drawn away from
his group of concerned agents.
As soon as he left, all of the agents murmured amongst each
other, coming up with ideas of how Zed could get into this condition.
"It's all your fault, Jay," X said bluntly. "You always did
know how to blow MiB's cover most of the time."
"Whad ya mean it's my fault," Jay demanded angrily. "You're
the one who's always leaving a trail of destruction wherever you go."
The debate continued, each agent defending him or herself
and blaming the other.
Meanwhile Zeeltor and H glared at each other. The rift
between them had become a chasm separating the two. One was
patronizing and proud of himself, the other hurt and unsure.
Fortunately one agent saw the enmity that was forming
between everyone. He stood up unto a chair and blew a sharp whistle.
Everybody froze and turned their heads in the direction of
the sound.
Oh brother, Elle thought when she saw who it was.
The Cover Up Syndrome Part 8
Agent U gulped when he saw all sets of eyes looking at him,
some with disbelief, many with laughter behind them. He took a deep
breath. Well, he told himself, you've got their attention.
"Everyone, stop blaming each other for Zed's condition. What
matters now is that he is sick and having all of you at each others
throats is not helping." U was exasperated of his fellow agents for
behaving so unprofessionally. The lack of order tormented him.
"Oh shut up, U."
"Go soak your head."
But U would not relent. "Listen, the MiB handbook says that."
"To hell with your handbook!"
Everyone looked about in confusion. It was one thing to
tease U about his obsession with the rules but to be defiant against
them was another.
A rough-looking gray-haired agent swaggered forward. He
sneered. "That da*n handbook has done little good for us all. You
ever noticed how every rule dictates that we should play nice with
the aliens who refuse to get their heads out of their a**es." The
agent paused and looked about, as if daring anyone to contradict him.
U looked flustered. "But, Y.the handbook. It's the
foundation of our agency. It."
Y turned sharply on him. "There you go again preaching that
bullsh**." He turned back to the others. "Everyone knows that cr*p
does nothing but keeps us humans weak and suppressed."
H frowned something was definitely wrong with Y. He didn't
look drunk though. Yet in all of the thirty years he'd known him, Y
was one to never be audacious. He did always resent the rules that
protected aliens. But he would never be so bold as to express it;
only a give a venomous glare, but that was all. To do something like
slandering MiB protocol was not in his nature.
Y smiled coldly at Zeeltor and X. "You aliens think you're
so superior." He let out a derisive laugh.
"Dude's crazier than Frank at an All-You-Can-Eat," Jay
muttered.
Zeeltor stepped forward. "Agent Y, that's enough. Let's just
get back to Recrea."
Y glared at Zeeltor. "Who asked you to talk, Alien?" He spat
the last word out as if he had something filthy on his lips.
Zeeltor frowned. "Now you're being impractical. Zed's not
going to be happy if."
He didn't get to finish that statement, for Y had pushed
Zeeltor roughly aside. Zeeltor fell to the ground.
Anger flushed through X's veins. The scene was bringing back
too much horrid memories. He immediately put himself between Zeeltor
and Y. He had enough of Y's bravado.
"Back off human, if you don't want a fat lip to go with that
big head of yours," X snarled.
Y scoffed. "Big words coming from such an incompetent agent.
Tell me, have you gotten suspenders for your pants yet? Or do you
enjoy the breeze around your privs."
That did it for X. He charged into Y, fist clenched. Y met
him head on. The two clashed and went down.
H rushed in along with Elle. H seized Y's arm and held him
back. Elle had difficulty restraining her partner, until she locked
his arm behind him.
"That's enough, Y," H hissed into his ear.
Y struggled a bit more. Realizing he could not escape from
his comrade's clutches, he nodded in surrender. He stormed out of
the Recreation Hall with a very puzzled and concerned H in his wake.
U looked disconcerted at what had transpired. Then he felt
it was up to him to restore order. "Okay everyone, let's get back to
what we were supposed to be doing in the first place, enjoying our
Recreation Time."
