Page 40 of Supernova

Adrian frowned at the back of Coyote’s head. Though the words had been muffled under his breath, it was clear he’d intended them to be heard. Adrian disagreed, though. The Council cared about them, each of them, and all of the citizens of their city. But at the same time, he wondered if the Council’s eagerness was blinding them to the risks of pushing forward with Agent N. With all the attacks from the media and the public’s mounting doubts about the Renegades’ ability to keep them safe, they were desperate to make it appear that they were still in control.

But at what cost? Did they really believe they could keep their own Renegades safe from Agent N after what had happened to Frostbite’s team?

Blacklight set the crate on a table and pulled out a bulky gas mask. “Our friends in tech have made modifications to these masks, and after a series of tests, we can confirm that they will protect a prodigy from Agent N in gas form, which, as you know, was one of the methods Nightmare used to neutralize Frostbite and the others. Effective immediately, all patrol units will be equipped with a gas mask during active duty.”

He started tossing the masks into the crowd. The patrols caughtthem, almost unwillingly. There was distaste written on their faces as they inspected the cumbersome masks.

Blacklight tossed one to Adrian and he quickly understood his peers’ irritation. The band meant to wrap around his head was stretchy rubber and the bulbous filter over the mouth was heavy and hideous.

“We’re expected to wear these during patrols?” said Shot Blast.

“Only if you feel you’re in danger from an enemy who could have access to Agent N.”

Ruby raised her hand. “How are we supposed to know who may or may not have access to Agent N? Who knows who Nov—Nightmare could have given those bombs to?”

“Currently,” said Blacklight, “we have no reason to suspect that any villains other than Nightmare’s own affiliation—the Anarchists—have Agent N.”

“Okay, but what about poisoned darts?” asked Zodiac. “That’s the method we were going to be using to neutralize our enemies, so how do we know the Anarchists will even keep using Agent N in gas form? How are we supposed to keep ourselves from getting shot with the stuff? Our uniforms aren’t going to protect us.” She pulled at the stretchy skintight sleeve to emphasize her point.

“That is a concern,” said Blacklight, and Adrian could tell he was growing weary of their questions, even if they were valid. “We are discussing the development of full-body armored suits that will replace your current uniforms in the future.”

“Armored suits?” said Coyote with a bark. “Like the Sentinel?”

“Not… exactly,” said Blacklight, with an extra edge to his voice. Adrian had the sense that the uniforms they were plotting were exactly like the one worn by his alter ego.

Oscar elbowed Adrian in the side, smirking with pride. Adrian glared at him.

“How long before those suits are available?” asked Mondo-Man. “Something tells me it won’t be before the public reveal.”

“And how am I supposed to use my powers if I’m trapped inside a bunch of armor?” added Chameleon.

“I remember that doctor saying Agent N could be ingested, too. What if the villains start poisoning our food with it?”

A barrage of questions started pouring out from all sides of the room. Blacklight’s cheeks flushed nearly as red as his beard as he held up his hands, trying to fend them off.

A streak of lightning shot across the high ceiling, crashing into an overhead light. It burst with the impact, cascading sparks, at the same moment a roar of thunder shook the floor beneath them. It was so loud it knocked Adrian back a few steps, leaving him feeling like a giant drum had just been banged inside his skull.

“Enough!”

As silence filled the space left by the thunder, they all looked up to see Thunderbird on the catwalk, her face taut with anger. “None of you have the authority to question the Council’s decisions in such a disrespectful manner.”

Adrian gulped, unable to recall ever seeing Tamaya Rae so livid. And all because a group of Renegades had dared question the Council? Surely they were allowed to do that, right?

Blacklight cleared his throat. “I had this under control. For the record.”

“We have more pressing matters to deal with,” snapped Thunderbird. “There is a situation in the main lobby. Your presence is requested, immediately.” Jaw still tense, she scanned the patrol units. “You are all dismissed.”

Without waiting for a response, she swept back down the catwalk, her wings brushing against the railings to either side.

“Right,” said Blacklight. “To be continued.” Leaving the near-empty crate behind, he rushed after Thunderbird, bounding toward the elevators with as much dignity as he could hold on to.

The patrol units left behind passed mystified glances at one another for a minute, before rushing after the Council members. With a shrug to his teammates, Adrian followed.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE LOBBY WASstill under reconstruction and currently full of broken slabs of stone and caution tape and, it appeared, every on-duty Renegade who was in the building. They had formed a circle around the shattered tile floor, where a long gash could still be seen stretching from the redRin the lobby’s center to where the quarantine had crashed down from the mezzanine.

The pile of glass and rubble had been cleared away, and steel beams framing the balcony had been put back in place. On the second floor, tucked back from the edge of the walkway, stood a framework of steel spires, like an incomplete birdcage. Beside them, enormous curved glass panels were leaned up against the laboratory walls.

---