34 Cape High Fire Spin, page 5
part #1 of Cape High Series
“Worth more than your car,” Reaper says, pulling out a cigar. Riddle almost yells at him until Reaper unwraps the end and sticks it in his mouth. “Except to Jack, who’s one of the main creators. He uses it as floss.”
“When you’ve got a smile like mine, you don’t cut corners,” Jack says, grinning widely as Adelaide looks up at him in shock.
“You have metal teeth,” Adelaide says.
“That’s not the only thing that’s metal!” almost everyone in the area calls out.
“They’re just coated,” another calls out, “so are his bones.”
“I…” Riddle says, thinking as he starts to eat his dessert. “I’ll consider it,” he decides. “But we’ll start with home schooling. Right now, you’re at a delicate point.”
Adelaide nods, and turns her attention to eating, only pausing whenever her fork has to change back into fork shape. She’s been having to eat FAR too much finger food, lately.
***
“So we’ve got Herold’s powers stripped and he and the unconscious power hunter are both in the cape cells… the power hunter… well, she’s not going to wake up any time soon,” Nico says, tapping on the hologram listing all the things he needs to do. “Vinny’s done his graduation gig, and I’ve got his post-graduate work lined up already. That leaves finding the guy who broke out of the time stop down on the islands.” He’s sitting in Pan’s basement, having brought his family for dinner. His wife and kids are upstairs. “The Foundation boys went back to their Hall, and I need to find a place for Vinny to live while he’s working in the West branch.”
“You’ll be providing his lodging?” Pan asks.
“I figure I will, since I’m stealing him from the South for a while,” Nico says.
“Is that the only reason?” Pan asks. “Because I see a list of Vegas shows floating right there, and it makes me question your motives.”
“My little sisters have season tickets to anything the West Hall has invested in,” Nico says, “And since I doubt they’ll use them more than a few times a year, there’s no shame in borrowing them.”
“So you’re looking for another apartment building for sale,” Pan says.
“How’s the hunt for the hidden scientist coming?” Nico asks. “We’ve got the computer he left behind, have you found anything interesting?”
“You and I both know what Century is thinking,” Pan says. “He thinks it’s someone who’s related to Negatia. You, yourself, said that Negatia experienced something potentially traumatic out in space, and that’s why you’re shopping for abandoned apartment buildings now, and sending one of your favorite kids off. You are, and we all realize this, doing this merely because your youngest loves Negatia.”
“And that’s exactly why you don’t think we should ask her if she has some long lost relative hidden away somewhere,” Nico says. “Because she doesn’t need to be more stressed out than she already is.”
“Precisely,” Pan says, “which is why I desire an apartment in your new apartment building. I’ll see if she has contact with the villain while you are setting up Vinny as a spy.”
“Not a spy, exactly,” Nico says.
“And you plan to stop recording him during this time?”
“Of course I don’t,” Nico says.
“Then a spy,” he says. “And since my sons claim Skye and the Darlin’s as their aunts, I feel I have the right to ask permission to use the tickets, as well.”
Nico snorts. “You and I both know they’ll want to come along, and then we’ll just have to buy more.”
“But in theory, it’s an excellent idea,” Pan says. “How has Vinny been taking the transition?”
“He called Jimmi, first, who told him to butter Negatia up for when she starts her Hall leader training,” Nico says, looking amused. “He’s doing just fine… his father, on the other hand, isn’t, according to the readout on his comm.”
“Is he having physical problems?” Pan asks. “Stress is probably one of the most dangerous health risks on a norm.”
“He’s got the healers checking up on him regularly… but he hasn’t told Vinny what the problem is,” Nico admits.
“What IS the problem?” Pan asks. “He had to know that his son was going to graduate and move away, soon.”
“I think… it’s more the fact that he also knows the likelihood of Vinny keeping in touch,” Nico admits.
“I see,” Pan says.
