The Man with the Tightest Lips

"It's all right, Mr. Zephyr."

The middle-aged man in gold-rimmed glasses repeatedly shook his head and said with a smile, "All the preparations have been completed. Shall we go inside and talk as we walk?"

"Mm, thank you, Dr. Ent."

Dr. Ent turned around, about to lead Zephyr and the others inside, when he suddenly noticed something rather awkward—the iron gate had somehow shut tight again, blocking the way like a mountain.

"What's this?"

Zephyr turned to him in confusion.

"..."

Dr. Ent's eye twitched. Looking up toward the top of the gate, he roared, "What the hell are you doing, you brat? Why did you suddenly close the gate? Open it!"

"No." A muffled voice came from atop the gate. "The base has its rules. To protect research security, the gate must remain closed whenever unfamiliar outsiders arrive."

"Outsider my ass!"

Dr. Ent's furious roar drew many stares. It was hard to connect the refined, scholarly image he had presented moments ago with his current outburst.

"That's Admiral Zephyr! Wasn't he one of the people you admired most? Now that he's standing right in front of you, can't you recognize him?"

Rustling sounds came from the top of the iron gate.

A chubby teenage boy poked his head out. He gave Zephyr a suspicious look, hesitated for a moment, but eventually shook his head and declared solemnly:

"Appearances are the easiest thing to imitate. Before I receive orders from my superiors, I absolutely will not open the gate!"

"Aren't I your superior?" Dr. Ent shouted angrily. "I'm ordering you right now—open the gate immediately!"

"If you were still inside the base, of course I would."

The teenager, as fat as a sumo wrestler, folded his arms and snorted, looking at him disdainfully.

"But you're outside right now. Who can