Steel Life (Cape High Series Book 25), page 12
“I… I’m scared of that,” Aubrey admits, sighing. “The more I watch, the more I realize how many people are out there. I’m going to get the others to help, but… they’re asking for ME, specifically.”
“That’s only because they don’t know about the others,” Summer says. “I have gotten a few videos from farmers, as well, actually. I just can’t exactly go in this state,” she admits, patting her rounded belly. “So I’ve sent Sunny out with either Jeanie or Ken. I’ve not gotten any complaints that he did it instead of me.”
“Well, yes, I realize that in my head,” Aubrey says. “But my heart is saying that I should be the one to do it all. And shouldn’t you check to see if they’re scams?” she asks, curiously.
“Oh, I have Nico do that,” Summer says as she starts to eat. “Would you girls like some cucumbers?”
“No, thank you,” Emily says.
“Why don’t I make second dinner? That is, if you don’t mind me borrowing your kitchen,” Aubrey says. “The boys will be hungry when they’re done with all that construction work.”
“Second dinner,” Summer says, only to shake her head. “Of course the Liberty boys would have that. I’ll help you!”
They get to work, leaving Emily sitting there, staring at the videos still playing on the wall. She frowns for a moment before pulling out her phone and staring to search. “Why don’t I go with you to your visits?” she asks Aubrey. “That way you won’t feel guilty about dragging Jack along.”
“I’m goin’ with her!” Jack yells from the floor below. “I ain’t gonna have a ton of schmucks fall in love with their pretty savior.”
“They might do it even if you’re there, you know!” Emily calls back, grinning evilly.
“But they’ll know she’s taken! I should give her the ring, after all,” he mutters.
“The bracelet will do that just fine,” Aubrey says, trying not to laugh. “And people don’t fall in love with me just because I help them! They’re just very thankful!”
“That’s not what your fanclub says,” Jack replies.
“I have a fanclub?” she asks.
“You’ve got a fanclub,” everyone in the apartment building replies.
The YouTube video changes as Emily touches her phone, showing a little girl on a hospital bed. She’s holding a handmade toy that looks a little like the illusion Ace had given Aubrey a long time ago. “Hi, Life Light,” she says, waving at the screen. “My name is Kelly, I’m your biggest fan. Um, do…” she looks down, looking guilty. “No, you’re probably really busy, right now.” The video goes black, there, and Emily frowns, tapping on her phone.
“What was that?” Aubrey asks.
“I’m not sure,” Emily says, only to stop as the video starts up, again. This time it’s a man and a woman standing side by side.
“Life Light,” the man says, “I’m sorry, our daughter Kelly started to make a video, but we’re the ones that uploaded it. We’ve been from doctor to doctor for the past two years. They all say that it’s… it’s past helping. She’s been through so much. We’ve all been through so much, actually. She… No, I’ll just ask. Is there any possible way you can come? We’re at…” an address to a hospital appears on the screen.
“All we want is for our daughter to have the chance to grow up,” the mom says, tears streaming down her face. “It’s what any parent would want for their child, right?”
“Well… we understand if you can’t,” the father says. “But please… at least keep Kelly in your thoughts.” And the video stops, the red arrow at the center showing to signify it’s truly over.
“It could be a scam?” Emily offers as she sees the look on Aubrey’s face. “There are some really good actors out there. I mean, they even edited in an address,” she adds. “You don’t exactly go in and add that sort of thing, if you’re desperate, right?”
“I… Technico, add that to my list of prospects,” Aubrey says, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “I might be too much of a sucker,” she whispers.
“There is a difference between being a sucker and being compassionate,” Summer says, hugging her. “We’ll have the Hall look into their story in the morning. Right now we have a second dinner to finish, right?”
“Yeah,” Aubrey says, glancing at the wall one more time before going back to work. It isn’t just this one that’s the problem, though, she thinks, it’s the idea that there are so many people out there that are going through the exact same thing.
***
*North Hall*
Isotonic heads into his office, only to stop and stare at the sight of Shadowman lounging on his couch, playing on his phone. “Really?” he says.
