Chapter Two
Nick took this opportunity to study his former team. Elsie looked different, she seemed thinner and in the short time he had with her, he could tell how stressed out she was. Her face was hollower and her eyes seemed to lack that energy they used to have. She was wearing shorts and an oversized T-shirt and her hair was wavy and a little longer than shoulder length. Then there was Mendel. WOW. That was basically what was to be said about him, except that now he had a little fashion sense, he had on jeans and a blue muscle shirt and still had long hair. Actually, he was just like the Mendel they met when they were caught in that time traveling storm. Except without the scar. He looked over at Randy who was reviving the shocked Mendel. Randy was dressed in the same thing and he was looking much better too. Nick smiled. Same hair though. Monique had on her traditional black pants and jacket over a purple shirt. But now her jacket had the French flag emblazed on it. Her hair was longer, it came down straight until a bit below her chin where it curved and framed her face. He frowned. She was the leader of the espionage troops on his tail. Nick then realized everyone was staring at him. He sighed. "I guess 'it's a long story' isn't going to cut now."
"You are right, it's not," Monique stated. More silence. Randy broke it by saying, "We were all joking at how much Mendel had changed-"
"But looks like you changed the most," Mendel finished. Elsie hadn't said anything. She couldn't believe it. Now she came out of her reverie with a whispered. "Why?"
Nick looked away. "You wouldn't understand," he said softly. Just then they heard the sounds of the police. "He's in there, I think he has hostages!" Nick mentally kicked himself, he had let his guard down. Before anyone could say anything, he pulled his hat down over his eyes, collected his throwing stars and disappeared, melting into the shadows. The rest of the team just stared at the empty space where he was standing. "Now I now why he's called the Shadow Dragon," Elsie thought. The NYPD ran up to them. "Where'd he go?" one of them asked.
Everyone stayed silent. It was Monique's choice on whether to rat Nick out or not. She was the one tracking him. She stepped forward. "I do not understand your question. We are the only ones here."
The policeman looked her over critically for a second. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Monique replied. He sighed and told the forces to move out, they lost him again. When they were gone everyone turned their attention to Monique. She just said "It was useless to tell them, they would never find him."
Randy sighed. "I guess we lost him forever." Mendel smiled. "Not quite."
"Do you know something we don't know?" Elsie inquired. Mendel showed them a small beeping tracer. "I attached a tracer to Nick's shoe. We will know were he is anywhere in the world." Everyone thought, do we really want to talk to him again. Elsie seemed to read their minds. "Of course we do. Assassin he may be, but he is still Nick, our friend. And judging by his answer when I asked him why he did this, we shouldn't jump to any conclusions of him turning evil." The others considered this then nodded their heads in agreement. They'd find him tomorrow.
Nick paced up and down the alley where he was to meet his transport. Did he really have to be here? What could they do if he wasn't? No one would dare face off against him in a Circle of Death. No one who valued their life anyway. He had already killed three contenders early on and no one dared to face him since. Except maybe Mario. Mario was probably the only person as hardheaded as he was. He then heard a very soft beeping sound. He looked at the bottom of his shoe and frowned. A tracer. But then he looked closer and recognized it immediately. So Mendel managed to slip a tracer on me. They were probably coming after him right now. Won't they be surprised when he finds them first.
"Are you sure this is the right way," Randy asked.
"Yes, according to my last calculations he should be right here," reported Mendel. They looked around. "Well, where is he?" asked Elsie.
"Lemme check the tracer again." Pause. "Hmm, that's interesting." Mendel murmured.
"What?" Monique inquired.
"The tracer's malfunctioning," Mendel explained. "Must have burned out."
"Highly unlikely" Monique said. "Are all of you armed? Stay on your guard and watch out for him."
"What are you talking about Monique, Nick's not going to come after us," Randy laughed.
"Things change," was all Monique said.
"Elsie, we've been trudging around for hours." Mendel complained. He sneezed. "All this dust is murder on my sinuses" he whined. Elsie rolled her eyes. He may be Mr. Universe on the outside but on the inside he's still the neurotic little wimp he always was. Sorry Crave fans Monique agreed. "Why are we even looking for him?"
