Steampunk Time: Cape High Book Seven (Cape High Series 7)

by R. J. Ross

  ***

  “Really, Nico,” Summer says as he pulls out the seat for her, “we should have at least went to the beginning of the movie.” Instead they’re sitting at a super fancy restaurant, where he’s reserved an entire room for just them, she thinks with amusement. “Mega isn’t going to be happy with you when he finds out.”

  “Who’s going to tell him?” Nico asks as he sits down across from her, picking up his menu. He glances up at the waiter, who looks rather nervous. “Give us a minute,” he tells him. “What better opportunity to go on a date than when your kids are being overseen by the entire Hall?” he asks her, picking up the wine menu.

  “You have a point,” she admits with a slight smile, opening her menu as well. Nico lazily lifts a hand and the music playing in the background changes to her favorite song. “A very good point.”

  “I like to think I usually do.”

  HTV: TECHNICO

  Hero TV is much like a norm television station, except for who works there and who has access to the channel. For the most part, low level capes and black suits from the Hall are the ones that run it. There are cameras and news reports and all the things you see on a regular news station, including gorgeous reporters from either gender. That those reporters happen to be capes isn’t that surprising. That those capes are unaffiliated with any of the Hall branches might be.

  Prisma is one of the most popular of the HTV affiliated capes, a beautiful black woman with long sweeping hair that’s always perfectly coiffed, and a fashion sense that affects every female cape that’s out there. That’s why she gets the big interviews, she thinks with a hint of smugness that doesn’t show on her face. She’s seated in a comfortable couch on stage, facing off with one of the biggest names in the news at the moment. Technico.

  He’s wearing a uniform, a dark blue piece with shimmering silver circuit lines covering it, and playing with something floating between his hands. They’re not on air yet, and she’d been hoping to make a bit of small talk with the man before starting, but he seems so focused on whatever it is he’s doing--

  “Technico,” Mastermental says quietly. “Stop watching cartoons.”

  “It’s not a cartoon,” Technico says. “It’s an anime, there’s a difference.” But he claps his hands together and the floating image between his fingers disappears. He turns his attention to Mastermental for a moment. “Did you really need to come for this?” he asks.

  “Yes, I really did,” Mastermental says.

  Technico sighs and looks at Prisma with a curious expression. She’s used to that--but then he pulls out his cell phone and aims it at her. “I don’t usually pose for pictures--” she starts to protest, only to blink as a green light runs over her. She feels vaguely violated by that.

  “Technico,” Mastermental says sharply. “That’s impolite.”

  “What, um, did he just do?”

  “Checked your power stats,” Technico says, looking at his phone curiously. “I’ve always been curious about you HTV capes. Why aren’t you affiliated with any of the Halls? You’d be a perfectly fine addition to any of them.”

  A hint of a flush crosses her cheeks, much to her own surprise. She’s been hit on plenty as a reporter, but this seems different--except--”I don’t think I feel that comfortable with you knowing my stats,” she says. “What are you going to do with them?”

  “Check it against any of the kids that come into my school,” he says, tapping on the phone before pocketing it. “If I find one with similar power lines I’ll know what to expect.”

  “I get the feeling you’re doing this interview under duress,” Prisma says.

  “You’re right,” Technico says, not looking bothered by her subtle accusation at all. “I am.”

  “But you’ll still participate, right?” she asks as a light flashes. “Since we’re going to be live?”

  “Sure, to a point,” he says as the countdown starts and the lights flash over their heads.

  Prisma turns to the camera, plastering a smile over her face. “Good morning, Heroes! I’m Prisma and I’m here with an interview I’m certain you’ve all been anticipating for a while. I’d like to welcome Central Hall’s newest cape, Technico, to the show,” she says, turning to Technico. “How are you, Technico?” she asks.

  “I’m good,” he says, looking at the camera. That little move makes her nervous, she realizes. That’s probably not a good sign.

  “Well, let’s get started, then. We all know that you were sent to the Cape Cells for fifteen years for your work as a super villain--but now you’re one of the good guys, right?”

  “Close enough.”

  “Can I ask why you were thrown into the Cape Cells, or is that too much of a sore spot?”

  “I created Death Canyon,” he says with a mild expression. “In about... oh, an hour or so. They tell me it was because I used a weapon of mass destruction without a permit. Had I known there were forms to fill out I might have gotten away with it.”

  She hears half of her film crew choke on laughter, but she’s a professional. She keeps a perfectly straight face. “I see,” she says. “So how has it been, being a good guy?”

  “I don’t exactly think of myself as a good guy,” Nico says, startling her. He goes on before she can say anything, “Cape High’s been designed to teach both the heroes and the villains of the future. By teaching them both we can keep the things that get villains tossed into the cells from happening. Because of that I figure I should be considered neutral.”

  “I see,” she says, glancing over at Mastermental, who shrugs. “You’ve been working as principal of Cape High for almost a year now, correct? Can you tell us about that?”

  He looks thoughtful for a moment before grinning slightly. “We’re a high school specially designed to train young supers. We’ve got a few big names in the school, as well as kids you’ve never heard about, but trust me, you will in the future. We mix academics with physical and special training designed for the kid in question. Right now we’ve only got twenty-one students, but I have a few others that’ll be enrolling soon.”

