Aces Wild: Cape High Book Six (11 page)

"Unfortunately, he's not responsible for what's happened.  Adding to his sentence with loss
of his abilities is a misconduct and abuse of position--"

"In English, Double M
," Nico says, knowing what it means but irritated enough to make Double M reword himself.

"He'd have grounds to be released if we did that," Double M says bluntly.  "And get the norms on our backs for experimentation on our inmates.  Unjustified experimentation and possibly abuse."

"But it'd be worth it," Nico says.

"Especially since you're not the one dealing with the repercussions, I assume?"

"Exactly."

"Regardless, I would have to deal with them," Double M says quietly as a large super male walks up to them.

"Mastermental, Technico," Kingston says.  "Harry has the day off today."  He has the genetics, has the breeding, but has no desire to be on the ten o'clock news.  It makes him a perfect guard for the Cape Cells.  "Is it time to get your cell ready?" he asks Nico.

"No," Nico says blandly.  "We're here to see the newest tenant.  Star Born."

A dark look crosses Kingston's face.  "So you're the reason she's got a computer."

"I thought it would keep her from trying to escape," Nico says blandly.  "Don't worry, I've set it up so the scientists at the Hall have access to everything she does on it.  They're making leaps and bounds in genetic research thanks to spying on her."

Kingston doesn't look impressed.  Nico doesn't care.  Thankfully Mastermental decides that it's time to take over and nods to Kingston.  "If we might, we have something important to discuss with her."

"Yes, sir," Kingston says.  "This way, if you would."

The walk is silent, grim, even, as they head for the cell at the end of the hall.  There are extras to the cell--built in devices that would stop Star from transporting even if she somehow managed to get free of her collar.  But by the sound of tapping on a keyboard, she isn't even trying to escape.  She doesn't even look up as they step into the adjoining room and watch her through the rocket proof glass wall.

"Star," Nico says after a few minutes of her tapping away.  "We need your assistance."

"I'm busy," she says coldly, not even looking at them.

"I'm willing to offer some more supplies in exchange," Nico says, earning a sharp look from Kingston and a sigh from Mastermental.  "Of course actual chemicals are out of the question... how about a television?"

The typing slows, but doesn't stop.

"And
a couch," Nico says.

"And movies?" she asks, finally looking over at them.  "I missed several years of movies, you know," she adds.

"Fine.  Movies.  Any other hobbies you want to get into?"

"I'm too busy for anyth
ing, really," she admits, crossing her legs and leaning against her desk.  "What is it you want from me, Technico?"

"I want the stuff you used to take powers away," he says.  "For good."

"Really?  Why?  I've been told you're the one that invented this," she says, tapping the collar she wears.  "You know just as well as I do how to block powers.  Just in a different form."

"Exactly.  In the form of the collar it can be taken off or will short out with enough distance from the control.  I want this to last for the rest of his life," Nico says coldly.  A little smile pulls at the corners of her lips, one that doesn't reach her eyes.

"I see, so this is a form of revenge," she says.  "I can understand that.  I'll send the information to your pet scientists, they should find it almost as interesting as everything else I've been doing."

"Your payment will arrive as soon as they've got it all," Nico says blandly.  He's not surprised she knows.

"Tell me, Star Born," Mastermental says abruptly.  "Why are you in such a rush to get what you're doing done?"

She looks at him, a thoughtful expression on her face.  "Because I have reason to believe that Kunnins is still alive," she says almost mildly.

"Kunnins?" he repeats.  She doesn't answer, she just turns back to her computer and starts typing again.

***

Okay, so we all know I was attacked by a guy that almost killed me with a single hand last night, one that I'm now POSITIVE is Superior.  Not a fake, not a clone, THE Superior--which I'm sort of geeking out over, not gonna lie, but either way, focus.  Because I can't.  I am so hyped that I woke up an hour early to take a shower and dress up in my best.  Yes, there is eyeliner involved.  Yes, Jack will probably wedgie me for it.  I DON'T CARE.  It'll make my eyes show up more.

I'm back, baby.  I'm BACK!

The doorbell rings and I get there in a second, opening the door with a huge grin on my face.  I'm expecting Panther.  I get...

"Jetta?" I say blankly, only to get slapped across the face.

"You lied to me," she snarls.  "An escaped convict?  I should take you into the Hall, myself!" she bellows.

"What?" I ask blankly even as she storms away.  I am so confused right now that I almost lose my happy.  But before I can chase after her and demand an explanation a familiar black car pulls to a stop in front of my house.  The window rolls down and Panther looks out at me.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

"Let me grab my bag," I say, racing inside, grabbing the bag, and calling a quick, "I'm going to school!" to my mom.  I go as fast as I can, but he's still standing next to his car by the time I get to it.  There's a strange look on his face as he moves in front of me.

"I see," he says as I look at him.  "You are Blackjack's son, after all," he says with a laugh.

"My eyes are back," I say
, bragging like a little kid.  I've never once wanted to draw attention to them before, but now I feel like shouting it.  Now that they make me normal in the school I'm going to.  For the first time in my life, I'm honestly, straight-forwardly proud of them.  He looks at my black leather and netting stripped hoodie, then at my black belted jeans and boots.  He raises an eyebrow.

"I wasn't told you planned on going super villain," he says.

"I'm not... I don't think?" I admit, looking down and seeing it through his eyes.  "Although Max uh... said something about it."

"It would be a pleasure to have you on our side," Panther says, dropping a hand on my shoulder. 

"Ace!" Mom says, coming out of the house.  "I didn't think you planned on going to school today," she says, sounding vulnerable.  I look up at her, a bit stunned.  "I mean, last night you--"

"I got my powers back," I say.  "I don't have to wear that stupid machine."