"Because he's an old friend and we want to see him again," Elsie said through clenched teeth for the 27th time.
"Else, maybe we should give up," Randy gently suggested. Monique suddenly froze. "We are being watched," she announced.
"I don't see anyone," Elsie said after a while.
"Babe, you're just being paranoid. I don't see anyone, so there's no one here," Randy stated.
"Then you're sense of sight isn't the most reliable around," a voice said. Monique immediately tackled what seemed to be empty space. "Why are you stalking us?" she demanded.
"Oof, good to see you too Monique."
"Hey Nick," Randy said softly.
"How'd you find us?" inquired Mendel.
Nick laughed. "Really Mendel, don't you think after being a fugitive from justice for ten years I'd pick up a few tricks? Like reversing a tracer so it was me tracking you."
Monique stepped up. "Listen Shadow Dragon," she spat, "No one here wants you around."
"Then why were you looking for me? Kinda strange to be searching for someone you don't want around."
"I don't know why, but I was against it from the start."
"Awwwwwwww, you missed me."
"We did not miss you AT ALL."
"Then why were you looking for me?"
"THEY were looking for you so they could get some kind of explanation from you."
"And your point is??"
"My point," Monique began, "Is that you are nothing but a heartless BASTARD!"
Nick bristled. "I can see when I'm not wanted," he said dryly. Nick immediately started leaving. Oh no you don't Elsie thought. She ran up and tackled him to the ground. "God, what is with you guys tackling me?" he said. Elsie didn't say anything and pulled him away from the rest of the group to talk to him alone. She didn't say anything for awhile, she couldn't think of the right words to start. Finally she said, "Nick look, I know it's been a long time and we've all changed. Regardless of what the others think, I want to talk to you and know what happened. So maybe while the others get French Fry to cool off you could stay at my place?" she asked semi-hopefully. Nick considered this. "Are you all right with it?"
"With what?"
"You know what."
"Yeah," she said softly, "I'm alright." Nick scrutinized her. "Okay."
She smiled. "Great, you wanna go get your stuff?" He held up a black backpack. "This is my stuff." She stared at him. "That's all?"
He shrugged. "I was expecting to be gone in about 19 hours, so I packed light." She sighed. "We can go shopping in the morning."
Mendel lay on his couch trying to clear his head. He was debating over whether to call Elsie. He wondered if she was all right. It had been three hours. What could he do in three hours? Mendel kicked himself. What was he thinking, Nick would never hurt her. But he was still worried. Mendel sighed. The torch he carried for Elsie ten years ago had been re-lit. He thought for awhile. Maybe he should ask her out. But there was one problem, the same one that held him back during H.E.A.T. Nick. Elsie had a crush on Nick ever since she met him. Only problem was he had a girlfriend then. But now he was unconnected and staying in her apartment. Perfect. He sighed again and turned on the TV.
Nick looked around Elsie's apartment. She had gone out to get something to eat. He came across some legal papers. Divorced twice. Ouch. Elsie never was the luckiest person when it came to love. Then again, neither was he. He was interrupted by the sound of the door closing. He got up and went to meet her. She smiled brightly when she saw him. "Hey Nicky, I got us some Chinese food, you like Chop Suey right?"
"Yeah, haven't had it for a long time," he cautiously replied. Why was she being so bright and peppy? Didn't she know who he was? They sat down at her small table for two. After awhile she looked up. "Nick what's wrong, who barely touched your food."
"I guess I'm not hungry," he replied quietly. Elsie stopped and thought for a bit before saying anything. "Nick I know how you feel. You think you're life has gone downhill and things couldn't be worse. Well it's the same for me. I'm a failure. I've blown millions of dollars on stupid genetics experiments that never worked. I was anorexic and have been divorced twice." She paused. "I've considered suicide more than once and came VERY close to killing myself. I thought my life wasn't worth living. And it must be the same for you. I know you're the same Nick at heart and he would never kill people willfully."
Nick gave her a grateful smile. "So I guess we're just two friends that life has turned it's back on," he said.
Elsie returned the smile. "Guess so." She froze. "Wait, you won't tell anyone about what I said right?"