***
“So,” Negatia says over the call. I can’t help but be distracted by the little girl running behind her chair, waving random toys in the air over her head. “Ho’pa, dear, can you do that in your room?” she asks calmly.
“Yessss, Nehgaayshaa,” the little girl says, only to cross her eyes and stick out her tongue.
“You’re doing a very good job, Ho’pa,” Negatia says. “She only recently learned how to speak English, thanks to Max.”
“It’s awkward and my tongue doesn’t want to turn right,” the little girl says—or at least the comm translates for me.
“Yeah, it’ll feel that way for a while, I bet,” I tell her. “I’m still taking Spanish classes, even after Max gave me a hand. But Negatia, Nico said he was—“
“I refuse,” she says, “which is why I’m speaking to you, now. I do not want a laser surrounded building in my territory, we have enough trouble as it is. That is why I’m going to invite you to live in the spare wing of my house during your training period.”
I blink, and then look at the little girl, and then past them both to what looks suspiciously like a jelly stain on the couch she’s sitting on. “He has a list of them already, you know that, right?” I point out.
“And as much as I would enjoy having my godson close, the idea of the many people that come along with the deal is more than I want to deal with,” she says. “I have plenty of space, and I have been told you were planning to upgrade the kitchen? We cannot have that in some unoccupied building. It would be best for all if it was in a place that is protected properly.”
I think about it, considering it from various angles, and then another window opens on the wall. “Tell her yes, but I’m still getting a vacation home,” Nico says from the window. “Summer is looking forward to seeing the shows.”
“But I will not have it where norms could accidentally get shocked,” Negatia says.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he says. “I might even try out some of the blueprints for the underground secret bases.”
“Fine,” she says, “but you will still be upgrading his kitchen, and adding one of those special walls of yours in the front room—in exchange for all the work I’ve done training the future Hall leaders, of course.”
He lets out a laugh. “In exchange for that, plus all the paperwork filled out for building underwater,” he says.
“Do I still need to be here for this conversation?” I ask.
“Do… you… make…” Ho’pa says, only to make a face as she struggles to find the English words. “The sweet and salty snack with the white squishy outside,” she says in her own tongue, waving her hands to make a squarish shape.
“She’s quite fond of peanut butter and jelly,” Negatia explains, the look on her face speaking measures.
“And the orange tube shaped snacks!” the little girl agrees, her face lighting up.
“Cheese curls?” I offer, and she nods her head several times. “Yeah, we can work with that, but I’m not making it every meal, got it?” I tell her. The idea of only cooking for a few people is a bit strange, actually. I’ve been cooking for several dozen for a very long time. I’ll have to check her caloric needs, as well as Negatia’s…
“We’ll work out the details, Vinny, if you agree to being a live-in cook for Negatia,” Nico says. I wave it off, not bothered in the least. “And while we’re at it, we might have you help Ho’pa with her studies. I’ll send you the files. If that works out, we might get Riddle to send Adelaide over to you, as well.”
“I’m not that great of a teacher,” I say, wanting to protest. “Aren’t I supposed to be helping Negatia?”
“When did I say you wouldn’t be?” he asks. I give him a look, earning an evil grin in return. “Kid, you’ll wind up cooking for my little sisters on a regular basis when you go south, even if they DO have Ursule, now. They consider you the perfect way to get good barbecue. And when that happens, you’ll be cooking for all of their black suits, as well. You know that, as well as I do.”
“The cooking isn’t the problem—I’m just not a teacher,” I say, only to jerk as someone taps on the door behind me. I look back, seeing my dad peeking around the door frame. “Fine, I’ll do it, but I need to go, now.” I wave briefly before the windows close, and turn, motioning Dad inside. “What’s up?” I ask him.
“We need to talk,” he says, coming in and looking around. “Is Flint here?”
