Icejack 2: Back to School by Null0trooper

Thursday, September 1, 2016,
Turkish airspace, Qatar Airways Flight QR 743, Doha to Boston Logan.

Peter Raiford and Yuki Takenaka chatting about an email from his parents, their ex-boss has been checked back into the hospital for his own good. Benjie needs to learn to take care of himself, and not check himself out of the hospital in that condition in the first place, he should be happy to have good friends who look out for his well-being.

Oh boy, handling combat finals by signing up for the Bad Seeds, what are you thinking, Peter?

"I'm sure you've got the mad skills to torque off a whole lot more lame bitches than just those two."

Peter shook his head, "I'm not that bad."

Yes you are. Ah, so Peter knows about the reputation of the area where Whateley Academy is situated. And no, Yuki, Peter is right about that. Playing with your 'food' is the sign of an amateur.

Amtrak, The Crescent, northbound.

Philippa Anne-Marie Aldo, better known to her friends as Derecha

I would hate to fill out paperwork if they required her full name. Stuck on a train for 3 days, why does that sound like the plot of a murder mystery to me?

Mississippi girl who loves her food from home, fried chicken, yum. Curly dark-green hair, cool, and helping out like that, if only more mutants could do that in public. PK, I wonder what she can do with it. Ouch, Miss DeeDee sounds like a good woman, hard to lose those you care about.

Holloman AFB, "Home of the Fightin' 49ers", NM.

Agent Resnick warns Kent Holloway not to take off his sunglasses until the plane is in the air, must have some GSD for his eyes to have to remain hidden like this. Kent has had a very strange summer it seems, the least of which is seeing real UFOs. Keeping secrets at Whateley is easier said than done sometimes. Ah, good, he has counselors at Whateley who can talk to him about the secret stuff. Ouch, at high risk for Diedrick's. Whateley Academy, Class of 2007, so Agent Resnick has survived some crazy stuff. Good grief, now he says Kent is still just a kid.

Room 241, Emerson Cottage, Whateley Academy.

Seesh, a bulleted list of things not to forget to bring up for Gideon, Peter needs a break to be a kid already. No pranking the roommate on the first day back, it sets a bad start to the school year. Oh god, Stabby the Ceiling Roomba, don't make any sudden moves.

Room 226, Poe Cottage.

Kent is in Poe, and no one wants to bunch with him because of an incident in the Workshop tunnels, aww. Devisor from the sounds of it earlier and a warper as well, eep. Sounds like the whole of Poe needs to be given a chat with Mrs. Horton about being a family while there.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016,
Schuster Hall, Whateley Academy.

Paige Donner, so Cyberkitty works at Whateley now. Peter taking BMA this term, I wonder what he will show Tolman he already knows. Few more years to be a kid than she was given, ouch. Hehe, free time for socialization, good, Peter needs it.

3rd Period, First Day of Classes,
Biology I, Kane Hall, Whateley Academy.

Peter and Max Livingston as lab partners... Please don't let them create some biological monstrosity.

6th Period,
Basic Martial Arts, Laird Hall.

A student who came prepared for BMA, now let's see how he does. Bad habits to break, oh boy, she sounds like Ito right now. Good answer, Peter.

"Unless you can position yourself for your powers to swing an encounter in your favor, they don't matter, do they?"

I knew Chessa was a smart girl. Ack, I would hate to be skill-assessed by Tolman.

Ouch, Kent got taken down by someone with martial arts training. Peter has to make up a story about how much training he has had, poor Kent doesn't know who he really faced. Oh boy, the way Kent is chatting with Peter, the fact he registers Peter said he is in electronics class, I think he has a crush.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016,
Room 241, Emerson Cottage.

