[Author's Note:
I do not own Mutant X, or anything copyrighted by Mutant X, such as characters or places. I do own Alex Mulwray and Angel Breedlove, though, and would appreciate notice of their use.]Identity Crisis
"Welcome to Genomex, Miss Hart." Mason Eckhart looked up from his computer terminal. "I trust you have been fully informed of your duties?"
Angela Hart nodded briskly. "Yes, sir."
Eckhart surveyed Angela. Dressed in a standard GSA uniform, short blonde hair slicked back, the new agent was the picture of professionalism. According to the recruiting officer, she had breezed through the two-day training program. In fact, she was the highest scoring agent in the GSA's history. She was good – very good. Perhaps, Eckhart mused, Even good enough to get rid of my little Adam problem.
Of course, she could also end up in a stasis pod, as had so many of her predecessors.
Eckhart shook himself out of his reverie, then waved dismissively. "Report in at 0600h tomorrow."
"Yes, sir." Angela turned and strode out of the office with crisp, business-like steps. She stopped only to sign out before quickly leaving the Genomex facility.
Once inside her smart red Porsche, Angela pulled out her cell phone and dialed, simultaneously pulling out of the parking lot. The phone picked up on the second ring. "Yes?"
"Michi, it's Ang."
"So?"
"How do you feel about living with a GSAgent?"
There was a triumphant whoop from the other end of the phone. "You didn't!"
"I did. Eckhart welcomed me in personally."
"You didn't give them your real name, did you?"
"Well, duh! Of course not. To them, I'm Angela Hart." Angel Breedlove snickered. "Suckers." She sighed contentedly. "I'll meet you and Alex at Energie, okay?"
After finalizing plans for the evening, Angel hung up and grinned to herself. "I think you'd be proud of me for this Adam – wherever you are."
X
"Don't send me out on another of those missions, Adam," Brennan Mulwray said.
Adam looked up from his online book. "Alec backed out?"
"Congratulations, you win the trip to Hawaii." Brennan slumped down in his chair. "Said something about having found another group to help him."
Adam frowned, and exited his book. He had thought that he had finally convinced Alec Carter to enter the Mutant Underground. He had apparently thought wrong. "Are you sure he knew you were from Mutant X?"
The question was met by a glare from Brennan. "Gee, I knew I forgot something," he said sarcastically.
"Just a thought."
"Where's Alec? Did Brennan scare him off?"
This time, Brennan's glare was directed at the tall, well-built blonde who had entered the room. "Not funny, Shalimar."
Shalimar grinned impishly at Brennan, then turned to Adam. "You might want to check this out. The GSA hired a new agent."
Adam and Brennan followed her to the holo-computer, and Adam quickly scanned the file. He gave a whistle of appreciation. "Sounds like she could actually be a threat."
Brennan snorted. "A GSAgent at threat? That'd be a first."
Adam shook his head. "Says here that she's the highest scoring agent for the training program in the GSA's history."
Brennan looked impressed. "She a Mutant?"
Adam read for a moment. "She was suspected to be a Feral, but apparently a genetics test showed up clear."
He frowned, reading through the file again. Something seemed out of place – he just couldn't figure out what. "Jesse!"
A blonde head popped up from around a corner. "Yeah?"
"I need you to get on the Internet. See if you can find out any information on someone named Angela Hart. She's a GSAgent."
"No problem."
Adam turned to Brennan. "I want you and Emma to investigate this new group helping Alec."
Brennan nodded, then ran upstairs. Shalimar pouted. "What about me?"
Adam smiled. "I want you to spy around Genomex a little, see if you can dig up anything on this Miss Hart."
The pout instantly turned into a delighted grin. "Right!" Shalimar practically skipped up the stairs.
Adam chuckled, allowing himself a brief moment of leisure. He could hear the members of Mutant X getting ready for their respective missions. Adam had been very lucky to get such a talented team to work with, and he knew it.
