“We… have a grill in the tr—no, nevermind. Vicky, get the door open. I don’t want to be in here anymore,” Felix said, turning and putting his hands on her back.
“Vicky?” she asked, opening the door and stepping out.
“It’s what everyone else calls you, why do I have to stick with Victoria,” Felix said. Rather than letting her close the door on him, he put his hands on her rear end and shoved, moving her forward.
“Wait, I haven’t—”
“Don’t care, done now,” Felix said, stepping out of the car.
Spurred on by his actions, eight Andreas appeared out of the other sedans in the convoy and fanned out around him.
With his patience splintering rapidly, and the headache from earlier getting worse, Felix nearly jogged to the front door of the city government building.
“Felix, stop,” Victoria demanded, shoving him out of the way. Grabbing the door handle she opened the door and entered. Two Andreas flanked him and kept him outside even as he tried to follow her in.
“Calm, calm, love,” the Andrea on his left whispered.
“Let us do what you asked us to,” the Andrea on his right said.
Felix forcibly made himself relax.
They were right.
They were all right.
He was behaving like a child because his frustration was getting the better of him.
“Yeah… yeah. Sorry. You’re right,” Felix said pressing a hand to his temple.
“Don’t worry, Lily has a plan for your date tonight with her. I’m sure she’ll make it all better,” left-Andrea said, patting his back.
“Yes!” right-Andrea said cheerfully. “She even asked us questions about how you spend your nights with us.”
Headache… getting worse.
“It’s clear, and the receptionist said he’s already ready to see you,” Victoria said, holding the door halfway open.
“Great! Good! Let’s go before I put my head through a wall just to see if it hurts less,” Felix said.
“It doesn’t,” left-Andrea said.
“We’ve had our head smashed many times,” right-Andrea said.
Is… is that it? Are her concussions cumulative? Something to check later.
Thankfully Victoria was right, and they were whisked right on through the lobby and into an office.
A short fat man with a red face sat behind a desk.
His hair, what little he had, was overly-worked with hairspray, and his eyes were a pale watery blue. He had to be in his late forties, but he didn’t look too roughly worn. At the front of the desk was a name placard that read Nicholas Callas.
Yeah, I’d call him ass. Felix immediately thought to himself. There was a definitely and clear ass like quality to the man.
“Ah, Mr. Campbell,” said Nicholas as he stood up and came around the desk. “I’m Mr. Callas, you can call me Nicholas.”
“Felix will do,” said Felix, shaking the man’s hand.
It was a weak wristed thing that felt more like a half dead fish.
Hiding his displeasure, Felix smiled instead and let the man’s weak handshake go.
“Your people set up this appointment but didn’t seem to want to discuss what it was about, other than your company’s move here,” Nicholas said, moving back around his desk to sit in his chair.
“Yeah… that’s kind of what it’s about. Vicky?” Felix asked, turning to address the swordswoman.
“Clear,” she replied.
“Andrea?” Felix asked, moving his focus.
One of the Andreas fished something out of an inner coat pocket and laid it down on the desk. A second one moved over to the computer sitting on Nicholas’s desk and pushed a thumb drive into the rear of it.
“What are you doing?” asked Nicholas.
“Just securing the room,” Felix said calmingly, taking a seat in one of the chairs facing the desk. “Can’t have people listening in now, can we?”
A third Andrea walked over to the only window, and placed a small object against it that was no bigger than the thumb drive they’d used earlier.
The first Andrea turned her head and spoke into a microphone, too softly for even Felix to hear it.
After she apparently got a response, she turned her face back to Felix.
“All secured. Neutralizer has the surrounding area locked down,” she said.
Definitely a worthwhile recruit. Memo to me, thank Lily.
Lauren and the HR rep he didn’t know the name of took the other two chairs around Felix.
“That’s better,” Felix said, looking to Nicholas. “So… you’re making problems for me. I’m tired of it. I’ll make this simple.”