“Your brother took your house,” Shadowman says shamelessly. “He’s been trying to talk the Hall accountants into paying for those digital walls like they have in Central.”
“I’ve been looking into it—” Isotonic admits, although he hates saying his brother has the same idea as he does.
“In your house,” Shadowman says. “He couldn’t care less about it being here.”
Isotonic gives him a dry look, not wanting to show how NOT surprised he is by that fact. His brother had avoided him for most of his life, but now that he knows, the guy had just moved in like it was a free bachelor pad. He shoves that thought aside and heads for his desk, sitting down and bringing up the chat line for the Hall leaders. He stops to glare at Shadowman. “You can leave now,” he says. “Shouldn’t you be out—no… wait,” Isotonic says. “Have you picked up on any supers in the Central area that shouldn’t belong there?”
Shadowman frowns, putting his phone down and looking towards that area. He thinks about it, and then even holds out a hand, as if double checking. “Nope,” he says, “Just the regular suspects.”
“Did you sense anything while we were on the island?” Isotonic asks, trying not to sound urgent.
“Not a thing,” Shadowman says.
“Then he must have gotten a…” Isotonic stops, turning back to the computer screens. “You’re dismissed, Shadowman.”
“Who is it?” Shadowman asks. “Who’s in Central that shouldn’t be?” He suddenly looks intent on it. “No, he wouldn’t be that—oh, who am I kidding, of course he would. It’s Herold, isn’t it?”
Isotonic looks at him. “You’re dismissed, Shadowman.”
“Send me after him,” Shadowman says, coming over to the desk and placing his hands on it. “Send me after him, Iso, and everyone’s problems will be taken care of.”
“Like you did with Colleck?” Isotonic asks.
“We haven’t had any problems with him since, have we?” Shadowman says. That he had put the man in a catatonic state doesn’t seem to bother him at all. “The man was a real tool, Isotonic, and everyone knew it. Herold is just as bad. You Hall leaders are all so busy thinking about how you’ll look to the public that you don’t realize just how dangerous it is for those very same people—”
“You can stop with the self-righteous, Shadowman, nobody’s going to buy it,” Century says from the computer. Isotonic had opened up a group chat the moment he sat down.
“I don’t know, we could at least pretend to buy it,” Negatia says thoughtfully. “Just to see how far he goes.”
“As tempting as that is,” Mastermental says, “we cannot have another catatonic super on our hands. It takes up a bed that would be better used for someone that deserves it.”
“You could have one of your healers go in,” Marigold says, only to stop and clear her throat. “Carry on,” she says, not following that line of thought any further.
“Herold isn’t like Colleck, though,” Century says thoughtfully. “He won’t be so easy to take down; he’s somewhat like a Superior, himself, isn’t he?”
The group goes silent for a moment before Mastermental speaks. “Do not kill him,” he says simply. “Nico will be watching your every move once you enter our territory.”
“Yeah, I know,” Shadowman says and he’s gone, heading through the tiny shadow that the desk is casting. He probably wants to leave before they change their mind.
“Was that a smart idea?” Isotonic asks. “We all know that he’s worked with Herold before. How can we trust him not to turn on us?”
“He was forced to work with Herold,” Mastermental says. “He loathes the man even more than Nico does, and truthfully, that is saying quite a lot. Nico hates him.”
“I thought they were cooperating rather well when Herold was in the Cape Cells,” Century says thoughtfully.
“Of course, because the dominance was clearly established,” Mastermental says.
“What are they, animals?” Marigold asks.
“They are both superior technopaths,” Mastermental says, stating the obvious. “The fate of one was… and still is, intertwined with the other.”
“Why?” Isotonic asks.
“Because which one of you can stop the world from crashing if it’s done by computer?” Century answers. “I know I can’t. I have some good men, don’t get me wrong, but they would still be trying to patch together the broken pieces to this day, and they admit it.”
They go silent, acknowledging that it’s true.
