Sidekick Carl Stubblefield (beginner reading books for adults TXT) 📖

That seems to be too close to be a coincidence,” Gus asked suspiciously.

“No. I don’t think they would have tried to recruit me if I hadn’t used my powers to defend myself. Auntie abandoning me just helped make the decision for me; the academy was really the only option if I didn’t want to be homeless again. Life got dramatically better for me in pretty much every way after, though. So I don’t blame supers for the problem. The worst times of my life were before that, as you have seen.”

Gus had thought he had it hard, but felt ashamed at seeing her perspective. His life had been relatively good, and he was at a loss for words.

“It seems to me that it’s not just supers that have problems, but a lot of people suck in general—regs too,” Aurora said.

“So that’s how you got your powers. My family never talked about the how. It was always a big secret.”

“Well, now you know all my dirty secrets, whether I like it or not.”

“If anything it impresses me even more, to be honest.”

“What, that a dirty homeless girl got to be a super?”

“No. That you did it without getting bitter and angry at all the people who should have been there for you—but weren’t. I would be sorely tempted to get some payback in my own less-traumatic-life-by-comparison if I wasn’t stuck on this island.” Gus shrugged his slumped shoulders.

“Well, thanks, I guess. I still would have preferred Daphne kept that private,” Aurora whispered.

“I’m glad I know, and I won’t tell anyone, if that makes you more comfortable.”

“You better not. I’m trusting you. When I was in the academy, there were rumors that went around. Do you even call them rumors if they’re true? I acted like I didn’t know what people were talking about, and over time they just went away. That life seemed like it had happened to someone else after a while.”

“I know what you mean.”

“So can you see why I kind of bonded with your mom?” Aurora leaned forward.

“Yeah. I’ve been remembering more and more about her lately. What else can you tell me?” Gus peered intently at Aurora, eager for any more he could learn.

“One thing I remember is that she was very persuasive. I remember that she cowed these strength-build Minmax supers. She was very tolerant of most things but foul language was her pet peeve. I don’t know what she said or did, but they never spoke like that around her. She never raised her voice or made a scene.”

“The little I do remember of her makes me feel good.”

“Have you ever thought about going back? Why don’t you call your dad? I know he could send some reinforcements, or give you some advice.”

“That’s a hard no. I don’t think I’m ready yet. I’m sure he’ll look at how I’ve developed my skills and allocated my points, and pick them apart. ‘Why didn’t you focus on this skill? So many points into that stat?’ Even talking about it, I can feel his disapproval.” Gus scrunched his nose in disgust.

“I never got that impression. He’s actually one of the better generals. Sure, he expects you to keep your commitments, but he’s not as rude and dismissive as most of the others—”

A flashing light warned of more supers approaching.

“So soon?” Aurora asked.

“Of course they are, let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Doucheworm Attacks!

Gus and Aurora ran to the beach and saw a large super with a gold breastplate patterned after some Greek warrior standing on a hovering dais a hundred feet off shore.

“Ah, nice of you to finally wake up and join me.”

“Who is this douche?” Gus quietly asked Aurora.

“This is the psychopath who kept me prisoner for a month. His name is Basileus.”

“Your name is Bacillus? Like bacteria? What the heck are your powers? Infection?” Gus yelled to the dais.

Basileus looked taken aback, never having anyone criticize his name before. “No, Bass-IH--lay-us,” he articulated carefully into the microphone amplifying his voice. “It means king or emperor—I… I don’t have to explain myself to you!” he stammered, getting irritated at the interruption in his well-planned monologue.

“Coming by yourself? Probably not the wisest course of action,” Gus taunted as he slowly began to hover above the ground, ready to charge.

“Don’t bother trying to reach me—actually, I take that back. I wouldn’t mind seeing you splatter against the shields.” Gus relaxed and let himself drop down to the ground. Basileus gave him a golf clap. “So you can be entreated. Good. I came to discuss your surrender.”

Before Gus could think of a retort, the pompous super turned. “Aurora, nice to see you again. I’m surprised you didn’t like our accommodations in the Manticorps sewers; I’ve heard you came from the slums. I thought you would be right at home there.”

“Hey,” Gus said with dawning recognition. “Are you the guy from the station who throws lava balls?” Gus shook a finger at Basileus. “Yeah, I think you’re the guy.”

“Lava balls? No! Why does everyone think that? They’re plasma. Plasma! Does no one know science? It’s a fourth fundamental state of matter. People know solids, gases, and liquids; how do they not know plasma? It’s ionized gas. Why is that so hard to comprehend?”

“Is that it? Sorry, I didn’t know you were so sensitive about your balls,” Gus yelled back.

The pilot of the dais-craft could be seen chuckling and Basileus threw him a warning look.

Visibly flustered, Basileus blurted, “Aurora, I hope you don’t expect any help. I found your little hidey hole and I stopped the burst transmission. I’m sure you sent a distress call piggybacked on it, waiting for when we got in position under the satellite. Well, forget it! No one is coming, you’re all alone! I’m giving you two the chance to leave here quietly because you’re not worth my time. I know you’re the only ones left on the island. You have one day.”

He hit the display, turning off the speaker, and motioned for the pilot to maneuver the dais