In a follow-up on the case of the missing Allegro, new evidence suggests the ship was transporting a rare, or previously undiscovered, type of coral. A large chunk of the sparkly white deposit was discovered on the body of the dead crewman found at sea. While official statements from Mr. Irons’s public relations office declare coral a valuable commodity worth stealing, suspicious events surrounding its discovery only bring up more questions.
Though authorities are trying to keep it quiet, a lab technician transporting a piece of this coral to the Undina Research Center for further tests inexplicably pulled off the road, abandoned his car, and plunged into the ocean. Since this is not California where surfer dudes with low IQs would do just this kind of thing for kicks, the police are understandably perplexed. The man likely would have drowned were it not for a Good Samaritan who happened upon the abandoned vehicle.
The lab tech is currently under a 72-hour suicide watch. Our esteemed reporter managed to sneak into the hospital to speak with Mr. Darnell, whose wild ramblings revolved around a beautiful song he felt compelled to find the source of. Some might jump to the conclusion of sirens or mermaids, mythological creatures said to lure men to death with their singing. (Children, take note: Disney got it wrong.)
We have another theory: drugs. It was obvious the man was high out of his mind. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. The next day, the medical examiner was found floating in the harbor. He hadn’t bothered to take off his tie or suit jacket before his swim, and sources say the original piece of coral had been in his office.
So, is this undiscovered species of coral valuable for its scientific discovery? We can be sure there will be quite a contest to see who it will be named after, though how the scientists at the URC will come to that determination is uncertain—they could resort to Rock, Paper, Scissors for all we know. Or perhaps Mr. Irons, who is hardly the biologist type, is interested in more recreational—and profitable—applications for the coral as the new LSD.
This report comes to you from the Examiner, where everything deserves a closer look.
Curious about the adventure? You can read how it all turns out in Elemental Magic.
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