WARRIORS HIGH
ISLAND OF THE FALLEN
CHAPTER TWO
BACK IN BLACK AND BLUE
Rusty Andora, president of Forrestlake, organized the capital's mail into three piles.
Most leaders didn't even bother trying to do this, but it was fitting to Firestar's personality. He had always pushed for better connections between the people and the government, advocating for intimacy to harbor a more unified approach to outside threats. It was a picture perfect combination with the charisma he drowned the public in, and one of the main reasons he was sitting behind the most powerful desk in the island.
The mail was sorted by levels of importance. The leftmost one was reserved for that of utmost importance; meetings, memos and letters from judges and ambassadors that he needed to address as soon as he could. The middle was for letters from the people, filtered through Dappletail, an ex-military 75-year-old woman who had a good idea of what was important enough to get past the shredder (she often bullied the teenagers who would occasionally send death threats over her coffee break, which definitely made her an entertaining presence at parties), and the right was for within the workplace; two weeks' notices, request for use of vacation hours and complaints.
The complaints were in two piles. One was for actual complaints, like sexual harassment, that Firestar had to look into immediate, while the other was for him to laugh at on a slow day.
It was fittingly deemed "The Jaywhisker pile."
"Good morning, Mr. Andora," said Dappletail sweetly as he walked into the west wing of the capital.
"Morning, Ms. Dappletail," said Firestar, giving her a polite kiss on the cheek as they walked to his office, "How's the day?"
"Pretty eventless," she said with a wink, "It seems the murderers decided to get a bit too tipsy in their cars."
Firestar chuckled as he accepted Dappletail's handful of mail, sifting through it quickly. Updates on court cases, so nothing he needed to work on immediately,
As he walked into his office, he immediately noticed the absence of a certain pile of envelopes. "Did you move the pile?"
"It fell over last night," said Dappletail, "So I put it in the empty drawer towards the bottom.
"Ah, excellent," said Firestar as he sat down, reached into the drawer and pulled out a fistful of pink envelopes. As he did so, Dappletail grabbed a notepad, which had a tally just for the kind of complaints about Jaywhisker they were handing to him.
"Rudeness, rudeness, messy workplace, rudeness, inappropriate conduct, rudeness…" said Firestar, "Someone's had a bad week."
"Shall I repeat myself again, sir?"
"That's not necessary, Ms. Dappletail," said Firestar, knowing full well that she was going to ignore him.
"The time where you can just laugh all this off is coming to an end. You're going to have to put some restrictions on what he can get away with instead of just letting him run around without a leash."
"But that's how he works best…" said Firestar, tossing aside another complaint for "rude comments," "He's a prodigy. He's got the ambition of God creating the world and the second highest IQ on the island. Just think of all he's done for this country in four months."
"I'm well aware, sir. But while these complaints have become entertainment to you, they are quite real to the authors. And sooner or later, you're going to have a lot of vacancies to fill as well as the press eating this up."
Firestar sighed. The press was the enemy of everyone who had done something good in the world.
"But if he leaves, we lose perhaps our biggest asset in defense. With Jaywhisker at the helm of national security, we can call ourselves immune to another terrorist attack and back up those words."
"Then until you are ready to show off what he can do, the other workers only see him as a product of adolescent angst that you have too much of a foreign attachment to."
Firestar opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again. Dappletail did have a way with words.
"So...when are you going to meet with him?"
"Over lunch," said the president, "Put it on my schedule, please."
"Of course, sir."
Firestar knocked on Jaywhisker's door, which had a sign that said "Since you're here, bring me my coffee."
Fitting.
"If this is about the granola bars, Ellen, I'll order you some more by next week!" called the boy genius.
Firestar jiggled the handle to show he wanted to come in.
"JESUS CHRIST, ELLEN! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO TAKE A BREAK FROM YOUR DIET FOR ONCE-"
Jaywhisker wasn't ready to open the door to the president of Forrestlake.
"So this explains the 'stealing food' complaint I got."
