((The events of this story happen in between season one and season two))
Toronto, Ontario, Can
October 5th, 20**
The Ole' Irish Pub, was crowded this Tuesday night, sounds of an acoustic band filtered through the dim lights, glasses and bottles chiming through the back drop, voices seemed to make an aura of various sounds one could not distinguish. On stage four forms were silhouetted in the back drop of lighting, as they played an old traditional. Though most of tonight's patrons seemed to be well dressed coming home from work, and wanting to sit back in the atmosphere and push back a few Guinness and speak of the British isles, a table to left seemed less interested in the place. The table like all the tables that spotted the charcoal colored linoleum that filtered back towards the pool tables—was of an oak finish, bottles of American budwiser seemed to crowd over the table, as the four faces leaned+ over discussing something in hushed whispers. None of the four looked very Irish, or at home in this pub. There were three women and one man, the man a dark haired boy, with a dark complexion wearing an orange long sleeved shirt sent his dark green eyes to the woman to his left, a pale skin-toned blond whose lips curved even as his eyes darted towards her. "So is that him Karen?" His rough voice came, barely over the chatting going on around the bar.
"I think so Jeremy, but I can't get a good scent with all the liquor in the air. Too many other scents to contend with." Karen Dross mentioned to the dark haired man. Her lips curled into a smile as her eyes shifted back up to watch the band who was playing on the stage to their left. There was a small group of Irish twenty year olds who were doing a jig dance glasses of alcohol seeming to catch the over head green colored lights. As Karen watched her eyes didn't fall on the four Irish lads who were playing Mandolins, or the flute, nor was her eyes on the red headed boy with the flush face, beating the drums in the back, her attention was on the one very not Irish man, who was playing the acoustic guitar to the left. Covered by the authentically Irish guys who he was playing with. The guitarist's eyes were a deep green, long dark hair was tied back into a ponytail, but a thick wisp of his bangs had got free of the ponytail, streaming down his pale face, curving around the equine features of his face. Features as sharp and as handsome as any Native American one would see, if one would look past the green eyes and pale face. As the final note was played, the short blond guy who was playing the bass guitar took a step forward and said his farewell to the crowd.
"That ye all for enjoying our band, Saint Augustine; come back again we play every Monday and Thursday evening. Thank you." The voice said over the PA's. A hearty round of applause filtered around the club, as the five members walked off into the curtains. Carrying what equipment they could in the first trip which took about four trips actually. The Four at the table watching the whole thing, watched and made some sort of noise every time the Native American guitarist made a return visit. Though they didn't really make very much of a deal about it.
"So, how many Native Americans can there be, well half Native Americans anyways. And this guy looks like our guy." Mentioned the brunette in the halter top whose eyes gave off a stunning glow of pink as she spoke. There was a strange hiss in her voice as well, as though her tongue was always getting in the way. As they looked to the door as it suddenly opened the band had appeared coming into the front door, four of them smiling and congratulating each other on a good show. Though the strange eyes were all still on the Native American guitarist. And even though he clearly wasn't Irish all the patrons gave him the same respect they gave most of their friends.
"What'll it be me lads?" Came the rigid voice of the barkeeper who leaned over the counter as the four band mates took seats on stools and gleamed over the counter, in term each of them asked for the Guinness that they so felt they deserved. "Well let me go get some from the freezer me lads, watch the bar for just a levey, aye? Ha!" Came the old man's voice. Marcus O'Connor had come to Toronto only eight years ago and set up this place for a home away from home. Though he was getting close to fifty years old he was still as energetic as the kids who came here to drink and dance. The blond hair that sat in spikes over his scalp seemed to be dulling in age, and his skin began to slack around the base of his neck. Though to Marcus this was only making him more stunning to women.
"So Pete's out pulling the van into the parking way then, Tim?" Came the welsh voice of Urien, the guitarist that eyes had been on since the beginning of the night. Though he looked very Native American, one could tell now that despite his looks he was not as it seemed. On the contrary his mother was Native American, and traveled to the UK in treatment for a rare genetic disorder called Crylousous, which caused her bone marrow to develop at a much thinner consistency. It was when she traveled to Wales that she meant Urien's father who was on of the top doctors in Bone research, and who only hope in finding a cure. It was when she meant Dr. Michael Raglan that she fell in love with him. After many years with no luck they went to a then starting up Paul Breedlove and his cutting edge genetic research. Though he is only half welsh and half Native American, he has always felt a complement to both sides of his heritage. Even now this was understood as to why he was playing in a Celtic band at an Irish pub.
