Chapter 2

Taura groaned as she pushed the button to open the office door. She was a Ta-Matoran who worked as a forensic scientist. Her biggest job right now was trying to solve the disappearances. So far, she wasn't having much luck.

"Oh! Kerai Keikarah, my sincerest apologies…"

"You can call me Keika," said Keika, "and no need to speak formally."

"Sorry. Anyway, what brings you in here?"

"This." Keika took out the evidence bags, and asked Taura to piece it together. Taura worked quickly at first. But then the realization set in. It slowed her work and her hands started shaking. She eventually finished, and stepped back. Then it hit her. "What… oh no, don't tell me… this is beyond sick!"

Keika could feel the appalled rage coming off Taura, almost too intense to fit in a Matoran's body.

"This was in one of the mini forges at Metalworks Career School," explained Keika. "I originally went in there to find out who decided it was a good idea to carve a pumpkin with a blowtorch. Then I found this."

Taura took another look at the skeleton. "I'll have to identify this one. Starting off - pre-teen female. Definitely a Nuurakh, judging by the sturdier legs and fairly slim pelvis for her age."

"Have any Intermediate Trainees been absent for a long period of time?"

"Not that I know of, Marshal Koryo would have said something."

Just then, Keika remembered. "Wait, I have something else." She pulled the broken ID badge out of her evidence compartment. It showed a picture of a young trainee, wearing a black v-neck with a Taegeuk on the chest. The name "Hakdari Koryo" was underneath it.

Keika's communication device started beeping frantically. The caller ID said Marshal Koryo. "Hello, this is Kerai Keikarah."

"My youngest niece, Hakdari, is missing!" Marshal Koryo was panicking, a contrast to her stern but calm nature. "She went to Metalworks Career School on a field trip this morning. The teacher said Hakdari wandered off and her ID badge stopped working, so they lost track of her!"

Keika put it on speaker. "I'm here with Taura in Forensic Science."

Silence on the other end.

"Hello, this is Taura. We found Hakdari… but not in one piece."

"I'm on my way." Marshal Koryo's voice trembled under the burden of tragedy.

Upon arrival, Marshal Koryo looked at the skeleton. Her martial arts master posture drooped, squeezing a heavy breath out of her lungs. "That's not Hakdari."

"What makes you say that?" said Taura.

"Hakdari had a recent fracture on her left wrist from power breaking. This one's wrist connects to the main arm structures perfectly."

"But that doesn't solve anything." insisted Taura. "A family lost their child, and Hakdari is still missing."

"Keika," said Marshal Koryo, straightening back up, "we'll need to get you on this case. Nuhrii and Kapura should help too."

"Why Kapura?" asked Taura. "Wouldn't he slow you down with his injury?"

"The only thing left of that injury is a bruised sense of pride," Keika shook her head. "I told him not to roller skate on a freshly-waxed floor, but did he listen? Nooooo."

Marshal Koryo rolled her eyes. "I was thinking more along the lines of ethical hacking. That way he won't get hurt again."