The Trial of the Ghost

Chapter 15: Check Up and Check In

Over a week later, Corla and Allelosin’s sources couldn’t dig up more information than what was available publicly. Kra could almost feel Corla’s frustration coat the apartment like a blanket. Los, who normally complained his way through the morning until the coffee kicked in, just got dressed and started the day with the smallest amount of sound possible.

When Munday came around and it was time for her to see her friends, she was grateful for the distraction.

“What are you looking at?” Oth asked mildly, taking a sip of her tea.

Anaid had brought it, swearing it was the best they’d ever tasted. Kra saw Cebrua’s skepticism and slight grimace before praising the cup. She was not surprised the billionaire had had better.

“Sorry, text,” Kra replied, putting her phone into her pocket.

“From Los?” Oth asked.

“Yeah,” Anaid said, slightly suggestively, “from Los?”

“Anaid,” Oth scolded. Then, Mirus piped in with, “They text often, there’s no need to imply anything.”

“Or…”

Oth narrowed her eyes at them. “No. Stop that before you find I’ve grown something inside your lungs..”

“Not Los,” Kra confirmed with a small laugh. It was actually Zrayt, out at lunch with Rox and Nilkwoyvera and desperately texting ‘Help me’ and ‘Save me’ every time she could sneak out to the bathroom. “But none of your business.” They didn’t know her. “It’s no one you know. At least,” She eyed Cebrua and Oth, “I don’t think.”

Oth, who had stopped caring, took another sip of tea. Cebrua simply raised an eyebrow and snuggled back into her armchair.

“Anyway,” she continued. “Have I thanked you all yet for training Golden Eagle? Because you are the best.”

They’d all taken up shifts while she couldn’t over the last three weeks, even Dae and Jay were on standby if Cebrua was too busy in Thoghal. Each had a different skillset important for her to learn. Kra was grateful every day that Lyru got multiple teachers. She was going to be a great superhero. Kra could sense it.

“Lyrusiba?” Cebrua asked. “She-”

“She told you her name?” Kra asked. They all nodded. “Well, that’s a relief.”

“I’m still a little mad you didn’t tell us this was Los’ little sister,” Anaid announced.

No one paid them any attention.

“As I was saying,” Cebrua began. Across the room, Feyd entered, bearing snacks. “She misses you. You should find some time to drop in.”

“I’m sure she’s doing fine with all of you,” Kra said, watching Anaid pounce on the cheese cubs with an amused smile.

“She is, but she hero worships you. It’s frankly unhealthy-” Feyd snorted. Cebrua turned on them. “Something to add?”

“No ma’am,” Feyd said quickly with a grin, adjusting the crackers on the table. “Nothing at all.”

“That was different and you know it,” Cebrua murmured, folding her arms.

“How?” Feyd challenged.

“I was a child for one.”

“Don’t you consistently refer to Ms. Ent as a child?”

“She’s eighteen! I was nine!” She quickly turned away and met Kra’s eyes. “Anway, it would be good for her to see you continuing to take an interest in her development as a hero. She knows, and we all tell her, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t need to see it for herself.”

“I know,” Kra said. How long had it been since she’d checked in on Lyru. “I’ll drop in tonight if I have time. I should.” She sighed. “It’s not like I’m making much progress.”

“How is that going?” Oth wondered as Feyd began to leave them.

“Terrible,” Kra confessed. “We have one lead and it’s not turning out well right now. But it’s only been twelve days. We’ll find something.”

“Dead ends are the worst,” Anaid nodded, their cheeks stuffed with manchengo.

“Do not talk with food in your mouth,” Cebrua tried to snap, but it came off tired.

“You’re not my mom!”

“I’m older than you, so I can be your mom friend and I say don’t talk with food in your mouth.”

“You’re the worst. The worst. Are you this strict with your children?”

“No,” a muffled voice above them said.

The adults’ eyes trailed upwards simultaneously. Somewhere in the vents, another person slapped the other.

“Amateur,” Dae whispered. “You don’t say anything while on a stakeout, Jay. You’re covert. Spying! I can’t believe I’m going to college and just letting you be Fledgling! You’re going to ruin all the good work I put into Fledgling’s reputation!”

