Super Sales on Super Heroes: Book 2

Chapter 2 - Now Hiring -

Several days later and everything was up and running.

Now it felt almost as if he were in the Skippercity HQ.

Minus Andrea and Lily.

Felix shook his head to clear the thought. It didn’t help any, and it would only make the situation worse for him to dwell on it.

The best cure for morose thoughts was work.

And work we have aplenty.

Looking to his display he called up his itinerary and began to read through it.

Andrea had marked out everything he needed to take care of for the week.

Lily had updated his points calendar to reflect his upcoming meetings and Legion needs.

Kit had sent him all the appropriate documents and talking points.

Everything was prepared in advance for him. Now he just had to start hiring for the pawnshop, recruiters, and their other ventures.

The overarching goal was to make the lives of Legionnaires comfy.

This of course was actually all secondary.

Yes, these were all valid things that they wanted to accomplish. But the real reason they were here in Tilen was that it had an active Heroes guild location.

During her time as a prisoner, Kit managed to siphon a good bit of information off of her captors. Unfortunately it was all done through conversation and being observant.

Nothing was ever directly confirmed.

That device they made her wear really did a fair job of keeping her locked in her own mind, unfortunately.

From everything that they’d been able to piece together, their enemies wanted Kit herself.

Felix was a means to an end for them. They’d even gone and deemed him as necessary collateral damage.

Their goal was simple. They were going to kill him to break the contract. Once that was done, Kit would be put into a limbo state with the government.

Beyond that, nothing was said. The assumption everyone in Legion was working off of was that they wanted to secret her away before anyone was the wiser. Before the government of Skippercity could reclaim her.

And yet, there really was no reason stated for this whole thing. At least that they discussed. No clue, no hint. Nothing. Not a word.

Or even how Kit had ended up with Skipper, and then been sold.

It didn’t make sense.

The guild only wanted Augur. No one, and nothing, else. She was apparently so important, no one had even bothered to simply ask Felix if they could purchase her.

That’s the world though. Full of fools. Supers, Villains, and unpowereds alike.

Wouldn’t have sold her anyways. Too damn important to me.

Have I told her that?

Standing up, and chasing his thoughts away before he could settle on any one, Felix buttoned his coat and gave his lapels a quick tug.

“Need to tell her how important she is to me,” Felix muttered. Lifting his hands up he smacked his cheeks with his hands. “Time to go put on a show.”

Walking out of the small office they’d let him prepare in, Felix set off for the school gymnasium.

The halls were quiet as he passed, but up ahead was a roar and crash of noise. He knew it was hundreds of excited teenage voices talking at the same time.

This assembly had been scheduled by Lily in advance. All she’d had to do was promise a few things. The first was that all applicants of Tilen High would be given preferential status over other applicants for Legion entry level positions for the next six months.

Second was of course a small donation that the school didn’t ask for, but didn’t decline.

All to test a contract, and how to teach people quickly.

Pushing the double doors open, Felix stepped out into the gym.

Plastering on his best customer service smile, remembering to crinkle his eyes slightly at the corners in the parody of a genuine smile, he headed for the center.

Standing there were Victoria, Lauren, Miu, and Kit.

No wonder there’s so much discussion. Every guy here is probably wondering how to get a chance to talk to them.

“Everyone, settle down,” said a man in a suit with a microphone. He was fairly average in all things, with brown wavy hair and blue eyes.

He apparently did have some credit with the student body though, as they all quieted down in decent order.

“We have a guest speaker today. He’ll be talking to you about his company branching into our fair city of Tilen, and an offer he’s making to Tilen High specifically. Please help me welcome Felix Campbell. Owner and CEO of Legion.”

There was a moment of silence, followed by a respectful amount of applause.

Smiling, Felix bowed his head incrementally to the principal and shook his hand when he got close.

“Thank you. And thank you, Tilen High,” Felix said, taking the microphone and holding it up. “I’m here today because Legion is expanding. We’re setting up a branch right here in Tilen.”

Several hands shot up into the air and Felix couldn’t help but grin.

“We’ll save questions for the end, but I’m sure I can guess a few.

“Yes, I’m from Skippercity.

“Yes, I own slaves.

“Yes, the beautiful woman standing next to me is Augur.

“Yes, Mab is in my employ, as well as War Maiden, and Myriad.

“No, they aren’t here today.

“How many questions did I answer with that?”

Looking around, he saw almost all of the hands drop down.

“Great, save those questions for the end though, as I might answer a few as we go. Have no fear, this’ll be a quick assembly. Even though some of you might wish it was longer,” Felix said with a chuckle.