Archeopterix, Camshaft, Cricket, Derecha, Entelecheia, and Icejack are on a training team together, this will be interesting. I hope Cam Hudson doesn't keep avoiding Peter, they have to work together or this team won't work. Whoa, Peter, thinking because all the bases are covered by others on the team doesn't mean they will be carrying you. Get Bianca to join the Bad Seeds training team, Magic 8-ball says the Odds are Low.

Thursday afternoon, September 22, 2016,
Icejack.

At least they give you time to get ready for the training team stuff. Imagine having to get from one end of Whateley Academy to another in a limited time like you would in a normal high school.

Briefing Room 12, Arena 91, Whateley Academy.

Arena 91 complex, oof. Derecha meets Archeopterix, real name Becky. Bwahaha, mistaking Peter for the cable guy because of how he is dressed, priceless. Adaptive shifting, a very intriguing power. Trina Keller shows up and it seems she can communicate with spirits, Entelechia, I wonder what that codename means.

Rex Fields aka Cricket, I see why he stands out. Cameron Hudson aka Camshaft, and no, Peter, that codename is not an invite to do that. Mr. Shane is going to be a problem with the attitude of showing up that close to them being allowed to leave.

Ouch, your team is not scraping the bottom of the barrel. The mask rule doesn't make sense for those with severe enough GSD, but rules are rules, darn it. Derecha's power has me more and more curious as to her full capabilities. I really don't like Mr. Shane's speech, it makes it sound like any issues of the students being identified and targeted because of it are all their problems, tough luck.

Derecha's powers have to take in the laws of physics when dealing with moving masses of air, that's rough. Ouch, Crash is Peter's nickname because of the combat final last year. Becky's power has a lot of uses, even one of the smaller terror birds would be scary to deal with. Mr. Shane, don't compare their powers to others, Becky is right those speeds are impressive.

Trina tells about how her magic works and Mr. Shane makes that comment, with no respect for those who can communicate with the dead. Sarcasm and he says Peter has an attitude problem, Mr. Shane seems less and less like a person who should be working with teenagers.

Cam chats with Peter and is excited by what they can do together with their gadgets and experience.

A bit over a year ago,
Washington DC.

Benjamin Keeling keeps an eye out for his quarry, while Max secures transportation, and Yuki is off playing tourist. A teen who isn't like the others, is a tough one.

Peter is on the run and trying to ditch a tail. A blond guy waving his wallet and calling Peter takes $20 as payment for cleaning up after him. Ack! Blackmailed into being friends with this guy. Benjamin sure likes to get your attention fast. His team got the guy tailing Peter charged with something, just eat and walk out the front door now, when are things ever that simple.

International Spy Museum, what are you up to Benjamin? Leaving him with Max in a taxi, good lord, I think I would rather have Ms. Yukari from Azumanga Daioh driving than him. Peter, you feel in with a group of crazies who make things work, just roll with it.

Congress Heights, uh oh. A couple of days at a safe house while Benjamin works out the plan. Doesn't know where they are taking Peter, no idea when Peter's parents are getting back. Just don't say "It could be worse."

Early AM.

Benjamin, how do you know it isn't you Peter is dreaming about right now?

Normal People's Morning.

Benjamin put an Addams Family blanket on Peter and Animaniacs one on Max, cute. Don't bash on someone's footwear, Benjamin.

Thursday night of the present day,
Room 241, Emerson Cottage.

Aww, shy about embarrassing himself even over the phone with Benjamin. Calls to check on Benjamin and it is Peter he is worried about, these two need to have a long chat soon. Seesh, Peter is dealing with way too much for a kid his age.

*facepalms* You need time to heal and recover, Benjamin, light work and a desk job are perfect. Just this once, I want to ask Max and Yuki how many times Benjamin has been seriously hurt on a job.

Friday morning,
3rd Period Biology I, Kane Hall.

Yes, there is a lot more going on at Whateley than even those clubs believe. And some of it is kept secret by the staff for the students' safety. Max is right, Peter, your 'I'm okay' needs a lot of work. Gah! My mind's eye! The mental image of what Max just said, does anyone have some brain bleach? Just how bad are Peter's grandparents?

