Family Matters

  “There are numerous misconceptions about enhanced registration, some of which I hope to clear up. The first, most important, is that it is not mandatory! Yes, criminal enhanced are required to be registered, and a court may order someone to register if there’s another reason to assume they could be a threat to themselves or others, such as mental illness, but for the average citizen, there’s no requirement to register.”

  “Second, the fact that you are registered does not pop-up on any general background check. Even police departments and federal law enforcement must specifically request if there are any records in the Enhanced Citizens Database which connect to a suspect, and requesting it does require a justification given, signed off on by either a District Attorney or a ranking member of the police force in question. Even then, there may be a follow up from the Register seeking more details.”

  “Even then, they get a heavily redacted document, outlining powers and providing enough information to confirm it’s about the requested target, such as a partial social security number. Even the subject's name is replaced with a pseudonym, if chosen, and there will be no pictures. Anything more requires a subpoena.

  Willow Starling, St. Nicholas Think Tank.

  ” Penny, can you give me an overview of empowered registration?”

  “Fairly straight forward. Some limited testing. In her case they can confirm things fairly easily, with hearing and vision testing. Well, ignoring the tech part. They’ll issue a registration number pending confirmation by a physician qualified in, in her case, pediatrician enhanced medicine.”

  Solaris listened, nodding. “Are those difficult to find? The only doctor I know in this time is Lady Frankenstein, and she could have odd ideas.”

  “Very true. There are a few pediatricians qualified as enhanced specialists, and several agencies and services will direct people to qualified people.”

  Talia looked at Erica, “I thought registration was bad? Uncle said it would just bring hunters to the door looking for powers to farm.”

  “Just the opposite, for a minor. It makes the government aware of you in case hunters show up, and the info is strictly protected, like Apple took notes from them. The information is not permitted to be kept outside of specific secured databases, and it takes stacks of paperwork for anyone to access the information. We’ll register you under Tweety as a pending cape name. Your name will be automatically redacted to that in the documents after entry, outside of specific circumstances.” She sighs. “It’s not a perfect system, but it’s a lot harder to ask neighbors where Dreadful and Tweety live than Penny and Talia.”

  “So, it’s well protected?”

  “The data is up there with social security numbers. Possibly more so. I won’t swear someone can’t get the information but…” Penny chuckled. “It’d have to be a particularly stupid power-farmer to try getting through this house to get to someone.”

  “Because there are so many enhanced there? The security did look really good.”

  “I think she was referring to Grandmother Raun.” Solaris chuckled.

  “True, although yeah, all of us are trained to some extent in security and combat. Academy system kids or military backgrounds.” Erica added

  “Academy’s? You got to go to school for your abilities? That is so cool, were they able to help with your senses?”

  “Yes, and yes.” Erica said. “Some meditation techniques, coping tools. And finding the most comfortable accessories. I don’t own these Raybans just for looks. “She chuckled. “People spend so much time convinced that superpowers are just OP they don’t realize they come with issues. You and I need sound dampening, Levi can’t wear synthetic fibers for safety reasons. Even the boss here has to have specially made shoes, if she wants anything other than a pair of crocs.”

  “I will go barefoot before I wear that fashion crime.” Solaris said firmly.

  Talia giggled at that. I had those squishy earplugs for sleeping. Last night was the first time I’ve slept without them. It was amazing!”

  “The house is surprisingly soundproofed.” Erica nods. “Pool house too. And don’t tell Anzy your opinion on crocs, boss. She swears by them for doing deep cleans on kitchens. Apparently, they’re very non-slip.”

  “She’s an amazing cook. The eggs this morning were amazing, and that bacon I didn’t know it could taste like that!” Talia said, closing her eyes remembering the taste.

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  “She’s a trained chef, and very gifted. Trust me, you’ll be eating good, kid.” Penny chuckled. “Although bacon tends to take care of itself if you pay even half attention. Though where she buys it, I don’t know. She goes to farmers markets and specialty places when we aren’t looking.”

  Talia smiled. “She seems really nice; everyone is much less scary than when Kriegsmarine dropped me off.”

  “He’s kind of a lot, isn’t he. We were half ready to fight for our lives.” Erica said chuckling.

  She nodded. “I thought he was taking me to some new sweatshop or something.”

  “Yeah, at least that wasn’t the case. Of course, we’re likely the only place he knew of to take the car after it got a hole in it.”

  “It is a beautiful car. I offered to fix the water pump if he didn’t hurt me.”

  “Killian isn’t always a good man, but even at his worst he wouldn’t raise a hand to a child.” Solaris said her tone comforting. “And he appreciates a skilled technician. I mean, he is German.”

  “Good point.” Erica agreed. “Okay, I’ve set up your phone, put all of our numbers into it with our names and code names.”

