Payneth can't stand for it anymore. She takes the case to Enigma.

"I want you to investigate Stairmount Rivers." She informs Lawrence.

"Stairmount Rivers? The Delegation Team Leader of Jupiter Health Department?" Lawrence asks, astonished. "Why do you suddenly want to investigate him?"

"I just got some surprising data about him," Payneth says as she pulls out her laser pen, then shows the flying screen containing the Chrono's data.

Lawrence reads it. His brows furrow, as if he is watching something which really startles him.

"What is your opinion? This guy is really formidable, isn't he?" Payneth demands any response from Lawrence. "And this formidable guy is instead assigned to handle the Jupiter-Saturn cooperation program. There must be something evil planned in that issue."

Lawrence purses his lips. "But... I have felt something strange about it from a long time ago. From I realized that the news about Stairmount Rivers which will always be very viral. I understand that he is an important representative of Jupiter to cooperate with Saturn which has been Jupiter's rival all this time, plus health issues always become hot topic since the spread of the Fuxa Pathogen. However, since he becomes so popular even though it is not comparable with his current position... I do feel weird. But now I think I get the picture of it." Lawrence turns his eyes back to the screen and checks the data. "And my instinct says that there's something even more sinister in this case, beyond all reports of these data..."

"That's why, we must investigate him!"

"Definitely. I will also contact the Enigma Central Office regarding this issue." Lawrence nods. "But we have to be very... very careful. Our strategy must be keen. Because we are stepping into the most terrible conspiracy in the entire universe."

***

Lawrence tells Payneth that they shouldn't be careless in managing Stairmount's case. The investigation has to be conducted behind closed doors, in other words, no one may know about it other than the two of them until they get the direction from the Central Enigma which is based in Crown, the capital of Neptune. Payneth must also be prepared that this will become a slow investigation, a consequence of carrying out this investigation behind closed doors. In fact, Payneth has still to rely on herself, just like before. No change in her previous method, the only difference is that she possesses the support from the Central Enigma. But to speak honestly, by doing this work in person, she achieve the goal much faster compared with the results from Central Enigma.

Copyright ©️ by boundless_universe

"Look at this, Daphne." With her laser pen, Payneth projects the luminescent flying screen showing a research journal. "This is one of the research Rivers has ever undergone in Amethyst."

Now their meeting location has changed; to the public park in the residential area where Daphne lives. At first, Payneth called Daphne since she wanted to invite her to come to her house, but Daphne didn't respond to the call. Therefore, Payneth is forced to come in person to approach Daphne. After asking for Mrs. Yalle's permission, Payneth takes Daphne to the public park. Mrs. Yalle appears so happy as she finds Daphne has a friend to chat with. Daphne's depressed expression overshadows her so clearly. But Mrs. Yalle can't find any information about the reason why Daphne can be so distressed. In the end, Mrs. Yalle comes to that conclusion - Daphne is missing Stairmount so much, which is then what makes her distressed.

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To be honest, Daphne is reluctant to meet with Payneth. At this time her mind is in such a turmoil, even she herself doesn't understand what actually she is thinking about. Besides, a thought pops up inside her mind yelling that she hates Payneth; if Payneth had not told her this harsh reality, she would have lived in her previous ignorance, and she could have maintained her love for Stairmount until they finally got married. Nevertheless, she knows that it is a very selfish thought, it is she who becomes the culprit after all, as it is she who first asks Payneth for help.

Thence, since she can blame no one in the end, Daphne just follows Payneth in silence. Likewise, when she reads the journal, she just reads it with an expressionless face, then turns her gaze away, also with an expressionless face.

"Yes, Daphne. Even the participants used in the experiment were terrible. Did you see that journal? 25 participants were tested with various pathogens aiming to observe the effect of those pathogens on humans. The result? 5 people suffered permanent severe injuries on the skin of the hands and feet, 10 people suffered a high fever that damaged the liver system, and 3 people who previously didn't have Lacerated Pleuritis then got Lacerated Pleuritis instead. This is mad, it has harmed people! This experiment has violated the regulation of experiments stating that it is forbidden to use human beings as test subjects!"

Instead of responding to Payneth, Daphne keeps showing her expressionless face.

"Too many mistakes Rivers has committed, I think we will soon be able to file a lawsuit in an international tribunal!..."

"Don't..."

Payneth is startled. What, did Daphne talk? And... what did she say?! "What... Daphne? What did you say?..."

"Please don't report him..." Daphne repeats her words in a weak voice.

Payneth immediately squeezes Daphne's shoulders and shakes her body. "Daphne! You're crazy, what did you say just now?!? You should be glad that we're going to report him! Isn't he your father's killer?!?"

Daphne's tiger-orange eyes appear wistful. She lowers her head.

"He has exterminated the Neptunian researchers. And also did cruelty to his test subjects in Amethyst. And now, he becomes prominent, popular, and even worshipped by so many people regardless he has committed such ruthlessness against many innocent people! Just like the highest orders of Jupiter government, who become powerful after wreaking havoc and tormenting innocent people in poor countries! Those Jupiterians, they're all the same, Daphne! Whether ethnic Saturnian or Neptunian or the Jupitune or whatever kind of blood they own, once they're oriented to Jupiter, they will turn cruel and only look at everything from their own interests!" After shouting so loudly, Payneth lowers her voice. "And you Daphne. As a Neptunian, as the member of Enigma, you should stand on the same side as us! Forget your love, it has gone away! Even more, you should have copied the actions of those agents - once they found out that their lovers were the double agent, they then finished them without doubt. You must do the same!"

In response to Payneth's vehement shout, Daphne unexpectedly rises to her feet, and thus walks away.

"Daphne!" Payneth calls out. But apparently Daphne has no intention of turning around or even listening to Payneth. She keeps stepping away in silence.

Payneth sighs in annoyance. She knows, Daphne's love for Stairmount is indeed too deep, and Daphne shows no intention to cooperate with her in criminalizing Stairmount. It then raises some concerns in Payneth's mind, that Daphne's attitude will make it difficult for Enigma to take this case to court - more severely, Daphne will get in the way.

No... we can't allow such kind of person to be free and commit so many atrocities once more. Moreover, he is now in Saturn, Neptune's main alliance. Evil knows what kind of terrible things he will do there. Of course I have to stop him!

Payneth takes out her ultra-cyber minipad, then dials a contact number.

"Hello, George. Do you have time? Oh well. I want to talk with you. About Daphne..."

Copyright ©️ by boundless_universe