Page 93 of Fanning the Flames

Mark wagged a finger at Gus. “If he’s got these new cronies, he might be able to take it out this time.”

“We don’t want them attacking our base of operations,” Darlene said.

Joan shook her head. “No, that’s perfect. Lure them here and turn on the power blocking.”

Darlene gave her a look. “It mutes our powers, too.”

“You think we can’t take out an old man who can barely walk and two dudes who rely on their powers for everything? The only real threat is Prowl. She’s just as nasty without jumping on people like a bobcat. But we can take her out.” She had to force the last word. “Together.”

Her former archenemy slowly thawed. The rest of the room looked at each other likeThat’s not a bad idea.A prickle of pride flickered in her chest.

“There is one small problem with that,” Otis said. “Ward, don’t type this.”

“Yes, sir.” Ward dutifully clasped his hands.

“It doesn’t have a very far reach.” He hesitated to elaborate.

Gus huffed. “He means it only works within the confines of this building.”

“It’s like Wi-Fi,” Zee said. “It has a certain radius that works best in an enclosed area.”

“Ahhh.” Mark nodded slowly. “That’s why you never used it on us. You can’t beyond these walls.”

“Other than in specially-designed transport vehicles, not really.”

Perry leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Why haven’t you perfected it?”

Otis made a widely exaggerated face. “What a terrific idea. Why didn’t we think of that?”

“It’s a highly debated topic in the Superhero community,” Zee said. “How much we want the norms to know it exists.”

Darlene shot them a glare that they smirked at.

“Like it matters what we tell them now? They’re on our side.” Zee continued to the former Villains, “If we used it in public, the people who have issues with superpowers would know there’s a way to prevent us from using them.”

“It’s as much a way to protect us as to keep Villains under control,” Otis admitted.

Kade came into the room with a big grin that morphed into worry. “Uh-oh. Am I late? I had to change my clothes. What did I miss?”

“Nothing, buddy,” Mark said. “Just that we’re luring the Villains here to take them out by turning off their powers.”

“Oh, okay.” Kade paused mid-stride. “But that turns our powers off, too.”

Joan understood why this tech wasn’t public knowledge, but… “It has to reach a little bit outside. Like how home Wi-Fi doesn’t stop at your front door. We just have to get them right up to the building.”

“It is risky.” Zee shrugged likeBut what’s the alternative?

“This is a prime target. It’s worth the risk.”

Darlene stood, almost knocking into Kade as he passed. “How are we going to get them to come here when we’re ready and waiting for them?”

She gazed around the room. It felt kind of nice to be included. Then again, they needed all the fighting bodies they could get.

“We fake a news story,” Mark said.

A smile tugged at Joan’s mouth. One of their tried-and-true maneuvers.

“Yeah. We make up a story that the city’s Superhero headquarters is extremely vulnerable to attack. It’s unstable. These Villains aren’t local. They won’t know it’s not true. Quake will think it’s the result of age and wear and tear.”

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