Best Revenge

“Why is it that so many heroes and villains keep pulling quotes out of old movies and books?”

“Well, you tend to talk about the media you consume, and late night involves a lot of binging on old movies and documentaries.”

“So, wait, you’re saying that’s like… watercooler conversations?”

“I mean, with more doomsday weapons and punching, but yeah.”

Heard at, ironically, a police watercooler

Around nine the next morning, Breakfast was being served at the long table. The bulk of the fledglings were already there, eating a heavy breakfast, most of them yawning, Elenore whispering with Amzy about what all had been done in the various places she'd been. "Good morning, Ms. Summers." She greeted as Solaris entered the dining room.

“Morning. Looks like you all had a busy night, hope it was productive.” She poured a cup of coffee and sat down. “Breakfast looks wonderful Amzy. Are we still on for tea at Four Zoya?”

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, was zoning out. Yes, I can be there." She nodded. "I think I'm helping with the cars this morning?"

"Yeah, especially with Kar1n taking apart the donor cars, we should get a lot done today. For once I ordered the bulk of the parts I needed in advance. That may never happen again."

Zoya shuddered. “I know she’s effective, but she is also creepy.”

“Who is Karen? Another YouTuber?

"Um...."

Nahoa answered. "Badger had another bot. She's... not as friendly as Chuck. By the way, Chuck was still beeping when we found him, so he's fixable."

“Well, there is never just one bot. I am glad to hear Chuck is fixable. Make sure to give your receipts to Elenore. I’m going to fly down to the tailors to pick your things up. Saves the courier a trip and I can fly faster anyway. Need anything from the city?”

The group all discussed their projects. Elenore finally shook her head. "Not at the moment, no. I do have some things to talk to you about when you get back, but nothing time critical just yet.”

“We can talk before tea if that works for you. Oh Levi Erica, here is the card for a local classic car dealership. I don't know if you want to find something specific.”

The two blinked. "Um... I mean, always, but right now we're putting together like a fleet of Chargers, so we're occupied for the next little while. Then there's the Sleeper project you were excited about, and Badgers stuff... but we can definitely see what they got, if anything interesting hops out."

“It’s more he’s a contact for you. The heroine said with a shrug. “I am looking forward to seeing your cars when they are done. Oh, Amzy, Mercedes, I will need you both for a short while this morning. The serenity is coming into port, and I want Amzy to look over the kitchen and such and I promised Mercedes she could have her own room on the boat since I ran out to rooms,”

"Works for me." Amzy nodded, Mercedes making a "yay' motion. Z raised an eyebrow, then looked out the window as they heard a horn, and her eyes widened as a small damn ship came into view in the middle of the sound.

“Is that it?"

“Yes, I picked her up while I was in Miami. I named her Serenity. It was lovely sailing back. Oh. Zoya why don’t you come too, there is room enough on the boat to get you a bed of your own.

"Um, okay." They went out to meet the Yacht, watching as its bow thrusters guided it to the bulkhead, one of the crew lowering the railing on the lowest deck which lined up nicely with the bulkheads height, sliding a thick gang plank out. Amzy popped into several of herself to help tie the boat up, quickly getting it fully secured and shut down. "It's huge." Mercedes said, wide eyed.

“Yes, I wanted enough room to entertain.” She walked onto the ship. “Sorry to have taken off in a hurry Captain Spring. To make up for it we can have dinner at your convenience cooked by my chef Amzy.”

"I will have to take you up on that, though first I need to see most of my crew to the airport. I can be back in an hour or so. Of course, our mechanic is staying to train your own on the ships systems."

"And hello to all of you... seems the house is full!"

“Yeah, I promised Mercedes a room on the boat, and Z is the newest little bird in the nest. I’ll see you when you get back. She resisted the urge to kiss him on the cheek, “Okay. Amzy the kitchen is through here.”

"Right!" She followed Solaris, the rest of her heading back to the house or with the rest of the group heading to the shop.

"Well, this definitely beats living in my car." Z muttered, looking at the crew area of the Serenity. It was like a nice apartment, even if the bed she'd chosen was kinda weird shaped, but less so than the Aztek. Mercedes nodded. "It's more room than my efficiency, even with sharing space with you, which I don't mind."

