Superhero Tales Presents: Homepage

I smile as I pull my bike up to the rundown-looking lab on the outskirts of the city. I'm sure that if my classmates saw me, they'd ask 'Why is this girl so happy to be spending a wonderful summer's day at some lab?'. Oh, if only they knew, as awesome as a day at the beach or going roller-blading would be, I'd MUCH sooner be here.

My name is Olette Runnels. I guess I'm kind of an average teenager. Yeah, about as average as the daughter of a private eye can be, and I guess a little nerdier than the average teenage girl can be. I mean, I love computers, I'm a hacker, and I love to read, but other than that, I do average teenager stuff. Shopping, going out partying on occasion, and so on.

"Hey sweetie!" I hear as I enter the lab, a smile immediately forming on my face.

Ah yes, Cassie. Known to my classmates as Sasha, and known to the rest of the city as Starslip, one of its super-human protectors. The one who took my sorta average life and turned it upside down in all the most amazing ways. Granted, partially my fault.

I blush as I remember the day we were formally introduced. I've always been kind of shy about my body, so I usually go into the locker room for gym during break instead of when my classmates usually do. So, one day, I was going down to the locker room for just that, and to my surprise, the blonde hottie transfer student was there and getting changed into a superhero costume.

I feel bad thinking about what happened next, how I basically blackmailed her into being my date at Club 9000 to get the attention of some other girl. I'm almost certain the only reason Cassie agreed, beyond keeping her secret identity intact, was because of how pathetic I looked. Well, the date didn't exactly go according to plan, since said girl turned out to be a bitch, and Cassie had to save her sorry ass from a super-villain. And that's when the most wonderful thing in the world happened to me: I fell in love with Cassie.

"Morning, honey," I say, giving Cassie a quick kiss. "So, where's Geoff at?"

"Out," Cass replies. "Pretty sure he's checking out jobs again."

I smile sadly. Poor Geoffrey hasn't had very much luck finding jobs since coming back to St. Jean as the Green Defender, since there's not a ton of jobs out there that allow you to walk off whenever crime is afoot, or that will ask zero questions about why you need to constantly wear gloves. Still, I get why he looks, since he doesn't want to just continuously depend on the money being siphoned to us from Strix...especially since there's no way she can be legally acquiring the kind of money she has, unless she's some kinda multi-billionaire in her personal life.

"Well, with any luck, today should turn out bet-" I start to say before I hear the police radio near the computer, taking my seat. "...Looks like a robbery at the corner store on 11th Street."

"Probably shouldn't call Geoff," I hear Cassie say as she goes to the bookcase.

"Yeah, his job hunt is really important," I agree as I hear the bookcase slide back, "and these are just run of the mill crooks, not super-villains."

"Looks like Starslip is clocking in early," Cassie says confidently as she bends over to give me a peck on the cheek, now wearing her Starslip costume.

"Keep the comm link on," I say as she heads for the window.

"Yes, ma'am!" Starslip replies with a little salute before flying out the window and into the sky.

I roll my eyes before looking back to the computer monitors, hacking into the 11th Street corner store's security cameras, and Goddamn it, I love this job. How many teenagers get to hack security cameras and work with superheroes? Honestly? It's like the best job EVER.

Okay, yeah, every so often, there's a risk involved. Like, there was the time Toxin attacked Club 9000 and I decided to smack her with a fire extinguisher. Or the time Sap showed up at our school looking for Starslip and thought I was her because I smell like her or something weird like that. And then there was the time B3 attacked the mall eatery and my dad kinda got his leg messed up...Okay, THAT was bad, but what job doesn't have risks? I mean, it'd be like if I was a cop, right?

Anyway, it isn't long until Starslip arrives on the scene, landing on the roof. "How's it look in there?"

"Three goons," I answer, looking over the monitors. "Two breaking open crates in the back, and one at the cash register holding the cashier up with..."

My jaw hangs open at the sight of the weapon, zooming in the camera just to be sure. "...Oh my God. He has a Colt Dragoon Revolver?"

"Wonder if they still hold up?" Starslip asks cockily.

"Do NOT break the gun!" I insist. "That thing should be in a museum or...Oh God, my uncle's antique gun collecting has been passed down to me...I need to be shot up."

"Relax, I still love you," Cass replies, giggling.

Within moments, she phases through the roof and gets the drop on the guy with the gun, opting not to go with taking out the lights. I guess there's no point since there's plenty of light peering into the store. After kicking the lead guy in the head, knocking him out of the fight, she turns to face the two at the back as they draw guns.

"Cashier doesn't have crap for cover," I advise. "Don't phase through the bullets."

I see her give a tiny nod as the crooks open fire. Instead of passing through her, they instead impact into her hard and fall flattened to the ground, like they hit titanium or something. Like morons, they keep firing until they run out of ammo, Starslip giving a little shrug and a wink before hurling a goop disc at them, ensnaring them both.

"Sorry guys, but you won't be gooing anywhere any time soon," Starslip says, and I cannot help but roll my eyes at the lame pun.
"N-No!" I stammer. "I-I mean yes! I mean, I'd love to work for The Hexagon, but I don't have the tech for that sort of job! And even if I did, there's gotta be more experienced hackers that could do the job and aren't still in high school!"

"I can provide the additional equipment, and show you how to use it," Strix quickly replies. "As for your lack of experience, I'm afraid our field of work leaves the list of possible employees limited. Not many people that would keep our secrets, you know."

"I...guess I understand," I say hesitantly.

"Now, of course, your work here in St. Jean would HAVE to take priority," Strix continues, my mind continuously feeling blown away, "but for scenarios where Green Defender is working with us, or crime is at a low point, I'm sure you could make time to assist us."

"...Uh-huh..." I say, nodding.

"Excellent," Strix says, putting a hand to my shoulder and snapping me out of my haze. "I'll have the equipment brought to you as soon as possible. Oh, and I'll be sure to contact the owners of your browser."

I blink, giving my head a quick shake. "...My browser?"

"Yes, GD said he was having technical issues?" Strix elaborates. "The homepage button isn't working?"

"Right, right, I remem-..." I stop, my mind stuck on a word. "...That's it."

Strix tilts her head. "What's it?"

"Homepage," I explain. "That's what I've been trying to think of."

"A case you've been working on?" Strix asks, giving a surprisingly warm smile for such a fearsome image.

I smile back, blushing a little. "Something like that."

"...O, pick-up?"

My eyes perk up, spinning around in my chair to the computer. "What's the situation, GD?"

"Mobsters trying to break outta their cells," he replies. "Think you could hack into their security cameras?"

"On it," I reply, doing my magic. "...Strix, do you feel like a cup of tea, or...?"

I turn back to face Strix, only to be greeted by nothing, hearing GD scoff over the comm. "...She get you too, O?"

Looking at the floor where Strix once stood, I notice it: A yellow post-it note. Kneeling down, I pick it up and read the small handwriting, letting out a small smirk.

'Welcome aboard.'

"...Looks like..." I reply. "...Oh, and GD? It's 'Homepage' from now on."