WilliamDArand
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Super Sales on Super Heroes 5 -CH15-
🕑 Added 2022-06-24 03:44:00 +0000 UTCFelix spent another ten or twenty minutes with Ryker before the man claimed he had to go. Vanishing from view as if someone had pushed a button.
From there he’d gone about exactly what he’d originally intended to do.
He left his work room, grabbed his helmet, stuffed it back on his head, then went to Legion headquarters. The location of course hadn’t changed so he simply entered the barn and went through the normal security.
There were very few people who entered since most of Gaia’s people all wanted to remain below ground. Making new lives for themselves in Legion while also digging out spaces for themselves below.
Moving into the meeting room that was next door to his office Felix pulled his helmet free once again. Setting it down on the table in front of himself he let out a breath.
“Felix! I found you!”
Looking to the door he found two Andreas rushing toward him. One had a push tray filled with pastries and drinks, the other had utensils and plates.
“Twenty-fourth, Thirty-sixth, good to see you,” Felix murmured with a warm smile. They always cheered him up regardless of his mood.
After his talk with Ryker, he’d felt a strange heaviness settle over his thoughts. Like a heavy warm blanket.
Suffocating but almost comfortably so.
Laughing, both Andrea’s did a little bounce as they came toward him.
“Second will be here soon,” said the Andrea with the plates. “She’ll be acting as our A-Net representative. Prime is busy working on all her projects so won’t be able to make it.”
Rapidly a large glass of orange juice, bagel slathered with cream cheese, a slice of lemon-loaf, and a cookie were plopped down in front of him. It was topped off with a cup of coffee that was steaming.
Both Andreas paused long enough to kiss him, then moved on. They were operating from a piece of paper that was stuck to the inside of the cart. Filling plates and laying them out according to whatever they saw there.
“Loves, what’re you doing?” Felix asked. “Or… actually, I know what you’re doing, but I suppose I’m asking why?”
“Board meeting!” said the Andrea who as in charge of the cart. “The A-Net is responsible for booking meeting rooms and making sure they’re ready. We’ve actively gone ahead and gotten everyone’s preferences together.
“We’re now filling those accordingly. That’s all. We want to make sure you’re meeting goes really good.”
“Nn!” said the other Andrea with a nod of her head and then a swish of her hips that sent her tail moving in the opposite direction. “I heard from Five that we’re probably going to get another ten or twenty Others.”
“Really? Exciting!” replied the other. She picked up a scone from the box and held it out. “I bet it’s something fuuuuuun. I wanna be a train driver.”
“Nnnnn. It better have a really good horn. So we can go all boop boop hooooooooooonk with a whoosh.”
“I kinda wanna get hit by it once just to see what it’d do.”
“You’re so weird.”
Both Andreas laughed at that and continued to fill out placements.
Felix didn’t remember actually scheduling a meeting. He’d wanted to, and had been planning on putting one together as soon as he sat down, but he hadn’t yet.
Which meant someone was anticipating him.
Getting his thoughts together Felix went to ask the Andrea’s who put it together, only to find they were already gone. Having finished their duty and escaped.
Sitting there, Felix didn’t know what to do with himself. He supposed the only thing he could do, or at least should do, was wait.
Turning to his plate, he picked up the plastic fork and started carving into the food there. He saw no reason not to eat considering he was rather hungry.
By the time he finished everything but the cookie and his coffee he heard someone coming. Multiple someone’s guessing by the click and pop of bootheels.
Faith, Alma, and Carlotta all entered the meeting room.
“Hello, grove-husband,” all three said in unison with a faint glow to their eyes. Each of them went and took a seat around the table. Felix found that they were actually divided apart from one another.
With Faith directly in front of him and the other two at the far end.
“Oh thank you Andie. I wanted something with protein,” Faith whispered and then picked up what looked like a slab of with a hastily grabbed plastic fork. Lifting it up she took a large bite of it.
“I meant to ask, you don’t seem to eat like the other Dryads I met,” Felix said, glancing over to Alma and Carlotta’s plate. They also had what looked to be meat served up as well.
“Different respect of life,” Faith answered after chewing than swallowing. “Especially in worlds like this. The animals were already penned and slaughtered.
“I will happily crusade for better treatment of them. Better conditions and lives, however brief they may be. That doesn’t change that I will still enjoy the taste of their flesh.
“No differently than many animals would enjoy the taste of me. The Dryads you met before me were… much… kinder, you’ll remember. They didn’t like training with weapons unless they had to. Even then they never quite excelled with it.”
