by R. J. Ross
“There were rumors that he never seemed to age,” Pan says almost blandly. We look at each other, before starting to laugh.
“That’s the worst scary story I’ve ever heard,” Skye says. “Lots of people don’t age! Century is ANCIENT, and he looks really young. Even Dad looks really young, except for his hair, right?”
“But those are supers,” Pan says. “The first Walter Colleck was not, at least, not that we are aware of.”
“But he died, right?” I say.
Pan starts flipping switches as we reach a clearing on a beach. The plane goes down, landing silently on the sand. “Time to get to work, Adanna, bring out the suits, please.”
“Yes, Papa,” she says, heading for the back of the plane and returning with a pile of material in her hands. “Pull these over your clothing,” she instructs us. We pull them on, and I blink as they tighten, pulling my own clothes close to my body. “And these go over your head,” she says, handing them out. I tug it over my head, almost gasping for breath as it covers my nose and mouth, but to my surprise, I can breathe. And even though my eyes are covered, I can see, as well.
“There are speakers built into the hoods,” I hear Pan say next to my ear, “and mics near the mouth. We can communicate without drawing attention to ourselves this way.”
“Do you need those, though?” I ask.
“No, but you two might. We have the capability to turn ours off,” he says. “But either way, no loud noises, please. We’re going in silent.”
“Got it!” Skye whispers a bit too loudly. I see Adanna flinch. “Got it,” Skye says more quietly, showing she saw the same thing.
“We have a map of the island generating, now,” Pan says. As he speaks, a line diagram appears in front of my eyes, overlapping the world. “There should be an arrow directing you in the direction you should go at all times. Follow the arrow, but avoid being seen. If there are animals, try to avoid catching their attention, if possible. No killing them. If you must, knock out the humans that see you, but I would prefer to avoid that, as well.”
“Does this thing detect security systems?” I ask.
“It does. Your father made them.”
“Enough for the entire family, I noticed,” I say dryly.
“We have Cubby and Robo’s in the back,” Adanna says, “so more like ‘enough for friends and family.’”
I try not to laugh. I don’t want to deafen them. As silently as I can, I follow the others off of the plane and onto the beach. I can literally feel all of the plants on the island noticing me. “No, no, keep calm,” I whisper, holding out my hands to stop any reaction. The last thing I want is to be the one that blows the entire caper.
“Ready?” Pan asks.
“Ready,” I say, once I’m certain they won’t move.
“Then we’re heading in.”
CHAPTER TEN
You know, I would feel more impressed with myself as I run through the tree limbs, if Skye wasn’t skipping through the air like a little kid. I’m about to say something when she stops, completely, looking around before speaking. “Well…” she whispers.
“Well, what?” Pan asks. Even as he says that, several red dots appear on the map.
“You know, um, I think we might have a little problem…”
“Yes, I think I see what you mean,” Pan says as a bird lets out a chirp, flying over to land on a limb in front of him.
“I really should have noticed it earlier,” Skye says, guiltily.
“Intruders, intruders,” the bird chirps, its eyes glowing. Its mouth opens again, and I see a tiny speaker inside, “Intruders, intruders.”
“To what do I owe the honor, Panther?” a man asks over the speaker. “I was certain that you wouldn’t bother with me, seeing that I avoid your beloved large cats.”
“What aren’t you telling us, Skye?” Pan asks silently.
“He’s a super,” she says, shrugging, “Looks like it makes sense that he never got older! But…” she frowns, and then shakes her head, “naaaah, probably not.”
“What?” Adanna whispers.
“We’ve come for the Petleaves,” I say. “If you hand them over, we’ll leave peacefully. Um, that’s okay, right, Pan?”
Before I can do anything, a sharp smell of electricity fills the area as a cage of lasers appears around each of us. I hesitantly reach out, letting out a yelp as it shocks me. I think I could probably go through it… or if I shove my foot down into the dirt I might be able to channel it into the ground, like Voltdrain does, right? I probably don’t even need to take my shoe off, with my abilities. Before I can try out my theory, I hear footsteps. I look over to see a man walking through the jungle.
