Totally Mystery: Rise of the X-Clones

Case Report #1

Written by: Martin Mystery

Date: 5/20 Time: 8:00am

About three days have passed since the development of the X research team (yes I know the name is corny but accurate, I'll explain in a moment). Living in a house with other agents is interesting. I observe habits and other things of people living in the house and having the portal system allows the entire team to interact while still being able to keep their own places (The Spies Penthouse in Malibu, Diana and Serenity's Apartment in Los Angeles) and more often than not the group gets together for a massive home cooked meal done by Saito to be able chit chat and talk about the simple things in life. I'm actually surprised to learn a few things about people I didn't know before. Saito is a skilled cook and is able to create tasty Asian Style Food along with many western classics, Saleme has skills in Video Games that rival mine and Alex's, and Barry is able to keep track of needs for the house and is able to divide up house chores and other duties and so far we haven't had any conflicts in home life. Mission Wise, Saleme has created his magic sensor grid that extends around the Greater Los Angeles Area and doing research into the Lightning Thief. Saito, Diana and Barry are going over the various documents we've collected from the companies funded by Mr. X. Serenity is still working on decoding the flash drive. She's managed to decode another image file of DNA this one containing a large X like graphic on the bottom right corner, I guess to mark it as research for Mr. X but without any reference material or reports we don't know what exactly Ankoku found or have developed. As for the spies and I, we are about to head off to Beverly Hills High. We've been notified that Dusk is going to make a surprise appearance at Bev High during their assembly period and announce who is going to win the grand prize of being able to experience Band Life. I somewhat looking forward to meeting the band and seeing if Jin is anything like how Detective Moser described him as a humble and generous rock star or if he's just a mischievous thief playing the crowd to make people like him while he goes around in secret stealing things for the thrill of it. Anyways the girls and I are to be at Bev High at 9am for setup and I can't help but think that something critical is going to happen at the school.
~~~

Martin and the Spies entered into the Bev High school swim gym which was being setup for the assembly. The Principal of African Descent Mr. Paysinger who was wearing a business outfit along with a white skinned man with blond hair wearing what appeared to be a Bartender Vest were observing things coming together

Alex hummed then pointed "hey there's Mr. Paysinger." She ran over "Mr. Paysinger!"

Paysinger looked and turned slightly surprised "Alexandra Vasquez?"

Alex smiled "how are you Principal?

Paysinger said "I'm doing alright." He turned confused "what are you doing at Bev High, you graduated 3 years ago."

Alex said "I heard rumors Bev High was hosting a popular band today so I came with some familiar faces on an assignment."

Clover came up followed by Sam and Martin

Paysinger looked at both girls "Samantha Sampson, and Clover Ewing," He muttered then gained an 'I should have figured' smile as he shook his head. "What is this attack of the alumni?"

Both girls smiled and Sam said "no Mr. Paysinger, just a trio of college girls trying to earn some extra cash," She looked at Martin "we're teamed up with Martin Mystery, a freelancing photographer and cameraman to get footage of that surprise you've come up with."

"Ah… you four must be the ones Mr. Lewis sent." The bartender male stated calmly

Paysinger turned to the man "Oh girls this is the Manager of Dusk, Keith Grimm. He's actually the one making all this happen"

Keith gave a bow of his head "Pleasure." He stated evenly "I trust you are prepared for this morning's events"

Martin said "Sure am Mr. Grimm. Just let us know where we can be and we'll try and catch the best angles without being to in the way although we're wondering how we're going to be able to catch all the sounds and such."

Keith hummed "We won't have an issue with sound," He stated "I have sound people already making a setup and we'll be able to record the atmosphere and have those who are talking not have the crowd noises blend with their own vocal tracks for easy editing."

Clover said "almost sounds like you've done this before."

