Super Sales on Super Heroes 4 -CH20- (Patreon)

Chapter 20 - Prepping -

Felix really didn’t like the farm that they were setting up the trap at.

Calling it such a thing was actually grossly inaccurate.

There was only three standing walls that remained upright. The rest was an actual ruin. There were trees and brushes growing from it’s broken floors.

Nature was reclaiming it and from what Faith had heard from them, it was more than happy to do so. Whoever had worked the farm hadn’t left positive memories in the nature they worked in.

“Can… we buy the farm?” Faith asked, turning and looking to him.

“What? It’s as ramshackle as they get,” countered Felix immediately.

“It… most certainly is. It’s a little more than a vacant lot with a ruin on it,” agreed Faith. “But still… I think this’ll be a good thing to have. Or something like it.

“I just think the swamp, approach, and area, is actually quite good. Even it’s location to the other nearby cities and towns is good. Not to mention, as a Dryad, I can tell you this is a perfect location for one.”

Felix shook his head. He really didn’t want to waste money on something like this. A farm was definitely not something they needed at any level.

Except he knew he owed it to Faith.

With Miu, it was addressing her as his, taking control from her despite her not needing it anymore, and generally just touching her.

For Goldie it was a possessive address, promising her gold, discussing how to wear it, and generally being kind and loving toward her.

Andrea it was everything he’d already been doing and would continue to do. She needed the least amount of investment.

Faith had always been the question mark in a way.

Sexual, but extremely combat oriented. Beautiful but more than willing to pull someone’s guts out to get an answer. Incredibly beautiful yet knew how to field dress and gut a human like they were a deer.

He’d gotten a win with her, and for himself really, when he let her put her tree in him. Giving her a simple farm seemed like the next step to investing in her.

“Fine,” Felix said with a soft sigh. “I don’t get it. I don’t want it. I think it’s wasteful but… okay. Only because you want it, Faith.”

“Really?” asked Faith excitedly. Then she wrapped an arm around his hips and pressed herself into his side. She kissed his cheek and then nuzzled him, her other arm coming around to quite brazenly fondle his crotch. “Thank you so much, Grove-husband. I love it when you let me get what I want if only to make me happy.”

Felix stood there for several seconds before he realized he needed top stop Faith or he’d end up “tilling her soil” as she called it. Clearing his throat he gave her a pat on the lower-back, then moved away from her.

“It’s on you to find the owner, Faith. I have no idea where to even start with that,” stated Felix, putting the onus of the job on her. “If I have time, I’ll look into it. I promise.

“Just kinda caught up in everything right now. I will do what I can though.”

“It’s fine. I plan on just taking the land anyways. Nature will help me and gladly,” countered Faith with a dismissive wave of her hand. “There’s not many Dryads left. Having a grove changes things.

“The very land here will fight for us. They’ll have to take market value for the land when they finally do show up, because anything they try otherwise, will get thwarted.”

At the end of her little speech Felix heard the inflexibility of steel in her words. That she knew for a fact that nothing could stop her from keeping the farm once he’d said they’d buy it.

“Right. You uh… just… go all natures vengeance. I’m going to check in on the Andrea’s. All the cameras and electrical setup should be getting near done,” Felix said with a thrown thumb back towards a tool shed.

It looked rickety, barely standing up, and would probably fall over if someone slammed into it.

Or at least it did on the outside.

Andrea had already shored up the interior, rebuilt a frame into it, plumbed it, and got it hooked up to a solar power source and battery.

If he was being honest with himself he’d vastly under-estimated just all that Andrea could do. When he’d asked her to do this, he hadn’t expected it to be at this level.

Pulling on the rope that acted as a door handle, Felix peered inside.

It looked like something out of the old Legion buildings. Computer work stations for two people, a trap door in the back, and very new looking dry-wall, that only needed to be painted.

He also suspected they’d put up materials to limit small-arms fire. They probably didn’t have enough time to get in protection from larger rounds.

There was an Andrea sitting in the chair and she spun toward him with a smile.

“Hey, Seven,” Felix said and nodded his head at the Other. “Where’s your Prime? She said she wanted to do a test?”

“I… she’s out by the farmhouse,” murmured the fresh Other. She looked surprised.

“Great, thanks. Also, hi Eight. You good?” Felix asked.