“Welcome to my little island, Panther and… friends. I was just about to start dinner. I hope you don’t mind vegetarian fare.”
I look over at Pan, who glances at us, but I can’t read his expression through the hood.
“Hey, hey, mister?” Skye says, tapping on the lasers and watching them spark. She doesn’t seem worried about it, at all. “Do you have a son?”
“What was that?” he asks, watching her with a frown on his face. I wonder if he realizes who she is.
“Do you have a son? A twelve-year-old mad scientist kid, he smells devious, you know, just like you do!”
He frowns, the smug attitude from earlier dropping entirely. “I think we have a lot to speak about,” he says finally.
“Oh, wait, are you a MAD scientist? I mean, I knew you collected animals, but that doesn’t necessarily make you mad. I mean, there’s the strange scientists, and the experimenting scientists, but if you’re his daddy, that makes you a mad scientist, doesn’t it?” Skye says. “I don’t like mad scientists. Hey, Pan? Can I knock him out?”
“Who ARE you?” Walter Colleck asks her, finally. She tugs off her hood, her hair falling all around her, and I see his face go pale even in the moonlight.
“I’m Skystep,” she says as she steps right through the laser cage. “I’m here to rob you.”
“I see…” he says, taking a step backwards. He reaches behind his back and I can hear the sounds of buttons being pushed. I think he’s setting up another part of his security. “I understand why Panther might be here. My… brother’s actions were repulsive, and I was wondering if I might be dragged into it, but… I don’t remember giving you a cause to visit, Skystep. I truly doubt that I have anything that might interest you,” he says. I get the feeling he’s done a lot to prepare for Pan’s visit, only. Well, the whole animal-shaped security system proves that. Then again, it’s a wonder Pan didn’t smell them, right?
“Did you smell anything coming?” I whisper.
“He’s very good at concealing the smells,” Adanna whispers back. “I didn’t notice until they were already showing up on the map. Not even the lasers, but part of that is because I’m so used to them, I think.”
“Do you have any other surprises for me? Who are these two?” Walter demands. “Is one of them the boy you spoke of?”
“Children,” Pan says. “They are of no interest to you. They are merely here to get the Petleaves.”
“Well, I’m afraid you’ve wasted a lot of time, then,” Walter says. “I don’t have any Pet… whatever it is you called them.”
I sigh, and then stamp down, my foot sinking into the ground a few inches before the dirt rises up to wrap around my leg. “What is he doing?” Walter demands. I think I just need to change the polarity of the stones in the ground…
“Oh, oh, nice job, Sunny!” Skye says, clapping as all of the lasers start visibly pulling towards me. “I didn’t know you could do that!”
“I didn’t either,” I admit as I hold out my arms, effectively turning myself into a lightning rod. “I just hope it doesn’t mess up my hair,” I finish as the lightning rushes through my body and sinks into the earth before it can do any damage.
I hear the sounds of guns being cocked from all around, and I turn, seeing that we’re surrounded by monkeys carry
ing rather impressive looking firearms.
“Don’t move any further,” Walter says. “These guns are specifically created to take down tanks. They might not kill some of you, but I’m certain that it will sting quite badly. You, boy,” he says to me, “take the mask off and tell me your name.”
I slowly reach up and tug off my hood. “I’m nobody important,” I admit. “I’m just here to get the Petleaves. You bought them, right?”
“And again, I do not HAVE those pet things,” Walter says, sounding frustrated. “If it is the bush thing that is being peddled on the black market, I have no interest in them. They are cheaply made toys aimed at the idiotic nouveau rich!”
“I do not believe he’s lying,” Pan says.
“Where did you get the idea that I bought them?” Walter demands. “I haven’t left my island in thirteen years!”
“When you went out and made a baby!” Skye says, posing dramatically. “I KNEW you smelled like him!”