“I just like meat,” Carlotta remarked. “Tastes good.”
“S-same,” Alma added. “We were more or less raised like Humans. I can’t imagine not eating meat.”
“Want to come over and give me a special dressing to this salad though?” Carlotta asked, picking up her bowl and angling toward him. “Could use some extra protein and I rather like the taste.
“Though it makes me wonder if Succubi are real.”
Felix stared at the red-eyed Dryad. Unable to help it he’d felt his cheeks start to burn and his eyebrows shoot upward.
“Oh, yes please,” Alma said and then pointed to Carlotta’s salad bowl. “You can load hers up and then we’ll split it between us afterward.”
“Good idea,” Carlotta said, nodding at Alma.
“I’ve never heard of them being real,” answered Faith, looking contemplative. “Doesn’t mean they’re not, just unlikely. Neither in this world, my home world, or Felix’s, at least.”
Felix looked away from the two red-eyed Dryads. He made sure to not look at Faith either, as he had no doubt she’d ask for the same if he made eye contact with her.
Instead he looked to his cookie.
“Possibly? Probably,” he allowed. “Unsure.”
“Felix? Salad dressing? Please?” Carlotta asked.
“Not… right now,” he said, realizing he’d have to answer her.
“Ah, good point. Someone might show up. You can fix our salad for us after the meeting,” she acknowledged.
“T-true,” Alma agreed.
Goldie and Miu came through the door a handful of seconds later. Sparing him any further.
Miu sat down directly at Felix’s right and then hard stared at him. Not looking away.
“Yes, Miu?” Felix asked with a smile for her. “You’re not still frustrated about Mikki, are you?”
“I… no. I’m not. Part of me is glad, part of me is mad,” Miu said, her face shifting into one of concern. “Goldie has been helping me work through the thoughts.
“She said I should talk to you about it when I’m ready. I think that’ll be soon. My l-love, can I talk to you about it?”
“Of course you can,” Felix said with a grin. Then he leaned in and kissed Miu briefly. Lingering for only a moment to nuzzle her before he got back into his seat. “Though it’ll have to wait. How went the trip otherwise? I never got to ask for details.”
“It was fine,” Miu whispered, staring at him wide eyed. “I killed everyone again. Just like I did last time. It was more interesting this time as they were older than they were when I did it.”
Felix wasn’t sure how that’d make things more interesting but he wasn’t going to ask either.
“Great. You seem… better for it,” tried Felix. He had definitely felt a shift in her. One that felt positive but he wasn’t sure how to broach it.
“I am better,” agreed Miu with a small nod of her head. Then she gave him a beautiful smile, relaxed somewhat, and her eyes started to return to normal. Leaning back in her chair she watched him for several more seconds before she broke eye contact on her own. Picking up one of the items she took a bite from it.
Surprisingly, she looked back to him.
“Still crazy. Still in love with you,” she said around a mouth of food. Something he’d never seen her do before. Swallowing she cleared her throat. “But better. Andie and I have been talking a lot and… and I’m glad to have comrades in arms now.”
Huh. Alright.
Looking to his left he found Goldie had seated herself there.
Andrea’s second had taken up the spot next to Faith.
The table also had a number of people he didn’t quite recognize, as well as one person he did.
Jay, the one time dealer turned programmer was here. In front of him was a laptop that he was tapping away at. The sandy-blonde was still in his customary viking style. The blue eyes weren’t moving away from his screen though and he seemed a bit healthier than the last time Felix had seen him.
Freezing, the man looked up and met Felix’s eyes.
“Hey boss, just getting my progress finished so I can show you where my teams at,” Jay said with a grin, then went back to his laptop.
Oh… kay.
Right.
Err… corporate life agrees with him I guess.
“Everyone’s here so we can begin, grove-husband,” purred Faith, smiling at him from across the way. There was a faint light in her eyes but he had no idea why.
It made him leery.
“Well… it looks like it,” Felix murmured glancing around. He saw a number of people from Gaia’s camp but he felt like that wasn’t quite right. “Auntie Gaia, do you want to join us directly? If not, we can just leave it to your representatives but… you have every right to be here as my ally.”
There was a tingling pop in his ears, followed by one of the vacant chairs across from him being filled.
Gaia had indeed joined them.
She also looked a lot like a very attractive Dryad in her middle-age. Mature, full-bodied, but starting to lose her youth and vitality. Her eyes were glowing brightly and didn’t seem to have a dimmer switch either.
Her dark-brown hair was braided with silver and golden clasps all designed in the shapes of leaves and flowers. What she wore looked like something taken right out of Goldie’s wardrobe. A blouse and slacks that fit her quite well.