“He’s doing his final set of rounds. They’re planning out his welcome home party down south, so he’s got a deadline to get there.” I motion to the other chair, silently inviting him to sit down. He and I don’t have the greatest of past behind us, he was in prison when I was stuck in the zoo, but he’s changed a lot. I mean, all of the kids in the school adore him, and often go to him whenever they’re dealing with a problem. And Dad actually goes to Ken’s church whenever the doors are open, practically. I think they said something about training him to be an associate deacon, or whatever.
“Vinny…” he says, sitting down and leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “Are you sure this is what’s right for you?”
I just look at him for a minute, wondering how I should respond to that. “Dad…” I say, hesitantly, “You knew I would be the second-in-command of a Hall someday, right? I’m pretty sure I told you that…”
“Yes… but… you’re WAY too young to take over a business,” he says. “And don’t tell me otherwise, I’ve been around long enough to know how the Hall actually operates. This is a job that you should work up to—I understand that you’re talented, and that you can do anything you set your mind to—“
I can’t help it, I start to laugh. He gives me a disgruntled look, but waits until I’m finished. “Do you SERIOUSLY think they’re going to hand the title to me just like that?” I ask, still grinning slightly. “Not a chance in Hell, Dad. What they’re going to do is spend the next thirty to fifty years dumping dirty jobs on me and training me on how to deal with them, and then, when Century and Voltdrain finally feel like retiring to a nice little place on an island, they’ll hand the entire thing over to me and Jimmi, and probably expect grandkids that’ll come visit on a weekly basis—or something along those lines.”
“Thirty to fifty?” he repeats.
“Yeah,” I say. “They’ve both got a few hundred years left to look forward to.”
“I… see…” he says, but his expression is stunned. “So… you’ll have to do jobs like this one all during that time?”
“Exactly,” I say. “Which is why I tried to get out of it a long time ago, honestly, because it’s troublesome.”
He looks at me with a hint of amusement. “But you’re still packing up, now, ready to be shipped off to the West Hall at the drop of a hat.”
I shrug. “It’s what’s been put in front of me,” I say. “So… still freaking out?”
“No… no, I don’t think I am,” he admits. “If they’re planning to train you for that long, it’s different, isn’t it? Will they make you work up to the position?”
“Pretty much,” I say. “Or did you not hear the part where they plan on putting me to work making PB and J for a little girl?”
He smiles, but the smile fades. “A part of me wishes I could go with you,” he admits.
“Eh, I’ll be back regularly,” I say. “And by the time I’m settled into the South Branch, you can… you know, if you want, put in for a transfer? But I’ve got a teleportation watch, so it’s not the end of the world if you stay here.”
“Will you actually come to visit me?” he asks. “Or will it be to come visit your friends, and possibly see me if you have enough time?”
I blink, thrown off by the question. It’s probably the most blunt Dad’s been about our relationship in a while, and… and I’m not sure how to answer it, honestly. I look away from him, considering it seriously. “I…” I say slowly, “Can’t I just come to see all of you?”
He smiles, slightly. “I suppose I was asking for that,” he admits. “You can come see all of us,” he agrees. “I… was informed by the Hall that I’ve done my sentence, and if I wanted to move to a different job or even quit, I’m allowed to whenever I want.”
“Wait, what?” I say, shocked. “You can’t do that, though!” The words come out without me thinking. “The fledglings NEED you, Dad. We all know that you’re the one that they go to when things seem too much—well, you and Ken, but you’re easier to get to than Ken is. If you don’t like cleaning the toilets, I’ll talk to Nico and see if we can get you a robot helper, or something—“
“The toilets—no, actually, I would love to have a toilet cleaning machine, but the rest is fine,” he says, looking happy, now. “I told them almost exactly what you just told me, but it’s nice to hear that I’m not the only one who thinks I’m helping. I think, honestly, that we NEED to have some norms in this school. Your teachers are all a bit…”
“Super?” I offer. “Yeah, they’re all high enough leveled to toss common sense out the window.”
“But I would like to follow you,” he admits. “I think Flint feels the same way.”
“You two talked about it?” I ask, a bit surprised.
