Mic Drop (Cape High Series Book 16)

by R. J. Ross

  "But you're still in the line," I say. "And Century picked Voltdrain--which is only logical. Voltdrain is powerful, intelligent, and has a massive fan base. Negatia..." I go silent.

  "It used to be my dad," Justin says quietly.

  "Yeah," I say. "It used to be Sonic Scream."

  "So this is all fascinating, but what does it have to do with us?" Freddy asks.

  "A lot," I say. "We're going to be deployed throughout the five branches. Don't you wonder who you'll be working for? Or, for the more powerful ones of you, who will be working for you?"

  They look at me blankly and I sigh. "Don't worry, I'll make sure it's not too bad," I say, giving up on getting them interested in cape politics or aiming for leadership. Oh well, that's more up to the Hall Leaders than them, anyway. I head into the cafeteria, going to the kitchen to grab a plate.

  "So," Rocco says, dropping down next to me when I sit at an empty table, "what's this about a villain's parade?"

  "Who told you?" I ask, starting to eat.

  "Skye spent the night over at Nico's, who told her you were planning on it. She was so excited I could barely understand," he says. "Something about driving lessons and floats?"

  "Well, it was pretty much her idea," I admit. "Want to help me brainwash Central Hall?"

  "I thought you'd never ask," he says cheerfully. "But what about the other thing you were doing? I thought you were intent on getting your family out of the apartments."

  "Yeah, I should probably talk to them about that, huh?" I say, scowling as I remember why I was in such a hurry in the first place. "Wait--wait, I've got an idea," I say. "I need to talk to Bombastic."

  ***

  "No," Bombastic says a few minutes later. He's getting ready for school, which means I'm standing in his apartment, watching him flip pancakes. His wife, who is supposed to be living next door, is drinking a cup of coffee at the table. Why she's over here this early is absolutely none of my business. "You're not sending your mother's family off to my isolated island. Sure, it sounds good in theory, but there won't be anyone protecting them if Massteria gets a sudden desire to go swimming. Besides, Atlanti is out there."

  "Yeah, but--"

  "If Atlanti's out there, who knows what could happen on a few little islands?"

  "I hope she doesn't flood them, it took forever to grow some of those trees," Angela says, getting up and refilling her cup.

  "If she does, I'm sure either Sunny or Summer would be willing to help clean it up," I say. I sigh, giving up, because he's got a good point. "This is seriously frustrating," I mutter. "Well, thank you for hearing me out."

  "Max, you realize just shoving them out isn't going to fix anything, don't you?" Angela asks. "Do you really never want to see your siblings again?"

  I stop, looking away from them. Do I? It's what's best for everyone, right? But I feel a little sick to my stomach, nonetheless. I mean, even before I actually talked to them, I watched them. Right now I have the chance to get to know them--something I never imagined possible before this. I also have the chance to get to know the woman that gave birth to me--not in a loving, mother-son sort of way, but as a human being. Who is she? Why did she fall for Dad in the first place? What made her change her mind? Do I have some traits from her that I don't know about?

  Oh, now it's turning into a Nature vs. Nurture question, isn't it? Maybe I can get some extra credit writing about how the mother that abandoned me is or isn't like me--I groan at myself, shoving those thoughts aside. Bombastic and Angela are just watching me with curious expressions.

  "You just sent him off somewhere," Bombastic says to Angela. "Max, are you with us again?" he asks me.

  "Sorry, I was... thinking," I admit.

  "We could see that," Angela says with a little smirk. "These telepath types, they're always locked away inside their own heads. It can be a bit frustrating, really. Your father was terrible about it when he was younger."

  "He was?" I ask, startled.

  "Oh, yes. He would go off staring into the distance for long periods. Who knew what he was doing? He could have been reading minds or just trying to decide what to do for lunch," she says, waving it off. "Superior never did that--then again I wasn't certain Superior thought deeply about anything, really."

  "You're kidding," Bombastic says, letting out a startled laugh. "Superior didn't think things through?"

  "Pot, meet kettle," she says to him.

  "True," he admits.

  "Well, um, I really need to get back to work," I say. "Thanks for your time."