  Talia read over the names, memorizing which code names went with which person. They pulled up to UN buildings visitor parking. “Okay so let’s go start getting Talia’s paperwork done, then I can meet the PO in a half hour.”

  “I can hold down the fort here if you have to leave and come back.” Penny promised as they walked in, showing their ID and stating what they were there to do. They entered the UNLOC floor, to a relatively busy but calm hum. The registration office was far from the main operations area so quieter still. Penny, who had pulled the forms off the net and filled them out with Solaris at stop lights and other hold ups, handed over the paperwork they needed to get the ball rolling.

  Solaris smiled at the Receptionist. “Hello, I am here with Talia... Metallica Smith. To get her registered and listed as my ward.” She handed all the paperwork to the woman

  “Of course. Oh, and you have the family paperwork. Let me type this in. Oh. Um, give me one moment, I need to check something in the back.”

  Solaris nodded, then looked over at Penny. “At least I was able to meet the parole officer here. Otherwise, we would have had to make two trips.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. And technically his title is ‘High Risk Juvenile Offender Supervisory Officer. Or a JO. Because politicians are stupid.”

  The woman came back, and sat down, looking over the paperwork again. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to wait for a liaison with the FBI. There are irregularities here.”

  “FBI?” Talia squeaked, backing up looking for an escape.

  “May I enquire what kind of irregularities are there? Do I need to contact my lawyers?” Solaris asked, tipping her head.

  “Well, possibly, but you don’t need to panic, especially you young lady.” The office worker, her name plate read “Warren” said. “It’s not due to anything you’ve done. A girl by that name, with this birth information, was kidnapped in 2011. Her parents were located deceased, but she was not found. Obviously, you can’t be a suspect, and Agent Ward here would have been a child at the time herself. However, the person who signed the paperwork you had is not listed as a relative but was a person of interest in the case.”

  Solaris nodded. “Right. So, Uncle, may not have been Talia’s uncle but her kidnapper. All we can do is continue.”

  Erica patted the younger girl’s shoulder. “Don’t worry Talia, you are going to be okay. We will make sure you are safe and cared for.”

  “The FBI do have some questions for you, but that’s simply as a person of interest... under certain Tailoring rules you aren’t responsible for the use of but are also not covered by anonymity regarding knowledge of some items used by certain local gangs.”

  “I’ll try to answer.” she said, shrinking into Erica. “I doubt I’ll be much help. I tend to be blacked out when I do the interesting stuff.” she said softly.

  “Answer what you can.” Penny suggested. “We’ll be upfront about the issues, but we’ll also make sure a lawyer is here so paperwork stating you aren’t being prosecuted will be in place first.” Penny turned to Solaris. “Elizabeth, I’d suggest going to the JO and getting that handled, I can hold down the fort here. I’ll also call so she has a lawyer present for any sewing questions.”

  “Very well. Message if you need me. She walked out of the room.

  “Is it really going to be okay?” Talia whispered to Erica.

  “Yeah, it’ll be fine. Worst case, we’ll bust out of here, and head for Fiji.”

  Talia gave a nervous laugh, her heart pounding, not cops, or DFCS, it was worse it was FBI. Her heart was pounding, and her vision began to dim.

  Erica grabbed her hand. “Take a deep breath. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Just breathe.”

  She took a deep breath, shivering, Pushing down the panic, the black sliding pack, “Sorry.” She said blushing. “Sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.” Erica looked at the woman at the desk. “Do you have a quiet room I can move her to? She’s having a panic attack.”

  “Yes, yes, in here.” She moved around the desk and opened a door to a conference room, it being quiet compared to the rest of the building, the chairs soft and comfortable. Erica helped Tallia move, settling next to her at the table, never letting her hand go. “Here we are. Deep breaths.”

  The quieter room was helping her focus on her breathing, focusing on Erica's hand. until color came back to her vision. “It’s going away...”

  “Good, good. We’ll just sit in here. And we won’t let anyone hurt you or anything. Okay?” Talia nodded. “Okay. How long do you think it will be before someone comes?”

  Penny shrugged. “Hour? Two? Not very long, honestly. They’ll likely check to see if any of the family who might have reported you missing are alive.”

  “I don’t know. I was only two when mom died. And I don’t remember her talking about family. Mostly I remember her saying ‘oh my god my baby’s talking. Is my baby talking or am I that high?’”

  “Right. You got a contact high, and it triggered your super smarts, meaning you could talk younger than usual. “

  “Yeah, Mom stayed mostly clean while she was pregnant. Mostly.”

  “God bless the placental barrier. It’s not perfect, but it’s likely why neither of us have spare fingers.”

  “I’m gladder I have a fully functioning brain and heart. I watched a Youtube video about crack babies. and it scared the heck out of me.”