Rise and Shine

by R. J. Ross

  “This is about the golf game, isn’t it?” he says after a long moment.

  “NO ONE interrupts my Deadly Darlin’ time!” she snarls.

  “Have you thought about… I don’t know, just joining the fan club?”

  “I’m a member! I’m TWO members, because I need one copy of material to put away in plastic, never to be touched,” she explains. “But that does not change the fact that I missed a very important sighting that I should have easily been able to get! It’s all HIS fault, and he’s going to pay for it.”

  Grahmm lets out a sigh. “Fine, but I’m still going to look into lavender splicing to see if it doesn’t improve their attitude.”

  “Do that, it’ll make them smell better and help the kids sleep better at night, as well,” she says.

  “Cage isn’t going to like it when you try to double cross him, you know that, right?”

  “Cage has nothing to do with this venture,” she says. “He made sure of that. He doesn’t want the Hall to know he stole something they trusted him with.”

  “No, they’ll just know that WE did,” he says.

  “But they don’t have any control over our company, Floyd, not like they did SITEC. There are no reports or legal documents of their discovery of the little monsters, and even if there was, we’ve changed the little monsters enough that they no longer qualify as the same creatures.”

  “It’s still risky. They could easily have one of their ‘shows’ right next to our warehouse and light the place up on fire.”

  “We’d have every right to sue the living hell out of them if they do, and no evidence that we’re creating illegal pets, thanks to the fire,” she says. “It’s a win-win, Floyd. Now go do your plant splicing thing, I’m going to work on the advertising aspect. We need some sort of catchy name for the food pellets. Something little kids can say.”

  Grahmm sighs as she walks away, feeling the beginning of a migraine kicking in. Cage should have never interrupted her time watching the Deadly Darlin’s. She’s scary when she’s like this.

  “Oh, and Floyd,” she says, stopping abruptly and turning to look at him, “I had a brilliant idea of how to make a bit of quick, under-the-table cash.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We’re going to auction off the first batch. Set it up for me, would you?”

  “But—” he starts, only to stop as she slams a door behind her, leaving him there all alone. “They aren’t ready,” he says to himself.

  ***

  *The Apartments*

  “So?” Trent says as I drop down on a couch. We’re in my family’s apartment, but he was here when I got home, looking a bit worried. “How’d it go?”

  “What do you mean, how did it go? It went like usual. I stood behind the counter, people came in, people left,” I sum up as I pull out my phone and flip the television on. “Of course, Grandma and Marie swung by to see the flowers for the wedding, too…”

  “So it’s not really that big of a punishment, huh?”

  “It wasn’t a punishment, exactly. Dad just said to keep my head down, and it’s something I’d be doing, regardless,” I admit. “Mom’s got so much she’s dealing with right now that she needs the help, and Zoe’s good at lots of things, but she can kill a plant just by looking at it funny.”

  He lets out a laugh, surprised. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Only a little bit,” I say, flipping through the channels. I’m about to switch it over to the Technico game when a very familiar commercial catches my eye. I stop on the channel, my teeth gritting as I watch the kids and the moving plant. But what really surprises me is how Trent jumps to his feet, floating in the air as he stares at the screen in shock.

  “Yeah,” I say. “They freak me out, too. Dad said he was looking into—”

  “I know those plants,” he says, cutting me off.

  “What?”

  “I know those plants,” he repeats, looking at me. “They’re the plant eaters that we were fighting while we were off planet. If they release those on our planet…” He growls, looking like he wants to hit someone. “We have to talk to Mom. She needs to know about this.”

  “You mean you… you’re the one that brought them here?” I ask, stunned.

  “I didn’t! I—well, maybe I did, but they were supposed to be properly disposed of! We even went to SITEC to have them do it!” He starts for the door, and I have no choice but to chase after him. “They were the reason that the planet was so destitute—they ate all of their crops. We spent a week training the people of the planet to kill them, and then we brought in one of the Cosmic guys to help oversee the cleanup. I never thought that this would happen. Are they selling them as some sort of pet? How in the world would that work? ‘Hey, mommy, my pet is eating our front yard again?’” he mocks, flying down the stairs to the floor he lives on.