X and Elle were excluded. X had to go to the Infirmary for
the cut over his brow. As the two walked down the hallway, Elle
yelled at her reckless partner. He did not seem fazed by her rebuke,
but seemed very satisfied that he at least gave Y the fat lip he
promised him.
Zeeltor shaken from the whole order continue to host the
activities, but put little of his heart into it. Jay was caught
between relief of this but also worried for the doc.
The Cover Up Syndrome Part 9
"Knock, knock, Doc." Jay stuck his head around the edge of
the door. His eyes scanned the room. Hmm, no sign of Zeeltor. Still,
one never did know if he would pop up anytime, hoping you would play
with his newest invention. And Jay had no desire to be the guinea
pig today. Okay, Jay told himself. Just get in there, comfort the
Doc, and leave.
He took a step into the lab.
.and ended upside-down. The funny thing was, there wasn't
anything that held him up.
Jay let out a yelp of surprise, and Zeeltor's head popped up
from behind a counter.
Zeeltor's eyes widened when he saw who it was. "Oh, I'm so
sorry Agent Jay." He whipped out a remote and pressed a few buttons.
Jay was released and crashed upon the ground headfirst.
Jay clenched his teeth to keep the flurry of curses in. He
rubbed his shoulder where he had landed upon. "Da*n Zeeltor, what's
up with the hard welcome?"
Zeeltor smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his
neck. "Well.It's just a precaution really."
"Jay's eyebrows rose. "Precaution against what? Is Agent Y
givin' you a hard time? Cause if he was, he's got another thing
coming." He cracked his knuckles to prove his point.
"Really Agent Jay, violence begets violence. And I don't
want any more accidents from barbaric fisticuffs," the little alien
pleaded.
Jay's expression softened and he shook his head. "To be
honest, Doc, I think that you're just too nice for you own good
sometimes. That attracts trouble, you know."
"I can't help it," Zeeltor replied with a shrug. "I don't
like fighting."
Jay looked back at where he had hung a while ago. "What I'm trying
to say is, if you have any more problems with Y, then."
"It's not just Y," Zeeltor admitted quietly.
The other turned his head and frowned. "What? Other people are
jumping ya? I mean your inventions may drive some people nuts but."
Zeeltor shook his head and sighed. "They're stalking me, Jay.
Especially Agent N. He was constantly interrogating me, particularly
on matters of Zed's health."
The two stopped talking as H entered, his face a deep scarlet, and
an enraged scowl on his features. "Incredible, it's as if he's not
the same person I knew," he muttered beneath his breath. He stopped
short when he saw Jay and Zeeltor. He frowned at them and strode
into his private office, slammed the door as he did so.
Before Jay and Zeeltor could think any more on it, Zed came in,
unkempt as ever. Zed shook his head. "It's bad enough for me to play
referee for the younger agents without having to do so for the older
ones as well," he grumbled. Seeing Zeeltor, he said, "Doctor, when H
finally comes to his senses, would you kindly tell him to stay away
from Agent Y? I don't want any more headaches than necessary. As to
confirm his last statement, he placed a hand on the side of his head
and winced.
Zeeltor jumped into his role. "Have a seat, sir." Then escorted the
head of MiB to a chair.
Zed murmured a feeble thanks when Jay handed him a glass of water.
Zeeltor tightened his lips. "I'm afraid I may have to increase your
dosage and change the prescription as well, Zed." He began to
rummage through his private medicine cabinet, where he stored the
more powerful drugs.
As Zeeltor continued to search, Jay tried to make some conversation
with the boss.
"So,er, Zed," Jay began unsurely. "How's it hangin'?"
Zed groaned, feeling another headache was coming on. He knew Jay
meant well, but there were times the kid was too much. "Peachy,
Junior, just peachy. I had to break up some fights between the
agents today."