“If only we could use his powers for good,” Negatia says with a sigh.
“You said that for the comic books, didn’t you,” Marigold says.
“Of course I did,” Negatia says. “I have a reputation to build as a female Hall leader.”
Marigold is silent for a second, and then goes, “Yes, if only.”
Isotonic chokes, turning away from the screen as his shoulders shake with suppressed amusement.
“Now, ladies, I think it’s a bit sexist for only the female leaders to have compassion and such,” Century says.
“It is a loss to all of us that some people will not change,” Mastermental says somberly.
***
Sparky looks at the small town feeling dried out and frustrated. Her hair is a mess, and she can TASTE her bad breath from lack of something to drink. Oh, she’s strong enough for it not to kill her. She could last months in a desert if she had to, but she doesn’t want to. It’s annoying to get sand everywhere, and as beautiful as the sunset and sunrise had been, they didn’t make up for the lack of convenience. She wants a cheeseburger and an extra, extra large milkshake. She really doubts she’s going to find either of those things in this two donkey town. In fact, she thinks as she holds her hands out, there’s ONE phone in this entire town. She turns, heading for it, because it’s the first sign of civilization she’s seen in hours.
There’s a tent in the distance, which means they’re not from the area. Probably some sort of research, or maybe a couple of missionaries. If they’re missionaries, there’s a chance that they speak English, she thinks, but it’s not with the glee you would expect. Instead she snorts and heads for the flap, pulling it back and heading in.
“Let me borrow that,” she says to the man sitting there with a laptop. She takes it from his hands and taps on it a few times before groaning and zapping it to charge it.
“What are you—” he starts out, only to fall silent as he sees the little charging trick. “Firefly?” he asks, stunned.
She looks at him, about to argue, and then an evil grin crosses her face. “I… I really hate to see my fans, looking like this,” she says. “Can I borrow your shower?”
“Of course you can,” he says, jumping to his feet. She puts the laptop down and heads in. This is too good an opportunity to pass up, even if she DOES want to see what’s happening with the wedding.
CHAPTER TEN
*The Next Morning*
“Okay, I’m gonna check out how the house is goin’ so far,” Jack says, his phone to his ear as he lands his board in front of his future base. To his surprise, the woman that had led the protest is sitting in front of his house. Her mascara is running and she looks like she’s had quite the sob-fest. He blinks, and then almost lowers his phone. “Babe? I’ve run into a bit of a problem. Can I call you back?”
“Of course, hon,” Aubrey replies. “But I expect to hear details later, got it?”
“Got it,” he says, slipping the phone into his pocket and heading up to the lady. “What happened?” he asks.
“You can’t move here,” she says. “Please don’t.”
“What happened?” he asks, again, his tone changing.
“They found out that I was worried about you moving in and… my entire house is covered in hateful graffiti,” she says. “They keyed my car, they broke my windows—they’ve done it to all of the people that protested. I can’t handle it, Cold Steel. All you’ve done is make our neighborhood worse—” She glares at him as he looks at his phone. “You’re not even going to listen to me?” she demands.
“Yeah, Maximum. Yes, it’s a business call. No, I ain’t trollin’ you,” Jack says, a bit irritably. “Get me a group of suits out here, my neighbors have been vandalized ‘cause of me. Yeah, you can take it out of my pay,” he adds quietly. “We’re gonna need paint, windows, the works, it sounds like. I’ll give them a hand.” He listens for a moment later and then nods, hanging up and putting his phone away. “Let’s see your car, then,” he says, offering her a hand.
“Why are you—I mean—” she says, staring at the hand.
“I’ll get a list of all the protesters and where they live,” he says, still holding the other one out. She looks at it, but he doesn’t lower it.
“Why should I trust you?” she asks. “You’re probably going to encourage them to do more—”
“I was at my future mom-in-law’s wedding, you know?” he says, lowering his hand and sitting down next to her, instead. “You remind me of the ladies that come to my church,” he tells her, honestly, turning to give her a crooked grin. “They’re always bringing me cookies and telling me that Jesus loves me, even if he might not like my haircut that much.” It startles a laugh out of her. “Personally, I don’t think He minds the haircut, either. His Dad gave the same cut to a ton of birds, you know?”