Shalimar Fox, a Feral blessed with feline DNA, was feisty and wild, and loved to be the center of attention – or fight. Petite brunette Emma deLauro, on the other hand, was quiet and shy – a result of the telempathic ability which made her sensitive to the emotions of others. Of course, Emma could definitely hold her own – especially against the male members of Mutant X, Brennan Mulwray and Jesse Kilmartin, who were constantly teasing her about something – when they weren't arguing with each other.
Brennan was a street-wise ex-thief whose electrical abilities suited his tough guy image perfectly. He was impulsive and cynical, but also had a large heart – which he usually brought out to charm ladies with. Jesse was a lot quieter; a perfect gentlemen with a kind streak the size of LA. Having grown up in a high-class family, Jesse had led a sheltered life. Consequently, he projected an innocence that bordered on being naive. Like Emma though, the molecular intangible/impervious could pack a punch, especially to protect a friend.
Despite their differences – or perhaps because of them – the four worked amazingly well together to protect the New Mutants who came to them for help.
Adam smiled as Emma and Brennan walked by, chatting. A sudden thought occurred to him, and he whispered, "You'd like them, Angel."
X
"Okay, so tell me again why you got a job at Genomex," Alex Mulwray said.
Angel sighed. She had already explained this twice, but – "Because, Genomex has information on New Mutants and X-Factors that I want."
"Plus," Michele LaPort added, flipping a strand of brown hair over her shoulder, "the GSA comes in regular contact with Mutant X, and by proxy, Adam."
"And this is a good thing…?"
Angel cracked Alex upside the head. "Duh!"
Alex glowered. "That was uncalled for. And did you ever think that if Adam sees you with the GSA, he's gonna think you're one of them?"
"Don't worry, I've got that covered," Angel said smugly. "I hope."
Alex shook his head in disbelief. "You never cease to amaze me, Angel." He took a sip of his drink, and looked around the crowded nightclub. It was a typical Friday night, and Energie was booming. Alex surveyed the room twice before noticing the tall, well-built blonde sitting alone at a nearby table. She was staring intently at Angel. After a moment, she began to talk, seemingly to herself. It took a minute for Alex to realize that she was speaking into the silver ring on her finger.
"Angel," Alex said slowly, not taking his eyes off the blonde, "how does Mutant X communicate?"
Angel gave him a look. "With each other? Comlink rings, far as I know."
Alex pointed discreetly. "Then which member is that?"
Angel glanced at the blonde, and her look of confusion changed to one of surprise. "Shalimar!"
Alex nodded. "She's been watching you."
Angel stood up, but Alex held her back. "Hold on."
Suddenly, Shalimar stood and melted into the crowd. Alex cursed, and Angel, Michelle, and he raced out the front door. By the time they got outside, Shalimar had disappeared. Angel turned on Alex. "Smooth move, idiot."
"So sue me."
"I'd rather kill you."
Alex lifted his hand, and a spark of electricity appeared between his fingers. "I'd like to see you try."
Michele sighed, and stepped between the two friends. "Cool it, you guys."
At that moment, her cell phone rang loudly, making everyone jump. Michele fished it out of her jacket pocket.
"Hello? … Oh, hey Alec. What's up? … Friends? … Why? … Are they mutants? … Okay, bring them to the loft tomorrow at 10am … No problem. I'll see you tomorrow … Bye." Michele hung up. At looks from Alex and Angel, she explained, "Alec Carter. Has friends who need help. He's bringing them to the loft tomorrow morning."
Angel's eyes narrowed. "What kind of friends?" she asked suspiciously.
Michele shrugged. "How should I know?" she replied. "I don't think it'll be a problem."
The three friends walked in silence for a minute, each lost in their own thoughts. Alex was the first to speak again.
"They might be Mutant X."
Angel and Michele both stopped and looked at him.
"Who?" Angel asked.
"Alec's friends. He had been in contact with Mutant X, and somehow I don't think they would just let him leave."
Michele looked worried. "Do you think this could be dangerous for us?"
Angel bit her lip, lost in thought. "Not necessarily," she said slowly, "but I'm not sure how to work this to our advantage."
"You'd better figure it out fast," Alex advised grimly. "You only have until 10 tomorrow morning."