Late Friday afternoon, September 30,
Whateley Academy.

Hook up with the camera team for Venus Inc., just what are you planning, Peter? Aww, you don't have to be so nervous about that, Peter.

Venus Incorporated Clubhouse.

Ah, trying to get some tech. And going to Shutterfly about it.

"Why not ask Photech?"

"Because Marty's a dick, and I don't need to be there when he finally learns why that's a bad thing."

Yeah, I would avoid him as well. Danielle, teasing a guy like that is just cruel. Gah! Tracking all those different things while two people are in flight sounds like a logistical nightmare. Peter shifts and already Cassie wants to do some Percy Jackson shots in, I guess his satyr look does fit one of the 3 mains.

Three days later,
3rd Period Biology I

Peter talks to Max about signing a model release form, I'm guessing the Venus Inc. girls might have more uses for him. Message from his mom and a Bcc: line, hhm. Max teasing Peter about hanging with models like Cassie Locke now. Aww, your default form can't be that bad, Peter.

4PM, Thursday afternoon, October 6, 2016,
Arena 77, Whateley Academy.

Ah, so that is why they are testing out Shutterfly's creation in this arena. *eyes start spinning from all the tech talk* I like technology, but this is over my head.

Derecha shows up and jolts Peter out of a trance, talking about the software side of Shutterfly's set-up. Cyber Swarm does that with stuff sold to others, that is beyond low. Quadcopter, not for initial testing. Headache pills would be a good idea when dealing with two techies. Rapid shifting from one form to another, I think doesn't sound safe. Shutterfly thought ahead with the arena choice.

*eyes bug out* Derecha passing out that high up, Archeopterix trying to catch her only to end up with both shoulders dislocated, Yikes, at least this is practice. *nearly faints* That is how brutal injuries left untreated for shifters can be, that is horrifying. And all that to get Becky into a position where they can fix the dislocations, anyone who doesn't scream in her state has a lot of willpower. 10 minutes, seems like an eternity when waiting for help to arrive. At least they will both recover.

Thursday afternoon, October 20, 2016,
Briefing Room 12, Arena 91, Whateley Academy.

How the combat training teams actually work, you find out as you in the class. Whoa, they told the students what the tracks are like and how dangerous the active track is, that is a change. Hehehe, the old Wondercute group of G1 had a team that could handle the active track. Ouch, you shouldn't call those on the minimal development track that.

"The tracks are also broken down by team focus. Superhero teams are the Alpha Track, military is Omega, high threat response teams are Beta, Syndicate is Sigma, Search and Rescue is Gamma."

Boy, I never knew about the team focus detail on combat training teams. What, information about the Outcast Corner hasn't been passed down, this is a travesty. Oh, great, the Goobers are still being idiots in Gen 2. Search and Rescue, always good to have people trained in that around. Now that hurts, Cam losing his friend like that and wondering if he could make a difference with a second chance.

Thursday evening, Beck Library.

Peter certainly didn't get a neatness upgrade when he became a Gadgeteer. Weapons and holdout, aww, no seeing Cricket in cute green armor. Geez, Peter is kitted out for military action. Of all those mini-grenades, the webbing one seems like a double-edged sword. Thinking ahead to prevent another incident, boy, their team is going to be a lot more dangerous than expected with these two on it. Quack, Peter, you need to trust your teammates more. This team is going to be kitted out big time.

Friday evening, October 21,
Bad Seeds Table, Crystal Hall.

Peter's parents are coming up to eat with him at the Bad Seeds table, so rare to see parents at Whateley. Twitch, never argue yourself out of getting paid for basically no work.

Ground Floor, Crystal Hall.

Max is already there and chatting with Peter's parents. Chopped liver and raid the ice cream machine, eating for two gets weird. Peter listing off the new Bad Seeds and their parents, oof, I forgot about the Green Cross for a moment. Calling Peter out on stretching his arm too long, Molly is a good mom.

