"What do you mean? It's a crater." Russ asked you in confusion.
"No it isn't!" You reply. "I've been suspicious for a while, why else would all those government suits set up a perimeter around the whole chain?"
"Because it was destroyed by a dangerous experimental material?"
"Pish! And besides, I have proof!" You declare before pulling out your Radio-inator. "I got this transmission decoded from riiight in the middle of Kauai. Listen."
Agent Russ listens with increasing concern to the transmission that you had recently decoded. "This doesn't make any sense. A coverup of this size… we should know about it."
"Ah ah, piquing your interest is it?"
"I'm… going to need to speak to my superiors about this."
"Oh sure sure, take your time."
---
Agent Russ walked back into headquarters with his habitual gentle frown. "Director Riddle. Have you read my first report?"
"Yes yes Agent, you may rest assured I found time for you." Director Riddle was a severe man, a face of harsh lines and stark curves. He was entirely bald, except for a pair of thin, snowy white eyebrows that remained set in an eternal look of disapproval. "I must say, it seems rather fantastical."
"The Good Doctor is a fantastical man."
"Yes, that much was evident."
"Sir, do we… know anything about Hawaii?"
"You mean the potential validity of the doctor's crackpot theories? No. Agent Russ, it has not come up on Paranormal's radar. I have also heard nothing from Directors Cage, Tricky or Mr. Block, which means that Extraterrestrial, Metahuman, and Chronoanomolous either know nothing or aren't talking. It could be another agency, but the lines of communication there are practically nonexistent."
"Why wouldn't they-"
"Agent Russ. Our bureau survives off secrecy. All information is on a need to know basis. Not everyone agrees that I need to know, much to their detriment."
"So are you authori-"
"Yes yes, you may see just how much smoke Doofenshmirtz is blowing. Keep the reports coming." Riddle cut Russ off again. The man did it constantly. Russ hated it.
"…thank you sir."
---
Agent Russ's superiors in the FBI are unaware of the state of Hawaii due to departmental infighting! This is a lucky break! In future, remember: Agent Russ will not unveil secrets his bosses want hidden! This means that if sent on a Quest somewhere the government does not want you, Russ will have a stat penalty. If he is sent on a National Action somewhere the government does not want you, he is likely to return entirely empty handed!
---
"So, you're ready to go?" You ask as Russ returns to you, no less troubled looking then when last you saw him.
"Yes. The only question now is how to get past the blockade."
"I think I have an idea."
---
The spray of the Pacific rolled over Russ as he leaned against the spycycle. He looked down at his companion for the last few hours.
"I should let you know that this has officially broken the top five strangest missions I've ever been on."
A mournful dirge emanated from Agent W as the translator rendered his response as "Likewise."
"We passed the blockade half an hour ago. We should be coming up on- there!" Russ cried as the peak of Kawaikini rose into view. "By George, Doofenshmirtz was right."
Russ stared in silence for a moment longer. "I know people who had family in Hawaii. Have, apparently. I have to-" Russ was cut off by the sound of roaring engines. There was just enough time to look up and see a craft soaring overhead, its shape unquestionably alien, like a bulbous gliding manta.
"Hoover Dam." Russ said gently as the ship disappeared amidst the island ahead. He kicked the Cycle into gear. Its hubcaps rose, glowing an acrid and unearthly blue as the vehicle lifted off the back of Agent W.
"Submerge for now, I'll make the rest of the trip. Be ready for the signal to return."
The translator registered another agreement. As the great whale submerged beneath the waves, its fedora floated for a few seconds before sinking after it. The Spycycle soared towards the island, its engine a whisper on the wind.
---
It was… surreal. For years, the entire world had assumed Hawaii gone with the blastwave, and Russ had never questioned it. If it were a coverup, why wouldn't he know? And yet here it was. Kauai island, looking… normal. There were streets, houses, people, just walking around like nothing was wrong. After stowing the cycle, Russ took a calculated risk and stepped out into the open. No one paid him any mind. People chatted, seagulls flew in blue skies, there were even a few surfers off the coast he'd had to avoid on the way in. It was as if nothing had happened… almost.
Here and there were the signs of the… invasion? Occupation? Russ wasn't sure what to call it. Strange structures erected on the edges of towns that everyone tried to ignore. Signs posted in public places, warnings in stiff, formal English to 'avoid cliffs of excess altitude', 'exercise proper stretching before strenuous activity' and even 'ensure flossing once diurnally'. And rarely, very rarely, Russ would see, passing quickly through the streets with low loping gaits, the aliens.
There wasn't anything else they could be. They stood three to four feet tall, inclined forward in a raptor-like stance. They looked reptilian, though it was difficult to be sure through the full body suits and visors they wore. Each carried a large, rounded sidearm that Russ was in no hurry to see in action. He walked through the sandy streets soaking in every hint or clue he could find as to what was going on.
Russ felt a momentary sting as an overlooked mosquito bit his wrist. Almost without thinking he slapped the bug, brushing the debris to the ground.
"Auwe, what are you doing?!?!"
Russ looked up to see a native Hawaiian in a floral shirt and swim trunks rushing towards him. "You can't touch the bugs! They get really-"
"Hey, you!"
The man winced. "…upset."
The raptoid alien half-marched, half-stalked towards them, weapon aimed at the ground but no less concerning for it. Russ took in the situation and, in a moment, grabbed onto the man's arm. "Follow my lead." He said, pulling the local along behind a building at a speed just slow enough to not look panicked.
"Hey, I said stop! I'm talking to you!" The alien yelled, its helmet comms approximating a generic English voice at odds with its appearance. The alien rounded the corner of the building, grumbling to itself about idiotic earthlings. "You just killed a protected spe-"
The alien did not get to finish the thought, on account of the sucker punch to the jaw. It collapsed to the ground, moaning, just in time for Russ to relieve it of its sidearm. He studied the weapon carefully. "No clear magazine… energy based? Interesting. I'm going to have a few questions- what's your name, son?"
"I-It's David… who are you?"
Russ adjusted his glasses. "Agent Russ. I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
---
Investigate what Happened to Hawaii complete! Hawaii revealed as the Earth Wildlife Preserve! Aliens known as the Galactic Federation, or GalFed, have established a protectorate on Earth to conserve endangered species. This includes humanity!
Agent Russ has confirmed Dr. Jookiba's information and established valuable contacts on the islands. If Russ is sent on the Operation: Blue Hawaii quest, he reduces all DCs by 10!
Agent Russ has acquired an example of GalFed plasma weaponry! Develop Energy Weaponry national action has reduced in DC!