  "Max," Bombastic says, making me pause. "If you're going to do something big, I'll be helping on the clean-up."

  "Yeah, I look forward to working with you," I say as I head out the door and into the stairwell. My mother and her husband are here. The kids are probably getting ready for school, right? So now isn't the time to interrupt them... but on the other hand, I should tell them that it's going to take longer than I expected. Maybe I can call them?

  "Oh, hey, Max," Trent says, making me look up. He's already got a sleeping Sunny on his back and is eating a breakfast sandwich which looks more like a couple of sausages wrapped in a pancake. "You're here early."

  "I wound up crashing over at the dorms," I say, looking over his shoulder automatically. There's Zoe, walking with Emily, just as I expected. "Morning, Zoe. You're looking as beautiful as always."

  "So, is he going to be flirting with you until you take him back?" Emily asks. "Because I'm almost positive I can get something out of this."

  "He's not going to do that," Zoe says. "He's trying to appease me because he screwed up royally the other day. Isn't that right, Max?"

  "I was perfectly fine," I protest. "I waited until my heart was back to normal, didn't I?"

  "Stop before you dig the hole deeper, man," Trent advises me. "Trust me, you're already low enough."

  "I can't be in the dog house if we're not dating," I say cheerfully. "Have a good day at school, guys. I'm going to see if I can go over to Pan's place to plot."

  "Are you going to need me?" Trent asks.

  "Yeah, but not just yet, I need to get everything set up first."

  "Cool," he says.

  "I want in!" Emily says. "You'd better not cut me out."

  "I know," I say, only to stop as I see Chet and Layne peeking out at me. I give up. I need to talk to the family. I head down the stairs and stop in front of them. "I'm sorry," I say.

  "What for?" Chet asks.

  "Something I need to talk to all of you about," I say, herding them back to their apartment building. "It's frustrating to me, so I can't imagine how you guys will take it," I admit as we walk in. My mother and John are sitting on the couch, watching the news. "Can I speak with you?" I ask.

  "Is there a problem?" John asks, looking worried. "Kids, you can go on to school--"

  "No, they need to hear this, as well," I say, motioning for the two to join their parents. "I want to apologize. I haven't found Massteria just yet. I will, I promise, but it's going to take longer than I'd hoped, since something came up. That means, as much as I hate to do this to you, that you're going to have to stay here a little longer."

  "I see," my mother says, frowning slightly.

  "I'm sure you're all doing your best," John says. "There's something we need to talk to you about, as well," he says.

  "John, don't--" my mother says, touching his arm.

  "I want you to be able to speak with the kids after this is all over," John says. My mother pulls her hand away, looking startled. "I know you three might not have much in common--you're a super, we're all normal, but they need to know their big brother. I know it's dangerous, that's why we're here now, right? But I'm sure that you can figure out a way to keep people from finding out that you're related."

  I hesitate, stunned. "I'm... I see," I say, not knowing what else to say. "But you're right, it is dangerous--and it's going to be more dangerous soon," I admit. "I'm going to be a second-in-command pretty soon. That will make me a
target, and everyone I know one, as well. I can't do that to you, or to Chet and Layne."

  "You've got a girlfriend, isn't it more dangerous for her?" Layne demands.

  "But she's not a norm," I say, knowing it's mean, but unable to put it any other way. "The only friends I have are capes. There are no records of me in the norm system--just what they know of my persona. I don't have a secret identity, guys, I have a few different fabricated identities that I can drag out when necessary. Dad did that deliberately."

  "That's... that's terrible," John says, looking stunned.

  "No, that's logical," I say. "I'm pretty sure that Nico's gone in and cleared up whatever little traces of me there might be, as well. When you think of all that... do you really think becoming closer to me is smart? I don't want my little brother and sister to be someone's only way to hunt me down," I say. "This is a relationship that no one should ever know about. Once this is over, the first thing I'll do is ask Nico to make sure there's no hint of it in public documents. You probably won't ever see me again, as well."

  "NO!" Chet says. "That's STUPID! I hate you, Max!" he yells before racing off to his room and slamming the door.