Bad Seeds Table, Crystal Hall.

Twitch is a babbermouth, having to pay her off to shut up about his mom being pregnant. His mom is due Sunday with a girl, Peter is going to be an overprotective big brother once she hits her teens. Michelle is just so adorable and Molly is a great mom even to those who aren't her kids. Lecture on planning jobs and the dangers of them when you are pregnant, Molly isn't pulling any punches.

Room 241, Emerson Cottage.

You aren't going to win an argument with your mom, Peter, take the boots. With a farrier on campus, and tips on horn and scale care from Imp, the school really does have everything.

"It's more like Sensei Tolman enjoys coming up with new things for my body to adapt to. Growing scales was a surprise."

Bring back Sifu Ito for all classes for one week and all the students will be happy to have Sensei Tolman.

Raiford House, Arkham, NH.

*winces* Butch better be careful and keep Molly happy for a long time to come lest she remembers this. Violette, a beautiful name for his new baby sister.

3rd period, Monday, October 24,
Biology I, Kane Hall, Whateley Academy.

Max just has to tease Peter about his new sibling. Aww, kept the horns for now since Violette loves them. He is going to be a great big brother.

6th period, BMA, Laird Hall.

Sparring with Faolass multiple times to practice kicking and blocking. I don't care if she has a hard time with front kicks, being hit by her would hurt. Practicing kicks with his hooves and Lesley coaches him on how to, a good hit on her wrist, having to constantly deal with digitigrade legs has made her an expert. Puckwidget has precognition and luck, now there is a dangerous combo in the right hands.

Friday evening, Parents Day Weekend,
Emerson Cottage, Whateley Academy.

Dinner at Le Bistro with Benjamin and Peter thinks it is obvious he only sees him as a friend. No, this ship will not be sunk.

Saturday morning.

Awkward breakfast with his parents, Max, and Benjamin. Peter and his parents leave for Arkham and her grandparents get to spend time with Violette, aww.

Monday morning, November 14, 2016,
Morning Tai Chi Chuan, Laird Hall.

Tai Chi Chuan with Sifu Wong and things are going well in Tolman's class. Hey, Max is looking out for you, You are a growing boy and need your breakfast. A wise woman and a good teacher, I see why Peter likes her.

Early Saturday afternoon, November 19, 2016,
Whateley Weapons Fair, The Whateley Workshop.

Smart, getting Twitch in and out fast from the Weapons Fair. And Nikita, I swear the Amazons need their secret training room exposed and the whole club shut down for breaking the rules. Twitch in Wondercute, this new Wondercute group might be as unpredictable and dangerous as the original.

Bad Seeds Clubhouse.

Esquire at the clubhouse, ugh, the worst of the new Bad Seeds. Peter is right to be wary of any Workshop student who is in the Amazons pulling that BS. Gideon, you are an ass, leave Bianca alone already. And mini glitter bombs, that are just sadistic to unleash on anyone.

Whateley Weapons Fair.

Newton's Gravitic Devices, a gadgeteer dealing in such things, I would steer clear in fear for my life. Gordon Campbell, and he should leave one important lesson in business, don't argue yourself out of a potential sale. $5k for a belt like that and Peter going for it has shocked Newton. Newton, you deal in gravity, you should realize the kind of injuries a fall can inflict.

Toolbox.

The chaos starts and Peter does the smart thing by getting Toolbox to help Cherry Bomb pack up her wares before it gets worse.

Icejack.

Getting everyone to clear out before security shows up, Peter has experience in dealing with this kind of chaos.

Monday morning, November 21, 2016,
Poe Cottage.

Kent Holloway has to rush to make it to a freshman-only Assembly. A history lesson on all those people including Mrs. Carson. MID cars reissued for all freshmen, what happened to need this?

