by R. J. Ross
“Skye! Skye! I got the core!” Ariel says, pulling herself through the floor again with a glowing stone in her hand. “Let’s crush it.”
“I’ll take that,” Superior says, holding out a hand. Ariel gives him a dirty look and I remember that she actually hates him for something that happened a long time ago.
“You’re Superior, right?” she says. “You don’t sound like Nico.”
“Does it matter?”
“You’re too tricky!” she accuses him. “How do we know you’re not the mud guy pretending to be Superior, pretending to be Nico?”
“It’s Dad!” Skye says. “Nobody has a power like Pop. Well, except for crazy-eyes, but she doesn’t count because she’s wearing a collar.”
Before Ariel can say anything, the rock she’s holding starts to sink into her hand. She lets out a yelp, throwing it at Superior. It stops in the air, floating.
“Skye,” the mud man says, his voice coming from all around. “All I ever wanted to do was protect you. I watched you to make sure no one did what Penski did. I watched your enemies, to make sure they didn’t, either. I love you, Skye. I have ever since I found out. Don’t let them do this.”
Skye turns, staring at the glowing rock, a strange expression on her face. “That isn’t love,” she says. “It sounds good and all that, but love doesn’t attack other people that care about their loved ones! Love doesn’t make people paranoid about being spied on for years! You don’t love me. If you’d loved me, you would have DONE something rather than just stalk me! I was alone! I was ALWAYS alone! And if you’ve been watching me all these years, you KNEW THAT!”
“And what has this so-called father of yours done?” the mud asks, trying to turn the anger on Superior.
“He gave me his name,” Skye says, her hands clenched at her sides. “He told me that I can come, night or day, and then they PROVED it! They had cookies and hot chocolate and they were waiting at the door for me! THAT’S LOVE! And Nico made it so I can go visit anyone I want whenever I want! THAT’S LOVE! And the kids call me and bring me hugs and gifts and THAT’S LOVE TOO! You don’t know what love is because you’re a stupid stalker!”
“You don’t understand,” the mud man starts out only to stop as Superior grabs the core. “Don’t! Stop it! Don’t—“
“I could crush you, easily,” Superior says, “but my daughter wants something else. Carla, bring me that pot.”
“Let’s put him in a rocket and send him out into space!” Skye says excitedly. I rush over with the pot, holding it out to Superior and watching as the mud pulls away from the ground and walls and pours into it. “Oh, but we need to fix this place first because Nana Rae is amazing,” she adds.
“And the gumbo is really good!” Ariel says.
“We’ll let my kid take care of that,” Superior says. “Put the lid on, Carla,” he tells me, still holding the core. “I’ll transport this part, myself.”
“Got it!” I say, slamming the lid on the pot. The lid melds to the pot with a look from Superior and he leads the way to the wall, punching through it. “Should I call Century?”
“No point,” Superior says, looking into the air. “He’s already here.”
I look up, seeing Century floating overhead with a worried look on his face. He drops to the ground, and shockingly, hauls the Deadly Darlin’s and me into a massive hug. At least I’m fast enough to move the pot of mud to the side. We wouldn’t want that broken open, it’d be messy.
“Is everyone all right?” he demands roughly.
“Our reputations aren’t,” Doris complains.
“Doris threw up the mud man,” Ariel says, looking the least bothered of the three by the hug.
“Don’t remind me,” Doris says.
“You shouldn’t hug us! We’re villains and you’re a stupid do-good hero!” Skye says, poking Century repeatedly.
“And Skye couldn’t air walk,” Ariel says, “or phase.”
“Yeah? Well, you got dragged underground!” Skye says.
“And scattered,” Ariel agrees. “It was sort of interesting, but I had stuff to do. I had to save the day!”
“And Carla? How are you, sugar?” he asks, looking at me.
“I just got a little muddy,” I say. “He ruined our play day, though.”
