69-70 There's a Part Two and That's So Extra

69 - There's a Part Two?

Bianca lay sprawled out on the chaise lounge in a pair of shorts—mine—and a T-shirt—also mine. Neither of us was talking much. We both had skills to figure out. Mine had rolled well. Really, really well.

[Rank Up! Adaptive Armoire 2: Store a second costume for your Adaptive Armoire]

[New Power! Science Has Rules?: Experiments don’t need proper planning or procedure. They just need tension. Experimental weapons work if you can describe why]

I was through the moon. The second rank in [Adaptive Armoire]meant I wouldn’t have to choose between Rainy Day and Lab Assistant Panic. I could have both, and I’d need to build with that in mind. The Lab Assistant could become a full support/investigation Costume, but Rainy Day felt like it was slipping behind. It hadn’t gotten a single power increase yet, and that was going to be a problem since I didn’t really need it as a fight finisher with [Bit-Part Barrage] on Understudy, and I couldn’t switch quickly enough to use it as a ranged damage dealer consistently.

Bianca grumbled to herself. She’d pulled off the wreckage of her Fursona suit as soon as we’d gotten to the green room; it sat by the door to Rocko’s, but though we hadn’t said as much, both of us knew we had a lot to talk about before she dropped it off.

“So, your ex, huh?” Bianca asked, breaking the silence. I was glad she’d started because I wanted to go in a different direction. “He seems like a real winner.”

“Okay, first of all, ouch! Being the only supers in a small town is tough, so we ended up together. For emotional support reasons. And other than Professor Panic, he was mostly a nice guy. Mostly. Second, yeah, he’s definitely overreacting. We broke up; it’s not like I killed his favorite pet.”

“Well, now I’m stuck in this Episode, the same as you are, Annie, so I’ve got some questions. What’s his power set? Does he have any major weaknesses? And, if he’s in Tokyexico, is he going to stay? Is he the kind of villain who’s going to strike again soon, or will he wait it out?” Bianca sat up on the lounge and stared at me, waiting for an answer.

I told her about his power set; she’d already seen the robot army but not the FEAR Power Armor. It was a wild card. I couldn’t beat it without some luck the last time we fought, but I’d gotten some new tricks. Plus, Fursona was a much more reliable sidekick than Collidus had been. The kid was probably stronger, but getting him off a battlefield for a few minutes was surprisingly easy.

“As for whether he’ll stay? I don’t know. I’m not even sure he can get home. He’ll bide his time, find a place to work on what LABRATs and Panic Pals he has left, and probably convert them back to the 1.4 model. It’s tougher—a lot tougher.” I sighed and slumped on the couch.

“As tough as the dire wolverine?”

“Probably not. That thing took too much punishment. But he’s been powering up his Cunning powers, too. He could have something new. He’d never seen [Bit-Part Barrage] before, and he probablydidn’t know much about Rainy Day, but we’ll be up against stuff I haven’t seen before too.”

<That’s correct. Based on how many Style Points you two got, he could be building something new right meow!> Tails spoke up from her perch on the makeup table. I relayed what she’d said to Bianca.

“So, to sum things up, we don’t know all his powers, we don’t know where he went, and we’re stuck in this Episode with him until he decides to start up Act One?” Bianca frowned. “Does that seem right?”

“That’s about right,” I said. I twiddled my thumbs, then coughed. The thing I wanted to talk about was right there if Bianca would just open the conversation. But she fidgeted just as awkwardly as I was. Which meant it was up to me to start it off. I’d have to be gentle, but I couldn’t let it slide.

“How long did you say you knew?”

Bianca blushed. “Like I said, the first day we met. I didn’t tell you because, uh, I dunno. I guess I thought secret identities needed to be respected. Besides, it seemed like you really, reallyvalued having yours be private, so I couldn’t tell you I knew. And it was so cute—“

“Hold on—“

“—When you told me your lies about biology class and when you believed I was in fencing. I mean, I am in fencing, but it’s a once-a-week club, not a class. One of the things Pataki told me when they fixed up the Fursona suit was to not tell you, anyway. They said secret identities were super-important, and that you’d made a mistake, and that—“

“Wait a second.” Bianca was rambling. It was a return to the incredibly awkward freshman from Intro to Drama, not the ever-more-confident girlfriend Bee or Fursona. But I didn’t care. “I don’t need excuses or anything. It’s fine. We’re partners, right? So I’m not mad, just…exasperated and embarrassed I did such a bad job hiding.

