Chapter 4 – The Eugenics Wars – Part 2

(note 22)

The trio of immortals were sitting on their bikes, although the actual vehicles themselves were stationary. Richie had been asking about Spartan training and how it differed to anything else. "The Spartans were like the Samurai in many ways" Logan began. "Fearless, lived for a glorious death. Possessing unparalleled skills of unarmed and blade combat, the Samurai were probably their equal, well almost". He watched a bird on a nearby branch sing its glorious song, and for once he felt free; no more William Striker; no more covert tactics, although they would send Operatives who had also been changed on the Weapon X (note 23)program like him – probably be Sabertooth or Lady Deathstrike. Not that he knew their real names; he'd never needed to.

"The time I spent in Japan with the Samurai taught me to do new things with old techniques, until I studied with the Ninja at any rate. Then everything changed"

Richie interrupted his monologue. "Have either of you heard of Pai Mei?"

Logan looked at Richie. "Nope" he answered.

Leo continued to ignore the question, letting the warmth from the cup permeate his hands. "You mean the arrogance, overbearing racist misogynist?"

"White hair" said Richie to ensure clarification. Leo nodded.

"Oh yeah I know him. Thinks he's the best on planet Earth, boy will he be in for a shock one day. I already know of several immortals that can beat seven bells out of him"

"Who?"

"Jacob Kell for one" said Leo, beginning think. "Connor Macleod took the Quickening of a thousand year old immortal Ninja Master who was also a Tau-Tau Adept!" he exclaimed. "In addition to his other kills like Kurgan, Ramirez and Nakano; the man's a virtual wizard!" said Leo in awe. Blank looks fell across both Logan and Richie, as neither knew what a Tau-Tau (note 24) adept was.

"Is Pai Mei any good?" asked Logan rubbing his bristles that had stopped being stubble of at least five days ago. "He's amazing man. It's like trying to hit…."

"Like trying to hit water or fresh air" suggested Leo helpfully finishing the sentence.

"That's it exactly" announced the young immortal triumphantly.

Silence fell over them briefly. "Killed sixty Shaolin priests one day in vengeance for what he considered a slight, or a snub. Believed one monk had been rude one day and took it out on the whole temple. Just so happens I was one of those killed!"

"What did you do?" asked Logan.

"Trained like buggery" said Leo smiling, remembering those times almost fondly. "Finished my training and three centuries later ended up on the losing side in a huge battle" remarked Leo, "You don't want to know " he said waving a hand dismissively so no one asked about it. "I ran away to Japan and discovered the Ninja and a little known sub-sect or clan that very little is known about"

"What other sub clans?" asked Richie in synchronisation with Logan. Leo sniffed the flower, enjoying the fresh air and the smell of nature, the outdoor, but then he always had. "It just so happens that some excelled so much so that they began to experiment, honing their psychic abilities to incredibly high levels. What they called Tau-Tau. Over the years the disciplines split into two initially known as Akshara and Kshira, best thought of light and dark". They both nodded for Leo to continue. "Unfortunately the dark path ate away at the person so much they quite often became corrupted and evil, some even wanted absolution and knew the only way was death. That is until in the early 1500's a man stumbled on a way to use both; what is called the Path of Illumination or the Binding Path" (note 25)

"Did you learn any of it?" tested Logan.

"Of course" answered Leo. "It's like opening a door on the senses man hasn't used in centuries. Scary too" he tapping the bike for emphasis, "'cos suddenly the world you know ain't there any longer".

"All this story telling is making me hungry again" interrupted Logan, "I can smell food a few miles up the road. Chow time!"

Only Logan was hungry, the other two sat there watching him devour two courses while 'nursing' drinks. "Back in a minute" announced Logan walking towards the toilet. Leonides nods and carries on his conversation. "I had a student recently already an adept in Tau-Tau" said Leo. "He was so full of Kshira it was like an infection"

"Sounds like he was in a bad way"

"He was until I cured him, your friends should train with him Richie. Seriously" he said stealing a fork for a mouthful of chips. "That's how when I came across Pai Mei again. I fought him to a standstill. I'll give you his number; a man called Nicholas Linnear" (note 26)

"What about me?" asked Richie.

"I'll train you, but it might take a while"

Logan walks out about then minutes later to find all his chips were gone. "Hey!" he called. "That was my lunch"

"It was getting cold" stated Richie helpfully.

"Oh, you're all heart"

A brief discussion and they had managed to persuade Richie on a change of plan, go to Macleod's last destination and work fromthere. "We'll either have to fly the bikes across. Might be cheaper to get new ones" suggested Gabriel Van Helsing.

Richie flushed. "Hey look guys, I've not been immortal long so haven't accumulated the kind of money you're talking about"

"Don't worry Richie" re-assured Leonides. "We've got plenty of dollar between us. No problem"

One of the eldest immortals was on a plane with the owner of a bar and a Watcher called Joe, both were waiting for the commercial flight to land. Remarkably it had been without delays or any hassle of any kind which quite relieved both of them. The seat belt sign came on and Joe looked worried causing Methos to smile. "Do you not like flying?"

"It's not the flying that bothers me, it's just the landing" he said noticing as Methos' smile grew broader. "What's so funny about that!" he requested.

"Nothing, nothing at all" Methos answered using a hand to cover the smile, stifling a laugh, he looked away.

The plane landed and they quickly disembarked making their way to collect any belongings. "I just can't believe you're a nervous flyer" said Methos jovially picking up a couple of bags.

Joe pointed to another set of bags, "May as well get those, old man". As they slowly made their way out of the airport Joe turned to Methos, "I wish you'd stop smirking like that it's getting really annoying" said Joe. They turned a corner and Methos thought he saw a face he recognised. Cannot be he thought watching the Chinese closely. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with some comfy trainers on, had them for years and walking through the airport his mystical senses could pick up a Quickening immortal, and speeding his pace, saw a face he'd not seen for about two and half thousand years. It had to be him he thought and greeted the immortal accordingly in ancient Sanskrit.