"Hi...Mr. Andora," he said, composing himself to the bare minimum, "Have you come to ask for my resignation?"
"Just a status update. Then we'll go from there."
"Yeah, alright," said Jaywhisker, opening the door to let the president in.
Jaywhisker had certainly revamped the place. When he had hired him, he had given him an emptied storage space and the keys to a rental truck to move his stuff in. Now the place glowed and glimmered with the boy's bedazzlement of technology, with workshops, blueprints and computers lining the walls and serving as his thinking space for defense technology well above the visions of any first-world country.
It wasn't the only reason why Firestar gave Jaywhisker free reign over terrorizing the other employees, but it was one of the reasons why he didn't want to piss him off.
"So…" said Firestar, "Whatcha got for me this week?"
Jaywhisker walked over to a table littered with sawdust and opened a large folder filled with blueprints, moving the Guiness to the table behind him.
He showed the president the diagram of what looked to be a TV dish on steroids mounted on a sattelite.
"Trying to beat Elon Musk at his own game, I see?"
"This is an electron neutralizer," said Jaywhisker, "The ray locks on to incoming nuclear missiles and can directly attack the fuel system. Since the interference with the integrity of the fuel will damage the odds of it getting back to Earth, a precise enough shot will cause enemy missiles to either shut down in orbit or cause the missile to implode on itself.
"And this will take place in space?"
"Right, because if we do this on the ground, the oxygen atoms will take away up to 90% of the electrons. That will make the weapon almost ineffective and only poison the air around the ray instead."
"Interesting. And how much will this cost us?"
Jaywhisker paused.
"Uh...you know the United States' national debt?"
"Jaywhisker, I think you have great plans," said Firestar, rubbing his eyes, "But I think you're forgetting the scope that you need to work with."
"Well, it's not my fault!" retorted the boy, "I think big because I know how big attacks can be! A group of terrorists who have yet to even be confronted in this timeline bombed an entire island with 40,000 people. I know how people play dirty, so I want to stop anyone from toying with Hiroshima scenarios! And I need more room to breathe in order for that to happen."
"Seriously, Jay. This sounds like complaining at this point."
"I've had a bad week, okay? I have a 40-year-old feminist vegan threatening to sue me into poverty because she left her homemade granola bars on the table that said "SNACKS TO TAKE!"
"You could at least be more pleasant about it. Maybe make her some blueberry smoothies or something."
Jaywhisker groaned. "I keep forgetting that your charisma isn't an act for the cameras."
"Look," said Firestar, leaning over the table to look him in the eyes, "I'm gonna give you a challenge. Today is July 11th. You have until the 14th to come up with a defense scheme that is less than...let's say, 5 million. How about that?"
"What the hell is this, 10th grade engineering?"
"You could say that."
"What's with the change in attitude, Pres?" snapped Jaywhisker, "You making a ripoff deal with America again?"
"You don't watch a lot of news, do you?"
Jaywhisker shrugged. "Nothing but my idiot friend and his gay singer coming over to sign autographs on Sunday. What's that gotta do with it?"
"The Ambassador is coming over on Monday."
That shut him up.
"The Ambassador? Of Lindisfarne?"
"He wishes to discuss defense arrangements with us," said Firestar, "So the second person he meets with in this building is you."
Everything made sense now.
"Up to the task now?"
"I'll have a schematic by Saturday night."
"I look forward to it."
Jaywhisker, at the end of the day, packed up the folder of work he had started and locked up.
The sun was setting magnificently behind him as he left the building and looked into the mountains, the speck in the distance on the side his destination.
Smiling, he packed up his stuff in a backpack and suited up, hopping on his black motorcycle with electric blue lines he had bought as a present for himself when he got hired. Firing it up, he revved the engine and took off into the city lights.
As he left the city, the streetlights flickered on above the interstate, painting an ambitiously serene contrast against the orange and pink, cloudless sky. Jaywhisker soared well over the speed limit around the occasional cars for about seven minutes before getting off on his exit.
Taking the path that he had taken for so long, he turned into the street and pulled to a stop in front of the mansion.