“Just, like, tell me next time, okay?”

She snorted and started laughing. “Next time I discover your secret identity?” I started laughing, too. Then she squeezed me tight, and we laughed for a while on the lounge. After a while, she started getting restless.

“Annie, my arm’s asleep. Get off me.”

Still laughing, I climbed off the chaise lounge and helped her up.

◄▼►

Once Bianca left to drop her suit off with Pataki, I called Dad. The phone rang and rang as I paced the green room. Maintenance and repair workers were already swarming my apartment, and I’d probably be in a hotel tonight, but LABRAT hadn’t made it to my secret base, and I didn’t want to leave home just yet.

“Hello, Annie,” Dad’s voice came across the speaker, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “How you doing? We’re still on for the video chat tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.” I took another deep breath. “Peter’s not sick.”

“Huh. How would you know…oh.” Dad stopped talking for a minute. “He’s in Tokyexico, huh?”

“Yep.” I started tearing up as I explained the last couple of hours. “So, anyways, there somehow wasn’t anyone inside the TUEAS Building, and only one wing collapsed. There should be an email about it later, but it’ll probably be months of repair work to get it up to speed. There’s probably enough extra classrooms on campus, but I don’t know what the students who had project finals are going to do. Their projects are buried under tons of rubble, and they can’t redo them without labs.”

“What about you,” Dad asked sharply, cutting me off.

“Oh, I’m okay. They’re fixing my room. It should be a week or so, but I’m trying to decide on a hotel or Bee’s place.”

Dad didn’t say anything for a minute. I opened my mouth to keep talking about the Episode and how much damage Peter had caused. Before I could, he cleared his throat. “I don’t mean about your space. Your ex-boyfriend is a maniac, and he won’t stop.”

“I know. He started up a Part Two as soon as the Episode—“

“Anika.” I stopped. He never called me Anika. “I don’t mean as a superhero, Miss Understudy. I’m talking about real life. It doesn’t sound like he gets it that you’re done with him. I’m not sure what the legalities are, but if you weren’t supers, what he’s doing would be stalking.”

Dad hadn’t been this serious since the night I’d broken up with Peter. And worse, he was right. “So what should I do?”

“I’ll talk to Peter’s dad on Monday. He’s my boss, but maybe that’ll help. If I were you, I’d let the Tokyexico police know your ex is out there, or I’d talk to any adult supers you know for advice. They’ve probably been through something like this, and they might be able to help. At the very least, it’ll give you something to go off of. Other than that, I’d let Bee know you might have some bullshit coming your way, so you have someone to check on you.”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me through the phone. “Uh-huh. Thanks, Dad.”

We talked for a while longer. There was drama at Dad’s work. Something about a big order that had come in for Angel City expansion, but without the materials to get started on the drills themselves. They’d done all the prep, and the work floor was ready to make the gigantic foundational drill bits, but without the materials, they couldn’t. Worse, they couldn’t refit the work floor for other jobs, so Dad wasn’t working.

Mom was okay, according to Dad. She was training a new girl at the diner, so she wasn’t around much, but the work was easier—for the most part. He said he’d relay the drama to her. We said goodbyes and love yous and goodbyes again, then hung up.

I had business to take care of—first, an email to Doctor Jackson.

Subject: Supervillain Drama

Hi Doctor Jackson,

So, I screwed up. My ex-boyfriend is a supervillain, and today, he came to Tokyexico City for revenge. I’m not sure how to handle this, and I was hoping we could meet in the next couple of days to discuss what I’m supposed to do.

Thanks,

Understudy

After some hesitation, I also CC’d Doctor Mindstorm and sent the email. She’d probably have some terrifying but effective advice on how to deal with Peter. Another email came in before I could do too much wallowing. I read its subject line, then opened it.

Subject: TUEAS Damage, Campus Super-Security Protocol, and Campus Response

To All Students,

This morning, a superpower-related incident destroyed the Tokyexico University Engineering and Applied Sciences Building’s engineering wing. The supervillain responsible remains at large but was not a student at TU. An unrelated incident caused damage to several dorm rooms in the Walnut Tower dormitory. Three superpowered students investigating the collapse discovered a dire wolverine infestation in the subway lines and, working together, were able to clear the megafauna from campus.