Methos face registered shock at the greeting but automatic reflexes took over and he answered in the same manner. Joe looked at the old man like he was an alien from another planet. "Want to tell me what that was about?" inquired Joe. He saw Methos consider it for a moment grunting under the strain of carrying the bags. "Who was that?"

"You really don't want to know" remarked Methos hoping the mortal would heed his words, just for once.

"I don't think so, spill it" he said.

"That was Buddha who just walked by"

"Ha ha ha" laughed Joe. "Don't tell me then!" said the Watcher irritably.

"I'm serious" said Methos.

"Are you telling me that Buddha was one of you?"

"Buddha was Immortal yes, but" said Methos continuing to walk with the bags and turning to whisper conspiratorially, "not like me". Walking slightly quicker he left the mortal to his thoughts and could almost picture Joe's mouth flapping like a fish with question after question – this only made the immortal smile as he didn't feel like giving answers today.

Lin Tao was extremely annoyed of late and had left the Palace of the Jade Emperor (note 26), under orders to seek out the Immortal White Lotus Priest, his intention to use the Daggers of Lightning to either kill the Priest, or remind him that he had a service left to perform.

Richie thought the journey to the airport had been arduous, the traffic awful – his sword was all wrapped up again, wanting to get a flight to Paris; hopefully Mac will there he thought, maybe they could put the past behind them. It was then he felt the Quickening, very powerful, and saw Adam walking towards him with the Watcher.

"Joe" he exclaimed in glee. "What are you doing here?" He looked at Adam who was red faced from carrying the luggage, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"Richie" said the Watcher shaking hands with the immortal.

There was a clatter as the bags were dropped. "I take it that I can put these down?" said one of the worlds' oldest men sarcastically still breathing heavily. "How are you Richie? What brings you to California?" inquired Adam.

"I decided to take a vacation" he answered nonchalantly.

"We lost you in Paris" said Joe. "No idea where you had gone"

Richie smiled "I went somewhere I've never been before" he said. "Jasper County in Missouri"

"Most people who want to go somewhere new they try India or Tibet" said Methos sarcastically.

"Why would I want to do that?" said Richie, "You always moan how bad the smell is" he retorted which caused Joe to laugh. "Shall we sit down somewhere?" suggested Joe. "I could murder a drink". All three sat down in a nearby bar, Methos had insisted on getting a beer. Richie had left Logan and Leonides organising flights and transport. "Don't you ever stop drinking?" asked Richie querulously. "It'll be the death of you, you know?" he remarked causing both Joe and the elder immortal to smile. "So what brings you here?" inquired Richie.

Methos pulled up the sleeve of his jumper counting down the years until his new identity of Dan Clifford (note 27) was ready – at least another ten years he thought absently. Get away from the Game for a couple of years anyway, hopefully. "Maybe we were here to see you?" he remarked.

"I doubt it" said Richie sarcastically. "It's Mac isn't it?" he asked worriedly.

The Watcher looked Richie and sipped his drink – "Actually we were here for you, but it is about Mac. Yeh"

"What is it? Is he in trouble?"

"Has he contacted you?"

"Why would he contact me Joe?" asked Richie angrily venting a bit of frustration. "The last time" he said pointing at the Watcher, "you know", prompting him to remember. "If you hadn't have shot him I'd be dead now". This last comment caused Methos to grin so much his drink spilled down his front. Wiping away the beer he liked his finger.

"You actually shot Macleod?" asked Methos still recovering from the shock.

"Not once" said Richie. "Five times" he remarked holding up the same number of fingers. "Actually killed him"

Methos still couldn't help but smile. "There's hope for you yet Joe" said the oldest immortal. "Bet you didn't you a silencer though". Joe groaned inwardly and outwardly. "No I didn't. I forgot alright" said the Watcher. "Anyway" he said. "We wanted to talk to you about Mac. He's disappeared and we have no idea where he is and we hoped you might know"

"Not a clue Joe. If you had asked me two days ago I wouldn't have cared, now it's a different matter entirely"

"What changed?" prompted Methos.

"I did" said the younger immortal. The other two had enough experience to know when to leave an avenue of enquiry. "So where was he last?"

"In Paris but he vanished and we suspect he's in some kind of trouble". Joe groaned, hoping they could stay a couple of day, not get another flight straight back to Europe. "Not back again!"

"I'll organise three tickets" suggested Methos.

"It's okay I've already got a flight booked" said Richie. "I'm with a couple of friends and we'll see you there". He saw Joe's crestfallen look. "They're okay" said Richie trying to reassure them.

"Wanna tell me some names" inquired Joe. "Just so I know you're gonna be safe"

"Sure" he declared. "Likes to be called Leo, was once King Leonides of Sparta" said Richie scratching his nose; noticing the look of recognition on Methos' face. "Don't tell me you knew him too?"

"Funny thing being five thousand years old, I've met an awful lot of people" Methos said sarcastically pulling up the sleeves on his jumper, then lifting the front quickly in attempt to fan his chest and get some fresh air on it to cool down. "Maybe you'd like a fanfare with that" retorted Joe. "For a wise man sometimes you can be so pompous sometimes"

"Grumpy too" said Richie helpfully. Methos was about undecided whether to feel irritated or hurt, and so opted for the former. "Okay. You said two people. Who is other?" Richie told them about Gabriel, a.k.a Logan. "Cavorting with the enemy is it?" teased Joe.

Richie smiled, "Hardly. It's weird the last six months have flown by and I've learnt more than I ever did from Mac. But I still miss him, you know? He's like a father figure to me; that's why I ran away" effused Richie, finally admitting the truth of what had been causing him so much emotional pain.

"No need to explain" said Joe rubbing his greying beard. "We understand" he said sympathetically, nudging Methos.

"Er...yeah" he said absently. "Not heard from the other Watchers Council for years"

"Usually very little contact between us nowadays" explained Joe. "Immortals and the Slayer don't usually mix well"

Richie found Logan and Leo who then told filled in the gaps they hadn't had the opportunity to eariler about both Watcher Councils and Slayers (28).