I don’t mind either, but I know you’ll love having your own space. And this so super cool

"Yeah. I'm glad down here it is more simply decorated though. I'd just worry about breaking stuff up above."

“Decorate how you will, Solaris said with a smile. And nothing is as expensive as it looks. Boats can be hard on furnishings.”

"I suppose that makes sense."

Amzy slipped in, looking over the small kitchenette absently, but looking to Solaris. "The upstairs galley is pretty well equipped. Just needing to get some more houseware, and know when you need this provisioned so I can get perishables.

"I'd keep a small amount of stuff fresh on board. That way we can just cruise out and have dinner." Solaris chuckled. "Like you, I grew up around boats. My father was always happiest on the water. We often were out with the fishing boats trying to catch lunch."

"Time to break down and get that side of beef and pork for the freezers. Maybe two sides." She mused.

"We do have big appetites in the house." Solaris said with a laugh. She walked back up on deck. "Do you like your rooms ladies? Do you need anything for them?"

"Not at the moment." Z said. "Thanks for the space. I mean, you don't even know me."

"No, I don't. But I know Marcus and Nahoa, and they vouch for you. So, I am willing to give you a chance. She reached out and gave Zoya a squeeze on one shoulder. "I want to help you, and to get the shadows out of your eyes...well Metaphorically anyway. you are a Shadow walker after all."

"I doubt you can do anything about my father at this point. No one else can." She muttered.

"Honestly I don't know if I can or not. Block heads like him are hard to crack. What I can do is give you something else you need. A safe place, trust, and peers who will help you. One day he will figure out what he lost, and when that happens it will be your choice to forgive or not, and even if you do forgive him, it is your right to decide how much he can influence your life. But the one thing I ask, is the same thing I ask all my fledglings. Be Better. Be a person that can inspire others, who can see and act to do what's right even when it isn't easy.”

"Yeah, I don't think I understand what that means." She shrugged.

Solaris smiled. "I will help teach you. Being willing is what matters most. Why don't we have our talk now. Then all us girls can have Tea this afternoon. Amzy, why don't you go help Mercades pack so she can move aboard. Would you prefer the bar or the deck? she asked Zoya with a smile.

"Deck, I think. Fresh air, and all that." And easier to run for it.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Solaris pulled some juice from the bar fridge and led the girl to the top deck. She handed a juice to Zoya. "The view from up here is wonderful."

"Yeah, good view of the water. Wonder what the neighbors are thinking of the boat. Other than "I want one."

“Heh. Maybe. Solaris said with a laugh. I hope my fledglings have made you feel comfortable.”

"I'm pretty sure Levi doesn't understand he's weird. Erica just shakes her head at him. Marcus and Nahoa are Marcus and Nahoa, an older annoying brother I’m not related to and his smarter friend." She shrugged. "The others are nice, though I'm weirdly afraid of Elenore. You and her both have that whole "Do what I say" thing where you do it then realize you aren't sure why. I was at AutoZone when I was trying to figure that out."

“It’s called command aura, it’s not a power, and it’s not easy, but it can be learned. Elenore is a treasure, and we are going to have so much fun together.” She sipped her juice. “I’m curious, how is Levi weird? Not arguing but interested in your perspective.”

“He can be kind of stream of consciousness. And he’s smart. I mean not invent a teleporter smart, but he keeps up with what Badger says and even I can tell he’s a toy boy.”

“Darling the term is a Toymaker. A toy boy is something completely different!” Solaris laughed. Most brain types are like that. Even the villains, maybe especially the villains, when dealing with a black cape Toymaker if you can get him talking, you're eighty percent of the way there.

"Yeah, well, I think they're planning on making some flying thing later. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing." She admitted. "And I'm pretty sure Badger would happily tell you how to disassemble anything if you asked him, but he's not exactly on the dark side."

“No, he seems like a good young man who is doing what he loves. I know you are still in high school, have you been attending?

