Spider Quinn 13 Aftermath and Investigations - Part 10

 

Quinn felt the tingle as she entered the dining room, where Daria had laid out the documents she had obtained with the fourth vigilante two nights before. She ignored it as she sat across from her sister. “So, you think there’s something in these?”

 

“There is something here,” Daria said. “It’s a matter of finding the pattern.”

 

“Of course,” Quinn said as she took one of them. She found that the writing was obtuse. “I’m not sure what this is talking about.”

 

“I’m not sure either.”

 

“Something here.”

 

“What?” Daria asked.

 

“It says something about a glider. It could be referring to what was used last week.”

 

Daria stood up and took it. “You’re right. I must have missed that.”

 

Quinn took out a notebook.

 

 

An hour later, they were still stumped. “Looks like we just found some scraps,” Daria said.

 

“There’s something here,” Quinn said.

 

“Probably. But it will take time for us to process it.”

 

“But there’s more to do tonight.”

 

“Like homework,” Daria said.

 

“And designing.”

 

“That too.”

 

 

Shortly before midnight, SpiderGirl left the house via the basement hatch in the backyard. She then swung off by a tree to meet Ninja Talon near Andrea’s house. ‘I hope she won’t get caught,’ she thought. She was also thinking about what she and Daria were looking at earlier.

 

 

The Shadow arrived at High Hills Park, but she saw that the Wiccans weren’t there yet. ‘Or maybe they don’t come here every day. Or maybe Tania doesn’t.’

 

 

Daria emerged onto the roof at the now usual time. ‘What am I doing?’ she wondered. ‘I’m getting more involved than I thought I would, especially after that confrontation between the Enigma and SpiderGirl.’ She looked around, at the stars which managed to outshine Lawndale’s light pollution and what could be seen of Lawndale itself from that vantage point. ‘More than I expected.’

 

 

SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon approached the Hecuba-Crofts from the laneway. The former could tell that the latter was nervous. ‘You said that Andrea was an old friend,’ the former said.

 

“It wasn’t like what happened between you and Sandi. It was, different.”

 

“You grew apart?”

 

“Yes. I became involved in cheerleading and also couldn’t understand her when she talked about programming.”

 

 

Andrea heard them in the hallway and opened the door. “I’m ready,” she said. “I hope you know what you’re looking for.”

 

The two heroines entered the room. “The glider used on Groundhog Day and on Monday night,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“So, that’s what happened on Hoopes Street,” Andrea said. “The Sun-Herald and WLND weren’t helpful regarding that incident.”

 

“And we have been planning how to deal with it,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“But we need to know what weaknesses it may have,” SpiderGirl added.

 

“So, blueprints?” Andrea asked.

 

“Yes,” SpiderGirl answered. “But plans for expansion in Lawndale too.”

 

“Sure, but what then?” Andrea asked.

 

“Leak those to the Sun-Herald,” Ninja Talon said. “It will add to what we have already given them.”

 

“There was a hint in today’s edition,” Andrea said. “We’ll start now.”

 

 

At High Hills Park, a group of Wiccans arrived, but the Shadow didn’t see Tania among them. ‘She could be late,’ she considered as she took out a sketchbook. She started sketching the group, despite the low light.

 

 

Back at the Morgendorffers, Daria was still on the roof. She was still looking around and also listening to the neighborhood. ‘What am I doing?’ she wondered again. ‘This neighborhood is still quiet.’ She found that she was still quite awake. ‘Maybe Tania’s question about insomnia was apt.’ She then went back down to her room and looked at her wall for a while.

 

 

The Enigma was at the Strawberry. She looked at High Hills Park. ‘Wiccans again? Why?’ She shook her head and took out the map of Oscorp properties. ‘I could investigate the ones Daria and I cased last night.

 

‘But is it a good idea to do it alone? Or should I try to find the Shadow or Ninja Talon?’ She shook her head. She was sure she wouldn’t find either of them with the telescopes. She looked at one of the buildings in question. ‘If I’m careful, I won’t get caught.’

 

 

Andrea had penetrated Oscorp’s firewalls. “I’m in,” she told the two vigilantes.

 

“How long?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

“It depends on where the data is stored and whether there are more defenses.”

 

“Right.”

 

 

The Enigma approached the closest Oscorp building to the Giant Strawberry. She saw that there were many security guards around it. ‘Maybe not this one,’ she considered.

