Sunflower and the Commander
This story was inspired by
‘s prompt: Write about a sunflower. It follows Secret Relic, and The Call.“I need help,” Lo said, wringing her hands. “I’m worried about my person.”
“No problem,” Martha said kindly, “I know you’re new to the Guardian Corps. What’s your concern?”
“Well, she’s been tracking one of the supervillains, and, well, he’s not a villain exactly, he’s… it’s a long story.” She took a minute to explain.
“Mm,” Martha said. “Quite. Best go yourself.”
“But-” Lo said.
“Authorization to intervene granted,” Martha said. “Go!”
Lo went.
The Rogue Jaywalker was at it again. He looked both ways. The crosswalk was well to the left of his position curbside, and the light had turned red, warning him not to cross. He smiled. “Time to beat the system!”
Next thing he knew he was on the ground, a boot next to his face. “Who the hell-” he gasped.
“Commander Shadow,” his assailant rasped. “I am the system.”
Yellow light suddenly flared around them. A woman in a green uniform floated down from the sky. “Back off, Commander,” she said. “Now.”
“Who says?”
“Sunflower,” she said. “I’ve got like a zillion-joule energy bolt powered up ready to zap you into next Thursday, so stand down.”
“You’ve maybe got thirty seconds before the government gets here,” Commander Shadow said. “Really gonna take that chance on me? For him?”
Sunflower didn’t move. “I said back off. Now.”
Metal flashed in Commander Shadow’s hand. “He’ll just do it again.”
“And someone non-lethal will stop him, okay? Not you.”
“Fifteen seconds.”
“I have time.”
Flashing lights appeared at the far end of the road. “Fine,” Commander Shadow said, “You take him.” Then he whipped around and disappeared into the dark.
The Rogue Jaywalker rose shakily. “Am I good?”
“No,” Sunflower said. “But you’re not dead. Call that a win and get out of here.”
She disappeared in her turn. The Rogue Jaywalker fled as well.
Lo, invisible, breathed in relief as the vehicles arrived and found no one. She tapped her halo. “Martha? It’s Lo. All okay.”
“Good,” Martha said. “And Commander Shadow?”
“No,” she said sadly. “He’s not… I don’t think he’ll ever be the Captain.”
GAAAAAH I didn't know how you were gonna take this one but I love it! the unfolding story is incredible. How you do this without knowing what I'm going to write about every tuesday is beyond me. Color me impressed!