The mansion he once called home.
He had no reason to miss it so much, since he bragged about having little to no connection with this place, but when he saw how it had turned out, he couldn't help but crack a smile as he passed by it.
The mansion on the outside had stayed the same, but everything had changed. Now his former workshop had been converted into a high-tech trauma and rehabilitation center while the top was turned into an orphanage. Jaywhisker had put in the request himself. Despite his pride, he always had a soft spot for little ones.
Speaking of which…
In the corner of his eye, he noticed a group of young boys, looking to be about six, staring starry eyed at his motorcycle. Chuckling, Jaywhisker backed up, revved the engine loudly and leaned back the motorcycle soaring away from the mansion on it's back wheel.
Ten seconds later, he was back on two wheels, easy images of less fortunate boys being blown away by his tricks.
Sometimes it was nice being the prick with a heart of gold.
There wasn't much to enjoy for the back half of the drive. The mountains stood proudly on both sides as he navigated the winding road to the new mansion. In the back, he could see the sun lightly kissing the surface of the ocean as it sunk beneath the horizon through the mirrors, bedazzled with the summer sunlight.
After five minutes of climbing, he pulled up to the end of the road. He glanced up to see the sleek new mansion engraved into the side of the mountain above before fumbling around for a remote in the backpack and pressing the big red button.
The side of the mountain in front of him whirred and game was to a steel-plated garage lined with cars of all sizes, designs and price tags. As he pulled his motorcycle into the garage, Jaywhisker had to chuckle to himself.
He didn't give a shit if he was living like Iron Man. It was awesome living like Iron Man.
He parked his motorcycle, hung up his helmet and walked to the elevator in the corner. Removing his glave, he pressed it against a scanner and walked in as the system recognized him.
He pressed the button for the main floor, needing to steal one of Foxleap's design kits and a pack of rum to tide him over the night, before burrowing up in his workshop once again.
The elevator, with a pleasant ding, opened and Jaywhisker walked into the main hall of his home. It was a vast open space with the windows facing out of the mountain, giving everyone a perfect view of the sunset. To his direct left was a massive kitchenette, which Hazeltail used all day every day, tucked behind a living room of sofas and a plasma TV. To his right was a majestic wooden staircase that led to everyone's different bedrooms.
Foxleap had certainly gone all out. Just looking at this place gave him a headache.
Usually at this time of day, everyone was deflating for the night, with Berrynose and Fallen Leaves duking it out on whatever video game console they chose, Hazeltail making dinner, and everyone left shooting the shit around the outdoor fireplace on the deck to Jaywhisker's right.
But tonight, everyone was on chore duty. Daffodil and Hollyleaf seemed to be in a friendly race to see who could stuff the most clothes in the washer, Berrynose and Lionblaze were on their knees scrubbing the floor, likely being held against their will by Honeyfern, Hazeltail was teaching Jayfeather how to clean an oven, the latter faking going blind again to try and get out of it, while Mallowleaf, the only Resistance member in the house, was on the phone, pacing quickly.
"Yes, Foxleap will get you a safe ride here, hun," she said as stoically as she could, "and the kids can share a bedroom...Yes, my bed is big enough for you."
Jaywhisker chuckled as Mallowleaf slowly grew more and more flustered.
"I...yes. It's gonna go great! Everything is going to go well...No, I'm not nervous…I just...Alright, fine. I love you, Sparrowstorm. Say hi to the kids for me."
She hung up the phone.
"You fought in Iraq and stood down ARS by yourself. And even I can tell you're about to snap."
Mallowleaf sighed. "I know, it's just...It's been nearly a year since I've seen him and the kids and I just want everything to go right."
"How is he?"
"Holding up," she said, a gentle smile that only her husband could make her do brightening up her face, "It's tough...being the Ambassador of Lindisfarne and a father of three."
"Especially if they're your kids, I presume."
The captain yanked Jaywhisker's earlobe playfully.