Jay nodded. "What do you expect though, Fridays have real food and
you have to expect some elbowing."
"That not it. The funny thing is the fights were started by the
seniors. In fact many of them are a bit edgy."
"Really? And I thought the younger one were a bunch of pigs. In fact
just last week, X had put pudding down my."
The older agent frowned. "They were all fighting over how the MiB
handbook and protocol should be interpreted. I suspect it has
something to do with Agent Y. Agent U had taken it upon himself to
inform me of his insubordination as of late. In fact the agents who
started the fights seem to rally behind Y."
"Have you talked to him?"
"You bet I did," Zed growled. "Frankly, I'm surprised that although
he kept challenging MiB authority, he was remarkably respectful
towards me. Of course he did not relent on his view, but nonetheless
its odd how a normally rude person could be so courteous."
Jay's eyebrows went up. "All I can say is, Y's gone over the edge.
All old-timers crack in the e." He stopped himself and cleared his
throat uneasily on seeing Zed's death glare.
At that moment N came in, his face impassive.
Zeeltor turned to see who had entered and
gulped. "HeresthepillsZedhaveaniceday!" Then he disappeared into his
office.
N took no notice of the Zekklom's hasty departure. Instead he turned
onto Zed. "Sir, I would like a question answered." He said this in a
way that Jay knew was disrespectful of the Big Man.
Zed glared at him. "Very well, what is it N?"
"Is it true that you mind-linked with Ambassador Klinin?"
"Yes," Zed groaned inwardly at recalling the embarrassing
moment. "And it turned out to almost be the brink of war." Then he
looked suspiciously at N. "Why are you asking this?"
"Just checking up on a rumor, sir," N reassured him. "The other
agents are spreading gossip about the whole incident." Then he
nodded and took his leave.
Strange guy, Jay thought. And just plain nosy.
The door to the private offices opened and Zeeltor's head came
around it. He glanced about uncertainly as if N was laying in
ambush. Breathing a sigh of relief, he came over to Zed and placed
the medicine bottle into his hand. "There, make sure you drink
plenty of fluids with this one. And if you experience any
complications such as fever, vomiting, or." Zeeltor trailed off.
"Yes?" Zed demanded.
Zeeltor smiled sheepishly, ".or if you start breaking out an odd
purple rash, then I suggest you stop taking the medicine and inform
me." Seeing the bewilderment on Jay's and Zed's faces, he
added "It's a new form of depressant that I just developed. It's
pretty much in the prototype stage."
Jay whistled. "Big Z in black, white, and purple. That will be an
eyesore."
Zed glared at him, and Jay got the hint.
"Before you go sir," Zeeltor interjected. "Could you answer a
question of mine? I couldn't help but overhear N asking you about a
mind-link you had. By any chance, did your headaches began before or
after it?"
Zed thought. "Afterwards." Then he frowned. "You don't suspect that
it."
Zeeltor nodded eagerly. "Maybe that's the problem. Therefore I want
to schedule an appointment with you to take some brain scans, just
in case."
Zed shrugged. "Okay, I'll see you at four. I just need to cancel my."
"Massage?" Jay finished, flourishing a grin.
Zed pointed a finger at him. "Don't push it, Junior." Then to
Zeeltor he bid a good day and left.
Jay shook his head. "Man, Kay was right. He always did say that one
day Zed's interest in telepathy will get him into trouble."
Zeeltor nodded. He knew that human-alien mind-links were often
unpredictable and dangerous. Many times he warned Zed, but the chief
insisted on such methods to defend his mind against psychic attack,
as such a case happen when Alpha took control.
The door suddenly banged open, and Agent U burst in breathing
heavily as if he had ran a marathon. "Fight, Agent F and Klamic, in
Hall 2C," he sputtered.
Every once in a while business at MiB come almost to a
complete halt. This meant to the agents only one thing that they
feared the most (even more so than being thrown into an angry nest
of bugs).Recreation Night hosted by yours truly, Dr. Zeeltor.
