Knockoff 2 - Fight or Flight by ElrodW

Monday, August 27, 2007 - mid-morning
Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Martina and Tatiana Hughes aka Knockoff and Setup have landed at Whateley! Bwahaha, Martina doesn't think Whateley is special based upon her first look at campus, can't wait for her to learn how wrong she is. Aww, no time to look around, an appointment with Mrs. Shugendo, hope Martina doesn't say the wrong thing. And having to rush to get there on time because of mix-up dates, ouch, been there before.

And Ms. Hartford knows Setup, sounds like they are old friends, could they have gone to Whateley together in the same graduating class? Seesh, just how big was this Houston job? Bwahaha, nice to see someone not in on the Poe secret, Setup wondering why Knockoff is being placed there. A chat with Mrs. Horton, not liking Tatiana calling people with mental health issues 'wackos' though.

Sides...hurting, can't believe Mrs. Horton pulled that on Tatiana. So that is why Mrs. Horton is always baking cookies, wonder if some students in the past figured that out and pretended to be upset just to get cookies.

"Take her off my hands, please!" Tatiana said in mock pain. "I need a break from her torment and torture!"

I like them, they're silly.

"Given the reputation of the cottage, and especially some particularly ... eccentric students ... that's fair," Mrs. Horton acknowledged. "But there's a lot more to Poe than you know. For a long time, we've had to deal with students who have certain lifestyle or gender issues. It can be especially difficult socially for very gay and lesbian students and those whose mutation has caused them to change their sex. Whateley reflects the outside world in attitudes toward the sexually-unique students because our students come from the outside world. I would imagine that you know what it's like for them in the outside world."

Tatiana's expression sobered. "Nucleon," she said somberly.

Ouch, lost a friend due to bigots it sounds like. Lillian Dennon is wise, sometimes secrets aren't good to keep when it would endanger those you are trying to protect.

Tatiana shook her head. "This is ... wow. You make me want to pretend to be a teen again and move in here!"

Dang, that much better than Dickinson when she went to Whateley.

And Martina agrees Poe is best for her, smart decision. Christina Volante as Martina's roommate in room 237 in the Freshman wing, a lesbian, wonder why.

"All the time I was a boy, I never had a girl start things because she thought I was attractive. Now I'll be rooming with a girl who might?"

"You're too young to start any of that, young lady!" Tatiana sternly scolded her daughter. "Unless they've changed it, the age of consent in New Hampshire is sixteen, and you really don't want to get into legal trouble!"

Martina gulped; she hadn't considered that angle. "No, mom," she replied sheepishly.

Like that has stopped teens over the years.

Lunchtime at the Crystal Hall and Lillian ask if she can sit with them. Ah, so this is how Ms. Dennon learned the secret of Poe herself, bring Martina's status to Ms. Hartford and Mrs. Shugendo. Heh, Team Kimba's antics alone would keep people believing Poe is a nuthouse for years if they saw it all in person. What! Tatiana was blackmailed into doing that Houston job, or have Martina's secret revealed. Scumbag who did that needs a lesson.

So faked their deaths and new identities from intelligence agency contacts, still would be worried the guy would find out they are alive.

"I'm not doing the dirty work," Tatiana added quickly and firmly. "A professional colleague I've worked with several times knows that employer went way over the line this time. He knows and hates the person who made the threat. My colleague said he'd be glad to do me a favor."

Yikes, having the guy eliminated, he kind of brought it on himself by threatening her daughter though.

"Nucleon started here as an average boy, but by the middle of the spring term, it was obvious that his BIT was driving some changes in his appearance. He was getting thinner and less muscular." She watched Martina until the girl recognized what she'd said. "It was pretty obvious that he was changing into a girl. In gym classes and in the showers, other boys noted that he was getting ... smaller." She cocked one eyebrow in a way that made it abundantly clear to Lillian and Martina how he was getting smaller. "Except for certain curves in the chest and hip area. Anyway, after getting harassed by his cottage-mates, they transferred him to Whitman. That wasn't any better - the girls were very angry that a 'boy' was put in their cottage. The harassment and bullying and beatings didn't stop, no matter how much he changed into a she. She finally had enough and didn't come back after the Christmas break her junior year. She did okay - for a while. Finished high school, got a college degree, even joined a small hero group. Then someone outed her." She shook her head sadly. "She finally couldn't take it anymore."

Quit Whateley, did okay for herself, then out outed, threatened, harassed, and killed herself. I'm shaking at the thought, knowing similar happens in the real world each day.

Near Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Mid-afternoon now. Aww, Tatiana is going to miss her little girl, so distracted by her thoughts she almost collides with Imp.

"Don't you want to engage in some witty repartee?" She feigned a pout. "These days, no-one wants to engage the Fabulous Imp in a battle of the banter, a titanic duel of witty repartee at ten paces, a classic confrontation of cutting, clever comebacks! A skirmish of stupefying sass! A round of razor-sharp rejoinders! An epic, entertaining exchange of ...."

Imp needs to set up regular banter sessions with someone. Imp and normalcy, even at Whateley she is far from normal, and I mean her personality, not her appearance.

Promised Martina she would retire, but left in a loophole.

Tatiana shrugged. "I left the door open for gray-hat contract jobs. MI6 and DGSE pay very well."

Now that is 'retiring'. Good, doesn't trust the CIA enough to work for them. Dunder Mitts sure does get beaten up a lot, two baseline cheerleaders in his past even, now that I would pay to see.

"The Village? It's called The Village? You're kidding, right?"

"That's what they call the teachers' housing area," Imp replied with a shrug. "There's a nice little cafe called the Brown Moose."

"The Brown Moose? Now I know you're kidding. I suppose there's another joint called the Flying Blue Squirrel?" Tatiana scoffed in disbelief.

"Actually, it's a pub next to the Brown Moose," Imp laughed.

Tatiana goggled, wondering if Imp was pulling her leg as per her reputation for creative tomfoolery.

Wonder how she will laugh when she goes to the real places to see the truth for herself.

Early-afternoon
Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

Martina's time around her mother has made her observant and insightful. Jealous of Rosalyn's good looks, guess her mind has adapted more than she thought. Well, Alyss is there. Ah, so Danny in the Hello Kitty hoodie. Nice special trunk, would make transporting things so much easier with retractable wheels. Striatura Blu meaning Blue Streak, a very nice codename. Christina's father is Puego Silenzioso, a hero in Italy, nice to learn more about heroes around the world.

Security consultant, good cover. Poor Danny, getting hugged by Angel and Jade so excited, making Martina think they are crazy. Poor Danny turns into a cat-girl and Christina flirting with him/her. Smart father, getting involved with roommates can also result in you having rooms switched on you.

Near Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Mid-afternoon, Ayla giving the changelings the tour, going to sit and explain the true purpose of Poe to them. A spike in changelings last year and this year, wonder what the investigation will uncover as to the reason why.

"The scientists here that study powers are particularly interested in the spike in numbers of changelings, so you may be spending more time in their labs than an average mutant."

So that is why all the testing, yikes. Danny showing them his forms, explaining he is Danica when cat-girl form. Everyone telling their tale, Ayla curious about what Alyss isn't saying about herself. Then Martina's turn, different powers from her mother, plus the reason she went with Martina.

Great, Martina's biological father was a baseline and not fond of mutants, figures he ran once Tatiana got pregnant. Amy shares the same story as Martina, the multi-hued-hair girl has a spirit which made her like this, but like Ayla.

"You know," Danny commented as they walked back to Poe, "my sister told me we're going to eventually have to be on a training team, maybe we should make our own team while we get to choose."

Ayla spun and gawked at the boy.

"And we could maybe call ourselves the Chaos Monkeys?" Danny added.

"Or the Chaos Corps!" Lina added with a wicked smile.

The look of abject horror on Ayla's face was a sight to behold.

Poor Ayla, like watching a new version fo Team Kimba forming before his eyes.

Back in Poe Cottage, Christina on a cell phone talking to her father and telling him some about Homer Gallery.

"And ... there was so much to see! Some of Gizmatic's prototype villain weapons. The Tartarium knife that killed Champion II, the Tartarus projector, a quasar gun from Professor Ripper! There was more than I could remember!"

That is more items we know are in the Homer Gallery. Aww, Christina misses her little brother Gio, good big sister.

Her father's codename in English is Silent Fist. And he knows Setup, calling her vicious and ruthless, how she almost killed his whole team once. Great, he knows Setup is alive and Christina automatically considers the daughter of a criminal a criminal as well. I was starting to like Christina, now we know why Martina's first roommate didn't work out.

Dinner time at the Crystal Hall, and ugh. Christina's mildest insult in English is villainous scum, can't stand so-called heroes like this, judge someone without knowing them. Badmouthing Martina like that, insulting her mother, Christina is a judgemental B. Alyss, Lina, Amy, Danny, and Cindy at the table with Martina. And of course, Christina is a loudmouth about her father, the hero.

Christina, Amanda - Jinx, and Pamela - Eidolon approaching the table but Christina stops when she sees Martina.