He gives her a disgruntled look that quickly turns sharp. “This child that you claim is mine, is he an intellectual super?”
“Well, duh! Of course he is!” she says.
“There is no ‘of course,’” he corrects her. “My last attempt was a failure. That’s why we have that slob still unconscious in the hospital. Stand down, I wish to speak with these people. Please, if you would, follow me. I wasn’t lying about dinner.”
“Attempt?” Adanna repeats, irritation clear in her voice. I look to Pan, who nods slightly, and we all start following Walter through the jungle.
“Ah, you do not plan on attacking me over what my idiotic grandson did, do you?” he asks Pan.
“So you ARE the grandfather!” Skye says. “I KNEW it!”
“Yes, I am,” Walter says. “I spent quite a while living as a norm, building up a small empire, only to have that lazy slacker sit on his laurels, eating junk food and wasting my hard-earned money on trapping super children. I would not have complained had you finished him off, truthfully. I dislike claiming that he even shares my genes.”
“But you used the ‘brother’ claim—”
“Hardly just a claim, I have all of the paperwork in my office. As far as the government is concerned, I am his brother. There are school and health records and everything.”
“I see,” Pan says.
“You’re your own grandson?” I say, spluttering with laughter. “That’s hysterical!”
“Sunny,” Adanna says, dryly. I’m glad she hasn’t taken her hood off. He might be more like his grandson than he’s saying.
“What? It’s perfect super logic,” I point out. “I bet Grandpa would use it at the drop of a hat, if he thought of it. Well, his own son, in that case, since I’m his grandson. He could pass off as Dad’s age, if he dyed his hair.”
“Yes, but that would draw too much attention in the super world,” Pan says. “If you were living as norms, though, it would be easy enough to pull off.”
We pull to a stop in front of a creepy looking castle. It’s covered in vines, and is rather moldering. “Nice touch,” I say, admiringly.
Walter Colleck looks a little surprised before a smirk crosses his face. “I thought it was quite appropriate,” he agrees.
“It looks like a mad scientist lab,” Skye says, her eyes narrowing. “You ARE a mad scientist!” she accuses him.
“This way,” he says, not responding to her accusation. “You can tell me of this child while we go. Has he fully come into his powers yet?”
“Pan?” I whisper, “If he really doesn’t have the Petleaves, should we be going? I only have so much time before they come to get me.”
“Can you find them with your powers?” Pan asks.
“Maybe? I’ve never actually been close enough to know for sure,” I admit.
“Then we’ll play along with him while you try your best,” Pan says. I look at him, and then at Skye, wondering if it wouldn’t be easier to just knock the guy out and search the place. The killer monkeys…
“Hey,” I say, “those monkeys, are they robots?”
“Why no, they are not,” he says. “They’re just extremely well trained.”
“You trained monkeys to use guns?” I ask, stunned. “That’s animal abuse!”
“They find it quite enjoyable, really,” he says. “They’re a very special breed, one of my designs.”
“So you’ve created a hybrid monkey?” Pan asks.
“Of a sort,” Walter says. “I have an interest in genetics. You, of all people, should understand that.” He says that to Pan, but his eyes turn to me. “I enjoy seeing good genetics being passed down. I’m sure you all understand that. Skystep, have you considered having children? It would be a shame if your powers were not properly passed on.”
“I don’t like your tone, mister,” Skye says, her hands on her hips. “Is this harassment? This is harassment, isn’t it? Well, don’t you dare think I’m the type to scream and be chased around a desk! I didn’t even BRING my secretary dress!”
“She has a secretary dress?” Adanna says.
“Are you really that surprised? My question is, what does a desk have to do with anything?” I reply.
“I would never dare,” Walter says.
“And now he’s insulted me!” Skye says. “That was an insult, wasn’t it? He totally insulted me!”
“Skye,” Pan says, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Do not worry, I think he is merely intelligent enough to know just how deadly you are.”
