Super Girls (Cape High Book 13)

by R. J. Ross

  “We are. We want our kids here, where they can stay with their parents if possible,” he says. “We’ll be more open to taking in the lower powered kids, as well. From what I’ve heard, your father’s a bit of an elitist.”

  “We have a lower powered kid! Well... One. Dad just admitted her last week,” I say. “But I see your point,” I add, giving in when he just looks at me. “I don’t suppose you’ve given me plenty of parts to work with, have you?” I ask a bit hopefully. “I prefer not to spend an extra day scrounging from a junkyard.”

  “Are you sure you’re up for the job?” he asks me. “You’re such a tiny thing--”

  “I turned sixteen last month,” I tell him. “I’m the daughter of Technico and Lady Rose, the niece of Firefly, the granddaughter of Superior and Tatiana,” I tell him, my uniform glowing more as I try to fight irritation. “I’m perfectly capable of--”

  “Zoe,” Flame says, walking over and placing a hand on my shoulder, “calm down. The RV is starting to float again.” I look over at our RV, blushing slightly as I see it floating a foot off the ground. The cars in the parking lot next to us are starting to rattle, as well. “She can do it, Century, don’t worry about that,” he says as I wave discreetly at the RV, making it go down.

  “I see,” Century says, looking around almost casually. “Then I’ll have my people give you the coordinates. There should be plenty of spare parts there. If there aren’t, well, it’s the black suits’ fault and you’re welcome to raid their toys.” I see one of the black suits jerk slightly, but he keeps his mouth shut. “Once that’s finished, we’ll sign the agreement forms. Albeit a bit belatedly,” he adds dryly.

  “Sir,” the same black suit that had jerked says, heading forward. “Shouldn’t you warn them about--”

  “Oh, they don’t need to hear about that,” Century says, his eyes glinting with amusement. “They’re full grown capes, they can handle anything that’s thrown at them.”

  “Then we should get to it,” Flame says. “Kids, back inside. We’ve got a surprise side task on our hands.”

  “Before you go,” Century says, heading for Kaden, “what’s your name, again?”

  “Kaden, sir,” Kaden says.

  “I’m always looking for a good tank, son. Consider this my invitation to join South Branch,” he says, holding out a hand.

  “You don’t know anything about me, sir,” Kaden says, hesitantly looking at the held out hand.

  “Sometimes it’s just obvious,” Century says. “That was a traditional tank stance you took when Zoe lost her temper,” he adds, nodding to me. Kaden blushes and then grins a bit sheepishly. “You were planning on rescuing the RV, weren’t you?”

  “I didn’t want her destroying it sir. All my stuff is in there.”

  Century laughs, taken off guard. “Well it’s good to know you’ve got such a high level team, Vinny,” he says. “I expect you to do just as good a job this time as you did last,” he adds, looking at Vinny with what can only be described as “satisfaction.” I know, from playing with Dad’s computer, that Century has the biggest bid on Vinny’s future. In fact, he’s out to claim Vinny’s future team--including Lance and Carla. (Jimmi’s already South Branch.) I didn’t think it would happen, until I heard Vinny earlier. Vinny likes him. There’s a chance he might go for it.

  “You know I don’t plan anything,” Vinny says with a little, wicked grin tugging at his lips. “I’m really only along to see some Lucha Libre.”

  Voltdrain starts laughing at that one.

  “That’s the one with the masks and the flips, right?” Kaden asks quietly. “That’s going to be awesome.” Vinny and he bump fists, grinning at each other.

  “Kate, do we have the coordinates?” I ask our driver.

  “We’ve got them,” she says.

  “Then if we have to do this before we’re 'officially' on duty, let’s get it over with,” I say. “It was nice meeting you all. Oh, I almost forgot! Voltdrain, your daughter wanted me to give you something,” I say, racing inside and grabbing an envelope. I come out, handing it over. “She’s headed North, but she’s with Ace and Blackjack--she’ll be just fine,” I tell him as I hand it over.

  “Gracias,” he says with a little smile.

  “Now, let’s go,” I say, heading onto the RV. I feel jittery. All that talk about family ties, and I really AM wondering if I can do it without Dad showing me the basics first. I’ve outgrown the whole “blow all the things up” phase, but I’m not sure I’m out of the training phase. Sure I rebuilt the RV, but the basics were all there and I might have hacked into some of Dad’s blueprints. Possibly. Especially for the two new motorcycles in the trailer alongside Vinny’s.

