Page 42 of Supernova

The words seemed to be sucked into a vacuum. Adrian felt likethe ground had sunk beneath him. Like the world narrowed to a pinprick.

Nightmare must die.

He was sure his dads would scoff at the suggestion, but their faces were stoic and unreadable.

It was Blacklight who spoke first. With a quiet chuckle, he said, “Is that all it will take to quit their complaining? Works for me.”

Simon shot him a look. “These are lives we’re discussing.”

“Villains’ lives,” said Blacklight. “Nightmare doesn’t deserve mercy any more than Ace Anarchy does. Shewasthe one who neutralized them, so it seems fair to me.”

“Think about it,” said Genissa. “The people are losing faith in you quickly. Every day we hear people asking if the Renegades are really capable of protecting them, of serving the growing needs of this city. As the Council, you need to show a united front. You can’t tolerate any prodigies who refuse to act by the code. And you certainly don’t want ex-Renegades like us”—she gestured at Mack and Trevor—“going around telling everyone how weak you really are when it comes to true threats, like Nightmare and the Anarchists.”

Adrian’s vision clouded, darkening at the edges until all he could see was Genissa Clark’s infuriating grin. She was already relishing the idea that she could be the one to end Nightmare’s life. She wanted vengeance for her lost powers.

But the Council wouldn’t allow that… would they?

A hand gripped his elbow—Ruby’s, offering support. It snapped Adrian from his thoughts.

It wasn’t Nova. It was Nightmare. It was a villain.

But still—death? Without a trial? Without any hope for redemption?

“Captain,” said Tsunami, “I am not sure this is a wise course of action. The Council needs to discuss—”

“Oh, wow, I hate to interrupt,” said Genissa, checking an invisible watch, “but we have to get going! Wouldn’t want to miss our interview with the evening news, would we?”

She spun on her heel, but had barely moved before Captain Chromium called out, “We accept.”

“No,” Adrian whispered, shaking his head. Ruby’s hand squeezed tighter around his arm. “They can’t let her…”

He trailed off as, in the center of the lobby, Genissa Clark pivoted back to the Council with a wicked smirk. “Come again?”

“A double execution will take place at the reveal,” said the Captain, his fists clenched as he spoke. “You, Frostbite, may see to the death of Nightmare, who has been our longtime enemy, and a persistent threat to the Renegades and the civilians we have sworn to protect. This execution will be enacted as punishment for her crimes against society and our own.”

“Well,” said Genissa, flourishing a mocking bow at the Council, “thank you for being so understanding. We’ll give your offer due consideration and get back to you.”

With a wink, Genissa and her team paraded toward the revolving doors, pushing their way back to the street, where they were immediately swarmed by reporters who had been camped out on the sidewalk ever since the helmet had been stolen.

“Back to work, all of you!” the Captain barked, his voice uncharacteristically irate. The crowd immediately jumped into action, though Adrian doubted many were going to “work.” Already he could see the crowd dividing into groups, flocking toward the lounges and training halls to discuss what had just happened.

“Adrian?” said Oscar, poking Adrian’s foot with the bottom of his cane. “You all right?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he said.

A hesitation was followed by Oscar whispering to Ruby, “That’s ano, right?”

“Excuse me,” said Adrian, hopping down from the desk. He shoved his way through the crowd, toward where all five Council members were climbing the newly built stairway to the mezzanine.

“Dad!”

The Captain tensed, and his expression was mildly crumpled as he faced Adrian. “I’m sorry. We didn’t have—”

“Capital punishment? Really?” Adrian gaped at each of the Council members in turn.

“And why not?” roared Blacklight. “Do you have any idea how many thousands of people died at the hands of Ace Anarchy and his minions? It’s about time we started fighting fire with fire. You show no mercy, you deserve no mercy.”

“And how many people has Nightmare killed?” said Adrian. “Other than the Detonator, that is.”

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