“Well,” Dostonjay countered, “you just talked more than I did and said my name, so who’s the amateur now?”

“Dae, Jay, get out of the vents,” Cebrua said, rubbing her forehead. “And Dae, it took a year in the field to realize a backflip wasn’t the solution to every problem and two to stop making puns, I don’t want to hear anything about Fledgling’s reputation, understand?”

“Yes, mom. Sorry, mom.”

“I-” Anaid tried, their mouth stuffed with more blocks of cheddar than they should let them make sound.

But before they could get far, Cebrua pointed her finger at them and glared. “No.”

“I-”

“No. Finish your cheese then talk. That’s not up for discussion.”

Anaid glared back, but continued chewing without trying another word. Oth let out a low whistle while Kra held in her laughs.

“Nice job,” Mirus interjected. For once, when she got back into control, Oth didn’t seem that bothered by it.

Cebrua rolled her eyes. “Please, I have two teenage daughters. It was harder convincing Dae to stop using the spiral staircase’s banister as a, and I quote, ‘next level balance beam.’”

“Hey!” Chideara protested.

“Less complaining and more crawling young lady!” Cebrua called.

“Yes, mom. Sorry, mom.”

This time, Kra laughed and it felt so good. She’d needed this. She’d needed the time with her friends.

She’d canceled so many times over the last two months, but the next day, Kra stood at her parents’ door and knocked.

Shel opened it. Their eyes went wide before pulling her into a hug. “Welcome home,” they said to their hair, and Kra felt a few drops of water fall onto her shoulders.

“It’s good to be home,” she replied as they dragged her over the threshold.

The N’tek household wasn’t big. Their dining room, living room, and kitchen were all basically the same room, so soon, her parents saw her.

“Hey,” she told them. “Do you have room for one more tonight?”

Mar and Nath grinned. “Grab a place setting,” Nath instructed. “We’re starting soon.”

Kra grinned back. She was home. Back for an hour only, but this house was still every bit as much her home as Emlytos. Every wooden floorboard was steeped in history. She could name the sheep whose wool had gone into each rug.

She was not escaping the night without hugs, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

When Kra landed on the island, she spotted Lyru and Anaid instantly. They were in their normal civilian clothes and occupied, completely absorbed in a mock fight. Lyru wasn’t teleporting as quickly as she should, but she was doing well. Much better than she had under Kra’s tuition.

Still. A smile spread across her face.

Keeping her footsteps light on the rocks, she approached. Anaid caught sight of her but only smiled and focused on the sight. In the moment before Lyru teleported again, Kra grabbed her forearm and twisted, until she had the younger girl pinned.

Lyru thrashed, trying to throw her off, but Kra kept her grip stead, even when Lryu tried teleporting. She applied a little pressure to the back of Lyru’s knees until the girl’s legs gave out. Kra kneeled down.

“You’re forgetting,” she whispered into Lyru’s ear. “Never get so absorbed in a fight you forget to watch your surroundings.”

“Kra!” Lyru exclaimed, the tension leaking out of her body.

Kra released her and helped her onto her feet. “Hey, Lyru.”

The younger girl threw her arms around her. Kra returned the hug, squeezing her protege just as hard.

“You’re here!” Lyru exclaimed. At a muffled chuckle from Anaid, she forced her wide grin to soften and pulled back, straightening her back. She held her head high, and formally said, “It’s good to see you.”

Kra just grinned back at her, not bothering to try to seem professional as she did. “You too. I… I can’t stay for long, but I know I haven’t been here in a while, so I wanted to check in. Are you doing okay?”

Lyru’s energetic grin returned. “I’m doing fantastic. I’ve gotten to meet Ceb- uh, Crow.”

“We know who she is,” Kra confirmed. “Anaid and I. We know who Crow is.”

“Ah, well, she said I shouldn’t talk about that thing casually.” She nervously rubbed her foot against the back of her leg. “I can never know what people do or do not know so I have to be cautious.”