Richie had called a few times while McAllister and Ken had flown back after getting Max had got out of jail. He had contacted Nicholas Linnear using the number Max had left a message with Nuri and was awaiting his arrival.

The immortals landed in France and slowly made their way to a safe house belonging to the other Watchers, Logan had requested its use before they left, knowing that at least it should be safe for a while. The lounge had plush leather sofas and chairs, a large dining table, a reading room and a library full of arcane texts. Each bedroom had a King Size bed with decent drawers.

Richie went straight to Mac's barge leaving the others to organise things, insisting on going alone, hoping he was okay and that he might be back. If he wasn't there it would be the first step in trying to uncover where he may have gone, unfortunately it was locked. He felt the rush of another immortal presence, the brief flash of a white beard and the person on the bridge was gone. "Damn that Pai Mei!" he grunted pushing on the door harder. He did not sense or see Macleod anywhere. "Damn!" he cursed again.

Deciding to wait he picks the lock, entering the almost empty barge. He could smell the dust of the last eight months, neglect and in serious need of a good clean and spotting the covered furniture. "I get here" said Richie to thin air, "And the first thing I do is clean". He realised the door had been left open and caught an immortal presence again, and the flash of a flowing robe outside the door. He knew full well who it was and ignored it, Richie just couldn't believe Pai Mei would follow him to Paris to hound the young immortal.

Another walked the streets of Paris in his bright green effulgent Kimono with two red dragons stitched across the front, intertwining. He was barely five foot tall, wrinkled with wisps of hair above his ears and a slight beard that had a tendency to tremble when he was angry. His adopted son had annoyed him this day by breaking the tv in the middle of showing his programmes. Emperor smith had sent them on another luckless task, not fit the likes of the ! So he had decided to take a walk around the city, and found the smell quite unpleasant but their cities always were. He spotted some Japanese gardens he hated the Japanese, and the Chinese for that matter, but the gardens offered a nice change of scene, he hoped.

Another walked by him, he had white hair in a top knot in a traditional mandarin garb of kung-fu practitioners and nodding his head in greeting, which was studiously ignored, who would want to greet the filthy Chinese and continued. Someone was prattling behind him. The noise was interrupting him, interfering with his enjoyment of the scenery while he watched the bees go from flower to flower; the imagery so reminiscent of his son going from woman to woman. There were so many women of the village who would be more than eager to please, yet his son would entertain none of it, seeking to follow harlots around. Sad, sad, sad!

Pai Mei was in a good mood today and wandered by another oriental with a green Kimono with red dragons across it. He smiled as the stranger looked like a frail plant with red flowers and could not help but laugh. Nodding his head in greeting at the stranger who then seemed to ignore him; this could not be tolerated. "Who are you to ignore me!" shouted the Priest in Mandarin. "You a nothing, a filthy Korean!" shouted Pai Mei. The other whirled with such speed and ferocity it took Pai back.

"The Korean is the most perfect creature to sanctify the Earth with the imprint of his foot!" retorted the other stamping a sandaled foot. Deciding such insolence was intolerable the White Lotus adept struck, only to find neither the Kimono nor body were there any longer. Several more strikes proved completely ineffectual, impossible he thought.

Chuin, Reigning Master of Sinanju looked at the Chinese who had attacked him, eyes narrowing slightly. The strikes had shown traces of Sinanju, as though someone had observed. "You" he barked. "Are the White Lotus Priest correct," he remarked. Pai noticed that the wizened oriental advanced feet barely touching the floor, alighting with a speed and grace that was unheard of except in one man, a Korean. Colour drained from the face of Pai Mei as he realised the error - he had attempted to strike the Master of Sinanju and suddenly dropping to his knees hoped to appease the only Master on this Earth capable to striking him down.

When next spoke Pai Mei, he did not even look up. "Forgive me Great Master I did not know it was you." The next sensation he felt was pain, like nothing he had ever felt before; almost like every nerve was on fire. "Aaaaaah!" he screamed, not even having to play act to make it look good. The pain and screech was completely genuine and Chuin was pleased and couldn't resist smiling. "Tell me Priest" he spat. "You are the same one from a thousand years ago? You are the one that slaughtered those Shaolin Monks?"

"Yes I am" he answered obediently. "Were they under the protection of Sinanju" he cowed.

"I care nothing for filthy Chinese, chicken thief or no" answered the Master succinctly. He felt like a dog but with a Master of Sinanju there was very little choice, they had even been known to have killed immortals - permanently. The hands of the Master were talons, nails almost a foot long and well capable to cutting steel and penetrating any material according to legend – the Knives of Eternity wafted before his eyes like a Guillotine and one wrong move may be his last. What was he to do? He would not remain bowed much longer even a master of Sinanju. "How is it that you are still alive?"

"I do not know. I was born this way" he answered and explained what he knew about immortality. Chuin nodded once sagely, "Pity one of my ancestors was not immortal," and shook his other hand free of the long sleeved Kimono.

Richie had watched the scene before him speculatively, having followed the White Lotus Priest, staying unobserved. Silently praising himself saw Pai Mei attack the smaller oriental in the Kimono, only to miss every time, and then surprisingly he went a ghastly white colour. He stayed in the Shadows. "Come out filthy verminous Ninja!" ordered the Korean. "I know you are there. I can hear your incompetent footfalls; if you do not I will find you!"

Pai Mei looked shocked that someone had managed to trail him without being seen or heard and seeing how cowed and subdued the White Lotus adept was Richie opted to be visible. "Good" remarked the Master of Sinanju. "It is good to see the Ninja still show respect to their betters," he said looking pointedly at white haired man.

He Mei weighed his options very carefully, part of him always wanting to beat a Master of Sinanju – he had been studying non-stop for over a thousand years, practicing his external and internal styles. Yes, he thought rising, time for the dog to lie with the sheep no longer. Striding forward boldly, "Did I say you could rise Priest" spat Chuin. Pai Mei looked on defiantly having been too weighed down earlier with tradition of bowing and scraping before Sinanju. "Try your best old man!" he challenged tugging his beard twice.