“Thank you, Felix Otherworlder. Thank you so very much for asking me like that,” Gaia said in a warm and rich tone. “I’m so glad for that. I’ll be happy to attend.”
Two Andrea’s popped in from outside and rushed over to where Gaia had materialized. They set down a plate for her, then began to fill it with nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables, than paused.
“Nnn… would… you like any meat?” the Andrea on the left asked.
“You’re beautiful!” gushed the Andrea on the right.
Gaia stared at the pair for a second and then laughed.
“Uhm… I would yes. Thank you Many of my creatures eat only meat, many eat only plants, I’m of both,” murmured Gaia. “And thank you. I’m afraid I’m greatly diminished compared to my youth.”
“That’s okay! If you were any prettier Felix would fall in love with you,” declared the left Andrea.
“Too pretty,” agreed the right Andrea, holding her arms up in an X in front of herself. “Must remain as you are, even if Felix could actually fix you.”
They quickly filled her plate, left her with a cup of water as well as apple juice, then scurried off.
Gaia looked unsure, though excited and picked up some of her food. Then she realized Felix was still watching.
“Oh, you really are looking at me and with curiosity and longing. She wasn’t wrong,” she murmured aloud. Almost as if she weren’t used to speaking. As if her thoughts were no different than words. “You may proceed, Felix Otherworlder.”
Felix looked to Faith.
“We have a surplus of points to work with after the prison,” Felix said, wanting to get straight into it. “I’d like to review where we are with everything, than to see where we can move ahead. Where do we want to direct this windfall of sorts.”
“Ah, that makes sense. I wasn’t honestly sure when I scheduled the meeting what you’d want but I thought it’d be that,” Faith shared. “We Dryads are fine. We’ve been working on getting a number of fields ready so that we can maintain our own food reserves.
“We’ll be ready by next year and should be self sufficient. We’ve also been making a number of below ground fields and farms. Those should be easier to maintain but will be year after next before they’re ready.”
Faith turned and looked to Andrea on her left.
“The A-Net is building the command-center. We’ll be finished just outside seven or eight months with the earthwork. After that we’ll need to purchase materials or have you put them in, Felix,” Second Andrea explained, spreading her hands out in front of herself. “We’ll do what we can without relying on points and what we can scrounge up, but at some point we’ll need to invest.
“Money, points, or both. Whichever would work best for you. In the mean-time we’re trying to organize extra trash drops into the landfill. We’re earmarking the loads as they come in to off-set our budget.”
“Good thinking,” Felix approved with a nod of his head. “I want the A-Net up and running so… that’s definitely at the front of the line so far. Part of my long term plans is to connect the HQ with the Association base, as well as the under-ground prison base.
“We’ll have Tribune at all three facilities and in one form, rather than multiple versions of herself. Having the A-Net ready for that connection would be ideal.”
Andrea nodded her head quickly.
“Nn, nn, we thought that’d be it!” she said excitedly, tilting her head to one side. “We’re using multiple teams to dig dig dig. Just like the old days.
“We’ve made a lot of progress and were advancing toward one another from both sides. It’s a bit of a race to see who can get more done! I’m in team ‘Felix is best on top’.
“Prime is on team ‘Felix is best behind us’, but I’m pretty sure she’s going to lose. We’ve been motivating ourselves with all those home-made videos we’ve been recording! We got them all before Prime could and so now she doesn’t have them.”
Blinking several times, Felix only nodded his head.
Just barely.
“We’ll wait to connect the Association’s to the HQ before we begin the prison route,” mused Andrea. “We were trying to not expand to far under the Association since we figured you’d want an underground and hidden side to it.”
“I do, thank you,” concurred Felix.
“Great! Nnn… I think that’s everything,” Andrea said with snap of her fingers. Then she looked to her left.
It was someone Felix didn’t know. Likely a department head put in place by Faith so that things could keep going.
They shook their head, then looked left. No one had anything to add it seemed.
This continued until it reached Miu.
“Security is being settled efficiently, though we’re not getting it done very quickly,” stated Miu. “Force recruitment is going slow but we’re being very careful with who we pick up. I’ve been targeting vets, ex-security forces, anyone that wouldn’t need as much training or are already used to some of the work.
“Its been a mixed bag as far as results go. A number of them have views that make them inadequate candidates for our needs. Some are great and would be ideal, if it wasn’t for trauma suffered.”
“Mental, physical, or both?” Felix asked. He had an idea of how he could probably approach that but it’d likely be point intensive.
