Classic Conversation


    “Why is it that the capes never report other capes for jumping them? I mean, yeah, both groups were heroes but that one group just outright bum rushed the others without trying to figure out who they are. That’s pretty clearly assault.”


    “Naw, to the capes that’s just how they say hello.”


    “Are they idiots?”


    “Yep.”


    LAPD Rookie and his training officer, after watching two groups of heroes fighting.


    “I don’t see any concussions,” Erica said as Anzy set Levi’s nose with a wet sounding crunch, and manly whimper.


    “Seriously who the fuck was that?” Elenore was searching for pics of local villains trying to figure it out.


    Badger, along with Amzy''s clones were finishing up locking down the building, as well as loading important things like the beetle and some gear onto the "Flatbed Royale", setting the custom limo turned car hauler up to tow Z’s Banana, the brain knew how much the girl loved her car, and it was on it’s way to being a functional vehicle not just a heap of junk with pretentions.


    "He''s not coming up on anything. Did we get jumped by a new asshole? Fuck it, we''ll figure it out later. Lets get out of here." Erica


    Badger nodded “Don’t forget to call Z, so she doesn’t come back here.”


    "I texted already. Sent one to Marcus and Nahoa too. Didn''t give details, just said there was trouble here so go to the house."


    Badger was in the hulk he said he was going to renovate, messing with a tablet for a few minutes before  nodding to himself and hopping up into the Royale “My stuff is fine, they mess with it they get what they deserve, Kayr1n will mess them up. She can’t leave her designated area or she would have destroyed that asshole.”


    "Right. Find out what or who that is later." Erica said, piling into the old Ford Econoline pickup that was her and Levi''s daily driver, Levi getting behind the wheel of the Royale. Anzy was driving the Lincoln that day. The other project cars were under tarps and not driving so they figured it was safe to leave them behind.


    Elenore sent a group text that they were heading to the boss’s house for safety to everyone concerned, as the team hit the road.


    Nahoa opened the gate to let the convoy in twenty minutes later. “Granny said you were attacked. Is everyone okay?”


    “The bastard got a couple sucker punches in on Levi, and he trashed Chuck, but nothing irreparable.” Badger said. “I don’t think he made any serious connections with Anzy. And damn girl that was wild!”


    "Oh, he broke three''s rib, but it''s just achy on me now that I’m all one person." Anzy shrugged. "Advantage of extra rib cages, I guess. That guy knew what he was doing. He completely outclassed me in hand to hand."


    "Considering you were the best in our year, that means something." Erica frowned. She''d only really done the Judo requirement, where Levi did Brazilian Jujitsu as an advanced lesson. Anzy, being her, took all four martial arts offered at the school. And a fencing course at her college.


    Nahoa pulled out his phone and checked his tracking app for the boss. “Looks like the boss is about five minutes out, let’s head to the media room to wait for her. We don’t


    have all the house defenses on-line yet.” He locked up the gate making sure the no trespassing sign was good and visible. Before following the team back to the main house.


    "Man, I need to get some weapons or something." Erica muttered, Anzy nodding. While both had significant advantages in a fight, neither were exactly damage dealers. The other five kids all out classed them on that front.


    They piled into the home theater, Nahoa putting up the video of the fight on the screen as Marcus walked in. "We''re locked down and, wait, that''s the guy who jumped you?"


    “Yeah, he didn’t even introduce himself, just walked up and started beating Levi.” Erica was putting a pack of peas over her boyfriend’s black eyes. “Any idea who he is? El checked the local supervillain wiki and didn’t see him”


    "Yeah, I know who he is." Marcus muttered. "Qilin. He''s a hero type in the City. Not sure what he''s doing out here, though. I have a few guesses." His frown deepened. He had taken to following crime news in the area. "Someplace called Motorcar Traditionale got hit by a gang of car thieves last night. Stole something like one and a half million in high end cars."


    Elenore was pacing. Her territory had been attacked and she was pissed. “So he just sees a bunch of young adults working on cars and decides to beat them up without looking for evidence? What kind of hero is that!”


    "Yeah. He''s kind of an asshole, or so the rumor goes in some circles." Marcus said, glaring at the screen. "I''ve got to run out for something. I''ll get back as quick as I can. But I have some thoughts on how to follow up on this." He turned and left the room, the group heard his bike revving and leaving the property.


    Elenore pulled up the Hero wiki and pulled up Qilin, wanting to see what they were up against.


    Above them, Solaris landed, her hair windblown. She saw the kid’s cars, and headed inside, “Nahoa? Elenore? Is everyone all right? She walked downstairs the heels of her sandals clicking


    "We''re fine, but Marcus just left, pissed as hell." Nahoa said. "Apparently Levi and the others  got jumped by some City hero. Marcus thought it might have been over some Exotic car thefts in the area."


    "I''m not fine. My eye hurts and he busted my nose. I''m going to fucking melt the hood of his fucking Hyundai into a god damned lawn ornament. Fucking sucker punching asshole."


