SIXTH CHAPTER

The next morning, sipping her coffee, Principal Powers enters her office and is ready for the start of a new day—but not for the day that awaits her. Checking her messages, Powers finds a video link from Nurse Spex—one that has also been sent to every member of staff, every student and every parent. With a feeling of dread, she starts the message.

"Hello, most of you know me as Nurse Spex, the dedicated school nurse at Sky High for the last 27 years. But in 1953 I was Olive Donnelly, a senior attending the old mountain top version of the school. Most of you have heard the official report of how the school was destroyed by a fire. A precious few of you know the truth, that the school was destroyed in a viscous attack by a mercenary army. There were 25 of us there that day, unarmed and inexperienced, facing an enemy that was determined to kill us all. In the end, although we were outnumbered twenty to one, we prevailed. Nine Sky High students died that day and the rest of us were wounded. You may be wondering why you have never heard of this battle. It's because the school board of Sky High has, for over half a century, been engaged in a cover up of that day. All the records of the battle of '53 are kept in the secret documents vault in the school library. Please, I urge you, if you care about truth and justice, gather this morning at the school library. Demand that the files of 1953 be made public. Thank you."

Powers sighs and shakes her head sadly. "God, this is going to cause so much trouble." The communicator on her desk buzzes and reluctantly she answers it. The image of a masked super hero, dressed in black, appears.

"Powers, have you seen it?"

"Yes Mr. Chairman, I just finished reviewing the message."

"I told you that old woman was trouble. We should have gotten rid of her years ago, but you kept begging to give her another chance."

"I'm sorry sir, this is all my fault. After all these years, I was certain Spex was ready to give in on this matter. What do you want me to do?"

"Fire her immediately, cancel school and send all the students home. Have the entire staff assemble in the library in case someone decides to try to force the vault. I'm on my way up there, and later we will issue a statement saying Spex was dismissed due to senility, and that she is under a doctor's care."

"Will that work?"

"Of course. People will be ready to believe one old woman lost her marbles rather than lose trust in an institution they've relied on all their lives. See you in an hour."

The screen goes blank and Powers turns to her computer. Immediately she begins sending out instructions to teachers, bus drivers, staff and most important of all, a summons-to-report for Nurse Spex.

X X X X X

An hour later, Joan approaches an obscure corridor along the back outer wall of the school. There she finds her great aunt waiting.

"I hear you're a popular person this morning."

Spex laughs, "Using everything from e-mails to carrier pigeons, Principal Powers keeps calling me to her office. No doubt to fire me."

"No doubt. Shall we get started?"

"Gladly."

Focusing her x-ray vision on the spy sphere above Joan, it takes only moments for the device to start to smoke, give off sparks and then crash to the floor.

"Way to go Aunt Olive."

"It feels good to be back in action."

At that moment, they are joined by Ramirez and Peace.

Joan asks, "Is everything ready?"

Peace replies, "We welded the steel plates used in emergency repairs over every direct way to this junction. To get to here from the library, the staff will have to completely circle the school."

Ramirez adds, "By then we should be free and clear."

They are suddenly joined by a tall, aloof blonde.

"Who the hell is this?" Joan asks.

Peace replies, "This is my, uh, special friend- Josie."

"I'm planning to go by the name Freeze Girl."

"I get it. Instead of borrowing a couple of freeze ray pistols from the mad science lab as we planned, you recruited her."

Freeze Girl says, "The mad science lab is too well guarded, and I can generate far more cold than any mechanical device. Besides, there's nothing I wouldn't do for my dear Warren."

Joan shrugs. "Okay, welcome to the team. Aunt Olive, have you located the right spot?"

Nurse Spex points to a place on the wall, and after a mighty tug by Joan, all the plaster-like material comes away—revealing a massive steel wall. Olive uses a can of spray paint to mark out a small circle.

"This is the back wall of the vault. There are relatively few sensors and security devices back here because no one thought this much armored plate could be penetrated. Still, to avoid setting off any alarms, you must keep your heat blasts confined to this circle." Spex warns.

Ramirez remarks, "That's not going to be a very big entrance."

Spex sighs, "It's the biggest we dare make."

Peace says, "After the two of us heat this spot white hot…"

Freeze girl adds, "I blast it with all the cold I can muster."

"Which should make it as brittle as glass. One punch by me and we have my way in." Joan concludes.

Ramirez asks, "After you squeeze through, how will you avoid the security measures? They'll hit you with every weapon known to mad science."

Spex answers, "I've already x-rayed the interior and have provided Joan with a map of where she can safely step. Unfortunately, there's no way to avoid the alarm on the individual file safe."

"However, there's a two second delay while the computer analyzes the threat level and chooses an appropriate response. In theory, that's enough time for me to grab the files and jump back through the hole. Then we run straight down the corridor to the computer lab and begin scanning pages onto the school's website. With the truth finally out, Sky High will have no choice but to give the class of '53 the honor due them, and Vortex can finally be at peace."

Joan briefly glances at a nearby corner where Fred Jarboe leans with his arms folded. The ghost shrugs.

Moments later, Ramirez and Peace begin applying concentrated heat to the one small spot on the wall. The others step back as the heat becomes unendurable. Soon the steel wall goes from a cherry red to a white heat so intense, it is difficult to look at. Triumphantly, the pair steps back.

"My turn." Freeze Girl says as she begins applying intense cold. The metal cools so rapidly, the corridor is filled with snapping and popping sounds.

"And now it's up to me." Joan says. As she approaches the wall, a voice calls out behind her…

"I wouldn't do that young lady. Not if you want to stay healthy."

As a group, the five turn to see who has caught them. In front there is a muscular super hero clad in black, wearing a utility belt and a pair of ray guns. On either side of him is the famous duo, Jetstream and The Commander. Behind them stand Principal Powers and a gloating Mr. Medulla.

TBC/Please review