"Well... I mean--"

"I'm not the special needs kid today.  You really think I'm going to miss that?" I ask.

"You were never--that's a very offensive way to put it, young mister!" she splutters.

"They stuck me in a machine just so I could keep up," I say dryly.  "That's a special need."  Not that I have anything against kids that have to use machines to move.  In fact I'm feeling a good deal of empathy for them.  Maybe now that I've got my illusion ability I could... I dunno... do something cool for the kids stuck in hospitals or wheelchairs or whatever.  I could do magic tricks that aren't really magic, or tricks!

"I--well, regardless, you be careful," Mom says.  "And make sure you get home right after school."

"Yeah, sure," I say in reply.  "Not a problem."  Okay, you got me, still on a happy high here.  But don't think I won't do it.  I'll drag Justin or someone along with me to the hospital.  I'm still thinking about it as I slide into the backseat of Panther's car, looking up as Adanna turns to look at me.

"Taurus will be disappointed," she says.  "He was enjoying playing with the norm toys."

"Norm toys?" Panther asks.

"We were learning about norm heroes," she explains.  "Remember?  It's astonishing how many toys that Nico has built just for those."

"I doubt I'd be astonished," Panther admits.  "I was his roommate in college, remember? 
You'd
be astonished how often I came back to the dorm to find a weapon of some sort lying on his bed or mine, or sometimes both."  He glances at me in the rearview mirror.  "You look so much like an evil version of your father," he says.  I'm positive it's a compliment.

"Thanks," I say.

"It might make for an interesting plot twist," Panther says as we pull to a stop in front of the school.  "Can I ask, how did you get your abilities back?"

I go silent, thinking about what my dad had told me the night before.  "I... it's sort of personal," I admit.  "But the more Mimic uses my abilities, the more they come back to me.  He came up with a really powerful one last night."  I can't shake the feeling that there was more to Tatiana than just trying to piss Superior off, though.

I almost jump as someone knocks on the window.  It says a lot about the glass that it doesn't crack, I think as I realize that it's Jack.  I roll the window down, looking at him.  "What?" I demand.

"Get out, we've got--whoa," he says.

"What?" I demand again.

"I didn't know you were that pretty, man," he says evilly.  "Is that eyeliner?  Hey, Emily, you still got that red lipstick?  Goth boy here forgot to finish putting on his makeup!"

"I'm not putting on lipstick, Jack," I growl as I get out of the car.

"Then we'll need a skirt--you're pretty skinny, you might be able to wear one of Morgan's--"

"I don't own a skirt!" Morgan bellows from inside the canyon.

"Then maybe Justin has one you can borrow," he says, not even missing a beat.  "What do you think, guys?  Wouldn't he be the belle of the ball?"  He drapes an arm over my shoulders and I promptly elbow him as hard as I can in the gut.  He grunts and lets go, but I don't even notice.  I feel like I just elbowed a wall.  Ow.  My elbow is screaming that I haven't regained all of my toughness--or he's really just that hard.

"You've got your powers back?" Max says, landing in front of us.  I hear a door close behind me and glance back to watch Adanna get out and head for Trent, who's carrying Sunny piggyback.

"Yeah," I say, feeling a bit shy for some reason.

"Awesome," Max says.  "Now there's three of us on the super villain side--we can set up the football game now!"

"Three of us against the rest of the apartment and the zoo kids?" Jack asks.  "Might be interesting..."

"I'm claiming Zoe for it, too," Max says.

"Then four of us against all of them.  I like those odds," Jack says.  I stare at him.  He's as insane as the rest of this group!  Wait, why am I acting surprised?

"Ace's nonaffiliated, still," Nico says as he walks over to us, carrying a coffee cup in his hand.  "How are you doing?" he asks me with a serious expression.  He reaches out with his free hand and tilts my chin up, looking at my neck.  "The bruises are already gone.  And I see your eyes are back.  Good."

"What happened?" Jack asks.  "What bruises?"

"That's for him to decide whether to tell or not.  Now, everyone inside," Nico says, turning and looking around with a sharp expression.  "It's still not safe out here."  I glance out as well, looking at the abandoned buildings near the canyon.  Anyone could be hiding in one of them--but why would they want to when there's so many super heroes here?  I glance in the sky, seeing a handful of them heading in for work.  Sure, they're retired, but they're still more than someone sane would want to take on.

Then again, is Mimic sane?  No, seriously, I have no idea how sane that guy is.  Do you?

"So," Jack says, draping an arm over my shoulders again.  I shot him a dirty look, because I'm still not sure if he's annoying or funny.  "How good are you at football?"

"Never played it," I admit as he drags me up to the line for the panel and we wait out turn to go in.

"Okay, I can get that... how good are you at cheating?" he asks.  "Think you could do an illusion or ten of me and Max?"

"You know, I still don't like you, Jack, but that's an excellent question," Max says, stepping in line behind us.  "Think you can do it, Ace?"

"Probably not," I admit.  "I'm still learning how to do the small stuff."

"But he'll be able to with training," Nico says, still staring at the area around us.  I almost swear he's picking up on something we haven't noticed.

"Really?  Awesome!" Emily says, making me glance over at her.

"Not awesome," Trent says.  "Not awesome at all."

"But that means he's sort of like me and Ditto, right?" she says.  "We could put on an entire play together!"

I step up to the panel and place my hand on it.  "I can't act," I tell her before going in.

"That's what would make it funny!"

***

It's not as easy to stay in this form anymore.  Mimic scowls as he watches the kids enter the force field.  He's losing his powers.  He'd felt it strongly after the Tatiana episode--he'd seen what happened, as well.  The boy is taking back his abilities.  The moment Mimic uses them they go right back to their rightful owner--Ace.