The Great Room was buzzing with excitement, and agents ready to act against the enemy. Neva and Azarov were PROTEA'S primary targets, and everyone was focusing on finding them.

The Chief was standing in the middle of the room, all eyes on him, waiting for his instructions. Alba was close to Agent 40-S, trying to imitate his pose. They were both standing with their hands clasped behind their backs, their feet were shoulder-width apart, and they were looking straight ahead, toward the Chief.

"We all know why we are here, and what's expected from each group. Agent O and I will be the heads of the operation, organizing everything. Assistant Agent X is here to help and take care of the less pressing matters. I want to keep the trainees outside this case. Let's avoid messing with people who aren't ready for this. Agent 40-S has created a plan for when we find them, but of course, we have no idea where and when that might be. Thankfully, Agent 23 has agreed to help us."

A dozen pairs of eyes turned and looked at her. Alba suddenly felt too self-conscious. This was escalating quickly, and there was no way of escaping.

"Relax. Remember to breathe," he whispered.

Her arms relaxed a little, and she exhaled the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Until we have their location, I want you to keep training, stay on guard and find a way to stop their labs. Because don't forget that it won't end if we catch them. The chip is out there, waiting to be used. The world comes first."

"The world comes first," said every agent in the room, including Alba.

Agent 16-E, the woman who talked to Alba when she arrived, approached her, a few envelopes were in her hands.

"Let's go. The team is waiting for your instructions."

Agent 40-S had told her that Agent 16-E was the head of the electronics and computers team, and they had worked together many times.

"Okay, give me a sec."

Alba turned to her ally. She believed she could trust him, but she didn't have much of the choice on the matter. He knew the truth, and he could expose her at any second.

"Don't worry, just use the system and the computers. You said that your fingers move automatically on the keyboard. Just don't be surprised when you get there. The technology they have is beyond imagination."

The phone in my drawer proves it.

"I'll do my best. One last thing."

Someone called for him, but he waved his hand in response and stayed, waiting for her question.

"Who named me?"

"You did."

"I thought the Chief chooses the names of the Agents."

"The letters, yes. They represent our specialty or our position. But the number is usually the Agent's choice. Why?"

"Do you know why I became 23?"

He shook his head in denial.

"Okay. I'll see you later," she said and followed the other agent.

But I do. I know why I picked that name. The question is why would I want to remember my parents' death while I was doing this job.

Calling her surprised would be an understatement. She felt like a kid in a toy store where toys beyond imagination were there to play with. Computers, touch screens, modern systems... Everything was there, and she could use them.

"Hello, Agent 23. We missed you." A young woman hugged her.

"Um, thanks. It's been a long time."

"Three and a half months, actually. Not that I'm counting." The girl released Alba from the hug and took a step backward.

That must be Agent 19. His descriptions were to the point. A ray of sunshine in this place.

And she was, indeed. Agent 19 was the youngest agent in the base, born and raised there.

"Welcome," the man of the group, Agent 465, said. He had the cutest dimples of the world and the sweetest baby-face.

"Let's get to work."

Alba sat in front of the computer at the center of the room, all the screens around her, while the rest of the team waited for her evaluation.

She started typing fast, the clicking of the keyboard sounding like a melody in her ears. Thousands of numbers and letters passed in front of her eyes, and her brain started working fast, reading and analyzing. She was feeling great because she knew what to do. The government's satellite was protected by a complicated code but solving puzzles was one of her favorite activities.

"So?" Agent 16-E asked.

"It's a tough one, but no code is invincible."

"What can we do?"

"Make sure to hide my tracks while I do my work. However..." Her hand rubbed her forehead and then moved to her neck. She was supposed to remember something.

"What is it?"

I was working on something. Could it be a code?

"I was developing a program before-"

The sunshine of the team was looking at her perplexed.

Before what? Idiot. You are gonna get caught.

"I mean the last time I was here. I think I left my notes somewhere," she whispered the last word.

A flash came in front of her eyes.

The red notebook with the number 23 on the first page. I was writing something there.

She shook her head and began typing again.

"Just cover my tracks. I can't deal with that too. Now, please, let me talk with the code."

She typed and typed for hours, her fingers working relentlessly, her mind enjoying the treat, her eyes scanning the screens.

She had broken the first part of the barrier and was hopeful that with a few more hours of work, the satellite would be hers to control. Every computer in the room was working under her orders.

"Aren't you tired?"

Alba continued typing, her eyes not leaving the screen.

"A little. Why?"

"Well, for me, it's not a big deal. I'm used to not sleeping at night, but I thought that it would be different for you. You haven't been in the base for so long. I'm sure you'd be fast asleep under other circumstances."

"What time is it?"

"It's five in the morning."

Her fingers stopped moving, the sentence on the screen was left incomplete.

"What?"

She faced the grin on Agent 19's face.

"Go get some sleep. We'll handle it here. Our programs can do some work on their own."

"Yeah. Wow, I really lost track of time. Do you know where I can sleep?"

The young girl looked at her surprised for the second time since they met.

"In your room?"

Marvelous.

"I wasn't sure if the room was still mine. You know, I was gone for a while."

The smile returned to Agent 19's face, and her body relaxed.

"Right. No, it's still yours."

"Okay, thank you."

She finished her sentence and stood up, walking out of the room.

If only I knew where my room was. Maybe the notebook is there. Dammit! Stupid amnesia.

She started walking, heading to the only place she could think of: his room.

The corridors had started to look familiar, and the grey walls didn't bother her so much.

If only I could talk to Kayla.

She was ready to turn around the corner at a crossroad of corridors when she heard someone talking. She would probably keep walking, not caring about the conversation, but she heard her name.

"Are you sure that she doesn't know the truth?"

"I think so. Agent 23 must never find out the truth about me."

"Sir, maybe..."

Oh my God! That's Assistant Agent X and the Chief.

She stayed hidden behind the corner, praying that no one would see her.

"It's not up to discussion. Do your job and make sure that the past stays hidden. She'll do her job, and then she leaves. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir. What should I do if she discovers the truth? You should see her today. She's good. One wrong move, and it won't take long to find the files."

"If that happens, I'll deal with her. For everyone's well-being, do your best to keep her away."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, and Nat? Keep watching her. I want to know everything she does."