Spider Quinn 19 Making the News Amidst the Storms Part 2

 

Quinn entered the office to find the principal busy with paperwork.

 

“Ms. Morgendorffer?” she asked.

 

Quinn placed a copy of the Lowdown on her desk. “I’m sure you’re aware of the article quoting me saying something about Kevin Thompson.”

 

“I knew you would come here today, once I read the Lowdown.”

 

“I’d like you to allow Ted to print a retraction.”

 

“That is a massive step, Ms. Morgendorffer. Are you sure?” Li asked.

 

“Of course I’m sure.”

 

“Give me a reason why?”

 

Quinn leaned forwards. “Because there are likely false rumors spreading and Daria and I might tell our mother that you’re allowing libelous articles to be published.”

 

The Principal looked annoyed. “Fine! I will allow Mr. Dewit-Clinton to print a retraction. As far as I know, the Lowdown has never printed a retraction before!”

 

“There’s a first time for everything,” Quinn said as she turned to leave.

 

 

Angela thought after Quinn left, and grabbed the Lowdown. She re-read the article. ‘I can see how that can be misinterpreted,’ she thought and switched on the PA system. “Ted Dewit-Clinton, please report to the Principal’s office.”

 

 

Daria heard the principal call Ted to her office as she got her food. ‘I guess Quinn managed to get her to print a retraction,’ she thought.

 

She approached the usual table to find Jane Lane and Sandi starring daggers at each other. ‘But what else is new,’ she thought. Harry wasn’t there yet and she saw that Tania Ashworth was sitting with her usual friends on the other side of the cafeteria.

 

“Hey, Daria,” Jane said.

 

Daria sat down next to Jane and across from Sandi. “A lot of interesting things today.”

 

“Do tell,” Jane prompted.

 

“Oh, you know, the attention that SpiderGirl is getting in the media.”

 

“I was out for a run when Anders made her announcement, but Trent told me later,” Jane responded.

 

“It seems that you have running at night a lot lately,” Sandi commented.

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jane asked with an annoyed tone.

 

“That, like, it’s dangerous,” Sandi responded.

 

“There hasn’t been that much crime in my neighborhood,” Jane said with a shrug. “Besides, it helps keep my mind off recent experiences.”

 

“I suppose,” Sandi said.

 

“Anyway,” Daria said. “And then there is the Sun-Herald questioning her motivation.”

 

“I read it,” Sandi said. “Why they are focusing on her, I don’t know.”

 

“The article did mention her partnership with Ninja Talon,” Jane said.

 

“That’s a good point. But it only mentioned the remaining three in passing, which I suppose is just as well,” Daria said.

 

“Good,” Jane said.

 

“I agree,” Sandi said.

 

‘I’m sure that the Enigma will remain the ‘fourth vigilante’ to most for now,’ Daria thought with a brief glance at Sandi. ‘But still, all this attention on SpiderGirl isn’t good.’

 

 

Harry arrived at the table to see the three discussing the media attention SpiderGirl was getting. ‘That’s not surprising,’ he thought as he sat next to Sandi and across from Jane.

 

“I heard about Quinn and Kevin.”

 

“Quinn was about to talk to Ted about that when I left the Lowdown office earlier,” Daria said. “I’m sure she has already talked to Li about it.”

 

“But I’ve already heard many rumors,” Harry said.

 

“Like, I’m sure Tori is already hard at work quashing them,” Sandi said.

 

“Of course.”

 

 

At the same time, Ted arrived at the principal’s office.

 

“I’m sure you know why I called you here.”

 

“Yes. I messed up a little and didn’t read Jamie’s article thoroughly,” Ted admitted.

 

“I thought it was something like that, Mr. Dewit-Clinton. That is part of the reason why I’m allowing you to print a retraction as Ms. Morgendorffer requested. But I expect you to have due diligence in future. Do I make myself clear?”

 

“Absolutely Ms. Li.”

 

“Good. That is all.”

 

 

Kevin entered the cafeteria as he heard Ms. Li call Jamie to his office. ‘I wonder what that’s about,’ he thought as he looked around for Quinn.

 

 

“Uh oh!” Tori said. “Kevin at Three O’clock.”

 

Quinn looked and saw him coming over. “But you’ve been countering the rumors, right?”

 

“Of course,” Tori answered.

 

“Hey, Quinn?” Kevin said.

 

“No! Kevin!” Quinn said, as she stood up. “Whatever you might have read, or heard, I don’t think you’re cute.”

 

“But didn’t Jamie say in the Lowdown that…” Kevin began, but Quinn interrupted.

 

“He did say something, but he got it wrong,” Quinn said.

 

“Wrong?” Kevin asked in his usual dumbfounded manner.

 

“I’m not interested in you that way,” Quinn answered.

 

“But why would it be in the paper if it’s wrong?” Kevin asked.