"If I recall the introductions, your mom is a receptionist?" Martina interrupted the Italian girl's little drama production. Christina stopped, turned, and gawked, not understanding where Martina was going with her question. "So by your logic, you must be a receptionist too, and nothing you do can ever change that. So be a good little receptionist and get me a cup of coffee. In fact, get coffee for everyone."

Now that is a perfect burn for the close-minded Christina. Glad to see Jinx make up her own mind.

Martina spelling out what her mom does for work, Amy excited at the thought of Setup working for the CIA, MI6, or Mossad. Figures she doesn't talk about her work with Martina and retired now, as far as Martina knows.

"So your mom is a villain," Amy said with a strange expression. "That's different." A smile spread across her features. "And to think, I didn't believe Mom when she told me that the school would be interesting."

Alyss shrugged. "Why would I care? If she thinks you're responsible for what your mom might or might not have done, she's got a few screws loose."

Perfect responses from both Amy and Alyss.

"Anyone here need a roommate? I promise I don't snore!"

Bwahaha, Martina is priceless.

Back at Poe Cottage, Angel showing up at Alyss and Amy's dorm room to call them down for an unplanned meeting. Christina scowling at Alyss and Martina now, great, the girl has serious issues. Ah, due to Christina's actions Mrs. Horton having to bring up the fact that Whateley is a neutral school now.

"Whateley neutrality extends to interactions among students on campus as well. No child of a hero is permitted to harass or threaten any child of a villain, and no villain's child is allowed to harass or threaten any hero's child." She paused, looking around the room with a very stern expression. "Any such events will be at the very least dealt with very severely by the administration. If someone were to cross the line ...." She paused, shaking her head and scowling. "When you get your laptops, look up Amperage. He was a student here. He thought being a hero here meant stopping children of villains. I would caution you to not read up on Amperage immediately before or after a meal. It was not ... pretty." She paused again to let her words sink in; several of the new students gulped nervously, looking around them, particularly at Martina, Alyss, and Seraphina.

Don't tell me, this psycho wanna-be hero killed some other students just because their parents were villains.

"Let me address another aspect of this. How many of you have ancestors who were in this country before eighteen-sixty. Please raise your hands." She paused, and a few hands went up. "So your ancestors may have been involved in slavery. Since your ancestors may have been slave owners, or may have served in the Army during the Indian wars, does that make you guilty of their actions or crimes? Should we all judge you as a racist or bigot or murderer because of an ancestor? Should we judge you as a thief, a liar, and a cheat because your ancestors broke Indian treaties and stole land?" Dead silence and stunned looks greeted her gaze; hopefully, some of the students were thinking seriously about what she'd said.

"In some Communist countries, a crime against the state is punished for three generations - the original criminal, the criminal's children, and their children's children! Is that fair?" Another sip of tea. "It's a principle some call 'sins of the father'. It's related to a 'bill of attainder' in the US constitution. It means that a child cannot be held guilty of the crimes of the parents. Children do not inherit the debts of their parents. They likewise do not inherit any criminal liability or responsibility." She glanced around. "Harassment based on the status of a parent will not be tolerated in my cottage. Do. You. All. Understand?"

In other words, Christina better stop what she is doing or face detention, expulsion or worse. And Christina still giving Martina the stink-eye, that girl missed the point of the lesson completely, always one.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - Lunchtime
Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Martina sharing a table with Danny, Seraphina, Beth, Kayda, and Lannie, a good group to have for friends. Christina making a scene again, good grief. Ah, the campus bookstore, would love to go there myself. So Sofia met Setup a year and a half ago at his mom's place, learning her mom worked for Strega on such a job, wonder what this will mean for Martina at Whateley.

Mrs. Hastings as her advisor, Martina got one of the good ones, at least I think I remember her as one of the good ones. Although Martina's worries about her obsession with timing aren't completely unfounded from what I recall of the woman. Lillian Dennon shows up, an email for Mrs. Hastings from Ms. Hartford, hhm. And Ms. Dennon is now Martina's advisor, even better.

Extra tutoring in fighting styles from Ms. Dennon in addition to regular martial arts class, yikes. And Martina has heard about Ito, poor girl, all those horror stories. At least she told Ms. Dennon about her troubles with Christina, the first step to getting that situation fixed.

Three days a week, she'd start early in the morning with flight class before breakfast. The morning schedule had art, French 1, then Basic Martial Arts. After lunch, she had English, history, and then algebra. Twice a week she'd have special tutoring on 'brick' fighting with Mrs. Dennon.

That isn't the most packed class schedule I've seen at Whateley. School laptop and shown some of the special features, besides Christina so far Martina is having a good start at Whateley.

Lunch at Crystal Hall and first real experience of how hectic a full Crystal Hall can be. Jadis, Jobe, Nacht, and Belphoebe, having to watch freshman interested in joining the Future Superheroes of America, *groan* Christina talking up her father, Jadis calls him a second-rate clown, this won't end well. And Christina making a scene, even one of the Capes says Martina isn't a criminal, but Christina is stuck on her opinion.

Nacht rolled her eyes. "Another one who has to learn to not blame the child for what the parents do," she said drolly.

Jadis took a picture of the table with Martina and friends.

Jobe was the fastest reader in the group. "The description fits Setup," she said. "Backpacking accident, transfusion from Setup, all electronic records disappeared. MCO called, but they arrived too late."

Well, that was quick, knew Martina's secret would reach the Bad Seeds soon. Keep an eye on Martina in case some of the more overzealous Capes or the Secret Squirrels go after her, good to have friends who know what you're going through.

Thursday, August 31, 2007 - Afternoon
Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

All those girls gathered together and Martina finds out about Amy having a bad burnout this way. At least Mrs. Horton is able to confirm she is alive and in stable condition, rumors can make such a situation so much worse for those worried for a friend/family/loved one unless countered by the truth. Alyss actually got Mrs. Horton to admit this wasn't Amy's first burnout and that she is being moved to Hawthorne for her own safety.

After dinner at the Crystal Hall, Martina having all those things weighing her down, no wonder she is trudging wearily from her room, back when she still roomed with that obnoxious hero-wannabe. Suzanna Roscoe not liking Martina due to her more attractive than her, good grief. And Suzanna's roommate, Maryann Klein, has a disdain of villains, weak reasoning for why considering the superheroes caused most of the damage to their city by fighting the villains. Acting as if Martina is responsible for her mother's activities, a bunch of idiots.

Fresh-baked cookies, if the others in Poe knew about that conversation starter with Mrs. Horton they would be bugging her about every little problem just to get cookies.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do right now. The administration has very strictly forbidden any occupancy of the unfinished wings because of potential hazards, and even if there was a place, I can't move you until all the registration and residency data is in the school database."

Shoot, so that is why it took longer to get Martina away from that toxic roommate.

"Martina, I'm serious," Mrs. Horton shot back, having understood Martina's tone. "There are some very dangerous things in the restricted areas and outside the school boundaries. I want you to promise me you won't cross the boundaries or go into restricted areas!"

They should an assembly and have all the house parents, Mrs. Carson, and Ms. Hartford all say this in their sternest voices to all the students, then they might listen. Yeah, those mountains look inviting, Martina, but you don't want to meet some of the things which live on them.

Flight powers and an aversion to heights, proof that whatever process, etc. determine what powers a mutant gets has a twisted sense of humor, imo. An encampment and wood fire going, wonder who could be there. Heh, should have known it was The Nations clubhouse area. Martina, you need training in using your flying power and all the aspect of it, like any power.

Hank is the guy who caught Martina, seems she was breaking the rules, oh boy, a report to file at Kane and a talk with Mrs. Horton.

"Another one?" the woman asked. "Just had one brought in from the lake area. Must be something about bats flying under a full moon," she joked, although she didn't elicit anything but a soft groan from Hank at her feeble humor.

Just how many freshmen fliers are breaking the rules? And just great, Martina has to deal with Trout, potential headache incoming. The banter between two fliers, they could be a comedy act. Todd Dixon, another new face unless my memory fails me again.

Seesh, I knew Trout would read them the riot act but didn't know he would be in that foul a mood. Todd saying those cheesy lines, yet he already has a girlfriend, boy doesn't know when not to turn on the charm, does he.

"Well, I hope she'll be my girlfriend. Kiera. She's ... kind of playing hard-to-get." A big sloppy grin spread over his face. "She's a very cute Irish redhead. I was hoping you were in Dickinson, so I'd have an excuse to see if I could talk to her on the way back to Emerson."

Well he certainly has high hopes.

"Well, she's not a typical villain. More like a freelancer. She sometimes does contract jobs for security agencies," Martina explained cautiously.

"And your mom's choice of career is a problem why?" Todd asked.

"I kind of draw some bad attention."

"Good!" Todd grinned. "More people me and my roommate can tell to fuck off! I'm trying to prove to Darby - he's British - that Americans can be just as creative at insulting idiots. Tomorrow's theme is imaginative ways to tell people to copulate themselves in highly unnatural and creative ways."

I like Todd, he's silly. Plus I wish more people would have his attitude about Martina's mom's career. You can't control what your parents do, for Pete's sake.