Richie watched in shock as Pai Mei actually tried to best a Master of Sinanju, having now established they were no longer legend how many other legends are real he thought. Searching for wood to tap just in case and used a tree touch wood thank goodness thought Richie. He'd never been superstitious but sometimes you just have to give in. He had never realised how skilled Pai Mei was, and surprisingly managed to strike Chuin several times. It was not long however before the nails of the Sinanju Master lashed out removing the arms of the Priest, first one and then the other.

Chuin nodded to the Priest, who looked down at his armless torso in horror. "What have you done to me" he screamed impotently. He like many other had heard that Masters of Sinanju could obviously perform spectacular feats, and now suspected that the legends surrounding them were actual fact, having been known to pound concrete with their bare hands, break through several feet of steel without injury, no longer old wives tales. Pride he thought ruefully that had been his downfall. Pride had always been his down fall. He didn't know how to re-grow his stumps although some immortals had been rumoured to have that knowledge.

Richie noticed that not a speck of blood adorned the robes of the Sinanju Master, as he placed his hands in the sleeves of voluminous robes. "Perhaps I should leave you like that" squeaked Chuin. "Fitting perhaps" he said looking towards Richie. "Tell me Ninja what is it you want here?" Richie suddenly realised exactly how much danger he was in. "He has been following me and basically haranguing me for the last few days"

"Mmmmmm…." Muttered Chain supportively, "Anything else?" said his squeaky voice.

"Er…not really. I just wanted to see where he was going and maybe get my own back"

"Should I kill him?" asked Chuin rhetorically, "He is worthless" he spat. "Maybe I should kill you too?"

Richie began to back away, and certainly never saw Chuin's hand move as it decapitated Pai Mei, (note 29) head rolling along to rest beside a bush. The Quickening flowed out of Pai Mei and into the nearest immortal – Richie. The White Mist picked him up into the air, lightning arcing from the corpse into Richie and nearby bushes.

After a minute Richie dropped to the floor, Chuin was immediately on him. "You did not tell me you were like him" his squeaky voice boomed. "Why?"

"B…b.b….because it isn't something you admit to"

"Ashamed" quizzed Chuin. Richie was still unable to stand, Chuins' hand around his throat, scarcely able to breathe.

"No! He withheld information from you". The Master of Sinanju looked at the Ninja expectantly, and slowly began to remove his hand, releasing the pressure. "Speak" he urged.

"He did not mention Lin Tao" said Richie now privy to Pai Mei's knowledge. "I saw him back in States at the airport, he's supposed to have found a means of immortality." He cried fearfully. Not sure if it was alchemical or other means. Chuin knew he spoke the truth by observing the respiration and pulse rate and other factors. The immortal had told the truth. "I will not kill you today," remarked Chuin. "Perhaps at some future time you may be off use to me. What is your name?" Having no choice but to acquiesce he told him. When he was finally released Richie ran as fast his immortal legs would carry him.

Marcus Hamilton (note 30) was walking down a Paris street, it was dark, and having a few hours off guarding the Senator decided to go and enjoy the sights and sounds and smells. He wanted to smash and pound most mortals, small temporary things that they were. It was then he felt the Quickening of another immortal. In the 1908 he had formed a deal with certain powers; Fenrir – Wolf, Khnum – Ram; and Demogorgon – Heart, (note 31) as all three gods wanted more power and were willing to do anything to get it. They had empowered him by allowing him to drink Ambrosia, the Divine Nectar. In Tunguska they had given him vast amounts of Quickening energy which had blasted apart almost forty miles of trees, supercharging his supernal frame – stronger than any immortal even more so than the Kurgan.

He walked around, not overly concerned – Marcus had been told that only one immortal was a threat to him; Connor Macleod for he had the Quickening of the immortal sorcerer Nakano; who thousands of years ago had received the Quickening of one of the first immortals which dated back almost seventy thousand years ago although it was unclear how Nakano had achieved this miracle, although the three gods believed One of the First had done so willingly – bored of eternal life, ultimately seeking release.

Although the Mongol Khan (note 32) had killed Nakano, he had been unable to access the vast powers and knowledge contained within the Quickening; Connor was one of the few immortals who could. The older Macleod could access all the knowledge and power contained within every Quickening he possessed.

Walking around the corner Marcus saw an unfamiliar immortal. "Look what we have here" remarked the unknown immortal, smirking. "My first catch of the day".

Marcus could feel other immortal presences on the edge of his awareness, skirting at the edge of his range, there one minute gone the next. This immortal wasn't playing fair but then again neither was he. "Who are you" he asked stepping back, the Quickening of this immortal was extraordinary.

The other immortal wagged a finger like he was chastising a child, tutting – "Now don't you think that would be telling?" he baited while drawing a sword. This entire situation was beginning to get on Marcus' nerves and drew his broadsword sword; he never understood why anyone would want a Katana, only had one edge and less effective for killing. "My name is Marcus Hamilton and I work for some very powerful people" he warned. The other immortal laughed.

"Jacob Kell" he said.

With the extra power given by Wolf, Ram and Hart he should be faster and stronger than any other Quickening immortal, guess he was wrong as Kell swatted his attacks aside like Marcus was a clumsy child. It made him angry and bringing his superior strength into play stepped into Kell's attack and knocked the sword from his hand. Marcus threw Kell twenty feet away through a brick wall and followed the other immortal inside, stepping over the masonry he saw Kell stand upright; smirking. "Well is this where you kill me?" he taunted. Hamilton's answer was the swing of his sword cutting Kell in half. (note 33) The two halves stepped away from each other, both full of Quickening inside, and suddenly become two whole Kell's. What the hell? He thought. This was impossible!