There was a strange look on the Other’s face before another Other popped out of her. She was staring at Felix with what looked to be shock.

“Nn. I’m fine. Yes,” murmured the Other. “How… do you know? How did you know I was with Seven?”

“I always know,” Felix said with a smirk. He couldn’t actually explain it anymore. He really did just know who was who, and where they were. “Thanks you two.”

Closing the door, Felix went back toward the ruin of the house. With the surveillance in place all that was left was some traps and creating kill zones.

He found Andrea Prime right where her Other had told him she’d be.

She’d been talking to her Second and Third when he came around the corner. They were rapidly chattering with one another, flicking into one another as they were absorbed and then put back out, while also using hand signals.

“Ah, Prime, Second, Third. Good to see you all,” Felix said and came over to them. Their conversation stopped as soon as he spoke. “Seven and Eight said you’d be over this way.”

All three Andrea’s were watching him.

“You shouldn’t know who we are,” said Second. “Even… we have problems sometimes knowing who’s who.”

“We’re really happy you can tell us apart, it’s just… you shouldn’t be able to,” added Third.

“Nn, very happy. It’s just… I… how?” asked Andrea.

“I just know. I didn’t at first but… after the second year I could kind of guess who it was. Wasn’t until we lost our HQ that I knew at just a glance.

“Anyways. How’s it going? Looks like everything is moving along. Can we call this done?”

Prime, Second, and Third all nodded their heads at the same time.

“I’m going to stay here with Third,” said Second. “Seven, Eight, and Nine, as well. Backup and security watch.”

“Prime, Four, Five, and Ten will all remain with you,” Third added.

“Mm. Can I swap Ten and Three? No offense to Ten, but… well… I have respect for Death Others when it comers to combat,” Felix said and pointed at Third. Who looked incredibly surprised. “They went through so much and still keep going. I love that mentality.”

“I… uhm… Prime?” asked Third, looking to Andrea.

“Nn, sure, no problem,” said Andrea with a wide grin. She looked incredibly pleased at the situation. “Did you know that… err… well, I was going to be the next Death Other? Before you changed us, that is.”

“That makes too much sense. You weathered a great deal without making it too obvious,” Felix said and reached out to gently pat Andrea on the shoulder. She was still all smiles for him right now. “Now, you said you wanted to do a test?”

“Nn!” the three said in unison, their hands balling into fists and pumping them at their sides. “Death test!”

“Death… test,” repeated Felix.

“Third is going to kill Second, I’m going to absorb her after you see if you can bring her back to life,” Andrea explained happily. “Then we know if you can bring us back from the dead!”

“Ah, that makes sense. Let’s not have Three, or Third I suppose, do that though. No reason to give her that memory.

“Besides, I know someone who would actually enjoy killing Second. You could even phrase it as a favor to you, Andrea.”

All three Andrea’s eyes lit up. Each one smacked a closed fist into an open hand with a pop sound.

“Miu,” they all whispered.

Then Andrea Prime pulled out one of the phones they’d purchased and tapped in a number quickly. Holding it up to her ear she waited.

Felix hadn’t managed to dodge Miu and Andrea the night before. Goldie had been brow beat into bringing him back lest she face a united front of Andrea and Miu.

She’d apologized to him, then took him to them.

It’d been certainly a memorable experience though also very strange. He’d never imagined Miu showing her absolute submissive self in front of Andrea.

Andrea was staring off to the sky while holding the phone to her ear. It looked very strange with how up on her head she held it, but it wasn’t as if she had a human ear.

“Oh! Miu honey, I need a favor. Can you help me?” Andrea asked, smiling to herself. “Yes, he’s here. Mmhmm. No, it didn’t come up. I’ll ask him.”

Andrea dropped the phone from her ear and Felix could clearly hear Miu shrieking “no!” on the other end of the line.

“Did you like what we did last night? Miu’s nervous,” Andrea asked, ignoring the endlessly shrieking phone. “I thought it was rather sweet how willing she was to do anything you wanted. Especially when you got aggressive with her.”

“Yeah. I did. I enjoyed it. You… should just get back to her,” Felix said pointing at the phone, trying to minimize the damage. Miu was still yet yelling on the other end. “Might want to move to the ‘will you kill me’ phase of the conversation.”