"Um. I actually got a GED." She said. "I think something I read said the army introduced them during World War Two. It basically covers the same thing, and I wasn't going to get into college with the crap going on around me with my dad. Go to a frat party, superheroes raid it. Yeah, campus life not for me."

“Are you interested in college or trade school? Do you have a career you are interested in?”

She shrugged in the artless way of the teenager caught without any way to answer. "No idea what I'd want to do if I did. Haven't had really good grades in years."

“It’s hard to care sometimes.” Solaris said “especially when no one seems to believe in you. I was lucky, my parents were very supportive of me… though it did disappoint them that I haven’t married. In a world made of sunshine and ponies, what would you want to do? I am curious.

"Sunshine and ponies? Sounds kind of like hell, but I get your point." She sighed. "The only answer I have is not to get harassed by my dad. I mean, I don't hate him... much... but I'm just kind of over him. Hell, if going white cape is what I have to do so he starts leaving me be, I'll do it. Other than that, I don't know that I've ever felt like I could think about it. I don't even remember what I wanted to be when I was a little girl. Probably a ballerina or something stupid like that."

“Dance isn’t stupid, Lord, I know rugby players with fewer injuries than the average ballerina. Alright so right now what we are going to work on is feeling safe, trusted, and secure. We will worry about the future later. Though if you are staying with us I will want you to work with the others, more than likely you’ll be an assistant for Elenore and Amzy, maybe Mercedes. You will be paid, and I don’t mind if you continue food deliveries. Are you alright with that?”

"I guess. I'm not really a secretary but I didn't mind running to get stuff yesterday. I thought I'd be doing that today, but I think everyone left and my Aztek is kind of comatose at the moment."

One of Amzy and Mercedes are still here. Now to the touchy subject. Your parents. I want to hear your side of things, so I can figure out my approach to them.

She sighed and slumped. "Dad's a superhero, and one of those real strict law and order guys. Sent me to Juvie for stealing, admittedly a LOT of candy bars at once, but I was like twelve, and acting out cause he was never around which was stupid, yeah, but come on, right?"

That does seem to be extreme. My brother stole a horse from the village, and he got a warm rump and a week cleaning the stables. I take it he works a lot? Is he a full time hero, or what job does he have?

"Full Time Hero. He's one of the Manhattan Unmatched, one of the full time members. He also has some like, licensing deals or whatever. I mean, we really weren't hurting for money when I was growing up, but a lot of it went right back into stuff he used for heroing too."

“It can get pricey. I take it he was always on? Can’t turn the hero off and just be…whoever he is. I’ve seen heroes with that problem. Hell I was one of them, I don’t think I really learned to relax and just enjoy myself until about a year after the war. But that isn’t an excuse to ignore your family. What about your mom?

Zoya nodded. “You're right, he never turns off hero mode. He taught Martial Arts for a while but I don't know if he really does any more." She shrugged. "Truth is, I don't really care.Mom... Mom's okay, but she's trying to be a peacemaker between me and father, and neither of us really want it. With him it's my way or the highway and with me, frankly, I pick the highway."

"Mom just gets stuck between us and hurt by it, another reason I bugged out. That way at least I wasn't one of the things beating on her. And yeah, I know she's worried, but that's better than being driven crazy by both of us.

Solaris nodded, “I can see that, do you think your mother would be okay with you staying here if I talk to her? And are you comfortable with me reaching out to her?”

"I don't know, but I don't mind you talking to her. I'll give you the number. But I'm not going anywhere near that man."

“I wasn’t going to ask you to, that would be called escalation. And as much as I’d like to punt him into the bay, that would be…irresponsible, if satisfying….very very satisfying.”

"Lord knows I've tried kicking him enough times."

I can completely empathize with that and I’ve only had a ten minute conversation with the man. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper. Here is your employment agreement; it outlines your pay, and benefits, including room and board. Your too young to sign a contract but this will stand in until you turn 18

"Well, just another month to go. Trust me, I'm counting down."

“Take a look over it while I call your mother, oh what’s her name?”

"Anne."

“Last name?”

"Bo-Hee. A lot of places spell it Bohee because she's Caucasian. Not that that matters I guess."