 

“Because Jamie wasn’t careful and neither was Ted,” Tori answered.

 

“I guess so, but Quinn, you want to go to Chez Pierre tomorrow night?” Kevin asked, with his stupid grin.

 

“What did I just say?” Quinn asked.

 

“But you go to Chez Pierre with a lot of guys,” Kevin insisted.

 

“Not recently,” Quinn said.

 

“Oh.”

 

“So, no,” Quinn said. “See you later.”

 

“Sure,” Kevin said as he turned away.

 

 

Stacy watched Kevin walk away. “I’m not sure that you convinced him, Quinn,” she said.

 

Quinn sighed. “I know.”

 

“I’ll keep saying that you don’t like him that way,” Tori added.

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

“Looks like, Kevin just tried to ask her out,” Sandi commented.

 

“I’m not sure that he got the message,” Daria said.

 

Jane shrugged. “Maybe she needs to be more forceful.

 

“Probably,” Daria said.

 

 

Jamie arrived at the Principal’s office.

 

“Come in, Mr. White.”

 

“Am I in trouble?”

 

“You could say that. I just have had to allow a retraction for the Lowdown for the first time in Lawndale High’s history, as far as I know.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“You misattributed Ms. Morgendorffer, Mr. White.”

 

“I know that now.”

 

“And I also hear that you want to do an interview with SpiderGirl,” the principal said.

 

Jamie nodded.

 

The principal lowered her voice. “That is something I will allow, if you can pull it off.”

 

“Really?” Jamie asked in surprise.

 

“Yes. Think of the honor and glory for Lawnda-ale High.”

 

‘Of course,’ Jamie thought.

 

 

After school, Quinn entered the library to find Angie Zammit waiting.

 

“I heard that Kevin asked you out,” Angie said as she opened her history textbook.

 

“I said that I don’t want to go out with him,” Quinn responded as she sat at the table.

 

“But did he get that message?”

 

“I’m not sure,” Quinn said with uncertainty. She knew that she had her work cut out for her there. ‘But what else is new?’

 

“Where were we?” Angie asked.

 

“Up to the early ‘70’s, with the Watergate scandal.”

 

“Got it.”

 

“You may see some relevance there,” Quinn said.

 

“Persistence of investigative journalism,” Angie considered.

 

“But this is different. If Mayor Lawson is taking bribes from Osborn I’d want to know about it.”

 

“But?”

 

“I wouldn’t want the Shadow, or Dafoanairi to be unmasked by a journalist,” Quinn said.

 

“I’m still not sure that the additional vigilantes are a good thing,” Angie said as she turned to the relevant page.

 

 

At the same time, Daria and Sandi changed to Dafoanairi and the Enigma on the school roof. “A long day,” Dafoanairi commented.

 

“Like, I did my part in quashing the rumors, but I didn’t expect to be doing so,” the Engima said.

 

“I thank you for that, although I know you still don’t like Quinn.”

 

“Quinn doesn’t deserve that hanging over her head. Besides, Brittany just broke up with him. It’s too soon for him to be chasing after others.”

 

“That’s true,” Dafoanairi said.

 

“But anyway, we need to focus on what Anders might do to try to get an interview with SpiderGirl.”

 

Dafoanairi looked out over the town. “Knowing her stunts, she would probably try to stage something to draw SpiderGirl out.”

 

“And therefore us out too?”

 

“Exactly. And that is what we’re going to look out for this afternoon.”

 

“You’ll be at the Historia this evening?” the Engima asked.

 

“Yes. Another rehearsal before tomorrow nights performance of Tempest. I have to figure out how to work with Brittany’s sprain.”

 

“I’m sure you will figure it out.’

 

“Thanks,” Dafoanairi said. “But if Anders was to pull off a stunt, where in town would it be?” She looked around, from the Giant Strawberry, to the Historia, to one of the apartment complexes in Lawndale Flats, and then back to the Lawndale Mall. ‘Either there or Cranberry Commons.’

 

“I’ll try downtown.”

 

“And I’ll try the Lawndale Mall.”

 

“Why there?” the Enigma asked.

 

“Easier to keep cover as one approaches.”

 

“Good point.”

 

 

The Enigma reached the Historia first. She took out her portable radio and waited. “Now, where would Lynn Anders be?”

 

She then looked down on the street, and saw Lynn Anders enter the Historia. ‘Too bad Dafoanairi headed to the Mall,’ she thought. ‘But maybe she’ll be needed there.’

 

 

“Lynn Anders?” Stacy asked as she saw the TV host approach the counter.

 

“That’s me. I’m sure you heard about my announcement last night, about SpiderGirl?”

 

“Yes, but why ask here?”

 

“Because, SpiderGirl is often seen here, including last week when that girl, Jane, was abducted,” Anders answered.

 

“Actually, it was Ninja Talon, Dafoanairi and the fourth.”