"Yeah he should be out in a little bit." Came the voice from Nathan's right. The dark haired flute player sent a wayward smile as his eyes caught the blond who was now walking towards them. A hand flipped through his dark locks even as the woman stopped looking over where the band sent. "Well we usually don't give autographs lass." Came a grinning voice from Tim as his blue eyes looked into the girl's.
"Autograph? Oh that was a joke." The girl chuckled as she cleared some hair from her eyes. The pale face ceased in a smile as her eyes scanned over the band, who all seemed to be looking at her but the long haired native she'd come to see. It was strange to see anyone not at least look at her; she was wearing a thin tank top, her cleavage peeking up against the neckline. The small skirt seemed to come up to mid thigh long white socks coming up past her knees. "Actually I'm looking for Urien Raglan." Mentioned the blond as her blue eyes caught Tim's who seemed to be hanging onto each of her words.
"Urien, isn't everyone?" Came the deep voice of Tim as he elbows Urien's side as he kept his eyes at the neck line of the blond. "Hey Urien, you deaf, this girl's looking for you. Probably blown away by your great guitar, or is it those abs of steel." Another laugh echoed from Tim's voice. Though unknown to Tim, Urien already knew she was there. If there was one thing that Ferals know it's when they are around another feral. The animal attraction and dominant instinct takes over. That's unless you're not a predator. For those like Urien who's DNA was mixed with a Rodent, you try to get away or in many cases ignore.
"No Tim I heard." Came the welsh accent again, almost muffled with a sense of dread. "What ever it is, I'm sure I'm not interested."
"Not interested, Urien? Why won't even turn around to tell a girl a rejection to her face?"
"Rejection?" Urien asked as he now tuned around. As Urien's eyes looked onto the woman's Urien felt his heart fall from his chest almost instantly. Though he'd never been around another new mutant, let alone a feral, Urien had been scared before, and he had also been attracted to someone but not both at the same time—now Urien just looked at her, all his words left his lips suddenly.
"Cat got your tongue, Urien?" Came, the stark voice as her eyes flickered a yellow glow as she quickly reached into her pocket. All four of the assembled band members watched as she slipped her hand into her pocket, "I want to ask you to at least give this a thought. We are called The Strand, and there are others like us. You know the lost children. We will be in touch. That is granted."
*****
Sanctuary
Adam's Private Office.
0ctober 5th 20**
The thin fingers of Adam Kane typed quickly over the keyboard as the slight tick sound came as the brown eyes of the Leader of MutantX and the architect of the underground watched as words scrolled over the screen. Adam had been spending long nights up lately, with the fall of the GSA, and now with Gabriel Asheloche on the front line, the worry melted over his face. New stress lines had developed in the folds of his face, eyes dark and baggy from lack of sleep. Though even as he looked over the records Adam had only one Goal. To find a way to stabilize the erratic changes in Gabriel's new mutant DNA. Adam knew that he was reaching for a short straw on this. Gabriel was insane, Adam himself knew this. The Burdon of such abilities were a strain on any man. Though Adam himself was at best half to blame for Gabriel's place in the world, half responsible for all the new mutants who know wondered if they would live another day. Adam was hoping if he found a cure for Gabriel that maybe he could get the help he needed. Not the help Adam gave him when he created the subdermenal governors and the stasis pods. Instead a help that could turn Gabriel into someone who was not trying to destroy everything, Adam himself had worked so hard on. Last time MutantX met Gabriel things didn't go over to well. Even with the new abilities that MutantX had acquired still wasn't enough to take on Gabriel. Even now Adam worried that perhaps, Gabriel was right. Though Adam Kane was never one to give up, just because he made one wrong in his life didn't mean that he wasn't man enough to fix it.
"It's pretty dark in here." Came the sudden voice of Jesse Kilmartin through the abyss between the doorway and light of the computer. Though there was a desk lamp on shining down over an open notebook. The rest of the office was dark. The Office too had seen better days. Adam had always been one for organization, but when his maniacal need to do something over weighed his conscious things too a back burner, like tidiness. Though usually Emma would do a little cleaning around the office, though now Adam had been locking himself away in here, much worse for the ware as the team kindly would point out at every turn. "I just wanted to see if you could use a cup of tea."
