Kieran, with a slight bow, stated her purpose. "I'm here to get my inventory for Earth and supplies for a few months. I have an investigation to conduct."
Recognition dawned on the Lead coordinator's face. "Ah, you must be Kieran. Earth in the mortal realm... it's been quiet until your request. We did a secondary scan and found anomalies, error codes in the radio signals."
He leaned forward, his eyes serious. "Be careful down there. In the twelve universes, our role is to maintain order. Earth's humans can be hostile, resorting to guns, poison. They're crafty and cruel. Don't trust anyone."
Kieran nodded, her expression resolute. "I understand. I've studied human history extensively. Their propensity for violence is well-known. I'm prepared and will take care of myself. Thank you for the advice."
The Lead coordinator rose from his seat and retrieved a key from his desk. "Head down to the vault through this door. Your supplies are packed in a sack," he explained. "You'll find about $2,000,000 in digital cash and essential food items for emergencies."
He handed her the key, his tone turning more serious. "Remember, time on Earth affects you differently. Three months there means your body will age three months. It's not like here where time doesn't affect us."
Kieran offered a slight nod, her thoughts briefly drifting. "Does he ever shut up?" she mused internally. She took the key and made her way to the vault located behind their office. Efficiently, she gathered her supplies and headed out.
She grabbed the same device that had initially transported her to Earth. Clasping the Chromatic Diamond Cross, Kieran swiftly exited the coordinators' office. As she left, she offered a quick word of thanks. The coordinators, already immersed back in their paperwork and discussions, gave her light waves without looking up, their focus shifting back to the myriad tasks at hand.
The camouflaged woman suddenly shouted, "Steel Storm!" and slammed her hand onto the branch. The forest air tensed for a brief moment before hundreds of tiny metal shards rained down from above, slicing through leaves and branches in a deadly metallic downpour.
As Kieran maneuvered to avoid the metal storm, her GPS flickered back to life, announcing her unintended destination: Brazil. She quickly activated her energy shield, rendering the barrage of attacks futile as they bounced off harmlessly.
Determined to confront her assailant, Kieran charged towards the tree. "Who are you?" she demanded, closing the distance rapidly.
The camouflaged woman, taken aback, stepped back on the branch, attempting to fend off Kieran with a knife. In a swift motion, Kieran caught the blade with her bare hand, the clash sending both of them tumbling off the tree branch.
As they fell towards the jungle floor, Kieran's mind was ablaze with questions about this mysterious attacker and her unexpected arrival in Brazil. The situation was escalating quickly, far beyond what she had anticipated for her investigation.
As they landed on the jungle floor, Kieran acted swiftly. She reached out and tore the mask off her assailant's face, revealing a young woman beneath. Her expression was one of determination mixed with confusion as she demanded, "What's going on? Why are you attacking me?"
The woman, momentarily taken aback by the unmasking, stared at Kieran with wide eyes. "You're a human?!" she blurted out, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief.
Kieran, maintaining her composure despite the chaotic turn of events, responded with a hint of impatience, "Well, no. Not exactly. For all intended purposes, let's say I am. I'm from... a bit further away. But I'm here looking for someone."