“And she’s right. It’s going to be something you’ll think about often once you’re out on the streets. What to say. How to make sure you’re keeping your secrets.”

“She has so many interesting pointers on how to improve my stances and the power behind my punches.”

“I would hope so,” Anaid added. “She’s been doing it longer than the rest of us. If she hadn’t learned something in all this time, I’d be worried.”

Kra chuckled, more weight lifting from her shoulders. “Don’t worry,” she assured them. “I learnt most of what I know from her.”

“Then taught that to Othnurarih,” Anaid. “And used that sunny personality of yours to rope me into your friendship club.”

“Well, you were already a hero by the time I was properly established. I can’t train you if you already know how to take care of yourself.”

“And you see, young one,” Anaid whispered to Lyru conspiratorily, throwing an arm around her, “the technical term for what I am is a ‘stubborn bitch’ so even if I didn’t know anything, I likely would have rejected our darling Kra’s offer strictly on principal.”

“But that didn’t happen and here we are.” Kra clasped her hands on each of their shoulders. “All good friends. And you,” She turned to Lyru, “are doing so well. I am so proud and I can’t wait until the day you are off on your own, saving lives. You’re going to be so good at this and help so many people.”

Lyru hugged her again. “I really missed you.”

Kra returned it. “Same, kid, same.”

And if the tears flowed, she didn’t care. She was with some of the people who mattered most in her life. With them, everything felt okay.

“Don’t you have a city to save?” Cebrua asked grumpily.

` “Is she supposed to be talking?” Kra asked Feyd, who was currently pulling bullets from Cebrua’s gut with tweezers.

“No,” Feyd said simply. “But that won’t stop her. You have her stabilized, right?”

“Yes,” Kra replied, keeping the flow of her healing magic into Cebrua constant.

Feyd pulled out another bullet and Kra sent a quick burst of magic to the area, healing it instantly.

“Then she should be fine,” Feyd answered. “However difficult it makes my job.”

They glared at Cebrua who glared back and said, “Remind me to investigate why Colonel Chaos’ goons were outside one of the nicest neighborhoods in Thoghal.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Colonel Chaos?” Kra asked, internalizing her groan as Cebrua’s face twisted slightly, the most amount of physical pain the other woman would let herself show. “That’s bad.”

“Be grateful you don’t have any nemesis yet,” Cebrua informed her.

“Believe me, I am.”

Colonel Chaos was infamous in Thoghal. He’d evaded capture for years. He carried a portable random picker wheel with fifty numbers. He memorized what each number stood for then had a minion spin the wheel and they did whatever the number stood for.

He was nearly impossible to predict. And he hated Crow. Utterly despised her and her Fledglings. Jay and Dae weren’t allowed to confront him or his goons without Cebrua to back them up.

“I hate that fucker,” Cebura muttered.

“I’m not surprised. Why were you there anyway? Richie Row isn’t exactly your usual haunt.”

“Jay’s been going to that area a lot according to the tracker in her suit,” Cebrua admitted. Feyd pulled out another bullet. “On her off nights, when she’s not patrolling. She stays on one rooftop for hours. I think she’s training, but I haven’t yet activated her comm to listen in. I was following her trail when I was ambushed.”

She’d fought off the goons while the guns tore into her. She’d won and then promptly passed out. Luckily, she’d been found and the woman who’d found her had woken her up long enough for Cebrua to tell her to call for the Ghost.

The alley had been covered in blood when Kra had gotten there. She needed to remember to talk to Cebrua later about it. Once she was actually better.

Kra occasionally wondered what the Thoghal criminals thought of Crow. She’d get heavily injured one night then, thanks to Kra, she’d be back on her feet and kicking. Sometimes within hours, sometimes just the next day.

Cebrua was strict that she was a no powered hero, but did Thoghal believe that with how many impossible things she survived? Or did they think she had some regeneration superpower? Kra hoped they did. It would prove Cebrua herself some cover. Everyone knew that Cebrua Kaenwe was mundane. She had no magic. She’d never had magic and never would.

“I need to talk to Jay,” Cebrua muttered. “She needs to be more careful.”