 

 

“Here we go!” Andrea said. “Downloading the blueprints now.”

 

“It looks like there are more vehicles there,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“It looks like the glider is a prototype,” Andrea said.

 

“Then there wouldn’t be more, right?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“If you take it out, somehow, there wouldn’t be more,” Andrea said. “I definitely don’t want more attacks like last Friday to happen, in Lawndale, or elsewhere. Anyway. I’ll wait for the glider glueprints to download. We still have a modem rather than broadband.”

 

“How long will that take?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

“Only a few minutes, but someone could still get a trace on me in that time,” Andrea answered.

 

 

“Done!” Andrea said.

 

“Finally!” SpiderGirl said.

 

“It wasn’t that long,” Andrea said.

 

“Sorry, I can be impatient sometimes,” SpiderGirl said.

 

Then an alert came up on Andrea’s screen. “Uh oh! Trace in progress. There’s nothing else we can do tonight.”

 

“The blueprints will be useful, thanks,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“You can come back another night,” Andrea said as she disconnected from the internet. “I’ll burn the blueprints to a CD. That will take a while.”

 

“How long?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“Not that long.”

 

 

The Enigma headed downtown. ‘I’m sure there’s something for me to do besides annoy Oscorp. I have been neglecting Lawndale in general!’ Despite the attack six days earlier, life in Lawndale had gone on mostly as it had been.

 

 

“Here you go,” Andrea said as she gave the CD containing the blueprints to Ninja Talon. “I’ll see you another time. Just catch whoever it is!”

 

“Of course,” SpiderGirl said. “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.”

 

“That it does,” Andrea responded.

 

 

The two heroines headed southwards from the Hecuba-Crofts. Ninja Talon gave the CD to SpiderGirl. “I’m sure you’ll make more out of the blueprints than I can.”

 

“Don’t sell yourself short, Talon,” SpiderGirl said as she took it. “You have done very well and your suit is very good. Or are you worried about the technical terms?”

 

“The latter.”

 

“I’ll probably have trouble with those too.”

 

“Really?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“Yes. I find that my focus wanders if I’m not really interested,” SpiderGirl admitted. “It would probably take a while to read up on them.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“But I’ll have a look in the morning, if I get up early enough, and we can catch up before I head out to the Standing Stones.”

 

“So, that’s happening?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

 

Ninja Talon headed southwards and patrolled the neighborhoods between the Hecuba-Crofts’ neighborhood and Crewe Neck.

 

 

SpiderGirl headed back towards Glen Oaks Lane. However, the Enigma soon saw her.

 

“SpiderGirl!” the Enigma said. ‘This time without Daria. But Daria wasn’t the problem last time.’ She fired a projection, breaking some branches.

 

SpiderGirl swung to another tree. “Enigma! This isn’t good for Lawndale!”

 

“What we think is good for Lawndale is different!”

 

“Of course, but fighting me isn’t the answer!”

 

“You’re just looking for attention! You may note that my existence is still rumored!” the Enigma said.

 

“I think a battle would make you more than rumored.”

 

The Enigma fired another projection.

 

 

SpiderGirl avoided the projection and swung over a roof. ‘I don’t want collateral damage!’ she thought as a projection dislodged some tiles. ‘Fortunately, the Enigma is on foot!’ Even so, she needed to hide somewhere, away from a street. She swung down into a laneway and changed to the ordinary Quinn, albeit dressed in black. ‘Hiding in plain sight,’ she thought as she headed northwards, away from the Enigma.

 

 

SpiderGirl had vanished. ‘She’s either hiding or is her secret identity,’ the Enigma thought. ‘Another night, I’ll try to use a car. I’ll ask Mother if we can use our powers to fly or jump. But that will wait until after we go to the Osborns.’ She continued towards the downtown.

 

 

Quinn entered the basement and placed the blueprint CD at the bottom of the chute. She then changed back to SpiderGirl, went out to the backyard again and swung up to the roof to listen to Lawndale as she usually did.

 

 

After the Wiccans’ service ended, the Shadow followed Tania as she left High Hills Park.

 

Tania had gone half way home when she stopped. She knew someone had been following her since she left the Park. She turned and saw a figure on the nearby rooftop. “Who are you?” she asked.

 

The figure vanished in some kind of fog.

 

‘Great!’ she thought. She turned back and saw the figure just ahead of her. “Ah!”

 

“Relax. I’m the Shadow. Isn’t it a bit dangerous for you to be out like this alone?”