  “I’ve heard from parents of young up-and-coming capes that you’re willing to offer up teenage villains for their debuts,” she says, feeling a little more confident now that the interview is going well. “Can you tell me how that works?”

  “For a small fee we offer up one of our three punks for a flashy showing,” Technico says. “They’re happy to do it--although Maximum is a bit of an elitist, I’ll be honest. He refuses to take on anyone below high B or A class. Cold Steel’ll play with anyone, but he doesn’t have to lose unless the kid is powerful enough to pull it off.”

  “And Dragon?” she asks. “He’s Blackjack’s son, right?”

  “He is, and an extremely good super villain in his own right,” Technico admits. “But since he’s so new to the game I’m a bit picky over who gets him.”

  “Do you have any heroes?” she asks.

  “Kid Liberty is our working cape at the moment,” he says. “We’ve got several that are almost ready for their debut--including his future partner, Divine Justice. I’ve also got a handful of kids that plan on taking more discreet jobs than the photo-op game. My own son is planning on being an out-of-cape cape in the future.”

  “You have a son?” she asks.

  “I have twins,” he says. “They’re both extremely promising supers.”

  “Can I ask who the mother is?”

  He grins at her. “A pretty little lady that goes by the name Lady Rose.”

  “I’ve never heard of Lady Rose having children,” she says. “How old are your twins?”

  “They turn sixteen next month,” he says. “Do you have kids?” he asks.

  She hesitates. “Well, yes, actually.”

  “Have they come into their powers yet?”

  “Oh, it seems we’ve come to a commercial,” she says, changing the subject awkwardly. “We’ll be back with Technico after these words from our sponsors,” she tells th
e camera.

  The lights flash and she looks at Technico with a sigh. “I’ve got a thirteen year old girl,” she says. “She’s driving me insane--she’s come into her pheromone powers. Do you deal with that, too?”

  “Sure,” he says, pulling out a card and handing it to her. “Bring her to Death Canyon after work today and we’ll discuss it.”

  The lights flash and she’s certain the camera catches her taking the card. Oh well, she thinks as she slips it into her purse. “It’s been said that there’s several mixed reactions from the cape society,” she says. “They aren’t comfortable with the idea of a super villain training their children. How do you feel about that?”

  “It’s their choice,” he says. “We have no forced requirements for cape kids--as long as they get an education, we’re fine with it. What we’re offering is a place where they don’t need to hide what they are. In fact the more they use their powers the better grades they get. But whatever I say doesn’t really matter. I think the best sign that we’re not doing anything bad is that America’s Son and Star Spangled are happily sending their kids to my school. Even if he’s new to the game, have you heard of Kid Liberty doing anything less than above board?”

  “Of course not, he’s a son of Liberty,” Prisma says.

  “Well, Cold Steel’s a son of Liberty, too, but that’s another subject entirely,” Technico says honestly.

  “As an ex super villain,” she says slowly, “admitting that you have children could be seen as dangerous. Are you worried someone watching this might decide to... check on them?”

  “A year ago I might have been,” Technico says. “Now I would feel sorry for any idiot that tried.”

  “I see,” she says, relaxing. “That’s good to know. With parents like you and Lady Rose, I’m betting they’re impressive in their own rights, aren’t they?”

  “They both have a ways to go, but they’ve got the rest of the school watching their backs. Regardless of how weak or how little their control of their powers is, that’s a very good benefit to going to Cape High. They watch out for one another. Let’s face it, just like you mentioned earlier, it’s dangerous to let facts about our kids out to even our own society. There are strange people out there and our kids are close to defenseless from some of them. I know everyone’s seen what happened with the Collector. Half of the kids in my school are from that. The families they have tend to be norms with no clue how to deal with our kind, either their own kids or the people with the abilities to capture them.”

  “And how is your defense of these students?” she asks.

  “Good,” Nico says.

  “Good is a bit... vague. Can you tell us a few more details?”

  He leans forward. “I’m a technopath, Prisma, I was thrown into the Cape Cells for using one of the various weapons of mass destruction I built while watching reruns of Gilligan’s Island. I’m the one that created the power blocker collars that are used in the Cape Cells because I was tired of being chained up to a million and one pounds. When I say something is good, I mean it’d stop a nuclear bomb. Not only am I protecting the super kids of the world, I’m protecting my twins. One thing you don’t have to worry about is the defense system.”

  “I see,” she says. “That’s very good to know for the parents considering it. But let’s get back to you, for a moment--” because, frankly, she was feeling that nervousness again and that meant it was time to change the subject. “Even if you say you’re neutral, you’re still officially part of Central Hall, right? So how do you get along with the rest of the supers there?”

  He seems to relax at that question, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Well,” he says, “Firefly’s my half sister--even the norms know that. Most of my staff at Cape High are retired heroes, but Taurus is an official Central Hall member. He’s a good guy. America’s Son and I are pretty close, surprisingly enough. He and I hang out together on Saturdays when he doesn’t have rounds to do.”

  “And how about Mega?” she asks in a knowing tone.

