Colonel William Stryker read over the file lying in front of him, grinning all the while. He'd finally found her. A mutant with incredible power, but she's old enough to be on the team this time. No experimenting... yet. His head snapped up when he heard a knock on his office door. He recognized the outline of the guns-man, Agent Zero.
"Come in, Zero. I have something I want to discuss with you."
The mutant opened the door and walked in, gently shutting it behind him.
"Sir, there are some things I want to discuss with you about Wade-"
"Not now, Agent. We have more important things to go over. Do you recognize this girl?"
He held up a black and white picture of a girl laughing, obviously taken by a friend.
Zero shook his head.
"No sir, not at all. May I ask what this has to do with me?"
"I'm getting there, I'm getting there. Zero, I've had my eye on this girl for a while. She has extraordinary abilities far beyond what I've seen with all the others. She learned to control her powers at a very young age, without any outside help whatsoever."
Zero cut in, a little shocked.
"But sir, so did almost everyone else on this team! You can't expect me to believe that you're recruiting this girl simply on her drive for control of her powers?"
"Of course not, Zero! Let me get there, for Christ's sake."
He cleared his throat, straightening his tie.
"These girls abilities are far more advanced than any of the men's on this team. No offense."
He realized this insult quickly, but said the apology without a note of sympathy. Zero simply ignored it. He was used to it by now. The colonel turned to his soldier.
"So, what do you think?"
Zero looked unsure for a moment, but then his face went blank.
"Sure, why not? We could use some more test subjects anyways-"
"Oh no, my dear boy, this girl will not be used as an experiment. This girl will be the newest addition to our team!"
Zero's head shot up, his face filled with disbelief.
"WHAT? Colonel, you can't be serious! What makes you think a girl of her age could ever handle this type of work?! It's hard enough for us already!"
"I've already made my decision, Agent Zero. These girl's powers are far too valuable to be tampered with by some scientist in my lab. No. Her gifts will be put to far better use as a member of our team."
Zero scowled at the floor.
"Just don't come asking for my help when she can't handle it. I will NOT be the one dealing with that."
He began to turn, but Stryker held up a hand.
"Just a moment... don't you want to know what she can do?"
Zero looked back at him over his shoulder.
"I'll pass. I'd rather see it up close anyways."
Stryker smirked, clasping his hands together. There was a knock on the door.
"Good. And just on time too. Come in."
The door opened and John and Wade walked into the office.
"Zero, these two will be accompanying you on your mission."
"Mission? What mission?"
Zero didn't understand. What was Stryker talking about? He didn't expect him to... oh no...
"Agent Zero, Wade and John will be assisting you with the capture of the mutant Amber Maestas Coffey. Pray you don't disappoint me."