Adam turned his head from the computer screen. His head slowly turning and with it the entire chair, Adam had not moved in a few hours so even small motor movements were feeling like pulling hairs. "Oh Jesse, what are you still doing up?"
"One would ask you the same question, Adam. But since Ashelocke broke out of Genomex and then wiped the floor with us it's been something we've all came to expect." Jesse mentioned to Adam in a quick studded reply.
"Point taken, Jesse but we aren't going to know how to deal with him if I don't figure out how mutated his dna's structure has gotten since the last time I had to treat him."
"Treat him Adam? You are still thinking of helping out the Lunatic? Do I need to remind you that he's haunting Shalimar every night. Come to think of it she's probably awake. Think she could use a cup of tea as well."
"Jesse, I know what Ashelocke has done, and what he is capable of. That is why we need to find away to put a stop to it. I think by curing him that there might be a way of finishing him off. Getting Ashelocke the help he ultimately needs."
"I know you mean well Adam it is just, I think it might be better if we take him hard and fast and be done with it."
"That is easier said than done Jesse. We know that the Strand is well hidden, as well hidden as the safehouses are. It is likely they are just waiting to make their next move, why we are sitting on our hands waiting for it."
"Well that is a given. But we'll stop them next time they show up, and sooner or later Asheloche will get stupid and we'll nail him."
"Don't you wish it was just that easy, but its not. Asheloche is trying to wear us down. None of the attacks make very much sense. And nine out of the ten times we've gotten a notice about Asheloche and his merry band of New Mutants its just been a couple of them breaking into a museum or blowing up a building. Now Asheloche is planning something. Trying to make us deviate from our ultimate goal, we need to make Asheloche come to us. But we need to find out how bad off he is. If he's dying like I know he is. It's only a matter of time before he does something rash. But we have to be ready."
"Okay so we make Asheloche come to us? How are we going to do that? Are you going to tempt him with a cure?"
"No Jesse, if I can cure him I will. But one things for certain we don't have a lot of time. I know Gabriel, I knew his parents before he brutally murdered them. We need to stop him. But first we need to let him know we call his bluff. I have an idea, but it's a long shot."
"An idea how to get him to come to us, well I'm all ears Adam, but shouldn't we wait for the others?"
"The solution to this problem is not something we can do alone, Jesse. MutantX is the best we have, and Asheloche knows it. Asheloche also knows that we will try to prevent the strand every step of the way. I believe he is making us go soft, not expecting him. Just trying to tire us out—to hit the wall repeatedly sooner or later it caves in. When the wall is damaged you finish it off. My idea is a second team of new mutants, to go in a stop the strand, keeping us ready for Asheloche, and then he'll realize we aren't playing his games. We can divide as well as the Strand can."
"A second MutantX, Adam?"
"No Jesse… I mean Mutant Zero."
"Mutant Zero? And here I thought MutantX was the wittiest thing you could come up with Adam. But how, are there guys who can handle this sort of stuff in the Underground? I thought we just sent people on their marry way?"
"Well that is going to be the hard part I have a few candidates. But as I'm sure you can probably tell I can't have two teams of new mutants under my belt. We will need to call in an old friend. Ruby Bishop was released from Genomex during the seizure by the strand. If anyone can do help us out. I think it's him."
"Ruby, the telepath who sold out the safehouse hidden in my friend's bookstore? Are you really going to trust him Adam?"
"Ruby saved my life Jesse. Ruby also has the most experience at handling something of this magnitude. With Alison and Vince of course—but the biggest problem is putting it together. Finding the new mutants locations on the database should not be a problem. But convincing them to, risk their lives, that is something all together different"
*****
New Mutant Safe house 316
Toronto, Ontario, Can.
two months ago
The warehouse was rather full of people for once. Though most new mutant safehouses have a regular crew, and are always making room for New Mutants to be sent to the underground and give them a new life, this brought a lot of people out of the wood works. Tonight was a special occasion. Tonight one of the best known new mutant operators was returning to his friends. It was only early today that all the stasis pods at Genomex were broken open and the captive new mutants were able to once again return to their families and friends. Though for Ruby Bishop all the arms of old friends were not open. In all reality, most of those had come because they were worried about him. But many of those who knew him from my friend's bookstore were not happy. Ruby had sold them out to Genomex. If it wasn't for MutantX most of them would be coming home after two years of being locked in a freezer as well.