Friday, August 31, 2007 - Early Morning
Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

Martina faking being still asleep to avoid Christina as long as possible, and when she does get up sees Danny going to boys' bathroom where he is being teased by the gay boys, *sigh* Subtle gesture from Martina inviting Danny to change into Danica to shower with the girls, at least she is safer in there. Well, would be if not for Cindy, has to deal with problems either way.

At the Crystal Hall Alyss ask Martina if she is going to eat with them, but she is going to have breakfast with Todd and his friends. Wonder which of the girls teased her about it being over a boy.

"Kiera Ó Comhraidhe," the girl replied. "I'm Irish, from County Cork."

"Any power besides snark-fu?" Martina asked.

"I'm an avatar, and me spirit, well, I call him me little leprechaun," Kiera replied. "I don't think it's a real leprechaun, but it sounds good, especially to Americans." She gestured to her right, to another girl. "Me roommate, Christine Spijker, from the Netherlands."

Interesting group of friends Todd has.

"There was a major battle in the second world war," Christine answered. "American airborne divisions and British tanks drove out the Nazis. Oh, and I'm a healer and low-level telepath."

One of the girls was wearing a large pair of sunglasses as she sat quietly. "I'm Marjorie," she introduced herself simply. "But I go by Jori. I'm a siren."

"Tell her the rest," Kiera urged the girl.

Marjorie sighed. "Okay." She pulled off her sunglasses, revealing very large eyes with darker skin surrounding them, almost like tattoos. "I've got a little GSD."

"She looks like a cute little bush baby," Kiera interjected. "Her night vision is superb, and her hearing is probably ten times ours."

A very interesting group indeed, nice mix of powers and Marjorie's GSD makes her sound cute.

Wincing from what to her was very bright light of a normal day, Jori pulled her sunglasses back on. "I can jump almost twenty feet, and my body can absorb landings from a height that would kill a normal person. My roommate is Elle Ruud. She's Norwegian, and a Sidhe. Don't call her an elf, by the way. She doesn't like it. None of the Sidhe do."

Okay, that is much more than being a siren, very useful abilities too. And Elle Ruud, i was wondering when she would show up at Whateley, nice to see her again. Darby Danniel from Cornwall and he is a devisor, with the mix of powers this group has they would make a good training team.

Ugh, Christina just had to show up with her two new friends and ruin the mood.

"It's fitting that you're from Italy," Kiera said with a wicked grin. She waited for the Italian girl's expression to show curiosity at what Kiera was implying. "Italy is shaped like a giant boot, just like the one up your ass!"

Thank, Kiera, for saying what we are all thinking. Scoreboard for the insult, priceless.

A look of apologetic worry flitted onto Martina's features. "Sorry, but Mom is a master of witty comebacks. She kind of set the bar high. And there's someone Mom knows who she claims makes her rejoinders look like those of a kindergartner."

"Oh? If she's that good, we are going to have to meet her to get some tips so we can up our game!" Todd chuckled.

"She said she'll be here for Parents' Day," Martina replied happily. "But the one she said is a master is actually a teacher here on campus. And art teacher. Imp. I'm signed up for one of her classes."

This group being introduced to Imp, if someone had a snark detector on campus it would explode soon after their first meeting.

"I'm in first-period art, too!" Jori exclaimed delightedly. "Me and Dosi. Her full name is Theododosia, but she goes by Dosi."

Friends in the same class, fun. And what language does Theododosia come from for a first name? That line by Chris, my sides hurt, too funny.

Afternoon and back at Poe Cottage and Mrs. Horton calls Martina over. With Amy transferred to Hawthorne and Alyss having a single, so this is how Martina and Alyss became roommates and got Martina away from Christina, good.

"Pfft! Instead of having to wait for the bureaucrats and rule-makers to get all their ducks in a row and then filling out their seventeen forms and fifteen justification letters, let them catch up to what we need to do for once," Mrs. Horton said with more than a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "They should have never made that room assignment, so let them deal with the consequences of me straightening out their mess for them."

I love Mrs. Horton, knows when rules are meant to be broken.

Martina, Alyss may be an enigma to you but she is a good person, don't overthink it and ruin a good thing. School full of interesting people, boy, Martina's mom understated that one. Nice to have help with moving to a new room.

Unfortunately for Martina, the Italian menace was in their room. No sooner did Martina start to pack than Christina grinned triumphantly. "I knew this school wasn't a place for a villain's daughter! I'm glad they're kicking you out."

Martina was about to reply when Alyss put her hand on Martina's arm. "Oh, they're not kicking her out. She's just moving in with a roommate who isn't a stuck-up bitch with a pissy attitude and her head up her ass. Pardon my French."

"Not bad," Martina smirked. "I'll give it a seven point eight."

Alyss is such a great person, I love her more each time she puts a bigot in their place like this. Angel, Hank, Danny, and Jade helping to move so most of Martina's stuff in the first load, that is fast.

Martina laughed aloud. "It was good, but not world-class. Todd's trying to set up a snarky-comment class with a teacher Mom said is a champion at clever and cutting comebacks. Interested?"

A snarky-comment class run by Imp, the world can't survive such a thing! Hearing about Angel and how she hugs Danny every chance she gets, at least she isn't rude about and Danny knows she appreciates him.

"Don't worry. I've got a ... relative ... that's a villain. Doesn't make me evil, just like your mom being a villain doesn't make you evil. Anyone who can't see that is pretty damned stupid," Alyss added forcefully. "Pardon the French."

Alyss is good at giving out only the information she wishes to. Ack! That kind of camping I don't think I could handle.

Saturday, September 1, 2007 - Mid Morning
Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

Like many of the Poe freshmen girls, Martina really didn't catch much of Mrs. Carson's introductory speech because Danny reluctantly changed to his cat-girl form to help the girl called Downpour to feel less depressed. Most of the lesbian girls were either ogling Danica or murmuring among themselves about just how hot the cat-girl was and what they'd like to do with her. The changelings like Martina and Alyss also had a hard time focusing on the speeches because many of the comments were quite amusing and thus distracting.

Another year of Poe freshmen not hearing all of Mrs. Carson's introductory speech, hope they don't get in trouble by doing things she mentioned not to do. 'Meet the clubs' event and picnic lunch, guess this is a tradition at Whateley.

Danica having to avoid Cindy and the Poe girls, their 'pet the kitty-cat' attitude needs to be called out. Avoiding DT and his thug friends, plus Wondercute, yikes, just avoiding people is almost like a full-time job for Danny/Danica and the school year just started. At least Wyatt is there to chat with Danica about his/her troubles. And Kiera sure knows how to get someone's attention, who's with Chris and Elle. Chris sure isn't subtle when flirting with Wyatt. Martina taking away with Kiera to meet up with their other friends, while Wyatt needs to have a chat with Danica about something important.

Nice display by the Gearheads. The Dragons out displaying their skills and Chinese martial arts weapons, including a kusarigama, cool. *facepalms* How fast you can master a weapon and how fast someone else can master a weapon is a world of difference, Toni. Listen to Nikki, please. 2 minutes, 38 seconds, only Toni.

Everyone turned back to the Dragon club member, who was gawking as much as the crowd was. "Um," he stammered, "Toni has a special ... gift ... for martial arts. Please do not try that at home."

Yeah, huge understatement, just show them her combat finale.

Nikki looked at Elle strangely, Elle feels there is something she should know about Nikki, can't wait for the big encounter.

Soon, Darby, his roommate Todd, the Greek girl Dosi, and Jori joined them and they stopped for hot-dogs before continuing to meander around, eating as they walked and talked.

Science fiction club and the Star Trek fans are arguing about which television series was the best, thank you Elle's hearing and listen to her, steer clear of that building powderkeg.

"Because number one, they won't be interested in anything but science fiction. Number two, being girls around them - well, it won't be pretty. Third, even being seen with the group could get us tagged as sci-fi geeks, and in some groups, sci-fi fanatics are not exactly social butterflies."

"I don't know," Kiera cast doubts on Martina's assertions. "Some of me friends enjoyed the Star Trek movies, and that didn't hurt them socially."

"Did they go to science fiction conventions?" Martina asked. "Did they make science fiction costumes? Did they stand in the middle of the school arguing about whether Kirk was a better captain than Picard?"

"Um, no," Elle admitted. "Okay, let's go see what else is around."

I enjoy science fiction, fantasy, and such, but have never done any of those things. Though conventions mainly because of none in my area.

"I had to room with her! And her mom is a notorious villain!" Christina Volante called out, tugging at the spandex uniform of one of the older Capes. "They won't kick her out, so we need to watch her, to be certain she's not up to villainy and evil!"

Is it wrong I want someone to hurt Christina so she has to have her jaw wired shut so she will shut up for a while?

"Oh, great! Y'know ye are spoilin' the entire Irish image with the green eyes and red hair and such an awful outfit!" Kiera said to the taller girl. "Please tell me you're not from the Emerald Isle!"

"I have Irish ancestors," the taller girl said. "I take it you're from Ireland?" She extended her hand toward Kiera. "Erin Manley, and my code name is Boudacia."

A British Celt for her codename, interesting. Christina just had to trigger this silly line of banter, can't believe Chris is playing along.

And the encounter between Elle and Nikki happens much sooner than expected, yay!