  “And Zoe and Kaden need to get their bike licenses,” Flame says before the door swings closed. “Arrange that for us, won’t you, Century?” He grins a bit evilly as the door shuts before Century can reply. “That’s what he gets for dumping grunt work on us,” he says as he heads to his chair and brings up a tablet.

  I tap my earbud, intent on giving my dad a hard time.

  “Zoe,” Dad says.

  “You sold me out,” I accuse him.

  “Nah, it shouldn’t take but a few hours. I’m sending you the blueprints now. I also sent a list of things you’ll need to the black suits,” he says, calming me down easily. “I just couldn’t spare the time to go down, myself. Besides, I plan on you doing this a lot more after you graduate.”

  “Building school systems?”

  “And other tech jobs,” he agrees. “This is so much easier than that cloning myself idea I had earlier.”

  “You would clone yourself,” I repeat dryly.

  “I would, but I doubt I’d be able to stand the guy. Besides, you’re a lot cuter. Do you have them?”

  I bring up my hands, clapping once before pulling them apart. A hologram appears there. “Got them,” I say. The plans float in mid-air and I move my hands, looking at them from all directions. “Okay, got it.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  “Has Sunny gotten home yet?”

  “He has. He’s fine.”

  “I’ll call him later,” I say. “See ya, Dad.”

  “Nice additions to the suit, by the way,” he says.

  “BYE, Dad,” I say, hanging up on him. “Change into something you don't mind getting dirty,” I say a bit reluctantly, heading for my closet. I'm going to keep the gloves on, I decide. I like the gloves. “I’m going to put you all to work.”

  “Aren’t you the team leader for this?” Flame asks Vinny. I can hear him through the door as I change in the bathroom--not that he cares.

  “Would YOU argue with a Superior kid?” Vinny asks.

  “I see your point,” Flame says.

  “I’m just doing this so we can do YOUR mission,” I tell Vinny as I come out in jean shorts and a tank-top. I place my gloved hand on the table next to me and transfer the hologram to its system. Soon the specs are floating in front of me, a mixture of miles of code and several mechanical blueprints. I flick through them idly, examining some of the larger machines thoughtfully.

  “Can you understand any of that?” Kaden asks the others.

  “It looks like a machine,” Vinny says.

  “I got that much.”

  “That’s about all I got, too,” Flame admits.

  “So I’m not the only stupid one,” Kaden says. “That’s good.”

  “Wonder what they weren’t telling us,” Vinny says, looking thoughtful.

  “We’ll find out soon enough,” Flame says. “Century’s just testing you.”

  “Me? What for?” Vinny asks.

  “Because he’s first in line t get you for his Hall. You’re dating a South-ie, and the nephew of another,” Flame says.

  “Jimmi and I are NOT dating, you know,” Vinny says after a long moment.

  “Only because you’re a chicken,” I tell him. He shoots me a dirty look.

  ***

  “I don’t care WHAT them folks
at Hall said, you find that ghost!” Mrs. Feldkin says, waving her cane in the air. “I’m not leavin’ this place, and I’m not givin’ it up to no tight wearin’ prancin’ pansy with a FAKE name, neither!” she declares at the top of her voice to the two males standing in front of her. “I’ll FIND that ghost and PROVE I ain’t loony! Then we’ll see who needs to be put in a home!”

  “Look,” Rochester says, lifting his hands in a placating movement, “Ms. Feldkin--”

  “That’s MISSUS Feldkin! Missus Amelia Feldkin! Just because my Marcus has gone to the great beyond doesn’t mean I’m ashamed of him!”

  “Right, yeah, but MRS. Feldkin--I ain’t sayin’ there’s NOT a ghost--” Rochester starts out, earning a dirty look from his partner--AKA his twelve-year-old son, “but I can honestly tell you that the ghost don't got nothin’ t’do with South Hall.”

  “I HIRED you to FIND THE GHOST!” she bellows. “An’ don’t be comin’ back here until YOU DO!” She slams her screen door closed in his face, leaving the two just standing there, staring at it.

  “Do you remember her hiring us?” Rochester asks after a long moment.