We take student safety very seriously, and as such, the Board of Directors, Faculty Senate, and Campus Police held an emergency meeting shortly after the incident. As this isn’t the first such incident in TU’s history, we successfully implemented the Campus Super-Security Protocol from the Guide to TU. The following accommodations, consequences, and responses are in effect on campus.

- Students who had classes in the TUEAS building may take their grade as of Friday, plus all assignments their professors can safely grade, as their final grade. Alternatively, classes will be held in alternative classrooms. Note that project work may still be required in this case.

- A campus-wide curfew is in effect. The Student Union Building’s non-cafeteria services will close at 6:30, and students are required to be in their dorms or on the major paths only at that time. This restriction is in response to the dire wolverine sighting and will last for two weeks after the most recent megafauna sighting on campus.

- Super-students are prohibited from joining or participating in Episodes on campus until after finals. Those found engaged in non-Man vs. Nature Episodes will be penalized in their superpower studies classes.

- Finally, TU has arranged with both The Triad and Magical Girl Stella-Luna for additional campus security and to help enforce the No Episodes rule above. Due to the dire wolverine infestation, these superheroes will run patrols and have part-time duty stations on campus.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Helen Barber

Vice-President of Student Services

Tokyexico University

70 - That's so Extra

Friday, November 28

- - - - -

“Professor Panic is out there, and I can’t do anything about it,” I complained to Fursona for the five-hundredth time in a bit over a week. The snowy, blizzard-filled weather had continued, which had its pros and cons.

It was great because the turbo-buffalo herd was finally, slowly, leaving for greener—or at least less snow-covered—pastures, which meant the dire wolverines would hopefully follow. All the signs had pointed to them leaving before, but they’d stayed, sometimes going so far as to scratch themselves on the wall.

But it was bad because we still had to go to classes.

Fursona nodded her kangaroo head as we walked. “Yeah, and I’m getting tired of hiding this stupid Episode all the time. He sticks us with it and then won’t even start Act One? Unbelievable.”

“That part makes sense. He wasn’t ready to fight again, and by the time he was, he’d have to deal with a major leaguer. I wouldn’t want to fight Stella-Luna, especially when she’s been freezing her ass off for a week. She’s probably pissed.”

“Yeah,” Fursona laughed.

“There’s nothing to do about it, and I hate that. I can’t even go on patrol with Tele-Portal because all her patrols are on campus now.” I’d asked her. She’d declined, citing the email and the fact that TU was stupidly bureaucratic about some things. If I got caught in an Episode, it’d be a massive problem. But was it as massive as being stuck in this Episode for a week or more? “ Maybe we should start Act One. But how?”

The professors knew about the Series Finale, or at least the first part of it, but I hadn’t told them that Part Two had already started. They’d probably fail me in Superpower Ethics or something if I did at this point. They’d asked Tele-Portal and the rest of The Triad to keep an eye on me, and they were driving me crazy. Like it or not, it was Peter’s move.

Candidly, I wanted him to make it and get it over with. If Stella-Lunar was on campus, it’d be a massacre. But he wouldn’t. Not right away, at least. He’d wait for the right moment.

Probably in the middle of my finals.

We walked down the ramp and into the theater room, which was already set up in pods of six chairs. Fursona and I sat down with Gourmet and Theseus—and two unpowered students. As soon as the movie theater was full, Doctor Jackson cleared her throat.

“Students, you should have a more-or-less final draft of your Code of Ethics. Next week, you’ll present them for your final grade, but there’s one more step to take. The final step in creating these codes is setting aside your egos as supers and taking expert but unpowered advice. Each of your teams has two temporary members. These are juniors and seniors in Superhero Law. They’re also Extras, and they’re here to poke holes in your Codes of Ethics from a legal and unpowered perspective. Listen to them, consider their advice, and then finalize your Codes. Break!”

“Hi, I’m Magical Girl Understudy,” I said, offering handshakes to each Extra. They introduced themselves as Jennifer and Robert, then shook hands with each of my teammates.

“Alright, let’s see it,” Jennifer said.

I looked at Theseus, suddenly nervous. This was the first time anyoneoutside our team had seen our Code. Even Doctor Jackson hadn’t looked at it except in passing, and she’d refused to give us advice. That had struck us as odd, but we’d continued soldiering on. Well, we were mostly arguing about it, to be honest. But yeah, soldiering on.

Theseus pulled out our code, scowling at me. “Here it is.”