Marcus stepped back alarmed, taken back by the power displayed; there is no such thing as magic, his empowerment by the Senior Partners had proved that, knowledge had also been included in the deal. "What is this?" he cried.

"What's the matter?" said both Kells. "Wolf got your tongue?" they said in synchronisation, spreading their arms theatrically as a sword flew into the hand of both. This confused Marcus more, there was only one sword? "What are you?" he inquired, stepping away from both apparitions, nearly tripping over masonry under foot.

"I don't care about the Game" he spat vehemently, dragging his sword along a metal support, sparks erupting from the friction. Kell swung his sword which Marcus ducked and hurled the body at his duplicate. Both fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs and rose as one single being surrounded by Quickening, sparks arcing from his fingertips and body, a wind swirling into the room from nowhere.

Turning to run maybe he could slow him down and hurled his sword at Kell; who raised a hand in a 'stop' gesture. Marcus saw the sword slow down and stop, impacting with some force field, hanging suspended in the air. The hell with this and Marcus ran as fast as his feet would carry him. In this case Marcus overtook cars as he sped past at forty miles per hour. He didn't bother or even dare to look back and knew if he faced this immortal again there was only one outcome his death.

Kell let the quarry escape as it amused him to do so. Terror was such a fantastic weapon.

"Maybe later" he said to thin air ominously. He knew where Marcus would go and would pick up on it later, other immortals followed him obediently. Hamilton hadn't been the target anyway and spotted the barge floating by the quayside. Aaaaah! He thought and felt the Quickening signalling the presence of another immortal. Hopefully Duncan and sighing contentedly, advanced on the boat.

Richie Ryan felt completely different of late after having taken the Quickening of the immortal Ninja Master Okasa and the immortal White Lotus adept, as though they were subtly influencing him somehow changing his tastes and beliefs. One thing was for certain the world would never be the same again for the young immortal.

He'd only recently had chance to flick through the memories of what made Pai Mei different to other martial artists and despite what many thought, it really wasn't all that much. It was so basic, elemental. The secret had been encountering a Master of Sinanju almost nine hundred years ago and watched in awe at his technique and ability; as he easily killed a hundred armed Chinese soldiers without being out of breath. Something had struck Pai Mei at the time how differently they breathed, a rhythm, a cycle, a depth that no one else had - and he had been determined to learn it; and so he had albeit covertly by hiding in the shadows, pretending to be meditating, or reading. Deathly afraid at being discovered by the Master of the time, but the blow that brought death never came. So he had studied what he did, how he moved but most importantly how he breathed. It had taken many years or trial and error but in the end, success had been immediate; allowing a fluidity of movement and relaxation of the muscles so much so that speed was greatly enhanced. Unknown to either, he had begun to unlock the latent psychic centres of his brain allowing the cultivation of abilities other mundane martial arts could only dream of.

Yet the memories of Pai Mei brought greater revelation, Quickening immortals thought they were the only type that existed, how wrong they were. He knew about the other types of immortals; Buddhas or Arhats from mythology existed, even the Jade Emperor himself. The immortal White Lotus Priest had even met other gods over his thousand plus years of existence; like Ares and Aphrodite; Thor, and had never been as afraid of them as the Master of Sinanju who were synonymous figures of excellence the world over. It was all kind of mind blowing he thought, what a diverse world we live in.

Right now all Richie wanted was peace and quiet and sitting in Mac's barge seemed perfect. If his mentor returned, as Richie hoped, he would do everything to help Duncan, who once upon a time was a father figure, now replaced by McAllister who he knew would never turn on him. Yet he owed Macleod nonetheless. Come one Mac were are you? He thought and felt the presence of an immortal. "Alright Mac, way to go" he said out loud and opened the door expectantly; the face was not what he expected.

"Who are you?" asked Richie who usually would have stuck a colourful metaphor in that sentence and now no longer felt the need. Perhaps their Quickening is helping me to grow up?

"Aaaaaah. You are not Duncan, but your presence here means you must know him" said the figure, the tones were so silky and soothing yet somehow menacing all at the same time. Normally Richie would be getting angry about now, but the young immortal felt only serenity and peace before the oncoming storm he might need to become.

"Mystery man huh" he retorted sarcastically.

"Only to you boy"

He smiled at the phrase 'boy', knowing it used to annoy him once upon a time but no more. "If you don't want to fight, that's fine by me".

The other seemingly drew his sword from nowhere, "Oh but I do want to fight, it'll be my message to the Macleods', your body will be a fine example, to make them suffer in torment"

"Okay I get it" he replied. "You could at least tell me your name". The other immortal laughed and attacked.

Despite extremely advanced martial art knowledge through the Quickening of both Okasa and Pai Mei; the guy was incredibly fast, almost catching Richie off guard. Swords clashed and sparks flew in the air like fireworks. Both ducking and parrying reflexively the younger immortal struck a nerve plexus in the arm causing him to drop the sword. Backing up a step Kell willed the sword to his and hand and catching it he continued to engage Richie.

Despite everything the older immortal was besting Richie unbelievable he thought, not only do I find and fight the only other immortal who can beat me and wondered if the Jade Emperor was angry with him somehow; or possibly some other god. Seeing no other alternative Richie had to disengage and using the higher ground drew Kell to the side of boat bear the water. Throw him I the water and get away. It was then he felt the presence of other immortals.

"Great" he mumbled. "What else can go wrong?"

"You are remarkably resilient, even Duncan would not have done this well" said Kell in admiration. "What you thought to lure me over there" he said pointing at the side of the boat "and then hope to escape"

Kell could not help but smile at the other immortal, definitely better than Duncan and hoped his death would cause Connor grief. Something about him though.

Richie could see other immortals approaching. "What are they your groupees?" he said acidly.

"I don't care about the Rules" stated Kell without remorse. Using a feint managed to briefly get inside Kell's guard again, taking the opportunity knocked the immortal into the water using his shoulder. "Right" he said nonchalantly and stepped onto the quayside. Throwing a smoke bomb Richie hoped to vanish like the Ninja of legend, and gathering his psychic energies used it to fool the minds of the immortals present. He weaved through them, passing harmlessly by until a Chinese in a brown leather jacket stood ten meters to his right, blocking his way.