“And Superior called Doris a little monster,” Ariel says, in that same innocent tone that means she’s knowingly getting someone in trouble. I’m positive she knows it, now, because Century’s eyes narrow as he looks around.
“Where is he?” he demands, letting go of us. “Nobody calls one of my darlin’s a little monster.”
“Yeah! I’m a BIG monster!” Doris says, even as her enlarged form shrinks to the smaller Jersey Devil form.
Century looks at her. “So it was the ‘little’ part that bothered you?” he asks.
She crosses her arms and glares. “Darn right, it was.”
“Also, that’s not Nico,” I whisper, pointing at the rather smug looking man. “That’s Superior.”
“You’re kidding me,” Century mutters, groaning. “He got an illusion watch?”
“I’m quite fond of it, too,” Superior says. “But we have more important things to deal with. Where’s the little toy girl? They’re usually somewhere the girls are.”
“She’s with Voltdrain today.”
“Shame... looks like I’ll have to come with you for the Council meeting,” Superior says. “A collar won’t work on this one.” He holds up the glowing rock.
“Is that him?”
“That’s him.”
“Then, ladies, why don’t you head on home? I’ll send in the black suits to clean this up, along with a few of the local contractors. You, come with me,” he says to Superior.
“I’d like to go back to the school campus,” I say quietly.
“Then I’ll call in someone to escort you,” he says. He reaches up, tapping his earbud. “Rocco? Son, can you do me a favor? I need you to escort Carla home.”
I feel my face turn hot with embarrassment. I wasn’t expecting that.
CHAPTER TWENTY
*Somewhere in England*
Rochester lets out a yelp as he drops to the ground, not landing very well at all. This is the warehouse that Nico had found. When he’d failed to find out anything through the camera, Nico had told him about this place. Flying here had been the most terrifying thing he’d ever done, but he’d been set on seeing it for himself. If he can’t find it through the cameras, he can find it here.
He stares at the ground under his feet, wondering if people will notice if he dares to kiss it. He might be able to fly, now, but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever enjoy it.
“I don’t recall ever seeing your face before,” a sharp, British accented voice says from above. “Who are you?”
Rochester looks up, feeling rather underdressed in his jeans, t-shirt, and cheap toss-away mask. “I’m… well, I ain’t got a super name, so to say, but I’m from the Hall. I’m here t’ see the computer.” He points at the ancient looking warehouse. “I’m a psychometric.”
“And can you prove that?” the man asks, landing in front of him. He has a sword emblem on his chest, which means he’s THE Knight, leader of the supers in Britain. Rochester reaches into the back pocket of his jeans, pulling out his wallet and digging out his ID card. Before Knight can take it, he touches it with his thumb, making a small hologram of himself appear.
“Interesting,” Knight says, taking the card and touching it like Rochester had. Nothing happens. “Regardless, this is our job. You can go back to where you came from.”
“After I touch the computer and look around, I’ll do just that,” Rochester says, stubbornly heading into the warehouse. For a second he worries that Knight will attack him, but the man just follows him silently, watching him like a hawk.
The place is practically empty, save for a swinging lamp and a table holding an old computer and… he frowns, crossing over to the table and picking up a small clay doll. “What
is this?” he asks Knight.
“I have no idea,” Knight says. “It wasn’t here the last time we looked.”
***
“Technico,” Mr. Cage says, standing. Thanks to his butler coming in the back way, he managed to get his pants earlier. Now, only his employees know that he’d been pantsed, and he controls their paychecks. There’s a very good chance it won’t get out… at least, he hopes. The last thing he wants to see is a YouTube video of him strutting around in his boxers at work. At least, he thinks, he keeps in shape.
“Cage,” Technico says. “Those nanobytes aren’t yours.”
“Ah, yes, those. Can you tell me whose they ARE, then?” Cage asks, sitting down when it becomes obvious that Technico isn’t going to shake his hand. “If they were created without permission, by a super, then they come under our long-standing contract. So… did you build them?”