"Thank you. Solaris unlocked her phone and Dialed the number. "Hello Ms. Bo-Hee, My name is Elizabeth Summers. I am an acquaintance of your daughter, Zoya.

"Oh dear. Is Zoya okay? Her father hasn't said anything, other than... Well, is she okay?"

"Yes, she is fine, She has been staying with some of my mentees. she could hear the strain in the other woman's voice. "I am in the same business as your husband, my call sign is Solaris. I am sorry to have to ask this, but did you know your husband suspected Zoya of being in a car theft ring?"

The mother sighed. "Yes, even though I doubt Z could DRIVE a McLaren. I mean, she's got her license but a beat up, yellow Pontiac isn't the same thing as a supercar! That's before you get to evading the police."

Solaris chuckled. "If she couldn't before, she probably can now, she's been hanging out with my mechanics. However she was with my people during one of the robberies, so I can confirm her innocence. Your husband however decided to assault one of those mechanics thinking for some reason that they were running an illegal chop shop. Fortunately Zoya was not at the shop, and other than a broken nose and one destroyed robot chassis there was no major damage.

"Oh lord, I would love to say that doesn't sound like him, but he's... Let's just say He and Zoya have a few things in common. One of them is an ability to jump to conclusions with a kangaroo's eagerness."

"I can't speak too much for Zoya, she seems like a very sweet young lady, some rough edges, but we all had rough edges at her age. But I can very much agree with that description of your husband. I met him yesterday, and I have a meeting with him tonight so he can apologize to my staff. What I wanted to talk to you about is letting Zoya stay here, with my other Mentees they are close to her age so are a good peer group for her. In fact you know one of them Marcus Ruan. He and his grandmother are both working for me right now."

"Oh, Marcus is there too? Well, that's helpful. He's about the only person she regularly listens to. Probably because she can't hide from him. Really wish I knew how he did that." She admitted. "I don't mind, her and her father having distance is a good thing right now. At least I know why he was so frustrated last night and why he told me not to worry about Zoya being involved. He was in a hurry so he didn't really explain. Something I will make him pay for, later. Lactose intolerant bastard is going to be eating cream sauces for a week."

Solaris chuckled, then grinned. "Sounds like it's been rough for a while. Zoya said part of the reason she left the house is because she doesn't want you to be stuck in the middle of her and her fathers conflicts." Solaris gave the girl a wicked smile. "It sounds like you could really use a vacation, spend some time replenishing yourself."

"To be fair, I do try to get her to understand and talk to him too. They're both stubborn as hell." The other woman admitted.

"I can understand that, and it is hard to be the one between two stubborn people, for me it was my father and brother. My father was every bit the British lord, and my brother....well It wasn't for him, he was happier being a saboteur, rather than a lord.” She shook her head. “Sorry woolgathering. I think everyone needs a break and some space. Have you ever been to Hawaii?"

"I have not. Furthest west I've ever gone is Chicago."

"Perfect, it is lovely, Do you want to go for one week or two...I think at least two, after all this has been very stressful, Zoya can you check and see when there is a plane with a first class ticket to Hawaii wait...flying is horrible now, I want to remove stress not add to it. Stupid communists... Cancel that, can you have Penny get a flight crew together?" When do you think you can be packed?"

“What?” Anne said feeling like she was caught in the world's strangest tsunami.“I think you need some time to decompress and renew yourself. So I am offering to send you to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. I'll fly you out there and get you a nice all inclusive hotel and you can relax for the first time in years.

“We can get her a really good first class, not what you had. “ Penny said from nearby.

“You know what… I need a break. I will leave my husband a note. I am in. “

“Wonderful I’ll send a car to get you. And I will have Penny message you with the details. Have a wonderful time.” She hung up. Penny get her at least two weeks, preferably three.” She winked at Zoya. “The longer she’s there the longer your father has to do his own laundry and cooking.”

Zoya’s eyes went wide, trying to imaging her father doing more than make a sandwich, and she wasn’t sure he’d ever done his own laundry. “Boss. I like you, you can be mean with kindness.