Code of Conduct: November 29

• We will not involve Extras

◦ When Extras must be involved, they must be clearly informed of danger

• Destruction of non-corporate/non-government property is unacceptable

◦ Property damage must be directly related to the Episode’s goals

• Medical Extras are off-limits. Healing heroes are not a target unless they directly engage

• Neutrality will be respected

• Finales?

◦ We’ll talk about those later.

As Jennifer and Robert looked at it, faces twisting in disgust, my heart plummeted even more. Finally, Jennifer cleared her throat. “I’ll take one and three, you take two and four, we’ll team up for five?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Robert said.

“Okay. Robert and I developed similar Codes as part of our Dilemmas in Superhero Law course, which is pretty similar to this in a lot of ways. We did it without any superhero input, and it’s a 300-level class, not a 100 like this, but the principles are the same. And, uh, as it stands, you’re not passing this class,” Jennifer said.

“What? That’s bullshit, we worked hard on this,” Gourmet interrupted.

Theseus held up a hand. “Let her talk. She’s an expert.”

“Thank you.” Jennifer continued. “I’m not trying to be a downer, but there’s a lot you haven’t thought about here. According to your professor, there’s a group like this every year, and they usually pass if they get their shit together. So it’s time to get your shit together. ‘We will not involve Extras’ is unrealistic. We’re stuck with your Episodes, so you’ll need to determine what that means. Is murder okay? What about involuntary manslaughter? What about if the paparazzi gets in your face in the middle of the episode?”

“Oh,” Fursona said through her modulator. “I see.”

“You don’t need a list of every situation, but this is both too general and too absolute. It means less than if you’d stuck a bunch of ‘as possible’ and ‘unless necessary’ in it. And how do you plan to inform Extras of danger? You’re going to need to think these things through or change your code. Over to you, Robert.”

“Thanks. So, which super was responsible for leveling the TUEAS Building?” Robert stared at each of us, and I could see Fursona fidget. I almost raised my hand but decided against it.

“All that damage they caused meets this requirement. Good job on the second part. But the first bit, frankly, sucks. Think about government housing and dorms. Or a lot of social work buildings. They’re government property, but only a lunatic like Mister Twister would have gone after them, and he spent time in Almhurst for stuff like that. Clarifying information is important. Be specific.”

And on and on. Jennifer was happy with most of the Medical Extras and Healers section but wanted more details about what ‘engagement’ meant for both Medical Extras and Healers. We agreed to look more closely at it if we had time, but somehow, Robert’s face told us we wouldn’t. He spent almost ten minutes talking about corner cases where neutrality needed to be violated, like in the Almhurst Anarchy Episode, when McHammer declared Neutral Fields while his henchmen took a school hostage. Ultimately, he recommended we talk to a major leaguer for that one. I decided I’d link up with Tele-Portal sometime for advice.

They also recommended a totally different set of rules for finales, but we’d have to finish the rest first, which would be the priority. As the Extras finished talking, Doctor Jackson cleared her throat.

“So, by now, you’ve all realized your Codes of Ethics are terrible,” she said. “That happens every year. Luckily, our unpowered guests are willing to spend time over the next week working with you. They’ll be available during class times, should you choose to use it, on either Monday or Wednesday of next week. I’ll have the room unlocked, but I’ll be in my office grading Villainous Endeavors finals. You present on Friday.”

Theseus looked ready to strangle her, but he’d have to do it with his own hands—the weightlifter’s arms wouldn’t work on her. Gourmet, for the very first time, looked sick to her stomach. I fully understood that feeling, but someone had to take charge. I turned to Robert and Jennifer. “How about Monday?”

Behind me, Gourmet groaned.

When Doctor Jackson finally dismissed us, I hurried to the ramp and toward my next obligation—a meeting with Doctor Mindstorm.

“I don’t get it,” I complained to Fursona. “Why’s she my advisor, anyway? You got Mays. Lucky!”

“I’d rather have Mindstorm. She seems serious, if a little less interested in the rules. Doctor Mays is a total goofball unless he’s upset, like with The Agent.” Fursona gave me a quick hug outside the Beaumont Administrative Building. “I’ll get you some pizza and drop it off in the green room, alright?”

“Alright. You should be able to get in.” I gulped. Last week, when I’d talked to Doctor Mindstorm, she’d demanded I do nothing about Professor Panic. Her advice had been sound—so far. Still, I couldn’t help but think I was wasting time following the administration’s rules, and the weight of the already-started Episode bore down on me. Plus, my only other solo meeting with my academic advisor had been during the Orientation Episode, and she’d taken over my mind. I shivered. “Wish me luck in there.”