“They were created by one of my students,” Nico says. “That makes them a school science experiment, and don’t lie, it’s not just super built, it’s super villain built. There’s a fine line, but it exists. I’ve read your contract.”
“Ah, yes…” Mr. Cage says, his mind rushing behind a fake smile. “And this student, is he a villain? I’ve heard that you’re the one that taught several of our up-and-coming villains, including Maximum, right?”
“This student is undeclared at the moment,” Nico says, a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes crosses his face. “Until he’s declared, you have no hold on what he creates. And truthfully, I’m already negotiating to get your company fired. You see, I found several of your parts in a hidden camera, recently.”
“A hidden camera?” Mr. Cage asks, honestly surprised. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. We don’t do that sort of work.”
“It was set to record the Nemeses,” Nico says. “You do realize just how big of a crime that is, don’t you? Spying on two of our biggest heroes? I have every right to search this place for evidence, since that same contract you’re throwing at me puts you under super law.”
“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about,” Mr. Cage says, his expression troubled. “If someone is using our parts to create that sort of thing, I will make sure they’re fired as soon as possible.”
Technico watches him, looking thoughtful. “I actually believe you, this time,” he says. “But I’m a terrible judge of character, so you’ll understand when I have the black suits come in and check things out.”
“I hate to see our long-standing relationship with the Hall ruined because of paranoia,” Mr. Cage says. “Tell me, what sort of relationship do you have with South Hall, Technico? I was led to believe you were strictly Central, and on a trial period, at that.”
“I’m South, now, as well,” Technico says, waving a hand. A screen pops up in front of him, and he flicks a finger, turning it so Mr. Cage can see it. A black suit is on the screen.
“Technico, sir, is there something I can do for you?” the black suit asks.
“Tell him that I’m South Branch. He probably would question me showing him a card, considering I made the things.”
“Yes, sir,” she says. “The super known as Technico has permission to represent the South Branch in all circumstances, Mr. Cage. His clearance level is top tier, as principal of South Cape High.”
“Plus, they find it a pain in the neck trying to keep me out of the system I rebuilt for them,” Technico says.
“We try not to mention that, sir,” she says with amusement. “So have you recovered what you were looking for?”
“That’s what I’m doing, now,” Technico says. “But I’m surprised you’re the one that answered. I was expecting Century. This is his computer.”
“Yes, sir, but Century has stepped out, so all calls have been forwarded to me.”
“Thank you, Barnett,” Technico says.
“Sir, if I could, I would like to remind you that I’m on the list of prospective Cape High South workers,” she says. “In case you’re looking for more black suits for your clean-up classes, or anything else.”
“Shouldn’t you be in too high of a position for that sort of grunt work?” Nico asks.
“I like kids,” she says.
“Fine,” he says. “I’ll see what I can do.” He waves a hand, hanging up and looking at Mr. Cage. “We both know that I could get the nanobytes myself, or just plain destroy them. I would hate to do that, though, since it would risk creating an electrical fire.”
Mr. Cage looks at him for a long moment before sighing and standing. “I’ll retrieve them,” he says. “It’s the least I can do to make up for how much time you’ve spent.” He heads out the door as Technico watches him go, silently cursing the man. All of that had been a power play, and a very obvious one, at that. Mr. Cage understands that. And while it had been far too blunt for a true businessman, it had been about par-for-the-course for a super. He heads down the hall, knocking on Farkinkle’s door and then stepping in without bothering to let her reply.
“Take a very small sample of the nanobytes in a container and cover them with that mud sample we took from Penski,” he says quietly. “There’s a chance that it’ll hide it, or else he would have shown up earlier. I’ll be taking the rest of them to Technico.”
“But—” she starts out, only to hop to it as he gives her a look. Once he’s certain that she’s done as he’s said, he grabs the larger canister and heads out the door. The sooner he gets Technico out of his building, the happier he’ll be.