The music in the warehouse was what most new mutants were accustomed to at many of the night clubs all over Canada, techno and house, the lights had been dimmed and there was a clear floor where many of those who came out were dancing with one another. Then suddenly a blond haired man with a smile on his face zoomed forward quickly swooshing through the room at sonic speeds paper flying into air as he stopped next to a thin black woman with dreads. "Alison … he's coming." Came the rather thick and slow sounding voice of the multi-billionaire Vince, a molecular with the ability to move him at speeds close to the speed of light. Vince looked at the crowd as he rose up his arms. "Okay every one is ready to shout welcome, when the door opens." Vince himself did not really want to get to excited. Ironically the owner of my friend's book store and close friend of Ruby's was rather unsure what to think or say. Vince was glad his friend had been released, but at the same time Vince wasn't sure if he could ever look at him the same way again.
The Door came open as Ruby was lead into the room by a woman in a power suit. Her hair was in two braids that came down her shoulders. There was no smile on her face; she had come to this party with Ruby, because Michelle Bigalow also knew what he would be going through. Michelle was an ex GSA agent who was sent through the underground, even now when she contacted the safehouses she was always given a cold shoulder. Ruby knew that he would never be fully trusted even by his true friends. Though Ruby was not as strong in the will as Vince was, Torture was all it took for Ruby to give the information away. Regretting every moment of what he did he was back. Ruby wanted to show he could be trusted. Ruby deep down wished he was brave. Though it was easy to wish, there were others who had something prove. But tonight maybe all that could be behind them.
"WELCOME BACK!" came a crowd of voices, which swelled over the safehouse. Ruby smiled as the crowd filled in all with fake smiles, only there to show support for the movement. Ruby knew that no one in the safehouse really believed he'd be any help anymore. Ruby had come not for a party but to go through the Underground and put everything behind him. Tonight would be the last time he was to be known as Ruby Bishop. Or so he thought.
"Ruby, they didn't hurt you to bad after you gave us up I hope?" Came the voice of Vince soon as everyone began to clear away. Vince's face looked cold into the face of his former friend.
"Vince look it wasn't like that, they hurt me in ways you can't believe… and you don't believe a word of what I'm saying."
"Well good that you still use your powers without asking." Came a familiar voice as the ebony skinned queen walked forward...
"Alison, now this is a complete surprise. The Three are back."
"I only see two and one coward."
"Vince, that's enough. I'm sure Ruby has a good reason why he did what he had to. I know it's going to take some time for you to understand this." Came the voice of Adam Kane grabbing onto Vince's shoulder.
"Adam, he risked the lives of me and Alison along with the rest of the new mutants we were all trying to save."
"Vince, things are not going to be repaired if you go on acting like an ass. We are all in this together."
"But you don't trust me either Adam, but you've come here tonight to ask the three of us to try to do what we did before. But your mind is so complicated; I really don't know what you mean."
"Yes Ruby, you are not going to just turn your back on everything we've worked on and try to live a normal life. Not now, and I can't see us not using the resources we have. I'm not going to question your motives, nor am I going to say I trust you completely. But what I do know is that Vince, Alison and you had one of the most successful and well managed safehouse. I should mention not even mutantX has saved as many new mutants as your safehouse had. Wish Gabriel Asheloche back. We are going to need all the help we can get. Its time the Three of you put the past behind you, because I'm not going to allow any of you to walk away. I want you three to help me. There are so many new mutants out there, who need our help. Not a safehouse, a halfway house. A place where new mutants can learn to control their powers—that has been the one fault in the new mutant underground. We can let people start over. But those who can't keep their powers in check are just moving targets for those out there that are looking for them. MutantX can only do so much."
"Without a doubt, Adam you can count me in." Alison mentioned throwing her hand on top of Adam's.
"Well I have to show you all, that I can be trusted again. Count me in." Came the hand of Ruby down.
"I don't have a choice. I can't have the sell out take a second stab at selling us out." And Vince's hand slipped down.
Adam's face streaked a rather large smile. "Excellent, I already have the location, picked out. It's a bookstore that just went out of business. Its location is under one of the largest caverns in Toronto."
"Well maybe it's me, but that means this party was pointless is Ruby isn't going into the Underground." Shrugged Michelle Bigelo.
"Wait I thought this was my home coming party!" Squealed Ruby all of the sudden, a hint of pink flowing over his face.
"Not quite Ruby, this was your send off party, everyone here hates your guts." Vince chuckled sending a look to Adam who was laughing himself.