Felix had no doubt Miu would gladly murder Second and it might just soothe her a bit.

***

In the end, the test had been successful.

Miu had strangled Second, then Third, and also Seven and Eight. After that she’d apparently been appeased.

Felix had been able to bring each of them to life. The point cost had been minimal as well since she’d only just died.

He hadn’t of course. Andrea had just reabsorbed them.

Exiting the jewelry store, Felix felt better. He’d finally followed through with his promise to Goldie. He had the golden chains for her horns ready.

Amusingly it hadn’t even cost that much to get them. He’d used cash to get pure gold rather than use points to convert it after the fact.

He’d already have to modify the gold so it extended and expanded rather than broke when she shifted forms. He couldn’t imagine that being expensive, but not cheap either.

“You know… I might not be a mind reader like Goldie, but even I can see what you’re doing,” commented Faith from beside him. She’d been particularly attentive to him after he promised her the farm.

“Do tell me, my beautiful Dryad. What am I doing?” asked Felix, looking at her. He could feel something boiling away behind her.

Sex magic, likely. Formed from not being able to corner him for two days.

“Other than you, that is,” Felix added before she could respond. “Clearly I’ve neglected you for longer than you deserve.

“Would you prefer to go to a field again? Home? Truck? Somewhere else? Could probably rent a room with cash.”

Faith blinked rapidly, her cheeks taking on a slow blush. Her eyes began to glow from the inside as well. Slowly turning a very bright green color.

He’d heard someone call it “Greening Out” in the Dryad circles. Before them he’d only ever heard that referencing someone who took way too many edibles.

“Yes. All of those places. Truck, the field, then home. In that order,” demanded Faith. Then she took in a short breath and held it.

It looked like she was just holding her breath even as her face slowly grew redder.

At about the twenty second mark her eyes started to lose the color. Filtering out to their normal state as if he’d only been a trick of the light.

“Not fair, Grove-husband,” hissed the Dryad and took his arm. She began leading him down the sidewalk back to where they parked. In the end Brandonville had what he’d been looking for and at a good price. “I… that is… I know what you’re doing to us. What you’ve already done.

“You’re giving us no room to even think about doing anything other than what you ask of us. You give us what we want even if we don’t ask for it and corner us.

“Goldie the mind reading Dragon is more like a small puppy on a leash trailing along behind you. She can even see what you’re doing to her and she can’t escape.”

“We’re here by ourselves for a long while,” Felix said, not answering her in a direct way. “A long while. Years, even. I’m… going to miss a lot of things back home. Almost too much, really.

“All I can do is invest in those I have with me. The love they’re giving me. Take it, give it back to them, and get more back in turn. All while rebuilding Legion. Then we can get Kit and Lily back.”

Felix hated thinking about what he was missing out on.

That he’d never get to see and suddenly how deeply it was affecting him.

When Andrea and Adriana had their litter, he wouldn’t be there for it. He’d miss the first four or five years of their lives.

It wasn’t a loss he’d been prepared for and he’d done his best to block it out of his mind. Lately though it’d been preying on him in the quiet moments.

Chasing him endlessly.

Added to that a large number of mewling Elex women who would miss him. Regret that he couldn’t be there for their the birth of their very expected and excited for litters.

Shaking his head, Felix cleared his thoughts.

“Well, anyways. That’s all I can do,” Felix finished. “Move forwards, build Legion, invest in… invest in you all.”

“And I’m so happy to be invested in. Do till my soil regularly and invest in me. Lots,” Faith demanded, squeezing his arm to her chest.

Her head snapped to one side and she took a step away from him.

Her hand dropped down to the pocket of her hoodie and he heard the click of her pulling the safety. She was staring straight ahead of them to where an alley was.

“Shouldn’t have come here at night,” hissed Faith. “Just asking for trouble. I let your damn smile influence me.”

Felix realized now what she was talking about. Coming to a jewelry store just at closing wasn’t a great idea. Coming out of there with any sort of package would make you a target.

He could vaguely remember that there was a time people were targeting big box stores in his homeworld. They’d watch for people to buy a light-terminal, put it in their car, then go shopping elsewhere.

All a thief had to do was bash the window-glass in and take it.

This felt similar to him.

Or at least, from the outside looking in. He had no idea what Faith was actually reacting to. For all he knew it was just a bunch of people that didn’t belong.

