Dauntless Shield Security Office

[Shiny Phantump]

On the way back from the cove, Gladion and Hazel walked pat the security office.

Hazel paused to observe it for a moment. Who actually worked here? Did anyone do anything? She tried to perceive any signs of activity there.

@Flyg0n Hazel is performing Odor Sleuth

 

[Flyg0n]

@unrepentantAuthor

Laura followed Sleet around the back of the security offices somewhat apprehensively.

Sleet seemed to having a good time, sticking to the shadows and moving quietly through the trees. "Time for Ssleeet to find ssome cluesss."

[[Foresight]]

---

Laura and Sleet investigated around the security office! What's this?

In the end, they both ended up spotting the clue. Gray flecks, near the edge of the outer windowsill of the office. Had the kidnapper been spying on the officers?

Other than that, there seemed to be no further clues of note, though the flecks themselves were chilling enough. Something was watching the trainers on the island...

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Another morning, another group assembly in the main banquet hall. Another notice of someone having gone missing. And this time it wasn't just one attack. One of the security officers was taken, and... Irene.

Steven had scowled at the ground as Mr. Montorzi relayed what had happened. The island staff hadn't known about the attack that almost took him. That the Latis had intervened and thwarted the attacker. Was this retribution for his and the Latis' interference? Did the security team let their guard down thinking that the disappearances had stopped because of his actions?

Aggron had given a low growl at his side, reminding him that no matter what the reason was, they had to keep pushing forward. Keep searching, keep trying. For their sake, and everyone's.

So that's why he and Aggron were currently waiting outside the security office for Officer Victor to return from his post at the main hall.

He'd read Odette's note again in the morning and learned about the investigation at the training arena. They needed to know where Jenny and Irene were that night. They needed to gather more information to get to the bottom of this...

He spotted the telltale fluff of an Arcanine approaching, and pushed off from the wall where he was leaning.


"Victor, good morning," he greeted solemnly. "I wish it were under better circumstances, but do you have a moment?"


"Mr. Montorzi understandably was light on the specifics but... is there anything you can share with us about your partner's disappearance? Did you know where she was last seen?"


"I know you're the officer in charge now, but for the safety of everyone on the island, we should investigate as a group."

 

[Flyg0n]

At some point during the night, a note is slipped under the door...

And lo, behold when Solgaleo carries the sun to its highest place
Then take shelter behind the Dauntless Shield
And take care to keep this secret
Breathe not a word, no not to a soul

What a strange note! Is it nonsense? Or could it be a code of some kind...?

****​

One by one, everyone who’d read the note and chose to come arrived behind the Dauntless Shield Security Office as the sun reached its highest point. The spot in question was tucked just behind the Security Offices, inside a dense circle of brush. The clearing offered a bit of privacy from the rest of the island. Mysteriously absent however, was every trainer who hadn’t been on the boat ride to the island...

Standing in the middle was Officer Jenny, flanked by her Manectric, Bao.

Her face was deathly grim, as was Bao’s. “I know all of you must have many questions. Yes, I’m the one who left that note for everyone. Sorry about the cloak and dagger, I was worried that someone else might find it and I hoped they'd think it was nonsense. So I’m going to tell you everything I know, then you can ask questions when I’m done. Got it?”

There were various noises of acknowledgement.

Jenny took a deep breath and sighed, running her hand through her teal hair. “I never expected... I didn’t expect something like this morning to happen when I left those notes. For starters... don’t trust anyone outside this group. Anyone who wasn’t on the Trousselin with you.” She sighed again.

“What I know is this. Two trainers left the island before today. I was told they went home, but now I’m not sure. A boy named Franklin and his Scizor apparently left early in the morning, before breakfast. And before that, a trainer and their Xatu left before the dinner on the first night. I thought it was odd, but I was assured they’d simply had to leave unexpectedly.

“I don’t know if these two incidents are connected. But I do know that if they are, then you lot are not involved. The disappearances started before you arrived. Which means the culprit is most likely someone from the first group.” She paused, collecting her thoughts.

“The reason I’m telling you is so that you can watch your backs. And I would tell you not to investigate and to let me handle it. But I know how tenacious and nosy trainers are.” She chuckled, but quickly became serious again.

“I can’t lock you up, and I can’t force you to not investigate. All I can do is ask that you try to be smart. Keep your heads down. Don’t kick Beedrill's nests. If you try to snoop around, be discreet if you can. Play along.” She folded her arms and glanced at Bao. “Anything else?”

Bao barked.

“Right. My associate Victor and his Arcanine knows too. Consider him an ally, I trust him with my life.”

She spread her arms. “So there it is. I guess if you have questions you can ask now, but probably I don’t know much more than most of you right now.”