Nicholas looked scared now.
Whatever he was expecting, this wasn’t it.
“Get on the train, or get the fuck out of the way. This thing has no brakes, and I’m going to run it right up your fat ass and across your back,” Felix said. He rested his ankle on his knee and leaned to one side in his chair. He propped his chin on his fist.
“So it’s your choice. You can get on board, and I’ll give you whatever it is you want from me for that cooperation, or I have your memory of this wiped clean. And have my Fixer here give you an aneurysm in a day or three. Then I ask the next governor the same question.
“You’re not the end all, be all, you know. You’re an elected official,” Felix said with a grim smile. “Eventually I’ll find one of you I can buy.”
Chapter 9 - Buying Pork -
Nicholas stared at Felix, much as a fish would when it’s been landed.
Felix waited quietly. Silence was always one of his best used tools. People couldn’t deal with being stared at silently very well.
Most would immediately babble or start to lose their cool.
Nicholas shifted his entire body around in his chair, first leaning forward, then backward.
Uncomfortable much?
And… is this worth all the trouble? What if I ran for governor myself. It isn’t a terrible idea and I could probably make a decent run of it.
What would it take?
“I… see. Ok. Yes. Ok,” Nicholas said.
Felix smiled, interrupting his own train of thought, and waited some more. He wasn’t about to offer anything up until the fat man croaked for it.
“That is, I mean, I understand your position. I can certainly promise you—”
“He’s lying,” said the Fixer. He watched the governor unblinkingly.
“Oh, did I mention, lying won’t work or save you? I brought with me one of my Fixers,” Felix said with a grin.
Nicholas stared at him. He looked a bit like a frog right now.
“He’s been under orders from the national government to stonewall you,” the Fixer said. “Some pressure from the Heroes Guild, but not that much.”
“Oh? That’s a little unexpected. I thought it would be the other way around,” Felix said.
“No. It’s mostly from the national government. I get the impression they want you to go to them, and then they try to turn you into an informant. His memories are a little jumbled but not bad. I think they’ve had similar people such as myself work on him. It’s a rare powerset, sure, but it’s not as if there aren’t millions of people to sort through. Just not as good as what your training puts out,” said the Fixer.
“Happy to know we’re the best in the business,” Felix said. “Any chance of him agreeing, or should we just wipe him now?”
“Hey, I’m right here! Don’t talk over me,” Nicholas said hotly.
“Maybe. He’s getting some flack from his voters for employment rate. That and the relocation is starting to go up for the area. People are leaving for education elsewhere. He was at first delighted when we started to move in and make our plans. He only got hesitant afterward when he found out who we were,” said the Fixer.
“Ah. Alright. Nicholas. What will it take to get you on board? A specific number of jobs created? Taking on more students? We’re fully accredited.
What will it take for you to get off my ass?” Felix asked.
“Twenty minutes,” one of the Andreas said aloud.
“And the clock is ticking,” Felix said, acknowledging Andrea’s statement.
“I… wait. You’re… bribing me?” Nicholas said.
“Are you listening at all? Catch up already. I’m telling you that you need to get on board or I’m going to have you killed. What will it take for you to agree to the deal?” Felix said, his patience long since gone.
Nicholas spluttered at that, his face going from red to pale, and then red again.
Holy crap. I hate dealing with people. Elected officials should require an IQ test. Or maybe a comprehension test?
The Fixer audibly sighed and shook his head.
“I’m not sure he’s worth it. He still thinks this is all some political ploy. Maybe we should consider his replacement?” said the Fixer.
Felix groaned and closed his eyes.
He really just wanted to go home, slam several types of headache medication, and pass out.
Wait, no. Can’t do that either. Lily stole my calendar for the evening.
“Fine. Whatever. Wipe his memory. We’ll need to set up an appointment with his replacement,” Felix said.
Lauren cleared her throat and gave him a lopsided smile.
