Archenemies (Renegades, #2)(24)
“Without a trial?” Nova whispered. “They’re giving us the power to just … use this stuff, against anyone we feel like, no evidence of a crime required?” She shook her head. “How can that be within their code?”
Adrian was watching her. She dared to meet his gaze, unable to hide her disgust. Adrian said nothing, but she thought she saw her worries mirrored in his face.
“Additionally,” Tamaya continued, “any prodigy who is currently wanted for recent transgressions is to be neutralized on sight, including all known members of the Anarchist villain group, and, as we have not yet found a body confirming his death, this includes the vigilante known as the Sentinel as well.”
“Naturally,” Adrian muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
Tamaya continued, “You will receive your training schedule—”
“Is it reversible?” shouted Nova.
Tamaya paused, irritated at the interruption. “Excuse me?”
Nova stood. “Is it reversible? Hypothetically, if a prodigy were ever neutralized by accident, or … without due cause, is there a way for their powers to be restored?”
Dr. Hogan stepped forward and took the microphone. “That’s a good question, and I’m glad it’s been asked, as we must relate the importance to all Renegades that this substance is to be treated with the utmost responsibility.” She fixed her gaze on Nova. “No. The effects of Agent N are permanent and irreversible. Make no mistake, this is a dangerous substance, and going forward, we will expect that it be handled with utmost care at all times.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hogan,” said Tamaya. “I want to reiterate once more that what you have heard today is confidential until further notice. We will be available to answer immediate questions after this meeting and as you begin your training. You are excused.”
The conference room filled with chatter. Nova and the others followed along with the crowd, but as soon as they had poured out into the wide hallway, Adrian pulled them to the side to wait for Danna to catch up.
“Well,” said Oscar, “that was about a thousand times more intense than I expected it to be. Who else wants to decompress over some pizza?”
Ignoring him, Nova turned to Adrian. “It’s from Max, right? This is why they’ve needed all those blood samples from him.”
“It’s got to be,” said Adrian. A crease formed over the bridge of his glasses and Nova recognized his serious-contemplation face. “I’d always hoped they were trying to find a way to help him. To … you know, let him be with other prodigies. Although…” His lips pressed thin. “It’s thanks to Max they were able to defeat Ace Anarchy. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised that they would try to find a way to … to…”
“Abuse his power?” Nova muttered.
Adrian frowned, but didn’t disagree. “But he’s a prodigy. A living, breathing person. While that stuff is … synthetic. To replicate his power like that … it doesn’t seem possible.”
“Possible?” said Ruby, chuckling. “Adrian, I’ve seen you create living, breathing creatures out of a pencil and a piece of paper. I sprout gemstones when I bleed. Danna turns into a bunch of butterflies. Are we really questioning what’s possible?”
“What?” said Oscar. “You’re not going to remark on all the mind-blowing things I can do?”
Ruby gestured halfheartedly in Oscar’s direction. “Oscar can eat two extra-large pizzas in one sitting while quoting the entire third season of Star Avengers from memory.”
Oscar nodded solemnly. “It’s hard to believe I even exist.”
Nova massaged her temple. “I just wonder if Max knows what they’ve been working on all this time.”
“If he does,” said Adrian, “he’s never said anything to me about it.”
“Maybe it was confidential.” Nova couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice. Everything about Max was confidential. The truth of his ability, the reason behind the quarantine, and now this. As far as she knew, most people in the organization weren’t even sure why Max was locked up in the first place. The general rumor seemed to be that his power weakened prodigies who came in contact with him, and he had to be kept separate for his safety and theirs—but few people seemed to realize the full extent of what he could do. How he could drain abilities from other prodigies and absorb them into himself. How he had taken power from Ace Anarchy himself.
When she had first met Max, she had been told that he was both valuable and dangerous. Only now was she beginning to realize exactly how true those words were.
“What worries me,” said Adrian, “is how easy it would be to abuse this stuff.”
Nova lifted an eyebrow. “What? You think a Renegade would abuse this sort of power?”
“Not everyone, of course, but even Renegades can have selfish motives sometimes.” He paused, frowning at her. “Wait … you were being sarcastic, weren’t you?”
“Good catch,” she snapped.
Adrian peered at her, bewildered. “Are you mad at me?”
Nova took a step back and took some calming breaths. She was lashing out unfairly. Adrian had nothing to do with this, she reminded herself. And during the presentation, there had even been moments when he’d looked as appalled as she was.