“I am deadly, aren’t I?” she says, her irritation turning to pride in a second. “I pick my own boyfriends, mister!” she declares, just to make sure Walter gets the point.
“What boyfriend?” I ask.
“Well… I’m too busy with my work at the moment to bother with a relationship,” she says, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Sunny, have you found them?” she asks me, not bothering to whisper. “I’m ready to leave, now!”
I look at Pan, who shrugs, and I give up, holding out my arms and starting to search. Thanks to the vines that have started creeping through the bricks that make the walls, it’s easy to see the entire house, even the basement. I can’t sense living creatures, but I can sense plants. “Not in the house,” I say.
“Should we tell him?” I hear Adanna whisper, but I can’t focus on that, since I’m searching the island.
“Nothing unnatural on the island, either,” I say after a few more moments. I feel my feet hit the ground, and blink.
“So they truly aren’t here?” Pan asks me. I shake my head, disappointed.
“Unless I can’t feel anything at all from them, which is possible, but not likely,” I say. “He was telling the truth.”
“Tell me,” Walter says, staring at me, “I really must know, what line ARE you from, child?”
I look at him and snort. “Yeah, not gonna happen. Should we go, now?” I ask Pan.
“We’re going, now,” he agrees.
“My son,” Walter Colleck says as we start for the door, “I want to meet him.”
“You should have thought about that thirteen years ago,” Skye says, making a face at him before walking right through the wall. “Oh, right,” she says, and her hand comes back through. I grab it, and then grab Adanna’s, who in turn grabs Pan’s, and we’re pulled through the wall. “Time to run for it!” she says.
We run for it.
***
A few quick words keep the monkeys from following the group, and Walter pulls out his phone, tapping on it to find a certain number. “Yes, it’s… Lawrence, right? Oh, forgive me, that was your father, wasn’t it,” he says. “Well, I’m sure he told you what to do.”
For a long moment there’s silence on the other end of the phone, before a woman says, “How can I assist you, Mr. Colleck?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I expected to hear. I need you to look into a few things for me. First, there are two young males I want more information on. One is the child of Lydia Penski. The second is a young t
eenager with a white streak in his bangs. I’m sending you a picture, now. I want to know exactly who he is, and what family he comes from.”
“Yes, sir, is there anything else?”
“I want you to find out the name of the arrogant punk that thinks he can use my name to make a purchase and get away with it. Get me his address, his bank account, and anything else. We’re talking what size underwear he’s wearing, do you understand?”
“Of course, sir, I’ll get that to you as soon as possible.”
“Make it sooner,” he says before hanging up his phone. His mind is full of interesting thoughts. Of course, Pan might have problems with his monkey experimentation. It will be interesting to see if he does something about it. But first, he thinks as he heads to his computer, he needs to find and deal with his impersonator. He’s gone this long without being noticed, but that’s ruined, now.
The supers now know what he is, and what he’s doing. The only good thing that came of this was finding out that his latest attempt to continue his line was a rousing success. He knew that finding a woman from a line of geniuses would come in handy! It had been quite a bit of trouble finding a family line like that among the norms.
He can’t help but wonder if his son takes after him, or after his mother. As long as he’s nothing like Charles, he’ll be happy.
An alert pops up on his computer and he taps on his mouse, bringing up the email he just received. For a moment he stares at it, honestly surprised, and then he starts to laugh.
“Who would have imagined?” he says. “This will be more interesting than I thought!”
***
“So what do we do? How do we find the Petleaves if he’s not the one that bought them?” I ask as we fly away from the island.
“Papa,” Adanna says.
“Yes, I know,” Pan says. “That sort of experimentation on animals is… inhumane.”
“But they were really good with the guns,” Skye says. “Maybe he turned them into super-smart monkeys?”
“It’s possible,” Pan says, “and as we are all aware of, primates are extremely intelligent to begin with.”
“We should probably tell Century,” I say. “This is closest to his territory, right?”