X
"…So he set up a meeting tomorrow morning at 10." Brennan beamed at Emma. "Isn't she brilliant?"
Emma reddened, and brushed a lock of dark hair from her face. "It's really not that big of a deal."
Adam smiled, making Emma blush even more, then turned to Jesse and Shalimar. "How about our new agent?"
Jesse shook his head. "Went to Stanford, has numerous degrees in genetics. No criminal record. She's perfect."
"Any chance that Angela Hart is a fabricated identity?" Brennan offered.
Jesse nodded. "It fits."
Adam thought for a moment. "Any better news, Shalimar?"
Shalimar took a breath. "Yes and no. I ran into Hart and two friends at a nightclub called Energie, but I couldn't get close enough to hear what they were saying."
Jesse began to grin wickedly. "Why not?"
Shalimar flashed him a dirty look. "I think they caught on to me."
"They stood up," Jesse blurted out.
There was a moment of silence, during which Shalimar gave Jesse a withering glare.
"You left because they stood up?" Brennan asked incredulously. "Are you a cat or a chicken?"
Shalimar glowered. "How'd you like to find out?"
Brennan's grin deepened. "You grab the catnip, I'll get the chicken feed."
Shalimar stared at him for a moment, a confused look on her face, then burst out laughing. "You're weird, Brennan."
Jesse snorted. "You just figured this out?"
Brennan gave Jesse a mocking glare, making everyone laugh even harder. "Mean, Jesse. Just mean."
Adam smiled, and waited until everyone had quieted down before he spoke. "Emma, Jesse, I want you two to go to this meeting with the new group. Shalimar, Brennan – I think we should have a little talk with Angela Hart. I want you to take her to the new safehouse."
Everyone nodded, and got up. Adam walked over to a computer, and brought up Hart's file. Shalimar peered over his shoulder. "Something's bugging you."
Adam smiled. Shalimar always seemed to know what he was thinking. "She reminds me a little of me," Adam said.
Shalimar grinned. "Maybe you have a daughter you don't know about."
Adam didn't reply. Shalimar frowned. "Adam?"
Adam cleared his throat, looking decidedly uncomfortable. After a moment, a look of understanding dawned on Shalimar's face. She gasped. "You –"
Adam nodded slowly. "Her name is Angel," he said softly. "I haven't seen her since she was almost 3 years old."
"Do you think this could be her?"
Adam shook his head. "No. This agent isn't a mutant. Besides, I find it highly unlikely that Angel would join the GSA."
Shalimar looked at Adam thoughtfully. "How come you never told us you had a daughter?" she asked.
"I haven't told anyone that I have a daughter. I don't want to put her in any danger." He looked at Shalimar. "Don't tell the others."
"But –"
"No!"
Shalimar flinched at the tone of Adam's voice. "Okay," she said in a small voice.
Adam sighed. "I' m sorry, Shalimar. I didn't mean to snap – I'm just a little overprotective of my baby girl." He smiled softly at some far-away memory.
Impulsively, Shalimar gave him a quick hug. "Mum's the word, I promise," she said.
"Thank you."
Shalimar grinned. "Hey, what are friends for?" She yawned. "I'm gonna go to bed. 'Night, Adam."
"Good night, Shalimar."
X
"Whatever you do," Angel warned Alex and Michele, "don't show more than one ability. You don't want to freak them out."
Michele sighed. "Angel, you've said this five times already. Go, before you're late for work."
Angel nodded, then went down to the underground parking lot. She was about to get into her car, when she noticed something wrong. Leaning down, Angel inspected the slashed tire. Air was still trickling out, and Angel realized with a growing fear that the people who had slashed it were still around. Slowly, she stood up. Suddenly, she felt a wave of electricity race through her body, slamming her against the car door. Angel staggered back, then spun around. She found herself face-to-face with Brennan and Shalimar.
'What -? "Angel asked.
"We want to have a little talk with you," Brennan said grimly. He shot another burst of voltage, which Angel barely dodged.
"Did you ever think of asking?" she asked, simultaneously trying to block an attack from Shalimar and another shot from Brennan
"We are." Another shock hit Angel, and she fell to her knees. Angel tried to struggle to her feet, but a sharp knock on her head forced her onto her back.
