Chapter 51
"Wait, who are you?" Jacob inquired.
"Sir, you heard me. I quit. I joined the Vultures because I wanted to assist safeguard the people of this state, but I honestly believe I was duped into thinking that's what we did." Caleb stated.
"What exactly do you mean?" Jacob demanded fiercely.
"Maryland is not safe from the Vultures. We're nothing more than a status symbol, because the Vultures only protect those who can afford it, rather than those who truly need our assistance. There's a reason why people in this state prefer to use the Owl signal rather than phone us, and it's because that symbol answers regardless of who is using it. Whether they are black or white, rich or poor, gay or straight, the people who respond to that light protect all Marylanders, not just those who can afford a specific price. And, let's face it, Kid Owl and Badger could easily take out all of our agents on their own. We should collaborate with them rather than attack them." " Caleb stated.
"They are also criminals. Criminals who instill terror, unrest, and chaos." Jacob stated.
"Is that logic also applicable to Dark Ox and Soul Sakura? They are officially vigilantes, yet the general population adores them. But does that mean you want to take them down as well?" Caleb inquired, and when Jacob did not react, he was taken aback.
"Wait, I was joking, but you really want to take down some of the world's most powerful heroes?" Caleb inquired.
"They are threats to our planet who continue to violate the laws of every nation on it in order to impose their will." Jacob declared arrogantly.
"They save people's lives, and you are incredible. Not only do you wish to eliminate Kid Owl, but you also wish to eliminate Microsoft's fresh youthful team." Caleb stated.
"What happened to you?" Jacob inquired.
"What do you mean, common sense? You're willing to put countless lives in jeopardy for your own petty obsession. You've even prioritized eliminating Kid Owl over recovering Ruby and the others who have gone missing. And I don't want anything to do with it. So let me know how it goes, since I can already tell this isn't going to end well for you. If you insist on being dragged down this path, that's OK; just don't try to drag me along with you. I have previously followed you after the old M.R.C. disbanded, but I will not do so again. So I quit once more." Caleb stated as he moved away from Jacob, fully meaning to see what was now Chloe Industries.
***
"So, what are your thoughts?" Nell inquired as Robert examined the facts Caleb had handed them.
"While this data is exactly what I need, I believe it will take some time for me to identify a flaw we can exploit." Robert stated.
"How about using an EMP generator?" Chloe inquired.
"Not a bad idea, except that those things take time to charge, and our suits aren't exactly meant to carry the necessary power source. Not to mention that, while it would halt the weapons, it could cause additional difficulties for any other electric equipment inside its blast radius." Nell stated.
"He is correct; it is too unrealistic. But I'm confident I can find something." Right as Nell received a text from Sophie, Robert stated.
"Who is he?" Chloe inquired.
"Caleb, he's on his way here to speak with me, so I'd better get upstairs." Nell stated.
"Go, I'll call you if I find anything." Nell nodded and followed Robert to the elevator.
Nell barely made it into the office before Caleb.
"Huh, I assumed a CEO's assistant would dress a little more professionally." Caleb stated.
"And I would if this were a business meeting, but my belief is that if you have to work, you might as well enjoy it. Employees don't appear to worry that they can dress informally as long as they don't have to exhibit anything." " Caleb laughed as Nell stated this.
Sophie said, "Fair enough."
"Speaking of business clothing, why aren't you wearing yours?" Nell inquired, noting that Caleb had stopped at his flat before his arrival to change out of her Vulture's outfit and into Papps and a sweater.
"Because I'm no longer employed by Jacob." Caleb wondered if Nell would play this game with him, and sure enough, he did.
"Wait, what just happened?" Nell inquired.
"You revealed the truth about him to me," Caleb remarked.
"What am I sorry for?" Nell inquired.
"When you told me he was collaborating with Catherine to create a line of owl-killing ordinance? Does any of this sound familiar?" Caleb inquired, amused by how squirmy Nell was becoming.
"I'm not sure what you're on about." Nell stated.
"I know you're Kid Owl, Nell." Caleb stated.
"I admit I like him, but I'm not Kid Owl." Nell stated.
"I've known you're Kid Owl for almost a month now, Nell. After you saved me from Nichole, I began putting the puzzle pieces together. You've never had an issue being truthful with me before, so please be truthful with me now. I vow not to tell anyone." Caleb spoke up, and Nell sighed.
"Caleb, I'm not Kid Owl. Why would you believe I am?" Nell inquired.
"Because I could see your eyes from anywhere, and I stared directly into them when Kid Owl rescued me from Nichole. You can't really disguise the eyes I've seen you with in training for years without your Owl. And the only other person who has ever hugged me in that way is you. Only one person taught you how to grab someone when you're grappling. Even after five years, I still know you better than anyone else. I know you're Kid Owl because you're the only person I know in this state who's crazy enough to do something Jacob despises so much. Not to mention that Kid Owl appears around the same time you return to Maryland, and the first thing he does is save me. Also, after all these years, why would a hero want to repair a distorted verse?" Caleb said, and Nell knew he wouldn't be able to persuade him otherwise this time.
"Are you planning on telling anyone about your suspicion?" Nell inquired, wondering whether he would require Chloe to don the Owl outfit to cover for him.
"Jacob was becoming obsessed with killing you, which is why I left the Vulture's. I'm not going to tell anyone." Caleb stated.
"That is not the Caleb I recall. You know how much you enjoy talking." Nell stated.
"And the Nell I remember would never approve of, let alone become, a new Owl. We've both evolved. And, ideally, for the better. You adore your master and would never let anyone else take his place." Sophie said, and Nell could see she was being truthful.
"My name is Kid Owl." Nell said, and it felt great to get that off his chest.
"I know. So, will I be able to visit the Owl's hideout?" Caleb inquired, and Nell laughed.
"No, not yet. We'll chat once my teammates and I have determined that you're sincere and not just trying to expose our operation." " While typically Caleb would be outraged, he could appreciate Nell's hesitancy because the site of King Owl and now Kid Owl's lair was one of Maryland's biggest secrets, and he could understand the hesitation to divulge its position to a former Vulture.
"I'm also not telling you who King Owl or the Badger is, since I don't even know who King Owl is." Nell stated.
"That is something I understand. But there is one thing I'd like you to tell me." Caleb inquired.
"What?" Nell inquired.
"Do you know why King Owl vanished?" Caleb inquired, and Nell nodded.
"He departed since the last time he fought Ice Lord, only one of them walked away." Nell stated.
"Wait, King Owl assassinated the Ice Lord? One of the criminal underworld's leaders." Caleb inquired, and Nell nodded.
"That's why he walked away. King Owl left because he was ashamed of what he'd done." Nell stated.
"Wow," Caleb exclaimed, trying to make sense of it all.
"Anyway, it appears that you require a new employment." Nell stated.
"Yeah, I do," Caleb replied.
"Well, I could use some help whipping Chloe Security into shape." Caleb smiled as Nell spoke.
"I'm not convinced that's something I want to do in the long run." Caleb stated.
"It can be temporary, because I have some contacts who might be able to assist you get more permanent work." Nell stated.
"That would be fantastic." Caleb said, smiling.
"I'll set it up, and if you start tomorrow, I'll have your contract ready for you." Caleb grinned and nodded before walking out of the office, and Nell took a long breath, praying he hadn't made a terrible mistake.