"That won't work on me" he said confidently. "I've only seen that level of skill in one man but you are not him".

Kell was enjoying playing with Duncans' friend, testing his skills, seeing how good he was. Not good enough. He thought.

Richie could not afford the distraction as the others would be on him in moments; it would be five to one and he'd certainly die shortly as the immortal – Kell was getting out of the water. He didn't look happy either. The Chinese attacked and Richie blocked, and quickly used a counter strike cut deeply into his forearm, catching him with a quick elbow. He kept on running and when he saw a cab jumped in immediately. Giving directions for Joe's Bar he began to relax, breathing deeply and luckily not for the last.

Kell entered the offices of Wolf, Ram and Hart unconcerned about the puny mortals whoattacked him. Marcus felt the presence of that same immortal as earlier accompanied by the others again, a tremor of fear passed through him. Screams could be heard from the floors below as people were massacred. Running for a back stairwell hoping the deaths of the others would be enough of a distraction to allow his escape. Faster and faster his legs pumped, arms using the rail for support and balance, speeding down the stairs pausing only briefly to check intermittently ensuring that no one saw or detected his presence, good he thought, let their deaths be for a good cause mine! As he got to the bottom and opened the door to a room at the back of the offices, one very few knew about his heart sank.

"Kell!" he shouted as the immortal advanced sword drawn. Blocking the strike he hit Kell seeing the immortals jaw collapse inward, symptomatic of Marcus' incremented physical abilities courtesy of a certain three gods. The blow hurling Kell out into the lobby, flying through a supporting wall and landing like a rag doll. Multiple bones were obviously broken. He should have died temporarily and kicked the other immortal into a wall hearing yet more cracks not sure if it was Kell or the wall – maybe both he reasoned. Marcus had certainly felt most of the rib cage cave in and penetrate his torso.

The other immortals clearly registered shock on their faces at the damage he'd sustained; Jacob stood blood all down his face, one side still smirking - now completely healed. Marcus stepped back, face pasty in shock at how easily Kell had absorbed and then healed the punishment, without even a temporary death. His normal arrogant façade broken, and trying not to panic sought other means of escape.

"You'll have to do far better than that" Kell remarked and summoned his sword back and catching the blade continued to attack with a ferocity bordering on madness.

He ducked and moved aside art the right moment, avoiding an extremely well placed cut my Kell that nearly removed his arm; and after several more parries and blocks, surprised when his sword shattered on another impact, and helpless before the obviously more powerful immortal. He idly wondered what would happen if a Quickening was released here in a structure designed by Ivo Shandoor, designed to draw in and hold psychic and supernatural forces. Head rolling from his shoulders, eyes blinking briefly at Kell before his vision darkened and Quickening spewed from his corpse.

Kell was lifted twenty feet in the air as mist and electricity arced from Hamiltons' body, Quickening surging through his cells the energy contained by the building built by Shandoor, amplifying the energy in the process. As he floated gently to the floor a low base rumble shook the building.

Part way through his journey he changed the destination, and opted for Paris Watcher HQ, where both Leonides and Logan were staying. Bugger staying in a grotty barge when they had the lap of luxury. Arriving he found the place empty, but there was a note.

Richie – I've gone out for some food and will be back by 7pm – Leo.

Below that was another note.

Richie – gone to get a book to read, back soon – Logan.

He checked his watch, a good two hours before Leonides came back. He quite fancied a book too and went out in search of Logan.

Logan was in a bookshop, and it wasn't a modern kind of place full of pristine shelves and brand new books like Waterstones, but this was the place full of books that smelt old, they had that I've been read a thousand times before look. Classic books! Logan savoured the smell and was currently leafing through a couple while also noticing the attractive blond woman behind the counter. He heard the bell above the door and ignored it, continuing to examine several more books – this looks promising he thought, and placed a couple more on the 'I will be buying these' pile.

One of the men approached the woman behind the counter and asked to borrow her pen, and she refused. It was when she squealed that Logan came out from behind the shelf. "Is there a problem?" he asked pointedly. His tone had come out quite gruff, but he wasn't worried about that, and quickly scoped out those present; three men who seemed of average build, nothing exceptional about them, but then that didn't prove anything. Although to Logans' enhanced smell they gave off an oddly non human odour. "Hey!" said Logan. "Leggo of her" he shouted. The woman used the distraction to push her attacker away.

There was one moving towards Logan, the other was keeping watch by the door; while the nearest one turned and attempted to slug the immortal; glancing off his Adamantium skeleton, seeing the surprise on his assailants face. "Aaaaa" he cried clutching his damaged hand protectively.

"Them's the breaks kid" said Logan and landed a punch on his jaw which caused his opponent to stagger but not to fall. Now surprise showed on Logans' face, just as the other got near enough. He heard the snick of the man drawing a blade, and he turned at the last instant to avoid a knife. The woman behind the counter stayed where she was.

Logan showed one his cold predatory smiles, "What you think I don't got a weapon" he growled, as three adamantium blades each a foot long appeared from above the knuckles on either hand. Both men stepped back and with a casual slash cut one knife in three pieces, steel dropped to the floor clattering noisily. "Well you gone quiet on me" he said advancing. "Just not your day today", and punched one in the chest using his full strength, not holding back on iota; at the last minute he withdrew the blades before impact. That left two, and one no longer had a weapon to speak of.

"What 'bout you bub?" asked Logan. "What say you leave here in one piece or do I turn you into kebab and feed you to nearby dog?"

One of the supermen looked concerned and began to back away. "Get him!" shouted the assailant by the door. "No way, he's got bloody knives in his arms" retorted the other, having never seen anything like it.