"It's so crazy...They're almost all grown up...Soren's off to college next year, Talia is pon the Honor Roll and…"
"Kate's being Kate?"
"Basically."
"I've been meaning to ask," said Jaywhisker as they walked to the freshly-bussed kitchenette table, "Why can't we call them by those names? No offense but Snowy, Pine and Cliff just...don't have the same ring."
"War-Time Anonymous Act, sadly," said Mallowleaf, "I said long ago I only use their names when they're about to get grounded. Like how I sometimes call you Jacob Martinez."
Jaywhisker flinched at the use of the name. There was a reason no one called him by that anymore.
"Well, since you're here…"
"Sorry, can't," said Jaywhisker immediately, holding up the backpack, "I'm on assignment from the President."
"You can take a break 'Boy Genius,'" retorted Mallowleaf snarkily, "At least when Coalstrike and Seashell get back from the gym."
"Yeah, yeah, fine," said Jaywhisker as he walked to the elevator that led to the workshop.
A hand and retina scan later, the door opened to the bright blue workshop Jaywhisker called home base. Foxleap had so desperately wanted to call it Foxcave 3.0, but no one ever did. Seemed that he lost rights to the main thing jacking off his ego when he said he was going to slow down on inventing.
Speak of the devil…
Foxleap was fervently using the monitors in a haste that Jaywhisker hadn't seen in months. He was about to ask what he was making when he realized that he wasn't in the inventing software.
It was a jewelry store website.
Suppressing a sigh, Jaywhisker walked up to him.
"Subtle."
Foxleap jumped out of his seat, ready to punch the intruder, but relaxed as he saw his roommate.
"Don't ask."
"On the monitors?" snickered the boy, "Jesus, it's like you want the surprise to be ruined."
"I'm just nervous, okay?"
"Well, at least be subtle about it!"said Jaywhisker with a sympathetic chuckle, "If Russ finds you searching for an engagement ring, he'll bully you until the end of time. You're lucky he's at a sleepover tonight."
Foxleap sighed. "The toolbox is on the table with the saws."
"Why even buy her a ring?" said Jaywhisker, continuing his tirade as he walked to the toolbox, "You've been sleeping with her on and off for two years, even after she cheated on you! Why not buy her the whole damn store while you're at it?!"
At this point, Jaywhisker's disdain for Foxleap's love life didn't matter anymore. He'd been whining about them to whoever would listen every time he saw them cuddle up on the couch or get frisky in the workshop. And Foxleap's response had always been the same.
"Strong words coming from someone who's scientifically dumber than me."
He caught the wrench Jaywhisker threw before it whacked the back of his head.
"Careful what you say, Foxy," said Jaywhisker, who was not at all offended by the jab, "Cause now I have blackmail material."
"You won't"
"I will."
"Cause you won't be able to."
"And why is that?"
"Cause I'm me!" said Foxleap proudly, standing up to face his rival, "I built this motherfucking place! From the ground up! I have ways to shut you up!"
"I dunno," said Jaywhisker with a cocky smirk as he stepped into the elevator, "I can probably think of ways to break through, you amateur."
"Dumbass."
As the elevator doors closed, Jaywhisker flipped him off, getting the last laugh in the duel.
After waiting for a bit, Foxleap chuckled.
He would never admit it, but he missed his rivalry with Jaywhisker the most when he stepped away from the workshops. It was nice to exchange the banter once in a while.
And it definitely helped him get the upper hand when Jaywhisker's IQ was 178 and Foxleap's was 179.
He knew Jaywhisker wouldn't spill. He may be an asshole, but he was an asshole with class.
Ruffling his hair and adjusting his glasses, he turned back to the monitor to finally pick out Ivypool's engagement ring.
I know I've gone on about how much I miss writing Dusty, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss Jaywhisker. Just the way I've written him makes him so much fun.
What can I say? Crass dialogue is fun to the fucked up ones. And you may quote me on that.
What remains of the intros?
One more group to bring back into the spotlight.
And then it's plot time.
Nappy New Year, y'all.
Best,
~Res