She looks at him, shocked at this, and then starts to laugh. He’s almost positive that half of the laughter is from relief. “How do you look like that—and—and be like this?” she asks, when she stops. “You’re a villain, aren’t you?”
“Sure, but I’m the most simple-minded of the villains,” he says, proudly. “I’m also a Liberty boy.”
She looks at him. “You are, aren’t you,” she says. “Are you secretly just like your father?” The look of excitement on his face at that comment throws her completely off guard.
“You think so?” he asks, grinning widely. “Ahh, wait ‘til I tell my brother!” he says with relish. “Everyone’s always sayin’ Kid Liberty’s just like our dad. Ha!”
“He IS just like your dad,” she says dryly.
“Well, sure he is. He’s not the adopted one,” Jack says, as if it’s to be taken for granted. He stops as several ramshackle looking vans come to a stop in front of him, and stands as a group of men in jeans and rock t-shirts come out. “Nice color choices,” he says, heading for one of them and tapping knuckles. “You’re Carla’s dad, aren’t you? Good to meet you!” he adds more quietly as he reaches a certain man.
“I was told by my daughter that I need to learn how the villains actually operate,” Mr. Johnson says, looking at the others. “I didn’t expect I’d have to fight to get put on this job, though.”
“Hey now, I’m makin’ you do grunt work, you know. Fightin’ over that seems a bit… nah, never mind. Thanks for comin’,” Jack says to the group at large. “Did you get the window panes?”
“We didn’t know what sizes to get, so we brought some glass sheets, instead,” another says.
“Even before they were wrecked, those windows needed years ago,” Mr. Johnson says.
“Eh, I’ll come up with something,” Jack says. “Ms… um… did you tell me your name?” he asks, turning to the woman on the step.
“It’s Veronica,” she says. “Veronica Clerks.”
“Ms. Clerks, think you could take us to your house?” Jack asks, opening the front door of the nearest van.
“Why does this seem like more of a kidnapping than an escort?” she asks, looking at the group a bit warily.
“Should we be doing this in broad daylight, Cold Steel?” another black suit asks, looking around a bit warily. There are people watching them.
“Yeah, you’d usually be right, but this is a special case,” he says, stepping on his board and taking to the air. “I TOLD people to leave the protesters alone. Where’s that freakin—there it is. Broadcast this for me,” he tells the drone that floats over to him. “I TOLD you all to let the protesters protest! Do you really think I give a crap that a handful of people don’t like me? Nah, I figure you’re just using this as an excuse to do some destruction and pin it on me. But you know what? This neighborhood is now MY territory, you got that? Even I know you don’t dump where you live. And if you thought I was gonna let YOU dump in it and get away with it, you had better start running now.”
He drops to the ground, again, satisfied that his message will get sent out sooner or later. Then he pauses and waves a hand. Several sheets of metal come floating over. They warp slightly as they get there, turning into signs. Written on them are the words, “Cold Steel Security,” which makes him smirk as he places them on his board.
“Drive, I’ll follow,” he says, his board going into the air, again. He taps on his earbud as the black suits take off with the supplies and Ms. Clerks. “Nico? I want names.”
“Got it,” Nico says.
***
*Some hole in the ground—literally*
Herold misses Clay. He looks at the dirt walls around him, wishing that he had Clay with him right now—oh, not because he actually LIKES the idiot. No, the best part about Clay was how he blocked energy from being sensed even by technopaths. He could have a MUCH better television than this crappy flat screen if Clay was here right now. As it is, he’s stuck with a cheap little setup consisting of an off-brand television and a cheap antennae. Oh, sure, with his powers he wouldn’t usually even need the antennae and he could rebuild the TV, but if he does that, Nico might notice, since he would be using norm lines. There’s a chance the other technopath is back in town, already.