"Da** of all the rotten luck," Jay groaned. He mentally
kicked himself for suggesting to Zeeltor to take a break every once
and a while between his investigation. He regretted ever telling
Zeeltor to do something he enjoyed.
X sat at a table across from Elle, his head resting on his
arms. "Way to go, human. You just had to invite Zeeltor. I remember
the last time Zeeltor hosted our get together. I still find colored
sand in my ears," X remarked with a shudder.
Kay was more quiet than usual. This was his way of showing
his anger toward Jay. But Elle on the other hand was not as
forgiving. "Jay," she said in a mock sweet voice. "I'm going to kill
you." She reached over, seized Jay by the necktie, and would have
strangled him then and there had not Zed entered.
Jay sighed in relief and rubbed his neck. He gulped when he
saw the death glare Elle was giving him. But concern for his life
ended when he took a glance at Zed.
Zed looked like hell all over. The rings under his eyes were
darker than usual. The normally pressed and tidy sit he wore was
wrinkled. His tie hung around his neck, and his once immaculate
white shirt was yellowed and had stains of coffee upon it. Most
startling was the haggard expression on his face. It seemed all of
his years were visible in those lines and wrinkles.
"Big Z, what's.hap'nen?" a stunned Jay asked quietly.
He spoke for all of them, for the other agents too were
disturbed by the drastic change in their leader. Even the smug Agent
X had a cocked eyebrow directed toward Zed's unusual appearance.
In the midst of the troubled agents entered Dr. Zeeltor,
whistling a merry tune and dragging in a cart of games and odds and
ends.
"Salutations, agents," he greeted cheerfully. He began
digging into the cart and pulled out what looked like an orange
sponge oozing purple goop. "I think we'll begin with Snarzoball and
then." He paused and looked at Jay. "Why Agent Jay, you look like
you've seen a ghost." During this whole time Zeeltor had his back
towards Zed.
Jay cleared his throat and jerked his head in Zed's
direction.
Confused, Zeeltor looked behind him and widened his
eyes. "Zed, you should be resting," he exclaimed. "You need plenty
of sleep and."
"Your pills aren't working," Zed interrupted in a dejected
tone. He closed his eyes and massaged them with one hand.
Unfortunately for Zeeltor, H had entered as Zed made this
remark.
H took one look at Zed and harrumphed. "I knew it. I knew
that you can't diagnose your patients correctly," he said
triumphantly. He turned to Zed. "Sir, I've told you that you were
making a mistake by hiring Zeeltor. Now you see? For all we know he
might have been trying to poison you. He."
Zeeltor felt the burn of embarrassment. Here was H
proclaiming his failure before all of MiB. And he could not deny it.
He felt so helpless. But he was also shocked by the unthinkable
accusation against him.
Zed held up a restraining hand. "I'm aware of your opinion,
Agent H."
"But he."
"However," Zed raised his voice. "I will not allow you to
continue denouncing a well-respected physician. I've looked at his
credentials, H, and he indeed does qualify for his position. And how
can you think of accusing Zeeltor of attempted poisoning? I'm
disappointed in you. This is the lowest I've ever seen you sink.
Those pills did give me a moment rest before the dreams set in. I'm
grateful for Dr. Zeeltor's service, whereas you turned away when I
asked for help. Consider your own ethics before questioning others',
H."
H opened and closed his mouth. He was flabbergasted.and
betrayed.
Zeeltor on the other hand was relieved and grateful of Zed's
interference on his behalf. Yet he felt frustrated for not being
able to stand up for himself. Such was his nature. He loved
socializing but avoided conflicts when possible.
Kay was the first to notice that Zed was beginning to sway.
He rushed over, pulled one of Zed's arms over his shoulder, and
supported the large man. Clearly, the long-winded speech Zed made
had zapped a great deal of his strength.
