Agent's Dog System

11.The Great Boot

While our heroes slept soundly, worn out from their deliveries, Agent B revealed that, thanks to his special ability, he had managed to glimpse a small, dirty animal, shaped like a dog, that had been with Agent B-Twelve at the moment a flash struck them. Later, the canine was taken away by a municipal pound worker. Perhaps that’s the key. Everyone present was left puzzled by Agent B’s words.

At that moment, Marie checked her tablet to see how many nearby pounds there were in the area and began searching. The closest one was half an hour away. Then, there’s no time to lose. Agent B and I will go to the pound, and you two, Linda and Dingo, will head to the police station to investigate what they know about the plane crash and whether anyone has reported anything related to this scene, though I doubt it very much, said Marie.

Miss Marie, we’re not called Linda and Dino. We’re Lidia and Rino, and both replied kindly but firmly.

Oh! A thousand apologies. You’re new recruits training to be agents; I haven’t learned your names yet, she said, a bit embarrassed. And the rest of you, take the object that had the orb back to base for study; clean everything up and make sure no one discovers us.

Once she gave the orders—since she was in charge of this investigation on behalf of the boss—she got into Agent B’s car and drove off with him.

While they headed to the pound, Lidia and Rino, two young and inexperienced rookies aged nineteen and eighteen, respectively, set off in one of the trucks toward the police station. Upon arriving, they parked the vehicle and took a moment to plan what they would say once inside. This was the first time they’d been entrusted with something important. Lidia was the voice of reason, while Rino was bolder and more impulsive. Once they agreed on a plan, they entered the small police station. As in any police station, there was a counter for public services, a few offices, and behind the administrative area, two cells.

When they walked in, they saw no one. Rino began shouting, "Is anyone here?" "Is anyone here?"

Lidia told him to lower his voice, saying this wasn’t a marketplace. After a while, Sheriff Jeff appeared.

What can I do for you, youngsters? We’re short-staffed right now. Practically, my entire unit, including the secretary, has been called in because of a major accident caused by the crash of a gigantic ship in the forest.

Ah yes, sir. You see, we’re agents, they said, quickly flashing some credentials. We’ve come to talk about that incident. What do you know about it? Asked Lidia.

Rino reinforced what Lidia had said: Yes, what do you know about it?

At first, Jeff doubted the authenticity of their credentials, thinking they were kids playing detective. But seeing how they were dressed in agent uniforms and carried themselves with determination, he commented, "All I know is that a large plane crashed, setting part of the forest ablaze. The forest rangers and local firefighters couldn’t handle it, so they called in my unit to assist in the search." That’s all I know.

Before continuing the conversation, a voice came over the radio: The big train has derailed, causing a massive explosion and leaving five people missing, including the driver.

First a ship, and now a train. What’s next, a burning boat? Said Jeff, somewhat sarcastic. The two youngsters heard this too and said they needed to report back to their bosses before leaving. Tecro emerged from one of the rooms and told Jeff that the Mother Superior had called again about the missing orphan, who had been gone for a couple of days. Lidia became interested in the case and asked for a copy of the photo of the boy they were looking for. Tecro, feeling butterflies in his stomach, asked for her email and, without hesitation, transferred the image from his tablet to hers. Jeff grew slightly annoyed, but Tecro explained that it was better if more people knew, as it would increase the chances of finding the child quickly. Rino tugged at Lidia’s arm since she had also become distracted upon seeing Tecro and said:

We’re leaving. We need to take this information to Marie.

Lidia snapped out of her daze and thanked Sheriff Jeff. Then, with a broad smile, she said to Tecro:

See you.

I think it was love at first tablet, ha, ha. After leaving the police station and getting into the car, they decided to call Marie but realized their phones were out of battery. With no other option, they decided to head to the pound.

At the pound, Marie and Agent B met Timmy, one of the workers, and asked if they had brought in any somewhat dirty dogs recently. Timmy told them yes, that ER had brought in a dog from one of the alleys in the almost abandoned part of the city. Marie asked where that dog was.

Well, you see, that canine escaped a few days ago during the dog adoption day, and I don’t know where it might be. That’s why ER went out to look for it, but without success, explained Timmy.

He showed them the cage where the dog had been kept. In the cage, there was a label with a photo of the dog and a number that read one hundred fifty-one. Marie considered asking Agent B to use his ability again, but she knew it would be nearly impossible due to the wide search range.

They thanked Timmy, took the photo of the dog, and prepared to leave. Marie tried calling the others, but the phones went straight to voicemail.

A single easy task I gave these guys, and none of them answered, said Marie, frustrated.

Relax, or you’ll get all wrinkled, said Agent B.

That’s something you know all too well, ha, ha, she retorted.

Well, at least I managed to make you smile during this tense moment, said Agent B, smiling.

Thanks, I needed that, although working with you and B-Twelve can be very stressful sometimes, replied Marie.

Alright, where do you want to go now? He asked.

I suppose we should return to base or go back to the alley again, answered Marie.

Before they could leave the parking lot, they encountered the truck carrying the two inexperienced agents, Lidia and Rino. Marie got out of the car, somewhat irritated that they hadn’t answered, to which they explained that their phone batteries had died. After scolding them briefly, Marie calmed down and asked what they had found out.

Rino, a little fearful after Marie’s yelling and lecture, let Lidia speak. She explained that the police station didn’t know anything about what caused the incident and that the previous day, a derailment of a large train that transported materials to various countries had occurred.

The derailment of a train? Said Marie, surprised. First the plane carrying Agent B-Twelve and now a train.

Well, I think we should head there, suggested Agent B.

Alright, it’s time to go. Is there anything else we should know before heading there, guys? Asked Marie.

Rino was about to mention the orphan, but Lidia elbowed him in the stomach to shut him up.

We’ll go check out the train—or what’s left of it. Meanwhile, I want you two to return and meet up with the team, ordered Marie.

Marie and Agent B got back into the car and headed to the accident site.

Why didn’t you tell her about the kid? Rino asked.

I don’t think it’s important to them. Besides, we have some free time, so we have a case on our hands, exclaimed Lidia.

Oh no! Rino groaned. Here we go again with your detective games, like in the academy.

Lidia started texting Tecro, who informed her that the boy came from the orphanage of the Brothers of the Sun Order.

And there we go again, following you blindly, muttered Rino, resigned.

Upon reaching the border, an officer stopped the vehicle Adia and the others were traveling in. She rolled down the window and said:

Hello, soldier.

The soldier recognized her immediately.

Ah, it’s you, Miss Adia. Back already? Why so early? Is this another shipment entering our territory?

Yes, exactly. It’s better to rise early, as the saying goes: The early bird catches the worm. And to answer your last question, yes, of course. You can check the back, she replied.

She opened the rear of the cart with a button, and two more soldiers went to inspect the cargo. Meanwhile, she chatted with the first soldier. At one point, she told him to look behind him, pretending someone was calling him. Taking advantage of the distraction, she quickly threw a large, dark blanket over Aiden so he wouldn’t be noticed. Luckily, Aiden wasn’t snoring. She also covered Podbe with a smaller blanket.

Oops! I think I got confused, she said, smiling.

She grabbed a bag from her seat and handed it to the soldier.

The usual for you guys.

The other guards closed the back, and the first soldier let her pass.

Alright, gang, we’ve crossed the border. Italy, the big boot, here we come!

When neither of them responded, she turned to her robot driver:

They told me to bring them to Italy, but they didn’t specify where. I’ll take them to Milan—it’s my stop anyway.

Giving a signal to her driver, they began their journey.