“Both,” Miu affirmed. “Yes, having you create a medical wing that could assist with physical injuries as well as mental hardships would help.
“It might even allow us to earn a great deal of loyalty from them for hiring on. That’d be why I brought it up. I’d like to put in a request for a medical wing as a priority.
“We’ll need it for ourselves, but we could also use it as a means of recruitment. Secondary to that, we can patent that technology and see about selling some lesser-forms of it to hospitals and the like. That way we can get people to be more aware of Legion technology at the same time.”
“Huh… great idea, Miu. I’ll have to look into that and see what the costs are. I’m not sure where this world is technology wise so it might be a bit too much,” thought Felix aloud. “Might get cheaper the closer we get to the day of Awakening, too. We’ll just have to wait and see, but we can at least start looking into it now.”
“That’s all I had,” Miu reported.
“I personally have nothing I haven’t started,” Felix offered, then looked to his left to Goldie.
“Lady Gaia has assisted me in locating a number of Dragon remains. I’ll be taking some time out to go collect them and bring them back. Once I have them in my posession I’ll be working with lady Gaia to see if they’re willing to live again.
“Many may just wish to remain in the afterlife. Unfortunately that’s where it ends with me as far as the bodies go. Beyond that, my little garden is growing quite well!
“I have some herbs and things that are looking splendid. I can’t wait to see what flowers bloom next year.
“I also had time to really get into the bathroom and get some of those hard water stains out. If you don’t mind, please use the little hand held squeegee I left in there to get the water off the glass.
“Also… Andie… do I even need to say anything young woman? You know better.”
Andrea had blanched, looked down to the table, and was steadfastly pretending to not exist. She quickly shook her head side to side once it was obvious Goldie was going to wait for her to respond.
“Uhm… other than that everything is great!” Goldie reported with a bright smile. “Though, I would like a vault at some point, Nest-mate. It’d be nice to have a place for our gold to remain. Not to mention, you’ve said before that gold is an excellent source to hold and keep points in.”
That was back when I had to spend points every day, my dear Golden One. Though I’ll consider it if only because I know what you’re actually asking.
Goldie grinned at him and gave her head a little shake. Making her wedding-gold jingle.
“That’s all,” the Dragon said demurely.
Moving around the table they made it quickly to Jay.
“Uh, I have everything you asked for,” Jay reported, closing his laptop and looking to Felix. “It’s all… well… it’s buggy as fuck and jank to boot. But it’s what you asked for.
“Most of my guys are just looking to get everything up and running to a minimal point so you can… do that thing you do.
“Nothing to really report or do otherwise. Did you want to look at any of it?”
“No, it’ll be fine. Thanks,” Felix said.
Jay nodded his head, looked confused then slowly looked to the person next to him.
It proceeded again until it made it to Gaia.
“Ah? Is it my turn?” asked the beautiful woman with a smile. Her eyes moved to Felix and held tight to him. The bright-red glow had faded to pinpricks thankfully.
He’d also noticed that throughout the meeting that they’d changed color. Starting from a dark-black, moving through green, to blue, then astonishingly to yellow, then back to dark-black.
“Oh… he’s looking at me with longing again. I need to do something,” Gaia said with a nervous look on her face.
“Lady Gaia, you’re speaking your thoughts,” Faith advised, leaning over and speaking in a louder than needed voice. “Try to put your words into your head, without speaking them aloud.”
“Drat,” pouted Gaia who then let out a laugh. “I’m sorry everyone. It’s been a very long time since I had a physical body. I’m not quite used to it.”
“It’s quite alright,” Felix said and held up his hands in a neutral gesture. “Please… continue.”
Gaia nodded her head quickly.
“I’d really like you to invest some technology and time into healing me,” Gaia said and laid a hand to her impressive blossom. “I need you to rescue me. Or at least, help me to get well. There are many harms upon me that I’d like to see addressed.
“Humanity is my child. I birthed them and coddled them. Gave them all they could. In their growth they’ve harmed me and while they’re just started to understand that and work toward rectifying it, I’d rather not wait if I don’t have to.”
Felix could certainly understand her reasoning. It made sense to him.
Thinking on it, Felix could imagine several ways of possible working to help with the issue.
“What piece of it did you want to go for first?” he asked, looking at her with curiosity.
“Mm… I think… the air would be best for everyone if it were cleaner,” Gaia spoke as if working very slowly through her thoughts. “There’s a number of locations that truly need help to clean them. Especially that very dirty spot that’s still on fire. It’d be great if you could handle that.