"Come on," Kay urged gently. "I'll bring you back to your
quarters."
Zed nodded weakly and allowed himself to be drawn away from
his group of concerned agents.
As soon as he left, all of the agents murmured amongst each
other, coming up with ideas of how Zed could get into this condition.
"It's all your fault, Jay," X said bluntly. "You always did
know how to blow MiB's cover most of the time."
"Whad ya mean it's my fault," Jay demanded angrily. "You're
the one who's always leaving a trail of destruction wherever you go."
The debate continued, each agent defending him or herself
and blaming the other.
Meanwhile Zeeltor and H glared at each other. The rift
between them had become a chasm separating the two. One was
patronizing and proud of himself, the other hurt and unsure.
Fortunately one agent saw the enmity that was forming
between everyone. He stood up unto a chair and blew a sharp whistle.
Everybody froze and turned their heads in the direction of
the sound.
Oh brother, Elle thought when she saw who it was.
The Cover Up Syndrome Part 8
Agent U gulped when he saw all sets of eyes looking at him,
some with disbelief, many with laughter behind them. He took a deep
breath. Well, he told himself, you've got their attention.
"Everyone, stop blaming each other for Zed's condition. What
matters now is that he is sick and having all of you at each others
throats is not helping." U was exasperated of his fellow agents for
behaving so unprofessionally. The lack of order tormented him.
"Oh shut up, U."
"Go soak your head."
But U would not relent. "Listen, the MiB handbook says that."
"To hell with your handbook!"
Everyone looked about in confusion. It was one thing to
tease U about his obsession with the rules but to be defiant against
them was another.
A rough-looking gray-haired agent swaggered forward. He
sneered. "That da*n handbook has done little good for us all. You
ever noticed how every rule dictates that we should play nice with
the aliens who refuse to get their heads out of their a**es." The
agent paused and looked about, as if daring anyone to contradict him.
U looked flustered. "But, Y.the handbook. It's the
foundation of our agency. It."
Y turned sharply on him. "There you go again preaching that
bullsh**." He turned back to the others. "Everyone knows that cr*p
does nothing but keeps us humans weak and suppressed."
H frowned something was definitely wrong with Y. He didn't
look drunk though. Yet in all of the thirty years he'd known him, Y
was one to never be audacious. He did always resent the rules that
protected aliens. But he would never be so bold as to express it;
only a give a venomous glare, but that was all. To do something like
slandering MiB protocol was not in his nature.
Y smiled coldly at Zeeltor and X. "You aliens think you're
so superior." He let out a derisive laugh.
"Dude's crazier than Frank at an All-You-Can-Eat," Jay
muttered.
Zeeltor stepped forward. "Agent Y, that's enough. Let's just
get back to Recrea."
Y glared at Zeeltor. "Who asked you to talk, Alien?" He spat
the last word out as if he had something filthy on his lips.
Zeeltor frowned. "Now you're being impractical. Zed's not
going to be happy if."
He didn't get to finish that statement, for Y had pushed
Zeeltor roughly aside. Zeeltor fell to the ground.
Anger flushed through X's veins. The scene was bringing back
too much horrid memories. He immediately put himself between Zeeltor
and Y. He had enough of Y's bravado.
"Back off human, if you don't want a fat lip to go with that
big head of yours," X snarled.
Y scoffed. "Big words coming from such an incompetent agent.
Tell me, have you gotten suspenders for your pants yet? Or do you
enjoy the breeze around your privs."
That did it for X. He charged into Y, fist clenched. Y met
him head on. The two clashed and went down.
H rushed in along with Elle. H seized Y's arm and held him
back. Elle had difficulty restraining her partner, until she locked
his arm behind him.
"That's enough, Y," H hissed into his ear.
Y struggled a bit more. Realizing he could not escape from
his comrade's clutches, he nodded in surrender. He stormed out of
the Recreation Hall with a very puzzled and concerned H in his wake.
