The Unprevailant | Book 2 |

Chapter 12 ~ The Unclear Cut 'Gem-Investigation'

Digitalized filing cabinets lined either side of the room like hologram sentinels. At the desk on the far end of the middle aisle sat Kier Shodi. He was covering a shift for another paramedic and was utilizing his time by looking over weekly medical reports, including shipment information for medical equipment.

The former Ruler of Iredescent's son was a paramedic. He cared not for royal duties and was glad to be relieved of the prospect of such a task after Nend Nyssi's coronation and Peridot Shodi's retirement.

The light from the computer screen illuminated Kier's face as he meticulously read each file, a frown tugging at his Adonis features when he noticed something suspicious.

The files reported multiple instances of missing Iredescents. They were of various ages, though none were children. Both men and women were taken. Surveillance caught two surgeons wearing surgeon masks, carting the patients out of the hospital and onto several ships.

As Kier looked closely, he saw they were not Iredescent ships; they were Earth ships. An unusual logo in shape of a diamond gem shone on every Earth ship, as glittery as a lenticular sticker from the 90's. The diamond gem was light purple with a hot pink outline.

Kier sat back, his frown deepening as the status reports became more alarming. In addition to missing Iredescents, there were troubling accounts of stolen blood, shimmery skin samples, wing feathers, and fin scales. Again, surveillance caught surgeon mask donners on video as clear as day.

Disturbed, Kier stood up and hit 'print' on all the files. He nervously ran a hand through his wavy blond hair as he hurried for the printer, collecting physical copies of the status reports. He reached for his comect and sent a simultaneous message to all the ports of entry, forwarding images of Earth ships and suspicious packages that indicated illegal, foul activity.

Upon receiving Kier's message, all the ports of entry immediately took every Earth ship in for questioning. They halted departing spaceships and thoroughly searched every human. While most travel cruise ships were deemed innocent, a few ships contained suspicious cargo that was immediately confiscated. Intensive measures were taken to find out exactly what was going on and what they planned to do.

Then they discovered an even worse find: dead Iredescents stowed in the cargo ships. All of them were the missing Iredescents. The rest were already shipped to Earth days prior.

Outrage resulted from the atrocious news of Iredescent trafficking. A search was conducted to scout the whereabouts of the rest of the missing Iredescents, while the humans that were already on planet Iredescent were temporarily detained, their ships and hotel rooms searched carefully.

Meanwhile, Kier took it upon himself to personally inform the Ruler of Iredescent, the Phoenix, and the irangel leaders, knowing they would be dismayed.

Indeed, Nend's face became ashen upon hearing the disturbing news. He immediately contacted Raistin, but the Phoenix didn't answer his comect. He called Iro, who informed him that Raistin was mentoring Valerie.

"I can tell him myself, since I already have the information," said Kier, showing the files he uploaded on his personal comect.

Once the location was granted, Kier headed there, towards the continent of Lilacilene.

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The Phoenix and the Black Rose were walking in a field of black roses. Unlike Earth's roses, Iredescent roses ranged from normal size to adult height. They had either silver or holographic stems and leaves.

The light of late evening caught the last glimmers of the silver shine as Valerie touched a black rose, its height reaching her shoulders. Stretches of dark blue isolated the pink sunset, dotting the sky with glittering stars. A warm, balmy coolness rifted across the surface of exposed skin, reminding Valerie of the ending spring and incoming summer.