“You’ll do that,” Kra assured her.

“She needs to stop going to that area,” Cebrua continued. “At least until I determine why Colonel Chaos is there.” She closed her eyes. “I need to keep her safe.”

“You will,” Kra assured her. “Don’t worry. She’ll be alright. Jay is a smart kid.”

“She is,” she replied proudly.

“Jay is going to be an orphan again if you don’t stop talking,” Feyd muttered. “Ms. Kra, please get her to stop talking.”

“Copy that,” Kra replied and put a hand on Cebrua’s mouth when she started to object. “No, no words. You heard Feyd. So, what am I going to talk about?”

“How about your case?” Feyd suggested.

“Ugh. We’re making no progress. Corla is going to stab someone soon. Probably Los. She likes me too much.”

“That’s unfortunate. What do you know?”

“Well, Los and I discovered a factory making weapons and we think it’s been supplying one of the gangs for years and added the other more recently. The problem? It’s completely invisible to the outside eye. You have to get past a shield to see it and the company that owns that land, probably one of the most straight-laced companies any of us have ever seen. There’s even a factory on that land a mile or so away.”

“That is a problem,” Feyd replied politely.

“I know. And it’s not like it’s very interesting to research. They make computer chips. Pretty average computer chips with slightly better than average RAM.”

“Wait,” Cebrua started, pushing Kra’s hand away as she went to cover her mouth again. Her brows furrowed. “What’s the name of the company?”

“Bru-”

“No, answer, Kra. What is it?”

“GodRAM Chips. Why are you so insistent?”

Cebrua’s face paled and her eyes instantly went to Feyd, who seemed just as horrified as the still injured hero.

“Kra,” Cebrua said, turning to her friend, “that’s Pakeldan Thuelar’s company.”

All feeling left Kra’s face. “What? Are you sure?”

“Completely. It’s… I’ve always wondered what it was. Ten years ago, he made the place and has buried it ever since, layer by layer making sure it cannot be connected to his name at all. Today? There’s no trace, but my spies heard about it when it was first established, when there was still a record.”

“Pakeldan Thuelar,” Kra muttered darkly. “We thought it might be him, but I’d been hoping….”

“Sorry, Kra.”

She shook her head. “Not your fault. Anything else you can tell me?”

“Last time I heard it was connected to Project Sa- oh what was it?”

If possible, Kra’s face felt even more numb. “Sabwemkael?”

Cebrua nodded. “That’s it. I thought it was a new product I needed to compete against or a business strategy, but….” Her eyes narrowed on Kra’s face as Feyd glared at the final bullet. “You seem to think it’s worse than that.”

“We don’t know for certain,” Kra confessed. “But we thought it might be a weapon. Or….”

“Supplying multiple weapons to gangs.”

“Exactly.”

They shared a glance. Feyd removed the final bullet.

“But why?”

“I don’t know yet,” Kra admitted. “But I intend to find out.”

Cebrua snorted. “Thuelar wants only one thing. Money.”

“You think this is a money making scheme?”

“Right now, it’s likely costly, but in the long run, absolutely.”

Kra sighed. “This is bad. Awronadai save me, couldn’t it have been anyone other than Pakeldan Thuelar? Deities, what am I going to tell Rox?”

“You’ll figure it out.”

Kra smiled. It was small, but confident, the way only she could be while facing a crisis. “Yeah, I will.” She removed her hand from Cebrua’s shoulder. “Well, all better. You still shouldn’t go back onto the streets tonight, but I know that won’t stop you.”

“Nope.”

“But I know who can.”

Both their eyes turned to Feyd, who removed their surgical gloves covered in Cebrua’s blood. They smiled a smile they’d perfected when Cebrua had been a child, one that said ‘whatever you think you’re about to get away with, think again.’

“Kra,” Cebrua begged. “Kra please.”

Kra turned to Feyd. “You’ve got her?” They nodded, so she clapped Cebrua’s shoulder with a wide grin. “Good luck, my friend.”

“Kra no!”

But she was already flying away, laughing so hard her stomach actually hurt.

It was a beautiful experience.