    Solaris walked over to Levi, “Damn. he did hit you good.” She went to a cabinet and pulled out a first aid kit, then pulled out a small flashlight. She checked his responses with a bit more detail than the quick check the kids had already done. “I don’t think you’re concussed, and it looks like someone has already set your nose. Keep the cold pack on so your eyes don’t swell. And I am fully behind you killing his car.” She checked her other fledglings. “I’m going to go change, then we will figure this out.” There was an iron resolve and a maternal protectiveness in her voice, her skin literally glittering with her rage.


    "Marcus said he had an idea, and said he''d be back shortly. We might want to wait for him, since he seems to know something about this guy." Elenore said, frowning. "He was very angry. And it wasn''t the same as us. It was almost personal" She hesitated.


    "My father would have said he intends to show someone where to find crayfish in winter." Anzy said.


    “Uh. What does that mean?” Nahoa asked, confused.


    "You generally aren''t coming back from being shown the location, and there tend to be more crawfish come summer."


    Solaris nodded. “I’ll be right back.”If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him that mad.” Nahoa said.


    Less than five minutes later Solaris was back downstairs geared up in her new union suit, her circlet in her head. And looking like the leader of the Guardians once again. “How long till we hear back from Marcus?”


    Nahoa checked his phone. "Not long, he''s already heading back from wherever he went." For the world, it had looked like the other teen had driven to a random place and turned around. "Call it five more minutes?"


    "While he''s coming, we''ll show you the video of what happened. It’s pretty egregious for literally just rolling up on us out of the blue." Elenore said, queuing the video and hitting play.


    Solaris watched the video, “Thank goodness, you are enhanced Levi, that would have put anyone else in the hospital.” She looked over at Badger when the video was done, “You must be the new Toymaker Elenore told me about, please make a list of what you need to fix your Chuck and we will get it for you.”


    "Yeah, hi. No problem. He wasn''t exactly expensive. And the Raspberry PI is probably fine, it was in a shockproof case in his core."


    Marcus roared back up to the house and came trooping back down. "Hey boss, welcome back." He said softly, his grandmother frowning at the tone. She looked at the paused video with a tilted head. "Marcus, when did you meet Qilin. You obviously know him."


    "In the old Neighborhood Grandma. He''s a dick."


    Solaris nodded. “Do you know where I can converse with this individual?”


    "Well, In the next hour or so I suspect he''ll turn up at a classic car dealer near us. At least if my hunch is correct."


    “Well, I guess I’m going to go look at classic cars, irritating as it is to realize many will be younger than me. Can you please send Penny my way when she arrives, she is probably not far behind me.” The British woman grabbed a long trench coat, pulling it on over her costume, grabbing her purse.


    No one touched her people without a reckoning. No matter how much time passed that fact did not change.


    Solaris was glad the lot was open in the evenings instead of closing at five like she remembered and  was debating a lovely red Austin Healey when she saw Penny. “Over here, dear.” She waved.


    "Hi." Penny had put on own costume for the first time, her hair now a luxurious length. She looked lovely and lethal and like she wanted to shoot someone, but also at the same time amused. "Seeing some things you like?"


    “Yes, I am thinking of picking this one up. I think it would be a good car to take to the Mechanics to have it custom painted and upgraded “


    "She''s a beauty, isn''t she. And completely restored by her previous owner. She''s here on Consignment." the dealership’s  representative who had been talking with Solaris said, smiling. "If you want to look in, please open the door, but we ask you don''t sit unless you seriously might buy.”


    Look at the passenger side dear, she slid in the car, mmm. Yes. I can reach the pedals without the steering being in my lap.


    Penny laughed “It is funny how easy it is to forget how short you are Elizabeth. Then i remember you trying to drive my truck.” The brunette looked over the Healy. “It is a sexy little number, and trust me sir, she''s a serious buyer."


    “Mm. Yes. I think I’ll take her, fetch the paperwork.” Her blue eyes settled on a newly familiar form on the other side of the lot. “Take your time, I''m still looking around.”


    "Well, tell you what. I am taking it you''re buying by sticker price, take your time while I get everything for you to sign. I''ll be in that office over there." He noticed the look. "And please keep in mind, our insurance is very forgiving on doors, not so much the cars." He saluted as he hurried away.


    Solaris got out of the car. Pulling her coat off and draping it over the seat. She pulled her circlet out of the purse. Placing it onto her brow, she walked towards the blue dressed man digging under a classic mustang. “You have two minutes to explain why you assaulted my employee.” She said in a chilly voice, letting her light shine.


    He banged his head on the car, startled by the voice, then pulled his head out, looking up in confusion. His expression turned to recognition, but he didn''t seem sure what she meant. "I''m sorry, what employees would I have assaulted?" he asked, picking up a cheap smartphone he''d found under the car.


    Solaris held up her own phone, playing the security video of his attack. “Does that spark your memory?”


    "Yes, but you are Solaris, a hero. Why would you be involved in an underground vehicle operation?"