“We’ve gotten to know each other rather well,” he admits. “We’re brothers… we might not have always seen eye-to-eye, but… well, we need someone to talk about Pamela with.”
I nod, feeling a little awkward at that. “I don’t remember her,” I admit.
“I know,” he says.
“But if you want to go South Branch, we could see if Rochester would trade places?” I offer. He laughs.
“I doubt it,” he says. “No, I’m staying… but I need you to promise you’ll call at least once a week, if possible.”
“Yeah, sure, or you can call me,” I say. “You’ve got a comm.”
“Yeah, I do,” he says. “And it looks like I’ll be living a lot longer than I expected, as well. Bobby’s been using me to practice his timing. According to the healers, I’m in my mid-twenties, physically, now.” He grins. “You have to admit, it does make cleaning the toilets worth it.”
“Then… what, Saturdays?” I offer.
“Saturdays,” he agrees. “And make sure you take pictures for Clinky. He’s a big fan of the West Hall.”
“Really? That’s a new one to me,” I admit, surprised. “Why the West?”
“Hisato Nao lives there,” Dad says, getting up. “He’s sort of like a grandfather to Clinky, according to him.”
“I’ll make sure he gets the recordings, then,” I say, standing. He holds out his hand and I take it, only for him to wrap his arms around me.
“I’m both proud and terrified,” he admits, holding me tightly. “It’s every man’s dream to see his son succeed, but… to see him leave is harder than I’d imagined.”
I wrap my arms around him, careful not to hug too tightly. “You can call me on the comm, anytime, you know,” I tell him. “Unless I’m fighting, then it’d be a bit awkward,” I admit.
“I still can’t get used to the idea of you fighting people… other than Jack and the kids here, that is,” he says as he pulls away, looking a bit rueful. “I watch your morning spars, so I’m not that bothered by that. But—“
“Some of the most dangerous kids in the world are right here, Dad,” I say. “If I can go up against a Liberty, I’ll have a good chance dealing with anything else the world throws at me—well, the world of the Hall, that is. Most likely they’ll toss debuts at me, at most. It’ll be fine—“
I shouldn’t have said that, I realize the moment it comes out of my mouth. The moment you say something like that, it’s like it opens the door for everything that can go wrong TO go wrong. I hide that thought quickly, because it’s ridiculous, and pull away. “So… Guess I should pack,” I say.
“And I should get to work,” he agrees. “It’s almost time for the little guys to have their snack.”
“Hey,” I say, “have you ever gotten up the guts to ask Ms. Ashlynn out on an actual date? I bet Rocco would love to babysit his little sister while you go.”
“Why would I?” he asks, blankly. “She’s just a co-worker.”
I shrug. “Sure, Dad, whatever you say.”
***
*West Hall, the Next Day*
“Now,” Negatia says, walking through the Hall with several files in her hand. “We will be bringing in a new trainee today, so I expect you to do your best in assisting him and me,” she says to the black suits over the speakers. She’s got a tiny mic clipped to her collar that lets her access them, she finds mics unwieldy, and dislikes being stuck at a desk. “That is why Technico is here,” she adds, although she doesn’t actually KNOW why the man is in her Hall and using her black suit communication channel.
“I’m rebuilding your kitchens,” Nico says. “If I toss Vinny into a Hall with as shoddy a kitchen as this one, he’ll complain to Voltdrain.”
“Will he, really?” she asks, knowing that this conversation is being heard by all of the black suits. It’s hardly professional, she thinks irritably. “I brought in the best machines on the market just three years ago.”
“That’s the problem,” he says. “You stuck to the market.”
“I also had no plans on him cooking at the Hall,” she adds. “We have black suit chefs for that.”
“Ah, we aren’t complaining about an upgraded kitchen, Negatia,” one of the black suits says as she walks past him. “In fact, there’s a bit of a sore point between us and both the South and Central suits. They brag about their technology being better than ours.”
“I see,” she says. “But how much will this cost me?” she asks.