Suddenly, Nikki's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed as she focused on the girl. "Your spirit - is she Sidhe? A female spirit? Aesgloweth?"

Elle started, but then shook her head. "I don't think so," she lied.

"Does the phrase 'seventh of the nine queens' mean anything to you?" Nikki asked, confident that she already knew the answer. "Or Queen of the Ice Realm?"

Elle shook her head more firmly. "I have no idea what you're talking about. All I know is my spirit is ancient, from some elfin race, and the testers said my power is playing with snow and ice. As an energizer. And a little bit of magic."

Darn, why did Elle lie about the name Aesgloweth, doesn't know who to trust yet possibly? Ow, Elle changed subjects so fast I got whiplash, she is going to have to discuss such things eventually. White-haired girl following the group, Jadis wishing to invite Martina into the Bad Seeds, wonder how Martina will response.

A mini-UN just in their group alone, love Darby's response about the Revolutionary War. Combat robots and drone race combined, awesome, I would watch a show based on that. Okay, there are scary implications if these kids applied the same ingenuity to combat helicoptors as they did these drones. The drone getting boo'ed, it's Belphegor's, isn't it.

The Spy Kids using images of fictional spies to advertise themselves, oh brother. Christina is trying to suck up to them, way it backfire her in the worst way possible.

The attractive girl she was semi-dragging pulled up short, looking at Martina. "Are you sure?" he said to the Italian, "Has she done anything illegal that you know of?"

Christina Volante frowned. "No," she said slowly and reluctantly. "But ... she will! She's an exact clone of her mother!"

The girl, a very comely upperclassman, sounded unexpectedly like a Southerner based on her accent. She shook her head. "Ah'm sorry for the disturbance," he said to Martina apologetically, much to the chagrin of Christina. "Ah'm Harley Sawyer, also known as Reach. Nice to meet you. Ah hope you are enjoying Whateley so far. Sometimes, mah colleagues and prospective members forget that just because a parent might have done wrong doesn't mean their child will do the same."

Thank you, Harley, about time someone said that where Christina could hear it. And Sir Wallace Westmont, love how polite he is to Martina and points out the neutrality accords to Christina, put that girl in her place. And the dressing down about her attitude is the cherry on top.

Behind the Spy Kids and their table, unseen to the club but in plain view of the students listening to their spiel, a thin, white-skinned girl that Martina had seen in Poe was holding up a large sign that had a picture of Don Adams as Maxwell Smart, with a legend that read "Maxwell Smart School of Secret Agenting". The girl was dressed up in a suit, with her hair tucked in a tight bun so that she looked a bit masculine. On the lapel was a huge home-made button that said 'Agent 86'. Beside the albino girl was another girl, wearing a smart feminine business suit and with her hair done up in professional, 70's style, and a similar button saying 'Agent 99'.

And Vamp is keeping them humble, love it. The shoe phone bit, my sides can't take much more. Get Smart is classic, love that you worked this bit into tthe story.

Jadis approaching the table where the group is eating, Elle wondering who she is. At least it is for a pleasant reason.

Jadis introducing the rest of the Bad Seeds to Martina, Nacht, Princess Jobe, Belphoebe, Jay-Arm, Cheese, Malachi, and told about Lindsey who is with the Wondercute girls right now. Martina learning why the Bad Seeds exist, how there are more idiots out there like Christina who treat the children of villains like they are villains already. And of course they already know about Alyss, at least the cover story.

Winter shows up and is told about Martina and who her mother is, thinking Set-Up is a freelance hero because she has worked for Mossad. Storms off after quiting the Bad Seeds for having invited Martina to join, girl has issues.

Jadis follows Winter into the Crystal Hall patio, chatting about why she doesn't like Set-Up.

Winter frowned heavily. "She did a job for the Mossad that hurt Mom's reputation and almost got her caught and imprisoned," she grumbled unhappily.

"Oh? What kind of job?" Jadis' curiosity had been piqued.

"A certain agency had arranged smuggling weapons on a freighter to a group of rebels in a certain African country. A couple of ... interested parties ... wanted to keep that government in power. It seems that they were skimming a lot of money from some less-than-upstanding government officials. Mom was hired to stop the freighter - but it had to look like an accident," Winter explained, her expression glum. "A fire at sea is hard to investigate when the evidence is on the bottom of the ocean, you know,"

"And Setup's role?"

"She did something with the shipping records. Mom targeted the wrong ship, and it caught fire while still in port. Setup planted and modified data in various systems so that Mom was kept busy dodging several intelligence agencies because the evidence was right in front of them. The real shipment got to its destination." Winter shook her head, her words filled with bitterness. "That hurt Mom's rep for a couple of years and cost her some good jobs."

Ouch, no wonder she is so against Martina due to what Set-Up did. Those in their line of work such things happen, having grudges for what a parent did is silly.

"Don't forget the irony of the fact that you want to be in FSHA," she added. "I'd have thought you would be the most understanding."

Winter looked a bit contrite at Jadis' comment. "Okay, I'll think about it. But I still don't like it," she groused.

She wants to be FSHA and yet is upset about someone's parent doing a white-hat job which nearly got her mom caught and imprisoned, *sigh* Things are complicated and messy when politics get involved.

Sunday, September 2, 2007 - Late Morning
Near Whateley Academy

Just where is Martina taking her new group of friends in the wilderness? Oh, good, hiking in allowed area. Martina is good at navigation, useful skill. Dang, this is a new and fantastic view of the Whateley Academy campus, never knew it had peaks all around it.

Elle learned the dimensional pocket spell from Mage Astre, now that is useful in many situations. Crud, it got Darby thinking how to make one himself as a devise.

Elle smiled and shrugged. "I can only make it about the size of a gym bag, and it only lasts for a couple of hours."

A very small backpack to size of gym bag and last a couple of hours is still very useful, I can think of over a dozen uses off the top of my head.

Watch it with the elf cracks, Darby and Todd, some Sidhe would take it as an insult and attack you.

"Brownies? Brownies? Where are the cookies?"

"Cookies?" Elle asked, puzzled.

"Well, yeah," Todd replied. "But ... maybe you're not from the Keebler clan."

"Keebler clan?"

"Sure - the elves who bake cookies and live in a hollow tree," Todd laughed.

Kiera glanced at Chris and Marjorie. "I guess the boys have decided they don't ever want a date with Elle," she said with a wicked grin.

Todd scrunched up his face in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Jori answered his question. "Teasing once can be cute - maybe. Twice - pushing it. More than that, you'll never get out of 'friend-zone'."

I would hit those two with an anime mallet for the Keebler elf crack if I could. Backpacked in the Rockies, that is hardcore.

Martina seemed a little uncomfortable with the topic, and it showed, so Darby changed the subject again. "Elle, what classes are you taking? Cookie-baking? Toymaking?"

"I'm given to understand that there are really good fringe benefits for elves working in Santa's workshop!" Todd teased again.

I don't care if it breaks the 4th wall in the other direction! *hits Darby and Todd with anime mallet* And literal cold shoulder from Elle for Todd, hope this teaches him to knock off the elf jokes.

Ouch, Ice Queen, hope Elle discussion that with someone sooner rather than later. Swimming picnic party at the lake, I remember that, fun. Lake never less than 30 degrees Celsius even in the winter, very nice. Martina's comments about the lake, sounds like stuff out of the Simpsons, Futurama and some science fiction movies.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - Before Breakfast
Arena 99, Whateley Academy

I wonder why all these students have been brought to Arena 99 so early in the morning. Langley Paulson, so this is the flight training class.

"I will be your instructor for this flight training class. I'm teaching this term because we had a few ... contractual ... issues with the flight school we used previously." The way he said 'contractual issues' hinted at something more than just a pay dispute.

Hhm, wonder what happened with the flight school. Adam Ironknife aka Stormwolf, Diana Ritter aka Thunderfox, and Robert Shih aka Firecat, senior assisting him for the class and all have animal-themed names, curious.

Demonstrate and practice their particular skill at flying in Arena 99, guess no more outdoor classes.

"As to safety, the arena is equipped to prevent or minimize injuries in the case of accidents - distractions, collisions, magic spells running out of essence, devises suddenly and unexpectedly failing." Again, on cue, the upperclassman simply stopped flying and fell. There were gasps of surprise and alarm in the gathered students who expected him to go splat on the floor, but about three feet off the floor, he slowed like he'd jumped into a vat of gelatin which absorbed the impact.

"The safeties are smart-sensors, so if you fall, they will absorb your kinetic energy, but if you walk," Ironknife stood and walked back to the instructor, "the safeties will not interfere. The safeties are also in place on the walls, so if you go out of control, your impact will be cushioned," Mr. Paulson explained.

"If you do something stupid," Thunderfox picked up the instruction, "like deliberately dive straight toward the ground, you could cause serious injury, like breaking your neck. Broken limbs are also possible if you land wrong. If you find yourself falling, just relax and try to lie flat."

Okay, yeah, I would want to learn how to fly in there, never knew Arena 99 had all those safeties in place. Benny Hale's form of flight, classic huge bird wings, yet so much effort to get into the air. Pretty effective form of flight once in the air though, impressive. So many different and interesting ways to achieve flight.