  “Mega...” he stops, frowning slightly, “is an interesting guy. Honestly I don’t have too much trouble with any of them. I haven’t gotten to know some of them as well as others, though. From what I’ve seen they’re all good at what they do and work hard.”

  “And what about your love life? Is there anyone in particular?”

  “There is,” he says.

  “Dare I ask who that might be?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t have permission to announce that to the public just this moment,” he says. “We’re still at a... delicate stage.”

  “That’s very intriguing,” Prisma says, wishing she could dig deeper.

  “It is, isn’t it?” he teases her.

  “Before I close, do you have any up-coming debuts planned for the heroes that you mentioned earlier? The ones that we haven’t heard of yet?”

  “Before I release them to the photo-op game Double M suggested bringing in a mentorship program,” he says slowly. “Where we set them up with supers with similar powers for a little bit, perhaps even send them out as sidekicks for a few trial runs before their debuts. Of course, that all hinges on how many people would be willing to help out and if I can find someone with the same style of abilities as the kid. Sure there are parents, but not always. And that’s only for the kids that are close to debut already. Some are too young and don’t have enough control.”

  “And who are you looking for as a mentor?” she asks.

  “Hall members, any branch. Right now I’m interested in finding a fire type. I plan on asking one of Central Hall’s members for another, and for my three punks, well, I’ve got something lined up already.”

  “And who might that be?” Prisma asks. “Would you let a super hero train your prospective super villains?”

  “They already do,” he says. “But that’s also something I can’t tell you. Let’s just say I expect it’ll help make debuts more interesting.”

  “Have you had any complaints from parents?” she asks. “Having both villains and heroes in the same school?”

  “Not yet.”

  “That’s good to know,” she says. “Well, as everyone already knows, Cape High is a choice for parents of young capes--one that’s backed by Central Hall, but it’s purely up to you whether you choose to enroll your children.”

  “If your kid is having trouble controlling their abilities, or hiding their physical differences, I would suggest you check us out,” Technico interrupts, looking at the camera again. “We offer a safe alternative to public schooling.”

  “And you are safe, right?” she asks him.

  “My staff comprises of Banshee, Blackjack, Taurus, and several other well known names,” Nico says, “all chosen by Mastermental, himself. They’re in good hands.”

  “I know I said that would be our last question, but I have to ask... the rumors that you’re Superior’s son, are they true?”

  “I think this interview is over, now,” Technico says, standing up. The cameraman lets out a curse and Prisma glances over.

  “He cut the feed,” he explains.

  “It looks like he changed it to a rerun of Gilligan’s Island,” one of the black suits yells from the back.

  “Time to go, Double M,” Technico says.

  “Really, Technico, it’s not something to get so riled up about,” Mastermental says with a sigh. “You ARE his son.”

  “He is?” Prisma asks, feeling a bit shocked. “I honestly expected you to deny it.”

  “I am,” Technico says. “But I’d rather not have the entire world chasing after me, expecting me to fill his boots. I enjoy my job running Cape High. I don’t even have to wear a mask if I don’t want to. How many working capes can claim that?” He looks at her for a moment. “Bring your daughter, we can handle it with no problem, but in exchange, keep my paternity off of the news, agreed?”

  She hesitates, knowing that the world would kill to know, but... “Agreed,” she says. He lifts a hand as he walks
away.

  “We’re back,” one of the cameramen says.

  Oh, right, she thinks, plastering on her smile again. She has a job to do.

  Coming Oct. 29th:

  Cape High

  Book 8: Fire Hazard

  Nico stares blankly at the two men standing in his science room. It's not every day that you get two of the Hall Leaders over to visit, he thinks. Ain't he lucky, he thinks dryly, reaching forward and picking up his glass of water to take a drink. He hasn't offered them a drink, or even a chair. He's not that considerate.

  "Tell me," he says to Mastermental, "is there a reason this conversation has to take place here?"

  "It's nice to meet you, as well," Century drawls, dropping down on one of the long science tables since no chair is being offered. He's a large southern boy, at first sight, The Texan Hero. He's been called "The Longhorn Hero" and several other southern cliches, and he makes sure his appearance fits them to a T. "I've got a little problem, Technico, and Mastermental kindly offered your assistance."

  "I have to say I thought I had plenty of my own problems to deal with lately," Nico says, looking at Double M. Double M steps forward, tossing a folder onto his desk.

  "That's probably the information on Jimmi--" Century starts out as Nico picks it up and opens it. For a moment he stares at the picture on the front page.

  "Seriously?" he asks Double M after a moment.

  "You did agree to the mentorship idea. You mentioned that you were looking for a fire type hero, remember?" Double M says. "That the South Branch has Flameblaster made me more open to what he wants to hear. I can only assume you feel the same?"

  "Flame?" Century asks blankly. "I'm not sure what Flame's got to do with this."

  Nico ignores him, looking over the class and power levels. He waves his hand, bringing up a hologram of the wiry pyrokinetic. It turns when he waves a finger and Nico allows himself a little smile. "I have a kid," he says to Century, looking at the large man. "His name is Vinny. He's got the ability to become an A class fire mimic."