There was a collective snicker at that.

Everyone loved assemblies. It meant they didn’t have to do anything.

“Legion is hiring. We’re looking to hire many of you. This’ll not just be pawnshop jobs either. We’re hiring into all departments and aspects of Legion,” Felix said. Moving to the other end of the gym, he made sure to look to both sides of his audience. Trying to bring them all in.

“Because of course some of you are wondering how you could ever work at Legion with no experience. We’re going to be showcasing a new training methodology we’re perfecting. Should you be hired on, this is something you’d be given access to. Miu?”

Turning to look to his internal security chief he gave her a smile.

With a glance to the other set of double doors that led out to a patio, Miu said something into her headset.

The doors swung open, and four men and five women came into the gym, wheeling in a large platform. It looked like a bathroom stall with a roof and only a single door.

“Inside of this is that very same methodology we just spoke of. I’ll first need several volunteers. I won’t be selecting anyone though. In fact, you can elect your own volunteers and send them up. Those lucky volunteers will get to see it firsthand, and experience it.”

Felix turned away from the crowd. With a few swift steps he reached the spot his people were setting up.

“We all set, Kit?” Felix asked, thumbing the mute button on the microphone.

“Yes. I’ve also been scanning the area. There are several Heroes spying on us. It would seem choosing this location really was ideal. Picking the high school directly across from the Heroes guild hall was a solid idea,” Kit said with a smirk.

“Hey… before we go any further in this. I just wanted to say, you’re important to me. Very. Don’t ever think you’re not,” Felix said, catching Kit’s eyes with his own.

“O-oh. I see. Yes. Thank you,” she said, breaking her gaze away after a second.

Lifting the microphone back to his mouth, Felix turned around to his audience. Two young teenage boys and a girl were walking his way.

“Ah, good show, good show. Congratulations and welcome! You’ll be our first job applicants. Though I’m afraid, it’ll be for today only, and the skillset you learn won’t be of much use. Well, maybe,” Felix said, grinning.

Several of his assistants had left and now came back carrying boxes of varying sizes. Some so large it took two people to move them.

“Alright, you, Mr. Letterman jacket. Pick a box,” Felix said waving a hand at the parcels being set down.

“Uh… sure,” said the kid.

Walking over to a medium sized one, he picked it up and looked to Felix.

“Go ahead, open it,” Felix encouraged. Moving over to stand beside the young man, he tilted the mic towards him.

“Kay. Uh…” Pausing, he opened the box and peered inside. “It’s a… Rubik’s cube?”

“Great. Ever solve one of those before?”

“No. They uh… they don’t make sense to me.”

“Perfect. First, I have to ask you to sign this waiver. It’s very simple. This is your agreement that you’re allowing us to train you in… how to solve a Rubik’s cube. To do that, we have to go into your head, put the training and experience there, and then get back out.

“It also says that this training will only last for a year. And everyone here just heard me say this, and that’s the legally binding contract. I’ve had your faculty read over this beforehand of course, and they felt it was acceptable.

“Of course, it does say that you won’t be sharing any of what you see in that teaching booth with anyone else.”

Almost on cue, the principal nodded his head and gave a thumbs up.

Thanks, Chief. Remind me to actually use this school as a recruiting grounds instead of just on paper.

“Uh. Ok. I just… sign?”

“Yep, right there,” Felix said, pointing to the specific line. He took the Rubik’s cube from the boy and began mixing it up.

Lauren held out a pen to Mr. Letterman, who took it and signed his name. Which was apparently Jeff.

“Go ahead and open that door there, Jeff, step behind the curtain, and follow the instructions.”

“Kay.”

Real conversationalist there. Destined for a job in a back room.

Jeff opened the door and stepped in. One of Miu’s people shut the door.

“Now, folks, this’ll really only take a minute. So while he’s doing that, how about you two go pick a box?”

The girl immediately went to the largest box and set about opening it.

The other boy picked up a small sized one.

He managed to get his open first and held out his prize.

“How to speak Japanese,” he said curiously.

“Oh, that’ll be fun,” Felix said.

The girl yanked the side off the box and stared at what looked like a desk with tools on it.

“Woodworking. I wonder what you’ll build for us. Maybe you’ll be an undiscovered artist,” Felix said with a laugh.

The door to the training cell opened, and Jeff stepped out. He looked a touch dazed, but fine.

Hm. Need to check on the skill books and see if converting them into a video format changed a few things. The books worked for the Telemedics after all.

