Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Suing Starline ❯ The lawyer’s office ( Chapter 2 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Surge, Kit, and Manic sat down in the lawyer’s office.

 “You sure about this?” Manic asked. “I’m sure she’s an ambulance chaser.”

 “So what?” Surge asked. “This is the only way to make Starline pay and get paid for my troubles.”

 Manic gave an uneasy shrug. “A’ight.” 

 Finally, Breezie walked into her office and took her seat at the desk. She smiled at Manic. “Good morning, am I representing you, handsome?”

 Surge seethed.

 “No, my girlfriend and her adoptive brother are cyborgs.” Manic said flatly as he motioned to Surge and Kit. 

 Breezie flinched. “Oh, I am so sorry.” She replied. She looked at Surge. “You are lucky, hon.”

 “Yes. I am.” Surge said, giving Breezie a blank stare.

 Breezie cleared her throat. “Let’s… uh… pretend that didn’t happen and start over.” She replied. “So what happened?”

 “Well, Kit and I were kidnapped seven years ago by Dr. Starline.” Surge said, motioning to Kit. “So we escaped his control and had been able to fix and replace parts whenever we needed it until recently.”

 “That seems to be the common theme with his cyborganic parts.” Breezie said. “Please continue.”

 “So about two weeks ago, my pain management part quit working and can’t be replaced.” Surge replied. “So I’m dealing with an average pain threshold, which isn’t fun, but the worst parts are that I tire easily and I feel weighted down because of the metal skeleton.”

 Breezie frowned. “Oh, you poor thing.” 

 “Not to mention that the whole ordeal made me… I don’t know the word… hospital-phobic….” Surge said, shrugging. “Repeatedly having to be shut down to have parts replaced or removed, then hope I start up again is traumatic.”

 Breezie nodded. “I can imagine.” She replied. She looked at Kit. “What about you?”

 “Well, I have minor complications compared to her, ma’am.” Kit said. “My pain management implant is partially working, so my symptoms aren’t as severe as hers yet.”

 Breezie nodded. “Ah, that one may be a harder case to win because you’re not in her shape yet.” She replied. She looked through her papers. “You may want to wait until the part goes completely out to avoid a lengthy court process. Now, Surge, you do have a case. If we proceed, it’s two hundred dollars a day if we lose. If we win, I get ten percent of the settlement.”

 “I have to pay you if I lose?!” Surge snapped. 

 Manic sighed. “I warned you.”

 “Shut up, Manic.” Surge snapped.

 Manic narrowed his eyes.

 “There’s not many lawyers willing to take a case against Starline.” Breezy said calmly. “If you don’t like the fees, either find a new lawyer (and good luck with that) or represent yourself in court.”

 “Fine, I will.” Surge replied. She got up and stormed out. 

 Kit and Manic followed her.

*

 Manic and Kit exchanged annoyed glances as Surge went on a tirade as they walked down the street.

 “Can you believe that?” Surge ranted. “She expected me to pay her if she didn’t win the case. I can’t believe she thinks she’s still entitled to money she didn’t earn.”

 Manic nodded tersely. 

 Surge glanced at Manic. “What’s with you?”

 “I don’t appreciate being snapped at.” Manic said. “I know you’re frustrated, but it’s not my fault and I don’t snap at you when I’m frustrated. I tried to warn you because I had a feeling she’s shady and unprofessional. I didn’t want her to take advantage of you. You should’ve known that she was unprofessional after she flirted with me.”

 Surge sighed. “Manic….”

 “Wait, is that why you snapped at me?” Manic asked. “Aw, c’mon. I turned her down, didn’t I? I didn’t flirt back or even really look at her. She’s not my type anyway.”

 “No, I’m sorry, Manic.” Surge replied. “I wasn’t in the mood for an ‘I told you so’. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

 “It’s okay, I should’ve kept my mouth shut.” Manic said. He hugged Surge. “So I guess we should find another lawyer?”

 “Would you like to represent me?” Surge asked.

 Manic gave Surge a dumbfounded look. “I don’t know legal stuff.” He replied. “I barely understand what little law stuff I have to know for my art and music.”

 “So do you think Tails would know?” Surge asked.

 “It’s not science stuff, so I doubt it.” Manic replied.

 “What about Sonia or Amy?” Surge asked. “Or Shadow or Rouge?”

 “Sonia won’t know.” Manic replied. “Shadow wouldn’t want to get involved. Rouge might, but I’m surprised you mentioned her.”

 “Why?” Surge asked.

 “Good, let’s forget it.” Manic replied.

 “Oh, the fancy ball.” Surge said, nodding. “You were right. Aleena and Sonia stared out of shock too.”

 “But Amy probably would do it.” Manic said. “We can at least ask her.”

 “Alright, let’s go.” Surge replied.

*

 Surge, Manic, and Kit sat on the couch as Surge explained the situation to Amy, who was sitting on the chair.

 “So you couldn’t hire a lawyer?” Amy asked.

 “Not a good one.” Manic replied.

 “Besides, while I trust Manic, I didn’t trust that girl.” Surge said.

 Amy sighed. “That’s a lot of legal stuff to wade through.”

 “How hard can it be?” Surge asked. “It’s an open and shut case.”

 “For one, you say he kidnapped you and Kit and didn’t agree to being given cyborganics.” Amy replied. “I believe you, the courts might not. He could’ve fabricated evidence to show that you and Kit agreed or got you two to agree under hypnosis.”

 “If she was under hypnosis, she didn’t consent to it.” Manic said.

 “Which you could prove it if he filmed or maybe recorded a verbal agreement.” Amy replied. “If he got her to sign a waiver under hypnosis or under the influence of anything, you can’t prove it. It’s hard to prove he has a history of it when his previous victims can’t come forward.”

 “What do you mean they can’t come forward?” Manic asked.

 Amy frowned. “They’re dead.” She replied. “Some were killed in training or on missions. One didn’t survive being put under anesthesia to be given cyborganics. A couple of them committed suicide because of the complications.”

 Manic pulled his knees to his chest.

 “So that jerk gets away with it?” Surge asked. “I get nothing for this?”

 “I didn’t say I wouldn’t help you or that we’d even fail.” Amy replied. “I’m saying it won’t be easy and I want you to be prepared for either outcome.”

 “Thanks, I guess.” Surge said.

 “I guess I better get some research done.” Amy said, getting up. “You can hang around to help if you’d like. I’ll make some coffee.”

 Kit got up. “I’ll help you make coffee, miss.”

 “Thank you, Kit.” Amy said. She led Kit into the kitchen.

 Surge scoffed. “Why does he call her Miss and I get called ma’am?” She asked. “Not that I like Miss either, but….”

 Surge looked at Manic. “What’s with you?”

 “You wouldn’t do that, would you?” Manic asked.

 “What are you talking about?” Surge asked.

 “What Amy said about the other cyborgs.” Manic replied. “You… you wouldn’t do something like that, right?”

 Surge sighed. “I don’t think so.” 

 Manic curled up more. “I don’t want to lose you.” He said, voice shaking. “I’d do anything to help you, I just… I… I lost my parents and uncle. You and my sibs are all I have.”

 Manic exhaled slowly. “I guess that’s selfish of me.” He said. “You have to live with the side effects while I don’t.”

 Surge stroked Manic’s spines. “I’m not gonna leave you like that, Manic.” She replied. “I promise.”

 Manic slid his knees down.

 Surge hugged Manic. 

 Manic held onto Surge. “We’ll figure out something, babe.” He said softly. “We’ll fight it together.”

 Surge nodded.