“Lily already arranged one for you. It’s right after this. She wasn’t sure if Nicholas here would be cooperative,” she said.
“Great, let’s clean this up then and get moving. Maybe he or she can see us early,” Felix said, standing up. “Uh. Just dump his memories all the way up to this point. We’ll go with the ‘hey are you alright, you don’t look good’ thing.”
Everyone stood up, including Nicholas.
“Now wait! I can make this work. We caaaaoouuuuuu…” He moaned, slumping into his chair.
“Damn, I can’t seem to get my control as good as Kit’s,” said the Fixer. “We’re good to go.”
Nicholas lifted his head up and looked at them, his eyes glazed. “I don’t feel good.”
“You don’t look so good, either,” Felix said. “We can continue our conversation later if you like. We were talking about supporting you in the upcoming election.”
“We were?” Nicholas asked. “Oh. Yes… that’d be… good.”
“Andrea, can one of you go get his assistant? I don’t want to leave him here like this.”
“Nn!” came an Andrea’s response.
The door opened and closed quickly. Only to open again and a middle-aged woman rushed up to the governor’s side.
“What happened?” she asked, looking around the room.
“We’re not sure. We were talking about supporting him in his upcoming election, and what he needed from us as a company. He said he felt weak, was dizzy, and then this,” Felix said. “We’ll get out of your way so he can recover.”
Without another word, or giving her the chance to stop them, Felix and crew exited the office.
“God, I hope this goes easier,” Felix grumbled. “I’m over today. Over everything. I hate being on top sometimes.”
“You weren’t on top last night, I was,” Andrea said happily from his side.
Felix adjusted his blazer, shifting it to one side, and then the other. He was dressed well, but not overly so. Andrea and Kit had made sure to help him pick out the right clothes.
“You’d think we could get this to fit right with how many people we have on staff,” he muttered.
“It isn’t a problem of staff, it’s that you’re putting on muscle, and losing weight,” Kit said from behind. “Besides, Lily doesn’t care. Now, is there anything else I need to know? Or is what’s in the report everything. You have a tendency to leave things out I’d rather know.”
“Uhm, nope? Besides, a Fixer was there. Go through his thoughts, or better yet, mine. Here, and while you’re in there, make this headache go away,” Felix said in annoyance.
He mentally flipped the switch on her being able to read his mind and went over to his desk.
“I… oh… ok. Yes. Ok,” Kit said, as if speaking to his memories.
“Uh huh, so while you’re talking to yourself, about that headache? Anything you can do?” Felix asked. Opening a desk drawer, he pulled out a bottle and popped open the top. Pulling out two of the pills he swallowed them dry. “Blegh. Remind me to bring a water cooler in here or something.”
“Huh? Oh, sure. You know… you often start thinking about your inner circle when your mind wanders. You called them shower thoughts, but I begin to think that’s all that’s on your mind,” Kit said.
“You know what? One of these days, I’m going to hit you with a fantasy as dirty as I can make it. Just to watch you swim through it. Alright? Cause right now, I’m at about a thirteen on the one to fuck you in the eye-socket scale of in pain,” Felix said, leaning forward over his desk. “So if you want to get right down into it, I’ll be happy to drown you in a sea of damned seme—”
As bad as the headache was, it was the sudden relief that took his breath away.
“Better?” Kit asked, coming up beside him.
“Yeah… yeah, it is,” Felix said, closing his eyes and hanging his head. “Sorry, I felt like there was a piston pounding at the back of my skull.”
“You definitely were having some tension problems in your neck and base of your skull. I’ve been going through that library you put together. Read about it in your thoughts,” Kit said happily.
“Un?” he mumbled.
“I took one of the medical books for things relating to the head and brain. Helpful, yes?” she asked, a hand pressed to the middle of his back.
“Yeah. Helpful. Very helpful. Super helpful. You need a bonus,” Felix said, simply enjoying the lack of the headache.