"Don't be so damn ridiculous" shouted the door man. Logan extended one blade along the middle knuckle in an 'up yours gesture'. "Izzat a fact?" he menaced. The one by the door pulled a gun out with a silencer, "Now get out of my way or we shoot both of you" he remarked. "Hand me your pen" he said directing the comment at the blond behind the desk. "Go ahead shoot me" challenged Logan, backhanding the nearest assailant who had tried to duck almost parahuman fast, but not quite making it. Something isn't right here but those thought were quickly squelched as Adamantium connected with a jaw which broke quite audibly, twisting to the side with the impact. A slight puffft noise could be heard and a red stain appeared on Logan's chest.

"Now whose laughing"

Logan began to cough, something was stuck in his throat, and one final splutter and he spat the bullet onto the floor, a trick he's learnt over the years. The man with the gun looked alarmed, impossible he thought and shot the Logan in the head, watching as the bullet bounced off his skull, taking a gobbit of flesh with it, noticing it healed instantly. Logan fell back one step reeling; the impact had rung a few bells. He rolled with speed that belied his size, but the shooter reacted almost as preternaturally fast, as four more shots slammed into his torso, one glanced off his shoulder blades. Not that it did any good.

The assailant never screamed as Adamantium emerged from the top of his skull, there was no time to as brain functions were immediately terminated. "Not your day at all". He turned to look at the woman who just vaulted over the counter and ran for the upstairs. "It's okay" he said calmly. Then two more men bowled in through the front door, and continued in his direction. "Run!" he yelled and made to follow her. "Go" he urged, though she needed no encouragement. As they went up the stairs, she was obviously trying to out distance Logan for some reason, must feel threatened by him.

Entering an office that contained some type of computer he'd never seen before, not even in the Government had anything as advanced fishy he thought, quickly closing the door and jamming it with a chair. A man that must be in his sixties entered what appeared to be a bank vault full of blue mist. Logan was about to yell when two bodies impacted with the solid oak door which obviously would not hold for long.

"Go on!" Roberta urged Gary. "I'll hold them!" she yelled. Smoke began to appear from pieces of equipment self destruct, "Hey lady are you supposed to trigger doomsday with us in the building?"

He cocked his head slightly, as Roberta's mouth opened, interrupting whatever she was going to say, "There's one on the roof too"

"How the hell you do know that?" she asked worriedly fiddling with her pen. Another bang as two bodies impacted the door.

"How many times I'm not going to hurt you, but if the self destruct is on countdown don't you think we need to leave?"

Roberta did not know what to make of the strange man who had saved her; he appeared to clearly be not quite human, spontaneous tissue regeneration told her that, but clearly not a child of Chrysalis. Alien. "Up the stairs is the only way" she said turning towards a wall which she pushed, revealing a hidden flight of stairs. "We'll just have to deal with whoever is up there"

"You go first"

"No you" Roberta gestured, clutching the 'Servo' for dear life.

Logan shook his head, some kind of operative but he had no idea for whom she worked. "Fine" he grunted. "But you can deal with Bonnie and Clyde" he said and started up the stairs. Although the passageway was dark his preternatural eyes adjusted immediately and within moments reached a door that quite evidently led to outside, daylight was visible around it. Kicking it open stealth be damned and charged out.

What greeted Logan was obviously supposed to be a woman, but she had worked out that hard that no mammary tissue remained and looked more like a man. "Sheesh" uttered Logan, "that's repulsive". The woman swung. Logan wasn't sure whether she didn't like the phrase or because she had intended to anyway. She almost connected too, striking with the speed of a panther. Adamantium blades slashed across her stomach, internal organs falling onto the floor. She frantically bent down tried to put them all in, but blood loos took its toll and within moments she was dead. Roberta appeared at the top of the stairs unable to see what had transpired, "What's that smell?"

"Guess someone couldn't keep their lunch in" said Logan irritably, his nose twitching at the stench. As soon as Logan moved Roberta saw the mess, intestines and all sorts of organs littered the roof. She immediately wanted to be sick time for that later. Looking down over the roof saw a carnival moving through the city all in fancy dress. "Grab on" he said placing his hands carefully on either side of the ladder.

Roberta knew instinctively what he was going do – "We'll fall" she said concerned noticing other of Khans super soldiers were standing around the building. "Look" she pointed.

"I can see them. I'm not blind" Logan said sourly, "Any better ideas?" Actually she did having just spotted a cart moving along the street full of hay, "Follow me", and she jumped, her fall cushioned by the hay, although winded. She coughed but quickly rolled aside. He smirked while simultaneously shaking his head, "You're some piece of work"

Richie had been looking for Logan everywhere and having given up purchased books already. Nothing overly taxing, just something to lose himself in, and forget the everyday world, but he had to stay alert with Jacob Kell out there; and his gang. He didn't want to be ambushed. He looked at an English paper which clearly described a building belonging to a legal firm collapsing, it had to be Kell somehow every fibre of his being screamed it. But despite the news there appeared to be people in masks walking through the city having a good time. Richie grinned until he heard Logans' dulcet tones.

"No way lady, I'm sticking close to you until I can deliver you to your employer"

"Stop calling me lady". She sounded irritated.

"So what is your name, your real name?"

"Roberta Lincoln"

"Logan". It was at this point Richie walked around the corner with a carrier bag full of books.

"Richie Ryan" he said extending a hand. "I hope he's not being a sourpuss, has a tendency to be get grumpy without his sugar fix".

Roberta smirked at Richie, "At least some your friends are polite, unlike you" she retorted.

His face took on scowl, resembling a thunderstorm. "Listen Roberta without me back there you'd probably be dead" he whispered. "I also want to know who the hell those guys were" he said grabbing her arm. "Time to go home" remarked Logan. "I'm gonna kill William Striker" he whispered. Having very little choice at the moment went with the flow, stopping abruptly for one second turned to look at her 'saviour'. "They were nothing to do with him if that's what you mean". Logan grunted and pushed her into a taxi. Answers will come he thought.

Leonides was still not home so they had the place to themselves for a bit. "You look different Richie, did you get a……." he began realising that another was present. "Did you….?"