  "Good job," Layne says sarcastically, glaring at me before storming off as well. "You know what, I don't WANT you to be my brother. You're a jerk!"

  I stand there, feeling both the adults just staring at me judgmentally. After a second I let out a sigh and head to Chet's room, knocking on the door. "Chet?" I say. "Chet, kid, you need to think this through."

  "I hate you, you jerk! Maybe I don't want to be YOUR brother, how about that?" he asks. His voice is nasally, telling me that he's crying. Inwardly I sigh.

  "Chet--" I say again, not sure what else I SHOULD say. "It isn't that big of a deal, is it? We've only known each other for a couple of days. Think of this as just meeting a stranger for a bit--"

  The door opens and Chet looks at me, his eyes red, and glares. "What about you?" he demands. "Are you going to throw everyone that isn't a super out of your life? You're a gigantic chicken, Max! A coward!"

  I wince, because that hit a sore spot. "Well maybe I take after our mom more than you do," I hear myself say. I feel her jerk behind me and I turn, looking at her defiantly. "You can't say you don't understand where I'm coming from, now can you?" I say to her. "You ran as soon as you could, because you know exactly what I'm trying to say. This life is too dangerous for norms. The best thing would have been if I wasn't born, but since I was--"

  She slaps me. It doesn't hurt, of course, but I'm still stunned. "You're right," she says, "you have a right to disparage me, but do NOT do it in front of my children, in MY apartment! And until you realize that, I don't want you back here." Her words hit me harder than any slap could, and rage rushes through my body. How dare she lecture me? How dare she SLAP me? She gave up those rights when she ABANDONED me! She has NO RIGHT to order me--I hear the furniture start to rattle and realize I'm starting to lose control of my powers. I have to stop. I have to step back from the situation, and breathe. It's just that it's nearly impossible to do that when she's glaring at me with self-righteous fury.

  "Wendy--" John says, looking at the rattling couch with a look of fear.

  "Do we have an understanding?" she demands, completely ignoring what John is noticing.

  "Oh, I understand, all right, Mother. Once this is over, you won't ever have to worry about me going near YOUR children, again," I say through gritted teeth. Maybe I did go too far with Chet and Layne, but... I turn and walk out of the apartment, not trusting myself to close the door. I have work to do. I also need to get some fresh air.

  ***

  The Panterus Large Cat Shelter looms ahead of me, looking as beautiful as a high class resort. I land at the edge of the perimeter and step up to a familiar looking rock, which shoots out of the ground. The screen on the panel reveals Cubby looking back at me. "No," he says.

  "Cubby, can you get your mama or papa?" I ask as he starts to run away from the screen. "Cubby?" I call as he disappears completely. "This isn't funny, Cubby."

  "I don't know, I thought it was rather amusing," Pan says, appearing on the screen. "Come on in, you're in the database."

  "Okay, thanks," I say as the familiar handprint appears on the panel. I press my hand to it and follow the glowing footprints that indicate Nico's favorite places. As I step off the final footprint, I look around. I'm not really in the mood to deal with people right now. I feel raw, honestly, but I shove it to the back of my mind and start forward after taking a deep breath.

  "You look like someone stole your favorite trophy," Pan says bluntly as he steps out of the building. "Did you finally realize that you and Zoe are no longer dating?"

  "No... it's nothing," I say, looking around. Before I can blink, a squirt of water hits me from behind the nearest tree. I hear Cubby break out laughing as he steps into view with a water gun bigger than he is. "Hey!" I protest as I get shot again. "It's the middle of winter!" I chase after him as he races away. For a four-year-old, he's pretty fast--but then again, he and his sister were born with their athletic abilities. It runs in the Panther line.

  "That's what he walked away for," Pan says cheerfully. "He's been looking for good hiding spots for weeks."

  "Does Adanna play with him?" I ask.

  "Of course, what cat doesn't get irritated when shot with water?" he asks, still grinning. "He loves when she shifts to chase him, especially."

  I watch as Cubby peeks out from another tree, making a face at me. With the way this week has been going, goofing off with a four-year-old sounds like an awesome way to relax, but I can't. I've got work to do. I let out a sigh and hold out the folders I've brought. "One of these--the one I think will be most likely to go viral, calls for a lot of cooperation from the heroes of Central Hall," I admit.