 

“I know how to defend myself.”

 

“Especially if you’re the fourth vigilante.”

 

‘Really?’ Tania thought. ‘Why does she suspect me?’ She glared at the Shadow. “What do you expect me to say? If I were the fourth vigilante, I’d probably deny it. If I’m not, I’d deny it also. Going around and suspecting people to be the fourth vigilante isn’t the best approach.”

 

“Maybe not. But I met her a week ago. You are the same height.”

 

“Even so, you aren’t getting answers. Better go off and fight crime. Investigate Oscorp. I might begin to suspect your identity.”

 

“I figured I would take the risk,” the Shadow responded.

 

“You could be someone who was in the school cafeteria at lunch today. Sandi, Daria, Jane, or someone who was sitting nearby.”

 

“I’m saying that you’re not getting cold. But that’s still a lot of people, and you may not have seen them all.”

 

“That’s true,” Tania considered. “But out of the three, who has the most to hide? Sandi, Daria, or Jane?”

 

“I’m not answering that question.”

 

“Probably Daria, I don’t think Quinn was there at lunch.”

 

“Keep speculating if you want. But It’s best to get home.”

 

 

Tania remained silent as she walked back to Grandstaff Drive with the Shadow beside her.

 

 

‘Maybe I made a mistake,’ the Shadow considered as she headed home. ‘But what will I tell Trent?’

 

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Friday, February 9, 2001

Reports of Break ins at Oscorp Facilities

 

Penelope looked at the headline. She wasn’t sure why Daniels went with that. ‘But then we had to say something,’ she said.

 

“Something I should know?” Tori asked as she came out.

 

“Not really, Tori,” Penelope answered. “But where are you going so early?”

 

“Breakfast with Stacy and Tiffany at the Historia,” Tori answered.

 

“Have a good day, then,” Penelope said as she headed inside. ‘I still haven’t been there yet. Melinda followed its development.’

 

 

In the basement, Quinn grabbed the CD out of the chute and loaded it onto her laptop. ‘Another thing to use the hidden area for. A separate computer for superheroism stuff,’ she mused.

 

She soon loaded the glider blueprints. ‘I can see why Brittany is concerned about jargon,’ she thought as she read the various long words. ‘I can barely understand some of these longer words.’ Even so, she looked at the various parts of the glider, looking for weak spots where her webs and Brittany’s weapons could cause damage.

 

 

Tori arrived at the Historia to find Stacy waiting. “Good morning,” she said.

 

“Morning, Tiffany is waiting inside.”

 

“Good.”

 

 

“So, what is it that your mom may be working on?” Stacy asked, once they had sat at a table in a corner of the café.”

 

“One of the vigilantes apparently took documents from Oscorp and gave them to the paper,” Tori whispered.

 

“Is that right?” Tiffany asked.

 

“Well, they had to break in. But what’s legal is one thing, and what’s right is another,” Tori responded. “This building is far from the first in this street to be owned by Oscorp.”

 

“The building is,” Stacy said. “But the business that’s leasing it is technically owned by my mom in a 51% share.”

 

“How did she pull that off?” Tori asked.

 

“You think Quinn and Daria wouldn’t have brought their mom into it?” Stacy asked.

 

“Like, she’s a really good lawyer,” Tiffany added. (Unnecessarily, Tori considered. She already knew that, even before the situation with Jenna was resolved back in mid December.)

 

“And so, she would have made sure the agreement was air tight,” Tori concluded.

 

“Osborn only has a minority and the rest is in a trust for the four of them,” Stacy added and explained further about how her mother worked with Robert, Joey, Daria, and Quinn in running the place.

 

“Interesting,” Tori commented when Stacy had finished.

 

“Here’s breakfast,” Angie said, bringing after bringing their meals over.

 

“Angie!” Tori said. “How are you doing with the morning shifts?”

 

“Quite well. It’s different to working at my mother’s shop. Maybe because it’s something new, but I needed a change of pace.”

 

 

SpiderGirl arrived at the Historia to see her friends leaving on their way to school. She had stopped there to look over the town before heading to school herself. She was still wondering what that tingle on Wednesday night was about. ‘Still looks the same and sounds the same,’ she mused. She looked towards the school and saw that there were many students there already. ‘Time to go.’