“I’d like you to make some more books like the one I took. I need one for everyone on my staff,” Kit said, her hand patting his back.
“Sure thing. Whatever you want,” Felix said, nodding.
“Good. Now, you have a nice date with Lily, and please turn off the mind reading. I’d really rather not hear your thoughts later tonight. I also have a report I need to put together for you. I know those questions are burning holes in your head, but it’s all rather silly. It’s embarrassing, really,” Kit said.
Should have let her into my head earlier. Ever since she got free rein in there she’s about as passive as could be.
Popping the ability into an off-state, Felix stood up.
“You’re right, gotta get going. I’ll see you later,” Felix said. Waving at her he stepped around his desk and left his office quickly.
Lily caught him right on the other side. She was in a knee length grey dress with a black jacket that ended at her elbows, and a white blouse underneath.
“There you are. I see Kit’s turned you loose. I also approve of her choice,” said Lily as she walked up to him.
“You would. You enjoy seeing me being uncomfortable. Maybe not in pain, but uncomfortable,” Felix said, trying not to let his eyes make the elevator trip down and back up.
Which he imagined he failed at since her smile spread.
“I’m no mind reader, but I take it you approve?” Lily asked, glancing down at herself.
Felix wrinkled his nose but didn’t rise to the bait.
“So, where are we off to then. You’ve kept me in the dark long enough,” Felix said.
“Ah, ah, not spoiling it quite yet. But we’ll get there. First we need to take a trip back into your office. Kit should be ready by now,” Lily said, making a shooing gesture with her hands.
Now without the miserable headache that had been plaguing him all day, his patience for her nature was at an all-time high.
“Alright, sure,” Felix said, turning around.
Only to have two hands press into his back. “Faster already.”
“Har har, maybe I should drag my feet and see if you can push me?” Felix said, moving a bit quicker despite his words.
Opening th
e door to his office after having only left for a minute, he was surprised to find an active and open portal in the middle of it.
“Ah, fantastic. Thanks, Kit. I owe you one,” Lily said from behind Felix.
“I take it we’re going through then?” Felix asked, walking up to it and peering through.
“As soon as I finish our disguises, yes.”
“Disguises? The heck do we need disguises for?” Felix asked, leaning in through the portal.
“Get out of there, silly. You’ll ruin it,” Lily said.
Sighing dramatically, Felix leaned back and gave Lily a bright smile.
“Only cause you do look good. Otherwise I’d be half tempted to walk through just to see if I could incur the wrath of Mab. You haven’t gone all high-and-mighty on me in a while,” Felix said, looking to Lily and Kit.
“Sorry. He’s being insufferable and it’s partially my fault,” Kit said.
“No, he’s always insufferable. Alright, make sure I do this right? I can’t see it since I’m on the other side,” Lily said to Kit.
“Of course. Go ahead and put them on.”
Missing something here. Put on what?
Lily turned and stared him down. Hard.
Like he was a bug, kind of stare.
And as quickly as she did, she looked to Kit and held up a hand.
“So?” she asked with a touch of hesitation in her voice.
“They look good. Pretty much right in the middle of average. Good show,” Kit said with a smile for her.
“Grand. Open it up tomorrow morning? I’m sure we’ll be ready by about eight or so,” Lily said. Turning, she grabbed Felix by the elbow and led him through the portal.
“Have a good time!” Kit called behind them, and then closed the portal shut.
Lily looked around as soon as they stepped out of the portal and smiled to herself.
“Perfect. This is literally right outside,” she said as if to herself.
“Uh, where are we exactly? I’m guessing it’s further away then an hour long car ride?” Felix asked.
It looked familiar to him, but he had no memory of the place.
“You really haven’t explored your own kingdom, have you,” Lily said dejectedly.
“Ok, by that comment I can assume we’re back in Skippercity then?”
Super Sales on Super Heroes: Book 2 Page 10