Christina losses focus and control, ending up in the force cushion, yet somehow glares at Martina like it is her fault, that girl would blame Martina for global weather change if she could. Eamon Fitzpatrick, a unique sounding name to me. Ouch, an avatar with an albatross spirit.

Tail end of a chain reaction, my butt. Christina deliberately rammed into Martina, thank goodness for the force field. At least now Martina has told Thunderfox about Christina's attitude towards her so they can look out for this kind of stunt in the future. Hope it lands the little b in detention for a few weeks at least the next time.

First Period
Art Class, Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Aww, Martina afraid to sit with Jori because she is sitting by Eamon Fitzpatrick, possibly part of Christina's anti-villains and their kids group. Dosi says they will talk later, wonder if she saw enough to know Christina deliberately hit Martina. Aww, the reunion between Imp, Mischief, and Headrush. Imp wishes to have a chat sometime with Martina, wonder if she has any embarrassing tales about Set-Up to tell Martina.

Lunch at Crystal Hall, Keira worried about Martina, Dosi should have given out more information than she got hurt in flying class.

Martina shook her head. "Neither is Mrs. Horton. She ended up chewing out the dean for putting me in with bigmouth in the first place." She smiled. "So everything is cool now." She steered the pizza toward her mouth again.

I would have loved to sit in on that chewing out.

"Yeah, I noticed. Anyway, I was just levitating up and down because I'm not good at warping gravity horizontally - yet. I could see it pretty clearly. I thought it was staged."

"If she's anything like her dad, who Mom knows, that wouldn't surprise me," Martina replied.

Great, so Christina's Dad is just another thug hero with good PR. I knew it was deliberate, what Dosi just described confirms it, Christina is just a thug.

I hope Martina brushing this off doesn't make Christina think she can get away with worse and suffer no consequences like most thug types do. Sadistic little midget, Ito wears that label with pride. Mrs. Dennon's Brick Class, forgot Martina was in that class, she is going be a tough fighter to beat after finishing that class course.

"Then you'd fit right in with Ito!" Kiera shot back. "He said that he doesn't believe in fighting fair if it means you're going to get your arse kicked."

Wonder how many of the freshmen in the class were shocked by his attitude this year. Great, Jori got an elbow to the head by a bitch who thinks Martina is a villain and Jori shouldn't be hanging out with her.

Martina scowled. "That's going too far. If she wants to pick on me, big deal. If she picks on my friends, she's gonna piss me off."

"So what are you ... we ... going to do?" Todd asked, his expression one of grim determination to help is friends.

"I don't know yet," Martina said with a heavy sigh. "Maybe I should ask Mom for ideas next time I talk to her."

Ah, Martina is my kind of person, mess with me, okay, mess with my family and friends, all bets are off.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - Martial Arts Special Topics Class
Laird Hall, Whateley Academy

So that is what Martial Arts Special Topics is, sounds like the training is going to be brutal.

"Mister ... Jonathan Knowles, is it?" Dennon asked. When he nodded, she continued. "Who appointed you class monitor?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. The boy wilted under the unwanted attention, but not before shooting a look of pure malice toward Martina.

Acts like he is the class monitor, gets called out on it by the teacher, so gets ticked at the student who he called out for being a freshman, Jonathan Knowles is a piece of work. Martial arts training since she was 4, Martina is someone you don't want on your bad side.

"Figures," one boy in the back blurted out, "since she's a villain and you're a villain in training."

"That will be enough of that!" Dennon growled angrily. She glared around the students, noting which ones looked guilty. "Whateley is neutral. There are no heroes or villains here, only high school students getting an education! If I hear or see anyone dragging in some hero versus villain crap, I will have security remove you from my class, and after Chief Franklin is done talking with you, you will get a chance to talk to Mrs. Carson - probably just before someone comes to permanently take you off campus! Do you understand?"

Yes! Just the chewing out I've wanted to see idiots like this get and a reminder that Whateley is neutral to the students who forget that all too often.

Jonathan versus Martina and the idiot thinks he is going to put a supervillain's daughter in their place, he has no idea what he is in for. Taken down in seconds and in a lock that painful, outclass, it was like watching a street thug versus Batman almost.

"A mash-up of everything," Martina replied. "Sensei Roberts is at least fourth degree black belt - or the equivalent - in twelve or thirteen different forms of martial arts."

This was her sensei, I pity the other students in this class right now. Chou and Toni are the assistants for the class, anyone who tries to put some stunt to deliberately harm Martina in this class will be hammered before they can even blink.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - Dinner
Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Todd, Christina, Jori, and Elle are all at their table for dinner, but no sign of Martina in the Crystal Hall.

Kiera shook her head. "She has an after-classes class - advanced martial arts hulk type smash and bash and stuff, I think."

"It's an advanced martial arts classes," Todd corrected her. "Apparently, her mom knows one of the teachers, and the two of them ganged up and made her take it."

Good grief, how many students think the advanced martial arts class for bricks is like Kiera describes it?

Darby, no teasing Jori, running away is a smart strategy when possible. Todd and Darby have a fun relationship, the Holy Grail references are classic. Elle even joins in, fun. Ouch, Martina got roughed up in AMA class, marked as a teacher's pet, d'oh.

"Anyway, one of the guys didn't control his power very well, and I ended up in Doyle with a broken arm and a lot of bruises."

"Broken arm?" Jori asked, wincing at the thought of being injured fighting.

"Minor, really," Martina replied nonchalantly. "Compared to some of the kids there. One of the nurses told me that the first week of martial arts classes sends a lot of kids to Doyle. My broken arm was one of the milder cases."

Are we sure the guy didn't control his power very well instead of it being a deliberate attack on Martina? The creep who hurt her sneers at Martina, and is the Italian Problem's boyfriend, I knew it wasn't an accident! Bwahahaha, Elle, I love how blunt you are sometimes.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Early Morning
Poe Cottage, Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Everything gets quieter when she enters the bathroom, just how many girls has Christina turned against Martina? Insults in other languages now, and Martina can dish it out as well. I looked up the translation of Martina's insult to Christina, brutal, after the insult Christina said she deserves it. Cindy and Lina stop Christina from attacking, but what they said to her has me concerned.

Bethany knows Italian and Spanish.

"What? So my mom is a linguist and insisted we all learn foreign languages," she said. "In our house, we kind of changed language every week. French, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, German. No big deal." Then she grinned. "Except when I had friends sleep over. Then it got a little ... interesting."

Whoa, that is very impressive. Angel here with bad news.

As soon as you're done here," she directed, "Mrs. Horton wants to talk to you about your little altercation." She looked around the room. "She'll probably want to talk to all of you girls, too."

They lied to Mrs. Horton to get them in trouble, Christina, Cindy, and Lina are manipulative brats. Oh good, just a chat about being the bigger person, don't prod Christina into a physical altercation. So glad Mrs. Horton knows who to treat as more mature.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - After Breakfast
Fixer's Patio, Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Aha, so there is another reason for Jadis to have a book with her, good spying technique.

"This is high school," Jadis replied with a wry smile. "Kids are going to gossip about something and tease or harass someone. No, the freshmen are still going to be dumb until they get more experience, but the older students know that messing with our group isn't the smartest thing they could do, and they generally look elsewhere for victims. With a little coaching from upperclassmen, the freshies usually fall in line pretty quickly."

Still wanting her to join the Bad Seeds, Martina has friends and other options before she ever gets that desperate.

Jadis trying to figure out why Christina hates Martina so much, and there is a job tracker for super-villains including their full history. 3 jobs in Italy, and Jadis is starting to see the connection to Christina's family, the Volante.

"So let me guess. She seduced him to distract him, abandoned him, left a scorned lover, and now Papa Volante wants his sweet baby girl to get revenge on Setup's daughter?" Katrina said sarcastically.

Leave it to Nacht to stumble upon the most likely answer while being sarcastic.

"This doesn't make sense!" she commented to herself, shaking her head and frowning at the data she was seeing. "What is going on here?"

What piece of data did she stumble upon about Set-Up that makes no sense when comparing two different notes, don't tell me she is going to figure out Martina is a changeling due to this?

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - First Period Art Class
Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Dosi and Jori with Martina there for art class and they overheard some of the gossip Christina has been spreading about Martina. Ugh, this kind of gossip, Christina needs to be punished for spreading such vile things, and those boys all need a harsh lesson on not talking about a girl that way.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Before Lunch
Melville Cottage, Whateley Academy

Jobe coming to check on Jadis, she has been stuck on what she found out about Martina and trying to make sense of it still. Jobe is actually helping Jadis out, access to Doc Morris' records backed up to a data vault in Karedonia, dad isn't going to be happy you are breaking a client's trust like this, Jobe. Potentially dangerous information to Knockoff and Setup, and Jadis has plans for this information, don't screw up and accidentally have Christina or one of his cronies overhear you.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - After Classes
Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

Alyss in the elevator with Martina, Toni, and Kayda, flunkies of Christina deliberately hurting her friends in martial arts classes and saying they are "accident". Messing with her in flight class too, this girl needs to be taken down hard. Kayda, you know Lanie hates that codename.