  “The ghost is probably her dead husband, getting revenge for her screaming at him all his life,” his son finally says, sighing heavily and dragging his over-sized backpack up his shoulder. “Has anyone told her that South Branch already owns this land?"

  “Of course they have. And you can’t explain that sort of stuff to someone with Alzheimer, or whatever it is,” Rochester says, running a hand through his buzz-cut pale blonde hair and groaning. “Century ain’t gonna like this,” he adds to his son, picking up his own bags and looking around. His eyes fall on the massive half-built building to the right, right in the middle of the old woman’s cornfield. The corn is overgrown and really should have been cut down by now. They'd started, of course, but, well... then came the "ghost attacks."

  “So what do we do?” Cisco asks, staring at the building as well. “SOMETHING ran off the construction workers, you know.”

  “I know, I know,” Rochester grumbles, looking down at his civilian clothes. “Come on, kid. We won’t hear the end of this until we get rid of whatever it is.”

  “This is child abuse, you know?” Cisco says, following along behind his dad. “There are rules against making me work at this age. I’m supposed to be going into junior high right now.”

  “Yeah, yeah, you've told me several times," Rochester drawls. “Don't think of it as work--consider yourself a ghostbuster, boy! Like those old movies!” he says to his son, heading into the field at an easy lope. “It'll be fun!”

  “I don’t believe in ghosts,” Cisco says defiantly. The way he glances warily at the moon rising over their heads, and then at the half built building says differently. “And I don’t remember being hired!” he complains, chasing after his dad.

  ***

  “Rochester and Francisco Scythe,” Century says, leaning back in his desk chair and looking at Voltdrain.

  “Sí, but do you know anything about them?” Voltdrain asks, a hint of worry on his face. “You just let them waltz in and begin working--do you trust an unknown super around our Vinny?” he adds, his biggest worry coming straight to the fore. He's extremely protective of Vinny--he could easily be his future son-in-law!

  “They’re Psychometrics. They learn things about the past from touching things or people. According to them, they’re upper B-class--well, the dad is. The son is just starting to come into his powers, and having a bit of trouble at it,” Century says, pulling out a rather thick folder. “The dad grew up bouncing from state to state, and was making a living as a guitarist in New Orleans before his kid accidentally outed himself,” he goes on. “I won’t lie, Rochester’s got a bit of a sketchy record from when he was younger--he did a bit of time in Juvie, but as far as I can tell, he’s cleaned up since he became a single dad.”

  “I see... But you should have still warned Vinny!” Voltdrain says.

  “I want to see what they do about them,” Century says. “Scythe isn’t on the Hall docket yet--this is as much his proving point as it is Vinny’s.”

  Voltdrain just looks at him for a long moment before sighing and walking out. “I will keep an eye on it,” he says simply.

  “I expect you to,” Century says.

  ***

  “Admit it, you’re enjoying this trip,” Vinny accuses Flame as Kate pulls to a stop in the middle of nowhere. I jerk, leaning over to stare out the window.

  “I’m playing nanny,” Flame says, “to a bunch of beginner capes. How is that something to enjoy?”

  “I don’t plan on wearing a cape,” Kaden says. “Or a shirt.”

  “Kate? Are you sure we’ve got the right place?” I ask after staring into the cornfield for a long, long moment.

  “This is where the GPS led me,” Kate offers, a frown on her face as well.

  “We’re here?” Kaden asks with a hint of excitement. He gets up, making the RV rock slightly as he races out the door. “I want to see--” he stops right outside the door. “It’s uh…” he says, backing up and bumping into the side of the RV. We rock even more. Now don’t get me wrong—I upgraded the shocks! It’s just Kaden is a pretty big kid. I bet you're wondering how they kept him in the glass cage, right? Well, Kaden is a kinetic absorber. That means he has to receive force to expel it—the more he gets hit, the harder he hits back, get it? If he doesn’t get hit at all, his strength level is probably about lower C-class, in super ranking terms. (It'll go up as he gets older, of course.) But in the cages, no one ever even touched him, and they put in special, shock absorbing walls just for him. How generous of them, right? (I’m being sarcastic.)

  I head out, stepping onto the rather bumpy road and looking at the cornfield in front of us. There, in the middle, is a half built structure and abandoned equipment. It looks like whoever was building the place just up and ran in the middle of the job.