“Ah, good. Here ya go, Jeff. Solve this as fast as you can,” Felix said, tossing him the mixed up Rubik’s cube.

Jeff looked down at it, confused.

In the next moment, his eyes focused on the cube and his hands started moving. Rotating and shifting the cube faster and faster.

In under a minute, he solved the cube and held it up.

“I did that? I did that… I can solve a Rubik’s cube,” Jeff said with a laugh.

“Here, try again. Each one you solve in under a minute I’ll give you a fifty for,” Felix said. Pivoting on his heel, he took an open box from one of the assistants. Inside were ten Rubik’s cubes.

Setting it down in front of Jeff, he turned back to Kit as the second boy was being escorted into the cell. Thumbing the mute button he gave her a critical look.

“It’s working. I can read everything in their heads. Without them even knowing. Check your point values?” Kit asked.

Nodding his head, Felix turned back to the Rubik’s cube master.

Focusing in on Jeff, Felix wanted to know what it would cost to change Jeff’s hair color.

But only if he owned Jeff. Not a hypothetical option.

Physical change: Blue Hair

Required Ownership: (Met)

Required Permission: (Met)

Change?(400)

Below that was the accept button.

The contract worked, and the training worked when changed to a video format instead of a book.

Which meant they could probably train an entire class at the same time.

“We’re golden,” Felix said, dismissing the window.

Kit gave him a relieved smile and then nodded her head.

Holding up an arm, Felix pointed to the two doors his people had come in from.

“Those who want to see the other two lessons may of course remain,” Felix said into the mic. “Those who want to find out what departments are hiring in Legion, all of them, and speak to someone about that, step right on outside.”

Two of the movers had anticipated his statement and were waiting at the doors. As soon as he invited everyone outside, they opened the doors. Light from outside flooded into the gym.

“Thank you, everyone, for your attention, we’re going to move to the Q and A session now. All questions regarding certain departments should be taken to their respective booths. Generalized questions to HR.” Felix stopped next to one of his people. “Or you can speak directly to me if you like. Enjoy the career fair. I hear the corndogs are awesome.”

Handing over the mic to the black suited man, Felix walked outside.

All around him were booths and tables. Decorated and labeled by their respective departments. From janitorial to HR. Motorpool to security. Everything was here.

Victoria was beside him, matching him pace for pace. His destination was obvious. There was a booth at the center of everything that had one empty chair behind it.

The placard on the top of the booth read “applications.” Beyond that was an area with arranged tables, chairs, pens, and men and women waiting on hand for questions.

Felix could smell the sweet siren call of the food stands off to both sides. Everything was free to anyone who could provide their school ID.

We really did go all out on this.

“I think we’re going to be drowning in applicants,” Victoria said from his side.

“That’s a good thing. If we can catch them out of high school, and do it right, they’ll never want to leave,” Felix said, nodding his head.

Moving around to the back of the booth, Felix sat down in the chair. He didn’t bother to offer the other one to Victoria, she wouldn’t take it.

She’d be too busy staring everyone down who came close.

Instead, he picked up a stack of applications and a pen. Giving the top of it a click he checked to make sure the ink could write.

Sighing, he retracted the pen tip and set it down next to his right hand, arranged the stack of applications, then folded his hands one over the other.

High schoolers were spilling out of the doors in droves. They were looking around as they went, and then heading immediately to whatever booth they were interested in.

“Hm. How are things?” Felix asked to Victoria.

“Same as ever. I did catch a few Powereds trying to get in close. I made sure that they understood there was a limit to my patience,” Victoria said. “The change in my secondary power helped,” Victoria amended softly.

“Wasn’t that big a deal. We just moved your observations to heightened reflexes. Didn’t even cost much. Though… do you find yourself fighting it at times? Is it an always on kind of thing? I know you said it’s almost as if time slows down when you’re pushing it.”

“It’s controllable for the most part. I find myself knowing things I don’t want to. Smells, changes in body posture, pupils constricting, increase in heart rate. All signs of people lying or… or other things. Overall though, very beneficial. Definitely makes it much easier to babysit you,” Victoria said with a smile in her voice.

“I’ll give you something to babysit,” Felix said. “Maybe I’ll decide we need to go on a late night trip to a fast food joint at two am and I’ll be eating on the curb.”

Victoria snorted at that and didn’t respond.

Yeah, pretty unlikely.

From inside the press of teenagers, a small open area formed at the back.

Grinning, he already knew it was Miu and Kit. They were the only people he knew who could make a path like that without hurting people.