Toronto, Ontario, Can
October 5th, 20**
The Ole' Irish Pub, was crowded this Tuesday night, sounds of an acoustic band filtered through the dim lights, glasses and bottles chiming through the back drop, voices seemed to make an aura of various sounds one could not distinguish. On stage four forms were silhouetted in the back drop of lighting, as they played an old traditional. Though most of tonight's patrons seemed to be well dressed coming home from work, and wanting to sit back in the atmosphere and push back a few Guinness and speak of the British isles, a table to left seemed less interested in the place. The table like all the tables that spotted the charcoal colored linoleum that filtered back towards the pool tables—was of an oak finish, bottles of American budwiser seemed to crowd over the table, as the four faces leaned+ over discussing something in hushed whispers. None of the four looked very Irish, or at home in this pub. There were three women and one man, the man a dark haired boy, with a dark complexion wearing an orange long sleeved shirt sent his dark green eyes to the woman to his left, a pale skin-toned blond whose lips curved even as his eyes darted towards her. "So is that him Karen?" His rough voice came, barely over the chatting going on around the bar.
"I think so Jeremy, but I can't get a good scent with all the liquor in the air. Too many other scents to contend with." Karen Dross mentioned to the dark haired man. Her lips curled into a smile as her eyes shifted back up to watch the band who was playing on the stage to their left. There was a small group of Irish twenty year olds who were doing a jig dance glasses of alcohol seeming to catch the over head green colored lights. As Karen watched her eyes didn't fall on the four Irish lads who were playing Mandolins, or the flute, nor was her eyes on the red headed boy with the flush face, beating the drums in the back, her attention was on the one very not Irish man, who was playing the acoustic guitar to the left. Covered by the authentically Irish guys who he was playing with. The guitarist's eyes were a deep green, long dark hair was tied back into a ponytail, but a thick wisp of his bangs had got free of the ponytail, streaming down his pale face, curving around the equine features of his face. Features as sharp and as handsome as any Native American one would see, if one would look past the green eyes and pale face. As the final note was played, the short blond guy who was playing the bass guitar took a step forward and said his farewell to the crowd.
"That ye all for enjoying our band, Saint Augustine; come back again we play every Monday and Thursday evening. Thank you." The voice said over the PA's. A hearty round of applause filtered around the club, as the five members walked off into the curtains. Carrying what equipment they could in the first trip which took about four trips actually. The Four at the table watching the whole thing, watched and made some sort of noise every time the Native American guitarist made a return visit. Though they didn't really make very much of a deal about it.
"So, how many Native Americans can there be, well half Native Americans anyways. And this guy looks like our guy." Mentioned the brunette in the halter top whose eyes gave off a stunning glow of pink as she spoke. There was a strange hiss in her voice as well, as though her tongue was always getting in the way. As they looked to the door as it suddenly opened the band had appeared coming into the front door, four of them smiling and congratulating each other on a good show. Though the strange eyes were all still on the Native American guitarist. And even though he clearly wasn't Irish all the patrons gave him the same respect they gave most of their friends.
"What'll it be me lads?" Came the rigid voice of the barkeeper who leaned over the counter as the four band mates took seats on stools and gleamed over the counter, in term each of them asked for the Guinness that they so felt they deserved. "Well let me go get some from the freezer me lads, watch the bar for just a levey, aye? Ha!" Came the old man's voice. Marcus O'Connor had come to Toronto only eight years ago and set up this place for a home away from home. Though he was getting close to fifty years old he was still as energetic as the kids who came here to drink and dance. The blond hair that sat in spikes over his scalp seemed to be dulling in age, and his skin began to slack around the base of his neck. Though to Marcus this was only making him more stunning to women.
"So Pete's out pulling the van into the parking way then, Tim?" Came the welsh voice of Urien, the guitarist that eyes had been on since the beginning of the night. Though he looked very Native American, one could tell now that despite his looks he was not as it seemed. On the contrary his mother was Native American, and traveled to the UK in treatment for a rare genetic disorder called Crylousous, which caused her bone marrow to develop at a much thinner consistency. It was when she traveled to Wales that she meant Urien's father who was on of the top doctors in Bone research, and who only hope in finding a cure. It was when she meant Dr. Michael Raglan that she fell in love with him. After many years with no luck they went to a then starting up Paul Breedlove and his cutting edge genetic research. Though he is only half welsh and half Native American, he has always felt a complement to both sides of his heritage. Even now this was understood as to why he was playing in a Celtic band at an Irish pub.
