Archenemies (Renegades #2)(56)

Thunderbird put the vial of Agent N back in the case, then drew a small dart from a pouch. Nova swallowed. The dart was almost identical to the poisoned projectile she had once used to try to kill Captain Chromium. Nova’s hand went to the pen she always wore on her weaponry belt, the one she had designed a long time ago with a secret blow-dart compartment inside. She couldn’t be sure without closer inspection, but she suspected one of the Agent N darts would fit inside just right.

“Once your training is complete,” said Thunderbird, “and we have publicly unveiled Agent N, you will be outfitted with special handguns and darts like this one. Today, the darts are empty, and the guns by the practice boards”—she gestured to the firing range—“have been preloaded. Now, I’ll have everyone pick a—”

“I have a question,” said Nova.

Thunderbird nodded at her. “Go ahead.”

“Will there be consequences for Renegades who abuse Agent N?”

“Abuse?”

“This is an enormous responsibility,” she said. “I’m not convinced that we, as individuals, are qualified to make the life-changing decision of whether or not a prodigy should be allowed to keep their powers, even those who have been found breaking the law.”

Thunderbird gave a smile, but it was close-lipped. “There is no greater responsibility than protecting and serving the citizens of this city, and the rest of the Council and I fully trust the judgment of our patrol units.”

“Yes, but shouldn’t there be some sort of limitation? A way to counter anyone who might decide to use Agent N as a punishment, or for their own gain, or in a situation where it was unwarranted? What if a Renegade neutralizes someone for, say, stealing a candy bar? That’s an abuse of power, isn’t it? So I just want to know what the consequence for something like that would be.”

Thunderbird held her gaze for a long time. “Your concerns are relevant. I’ll discuss potential consequences with the rest of the Council and we’ll make sure to have a memo distributed with our decisions.”

“A memo?” said Nova, with a guffaw. “Oh, good. Because those are always taken seriously.”

“What is this, Ethics 101?” Genissa Clark muttered, just loud enough to make sure everyone heard.

“Also,” said Thunderbird, her tone stern, “during your next training session we will discuss what factors we expect will be considered during an altercation before Agent N is administered. We do trust your judgment, but we will offer some guidelines to follow when considering whether neutralizing an opponent is the best course of action to take.” She regarded Nova, as if waiting to see if this answer was adequate.

It wasn’t, of course, but sensing Danna’s eyes on her, Nova held her tongue.

“Now then.” Thunderbird gestured to the firing range. “Everyone, please take a weapon.”

The teams started to drift toward the firing range, claiming their positions in front of an array of targets.

Everyone except Genissa Clark. Nova’s eyes narrowed as she left her group and approached Thunderbird. The tips of Thunderbird’s massive feathered wings dragged on the floor as she and Genissa peeled off toward the side of the training hall. The two tilted their heads together, and Genissa began to whisper something, gesturing occasionally at the briefcase full of Agent N.

Thunderbird was frowning, but in a way that suggested contemplation more than disapproval.

Ruby strode toward a cluster of open stands by the range and the others followed, but Nova lingered behind. Her fingers delved into the pouch on her belt and wrapped around the vial inside. Her attention latched on to the open briefcase, left unattended.

The Renegades were focused on their new weapons and the targets before them.

Lifting her chin, she sauntered toward the drinking fountain on the far side of the hall. She bent over it, taking a long draft of water. When she turned back she saw Genissa and Thunderbird still deep in conversation, and the rest of the patrol units focused on their training.

She made her way to the target range. As she brushed past the case, her hand darted out and snatched a single vial from the case, just as quickly replacing it with the decoy.

Her pulse thrummed as the sample of Agent N disappeared into the pouch on her belt.

Nova smiled, and in that moment, Adrian glanced around at her. He noticed her expression and smiled back.





CHAPTER NINETEEN

ADRIAN INSPECTED THE GUN, turning it over in his palm. He wasn’t a total ignoramus when it came to projectile weaponry, but for all the time he’d spent training and even drawing his fair share of pistols, he had never been comfortable holding one in his hand.

It hadn’t bothered him until recently. Maybe his frustration had started at the carnival, when Nova had killed the Detonator with a single shot to the head, while he had hesitated. Or maybe it was because now, with Agent N becoming a part of their regular practices, patrol units would be expected to be accomplished shooters, and he knew he was far behind the curve on that particular skill.

Not that he was the only prodigy who was less than impressive when it came to modern weaponry. Lots of Renegades preferred to use their own powers in lieu of handheld weapons. He knew plenty of patrol members who had never fired a gun. So he couldn’t be that terrible, he told himself. He couldn’t be the worst.

But then Nova appeared at the station next to him and he couldn’t help sneaking glimpses at her while she checked the cartridge and the safety mechanism as efficiently as if she used tranquilizer guns every day.