"Yeah, the flight powers rule change," she acknowledged. "There were several 'incidents' last year that caused the administration to insist on more training before flight."

Lanie's stunt with her suit, I remember that one, figures it helped trigger rule change.

The arena cavern for flying to help them train, plus since they are booking the time if Christina or any or her flunkies mess with them they are breaking more than one rule to do so.

"Here - this splits the arena schedule into the instructors, the cavern, and the pods."

Woohoo, Lanie to the rescue. An hour and a half once per week, without Christina and goons messing with them they will get in a lot of training. Flight safety monitor, make sure it isn't someone who can be bribed by Christina.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Dinner
Fixer's Patio, Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Why leave that data intact in the Karedonia Data Vault, just what is Jadis up to here? Jealousy of Elle's hair, Jadis, your hair is unique. I knew it, I knew this was the secret, she knows Martina used to be a boy.

"Your mom is very good at covering her tracks, but there are still puzzle pieces out in the electronic jungle that someone could have used to figure out the truth."

Martina didn't miss Jadis' choice of words. "Could have?"

"I called in a favor to have those records altered or erased."

Martina's expression didn't change. "So now you're going to demand a favor in return? Like I join the Seeds out of gratitude?"

Jadis chuckled heartily. "No. Call it a ... demonstration ... of how the Seeds can help each other and how we look out for each other. Just something to consider."

All this to demonstrate to Martina how the Bad Seeds look out for each other, a way to hopefully convince her to join. I'm glad it was Jadis who found out, some of the others might not be as noble.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Early Evening
Near Arena 99, Whateley Academy

Todd and Theodosia being led by Martina to Arena 99, a lot of security to just get in for flight training, and Amy Tang as their safety instructor, yay.

The rules were quite simple, the same as in flight practice. Any flier overtaking another had to pass to the right. The flight path was a large oval, circulating counter-clockwise, with a holo-projected translucent barrier channeling the arena into a giant oval 'track'.

Flight practice just got a lot more interesting, I knew there would be rules, but following a flight track, cool.

More than 3 dozen students, open flight time sounds hectic, please don't let Christina and her flunkies show up. Flying that close and fast, twice in a row, the second they were called down I knew it would be Christina and one of her flunkies, Eamon this time. Christina lies, a freshman girl from flight class speaks up and tells what she saw, how Christina broke the rules on purpose, now it is Martina's call is Christina can stay.

"Okay." She looked at Christina. "If you want to stay and practice flying, I can get some of the arena transponders for all of you. I'll have sim control monitor so none of you," she looked at Christina, "come with five yards of her."

Christina glowered, cheeks burning with fury. "You're going to treat me like I'm the villain?" she demanded. Clearly, since Amy was one of the Capes, she had expected the older girl to take her side in the dispute with Martina. "She's the villain, not me!" Cursing in Italian, she turned and stomped toward the arena exit, and her friends joined her in leaving.

Christina needs to be brought before Mrs. Carson and read the riot act about school neutrality, leaving hero and villain disputes off school grounds because nothing else is getting through her thick skull.

"Her dad is some kind of hero. Mom isn't. There's some ... history," Martina explained. "She fancies herself as following in daddy's footsteps, and she thinks I'm automatically a villain."

Amy gawked at her explanation for a second or two, then she shook her head with a sigh. "So that explains the 'evil villainous student' thing that she was babbling about at the FSHA meeting." She rolled her eyes. "There's always one, isn't there?"

I'm so glad to see Amy is a reasonable member of the Capes.

Thursday, September 6, 2007 - Late Afternoon
Arena 99, Whateley Academy

Open flying, but they get there and can't get in, of course, Christina restricted it so Martina and her friends can't come in since she reserved it, vindictive spoiled brat.

Thursday, September 6, 2007 - Evening
Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

Martina is so polite, knocking to be invited into Mrs. Horton's office even though she didn't need to. Fresh-baked cookies, this is why Mrs. Horton is the best housemother imo. Mrs. Horton is impressed by proper grammar from Martina.

"She and her friends - and a few she no doubt recruited - have reserved the arena for practice flight for every open period as far forward as they can - and guess who's on the access denied list?"

*starts to see red* Okay, Christina has gone too far with using the rules to her benefit.

"Yeah, that'd be like waving a red handkerchief at a bull. To her, it would be the same as admitting that I'm a villain." After a moment, she added, "As if she needed anything beyond her stupid imagination to think that anyway."

Ah, the biggest reason why Martina avoids joining the Bad Seeds so far.

"Mom told me all about Gunny and his contest for 'sadistic bastard of the week' with Ito."

Thank you, Mom, for warning her about that.

Martina harumphed again. "Mom told me all about Whateley's version of a code duello. No thanks. My experience is that nothing is really solved except to further piss off, er ... annoy ... the loser.

She isn't wrong, seems to have happened with every other group who dueled their bullies. Another hike sounds like fun.

Martina noted the concern in the housemother's voice and the sudden worried expression. "Yes, I am. Is it really as dangerous as mom implied? She made it sound like ... campfire ghost stories."

"Yes, it is," Mrs. Horton replied somberly. "Nightmare fuel. Class X stuff that would make Godzilla look like a slobbering friendly puppy-dog."

Martina gulped nervously. She'd thought her mom was kidding. "So all those legends and stories ...?"

"Are mostly true," Mrs. Horton completed her sentence.

And that is why you avoid the off-limit areas at Whateley. Unless you have a death wish, even then I think some of the fates that could happen to you would be worse than death.

Friday, September 7, 2007 - Late Afternoon
Admin Wing, Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Why have they been summoned there?

Christina was joined by her friends Eamon Fitzpatrick, Neal Mills, Suzanne Roscoe, Benny Hale, Maryann Klein, and another boy that Martina didn't recognize.

"He's Joel Osborne," Dosi whispered, leaning closer to Martina.

Christina and her buddies better not have lied to Mrs. Carson about them to get Martina and her friends in trouble. Mrs. Carson, Ms. Hartford, Gunny, Ito, Trish Savage, and two unknown men, oh boy, this is huge. Dragonslayers tattoo on the security man's arm, oof, bringing one of them in as the security guard for this. Why did Darby say "Inverness!" in response to that man's outfit?

Mention of deliberate harassment in flight class and Christina goes to talk to defend herself or deflect blame, only to be shut down by Ms. Hartford. And they know everything, including the incidents in the Crystal Hall where Christina and her group used magic and PK as part of their harassment. Bringing up the limited exclusion that Christina did for flight time in the arena. Burlington-Smythe brings up how the staff noted the same exclusions and all reservations being done by the same clique, Christina was foolish to think they wouldn't notice an obvious pattern.

Good, Mrs. Carson nipping this in the bud, so glad to see her step in and stop this harassment so quickly.

"Because you're a vigliacca!" Christina practically spat, leaping to her feet and leaning onto the table toward Martina, her face red with rage. "Just like your madre! Just like all villains!"

"That will be enough of that!" Mrs. Carson practically roared, herself standing and leaning forward, fists on the table. Unlike Christina's theatrics, however, Mrs. Carson was highly effective at intimidating others. The Italian girl slumped back in her chair and stared at her hands in her lap, having been thoroughly cowed.

If that display by Mrs. Carson wasn't enough to get Christina to knock it off nothing will, I almost jumped back in my chair when she roared.

A contest or competition, that was a close one, almost had to deal with Gunny's sadistic side for an arena fight. The flight-related contest is going to be interesting to watch.

Gunny smiled smugly. "I will design ...."

"No," Martina said firmly. "That's not required for these ... contests. It's in the handbook."

"And your mother warned you?" Ms. Hartford chuckled with a knowing smile.

Martina shrugged. "All that's required is that we agree to the format."

Thank you once again, Mom, for all the warnings you gave Martina before sending her to Whateley. Ms. Horton to mediate between Martina and Christina, with these two having to both agree on it this contest is sounding like something the whole school might want to watch.

Friday, September 7, 2007 - Evening
Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

Martina talking to her mom, Tatiana, about what has been going on with her and her friends. How Gunny noticed the harassment and bullying, Gunny would be proud his name still gets that response from a former student that many years later. Advice on setting up the contest so it doesn't play to Christina's strengths, going to the Seeds or other contacts for intel, stay away from the Spy Kids. If you go to a less 'ethical' security member for information, don't go to Trout!

Mary Goodhope already knows about the contest, the Whateley rumor-mill is fast. Darn, Mary can't play favorites, and neither can Zenith. Ayla is in running to be the next cottage fixer after Zenith graduates.

Poe Cottage, Whateley Academy

Kimba Corner, when Ayla had Poe Cottage upgraded he had Kimba Corner upgraded as well. It is nice to see Team Kimba all together again. Teasing about how to pay Ayla for his Intelligence Service, Jade talks about her fly carpet she got in France, a part of the J-team of course.

Martina shook her head, sighing. "Does anyone on campus NOT know about that?"

"No," most of Team Kimba chimed in simultaneously, with grins.

Bwahaha, perfect response.

"Why?" Toni asked while spinning around in the hammock. "That brat needs a good whoopin'!"

