SteelCorp

Chapter 1

The plane suddenly jolts, startling Thalia from her nap. She looks around the luxurious jet, tense with the anticipation of an attack. Seeing that she is alone, Thalia begins to relax.
    Taking a deep breath, she mumbles to herself. “Relax girl. It's just a bit of turbulence. There is no way he could still be alive.”
    The moment those words leave her lips, memories of her encounters with Myles Dredd, co-founder of earth’s alien defense force NTek, come flooding in. Myles Dredd was her grandfather Jim McGrath's best friend and closest confidant until he became obsessed with the power of Jim's Turbo Energy. The man went crazy attempting to use both Jim and her father Maxwell as personal batteries for his battle armor. When he learned of her existence, he escaped from his cell at the bottom of the ocean and made many attempts to destroy her, seeking revenge on her father for defeating him so long ago.
    Thalia is brought back to the present by the pilot's voice over the intercom announcing their arrival in National City. Excitedly, Thalia hurries to the back of the plane to wake up Steel, the Ultra-Link alien with whom she bonded to help control her powers.
    “Wake up Steel! We're here! We finally made it to National City.” She shouts at him barely holding back her excitement.
    “Yeah, yeah. No need to shout kid.” Replied the little alien stifling a yawn and floating drowsily to the nearest window.
    “Ugh, come on Steel I'm 25 now. Stop calling me kid.” Retorts Thalia rolling her eyes.
    “Hhmm. Let me think about that…Nope! Not gonna happen.” Steel responds twirling in a cheeky little dance around Thalia’s head before flying off.
    “Why you little…” Shouts Thalia. “Get back here!” She then proceeds to lunge at the little android chasing him around the jet.
    After leaping and chasing Steel, as well as several taser shots later, Thalia finally manages to catch him and stuff him in her backpack.
   “Alright Steel, we have landed and we are heading onto the tarmac now. So behave and stay put.” Orders Thalia as she disembarks from the plane.
    The Ultra-Link's response echoes in her head through their telepathic connection. “Whatever killjoy.”
    Now thoroughly peeved Thalia growls in response. “Shut up!”
    The only thing she hears is Steels self satisfied chuckle in the back of her head. Grumbling to herself as she storms across the tarmac, she almost knocks over a handsome man not much older than herself. He is dressed in a dark suit and wears a chauffeurs cap. As she turns to apologize, she notices the sign he is holding has her name written across it in bold letters.
    “Are…Are you Miss McGrath?” Asks the man nervously when he notices her staring.
    “Huh? Oh! Yes that’s me. You are?” answers Thalia awkwardly as she realizes she was staring.
    “Heheh. Real smooth kid.” Chuckles Steel through their bond.
    Thalia blushes with embarrassment as the man introduces himself. “My name is Antonio and I am your personal chauffeur. May I take your bags?”
    “N…no that’s okay, I can carry them.” Replies Thalia as she attempts to regain her composure.
    “Very well then.” He answers.
     Antonio deftly guides Thalia to a sleek black limo waiting near by.
    Uncomfortable with the mans insistence on formality, Thalia stops and replies cautiously. “There is no need to be so formal with me Antonio. Please just call me Thalia.”
    Now it is Antonio's turn to look uncomfortable. Without making eye contact, and shifting from one foot to the other, he merely mumbles his response. “If that is what you wish Miss…uh I mean… Thalia.”
    Once her bags are loaded and they are finally on the road, Thalia raises the privacy screen so that she can let the strangely quiet Steel out of her backpack.
    “Okay what gives? You've been awfully quiet for the last half hour.” She asks suspiciously.
    “Oh not much. Just enjoying listening to my recording your total embarrassment earlier.” Replies the Ultra-link between gasping guffaws.
    “Alright laugh it up while you still can bolts for brains. Cause once we get to the house, I'm gonna call uncle Berto and have him delete your episodes of Call the Midwife from the DVR.”
    The little alien gasps at the threat. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    Refusing to back down, Thalia smirks victoriously. “Try me.”
    Giving up and deleting the recording, Steel can’t resist teasing Thalia some more. “Speaking of calling people, weren't you supposed to call your mom when we landed?”
    “Crap! I totally forgot! Where did I put my phone?” Replies Thalia as she scrambles around the back of the limo looking for her phone.
    After a couple rings the line on the other end clicks open and she hears a woman’s voice. “Mayor McGrath's office. How May I help you?”
    “Hey Nadia. It’s me Thalia. I don’t suppose mom is there is she?” she asks her mom's secretary.
    “Oh I’m sorry but your mother is in a meeting right now. Would you like me to tell her you called?” Asked the long time family friend.
    “Sure just tell her that I have landed in National City and every thing is going alright. Also tell her I say thanks for getting me this transfer.” Answered Thalia, hanging up after saying goodbye.
   She sighs and slumps back into her seat. It seemed that since her mother became Mayor, she had less and less time for her family. Her father was always in space at the N-Tek base orbiting the earth so she and her mother were very close.
    Just then Antonio's voice cuts into her thoughts as they pull up to what looks like a small castle on the outskirts of the city. “Welcome to your new home Thalia.”
    “Wow! When mom and dad said town house, I was expecting…well… a house! Not a freaking castle!” Exclaims Thalia in utter shock.