  “They’ll be back in the morning,” Flame says, stepping out of the RV and looking around. “It’s almost sunset—the day’s over for them, right? Let’s set up camp and get some sleep.”

  “Kaden, you get the rocks, I’ll get the firewood,” Vinny says, dropping a hand on Kaden’s arm. Kaden’s taller and twice as broad as Vinny is, but there’s a grateful expression on the larger boy’s face that says exactly who’s in control of the situation. Vinny IS the second in command of the zoo kids, after all.

  “I’ll see what’s going on,” I say, heading for the abandoned building.

  “Think you should go with her?” I hear Vinny ask Flame. I ignore them, heading for one of the large excavators just sitting abandoned to the side. For what I’m about to do, Flame won’t be much help. Wow, that sounds arrogant even to me. But it’s true! He’s not a technopath.

  “Let’s see what you have to tell me,” I say, tapping the hood of the machine and breaking into its computer. In one part of my mind I see all the parts that make it up—it needs a new carburetor—but I ignore that for now, bringing up the log of activity. I scan a week of work, another, and another, and then there’s nothing. “It’s been two weeks since anyone’s used this,” I say, opening my eyes and looking at Flame. “This campus is supposed to consist of three buildings and several large fields—I think they’re planning on negotiating for an apocalypse field,” I tell him. It’s not in MY schematics to build, but it’s definitely been drawn up into the outline. I bet Dad’s planning on trading for something far more important than a mission for that one. “They’d need a seven foot deep, football field sized hole for that one,” I say.

  “We’re going to build an apocalypse field?” Vinny asks.

  “Apocalypse class is my favorite,” Kaden says, looking excited. “Nico said I could try the zombie setting when I got back.”

  “Why we even HAVE a zombie setting, I’ve got no idea,” I mutter, shaking my head before heading for the next machine. “And we aren’t the ones building it—the apocalypse field is far too expensive to throw in for
a simple meet and greet tour,” I lecture them. “Even for Dad AND me it takes a week or so to build one,” I add. “Each of the robots needs to be made, the settings need to be programmed, the field itself needs to be made—it’s a ton of work.”

  “So why do we have one?” Vinny asks.

  “Because it’s OUR school,” I say with a shrug. “Seriously, do you even have to ask? You live in a dorm that’s a gamer’s dream. That’s definitely not because the school needs it.”

  “I need it,” Kaden says a bit pathetically. I shoot him a look, making him laugh. I touch the machine, bringing up the log quickly.

  “Two weeks,” I say, frowning. “This is a forklift—they should be using it all the time to move material. There’s no way both would have been sitting around, unused for two weeks unless nothing has been happening in all that time.”

  “We’ll find out what’s happening in the morning,” Flame says. “Did you get the firewood?” he asks the guys.

  “We’ll do it now,” Vinny says. He and Kaden walk away, leaving me staring at the half walls of the building.

  None of this makes sense to me—I jerk as something brushes against my leg and look down. “A cat?” The cat rubs against my calf, and I hesitantly reach down, patting it gingerly. I’ve never had cats—the closest I’ve got is Adanna, not that she’d appreciate that statement. But you’ve got to admit, she DOES turn into one--a much bigger one, sure, but still a cat. “Where did you come from?” I ask, starting to pick him up. He runs, darting out of my hold before I manage. I chase after him, stopping at the sight of a rather ramshackle looking farmhouse. The lights are on inside, and there are cats EVERYWHERE. They’re sitting in the windows, running around in the yard, perched on the roof—everywhere you look, there seems to be a cat.

  I hear someone move inside. The movement is slow and accompanied by a rhythmic thumping. “Dad-blasted fools,” I hear a woman mutter. “And you! You ghost! Don’t think you’ve won this!” Suddenly the thumping stops, and I can hear her heartbeat. “Is that you, ghost?” she asks, starting for the door if the thumping is an indicator. I can’t help myself—I jump back about twenty feet, hiding in the corn as the front door opens. Sure I’m a super—but creepy old cat ladies are still a little scary, okay? That fact is proved when I see her. She’s dressed in a ratty looking robe with her hair sticking out at all angles. She looks angry—well that’s obvious, she’s waving her cane in a threatening manner. “YOU STAY OFF MY LAWN!” she shouts.