SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Disclaimer: I won't insult your intelligence...I don't own X-Men Evolution...that would be crazy...Like little dogs wearing rubber pants...But the story and any characters are mine to toy with.
Author's Note: Yes! At long last I have broken out of my Joss Whedon induced writer's block-all I had to do was change fandoms! Please be nice as this is my first foray into this world...but ya'll gave me inspiration to write again so I guess you're stuck with it.
Shadows and Fog
One
Organized madness, like a tornado that knows exactly where to sow its destruction; that's precisely what Cypher thought of the hustle of the diner. Happy families punching at decibel limits, teenaged boys rowdily trying to impress their dates. A sprinkling of the elderly a touch too late for the blue plate special and a very nosy waitress bathed in L'air du temps.
Cypher wasn't sure if it was the boisterous humanity swelling around her or the tardiness of her contact that was inspiring her dark feelings. She had been very firm about the time for the drop-yet here it was-and no one had spoken the magic words or handed over the half million dollars owed to her for her hard work. According to her own rules Cypher's contact had a fifteen minute window to appear before she blacklisted them.
As hazy as she was on following the letter of the law-Cypher always held to her own rules. They kept her from being discovered-not as a hacker-she had the skill to create a new life if word got out that 'Jane Williamson' was a cyber-terrorist.
Since the revelation of mutants - 'ordinary' people blessed with tremendous powers; mind control, super strength, speed Cypher's position in society had become even more tenuous.
It was no hardship to change her hair or eye colour but even Cypher could not alter her own genetic code. Her X-gene was there to stay and mutants were not popular amongst the general population that Cypher tried to emulate.
A quick glance at her watch indicated that the allotted window had closed and the contract was forfeit. Dropping a twenty on the table to pay for her untouched coffee Cypher slid out of her booth and through the door.
Outside an unfriendly north wind tugged at the long blonde strands of 'Jane's' hair as she rounded the corner and made her escape from the maddening crowd. A quick tug revealed Cypher's own dark curls cropped close to her head to facilitate the wig. Smoothly, she stuffed the wig into her bag and pulled out a woollen toque to cover her head before continuing on her labyrinth path home.
Blocks later the hairs on the back of Cypher's neck rose, she would have bet even money that someone was following her. A backward glance proved fruitless as there was no one around. With a sigh Cypher turned back and berated her foolishness, digging her combat boots into the snow she continued walking.
There was no time to fight when strong arms wrapped themselves around her-one hand careful to cover her mouth and block her screams. Desperate she kicked backwards but it had as much effect as kicking a brick wall. A high velocity syringe hissed below her ear and Cypher could actually feel the needle pierce her skin. It didn't take long for the world to darken around the edges as the drug took affect.
Why Me? Was Cypher's last thought as she slipped into unconsciousness.
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Each of her limbs felt as if they had been dipped in lead as Cypher struggled to swim to reality's surface. Slowly, she managed to open an eye but all there was to focus on was a huge muscular chest. An equally large hand lifted her chin so that she could look into her captor's deep blue eyes.
Cypher was no judge but the eyes seemed to be concerned about her. A deep voice echoed through the barrel chest as he muttered something she supposed was soothing in Russian. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor Cypher fell back into the darkness.
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The second time she awoke Cypher found herself in a small but comfortable bed. Jerking upright, she found that someone had been kind enough to remove her coat, hat and boots but had left her fully clothed when they tucked her in.
Cypher spent a good ten minutes just staring at the institutional grey walls wondering just who had captured her. The list of possible suspects was so long it hurt to think about it. As if in answer to her query the door slid open, "I see the sedative has worn off." A tall man with shockingly sliver hair strode in, "Welcome to my home Cypher or would you prefer Asli?"
Cypher fought down the panic that the use of her real name brought boiling to the surface of her mind-there wasn't time for it not now not here. Rising she pulled herself to her full five feet five inches and met his cold blue eyes. Cypher was used to having to bluff her way out of trouble, "I'd prefer to know why I've been abducted. What you call me is of little consequence."
A gleaming sliver eyebrow perked as if he could see right through her act, "I was very careful in educating myself about you Ms. Fraser-I doubt you would have come willingly."
"I wouldn't have," she shrugged not liking just how careful he had been-he knew her real name-he probably knew other things as well. This could not bode well.
The man laughed but it didn't reach his icy eyes, "I admire your honesty Asli."
"Then tell me how you got a hold of my real name?" Cypher challenged with more bravado than she felt -her fight or flight instinct stuck on fight-even if it the battle put her inside the Alamo.
With all the ease in the world the man sat in the room's lone chair and motioned her to follow-Cypher kept standing. "As you wish," he dropped the smile and was as cold as his eyes, "My name is Erik Magnus Lensherr but you might recognize my nom du guerre 'Magneto'."
Cypher nearly swallowed her tongue. Magneto-the master of magnetism. Mutant terrorist. Raving lunatic. Of course she'd heard of him-she hadn't spent the last two years living in a box. She also knew how much chance she stood of fighting him-none. All her bluster leaving her in a cold rush, "What do you want with me?"
If Magneto noticed a bitterness seeping into her wide grey eyes he didn't let on, "Right down to business are we?"
"I'm not much use to you as fighter-I've never trained for that." Her words were forced and measured just to keep the hysteria out.
"No, but that was your own choosing." He smiled coldly, "You have more than just natural ability in that area...but of course there are your powers and your other distinct talents that could be of use." He leaned in his eyes lighting up ever so slightly, "You know better than most what humans are capable of doing to mutants if we allow them to."
"Genocide is genocide-it doesn't matter who is doing the killing." Cypher cheered as Magneto's smile dimmed.
He stood abruptly-Cypher smiled knowing she was getting to him, "You will be well rewarded for your services Asli."
"I've got money."
Magneto's eyes narrowed and Cypher's world collapsed into the bright, tearing pain that was shooting through her right arm. She gasped but bit her lip-damned if she'd cry just because Magneto was giving her a good taste of his wrath. But it was proof that he had indeed done his homework thoroughly before her capture.
He knelt next to her but didn't touch her-he didn't have to, "You will also help because I will tear each and every implant in your body out if you don't. You could survive some of them well enough. But the genius of your redesign is the neural cortex implant-if I removed it you would not live."
No other threat was needed. As painful as the modifications done on her body had been-to have all of the metal under her skin ripped out would be beyond Cypher's comprehension. There was just too much for her to fight a man with Magneto's powers. "I'll do it." She ground out between her clenched teeth.
The pain instantly disappeared and Magneto offered her a hand up. Ignoring the offer, Cypher shakily rose to her own two feet. Magneto bestowed her with a proprietary look before he turned his back, "Follow me then, it's time you met the others."