Unfortunately their truck was past the alley. When they’d arrived earlier the parking lot had been fuller than expected.

Now it was empty.

Faith pulled the pistol from her hoodie and moved to Felix’s right side. Putting herself closer to the alley. When they walked in front of it she’d already brought the weapon up to a forty-five degree angle. The barrel pointing at the ground but ready to be brought up quickly.

“Six people circled up around two others. One of the two is on the ground and heavily wounded. It’s obvious they’re contemplating how much further to take it,” Faith whispered letting the point directly at the ground. “Not our issue.”

Felix frowned as he thought about that. This was actually a perfect opportunity to push forward the other side of his plan.

There would be a dark Legion that rose in the underworld. One that would become a center for non-violent behavior.

On the other end, Felix needed to build his own counter. So that he could control the conflict from both sides.

Internally, they’d both be called Legion of course.

Heh. We’ll just call both Legion. That’ll confuse the population greatly.

As well as those who would want to see one or the other harmed. We’ll just make sure it’s only confusing from the outside.

Actual Legionnaires would know one another.

This is a perfect time to cause some whispers.

“Faith, put on your mask. Go stop whatever’s happening and give anyone who deserves it a broken leg,” commanded Felix. Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out his mask. Moving into the alley before he fitted it to his head he put the bag of jewelry down behind a trashcan as he went past.

He’d pick it up on the way back out. Right now he needed both hands.

Faith pulled her own mask on when he did and then moved forward at a light jog. Held low in front of her was her pistol.

“Stop!” called Faith as she got closer. “Everyone disperse! I won’t ask again. First and final warning!”

Her tone had the ring and phrasing of Legion security manuals.

Second warnings only mattered if they were Legion.

Everyone else was just meat.

Faith came to a stop and raised up her pistol. Up ahead of her was a group of people who looked like they were considering her words.

“Well fuck y—”

Faith’s pistol shifted a fraction and she pulled the trigger. The boom of her weapon was loud in the alley.

The man who’d spoken squealed and his hand shot up to grab at his upper arm. Apparently she’d put a round right through where his shoulder was.

“Anyone else want to get a free pass to being left-handed?” asked Faith. “Leave, now. Legion is taking the area. You’re not welcome in Brandonville.”

Well. More aggressive than I originally wanted but not wrong.

Nor was I really wanting her to announce Legion but… that’s fine, too. I suppose. This’ll be a good way to start growing both at the same time.

Lots of confusion.

This’ll work well.

Rather than arguing with Faith they scattered, fleeing in every direction. Including the man who’d been shot.

Faith stood there, waiting, watching them all run.

Only after they were physically gone and almost twenty seconds had passed did she finally lower her weapon. She reached down and picked up the spent casing and tucked it into her pocket.

“Are you alright over there?” Felix asked rather calmly as he came to stand beside Faith. “Do you need us to call for medical assistance?”

“I… uhm… no. We’re okay,” called a female voice. Felix couldn’t quite make out who it was he was talking to. The shadows were deep and pooled around them. From what he could see it was as Faith said. One that was sitting upright, another that was laid out flat on the ground. “Just… just beat up bad. We’ll be fine.

“Thanks… thanks for stopping them. It’s gotten a lot more scary lately.”

Mm. I’ll send a note over to David through Jay.

Let him know that I heard a report that violence is on the rise and is bringing civilians into play.

See what he says to that.

Anyways.

Felix turned and began walking away. There was nothing more that needed to be done here.

Picking up the back of gold jewelry on his way out Felix pulled his mask off and dumped it inside. Faith did the same and guided him to the truck.

Getting inside they sat there for several seconds. Faith then let out a long sigh.

“Pretty sure they would have killed the man, raped her, then killed her,” said Faith, turning to look at him. “I don’t think it was our problem, but I’m not against the action we took.”

“I liked it,” said a muffled voice from behind them.

Peering at them through the rear glass was Edmund. He waved a hand at the two of them and grinned. He was in the truck bed and had apparently seen everything.

“A lot. I also heard what you did back at my… err… at the community. That was kinda funny to learn about,” Edmund continued, looking from Faith to Felix. “So… why did you wanna talk to me? And where are we going?”

Huh.

I like him.

Felix grinned, feeling like he found someone he could work with.