"Yeah he should be out in a little bit." Came the voice from Nathan's right. The dark haired flute player sent a wayward smile as his eyes caught the blond who was now walking towards them. A hand flipped through his dark locks even as the woman stopped looking over where the band sent. "Well we usually don't give autographs lass." Came a grinning voice from Tim as his blue eyes looked into the girl's.
"Autograph? Oh that was a joke." The girl chuckled as she cleared some hair from her eyes. The pale face ceased in a smile as her eyes scanned over the band, who all seemed to be looking at her but the long haired native she'd come to see. It was strange to see anyone not at least look at her; she was wearing a thin tank top, her cleavage peeking up against the neckline. The small skirt seemed to come up to mid thigh long white socks coming up past her knees. "Actually I'm looking for Urien Raglan." Mentioned the blond as her blue eyes caught Tim's who seemed to be hanging onto each of her words.
"Urien, isn't everyone?" Came the deep voice of Tim as he elbows Urien's side as he kept his eyes at the neck line of the blond. "Hey Urien, you deaf, this girl's looking for you. Probably blown away by your great guitar, or is it those abs of steel." Another laugh echoed from Tim's voice. Though unknown to Tim, Urien already knew she was there. If there was one thing that Ferals know it's when they are around another feral. The animal attraction and dominant instinct takes over. That's unless you're not a predator. For those like Urien who's DNA was mixed with a Rodent, you try to get away or in many cases ignore.
"No Tim I heard." Came the welsh accent again, almost muffled with a sense of dread. "What ever it is, I'm sure I'm not interested."
"Not interested, Urien? Why won't even turn around to tell a girl a rejection to her face?"
"Rejection?" Urien asked as he now tuned around. As Urien's eyes looked onto the woman's Urien felt his heart fall from his chest almost instantly. Though he'd never been around another new mutant, let alone a feral, Urien had been scared before, and he had also been attracted to someone but not both at the same time—now Urien just looked at her, all his words left his lips suddenly.
"Cat got your tongue, Urien?" Came, the stark voice as her eyes flickered a yellow glow as she quickly reached into her pocket. All four of the assembled band members watched as she slipped her hand into her pocket, "I want to ask you to at least give this a thought. We are called The Strand, and there are others like us. You know the lost children. We will be in touch. That is granted."
*****
Sanctuary
Adam's Private Office.
0ctober 5th 20**
The thin fingers of Adam Kane typed quickly over the keyboard as the slight tick sound came as the brown eyes of the Leader of MutantX and the architect of the underground watched as words scrolled over the screen. Adam had been spending long nights up lately, with the fall of the GSA, and now with Gabriel Asheloche on the front line, the worry melted over his face. New stress lines had developed in the folds of his face, eyes dark and baggy from lack of sleep. Though even as he looked over the records Adam had only one Goal. To find a way to stabilize the erratic changes in Gabriel's new mutant DNA. Adam knew that he was reaching for a short straw on this. Gabriel was insane, Adam himself knew this. The Burdon of such abilities were a strain on any man. Though Adam himself was at best half to blame for Gabriel's place in the world, half responsible for all the new mutants who know wondered if they would live another day. Adam was hoping if he found a cure for Gabriel that maybe he could get the help he needed. Not the help Adam gave him when he created the subdermenal governors and the stasis pods. Instead a help that could turn Gabriel into someone who was not trying to destroy everything, Adam himself had worked so hard on. Last time MutantX met Gabriel things didn't go over to well. Even with the new abilities that MutantX had acquired still wasn't enough to take on Gabriel. Even now Adam worried that perhaps, Gabriel was right. Though Adam Kane was never one to give up, just because he made one wrong in his life didn't mean that he wasn't man enough to fix it.
"It's pretty dark in here." Came the sudden voice of Jesse Kilmartin through the abyss between the doorway and light of the computer. Though there was a desk lamp on shining down over an open notebook. The rest of the office was dark. The Office too had seen better days. Adam had always been one for organization, but when his maniacal need to do something over weighed his conscious things too a back burner, like tidiness. Though usually Emma would do a little cleaning around the office, though now Adam had been locking himself away in here, much worse for the ware as the team kindly would point out at every turn. "I just wanted to see if you could use a cup of tea."