  “So you think SITEC took the stuff they were supposed to destroy and turned them into pets?” I ask.

  “I don’t know! They’re supposed to have a really good relationship with the Hall, so would they? It doesn’t make any sense!”

  “It does,” Dad says from behind us, “if you consider the fact that thanks to me, SITEC has been in the red for the past couple of years.”

  We turn, seeing him at the top of the stairs. “So you knew about this?” Trent asks.

  “I knew that the plants were unnatural, since Sunny told me, but I didn’t realize they were the same as the ones you fought on the other planet. I wasn’t paying that close of attention to your interstellar travel.”

  “Then we need to stop them!” Trent says. “If they release those on the planet, it could devastate all plant life.”

  “Not just the plant life,” I say quietly. “It would also affect our lives, as well. Plants create roughly thirty percent of all oxygen, you know? And it could also have a huge impact on the climate, too.” I look at Dad. “I TOLD you that we needed to do something about those things! They’re creepy!”

  “They’re bitey, too,” Trent says. “I had to buy a new uniform after that. They also get huge, like fifteen feet tall and twice as wide. That’s when they’re a real pain to deal with. I think those are the ones that eat for a long time and then hibernate. That’s why we couldn’t find all of them.”

  “Hibernate?” I ask.

  “They go underground and sleep for a very long time, just getting bigger and bigger.”

  “We need to get to them, Dad!” I say.

  “The wedding is in two days, Sunny!” Dad says, groaning. “For now they aren’t being sold, right? We have plenty of time to deal with it.”

  I look at Trent, who looks at me. “So is it SITEC that’s selling them?” I ask, rather than arguing.

  “No, it’s not SITEC,” Dad says. “I’m not saying there isn’t a connection, though. They had to have been involved in it.”

  “Or one of their scientists stole the samples,” Trent says. “We should break into their home base…”

  “And what, become criminals?” Dad asks. “I’m not saying the option is off the table, but this is South Branch business. We’ll inform Century for now, and if he hasn’t made any progress by the time we get back from the honeymoon, we’ll take our own measures.”

  “You’re just trying to keep me from doing something, aren’t you?” I accuse him.

  “Well, we ARE in the middle of a lawsuit thanks to some anti-super-society’s pain-in-the-neck son, so yeah, I want you to give me one week off from dealing with problems, outside of friends and family,” he says. “Those problems are enough. Did you know that your aunt spent the day chasing Mega around?”

  “She did what?”

  “She thought it was hysterical,” he says, shaking his head. “Mega called me up to complain at least ten times.”

  “Poor Mega,” I say, shaking my head.

  “And the cops called Mastermental up, complaining that Ariel and Doris were terrorizing that huge water park by the Legends.”

  “They were?
And I missed it?” I say. “Maaaaann, working sucks!”

  “You’ve already gotten enough attention,” Dad says.

  “He was asking for it, though,” I mutter, “AND it was an accident! Had he let go of my shirt, it wouldn’t have broken his arm! It’s all about… what was that word, Trent?”

  “Leverage,” Trent says. “Because he didn’t let go it made it way too easy to break his arm with Sunny’s level of strength, like snapping a twig.”

  “We all know that,” Dad says, “but until the legal procedures are taken care of, you’re going to behave. That means no running off to play with your super villain aunt and her partners.” He walks past me, dropping down on the couch and lighting the wall up with a wave of his hand. “Century,” he says as the South Branch’s Hall leader appears on the screen. “My son has something he wants to talk to you about.”

  “Wait, what?” I say, only to be shoved forward by Trent.