Someone finally called Christina what she is.

Fey stared evenly at Martina for a moment, then shrugged. "I thought she reminded me of someone, but ... I guess I was wrong."

Aww, what if Elle reminds you of someone for a reason, Fey? I see why Dosi goes by her nickname, plus that last name here in America would draw a lot of attention, at least to fans of Webster. Listen to them, avoid the 'payola platoon' at all cost.

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - After Lunch
Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Running out of time and no ideas for the contest that Christina and her friends couldn't twist to be violent in. Ayla, Hank, and Nikki are there with the data they requested, they are fast. Todd is from South Dakota and hasn't heard of Kayda, he must not watch the news that much.

I like Kiera, she's silly. 7-Up was advertised as the Uncola in the past, even I didn't know that. No one on Christina's team has good maneuverability, speed is important, but when flying maneuverability can save your life. Martina is the most maneuverable out of everyone. A lot of great ideas for a contest they have a chance to win. Nikki, no reason to be embarrassed.

Hank chuckled. "Nikki has had way too many people teasing her about flying her broom, using a crooked wand, and Quidditch. Ever since the last book and the movie came out, it seems like magic user is getting compared to Harry or other characters, or challenged to do some crap like the movie."

I would be prank-spelling people at this point if I were Nikki. Bio-devisors are trying to make flying horses, nooo! *gets out super-reinforced umbrella* This game is would be painful to watch for your neck from the stands on the ground. And suddenly Company Sergeant Major Burlington-Smythe just got a whole lot more interesting.

Monday, September 10, 2007 - Lunchtime
Arena 99 Briefing Room, Whateley Academy

Langley Paulson saying they forced the issue. Gunny should have known better than to expect a fight.

Included in the meeting was Kelly Alexander, a new and very competent member of the simulator staff. With expertise in computer graphics, she'd been hired specifically because her talents were a perfect fit to make the best use of the new solid-hologram technology of the big arena.

Solid-hologram technology, now that is something I would love to see in action. Ouch, Goony Bird has it rough for his form of flying.

All this planning and testing to get everything set up for the big contest at least gives Martina and her friends time to plan. And the teachers are not making it easy at all, yikes. Kelly worked in the movie industry with CGI, dang. I know why Martina didn't wish to go with a fight, I just hope they have sensors put up to detect any cheating that might happen.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - Early Evening
Arena 99, Whateley Academy

For a practice track it is still a bit intimidating.

"My older brother runs track. His team has won races because other teams muffed the hand-off, and his team has lost races because they blew the hand-off," Todd explained. "Yeah, it's that critical."

Eep. Dosi got good advice from Catapult, glad she knows the risk of high-speed flying and G-forces. Darby talked to Amy's mom about how to improve the devise flight rig he got, smart. Practice makes perfect, or at least good. It makes me wonder if practice and good teamwork are what is going to win it all for them, as Christina and her friends seem like the sort who think they can win on natural talent and ability alone.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - Early Evening
Arena 99, Whateley Academy

Memo, Ayla, and Zenith all brought there.

"You have an encyclopedic knowledge of sports. The girls and their friends want to engage in an aerial game - and our Headmistress graciously delegated the task of refining a rough concept for a game into something that's actually ... doable. And fair," Ito replied.

Huh, I guess bringing in the fixers with knowledge of sports to make a balanced and fair game is a good idea.

You never realize how much goes into making an actual sport, all the rules, regulations, etc. until you read something like this. Bringing in Ringo to help with this is just wise planning. Ten thousand runs by morning if he uses the mainframe, Ringo continues to impress.

Saturday, September 15, 2007 - Early Morning
Arena 99, Whateley Academy

Martina and team going onto the floor, Christine, Kiera, and Jori in the stands with friends of Team Kimba as spectators. Rajendra Singh, manifest quail-like wings, cool. Ayla, Jade, Jinn, Fey, Billie, and Marty Penn for their sixth, good team. Teri was their previous sixth, I can see why Gunny didn't want her coming back. Ouch! Martina got hit by one of Teri's shots, they need to find something to help her focus.

So many changes from one game to the next to balance things, seem to be making fast progress though. No PK or magic manipulation of the ball to cheat, things are shaping up nicely.

Skybolt, Wind Runner, Phoenix Fire, Bomber, Harrier, and Zhong Lau. They call themselves the 'Press Gang'

Meep, the other team has a lot of good fliers. Stormwolf needs someone to get him to lighten up already. *physically winces at what happened to the gravity warper* Okay, don't mix different gravity fields or they might react badly to each other.

All this practice and when the rules, etc. change it might negate some of the practice, oof, getting this done for the contest before combat finals is seeming harder imo. Nice to see all their practice paying off against the 'Press Gang'. More practice, a sideline coach, and calling themselves the UNTeam, I just hope their schoolwork doesn't suffer because of all the extra training.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - After Class
Arena 99, Whateley Academy

Don't care if they win or lose, only bragging rights are at stake, mature view. So that is how the obstacle course is going to work, I hope Martina and her teammates win this first part of the contest.

Mask in Arena 99 because the cameras have been hacked, gambling houses, I wish they could find a way to stop this once and for all. Mask or forfeit the match, Christina has to make a choice here that she isn't going to like, good.

"What, no Groucho Marx glasses?" Todd asked, feigning seriousness. Ito goggled at the audacity of his comment, while Gunny frowned. "What? They disguise the nose, eye shape, eyebrows, and upper lip. They meet the requirements. They should be fine."

He isn't wrong, but there are none, rats. I wonder if any student has thought to bring their own pair before. *facepalms* Cowls more appropriate to heroes, she needs a reality check.

Ms. Hartford meeting with Linda Fowler aka Tweak, feeds taken care of, Cueball confirms mail was delivered, just what is this all about?

The boy continued. "I uncovered the contact behind Carruthers. We're going around him.

"That can ensure timely package delivery," Linda added, "and we avoid unnecessary ... expenses."

"Not my circus, not my monkeys," Ms. Hartford said with a shrug. "You do whatever you want with your financial arrangements. My only concern is that the package got where it was supposed to go, on time."

What's in the package, Hartford only gets involved with important things.

Transferring a memory card like that to Tweak, Tweak and Cueball acting like a couple, and all this so Hartford could work with them to route the camera feed to the gambling houses, no wonder it can't be shut down since it is an inside job. Tweak even spied on their practices for the game, betting on it now is greedy.

40 feet high in the air and being watched by a crowd, the worse possible situation for Martina, please stay calm and in control. The first part of the obstacle course is a straight run, oh boy. The simulation crew went all out, this tests speed, maneuverability, and endurance.

So that is how the audience can watch the competitor, very impressive set-up. Oh brother, calling out they want Ewoks. Some of these students are nuts.

Booker knows who is up next, dang. Neil Mills. A description like that can only be Nikki, asking about the mages head-to-head. 3-to-2 odds on Elle, that's it, I would have given her better odds to win and it seems so would Nikki from her reaction. Devisor head-to-head, Nikki placing a bet for Generator, oh boy, I think Booker is going to regret taking that bet.

Ouch, Darby is hurt in the canyon because he thought there couldn't be another right turn and crashed badly.

Theresa got the common sense of the siblings.

"If you two idiots would just listen to me for a change!" She drew a breath to calm her nerves; her brothers could be so oblivious at times! "He undoubtedly made some major modifications," she explained, "since he hasn't blown up. And he probably uses his brain to solve a problem instead of trying to brute-force his way through it, unlike two people I know!

What kind of devisor tries to brute-force their way through something instead of using their brain to solve a problem, those two have issues.

Miki there and another girl both holding Danny.

Like Miki, Danny had some feline characteristics, and he had a svelte, athletic build, unlike most of the other male students who were larger and more muscular. He was slowly learning to not mind, because there were more than a few girls who found him attractive.

At this point I'm wondering when the harem anime antics will kick in for Danny.

Amelie Vitesse

Nice to see she is dating Danny, even if she is just one of many. Uh oh, Adalie, Kayda, and Headrush are all there and Adalie is trying to intimidate Danny. Bwahaha, Amelie kisses Danny, then Miki, Adalie's attempt at intimidation backfired.

Ouch, I don't like Benny for being part of Christina's group, but the poor guy needs help with flight training.

Todd, focus on the race and not on Christine and Kiera. Stop thinking about the girls just because you are on a straight-away right now, focus! Gets through the forest despite his thoughts on why it was designed that way and who was behind it. Todd is 2nd fastest, but barely, and Christina beat both of them by almost 3 seconds. But team total they won by 7 seconds, woohoo!

Memo is pretty good at placing bets, the biggest loss due to not knowing Darby modified the rig he got. When she grows up I fear for Vegas.

The relay race is one of speed, endurance, and agility for the passing of the baton. Christina, you just blew it, he didn't do well on the obstacle course but a relay race is one where Buzzard Boy would shine.

Booker, you might regret making bets on this one using existing data.