Adam turned his head from the computer screen. His head slowly turning and with it the entire chair, Adam had not moved in a few hours so even small motor movements were feeling like pulling hairs. "Oh Jesse, what are you still doing up?"
"One would ask you the same question, Adam. But since Ashelocke broke out of Genomex and then wiped the floor with us it's been something we've all came to expect." Jesse mentioned to Adam in a quick studded reply.
"Point taken, Jesse but we aren't going to know how to deal with him if I don't figure out how mutated his dna's structure has gotten since the last time I had to treat him."
"Treat him Adam? You are still thinking of helping out the Lunatic? Do I need to remind you that he's haunting Shalimar every night. Come to think of it she's probably awake. Think she could use a cup of tea as well."
"Jesse, I know what Ashelocke has done, and what he is capable of. That is why we need to find away to put a stop to it. I think by curing him that there might be a way of finishing him off. Getting Ashelocke the help he ultimately needs."
"I know you mean well Adam it is just, I think it might be better if we take him hard and fast and be done with it."
"That is easier said than done Jesse. We know that the Strand is well hidden, as well hidden as the safehouses are. It is likely they are just waiting to make their next move, why we are sitting on our hands waiting for it."
"Well that is a given. But we'll stop them next time they show up, and sooner or later Asheloche will get stupid and we'll nail him."
"Don't you wish it was just that easy, but its not. Asheloche is trying to wear us down. None of the attacks make very much sense. And nine out of the ten times we've gotten a notice about Asheloche and his merry band of New Mutants its just been a couple of them breaking into a museum or blowing up a building. Now Asheloche is planning something. Trying to make us deviate from our ultimate goal, we need to make Asheloche come to us. But we need to find out how bad off he is. If he's dying like I know he is. It's only a matter of time before he does something rash. But we have to be ready."
"Okay so we make Asheloche come to us? How are we going to do that? Are you going to tempt him with a cure?"
"No Jesse, if I can cure him I will. But one things for certain we don't have a lot of time. I know Gabriel, I knew his parents before he brutally murdered them. We need to stop him. But first we need to let him know we call his bluff. I have an idea, but it's a long shot."
"An idea how to get him to come to us, well I'm all ears Adam, but shouldn't we wait for the others?"
"The solution to this problem is not something we can do alone, Jesse. MutantX is the best we have, and Asheloche knows it. Asheloche also knows that we will try to prevent the strand every step of the way. I believe he is making us go soft, not expecting him. Just trying to tire us out—to hit the wall repeatedly sooner or later it caves in. When the wall is damaged you finish it off. My idea is a second team of new mutants, to go in a stop the strand, keeping us ready for Asheloche, and then he'll realize we aren't playing his games. We can divide as well as the Strand can."
"A second MutantX, Adam?"
"No Jesse… I mean Mutant Zero."
"Mutant Zero? And here I thought MutantX was the wittiest thing you could come up with Adam. But how, are there guys who can handle this sort of stuff in the Underground? I thought we just sent people on their marry way?"
"Well that is going to be the hard part I have a few candidates. But as I'm sure you can probably tell I can't have two teams of new mutants under my belt. We will need to call in an old friend. Ruby Bishop was released from Genomex during the seizure by the strand. If anyone can do help us out. I think it's him."
"Ruby, the telepath who sold out the safehouse hidden in my friend's bookstore? Are you really going to trust him Adam?"
"Ruby saved my life Jesse. Ruby also has the most experience at handling something of this magnitude. With Alison and Vince of course—but the biggest problem is putting it together. Finding the new mutants locations on the database should not be a problem. But convincing them to, risk their lives, that is something all together different"
*****
New Mutant Safe house 316
Toronto, Ontario, Can.
two months ago
The warehouse was rather full of people for once. Though most new mutant safehouses have a regular crew, and are always making room for New Mutants to be sent to the underground and give them a new life, this brought a lot of people out of the wood works. Tonight was a special occasion. Tonight one of the best known new mutant operators was returning to his friends. It was only early today that all the stasis pods at Genomex were broken open and the captive new mutants were able to once again return to their families and friends. Though for Ruby Bishop all the arms of old friends were not open. In all reality, most of those had come because they were worried about him. But many of those who knew him from my friend's bookstore were not happy. Ruby had sold them out to Genomex. If it wasn't for MutantX most of them would be coming home after two years of being locked in a freezer as well.