 

 

Brittany arrived at the school. She was thinking about the night before. Quinn’s reassurance was helpful. She was sure she was improving when it came to academics, but she had always been an active person. She looked around. Kevin wasn’t there. Nor was Donna. She knew that Angie had just finished her shift at the Historia. She decided to find Jodie.

 

 

Norman answered a call.

 

“The glider has been repaired again, sir. May I suggest not taking it out again, sir?”

 

“Thanks for letting me know. And no, you may not!”

 

“Right. And the modifications you requested have been made.”

 

“Good!”

 

 

At lunch, Brittany found Quinn somewhere in the back of the library. “There you are,” she said quietly.

 

Quinn took out a piece of paper. “I had time to look at the blueprints,” she said.

 

“That’s good. I see you relabelled it.”

 

“I couldn’t understand all the words myself, but the pictures are what’s important.”

 

“I agree,” Brittany said as she looked the blueprints over. “I see you have marked some vulnerable points.”

 

“Yes, where I can pull with my webs to break stuff, and may be vulnerable to your weapons.”

 

“Some of these moving parts look fragile…”

 

 

Daria entered the cafeteria and found that Tania was at their table again, talking to Harry and Sandi. ‘But where’s Jane?’ she wondered.

 

“Daria!” Tania said. “Just in time!”

 

“Just in time for what?” Daria asked.

 

“For me to talk about my encounter with the Shadow last night.”

 

“What happened?” Daria asked in a resigned tone.

 

“Long story short, she thinks I’m the fourth vigilante,” Tania answered.

 

“I guess the rumor has the existing vigilantes spooked,” Daria said. “It was about a week between Ninja Talon first appearing and the incident at the Mall. Then, another week before the Shadow helped the first two rescue those cheerleaders. It’s been over a week since the rumor first started.”

 

“It’s also reported that she helped during the attack last Friday,” Ted said.

 

“Or just another rumor,” Sandi said quietly, looking around.

 

‘I know she was there, but I’m not going to say that,’ Daria thought.

 

 

Daria got her food and saw that Jane had arrived in the meantime.

 

“I’m sure the Shadow has her reasons,” Jane said to Tania.

 

“Still, she shouldn’t be following others to find out if they’re other vigilantes. The same would apply if she said I were SpiderGirl or Ninja Talon.”

 

Daria sat down. “I all I’m sure of is that I’m getting more involved than I thought I would.”

 

“How?” Tania asked.

 

“Before my father passed, I was content with doing school work and hanging out with Jane.”

 

“And you are doing more?” Harry asked.

 

“A lot more. Not only am I involved in running a café bookshop out of an old theatre, but I’m racing around town investigating superpowered vigilantes and a dubious corporation…” she paused and looked at Harry. “No offense.”

 

Harry shrugged. “Remember what I said yesterday about my father saying nothing about his business practices? I wouldn’t be surprised that they’re dubious.”

 

Daria took a deep breath. “…and practicing using a branch as a makeshift quarterstaff.”

 

“It would be better to get a proper quarterstaff,” Sandi suggested.

 

“Probably, If I knew where to get one.”

 

“So, you think you’re changing,” Tania said.

 

“I know I’m changing,” Daria responded.

 

“So, what to do about the Shadow?” Tania asked.

 

“Nothing,” Jane said.

 

“Nothing?” Ted asked.

 

“Maybe find someone to accompany you to and from High Hills Park,” Sandi suggested.

 

“I’ll think about it,” Tania responded.

 

 

Brittany caught up with Quinn again as school let out. “Good news,” she said.

 

“Which is?” she asked.

 

“I got a B- in History. You should have seen the look on Mr. DeMartino’s face!”

 

“An ecstatic look that didn’t last long because Kevin then said something asinine?” Quinn asked with a smile on her face.

 

Brittany nodded.

 

“Daria has told me many times. Anyway. I’m heading out to the Standing Stones now. I’m sure Anna and the others are waiting in the parking lot.”

 

“I’ll patrol downtown.”

 

“Thanks,” Quinn said.

 

 

Anna saw Quinn arrive and turned to Ben. “She’s here,” she said.

 

“But where’s Gerald?” Ben asked.

 

“I’m not sure,” Quinn said as she came up and looked around. “We’ll wait a while.”

 

“But not too long,” Anna said. “You know how the traffic on the Interstate can be.”

 

“Oh, I’m not taking the Interstate, rather the State Route,” Quinn said. “It may wind, but the traffic is less.”

 

“I guess so…” Ben said.