All that practice for the baton pass has paid off, Darby and Elle making a smooth baton pass. And based on Suzanna's baton pass to Eamon they didn't practice baton passes that much, a bad move. Elle preventing Eamon from passing her, smart move by Martina to learn stuff from NASCAR races. Martina maneuvering fairly well on the first lap, and excellent on the 2nd, the pass-off to Todd couldn't go any smoother. Darn it! Even with the lead and Todd pushing himself, Christina got across the finish line first with a big lead.

Dr. Filbert Quintain stumbles upon some freshmen making bets and tells them to move along, only for Memo to move to give Filbert his winnings, Filbert acting like it is no big deal as he turns and walks away. Do as I say, not as I do, heh.

Cavalier is the coach for UNTeam, nice to see him doing things again. Substitute Darby once his rig is too low on energy, 25 minutes of power left, good thing they have subs.

Elle chuckled. "I've seen how you look at us playing. I can tell you're anxious to get out there and fly."

Sky started to deny it, but she gave in and nodded. "It does look like fun. But ... I haven't practiced with you as a team. Besides, I have no ... how do you say," she looked at Todd, "I have no pet in this dispute?"

Sometimes I forget English isn't Skybolt's first language. Dosi, Todd, and Martina gulping down energy drinks, I knew those races would be draining, but yikes.

Hank looked a little disgusted by the outfit, despite having been assured by Mrs. Ryan that the color combination was best for them to be visible to all the players. Hank thought she was pulling a fast one on him, perhaps as payback for some of what his teammates had put her through the previous year.

I'm with Hank on this one. Hank and Firecat as refs to ensure a clean game, Christina and friends better not try anything. An action-packed, fast-paced game, Martina uses the rules to their benefit, but despite all their efforts Christina still body-checks Martina hard and gets a foul called on her. Darn, the penalty shot missed by a few inches.

Montana trying to tell Patricia aka Yellow Queen, and the other cheerleaders to do their cheering thing. But Patricia says cheering for freshies is so beneath them, what an ego.

Now, this is how a team plays, Todd getting the ball back, Dosi getting the ball to Elle, and the fast-pass work of Martina, Elle, and Darby to get the goal.

Mary watches the game with a sulking Teri on her shoulder, she really wanted to play.

"I did not get out of control!" Teri protested with a deep scowl. "Just 'caused the others didn't enjoy flying and playing as much as I did!"

She needs to learn how to take it down several notches when playing with others.

Dosi gets body-checked by Neal hard, injured as he slams into a wall. Rajendra was brought in as a sub and makes the penalty shot.

As he flew back to his team so they could do another 'jump ball' to continue play, Rajendra grinned. "Who knew that being forced to play cricket would actually pay off?"

Cool way to make a goal.

When they say powers burn through a lot of energy they aren't exaggerating. Christina's team really isn't a team at all, I knew this would be their biggest weakness.

Beneath the bench that they were resting on, Teri sneaked toward the ball, a huge grin plastered on her face.

Noooo! Not the wildcard.

Christina trying to make it look like Todd fouled it, Hank isn't having any of it. The ball moved out of the way of Eamon's stick, then out of the way of Elle and Buzzard Boy making them collide, Teri!

And Mary has just figured out where Teri is, go to the teachers about this and fast.

Despite the amount of gear crammed in it, the ball had been made larger to increase its drag, which allowed just enough room for Teri to squeeze in. She peered out of the partially-open access panel that she was holding in place, giggling at the confusion and chaos she was causing. She was thinking that this might be even more fun than playing!

They didn't take into account the Teri factor when designing the ball, a mistake they won't soon forget.

Neal catches the ball and bats it towards Eamon, the access panel has torn free of the ball, things are spiraling out of control. Eamon catches the ball and hits it back to Neal, and Teri is disoriented and tries to escape. Neal gets dragged along by Teri, and the ball goes into the UNTeam goal by chance, Teri has made this game chaotic. Oh no, Teri and the ball are free again, game off, catch the out-of-control Teri ball!

Mary is the only one who knows Teri is behind this so far, poor girl having to be her roommate.

Hank and Fire Cat discuss what happened, Martina laughing so hard she is crying.

Teri came flying out of the ball and Jade is excited, duck and cover! Fey, Toni, and Ayla all have to shoot down Jade's idea to put one of the J-Team into the ball. Her puppy dog eyes don't work on Ayla or Fey, after seeing what Teri did while inside the ball I would be stern with Jade on this too.

Spare ball and restart the period, Neal have to sit out, even I winced at what he went through. And the UNTeam wins by 12 points, yay!

Christina is a sore loser to Martina. Martina and her team agree it is the end of the harassment, Christina says it is but her comment about Martina doesn't convince me.

Watching them, Mrs. Carson shook her head. "I have a bad feeling that the lesson didn't sink in, and that we haven't seen the last of the harassment."

If you are talking about Christina and her friends, then you are right, at least about Christina. After how she treated her friends through all this I doubt they will be her friends for much longer.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - After Dinner
Crystal Hall, Whateley Academy

Spirits high, premium desserts I suspect are from Ayla, and congratulations from people on the win, a good day for Martina and friends. Darby got a dislocated shoulder, ouch, at least it wasn't worse.

Darby chuckled. "A few things," he replied. "I told him I didn't know he fancied me that much!"

Darby! Don't goad those who can hurt you easily into violence, no matter the situation. And insulting his mom, you are lucky he didn't put you in traction.

Suzanne aka Hexette asks about the strange thing Darby did in the corners on the obstacle course.

Darby shrugged again, and again winced at the burst of pain in his shoulder. "It's called a hi yo-yo. It's a common tactic for fighter pilots."

I guess a flying rig has some things in common with fighter planes. Tales from his great grandad and it started his interest in military history, I wouldn't have guessed. The move sounds simple yet also tough to pull off if the timing is off.

Use some of it in the flight class, well that is going to make flight classes a lot more interesting.

"And the game?" Paulson continued. "I heard how much thought and work you guys put into coming up with that." He smiled. "Since that ended, I've had a lot of upperclassmen ask me why I never taught that when they were taking my class. I think there's a lot more interest than you may realize."

This plus all the other groups that want to challenge them, is the origin of the flight club, so great to see it unfold like this.

Friday, September 21, 2007 - Before Dinner
Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy

Teams for aerial games, sim team fending off requests all day, they created something huge and didn't realize it.

Mrs. Carson smiled at Gunny and Paulson. "I want you to set up a ... a club. A flying game club. So the club can manage setting up matches, designing courses, arranging arena time, arranging referees, and so on. I want you do take that load from my simulator crew."

Langley Paulson nodded. "You'll get extra credit in flight class."

Do it!

"Sometimes," Ito said thoughtfully, "we get swept up in events bigger than us. For the good of all around us, we have to swim with the current."

"Is that some Confucian stuff?" Darby asked with a frown.

"No, but he probably said something similar."

It is a good saying. Do it or they will give the task of doing it to Christina and her friends, noooo, anything but that.

Todd said it best.

"Guys, I think we just got railroaded."

Yes, but you got railroaded by the best of them.

This has been a fun story from start to finish. From Martina arriving at Whateley Academy with her mother and learning it is as crazy as her mom warned her. Tatiana is just such a goofball at times and fun to see her interactions with others, even how she asked Mrs. Horton to take Martiana off her hands. Seeing Tatiana with Imp, I still wonder how many of the ex-supervillains at Whateley know Martina's mom.

The history of Nucleon still chills me. Christina, seemed so nice at first, even flirting with Danny when he turned into a catgirl, but boy did she show her true colors quickly. I will never understand the mindset of anyone who automatically thinks because a parent is a supervillain/criminal that their children are the same. The fact Mrs. Horton had a meeting for all of Poe to tell everyone Whateley is neutral, being told Whateley is neutral multiple times, and yet Christina is still going on about hero/villain stuff suggests she has some sort of disorder where she is fixating on it.

Did Danny and those others ever form their own team that Ayla was so horrified about? The pieces of the story showing each of Christina's crew that was forming, the reasons they might be friends with her, really hit home, even if most of them are weak reasons to hate Martina and join up with Christina. Meeting all the friends that Martina has made was enjoyable, especially Todd's introduction, he and Darby certainly have a way with insults.

Mrs. Horton throughout the story has been a gem, as usual, ignoring the rules to get Martina out of a room with Christina to be dormmates with Alyss, always being there for them to vent, or just chat, and laying down the rules when needed. If ever short stories are featuring the staff more I hope she is one of them, you write her so well.

Seeing some of the school clubs in action was fun. The first encounter between Elle and Nikki, I hope that gets sorted out and Elle isn't afraid to reveal who her spirit is to Nikki in the future.

The Bad Seeds trying to get Martina to join them, Jadis even finding out the big secret of Martina, but helping to erase evidence that was left behind that others could have found, I wonder how long before Martina feels pushed into needing to join them to protect not only herself but her friends so they won't be targets.

The continued harassment and seeing the staff take notice and act, I hope we see more of this in the future when bullying gets out of control. And the contest, I never knew figuring out all the rules, etc. for a game could be so complicated. Yet the whole thing was awesome, the descriptions had me riveted to my seat wondering who would win each time. And so fun, I can see how this started the flight club and Martina and her friends got roped into making it.

I can't wait to read the next tale with Martina and her friends.