Chapter 1: Some Things Never Change

"The more things change, the more they are the same."

Alphonse Kerr

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It had been over two months since Gabriel had been defeated, though members of The Strand were still running around causing trouble and Mutant X had had several run-ins with them. After their last run-in the group were relaxing. Adam, as usual, was in the lab when Emma walked in.

"Hey Adam." Adam looked up.

"Hi Emma." Noticing a distant look he turned to face her. "Something wrong?"

"I miss him."

"Who? Orion?" Adam smiled. He figured something had happened just before Orion left but she denied they were anything but friends. "Well, if it makes you happy, you've just received an e-mail from him." Her face lit up,

"Really?" Adam indicated the computer and left to talk to the others as Emma bounced over to the terminal. Brennan and Jesse were sparing while Shalimar watched. Adam sat down next to her and she snuggled up to him.

"How did everything go?"

"Fine. We got the new mutant out, we beat up some Strand members and we're all in one piece." The guys finished their practice and walked down.

"You know we're going to have to stop them for good." Remarked Brennan. Adam frowned.

"I know. I just wish there was another way. I wish we could cure what Gabriel did to them." Just then Emma came flying out of the lab.

"He's coming back!" Before anyone could say anything she ran off mumbling about getting ready. Her team-mates looked at Adam.

"Who?"

"Orion." Answered Adam. The group seemed to gain a spring.

"Really?"

"When?"

"Has he got anything for us?"

"Where has he been?" Adam held up his hands to stop the onslaught of questions.

"Ask him when he gets back." Just then an alarm sounded and the group raced to the nearest computer terminal. "Looks like there's a disturbance at the airport. There are Reports of an individual with weird powers starting a fight with security." The group ran for the Helix while Adam began to hack into the airport computers.

Orion collected his luggage and headed for the exit, it was nearly ten and the airport was unusually quiet. As he approached the exit a security guard came forward and stopped him.

"I'm sorry to detain you sir but would you accompany me to the security office." Getting no strange readings of the man Orion shrugged.

"Sure. Where too?" The guard led him away from the entrance. Once at the security desk Orion was told to leave his bags with the man on duty and head to the questioning room. Orion sat down in the room as the guard left to fetch the security chief. Orion looked from the mirror to the security camera.

"Enjoying the show." He said to both knowing someone was watching. He heard an audible click and turned looked at the door but no-one entered. Suddenly air vents in the walls opened and a gas began to seep into the room. Orion stared at one of the vents,

"Ah crap." He stood up and swung his chair first against the camera then against the mirror. Unfortunately, the mirror was reinforced to prevent just such an action. He dropped the remains of the chair and started punching vainly against the mirror. Suddenly he stopped and kneeled down next to one of the air vents. Smashing through the covers he quickly removed the metal plating around the vent to expose the wall lining. Ignoring the increased gas flow he began pounding on the wall behind the vent. Soon a vein of fresh air began to enter the room. Orion stood up to admire his handiwork as the gas stopped as three armed men came in through the door. All were dressed in military garb.

"Major Wolf, our employer would like you to come quietly. Please cause no trouble and you will be unharmed" Orion had a mad grin plastered to his face,

"But I like causing trouble." Orion grabbed the nearest guard and spun him around to create a human shield. The other guards fired on instinct killing their colleague as Orion grabbed the mans gun and fired off two quick shots. All three were dead. Opening his mind he sensed men at both ends of the corridor.

"Looks like they're having a party and me without any silly hats." He noticed something on the guards' belt. Placing one in each hand he pulled the pins. "Let's get the party started."

As the team approached the entrance they were stopped by an armed security guard.

"I'm sorry folks but we have a dangerous situation inside and I'm afraid the building has been closed to civilians."

"Really." Remarked Brennan flashing the guard a disarming smile. "What kind of situation?" The guard turned to indicate a point inside the building.

"A highly dangerous individual has been cornered in the building. He is armed an......" The guard never finished his sentence as Shalimar smashed his head off the door.

"Sorry we're in a hurry." The group ran into the terminal only to be stopped by a squad of armed guards.

"How did you get in? Where's Larry?" The team looked at each other before Jesse answered,

"We came in the front door. Who's Larry?"

