THURSDAY - AUGUST 12, 2002 - 2000 HOURS CENTRAL - LOCATION: F.B.I. FIELD STATION

Shalimar had been given the outline of the mission - a small group of mutants have been attempting to access non-mutant DNA samples at a remote research lab. It has been determined that their goal is to infect these non-mutant samples with mutant cells in order to create more mutants.

Shalimar sat at a metal folding table along with three other agents, including Doug.

"Our plan tomorrow is to get Shalimar into the lab to pose as a lab worker. With someone on the inside, it'll make it a hell of a lot easier to find out what's going on and when. We've received word that these mutants are going to try another entry on August 15th so we want to be prepared." Doug turned to Shalimar, "You'll be wired the entire time so we'll have constant contact. If for some reason the wire device should malfunction, you can use this to signal trouble." Doug handed her an ordinary looking ladies wrist watch. "Just press the silver button on the side and it'll send out a signal to us. We'll be able to track your exact whereabouts within the lab."

Shalimar looked at the watch for a moment and then put it on her wrist.

"You okay with all of this so far?" Doug asked.

"Yeah, fine. It's just weird to have a 35mm strapped to my side. I'm not used to that," she said with a smile.

Doug chuckled, "Consider it your best friend for the time being. There's no telling what these mutants are capable of. Well, I think we better call it a day. We'll meet here tomorrow at 0800 and then head to the lab."

The other agents got up and left the room, leaving Doug and Shalimar alone.

"Adam says you're the best female team member he's got."

Shalimar blushed.

"I know it's not easy to ask someone to just up and leave like that. I appreciate you doing this."

"No problem. I need to broaden my horizons now and then."

"Here, these are yours." He tossed her a set of keys. "It's parked out back. You'll know it when you see it." A smile widened across his face. "Get a good night sleep, I'll see you tomorrow."

Shalimar held the keys and looked up at him, "Thanks. See you tomorrow."

She went outside and found a shiny black Ninja motorcycle parked by the side of the building. Her eyes immediately lit up as she straddled the seat. She started it up, loving the roar of the engine. She took the black helmet off the back, put her hair up and put it on. Flipping up the kickstand, she gave it some gas and peeled away into the night, heading to her hotel.

FRIDAY - AUGUST 15, 2002 - 0932 HOURS CENTRAL - LOCATION: REMOTE LAB

Shalimar had been at the lab for a few days, taking to some of the other lab workers, trying to get any information she could without being obvious. Unfortunately she didn't find out much more than they already knew.

She walked into one of the breakrooms to get a bottle of water out of the soda machine when a fellow lab worker entered the room. The woman looked a little shaken and pale.

"You okay?" Shalimar asked her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just..."

"Here," Shalimar said, handing the woman her bottle of water.

"Thank you," the woman replied.

"Have a seat." Shalimar pulled out a chair and the woman sat next to her. "So what's up? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."

The woman took another sip of her water and then set the bottle down on the table. "I dunno, maybe I just heard him wrong."

"Heard who?"

The woman looked around to make sure they were alone, "I heard one of the guys talking to someone on his phone, something about tonight. I...I just remember what happened the last time and I don't want to go through that again."

"Last time?" Shalimar tried her best to play stupid.

"Two men broke into the lab and held us all at gun point while they did stuff with some of the DNA samples."

"Oh my God, that's terrible!"

"I don't want to relive that again. I had a gun pointed in my face the entire time. My life could have been over in seconds." The woman began to cry. "I need to get out of here. It isn't safe." She stood up and Shalimar stood up next to her.

"It's okay, everything is going to be okay," she tried to assure her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry," the woman raced out hysterically.

"You get all that?" Shalimar said quietly into her wire.

"Yep. Why didn't you ask her who it was that she saw on the phone?" Doug asked.

"I didn't want to appear too inquisitive and blow it!"

"Well, see if you can dig around and find out who she heard. That way we can keep an eye on him."

Shalimar sighed and went back out into the lab area.