The last thing Angel heard before losing consciousness was Shalimar's voice.
"Adam -- we've got her."
X
Michele jumped nervously when the doorbell rang, eliciting a grin from Alex. "Nervous?"
Michele glared at him, then answered the door.
"Hi." She smiled at Emma and Jesse. "Come on in."
"Nice place," Jesse said, looking around the spacious loft apartment. "Must be expensive."
Michele smiled mysteriously. "Our friend has a rich father."
"I'll say." Jesse held out his hand. "I'm Jesse, and this is my friend, Emma."
Michele shook his hand. "I'm Michele, and the grumpy one on the couch is my sad excuse for a boyfriend, Alex."
"I heard that!"
Michele stuck her tongue out at him, then smiled at Emma. "Alec said you guys were looking for some help."
Emma nodded. "The GSA's kinda looking for us."
"Gee, I wonder why?" Alex muttered sarcastically.
Michele glared at him, then turned back to Jesse and Emma. "You're New Mutants?"
They both nodded. "Emma's a telempath, I'm Intangible and Impervious," Jesse explained, casting Alex a suspicious glance.
Michele nodded. "And you're looking to go Underground? Have you tried Mutant X?"
Alex snorted, and Michele flashed him another glare.
"We – ah – tried, but decided they wouldn't be any help," Emma replied.
Michele was about to speak, when Alex suddenly stood up. "Oh, come off it!"
He ignored the furious look from Michele. "We know you two are from Mutant X, so let's stop the charade."
Michele spoke through gritted teeth. "Alex Michael Mulwray, I'm going to kill you." She took a deep breath, then turned to Jesse and Emma. "Listen, can we sit down and talk about this?" she asked. "We don't want to be your enemies."
Jesse looked at Emma, who nodded. "Okay," he said. "We'll talk."
They sat down at a large, round table in the kitchen.
"First off," Michele said, "you know Alex's full name – " She ignored his glare " – but not mine. My name is Michele Victoria LaPort-Eckhart."
She smiled at the looks on Emma and Jesse's faces. "Yes, I'm Mason Eckhart's daughter, but I'm nothing like him, I promise."
Emma nodded. "Okay."
"Second," Michele continued, "we're not trying to steal anyone from you. Actually, the three of us have been trying to find you guys and form some kind of alliance."
Jesse didn't look convinced. "Uh-huh. What about Alec?"
Alex shrugged. "We don't know why he chose us over you. We don't even generally deal with New Mutants." He jerked as Michele kicked him from under the table. "What was that for?"
Michele groaned, and dropped her head on the table. "Alex," came her muffled voice. "I really am going to hurt you."
Emma giggled, then said, "We'll pretend we didn't hear that – for now, anyway."
Michele raised her head. "Thanks. It's nothing bad or anything, just hard to explain."
Emma smiled. "No problem, but there is something else I need you to explain. Earlier you said something about a third person."
Michele nodded. "Angel. She'd be here, but she's working undercover at the GSA right now."
Emma and Jesse exchanged alarmed looks.
"Is she using an alias?" Jesse asked.
Alex nodded. "Angela Hart. Why?"
Jesse stood up. I think we could have a problem."
Now Michele and Alex looked alarmed too.
"What's wrong?" Michele asked.
"Shalimar and Brennan were supposed to kidnap Angela Hart," Emma explained.
Alex's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"Adam wanted to talk to her," Jesse explained, as the four headed to the parking lot. "And we can't call them because our comlink rings are on the fritz."
Michele stopped. "I get the feeling they didn't ask nicely," she said, pointing.
Everyone stared at the charred remnants of Angel's Porsche.
"I hope Angel's in better condition," Alex commented darkly.
"So do I," Jesse murmured quietly.
X
Angel opened her eyes slowly. Her head was throbbing, and it took a moment to fight off her disorientation.
"Have a nice sleep?"
Angel groaned, then closed her eyes again, as much to block out the blinding lights as to kickstart her regenerative ability. After a moment, the pain receded. Angel reopened her eyes, and sat up.