Proving his thoughts true, Miu and Kit stepped out of the throng of young people.

Catching Kit’s eyes, Felix smiled genuinely.

“Your heartrate sped up and you’re leaning forward. I’m not sure which one has you so interested, or both, but your tongue might as well be hanging out,” Victoria said softly. “The problem with me noticing these things, though, is I’m sure Kit has read my thoughts and knows these things as well.”

Felix froze as he processed all that.

Then he shrugged.

“Don’t care, they’re both extremely attractive in their way. Besides, Miu can read lips. She just doesn’t like to let people know. Don’t you, Miu, you beautiful tiny princess who I’d like to see in a pair of yoga pants and a sports bra,” Felix said.

Miu tripped over nothing, catching herself immediately as her face turned a deep scarlet.

“See?” Felix asked with a snicker.

“You’re a horrible man,” Victoria replied.

“Only with Miu. She’s a delight to prod at because her reactions are so… sincere. It’s not my normal disposition to flirt,” Felix said honestly. “All of my previous girlfriends asked me out first.”

It really wasn’t his inclination to be the aggressor. Almost all of his relationships were something someone else initiated.

Kit had turned her attention to Miu and was making sure she was alright. Only letting it drop when they stood in front of Felix.

“Well,” Kit began. “Everything is pretty much what we suspected. There’s a few memories here of people seeing me across the street. Or hearing of me being there. We’re on the right track.”

“Great. That’s what we were hoping to confirm. One step closer to finding out what they wanted you for. One step closer to getting them off our asses,” Felix said grimly.

“Sorry. We can—”

“Stop talking,” Felix said, interrupting her, pointing a finger at her. His eyes turned cold and dangerous. “Not a word. You’re important to me, and I’ll not hand you over to people who blow up schools to justify their goals. They’re petty, stupid, and intolerant. That’d be like someone dropping a nuke on Skippercity,” Felix said hotly.

“What?” Victoria asked, shocked. “That’s just stupid.”

“You and I would agree. But there are some crazy, very stupid, very basic, low IQ individuals who would do something like that. They’d damn hundreds of thousands of people, to take out one villain. Poison the earth for hundreds of years. Kill thousands upon thousands with the radioactive fallout afterward. All for one villain who was in control of a city, and running it, rather well all things considered.

“It sounds insane, and bizarre, but there are those people out there. Some upper echelon nutjob with a name like… Corinne, David, Victor, or Noah. Yeah,” Felix said with a sigh, naming off previous employees he remembered.

Everyone collectively shook their heads at the thought of it.

“Anyways, that’s beside the point. Don’t even think to offer up a suggestion like turning yourself over, as that’s pure idiocy.

“Besides, you’re not even a slave anymore. You’re only indentured. You were able to break your contract the moment you came to Tilen with me,” Felix said, looking back to Kit again.

It’d be a heck of a break price, but you could do it.

The telepath said nothing and merely stared back at him.

Then with a small smile she nodded her head a fraction. “And here I’ll remain. You’re not a Hero, Felix, but you’re not a Villain either.”

“Pretty much. Just a guy looking out for his own. Oh, here we go,” Felix said with a bit of excitement in his voice.

A group of six teenagers were walking up to his booth, questions in their faces, arms braced against themselves with nervous energy.

Felix gave them a smile and waited. Whatever questions they had, he’d answer them honestly.

And with any luck, I’ll be giving them an application.

Forty minutes later and Felix had managed to clear his queue. He had doubted that it was going to last as long as it had, but he was glad to have finished up that group fully.

No sooner than they cleared out, Jeff came trundling up with a wheeled trashcan. Behind him was two younger girls who vaguely resembled Jeff. Each one of them had a trashcan they were pulling as well.

“Jeff, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Felix asked. He leaned over his desk and set his chin on his folded hands, watching.

“I wanted to collect on that deal. You didn’t give me a time limit or anything so…” Jeff said hesitantly.

“Go on,” Felix said. He already figured out what Jeff had done and was doing his best not to laugh.

“So I went across the street. There’s a toy store. I bought as many as I could afford and… solved them,” Jeff said. He pulled his trash can over to Felix and lifted the lid.

Inside was nothing but solved Rubik’s cubes.

Unable to help himself, Felix started to laugh. Looking up at Jeff, he clapped his hands together a few times.

“Well done. You’re absolutely right, and I’ll pay out. On the condition that you put in an application, Jeff. I like that kind of thinking. Quite a bit,” Felix said.

He needed more people to throw into Lily’s department. Smart creative thinkers were dangerous in legal departments.