U looked disconcerted at what had transpired. Then he felt
it was up to him to restore order. "Okay everyone, let's get back to
what we were supposed to be doing in the first place, enjoying our
Recreation Time."
X and Elle were excluded. X had to go to the Infirmary for
the cut over his brow. As the two walked down the hallway, Elle
yelled at her reckless partner. He did not seem fazed by her rebuke,
but seemed very satisfied that he at least gave Y the fat lip he
promised him.
Zeeltor shaken from the whole order continue to host the
activities, but put little of his heart into it. Jay was caught
between relief of this but also worried for the doc.
The Cover Up Syndrome Part 9
"Knock, knock, Doc." Jay stuck his head around the edge of
the door. His eyes scanned the room. Hmm, no sign of Zeeltor. Still,
one never did know if he would pop up anytime, hoping you would play
with his newest invention. And Jay had no desire to be the guinea
pig today. Okay, Jay told himself. Just get in there, comfort the
Doc, and leave.
He took a step into the lab.
.and ended upside-down. The funny thing was, there wasn't
anything that held him up.
Jay let out a yelp of surprise, and Zeeltor's head popped up
from behind a counter.
Zeeltor's eyes widened when he saw who it was. "Oh, I'm so
sorry Agent Jay." He whipped out a remote and pressed a few buttons.
Jay was released and crashed upon the ground headfirst.
Jay clenched his teeth to keep the flurry of curses in. He
rubbed his shoulder where he had landed upon. "Da*n Zeeltor, what's
up with the hard welcome?"
Zeeltor smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his
neck. "Well.It's just a precaution really."
"Jay's eyebrows rose. "Precaution against what? Is Agent Y
givin' you a hard time? Cause if he was, he's got another thing
coming." He cracked his knuckles to prove his point.
"Really Agent Jay, violence begets violence. And I don't
want any more accidents from barbaric fisticuffs," the little alien
pleaded.
Jay's expression softened and he shook his head. "To be
honest, Doc, I think that you're just too nice for you own good
sometimes. That attracts trouble, you know."
"I can't help it," Zeeltor replied with a shrug. "I don't
like fighting."
Jay looked back at where he had hung a while ago. "What I'm trying
to say is, if you have any more problems with Y, then."
"It's not just Y," Zeeltor admitted quietly.
The other turned his head and frowned. "What? Other people are
jumping ya? I mean your inventions may drive some people nuts but."
Zeeltor shook his head and sighed. "They're stalking me, Jay.
Especially Agent N. He was constantly interrogating me, particularly
on matters of Zed's health."
The two stopped talking as H entered, his face a deep scarlet, and
an enraged scowl on his features. "Incredible, it's as if he's not
the same person I knew," he muttered beneath his breath. He stopped
short when he saw Jay and Zeeltor. He frowned at them and strode
into his private office, slammed the door as he did so.
Before Jay and Zeeltor could think any more on it, Zed came in,
unkempt as ever. Zed shook his head. "It's bad enough for me to play
referee for the younger agents without having to do so for the older
ones as well," he grumbled. Seeing Zeeltor, he said, "Doctor, when H
finally comes to his senses, would you kindly tell him to stay away
from Agent Y? I don't want any more headaches than necessary. As to
confirm his last statement, he placed a hand on the side of his head
and winced.
Zeeltor jumped into his role. "Have a seat, sir." Then escorted the
head of MiB to a chair.
Zed murmured a feeble thanks when Jay handed him a glass of water.
Zeeltor tightened his lips. "I'm afraid I may have to increase your
dosage and change the prescription as well, Zed." He began to
rummage through his private medicine cabinet, where he stored the
more powerful drugs.
As Zeeltor continued to search, Jay tried to make some conversation
with the boss.
"So,er, Zed," Jay began unsurely. "How's it hangin'?"