***
“You haven’t called,” Rocco says as he pulls me into the shadows. “You texted once, but never replied to our response. You barely said anything to Malina when she saw you on the game, as well. Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?”
“Yes,” I say, guiltily, looking around rather than at him. “But I had a lot of things happening!”
“That broken-down building we just left, was that one of them?” he asks. His eyes are glowing, so I can see his expression. “What happened?”
“Um…” I say, tugging at the hand he’s still holding. He ignores that, even tightening his hold.
“Did you get hurt?” he asks, pulling to a stop. “Did the person who did that hurt you?”
“He caught me for a little bit, but… well, no, he DID hurt me, but that was the other day,” I say, thinking out loud. “That stupid gas really got to me when he stuck me in that basement, but then I spent the night with Skye and the girls and it was a lot of fun!”
“Carla,” he says.
“We need to get some of those golf clubs from Nico for the school! Sure, I had to climb a lot of fire escapes to keep up with them, but it wasn’t that hard!”
“Carla!” he repeats, grabbing my other hand and standing in front of me. I blink as he leans down, my heart going into overdrive as he presses his forehead against mine. “What happened in the basement?” he asks.
I have to look straight down, or else I’ll be looking him in the eyes. “You’re too close,” I whisper.
“I’m fighting the urge to put you in a headlock and force you to tell me,” he says. “You keep changing the subject.”
“You’re making me nervous,” I complain. “This is bullying. What sort of example do you think you’re setting for the shadow-dinos? We’re trying to teach them to be kinder! Showing them how to bully is a poor example!”
He groans, pulling away and staring up at the ceiling for a moment. “I wouldn’t be bullying you if you would just tell me what happened!” he says as he looks at me again.
“So you ADMIT that you’re bullying me!” I say. “I’m going to tell Skye!”
“What happened that you’re so intent on NOT telling me about?” he asks.
“I…” I look away, taking a deep breath. “I was captured. It wasn’t for long, and Nico and Superior saved me, so it… it shouldn’t still bother me. It’s over now and… and I can relax, right?” I finally look up, feeling tears welling up. “I’m safe now, right? And so is
Skye, and Doris, and Ariel, and it’s all over. It happened, but it’s over, and it has no power over me, anymore.”
He pulls me into a hug, holding me tight. “That’s right. It’s over, now,” he says.
The tears start to fall as I breathe in the familiar smell of his clothes and this place. “It stinks,” I complain.
“I know, I know,” he says, rubbing my back. “Bear with it. I’ve got clean clothes in an airlocked bag. I’ll shower and change when we get to school.”
“Why?”
“Because I obviously can’t leave you here alone,” he says, dryly. “I’ll stay for the week you’ve got left. I need to make friends with my future enemies, anyway, right?”
“You’re treating me like a little kid, again,” I say with a sniffle. “And you had plenty of time to be friends with Cisco, but you don’t like him. That doesn’t make any sense. You like everyone.”
“I know,” he says.
“Why don’t you like Cisco?” I demand, pulling away to glare at him. “He’s a sweet kid. He’s a lot nicer than my brothers!”
“I just…” he says, trailing off as he thinks about it. “He looks like a child of the corn.”
I poke him. “That’s a TERRIBLE reason.”
“I’m turning eighteen, soon, you know? It’s a big worry!”
A laugh escapes me and I start walking, only to be pulled back on course. “I don’t even know what that means. I’ve never seen that movie.”
“See? That’s why you can’t understand my problem!” he says.
“But he can’t be a child of corn, or whatever, because Rochester is his dad,” I declare. “He’s obviously not corn.”
“Maybe his nickname should be Corn,” he says.
“You’re going to start calling Rochester ‘corn’?” I ask, laughing. “That’s terrible!” I feel his hand take mine and assume that we’re near the school, but he just keeps leading me through the Shadowlands. I should pull my hand away, and I know it, but I can’t seem to make myself.
“I’ve missed you,” he says. “We all have. It’s a lot quieter back at Cape High without you.”