"He was outside the main entrance."

"I didn't see anyone." He turned to his team-mates. "Did you guys?" They all shook their heads. The lead guard huffed,

"Dam that boy. I'm sorry but unless you have security clearance I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Brennan raised his hand,

"One minute. I have a pass here somewhere." He began to search his pockets and turned to face away from the guards as he charged an electric bolt. "Ah! Here it is." He turned and fired the bolt as Shalimar jumped up, Jesse massed and Emma threw a psionic blast before ducking behind Jesse. Before the remaining guards could fire an explosion occurred nearby and a door was blown off its hinges by a fireball. The team quickly dispatched the three last guards and cautiously headed over to the door-less frame. Someone came running out on fire only to collapse after ten steps. Slowly a dark figure appeared through the destroyed door-frame, an assault rifle resting on either shoulder and smoking a cigar. Spotting the group the figure put down the rifles and removed the cigar.

"I love it when a plan comes together!" Said Orion. He collected his luggage and headed over to the team.

"How you doing?" Asked Brennan. Orions smiled,

"Fine." He kept walking right past them heading for the exit. They looked at each other before running to catch up.

"You in a hurry?" Orion indicated the guards on the floor.

"Unless you want to see if any of their friends are still around I'd suggest we get going." The group left the building and headed for the car park. As they approached the Audi Brennan spotted an old dark blue classic parked nearby. He whistled and pointed at the it,

"Now that's nice." Orion had an all-knowing smile on his face. He pulled out a set of keys.

"Thanks." Brennan and Jesse stopped dead.

"That's yours?"

"Yup." He opened the boot and put in his luggage before stepping to the drivers' door. "A nineteen sixty-nine Dodge Charger fully restored." Jesse looked at the dashboard.

"Beautiful. Nought to sixty?"

"Five point seven and maxes out at one ten." Shalimar ran her hand along the bonnet.

"What is it about boys and toys." Emma stifled a laugh while the guys threw dirty looks.

"This isn't a toy. It's an piece of art." Shalimar faked a yawn.

"It's just a machine." Orion smiled,

"Oh really. In that case let's race." A the sound of a challenge Shalimars' face lit up. She grabbed the keys for the Audi from Brennan,

"Your on. Who's with me?"

"I am." Said Emma. Shalimar nodded,

"Good let's go beat these little boys." Orion slid into the Dodge while Jesse clambered into the back before Brennan sat down.

"Guys what's going on?" Came Adam over the comrings.

"Nothing Adam." Answered Jesse. "The airport was easy. The problem was Orion."

"Sorry. I couldn't help myself." Said Orion. He was glad Adam couldn't see their faces.

"Are you on your way back?"

"Yes. We'll be back there soon." Brennan had a mad grin as he spoke.

"Fine I'll see you when you get here." The two cars pulled out of the car park and headed out onto the road. They stopped at a red light and Orion opened a window,

"Back to Sanctuary. Start when the light goes green." Shalimar nodded. Everyone watched the lights. As it went green the Dodge shot forward making use of its greater acceleration.

"You're leading." Said Jesse. Orion didn't respond but Brennan did.

"For the now. The Audi has a greater top speed. So we'll have the advantage in the short straights but if the road is too long we're screwed." Thankfully the roads were all but deserted so they didn't have to worry about accidents. Initially the cars ducked and weaved through the side streets and the Dodge opened up a good lead.

"Crap." Remarked Orion. The others noticed they were on a main road which would carry them out off town but, it was virtually straight until they took the side road leading up to the mountain base. The Audi quickly closed the gap until both cars were side by side and approaching the bridge.

"Not good." Commented Brennan, "The bridge is raising."

"How far to the next crossing?" Asked Orion.

"About five miles east."

"So you can ether turn left at the bridge or wait for it to lower." Said Jesse. A mad smile crossed Orions face.

"Neither." Shalimar began to slow preparing for the turn.

"What's he doing?" She asked herself. Slowly it dawn on her. "You've got to be kidding."

"What? What's going on?" Shalimar looked at Emma.

"He's going to jump it." Both turned to watch as the Dodge crashed through the barrier.

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