Shalimar smiled coldly at her. "How's your head?"
Angel glared at her. "Was this all really necessary?" She tugged at the heavy ropes binding her hands behind her back.
Shalimar got up from the chair she had been straddling. "Yes."
She left the room, and Angel could hear her talking to someone else. Struggling to free herself, Angel's mind raced. She could try to escape, but then they'd figure out for sure that she was a mutant. On the other hand, staying would probably get her hurt. Angel reflected for a moment, then sighed, took a deep breath, and phased out. The rope fell harmlessly to the floor, and Angel leapt to her feet, racing for the door. A yell from behind told her that she had been seen. She phased out again, and ran through the door, then out into the street. Brennan and Shalimar were close behind. Angel turned a corner, thinking furiously. Brennan wasn't much of a threat electricity-wise, that she knew. He wouldn't dare use his ability out in the open. Shalimar though, was another matter. Angel could hear the Feral's footsteps growing closer. She turned another corner, into an alley – and ran straight into Brennan. He grinned nastily at her. "Going somewhere?"
Instinctively, Angel lashed out, sending a burst of electricity at Brennan, then phasing out of his grasp. She could sense Shalimar behind her, and jumped, summoning all of her Feral abilities. Angel landed on a fire escape, which she used to get to the roof. She could sense Shalimar closing in again. Angel groaned. Shalimar wouldn't stop until Angel was either dead or back at the safehouse, it seemed. Angel sighed resignedly – and stopped dead in her tracks, causing Shalimar to run into her. Shalimar bounced backwards, falling back onto the roof as Angel turned around and said, "Fine. If you want me this bad, I'll come with you, but when Adam finds out who I am, he's going to be majorly pissed at you."
X
"I don't get it. They were supposed to be here," Jesse, said, gesturing around the empty safehouse.
"Maybe you came to the wrong place," Michele suggested.
Emma shook her head. "No, this is definitely the place." She held up a length of knotted rope. "She must have escaped."
"Who?"
All four spun around, tensed for a fight. Jesse saw the figure at the top of the stairs first. "Adam!"
Adam walked down the stairs, watching Michele and Alex curiously.
"This is Alex and Michele," Emma said. "They run the other group, which is apparently called X-Factor."
Adam started, a surprised look on his face. "Did you say X-Factor?"
Michele stepped forward. "We'll explain later, - although we may not need to – but right now we need to find our friend."
"Your friend?" Adam sounded confused.
"Angela Hart to you," Alex said. "Angel Breedlove to –" He caught Michele's glare, and slapped a hand over his mouth. "Oh shit."
Adam's look turned to alarm. "Angel Breedlove?"
Michele nodded mutely, shooting another glare at Alex, who looked mortified.
"She seems to have escaped," Emma said. "I'm guessing Shalimar and Brennan are chasing her."
The look of alarm grew worse. "They think she's a GSAgent…"Adam's voice trailed off, before he asked doubtfully. "Is she?"
The question brought a glare from Alex, and a snort of laughter from Michele. "Hell no!"
Adam looked slightly relieved. "Good, but we'd better try and find her."
The four headed outside, where Adam turned to Michele and Alex. "Where would she go?"
They both shook their heads. "No idea," Alex answered. "Probably just run around helter-skelter, trying to lose them."
Adam sighed, thinking quickly. "Okay," he said after a moment. "I hate this, but we should go back to Sanctuary, see if we can't find Angel by satellite. Does she have a cell phone?"
Michele nodded. "It's turned off, though. We already tried."
Adam headed for the silver Audi parked nearby. "Not a problem. I'm not calling her."
Once everyone was crowded into the car, Emma turned to Michele. "Any chance of a quick explanation of what's going on here?"
"What do you want explained?" Michele asked.
"Everything."
Michele took a breath. "Okay. Short form – Angel is the result of a secret Genomex project. She – as well as Alex and I – are known as X-Factor mutants, class Alpha. Angel is the most powerful mutant, and she's also Adam's daughter."
Emma and Jesse stared at Michele for a moment, then at Adam.
"Daughter?" Jesse finally stammered.