“Maybe install an ocean facility to start cleaning the trash out of it? That would also be quite lovely. Beyond that… I think the best thing for me… what’d really help me the most, is trees. Lots and lots of trees. I’d gain a significant boost to my vitality if you could do that.”
“Trees… trees I can do. With gusto,” promised Felix.
It was the truth, too.
Seeds were owned by anyone who collected them. He could easily modify tree-seeds to become something else entirely.
To grow rapidly and take over an entire area if only to devote it to Gaia.
Though… a dirty spot that’s still on fire? I wonder what that is.
“Err… do you mean Chernobyl?” Jay asked, looking at Gaia.
Chernobyl? The hell is that?
Comments
Stephen Chernishoff
I definitely understand and reading the last few chapters till this one, a lot is going on and coming together. I won't deny it was rushed with the elimination of this villain, but that's just me being selfish since I know it was named after me :D. If I discard my personal attachment, it was a plot hole that needed to be closed. It was still rushed, but that worked in its own favor. The fact that this villain was no longer in scope with the major plot and it didn't add much else to the story, a quick elimination is a great way of portraying this imo. Regardless of how he was ended, I was still super happy to have my name included with Felix. Which is one of my favorite characters! So knowing I was able to be included when others are still waiting their turn, makes me even more grateful :). So again, thank you Will!
William D. Arand
Sometimes I can keep characters around. Sometimes not. I haven't been able to add a single "extra" character this entire book. o_0
Stephen Chernishoff
Ah I held on to a sliver of hope that Stephen is still going rampant, but this chapter pretty much confirmed his death. A bit swift and rushed to be honest, but I can see the need to move on to the meaty bits of the plot! Thank you again for including me in your story, truly honored :).
Eloren Koori
I mean, I just assumed one of the dryads she’s been sending.
Eliseo Rios
Not gonna lie, when she said burning spot, the first thing that came to my mind was Centralia Pennsylvania, that would certainly be something that Gaia would like taken care of lol Mild criticism, though. When talking about Gaia's representatives, they were not described at all. Like how many where they, what species, that sort of things made that scene seem rushed
Jeremy Patrick
Just because they existed and Vince is aware doesnt mean that anyone brought it to Felix's attention. So he could still reasonably just not know.
Jeremy Patrick
If Gaia ends up his wife wouldnt he pretty much own earth at that point? Lol I would think she has more authority than any government.
Peter
Assuming Felix does take Auntie Gaia as a wife. How many points will he gain? Will he be able to improve her powers to enable her to better heal herself? Better yet, enable her to better collect the impurities harming her for Felix to convert to points? Also, as she heals will she provide Felix with more points?
Peter
Nuclear cleanup sounds like a very profitable business. Felix offers to exchange getting rid of the radioactivity for ownership of the land. He'll need to own the land to alter the land itself. Assuming some sort of conservation of energy applies to his power, he can transmute the high-level waste into stable elements he can use yet still generates points. He can use intermediate-level and low-level waste as points or as building materials for his base expansion beneath the reclamation site. This would also work for something like Chernobyl. The surface can be returned to pristine wilderness. I wonder if Felix will do something similar with landfills. Offer the waste management company a reduce price to get rid of the waste in exchange for ownership of the land. Then dig a deep hole the WM company can dump waste into. The contents get transmuted into points regularly. The hole is a small portion of the surface area, and the rest of the surface is returned to pristine wilderness. He can still build underground. If you are headed that way, very nice Will!
Kenneth Darlin
What about the town in the US that has the coal mine that is permanently on fire? That could count as well
KiwiHermit
Heh, Chernobyl's gonna be a doozy. And I'm all for Felix getting it on with Gaia. Ticks a couple of check boxes there in my mind: -Vince has the goddesses of Dragons and Dryads, it's only fair that Felix gets a deity wife too. -She's frikkin MOTHER EARTH, that's like ultimate milf right there.
Drew Risch
Hahaha, Chernobyl, oh fuck! Good ol' Чорнобильський will either be a giant boon or a giant headache for Felix, I think.
Loukemia
Vince would be aware of succubi as would Sameerixis but Felix hasn't run into one...as far as he knows.
Nicholas Donovan
Just to point out, just in case it slipped by, in book one of wild wastes Vince does meet a succubi in the auction house party/annual stratagy meeting that he steals the vouchers from and meets Seville face to face and actually has a chat with him. I'm sure there would have been either rumors about succubi or a few in Yosemite at that point, as they were considered wasters. Just pointing it out. :)