Zed groaned, feeling another headache was coming on. He knew Jay
meant well, but there were times the kid was too much. "Peachy,
Junior, just peachy. I had to break up some fights between the
agents today."
Jay nodded. "What do you expect though, Fridays have real food and
you have to expect some elbowing."
"That not it. The funny thing is the fights were started by the
seniors. In fact many of them are a bit edgy."
"Really? And I thought the younger one were a bunch of pigs. In fact
just last week, X had put pudding down my."
The older agent frowned. "They were all fighting over how the MiB
handbook and protocol should be interpreted. I suspect it has
something to do with Agent Y. Agent U had taken it upon himself to
inform me of his insubordination as of late. In fact the agents who
started the fights seem to rally behind Y."
"Have you talked to him?"
"You bet I did," Zed growled. "Frankly, I'm surprised that although
he kept challenging MiB authority, he was remarkably respectful
towards me. Of course he did not relent on his view, but nonetheless
its odd how a normally rude person could be so courteous."
Jay's eyebrows went up. "All I can say is, Y's gone over the edge.
All old-timers crack in the e." He stopped himself and cleared his
throat uneasily on seeing Zed's death glare.
At that moment N came in, his face impassive.
Zeeltor turned to see who had entered and
gulped. "HeresthepillsZedhaveaniceday!" Then he disappeared into his
office.
N took no notice of the Zekklom's hasty departure. Instead he turned
onto Zed. "Sir, I would like a question answered." He said this in a
way that Jay knew was disrespectful of the Big Man.
Zed glared at him. "Very well, what is it N?"
"Is it true that you mind-linked with Ambassador Klinin?"
"Yes," Zed groaned inwardly at recalling the embarrassing
moment. "And it turned out to almost be the brink of war." Then he
looked suspiciously at N. "Why are you asking this?"
"Just checking up on a rumor, sir," N reassured him. "The other
agents are spreading gossip about the whole incident." Then he
nodded and took his leave.
Strange guy, Jay thought. And just plain nosy.
The door to the private offices opened and Zeeltor's head came
around it. He glanced about uncertainly as if N was laying in
ambush. Breathing a sigh of relief, he came over to Zed and placed
the medicine bottle into his hand. "There, make sure you drink
plenty of fluids with this one. And if you experience any
complications such as fever, vomiting, or." Zeeltor trailed off.
"Yes?" Zed demanded.
Zeeltor smiled sheepishly, ".or if you start breaking out an odd
purple rash, then I suggest you stop taking the medicine and inform
me." Seeing the bewilderment on Jay's and Zed's faces, he
added "It's a new form of depressant that I just developed. It's
pretty much in the prototype stage."
Jay whistled. "Big Z in black, white, and purple. That will be an
eyesore."
Zed glared at him, and Jay got the hint.
"Before you go sir," Zeeltor interjected. "Could you answer a
question of mine? I couldn't help but overhear N asking you about a
mind-link you had. By any chance, did your headaches began before or
after it?"
Zed thought. "Afterwards." Then he frowned. "You don't suspect that
it."
Zeeltor nodded eagerly. "Maybe that's the problem. Therefore I want
to schedule an appointment with you to take some brain scans, just
in case."
Zed shrugged. "Okay, I'll see you at four. I just need to cancel my."
"Massage?" Jay finished, flourishing a grin.
Zed pointed a finger at him. "Don't push it, Junior." Then to
Zeeltor he bid a good day and left.
Jay shook his head. "Man, Kay was right. He always did say that one
day Zed's interest in telepathy will get him into trouble."
Zeeltor nodded. He knew that human-alien mind-links were often
unpredictable and dangerous. Many times he warned Zed, but the chief
insisted on such methods to defend his mind against psychic attack,
as such a case happen when Alpha took control.
The door suddenly banged open, and Agent U burst in breathing
heavily as if he had ran a marathon. "Fight, Agent F and Klamic, in
Hall 2C," he sputtered.