The music in the warehouse was what most new mutants were accustomed to at many of the night clubs all over Canada, techno and house, the lights had been dimmed and there was a clear floor where many of those who came out were dancing with one another. Then suddenly a blond haired man with a smile on his face zoomed forward quickly swooshing through the room at sonic speeds paper flying into air as he stopped next to a thin black woman with dreads. "Alison … he's coming." Came the rather thick and slow sounding voice of the multi-billionaire Vince, a molecular with the ability to move him at speeds close to the speed of light. Vince looked at the crowd as he rose up his arms. "Okay every one is ready to shout welcome, when the door opens." Vince himself did not really want to get to excited. Ironically the owner of my friend's book store and close friend of Ruby's was rather unsure what to think or say. Vince was glad his friend had been released, but at the same time Vince wasn't sure if he could ever look at him the same way again.
The Door came open as Ruby was lead into the room by a woman in a power suit. Her hair was in two braids that came down her shoulders. There was no smile on her face; she had come to this party with Ruby, because Michelle Bigalow also knew what he would be going through. Michelle was an ex GSA agent who was sent through the underground, even now when she contacted the safehouses she was always given a cold shoulder. Ruby knew that he would never be fully trusted even by his true friends. Though Ruby was not as strong in the will as Vince was, Torture was all it took for Ruby to give the information away. Regretting every moment of what he did he was back. Ruby wanted to show he could be trusted. Ruby deep down wished he was brave. Though it was easy to wish, there were others who had something prove. But tonight maybe all that could be behind them.
"WELCOME BACK!" came a crowd of voices, which swelled over the safehouse. Ruby smiled as the crowd filled in all with fake smiles, only there to show support for the movement. Ruby knew that no one in the safehouse really believed he'd be any help anymore. Ruby had come not for a party but to go through the Underground and put everything behind him. Tonight would be the last time he was to be known as Ruby Bishop. Or so he thought.
"Ruby, they didn't hurt you to bad after you gave us up I hope?" Came the voice of Vince soon as everyone began to clear away. Vince's face looked cold into the face of his former friend.
"Vince look it wasn't like that, they hurt me in ways you can't believe… and you don't believe a word of what I'm saying."
"Well good that you still use your powers without asking." Came a familiar voice as the ebony skinned queen walked forward...
"Alison, now this is a complete surprise. The Three are back."
"I only see two and one coward."
"Vince, that's enough. I'm sure Ruby has a good reason why he did what he had to. I know it's going to take some time for you to understand this." Came the voice of Adam Kane grabbing onto Vince's shoulder.
"Adam, he risked the lives of me and Alison along with the rest of the new mutants we were all trying to save."
"Vince, things are not going to be repaired if you go on acting like an ass. We are all in this together."
"But you don't trust me either Adam, but you've come here tonight to ask the three of us to try to do what we did before. But your mind is so complicated; I really don't know what you mean."
"Yes Ruby, you are not going to just turn your back on everything we've worked on and try to live a normal life. Not now, and I can't see us not using the resources we have. I'm not going to question your motives, nor am I going to say I trust you completely. But what I do know is that Vince, Alison and you had one of the most successful and well managed safehouse. I should mention not even mutantX has saved as many new mutants as your safehouse had. Wish Gabriel Asheloche back. We are going to need all the help we can get. Its time the Three of you put the past behind you, because I'm not going to allow any of you to walk away. I want you three to help me. There are so many new mutants out there, who need our help. Not a safehouse, a halfway house. A place where new mutants can learn to control their powers—that has been the one fault in the new mutant underground. We can let people start over. But those who can't keep their powers in check are just moving targets for those out there that are looking for them. MutantX can only do so much."
"Without a doubt, Adam you can count me in." Alison mentioned throwing her hand on top of Adam's.
"Well I have to show you all, that I can be trusted again. Count me in." Came the hand of Ruby down.
"I don't have a choice. I can't have the sell out take a second stab at selling us out." And Vince's hand slipped down.
Adam's face streaked a rather large smile. "Excellent, I already have the location, picked out. It's a bookstore that just went out of business. Its location is under one of the largest caverns in Toronto."
"Well maybe it's me, but that means this party was pointless is Ruby isn't going into the Underground." Shrugged Michelle Bigelo.
"Wait I thought this was my home coming party!" Squealed Ruby all of the sudden, a hint of pink flowing over his face.
"Not quite Ruby, this was your send off party, everyone here hates your guts." Vince chuckled sending a look to Adam who was laughing himself.