Richie caught on. "Yeh I did, tell ya' later". Roberta was about to interrupt and tell them about Khan, not everything but the 'bare essentials', as they did not need to get involved but decided against it. "Look" urged Logan. "We're not going to hurt you" he began, "but those mooks in the shop obviously knew who you were and had your description and there might be more in the city."

She caught on immediately to what he was saying but she had to test a theory first. "So I'm free to leave?"

"Sure" he answered gesturing towards the door. "Go, but this time you're on your own". He went into the fridge and got a beer, "Richie you want one?"

"Please!" responded Richie. He pulled two beers out the fridge and removed the tops, emerging back in the lounge. Roberta stood there with her hands on her hips, pouting. "You still here" smirked Logan.

Roberta turned to leave and swivelled back to face Logan, "You are so infuriating!" she said stamping her foot petulantly.

"I have that effect on people" he said. "Look I did mean it, stay" he relented. She sat down as the days events causing her to sag in the chair.

"I could use a shower" she moaned running her hand through her hair, pulling hay out. She felt grimey.

"Help yourself" he remarked absently. "They'll be a glass of red wine with your name on it when you get back". For such a lout she thought, maybe he can be thoughtful too. She turned the shower using the noise to disguise her voice, got her 'Servo' out and attempted to contact Seven. She hadn't got undressed yet, as standing there naked to talk to her employer; even though he couldn't see her seemed improper somehow.

Back in the lounge Richie and Logan exchanged stories about the events of the day. Both sat there tired. It was at this point they heard the door opening as Leonides walked in. "Hey guys have you seen news today?" Both stayed on the sofa and groaned in annoyance.

"What did I say?"

She was just coming out of the bathroom in a huge towelling bath robe, the news from Gary was not good. It would take a week before his alien benefactors would get the materials established for a new base but he had however expressed an interest in meeting Logan.

Gary Seven, a.k.a 'Control' was worried. Before his office had been placed on self destruct to stop Khan's supermen from accessing the alien technology, several alerts had gone off. Beta 6 had clearly picked up several large readings of bio-electric energy, anaphasic energy to be exact - one was in the gardens of Paris, but the most important one was huge, situated in the offices of the corrupt Lawyers Wolf, Ram and Hart. Not only did his readings confirm the buildings ability to concentrate certain energies but it also acted as an amplifier; so much so that several buildings next to it had been demolished in the energy release. Unheard of he thought. What could cause such a build up of anaphasic energy? A life form? Hidden technology? Whatever it was it had Gary worried, but his next few days would be busy anyway arranging to have the parts transported from fifty thousand light years away to their new base in London.

Notes

(22). Why having a trio of immortals, as you can see the adversaries are extremely old and powerful or artificially augmented. Even a mortal Master Ninja would be unable to prevail against such foes. Thus I had to phase out the first set of characters who were a lead up to Richie meeting those he needed to, sort of a first rung on the ladder as it were.

(23). Weapon X. Obvious link to a super soldier project which fits in well with Eugenics Wars. Do not expect to see any other Marvel or DC characters though. Some may appear but my universe has nothing in common with theirs.

(24). Tau-Tau, a method of learning to use psychic powers detailed in Eric Van Lustbader novels which does indeed have split disciplines.

(25). See the Eric Van Lustbader novel Floating City detailing this further. The Binding Path allows the user to use both Kshira (darkness) and Akshara (light) in tandem without taint or corruption.

(26). Lin Tao is an original character of mine, but the setting is from the film the Lost Empire.

(27). Dan Clifford was a character who appeared in the BBC series Casuality. Methos was in Highlander, but both were both played by Peter Wingfield allowing a link.

(28). In the Eugenics Wars by Greg Cox, a scientist present in the original Chrysalis Project was Maggie Erickson, whose fiancée was Dr Walsh, thus her name became Dr Maggie Walsh from the erstwhile Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. Thus allowing a connection between Buffy and Highlander, and two Watcher Councils, who obviously must work in tandem.

(29). I could not in all conscience allow Richie or his erstwhile companions to kill Pai Mei, he is simply too powerful and capable for that. Plus, if he can trounce 60 Shaolin Monks, three Ninja Masters will be no problem, as he demonstrated.

There was only one martial artist who was capable of removing such a powerful figure as Pai Mei, Chuin Master of Sinanju. For those that don't know Sinanju in the Destroyer books is the Source of all the Martial Arts, the rest being 'rays' as 'Sinanju is the sun' to quote Master Chuin.

The feats that they are capable of are all carried out in series, at one time or another and without bearing witness to them one would logically believe them fables or exaggerated, let's face it would you believe someone who said that a hundred year old Korean barely five foot could dodge bullets and kill a SWAT team. Hardly, thus although Pai Mei knows their rep, he doubts some of their capabilities.

One of Pai Mei's flaws is his arrogance which is displayed in the Kill Bill duology, Beatrix Kiddo who obeys his every whim gets taught Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, while Elle Driver for offending the White Lotus adept loses an eye.

(30). Marcus Hamilton is the one who trounced Ilyria in Angel during the last two episodes. I read a fanfiction where he was an extremely powerful immortal and I liked the idea, hence my use here. We know he is not a vampire, thus logic dictates he must be something else.

(31). Wolf, Ram and Hart must be something, obviously related to the Powers that Be. My idea is that they are gods from various pantheons, and by doing this made it easier to incorporate other mythologies.

(32). I have changed Kane to Khan from Highlander 3, primarily because I do not want to be able to distinguish between them; and considering how he looked in the film it is more likely he is a Mongol from the Steppes.

(33). I using Kell from Endgame and he displayed numerous mystical abilities in the trailer, despite them never appearing in the film. Besides the powers displayed in the trailer fit with my world, hence my use of them.

(34). Ivo Shandoor is a reference to the mythical architect in Ghostbusters.

(35). Aegis Books is the name of the shop that Roberta Lincoln and Gary Seven use in book two of Eugenics Wars, only this is slightly AU and in France.