Adam nodded, not taking his eyes off the road. "My DNA was used in her creation."
Emma groaned. "When this is over, you guys have some major explaining to do."
X
Shalimar walked up the steps to the holding platform and smiled icily at Angel. "Comfy?"
Angel glared, but didn't answer.
Shalimar shrugged, then turned and called to Brennan, "Any word from Adam yet?"
Brennan shook his head. "I thought he would have been there by now."
Shalimar frowned. "Maybe he's already come and gone," she said.
Brennan shrugged. "He'll show," he said. "He lives here. He has to."
They had brought Angel to Sanctuary, to avoid another escaped. Thankfully, she hadn't made any more attempts, although she was adamant that Adam would be angry.
"You don't know who I am, do you?"
The question startled Shalimar, who turned to Angel. "You're Angela Hart."
Angel shook her head, looking suddenly uncertain. "That wasn't supposed to happen," she muttered to herself.
"If you're not Angela Hart," Shalimar said slowly, her voice tinged with suspicion, "then who are you?"
"Angel Jessica Breedlove."
Shalimar gasped. Adam's daughter? It couldn't be!
"You're not a mutant," Shalimar said. "Said so in your GSA file."
Angel snorted derisively. "Do you know how easy it is to fix those tests?" She paused thoughtfully. 'Well, for me, anyway."
"I don't believe you," Shalimar said bluntly.
Angel looked at her for a moment, then reached around, and began fiddling with something on the back of her neck. A few moments later, she held up a small, gold, heart-shaped pendant on a slender gold chain. "Take this."
Shalimar hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the necklace. It was warm. Shalimar inspected the heart. It was plain except for the word "Angel" written across the front in flowing letters.
"Open it," Angel said quietly.
Shalimar did so, and Adam's voice filled the room.
"Dear Angel –
If you've found this locket, then you'll already know who I am, and what you are. I just want you to know that I love you, and that giving you away was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. You always were, and always will be, my little girl, and I hope that we meet again."
Shalimar look at the locket in silence for a moment, then look up at Angel. Angel had a smile on her face, though her eyes were misty. After a moment, Shalimar nodded.
"Brennan."
"Yeah?"
"Turn off the forcefield."
Brennan looked at Shalimar as though she was crazy. "You're kidding, right?"
Shalimar glared at him. "No, I'm not. Turn it off."
Brennan sighed resignedly. "Okay, but this is on your head."
"Yeah, yeah." Shalimar turned to Angel smiled. "So…poker or chess?"
X
"What's that sound?" Jesse asked, as the group headed for the door leading in Sanctuary.
"Sounds like laughter. Female laughter," Michele said.
Adam cautiously opened the door, listening. The sound was definitely laughter. Adam frowned. One of the voices was definitely Shalimar, so the other was probably – Adam gasped, and broke into a run. The others followed close behind.
Heart pounding, Adam turned a corner – and skidded to a halt, staring at the scene in front of him.
Shalimar and Angel were sitting at the table, laughing. Given the redness of Brennan's face, Adam was pretty certain they were laughing at him. He stood for a moment, watching, before Shalimar noticed him. She leapt to her feet. "Hi!"
Adam smiled, and walked up to the three. "Do I want to know what you two are laughing at?"
Shalimar grinned impishly. "Probably not." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "There's someone you should meet," she said softly, stepping back.
Adam and Angel stood silent for a moment, watching each other.
Adam smiled softly. He couldn't believe it – his little girl, all grown up. "Hello, Angel," he said in a half-whisper.
"Hello, Daddy." Angel smiled softly. "I missed you."
Adam stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Angel. "I missed you, too."
X
"Okay, so is this when you give us those explanations?" Emma asked, as Adam, Alex, Michele and Angel sat down.
The four looked at each other, before Adam cleared his throat.
"It was about 20 years ago … Genomex was in the middle of their Mutant Experiments. As you know, Genomex is a government-funded agency, and many of their experiments had military implications. One such experiment was the X-Factor project. I didn't know about it, until Paul Breedlove walked into my office holding a rather animate bundle…."
To be continued ….