After BMA.

Kent talking to Peter about MIDs, and sounds like good news for Kent. Official government-issued MIDs the MCO backs off, I bet there were cases in the past where they didn't and it nearly destroyed them.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016,
The Workshop, Whateley Academy.

The Gun Bunnies, never heard of that club before. Gah! I don't think I would want to use one of Newton's belts. No operator's manual for the thing, just test drive it over and over to work the kinks out, oh brother.

Tuesday afternoon, December 13, 2016,
Combat final: Icejack versus Perfecto, Arena 99.

Does his opponent have a school named after him which is the rival to Acme Looniversity? =P And from his MID I can already tell I won't like Perfecto. Peter has learned from his past mistakes and lessons well.

Pre-scenario briefing.

Icejack putting the technicians through the ringer and Chuck Cunningham [he couldn't have chosen a better fake name?] gives him attitude despite it being his job.

Perfecto.

Rodrigo Lesters, what a snob. I hope Peter takes him down.

Cards and they have to find something, this is an interesting combat final.

Icejack.

Shops and businesses to distract a gadgeteer or devisor, that is almost rigged in favor of his opponent. An improvised microscope, Peter is good.

Five blocks away, at Streit's Barbershop.

Mentally critiquing everything about the environment set up, Rodrigo needs to learn to lighten up. The stubborn fool went to a barber shop when the card said for the pharmacy.

Main Street, Outside Gepetto's Watch Sales and Repair.

Ugh, having to deal with an ANT unit in the guise of a police officer is always a pain.

Perfecto, still at Streit's Barbershop.

Perfecto screwed up mentioning that, now the patrons don't wish for him to leave. And he is in real trouble, those barbers have Marine Corps tattoos!

Icejack, back at Gepetto's Watch Sales and Repair.

Sin d'Rome's specialized nanites, he is hacking the ANT!

Arena 99 Control Room.

"Oh-thirty-seven. I sent it to intercept Icejack and give Perfecto a chance to double back. But, now, they're just talking."

The technician did this to get back at Peter for his 'attitude' earlier. Rated number 2-11 in his class, you can never fully trust the ratings!

"Does the phrase Intrusion Counter-measure Equipment ring a bell?"

"Yes, Gunny, it does. But that's just a cyberpunk trope."

You work at Whateley, tropes have a funny way of being made real there. Leave no traces and Peter won't get any points deducted from his score, Woohoo.

Icejack.

Hehe, sending officer units after Perfecto, finish up this combat final, Peter.

Offices of Magnum and Pi.

GIving you identical goals would be a waste of a combat final like this.

Paragons were supposed to be mistake-proof, at least against non-espers. Oh. Yeah. That was a little cruel.

Hhm, this combat final was to teach both of them a lesson. And the combat final is over, Peter has won.

Arena 99, Debriefing Room 1

Perfecto.

Figures, is so arrogant he runs from off-duty officers even after he knows, he needs to be humbled or he could be a real threat in the future.

Icejack.

That is just too good, planning ahead in case he got jumped at the start, a decoy card to the wrong location. If he weren't in the Bad Seeds the Spy Kids would be begging him to join.

Perfecto.

A Letter to Garcia, they based all this on that classic. Dang, that is a deep dig.

Icejack.

He was raised by professionals, and Peter knows what he is doing.

Back in the stands, Cam slapped Peter on the back and said, "See? That's why we need you holding down command and control for the team!"

"Quack."

Sorry, no ducking out of this, Peter.

A fun story showing how Peter got back to Whateley for his 2nd year, life with his fellow students and various classes, and how he met Benjamin. The team he was put on wasn't what Peter expected, but with them all working together I bet they will show they are a strong team. And the combat final, that one was a doozy, they are trying to force students to think outside of their powers and the typical solutions. I hope we get to see Peter and his teammates more in the future along with Benjamin actually staying at Whateley so they can interact more.