  “I’ve been hoping to hear those words!” Century says with a wide smile. “So, son, we’ll set up the paperwork as soon as possible, and you’ll be part of the branch—”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” I say, waving my hands to stop him. “Last time I went to your branch I mugged a group of guys, you remember that, right?”

  “Self defense,” he says, his take on the story clearly changing thanks to time.

  “Well, yeah, but that’s not what we’re calling about,” I say. “I’m planning on going to the rain forests and jungles as soon as I can graduate, so I wouldn’t be much use to you.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you can stop by now and then,” he says. “But tell me, son, what’s the problem?”

  “The Petleaves,” I say, “they’re not from this planet. Someone either bought or stole them from SITEC, right, Trent?”

  “They must have,” Trent says. “They come from the planet that Mom and I went to a little while back. We went to SITEC to make sure that the spores on our clothes were destroyed, but now they’re trying to sell them as pets.”

  “Petleaves… Petleaves…” he says, frowning. “I’ve never heard of them, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe you. I’ll have some of my people look into it.”

  “Thanks,” I say. “Um, but… if you really want me to join the South Branch, and you don’t mind the fact I’ll be gone a lot… I guess I could think about it?”

  “You do that,” he says.

  “Century, sir, the best way to get rid of them is fire,” Trent says. “It seemed to clean up the problem pretty well.”

  “I’ll make note of it. Can you tell me what the biggest problem is with them?”

  “They eat plants,” Trent says, “which wouldn’t be such a big deal, but they eat ALL of the plants. As in, they could take out a forest in a day or two, and the more they eat the more they spawn.”

  “I see,” he says. “That could be a problem.”

  “Yeah, to put it lightly,” Trent says.

  ***

  *Central Hall*

  “And do you really think that you would win this if we took it to your court?” Mastermental asks the two lawyers standing in front of his desk. “We have the entire episode recorded from several different directions, complete with sound. The fact that your client grabbed one of our children is clearly documented. That he got off with a slight tap is actually a wonder, in itself. That child he was harassing is the son of Technico.”

  “And because he’s the son of Technico, any attacks such as the one he did should be considered assault with a deadly weapon,” the lawyer says. “He IS a deadly weapon. But that’s not why we’re here, Mastermental. We would like to take care of this just as quickly, and as quietly, as you would. That’s why we’ve drawn up an agreement that I believe everyone will be satisfied with.”

  “You want us to pay,” Mastermental says.

  “A small sum, in comparison to the bad press that this could draw,” the lawyer says.

  “If our child had been a norm, this situation would be the exact opposite, don’t you agree?” Mastermental says, not even touching the paper on his desk. “This is a clear-cut example of bullying, assault, and battery, all done by your client. What our child did was not an ‘attack,’ it was self defense, and those trees that your client was insulting? They are extremely precious. Some would even say that they are living art. The damage that could have occurred had our child not been there would have been irreparable. Our tailor is already speaking with lawyers about that, as well.”

  “That ‘self-defense’ was clearly beyond reasonable force! My client’s arm was broken! And besides, they’re just trees,” the lawyer says, irritably.

  “They are bonsai trees, well in their hundreds,” Mastermental corrects him. “Even the youngest of the ones knocked over is over a hundred years old, and worth several thousands of dollars. They have also been in her family for several generations, and when that family is of super origin, that is a very long time, indeed. And might I add, I find your tone very offensive as an Asian American.”

  The lawyer visibly pales, but shakes it off quickly. “I apologize, I didn’t realize how important they were, but as you said, they’re fine, right?”

  “Yes, no thanks to your client.”

  “Yes, be that as it may—”

  “Do you really think that I would accept one of my supers, no, one of my minor aged supers, being bullied?” Mastermental asks, standing. “Yes, he has physical abilities superior to those of your client, but in no way was he the one to start the aggressions. Of all of the children your client could have picked on, the one he chose was doing his very best to keep the situation calm. I will not sign your papers. I will not pay your client for bullying one of my supers, or acting offensively in my Hall. I will see you in court.”

