Athena and Odette were brought to the security office. Vincent Kim sat them down. Hot chocolate with creamer was provided for both of them. Vincent then vigorously sat down in front of them.
"Ladies," he said, "Since we have been experiencing strange activity in and out of Decelis Academy, we have thought of a way to track it down so that we are aware of the dangers it can either lead or cause."
"Isn't that the same phrase you had just said?" asked Odette.
"I think he meant two different things." Athena replied.
Vincent had Thomas Wang bring an IPS device. Both young women were in utter confusion.
"That is a memory card–" said Athena,
"–For a computer or laptop." added Odette.
Vincent waved his finger, "It may be a memory card. But with this, it has a website that can track down any suspicious activity, including the so-called curse of the Blue Fireflies."
"Isn't it true?" asked Athena, "Aren’t there fireflies that are blue out there?"
Vincent wrapped his arms around Athena's shoulders.
"As long as you don't think about it much, then you would get this job done as quickly as possible."
"I hope so…because I'm really concerned about all of this."
Vincent chuckled.
"Not to worry," he said, "With the manual that Thomas has, I think you will be able to function with it well."
Thomas handed the IPS manual to Odette, while Athena had the memory card in both hands.
"We will be right back to check on you later. If you need any help, Heli knows all about devices like this."
Both girls nodded. And soon, they were gone.
"So," said Athena, with a straight expression, "You signed up for this as well?"
"Nope," said Odette, "I wanted to know what is happening so that we know what to do."
"But there is nothing we can do, at the moment."
"I know…but with that memory card you are holding, then maybe we might find a way to break the curse!"
"Okay...so let's try it!"
They found Odette's laptop (that was quite small and portable). Athena applied the memory card on the side of the device. At first, the screen went black. Odette read the first part of the manual that said,
"When the screen goes black, that is a sign it is preparing for the user to send in the code. Be cautious: It can take up to 10 to 15 minutes."
When the long minutes were up, an automated voice then said, "Hello! Please send in your passcode!"
Odette and Athena were startled.
"Did it just say to put the code in?" asked Odette.
"Yup," said Athena, "It says, for the passcode, 4-9-1-3-4-5-6-8."
The loading screen appeared once again. And suddenly, the four cameras that are hidden in the school appeared. Both girls were impressed by the technology the creator had developed.
"This has to be one of the most impressive inventions ever!" Athena exclaimed.
"I'm guessing you've never seen anything like this before." said Odette.
"Nope," said Athena, "We never have phones, computers, laptops or tablets in Underland. Just the view from the world above and under."
In the evening, while Odette was asleep, the automated voice of the IPS system said,
"Suspicious activity is located!
Please report to the IPS settings!"
This had woken up Odette. She did as the voice instructed and found blue orbs flying around the entrance of the school.
"The Fireflies are surrounding our school!" she exclaimed.
Athena then rushed into her room.
"What did the device say?"
"It said that there is suspicious activity out somewhere. And I saw the Blue Fireflies outside the school! What should we do?"
Athena thought for a while.
We have some sort of dome that is protecting us from the dangers in the world. So, either it is cracked, or that it is losing its power.
"We had better go outside for this."
"Outside?!" shouted Odette, "Are you freaking nuts?! We are going to be caught by the law enforcement! Can't you figure out another way?"
"We don't have any other way. How else are we going to find out what is attracting the fireflies?"
And then, the automated voice spoke again:
"Here is the data for Riverfield, Monterey County, CA!"
It depicted a green dome that surrounded the city.
"Isn't this the city of Riverfield?" Athena asked.
"I would have to say so." Odette replied.
They then went outside and felt the wall for themselves. Odette was impressed.
"The fortress really is there!" she exclaimed once more.
Without any reason, Athena noticed many fireflies coming from the distance.
"It's so pretty, though," said Odette.
Athena pointed to where they were coming from.
"It's coming through the crack right over there."
Odette saw where Athena was pointing.
"They're coming from the outside," said Odette, "But what does it mean?"
"Honestly...I don't know!"
Athena thought, Wasn't Refugia protected from an invisible fortress as well? We are one town away from the city. But our protection fortress has a crack in it. What is going on?
"Do you think it's safe?" asked Odette.
But Athena did not reply. Strangely, the girls felt an unsteady feeling.
"There was a rumor going around about something similar to this. Sometime after me and Heli's wedding reception. We received this mysterious warning. It went around for all of the people living in Monterey County."
"If you touch the Blue Firefly...you can never return!"
"So…what you're saying is…" said Odette.
"Those are the so-called Blue Fireflies of the Unknown!"
Athena suddenly had a memory of what the vintage-looking book had said:
"Listen well, bearer of the Crimson Heart ! You must destroy the enemy of Decelis! And then, using this necklace, you must break the curse of the Blue Firefly Island!"
"Athena!" shouted Odette.
Athena was snapped out of her sudden memory when she looked behind her back: it was the law enforcement!
"Damn it! We're caught! What do we do?!" Odette asked in a shout.
"I don't know! We’ll think of a way! We can figure this out!"
The officers surrounded both girls.
"FREEZE!" said Lieutenant, "THIS HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, ALL MUST BE TAKEN TO CUSTODY!"
"And who are you?" Athena asked.
"We are the National Security Force!"
But they don't have the original uniform! How can they be the security service if they don't have the correct uniform?
"Sir," said Athena, "There has been a misunderstanding. You see, we were just returning from our little evening walk and–"
Suddenly, the lieutenant pulled her by the shoulder and shouted, "YOU MUST COMPLY WITH US, REGARDLESS OF YOUR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES!"
"But can we please just talk this out, first?"
And then, a blue firefly landed on the lieutenant's hand. And soon, it made bloodcurdling noises as it went through the skin of the soldier. And then, once his strange transformation was complete...he gave off a ROAR!
Both girls were horrified!
"Athena! What the hell is happening?!" cried Odette.
"I do not freaking know! But...it is true! The rumors of this beautiful, but dangerous insect have been confirmed!"
Suddenly, the necklace that Athena was wearing around her neck began to shine a blinding light.
"Odette," said Athena, "I think I know what they meant by curse, and the part when they said that you could never return!"
"What is that?!"
"You can never end a case of an abnormal mutation!"