    “I am not involved in underground vehicle operations. That business is my private machine shop and YouTube studio for hire. What in God’s good name made you think, walking up and punching my lead mechanic hard enough to cripple a person was a clever idea?” She stepped closer to him. Her light not a soft glow, but tight angry sparks around her,


    "Our information had communications tied to a criminal car theft ring being used in that shop." He said, frowning. "Is it possible someone is manipulating your young friends?"


    “No.” Solaris said the cold of the north sea in her clipped voice. “ They only moved into the shop about two weeks ago, they are all graduates of the ESAS academy in Las Vegas and have only been in New York for three weeks.”


    "Hm. I apologize. I followed what I thought was a reliable lead to a rather sketchy looking auto shop and jumped to conclusions. I hope the young man I struck wasn''t too injured. He was approaching with a wrench, and with what I thought was happening I assumed a threat that may not have existed."


    “You were parked in front of their business, of course they came out to see what you wanted! Wouldn’t you? And what evidence did you have that was strong enough for an ENHANCED person to swing first without asking any questions.


    "I was chasing down a lead on exotic car thefts, there were multiple partially disassembled muscle cars in the lot, they were removing the door from a Volkswagen, and the communications of a known criminal ring led us to their location. Also, the boy was also enhanced, or are you planning to deny that? His strength was apparent for one who knows how to look."


    "Considering the phone, and why it’s here, we both know you''re wrong about her involvement Kye." Penny said softly, stepping closer to the man.


    “I don’t deny it. As I said, they are EASA graduates, but did you know that before you broke his nose?” Her eyes shifted to Penny, then back to the man.


    "As stated, you could see his strength." He sighed. "However, I shouldn''t have jumped to conclusions. Realizing who you are, interesting new hairstyle by the way, lieutenant, I am a bit more emotionally... invested and admit to reacting hastily."


    "Damn it Kye, do you always have to be an asshole when your daughter is involved?"


    The English woman’s eyes sharpened. “Ahh that puts the rest of the puzzle pieces in place. When did this theft take place?”


    "There have been four, over the last month. The last was last night, around one AM. My daughter was rather pointedly not home, and her phone was detected at the location in question during the attack and was active along with several other phones identified in the chase. I, fortunately and unfortunately, can track one of those phones without needing more legal proof than we can provide so I followed the lead."


    “Well, I know where your daughter was at one in the morning, yesterday and it wasn’t out stealing cars. She was asleep, at a friend’s house after a long day of delivering food. And if this is how you treat her, I don’t blame her for wanting out.”


    "You saw her there with your own eyes?"


    "No, but we did communicate with people who did." Penny said. "Including Ruan Xuan Linh." Penny growled.


    "Well fuck."


    “And the lightbulb turns on. “Solaris said coldly. “Or are you going to accuse Ms. Ruan of crimes and lying.”


    "I suspect if she were going to commit crimes, Madam Ruan would have made damn sure I never was going to find out about them." He muttered darkly. "And no, I wouldn''t dare suggest she''d lie. She''d be insulted I suggest she would, and that she would be so bad at it as I would catch her. No, I believe what you said to be true. Which means we are dealing with cloned cellular phones. That is irritating."


    “Do you always assume the worst of your daughter with no real evidence? My understanding of the American legal system is ‘Innocent until proven guilty.’” Solaris growled. You assaulted my people on evidence a Chicago cop would have trouble selling to a judge. Now what are you going to do? All I have heard is lame excuses and apologies with the depth of a politician''s promises.”


    He sighed. "What is it you wish me to do to make it right? I acknowledge my error regarding your people and am willing to make amends. I am regretful that I have injured an innocent person in such a way."


    “I think the people you need to apologize to are not here. And those people include your daughter for assuming the worst of her.”


    "I understand what you mean well, but my daughter and my own relationship is not your concern, though in this case I do seem to have erred. She has made more than a few mistakes previously which caused the suspicion so I can''t completely blame myself."


    “It sounds like you don’t blame yourself at all. Solaris said with a hint of rage in her voice. “And she’s not the one who assaulted an innocent person, and she became my concern when my fledglings adopted her into their team,


    He shook his head. "Regarding me and my daughter, I''ll thank you to understand that it is our relationship, good or ill." He spoke. "I will however happily apologize to your younglings, and as you insist, I am willing to acknowledge my error to my daughter and apologize for making assumptions against her in this case."


    Solaris looked at the man, shaking her head in disappointment and anger. She’d met so many men like him. Positive that they knew the best, never willing to listen. More than one private in the war had cried on her shoulder, not all her Kamikaze girls’ families had been happy to know their daughters survived, and then the red scare. She remembered the families that had been destroyed, the fractured trusts, the suicides. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the shop. I hope you understand what you lost before it’s too late. I’m going to sign the papers for the car I’m buying.”


    He blinked, looking at Penny. "She bought a car while she waited for me to turn up?"


    "Yeah. You''re not that important, dumbass."