  “And if your precious super is convicted of assault?” the lawyer asks.

  “Then, since he is under Hall jurisdiction, I will allow him to do some community service, ah, but he already does,” Mastermental says. “The boy in question is Lady Rose’s assistant. They spend their weekends improving the growth of the crops in my territory. I wonder how your courts will feel about that fact.”

  “I… see,” the lawyer says, picking the papers up. “Then we will see you in court,” he says as he heads out the door. Mastermental leans back and closes his eyes, mentally following the man as he makes his way out of the Hall with the escort of several black suits.

  ‘That little snot-nosed pain in the—’ the lawyer is thinking. ‘We should have never taken this case, but noooo, the boss wants to be the first company to win a case against the Hall. What was he thinking? Oh, sure, the kid claims to have gotten his arm broken, but we don’t have any proof of it! And the video… they have it all on video! We’re so screwed! If he had just signed the papers, we would have had some bragging right, but no, this is going to be dragged on for months, and all because of some no-account brat with a big mouth! And what was that crap about growing crops? What kind of powers does the kid have in the first place? He’s supposed to be Technic—oh… oh no… He’s the son of LADY ROSE? She’s practically a saint around here!’

  Mastermental has no sympathy for the man. Although he doesn’t know Sunny as well as he does Zoe, he knows exactly what the boy is like. The recording of the assault had just proved it. With the powers of a Superior, and the kindness of his mother, perhaps even more kindness than her, the world doesn’t deserve a super like Sunny. That is probably the reason he has closely guarded the future of the boy. Every single one of the other Hall leaders has made a comment about Sunny and been turned down, flatly. If he was more like his father, perhaps Mastermental would be more open to the discussion of sharing him. As it is, he’s going to have a talk with Century. He knows his fellow Hall Leader has been watching the boy closely, lately. They might share Zoe, but that’s simply because Zoe has huge aspirations. A tiny smile pulls at his lips at that thought. He adores his future daughter-in-law.

  “Dad,” Max says as he steps into the room. “We could clea
n this up really quickly, you know.”

  “Yes, I realize that,” Mastermental says, “but I want the world to see how this goes. You have seen the video?”

  “I saw it,” Max says, grimly. “I would have tossed the kid out long before it got to that point. He was being disruptive and disrespectful.”

  “Yes, but you saw why Sunny did not,” Mastermental says.

  “We could have locked him up in a free cell during the tour. It would have been a win-win situation.”

  Mastermental lets out a laugh. “Yes, I can just see it, now. Explaining why we locked up his son to an… Anti-Super-Society bigot would have been quite amusing. I’m sure you would have done a fine job of it.”

  “I was going to let you do that,” Max says.

  “Oh, no, my son, that would have been your job,” Mastermental says.

  “Did you tell them just how much those bonsai trees would be worth?” Max asks. “I was going to negotiate with Kim about it, since the school kids are all pitching in. The one Sunny chose would be several thousands, at least, right?”

  “In a conservative estimate, yes,” Mastermental agrees. “The… Grandfather Tree, on the other hand, would be worth millions to the right people.”

  “Good thing that wasn’t the one knocked over,” Max says, sighing. “I was thinking I’d pay half, since I get paid best. Then the Liberty boys could pitch in, which would make it possible for the others to cover the rest… I doubt they have any idea how much it will be, though.”

  “Of course they do not,” Mastermental says, “although Sunny might.” They both look up as Kim knocks on the door, sticking her head in. “We were just discussing the bonsai tree, Kim, please, come in.”

  “I know, which is why I’m here,” she says. “I’m giving it to them for free.”

  Both males blink, looking at each other before looking at her. “That would be a bit… too generous, Kim,” Max says.

  “He saved three of my babies,” she says. “Each of them was worth as much, if not more than the one he wants. Can you imagine how traumatized that fall could have made them? Instead, they’re even healthier than when I sent them out. I could have lost them. You don’t realize how attached I am to my bonsai trees.”