Keith hummed "live 'unscheduled' performances have been Jin's thing on this tour." He stated "So we are prepared for them." He looked around carefully "as for the best angles," He pointed to a position that was opposite from where the group had entered "I would say stick to the south side of this gym on the west side." He then pointed to where the group had come in "Although a camera on the north east side at a downward angle would be a good angle as well. The raffle spinning and drawing is going to be towards the west side and Jin is most likely going to be entering from the north east side so if your focus is on him then start from North east and head to the South West."

Martin hummed "most likely be easier if we have more than one camera running. Alex in a bit grab the spare hand camcorders and place yourself over by where we came in maybe on top row of the bleachers. I'll have the main camera setup by where Mr. Grimm pointed out. Sam, you and Clover take the south side east and center"

"Roger!" Alex chirped

Clover nodded "We'll get the best footage possible."

Sam said "and make sure to edit it properly as well."

Keith gave a small smile "I do trust you all will do your best."

Within about ten minutes the group had bought in their equipment and a digital camcorder was setup on a tripod and everything seemed to be coming together for the assembly which would be in about 25 minutes. However the star of the show was nowhere to be seen.

Martin hummed as everything was setup but he had yet to see any of the band members of Dusk "so Mr. Grimm where is the band by the way."

"Most of the time the band stays at the hotel as Jin is the main star so he's the one who does the band promotion." Keith replied then looked around and hummed "and as for Jin, he said he was going to go the restroom but that was about fifteen minutes ago," He turned suspicious "give me a moment." He pulled out his cell phone and pressed a button "Keith to Jin, everything alright." He stated as if he was talking into a walkie-talkie

There was silence on the other end.

Keith exhaled then pressed the button again "Ignoring my pages will not make them stop Jin, talk to me."

A beep was heard "eh sorry about that Keith, I was just uh washing my hands." It was clear he was lying. You could hear music in the background along with other coffee shop noises, Jin was not in the restroom.

Keith heard right though it "hopefully you did that before you broke into some food." He muttered then exhaled "Jin, what did I tell you about sneaking off without my permission?"

"Don't do it?" Jin answered

Keith said "indeed, now I know you were not in the best of moods this morning but that is no excuse for rebellious behavior"

"But Keith" Jin whined "you wouldn't allow me to get a decent breakfast this morning before we left the hotel, I was hungry."

"It is not my fault you did not get up this morning." Keith countered "I allowed you to get a muffin and fruit juice before we took off but you decided against it."

"I wanted something with a little meat in it." Jin grumbled "but you wouldn't stop anywhere."

"We had a scheduled event and we needed to do check in and setup." Keith stated "Where are you? The event starts in 20 minutes."

"Starbucks about a quarter mile west of the school." Jin replied "don't worry I'll be there in ten minutes. I've got Speed with me."

"You and that motorcycle of yours." Keith muttered "We will talk later." He hung up, put away his phone then rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. "Some days, I worry about my charge." Keith told Martin "I tell him it is dangerous to go wandering off without telling me but he does so anyhow."

Martin laughed "what is he sixteen?"

Keith hummed as he nodded "He'll be turning eighteen mid-June." He answered "and I know that's close enough for him to be able to be on his own but I promised his mother that I would watch over him as his manager should something happen to her." He sighed "and I have been keeping that promise ever since the accident."

Martin turned confused "huh?"

Keith exhaled "Jin's mother died when the two were in a terrible car accident two years ago. A driver under the influence of alcohol with illegal drugs ran a red light and totaled their vehicle."

Martin blinked in shock "Wow, Jin's lucky he survived."

Keith hummed "it was not his time, I guess. Anyway do not mention to Jin I told you about the accident. He is sensitive on that subject and this throws me off as I was hoping for you to talk before the assembly but that is not going to be possible."

Martin said "no worries Mr. Grimm. We'll just record the events of the assembly and most likely do an introduction clip afterwards."

Keith nodded "sounds like a plan." He stated then his phone started ringing "if you will excuse me, I have to take this." He walked off

"No problem." Martin replied then hummed as he looked around "we are ready."