    “You totally underestimated how rich your family really is didn’t you?” Mocks Steel.
    “Well it's not my fault I grew up without knowing. My family literally keeps secrets for a living. It's a wonder they even told me that I'm a quarter alien at all.” Retorts Thalia defensively.
    “Well you did Turbo-blast your dad’s favorite truck into oblivion.” Replies Steel laughing.
    “Hey I was 6! It was an accident and you know it!” Thalia exclaims indignantly.
    Steel merely chuckles before Thalia manages to snatch him out of the air and stuff him back into her bag. Just then Antonio comes around to open her door.
    As she steps out of the car, Thalia is unable to hide the awe on her face. “It's going to take me at least a week to explore this place. As well as another 2 or 3 weeks just to remember my way around on top of that.” She says to no one in particular. If Antonio noticed, he hid it well.
    As she approaches the mansion, the big doors suddenly swing open revealing 2 maids who quickly greet her then take her bags into the grand foyer. They don’t say much other than to ask if she wanted to unpack and freshen up first or if she wished to have dinner right away.
    “Oh. I guess I should unpack and take a shower first. I have been in these same clothes for at least 18 hours now.” Thalia answers, somewhat overwhelmed by the flurry of activity around her.
    Maids and servants rush from one room to another cleaning and moving furniture. “Very well Miss McGrath. Please follow me to your room.” Says the closest of the two maids as she quickly walks up the stairs.
    Scrambling to catch up, Thalia trips on the stairs. Steel laughs loud enough in her head that she nearly plows right into the maid, startled by his sudden outburst.
    Fortunately the maid was able to catch Thalia before she landed on her face. Now that she got a better look, Thalia realised she was beautiful. Long ebony hair pulled back into a tight bun, deep brown eyes, and a caring and gentle face.
    “Are you alright Miss McGrath?” She asks concern lacing her words.
    “Sorry. Yeah I’m fine, I just tripped. Thanks for catching me.” Responds Thalia, heat rising in her cheeks when she notices how close their faces are.
    Quickly pulling away and straightening her clothes, she clears her throat. “So uh I would appreciate it if you called me Thalia. Also I don’t think I got your name.”
    “Oh! Alright I can do that.” Surprise playing across the maids face. “My name is Kori Davis” She answers with a shy smile.
    A few moments later they stop in front a large set of double doors at the end of the West wing.
    “Here is your room.” Announces Kori opening the doors.
    “Wow cool, this room is huge!” Thalia exclaims, wonder playing across her face.
    Walking towards a smaller set of doors at the far end of the room, Kori gestures with a wave. “Over here is your bathroom. You can wash up in there and once you're done, supper will be served in the dining hall down stairs.”
    “Thanks Kori, but do you think you can stay here until I finish?” Asks Thalia. When Kori frowns she quickly adds, “I mean…I don’t exactly know where the dining hall is and it would be great if you would stay nearby so you can show me how to get there after.”
    “Oh. Alright I will stay if you want. It won’t be a problem since I have nothing else to do.” Kori replies, the shy smile returning.
    Thalia goes into the bathroom while Kori waits near the bedroom doors. 
    “Heheh you really are hopeless around attractive people.” Laughs Steel as he hovers over the sink.
    “Not so loud Steel, she'll hear you!” exclaims Thalia in a forced whisper. “Besides, it’s not like that. I don’t even know her.”
    “Riiigght.” Mocks Steel rolling his one digital eye. “And I’m the Lord of Downton Abbey.”
    “Shut up Steel.” Growls Thalia as she gets into the shower.
  Once she is dressed she returns to her room to find Kori still by the doors. The maid looks up when Thalia enters and a blush spreads across her face once again.
    “Hey, you feeling ok Kori? Your face keeps going red. Do you want some water or do you need to sit down?” This time concern laces Thalia's voice.
    Kori lets out a surprised sort of squeak. “Yes! I…I’m alright! I am just not used to my employer being so nice to me.” She stutters quickly. “Ah! Oh no I shouldn’t have said that. I am so sorry Miss.” She gasps suddenly.
    “Relax Kori. It's ok I don’t mind you telling me these things. In fact, I want you to know that you can always come talk to me about anything.” Thalia reassures her with a small smile as they walk to the dining hall.
    “Are…Are you sure? Do you really mean that? I…I don’t want to seem like I’m complaining or anything.” She asks hesitantly.
    Chucking slightly, Thalia pulls out her phone. “I do mean it. Here do you have a phone? I’ll give you my number so you can call me whenever you need.”
    They quickly exchange numbers just as they arrive at the dining hall. Thalia's stomach grumbles loudly at the sight of the feast spread out across the table. She smiles sheepishly as Kori laughs.
    “Heheh. I guess the sandwich and soda on the plane didn’t quite cut it. I knew I should have sprung for the cake when I had the chance.” Thalia laughs.
    “You are way too nice kid. One day people are going to take advantage of you because of it. You really ought to be more careful, you could end up in a lot of trouble.” Rebukes Steel, as Thalia begins eating.
    “I'll deal with it if it ever comes to that Steel. For now just shut up and let me eat.” She replies between bites.
    The rest of the meal goes by quietly. Once back in her room, Thalia changes and washes up for bed. She sets her alarm and heads to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be her first day working at the FBI Field Office of National City.