“Good luck in there.” Fursona gave me another squeeze and headed for the Student Union Building while I stepped into the lobby with all the elevators.

◄▼►

“Have a seat, Magical Girl Understudy.” Doctor Mindstorm said in her usual curt voice. She typed on her computer while I quickly sat in the straight-backed chair across the desk. She yawned. “I do not…require a release form today since there will be no mind-sharing during this advisory meeting. Consulting your current grades…you’ll most likely pass all your classes if you figure out the last bit of Superpower Ethics, but if you’re considering a career in math, you’ll need to work harder. So, with that in mind, what career path are you interested in?”

“Superhero work. Isn’t that what most supers say?” I asked, confused.

“Obviously. You’re minoring in that, but you’ll need to work toward a major as part of your cover.” Mindstorm typed for a while, letting the silence grow oppressive. Then she typed a bit longer. “So, what do you want to learn?”

“My parents think superhero law. I’ve always wanted to go into theater, though.”

“Those line up well together, believe it or not. Practicing courtroom lawyers—and those who work with supervillains—require acting skills. Both will also be…practical in your career as a superhero or villain. So, as a second-semester freshman, you’ll need to cover certain prerequisites. A foreign language, psychology, and a Language Arts or English class. We’ll pass on the Language Arts and use it as your cover class for Combat Style.”

“Combat Style?” My next superhero class was going to be about combat? I was thrilled!

“I’ll tell you more…later. I recommend Ilnean 115: Intro to Ilnean Language and Theater 143: Prop Design and Manufacturing. They’re building block classes for the Superhero Pre-Law major and Theater minor, respectively. Human Growth and Development is a solid basic psychology class as a general education course. And…let’s see…Ilnean Politics for your final class with Doctor Quailman.”

I groaned, and Doctor Mindstorm narrowed her eyes. I immediately stopped complaining. “Sorry. He’s on the boring side.”

“I am…aware. However, Ilnean Politics is better. There are occasional guest lecturers who are more…intimately familiar with the political situation in ilneat space. You’ll also take Creative Writing One. It’s your cover class. The real treat is Combat Style 1. One day of Combat Style Forum on Wednesdays, during which time you’ll learn minor-league-level skills in preparation for your…hopeful…league-up soon. And one day of Combat Style Practicum on Fridays. You’ll practice those minor-league skills and powers with other little-league students.”

“So I’ll be fighting other students? What about Theseus? Will he be there?”

“No. Theseus will be in a class about supervillain organizational management. As an aspiring lieutenant, that is his best choice for the second semester, and his power level is sufficient to skip Combat Style 1.”

I confirmed the classes Doctor Mindstorm had selected for me, then fidgeted in my chair while she stared at me. Her eyes seemed to be boring into my brain, but it didn’t feel like a power. Then she nodded slowly. “Your mess with your boyfriend is still bothering you.”

“You’re reading my mind,” I accused, standing up. My face flushed red, and I could feel my throat tightening.

“No. You’re just transparent. Sit back down.” I sat slowly, still seething. Doctor Mindstorm sighed and rubbed her temples, the first display of emotion aside from boredom I’d seen from her. “You want to go after him.”

“Yep.” I pursed my lips.

“Do you know where he is? What he could be up to?”

“No. He’s in Tokyexico City.”

“Do you have any clues?”

“No…maybe. No.” I didn’t want to tell her my idea. She’d just shut me down. But at that moment, I realized I didn’t have any leads for Professor Panic’s location…but I did know someone who might.

“Then, as your advisor, I’d advise you not to pursue him. You’re just wasting your time right before finals.” Doctor Mindstorm stood up, signaling me to do the same. The meeting seemed to be over. “If you start Part Two, it’s going to interfere with your exams, and while you’ve got a viable career lined up, academic probation would put…unneeded pressure on your schedule.”

She held the door open and I slipped out. As soon as the elevator back to the lower floors closed, I had my phone out.

<Collidus, break into Professor Panics room - Understudy 12:25>

<Hes in Tokyexico. See if you can find out where - Understudy 12:26>

<Im gonna need some time, Understudy - Collidus 12:27>

<Three days. Maybe four. You dont just break into a supervillains room - Collidus 12:28>

<Fine. Ill wait. Patiently. - Understudy 12:29>

◄▼►