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Max asks me blankly. “I would have thought I’d hear about something like that.”
    “Why should you hear about something like that?” Negatia demands.
    “He’s Mastermental’s son,” I say. I’ve got a headache.
    “’My son would have destroyed the place,’” she says to herself, as if repeating someone from the past. “I see. That does explain a few things. Regardless, this has nothing to do with you, Maximum.”
    “Max,” Max says.
    “I don't care what you’re called, or who you’re related to. You ARE a super villain. According to your own father’s rules, you must follow protocol on ambushes like the one you just pulled off. I have every right to have you court-martialed by the Hall.”
    “No!” I say, jumping off the bench and stepping in front of her. I’m taller than she is now. It’s a bit startling. “Look, Negatia--Nora--MOM--”
    “MOM?” the entire group demands in shock.
    “She’s my foster mom,” I admit, sighing loudly. “She took me in after my dad died. I left a little after that to become a singer.” They stare at me, but I’m not sure what else they want out of me. At least Negatia looks a little less angry. “Look, Mom, this wasn’t an actual attack. He didn’t even bring in the buses!”
    “Like the last time he attacked you?” she demands.
    I look at Max, and then back at her, shrugging with a sheepish grin. “That Super Bowl made me world famous, you know?” I say finally, scratching the back of my head. “They showed a scene of that before this year’s Super Bowl halftime show--it totally made the new halftime band look like chumps.”
    “I still don’t like it!” she says.
    “Negatia,” Falconess says quietly, getting to her feet. She’s been silent all this time--I almost didn’t expect her to speak up at all. “I understand you feel protective, but you need to understand, these are classmates.” She motions to the group, including Max. “They spend every weekday together--some of them even spend weekends that way. While I agree with Justin about calling first,” she looks at Max, who finally looks a bit sheepish, “it wasn’t as if anyone was truly at risk. But I’m not sure why you would be heading to our next town, Max. It’s in West Hall’s territory.”
    “She hired me,” Max says, motioning to Negatia. “They’ve got a little force-field generator named Rachel Proctor that’s about to debut, so apparently I was the perfect choice.”
    “Is she going to come to Cape High?” Malina asks curiously.
    “Nah, if they’re to the debut point they generally have most of their training done already, according to their parents,” Max says. “Whether that’s true or not, who knows? But I usually get them as they’re about to be launched into a Hall career.”
    “Trent had his debut already, so did Ace and Jack,” I have to point out.
    “They’re special cases,” Falconess says. “They’re already surpassing the place most would consider a respectable cape.”
    “Am I right in thinking some of those listed are super villains?” Negatia asks.
    “Ace and Jack are Dragon and Cold Steel--but Cold Steel will always be a Specialized A-class, or so,” Emily explains. “He can’t fly on his own, and he’s actually only D-class when it comes to speed. It’s pretty pathetic.”
    “He doesn’t need to be faster,” Malina says, “right?”
    “No, in his case, he definitely doesn’t,” Falconess says. “Look, Negatia, we’ve got everything in hand here. And, as much as it hurts me to admit it, Max is right--at the moment we ARE in Central Territory. If you want, we can call Double M and discuss this.”
    “Why are you trying to kidnap this non-debut’ed super?” Negatia asks Max, completely ignoring Falconess’s offer. I get the feeling she doesn’t want to talk to Double M.
    “Malina?” Max asks, looking startled. “Didn’t you see her part of the concert?” he asks.
    “I’m afraid I didn’t get there for that