 

“Don’t worry, I have been that way to Oakwood before.”

 

 

They didn’t have to wait that long for Gerald. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to go,” he said.

 

“You would have missed out,” Quinn said.

 

“Maybe, but then I thought that you would have been a third wheel,” Gerald responded.

 

Quinn looked at the other two, who were holding hands at that moment. “I would have coped with it.”

 

 

Soon, they were on their way. “But, don’t we have to cross town to get to the State Route?” Ben asked as Quinn turned right from the school onto the street.

 

“It’s only one block to the south. Lawndale was originally to the south of it, according to the history book,” Quinn explained. “It goes along Adams Street, across the Lawndale Bridge, and then along Henderson Street.” She came to the intersection at the end of the block. The light being green, she then turned left.

 

 

The traffic on Henderson Street wasn’t too high, as it was still before rush hour. “So, Gerald?” Quinn asked, glancing at him in the passenger seat. “How did the first elocution lesson go?”

 

“It was fine,” he answered.

 

“Just fine?” Quinn asked.

 

“It was just the beginning. She was gauging my competency, testing my pronunciation skills. That was tedious,” Gerald answered.

 

“You have to start somewhere, right?” Quinn asked.

 

Gerald nodded. “True. Also, it was in her garage, which she had converted. The house is on the northeastern edge of Lawndale, and I could see that the town is continuing to sprawl in that direction.”

 

“The current problems haven’t really hit home yet,” Anna commented.

 

 

Less than ten minutes later, they exited Lawndale to the west. “You have looked at the maps, right?” Gerald asked.

 

“Of course,” Quinn answered. “We won’t get lost.”

 

 

Less than five minutes later, they pulled up in the parking lot near the Standing Stones. “See, we’re here,” Quinn said. “I also brought some healthy snacks for the picnic.”

 

“A picnic?” Gerald asked. “I didn’t agree to that.”

 

“We couldn’t come out here and not have a picnic,” Quinn said as she went to the trunk and took out a cooler.

 

Gerald sighed.

 

“It will be fine,” Anna said.

 

“Of course, it was your idea,” Gerald said. “Make it more of a date. I don’t like Quinn that way.”

 

“I wasn’t suggesting that,” Anna said.

 

“I wasn’t suggesting it either. Besides, the thought of dating you never crossed my mind,” Quinn said.

 

 

They set up the picnic next to the stones.

 

“I have heard that you are investigating what’s going on in Lawndale,” Anna said when they had set up.

 

“Yes, Daria and I are occasionally looking into what has been happening,” Quinn answered. “Including what happened last week.”

 

“That was harrowing!” Ben said with a shudder. “It is a good thing SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon showed up when they did.”

 

“I agree,” Quinn said carefully.

 

“What else are you doing?” Gerald asked.

 

“Well, helping with running the Historia,” Quinn answered. “Mrs. Rowe takes care of most of it. But Daria and I are involved, along with Joey and Robert. Osborn is also involved in some way of course”

 

“Quite a lot on your plate,” Anna commented.

 

‘You don’t know the half of it,’ Quinn thought

 

They continued to talk, although it was mostly Anna and Quinn, with Ben chiming in. Gerald remained silent most of the time.

 

 

They packed up the picnic and Anna wandered over to the stones. “I guess you’re wondering why this place is important,” she said.

 

“She has told me, but I want you to hear it from her,” Ben said to Quinn.

 

“To do with the past? And the Irish Immigrants?” Quinn asked.

 

“Yes. I have been looking into my family history and a few of the stonemasons were my ancestors,” Anna said. “Coultard is an Irish surname.”

 

“That’s great,” Quinn said. “Like, my family has wandered around, even if the Barksdales were settled in Virginia, the Morgendorffer line has wandered after they came over from Germany.”

 

“Same here,” Gerald said.

 

“But, my family is local, like Anna’s,” Ben said.

 

“And so, this place is a reminder of the past. Especially so, given this time of troubles in Lawndale,” Anna added. She looked around and saw that the Sun had set and the stars were starting to come out. The glow of Lawndale’s streetlights was quite prominent in the east, and that of Oakwood’s only slightly less so to the west.

 

 

They then headed back into town, with Quinn dropping Anna and Ben off at Anna’s and Gerald at his house before heading home herself. As she got home, she got a feeling that the night was going to be interesting. ‘I better prepare,’ she thought as she got out of the car.