 

“Maybe, but SpiderGirl comes here. In fact, I’m certain that her secret identity is a regular.”

 

“I’m certain she would be. But I have no idea who she might be,” Stacy said, trying to not let her usual anxiety show.

 

“Maybe you don’t. But I could use this place to observe.”

 

 

Sandi entered the café and heard Anders say that she could use the Historia to observe. ‘Then I’ll keep an eye on you,’ she thought. ‘Another reason Daria and I need two way radios.’ She sighed and went up to the counter behind Anders.

 

 

“Are you going to order anything?” Stacy asked Anders as she saw Sandi line up behind her.

 

“Just an ordinary coffee,” Anders said. “I’d like to know how an anxious girl became a barista.”

 

“I may be anxious, but I’m capable,” Stacy retorted as she input Anders’ order into the register.

 

“Or it’s nepotism.”

 

Stacy ignored that and just gave Anders the price of her order.

 

 

“You handled that well, Stacy,” Sandi said.

 

“Amazing what one can do when they’re not in an oppressive club!” Stacy said with annoyance. “Now, can I take your order?”

 

“A latte. What do you think Anders is up to? Trying to get an interview with SpiderGirl?”

 

“Just as well I know you’re working with Daria to solve the mysteries.”

 

“Yes. And?” Sandi prompted.

 

“I’m not sure, and it’s the same with Jamie.”

 

“Don’t get me started about Jamie.”

 

“I did hear that you were trying to quash the rumors,” Stacy said, before giving Sandi the price of her order.

 

 

Dafoanairi arrived at the Lawndale Mall, which seemed rather normal. ‘Of course it does,’ she thought as she looked through one of the skylights. However, she then saw something. Some of the shoppers were running from something. She looked and saw that it was some kind of robotic pterodactyl. ‘More weird things in Lawndale!’ she thought as she went to the closest door downwards.

 

 

Sandi was waiting for her order, and occasionally looking at Anders, when she heard the news on the radio. “A robot pterodactyl is causing havoc in the Lawndale Mall. Dafoanairi has responded.”

 

‘Robot pterodactyl!’ Sandi thought. ‘But I’m sure that Daria would find who’s responsible before I could get there, even if a I jack a car.’ She didn’t want to resort to that.

 

“Here’s your latte, Sandi,” Stacy said.

 

“Thanks.”

 

“What was that about a pterodactyl?”

 

“Something Dafoanairi is fighting,” Sandi answered.

 

“More things…”

 

 

Dafoanairi looked at the robotic pterodactyl as it flew around the food court. ‘I can do something about this. I don’t need the Engima to knock it out with one of her projections, or SpiderGirl to catch it in a web.’ She looked at her quarterstaff. ‘I could damage it that way, but there is another way.’ She looked at one of her ropes. ‘I can use that. But it would be better to find whoever it is controlling it remotely. They would have to be nearby.’ She approached the area carefully and looked around.

 

The robot swooped over her.

 

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she said as she twirled the quarterstaff. “It looks like I can damage it if I get a hit in.”

 

She looked around. There were many tables from where she could get a good swing from. ‘But I’ll try to lasso it first. I’ll see if I can get the attention of the controller that way.’

 

 

Dafoanairi clambered up on to a table as the pterodactyl turned around and came back in her direction. She prepared her rope. She then threw her lasso at nearly the last second.

 

 

Ninja Talon hadn’t expected to be active that day, as she was still recovering from the injury she had sustained two days earlier. She had been shopping as the usual, but recovering, Brittany when she had seen the robot pterodactyl causing chaos. She knew that Quinn was tutoring Angie, and so went to the bathroom to change.

 

She emerged into the food court and saw Dafoanairi expertly lasso the robot pterodactyl. ‘But she probably will need help,’ she thought.

 

 

Indeed, Dafoanairi was struggling. The robot was trying to get loose and dragging her along. ‘But then it was probably designed with SpiderGirl in mind, to draw her attention. Yet another person trying to draw her out.’ Her thoughts were then interrupted as a couple of shuriken struck the side of the robot. She looked and saw Ninja Talon approaching with a limp. “Ninja Talon?” she asked.

 

“Hey, Dafoanairi, mind if I help?”

 

“Not at all. But I notice that you’re limping.”

 

“I’ll tell you later,” Ninja Talon said as she fired a zip line.

 

It whipped around one of the pterodactyl’s wings.

 

“Now to stop it!” Dafoanairi said.

 

“If we go in opposite directions,” Ninja Talon suggested.

 

“That should work,” Dafoanairi said and jumped to another table.

 

 

The robot jerked from side to side as it tried to break free, but smoke soon rose from it as servo motors burnt out. Dafoanairi and Ninja Talon kept the zip line and rope taut as they walked back together.

 

“Now, let’s see if we can turn this thing off before it catches alight,” Dafoanairi said.

 

“If not, I have a small extinguisher.”

 

“We may need it.”