  "Do you think you can get it?" he asks.

  "Possibly? I mean, I don't see them minding too much, but I'd definitely owe them some favors afterward. But I know I should have three, it's just that things are a bit hectic--but if neither of these work for you, I'll write something else up before leaving."

  He nods, flipping through the folder. "Why don't you go keep Cubby busy while I look these over?" he offers.

  "Can I?" I ask.

  "Sure."

  I don't wait for him to add a time limit. I take off into the trees, trying to hide my grin. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" I call, hearing the tiniest giggle from the right. I wasn't sure that Cubby even liked me until now, honestly. The kid launched a mini war on me back when we were in SVSC (Super Villain Summer Camp, I've got the T-shirt and everything). Maybe that's just how he plays? I mean, he IS a cape kid, even as young as he is. I've heard that he's already learning all of the family fighting techniques, as well.

  I hear a roar in miniature and blink as the boy jumps on my shoulders, covering my eyes with his hands. "I WIN!" he yells as I spin for a second.

  "Oh you do, do you?" I tease, taking to the air. He lets out a little squeal before giggling wildly.

  "Higher!" he urges me.

  "I can't see!" I say, deliberately staggering through the air. I look into his mind, which is full of excitement and all the things he can see. I don't want to get too high, of course, or too close to the borders of the property. This place has the same laser wall as the school, and the last thing I want is to fry us both. But I CAN fly around when I'm looking through his eyes. He's got an excellent eye for distance and details. I actually expected that.

  I reach up, holding onto his legs as I start flying around the estate. I deliberately make it look like I'm going to crash a few times, and he tugs on my head, trying to drive me like a car.

  "Boys!" I pull to a stop as I hear Adanna's mom call out to us. "Get down here! It's time for your mid-morning snack."

  "Snack time!" I say, dropping to the ground.

  "Awww," Cubby complains. "I wanna fly more!" he says.

  "Maybe later," I say as his hands leave my eyes. "Hello, Mrs. Panterus,"
I say, walking over. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting, but--"

  "Oh, it's fine," she says. "Cubby looks happy, and so does Chinaza--" she stops when I look blank, "Pan," she provides.

  "Oh," I say. "Sorry, I mean, I don't think I've ever heard his first name before," I admit. "Nico always calls him Pan."

  "Trust me, it took me months to find out his first name," she says, waving it off. "Now if you'll follow me, we'll have our snack and Chinaza--Pan can talk to you about your plan."

  "Did he have a problem with it?" I ask as we head into the kitchen.

  "Yes, I have a problem with it," he says. "I wish I was the one that had come up with it."

  I let a little grin cross my face. "But you're not coming out as a telepath," I tell him, dropping down at the table. "Did you like the villain parade part?"

  "I'm already planning my float," he says. "But your time frame... it's too short. This will take a month or two at least just to prepare for. You also need to alert all the con-goers. It takes norms longer to get here--"

  "I'm going to make it free," I say. "If it's free, we should have a full house even if we don't use too much publicity. We'll just toss up some posters on every corner and maybe have one of the big names announce it. It can't be me, obviously, but I bet Nico would do it."

  "As for the other plan--" he says.

  "It might be useful after I graduate," I admit. "Turns out that Phoebe Woods is more than just an entitled stalker, she's Massteria's daughter."

  He raises an eyebrow slightly. "Interesting news," he says.

  "I thought so."

  "Then, since I'm your supervisor, I believe we need to make a call to your father," he says. "Do you plan on having him involved on-screen?"

  "I thought we'd set it up so I've kidnapped him before this all starts," I say. "I can't exactly brainwash him, since he's going to be the one that needs to save the day. Once we have him out of the way, I can use his stand-in as a puppet."

  "And who would his stand-in be?"

  "I need to ask around," I admit. "Ken would be perfect, if he's willing to go along with it. No one would be surprised if he stepped up to the plate. And since he's got no telepathic ability whatsoever, he's a perfect scapegoat."