Not Your Villain (Sidekick Squad #2)(77)

He volleys ideas back and forth with his friends about leaving on their own, but the first time Jess takes them through the labyrinth of tunnels toward the exit, they’re caught and put on dishwashing duty while being lectured about safety.

Worse, leaving without getting caught by the adults in the Guild is one thing; leaving and not getting caught by the League once they’re out there is another.

All their identities are burned now. Even if they have an idea of where to go, getting there will be a problem without a valid ID. From Emma’s stories about the two days Bells was recovering and they were on the road, there had been a number of near misses, and they had to constantly change cars.

Getting all the way to Aerial City will require a hovertrain and tickets bought by people who aren’t wanted. It would take time and access to the Net to find the resources to generate new citizen IDs, and they don’t have either.

“We should rest here,” Jess says. “Work hard on their projects, and then come up with a solid plan and approach them when we’re ready.”

“Hmm, not gonna work,” Christine says, not looking up from her knitting.

“Really? Why?” Emma asks, raising her eyebrows.

They’re in one of the smaller caverns that’s been set up like a lounge area, with a few couches and chairs. Christine sits up and waves her hand at the bundle of yarn, and it transforms into a scarf. “Trust me. I’ve been here a while. You don’t think I’ve gotten bored at the let’s not change the status quo talk? I mean, I signed up for action, but apparently we kids have a lot more to learn before we can be useful. I haven’t been on any of the missions.”

“Me neither,” Steven pipes up from where he’s playing cards with Maxine, the other teenager staying with the Guild. “But today Michael is doing a lot of tests to see what our power rating is and how we can develop our abilities.”

“Mmhm,” Christine says. “It’s the first time they’ve done it in a while, especially since a lot of the new folks’ powers never warranted them an invitation to the training center.”

It is at least more action than just sitting around and hiding, Bells thinks as they follow Christine into another cavern that’s been sectioned off into small areas by curtains.

“Right behind you!”

Bells sidesteps so Chloe can get past him; she’s carrying a tray of vials of blood and strides past Bells.

There are more people here than Bells has seen so far; he doesn’t know any of them aside from the few they met last week. Genevieve is working on a complicated-looking chart on her DED; these must be the results.

“Thanks, Michael,” another woman says. Bells thinks she has the power to create artificial scents but he doesn’t remember. “Let me know as soon as possible—also if my cholesterol is high, I wanna know that.”

“Of course, Deirdre,” Michael says, nodding at her.

Bells peeks inside the open curtained section; there’s an eye chart and a bench. Michael walks outside, making notes on his DED. “Next!” he calls. He spots Bells. “Oh, good, you’re here. We’re doing physicals for everyone who’s arrived in the last two months. Take a seat.”

Steven points at Bells and clicks his tongue at him before he walks inside and draws the curtain closed. In the other cubicles with open curtains, people are getting their vitals taken.

Genevieve nods at them. “Everyone’s getting a physical today, and we’re measuring gamma protein levels. It’s a good idea to know how much you can use your abilities before you tap out. Some people’s tests from Meta-Human Training are inaccurate. And many people here have never been tested—those who have never been to Meta-Human Training because their abilities didn’t fit the profile. So, a basic physical before we start training, and then we’ll have a baseline to work from.”

Bells thinks of Christine and how her parents bribed the League to take her in—her powers are amazing, but the League didn’t think so. He looks around at the people in the headquarters, every one of them with talents gone unrecognized, unvalued. How many meta-humans have powers considered too insignificant to be of interest to the League?

“Just about done here.” Michael sends Steven on his way and glances at Abby. “You next?”

Abby shrinks back. “I don’t even know if I would—if my powers would register. I’m done with tests, anyway. You guys go ahead.”

Jess gives Abby a look. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve had a lot of physicals. I’m sure,” Abby says. “You do it.”

Michael gestures for Jess to step forward. He hums to himself and then says something Bells is too far away to hear. He steps closer.

Jess blinks. “What?”

“I would say you would have at least six hours a day, if you use your power constantly. But it’s interesting, right, because your gift doesn’t need to be active all the time; it only takes a moment to process the information—you’ll be very helpful, very helpful indeed in the future. It’s an honor to be working with you, Compass.”

“I, er—thanks?” Jess stands up, looking at the lab results.

“I knew you were awesome,” Abby says with a grin, hugging Jess.

And then it’s Bells’ turn.

“I’m just gonna take your temperature.” Michael slips a thermometer into Bells’ mouth.