FIFTH CHAPTER
The next day in the cafeteria Joan sits alone, as usual, with Medulla's spy sphere hovering over head. Exiting the cafeteria line, Peace and Ramirez hesitate a moment and then approach Joan's table.
"Mind if we join you?" Peace asks.
"Not as long as you don't mind our conversation being recorded. Ramirez, I hear you had a remarkable recovery."
"Mr. Medulla says I was never burned. That it was all in my head."
"And the flames that covered your body, were they imaginary too?"
Peace says, "Medulla is stonewalling us, but you seem to know what is going on. I clearly heard you say…"
"Wait… we need to eliminate my watchdog before we go any further."
Ramirez laughs, "I'll gladly crisp it for you."
"No, this is something I've been looking forward to."
Joan removes a small pebble from her pocket, pops it into her mouth, and taking a deep breath, exhales through pursed lips with all her strength. The pebble shoots out with the speed of a bullet and the spy sphere is easily destroyed. Students from nearby tables notice and start to clap and cheer.
Peace notes, "We only have a few minutes before Medulla dispatches a replacement."
"Just before I burst into flames, you yelled: NO, leave her alone! Who were you talking to?" Ramirez asks.
"A ghost. I have the ability to communicate with them."
Peace scoffs, "There's no such thing as ghosts, and even if there were, why would one attack Ramirez?"
"As a warning of worse things to come. What do you guys know about the Sky High class of 1953?"
Ramirez answers, "Just the standard history. That was the last year the school was on the ground. A fire destroyed the school and all records from that year were lost."
"That's the official story, but it's all a lie. In '53 a mercenary army led by a super villain named General Fanatic attacked the school and tried to kill everyone there. Nine students died defending the school. The ghost of one of those killed has been haunting Sky High ever since. He waits for the appropriate recognition of their sacrifice. Instead there's been decades of lies and cover-ups."
Peace indignantly says, "That's not possible. Heroes live by a code of honor that we place higher than our lives. Truth and Justice are one and two on the list."
"So you can see how pissed the ghost would be."
Ramirez asks, "Even if what you say is true, how big a risk are we facing? What could he do to us?"
"He's an entity without physical constraints who still has control of his powers. He could destroy this school. He could kill everyone here."
Peace asks, "Would he do that? After all, he gave his life to save Sky High."
"And this school in turn betrayed him. Yeah, I'd say he was just angry enough to no longer care."
"Shouldn't we warn the administration?" Ramirez asks.
"Do you think they would believe us? And even if they did, do they know how to deal with an angry ghost?"
Peace asks, "So what do we do?"
"All the information on the true story of the class of '53 is hidden in the secret documents vault in the library. Originally I planned to just rip the door off and liberate the secret files. However, my great aunt Olive, whom you know as Nurse Spex, x-rayed the interior for me. The vault is huge and is riddled with booby traps, security gizmos and multiple alarm systems. The teaching staff, who are all ex-heroes, plus every active duty hero within a hundred miles of Maxville, would respond and stop me. Without those files, I can't prove my case and can't pressure the school to build the memorial."
Ramirez hesitantly asks, "You want us to help you break into the vault? Look, I believe you. Of all people, I know I experienced a supernatural phenomenon, but what you're asking could get us kicked out of school."
Peace remarks, "That's better than there being no school. I'm in."
Ramirez sighs, "I guess I am too. What do you need?"
Joan removes a couple of file folders from her backpack and passes them over to the two heat-specialists heroes.
"I have a plan. Review it and let me know through my aunt if you'll do it."
Peace asks, "You knew in advance that we would seek you out and be open to this idea?"
"A couple of HEROES who place truth and justice above their own lives? Yeah, that was an easy call. Now you better scoot. I see Medulla's replacement spy headed this way."
Ramirez and Peace quickly leave the table as the new spy sphere takes its' place above Joan's head. Joan turns and speaks to the ghost of Fred Jarboe, who has been sitting next to her all along.
"Well Vortex, satisfied?"
Vortex answers, "Your plan is working so far, so I will hold off on my revenge. But if your plan fails, I will have justice. This school will pay the price."
"And what of the innocent lives here?"
"You speak to me of innocence? We were innocent teenagers who were left behind—left to battle an evil enemy bent on our destruction. And how did this school react to our bravery and sacrifice? They were ashamed of us! We became their dirty little secret. For decades I've watched my comrades, one by one, cross over to the other side, and without exception, they have all been bitter about this school's hypocritical cover up."
"I get it, and I agree. Sky High has treated your entire class unfairly, but that's going to change. My plan will work, and you will have what you seek."
"Very well, I'll give you this last chance. But if your plan fails, I will destroy Sky High."
"No matter what, I won't let that happen."
"We will see, Joan Girardi. We will see."
With that the ghost drops straight through the floor and is gone. Sighing, Joan resumes her lunch.
Meanwhile, in his private office next to the mad science lab, Mr. Medulla has monitored Joan's latest conversation. He had been amused by the way she had destroyed his first spy sphere, but this new development was alarming. She was having conversations with an imaginary person!
Quickly, Medulla does an info search on his computer for anyone named Vortex. The Sky High database simply lists Vortex as a classified subject by the authority of the school's board of directors. Medulla shrugs and fully accepts this, for the world of super heroes is one filled with secrets.
No matter. Why Girardi believes she is talking to this Vortex person is unimportant. Her delusional state is the immediate problem. Medulla sends an e-mail to Principal Powers recommending a full review by the school psychiatrist of the mental stability of Joan Girardi.
TBC/Please review