Nick was confused. "Huh?"
"You know, the stuff about being depressed suicide, being weak?"
Nick laughed. "Don't worry Else, I won't let anyone in on the little secret that you're not superwoman."
The TV was blaring on in Randy's hotel room, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Everything happened so fast. H.E.A.T. had been reunited and everyone had been so successful. Everyone except Elsie. And maybe Nick. He was a successful assassin at least. He frowned. Maybe he should be considering this a different way. Who was happy with their life? Everyone except Nick and Elsie. It felt strange to see them this way. They used to be the most successful people of the team. Elsie was, and still is, a brilliant scientist. Nick was the team leader and a very well known scientist at the age of 27. Now both of their lives had gone downhill. Randy felt sorry for them. But he knew he shouldn't say anything, Nick and Elsie were never too keen on sympathy.
Tony Hicks was frantic. Three mutations had been sighted on the Eastern American seaboard. How did they get that far so fast?! His mood wasn't improved when two more were reported off the coast of New Zealand and Japan. He had a world crisis on his hands. The research team had failed in containing the creatures. He needed someone with experience. Tony picked up the phone and dialed Dr. Elsie Chapman. It rang several times than a man answered. Huh? Elsie wasn't married at this time. "I'm sorry, I must have a wrong number, I was calling for Elsie Chapman," he said.
"No you have the right number," the man answered, "I'll go get her." There was a pause then "Hello?"
"Dr. Chapman, this is Anthony Hicks. I was calling about whether you might have changed your mind on the research team."
"That again?" Elise said exasperated. "Look I don't care how many times you call me, I am not leading a mutation research team."
"Are you sure?" Hicks inquired.
"Of course I'm- hey cut it out!" There was another pause then the man's voice. "She'll call you back." Then they hung up. Hicks was puzzled. Who was he and what was that about?
Elise was steamed. "What the hell did you do that for?" she demanded.
"Why don't you want that job?" Nick asked.
"Because I'm a failure and I'd just screw it up."
"God Else, why are you so negative?"
"Because I have several reasons to."
Nick looked at her. "Else, I knew life had been kinda rough on ya but I didn't know you had changed so much."
"Oh I changed?" Elsie said with a half amused look on her face. "Look who's talking. Plus, what good am I really going to be to the sorry research team they've got?"
"Well, maybe we could bring some people with a little experience in," Nick replied.
"People?" Elsie asked with a raised eyebrow. "As in more than one?"
"C'mon Elsie, who would be better than H.E.A.T.?"
"Nick, in case you didn't notice, H.E.A.T. disbanded."
"We could get the others to work with you, it would be just like old times. You know their numbers, call 'em."
Elsie thought this over and said all right, and went towards the phone but then stopped. "Nick what about you?" she asked softly.
"I'll figure something out," he answered. "Now go!" Elsie considered him for awhile then reluctantly picked up the phone.
Fifteen minutes later all of the team formerly known as H.E.A.T. were sitting in Elsie's living room. Randy was stretched out on the sofa, Monique was in the easy chair, Elsie and Mendel were on the loveseat (heehee), and Nick was standing off towards the side leaning against the wall. Elsie cleared her throat. "You're probably all wondering why I called you here. Well, the military has asked me to assemble a research team to handle the recent breakout of mutations. And I was wondering if you guys would be interested."
Randy was the first to respond. "Are you kidding, of course we're interested. I've been looking for some action around here."
Monique was less enthusiastic. "I suppose we are the best shot the military has, so yes, I'll do it."
Mendel seemed torn. "You know, NIGEL gets beat up a lot and I have trouble fixing him and… and…," he paused and studied the amused looks on the others faces. "oh all right, I'm in."
"All right!" Randy cheered. "Now we just have to choose a leader. I think I am more than qualified, so all in favor of me say aye." It was silent. "Oh come on you guys, I wanna be leader."
"You can't be leader," Mendel argued, "You can't handle the responsibilities."
"Neither of you will suffice, it will have to be me," Monique cut in. An argument started up that was quickly silenced by a shrill whistle from Elsie. "Shut up, all of you. This will never work if we keep arguing. And there might not even be a team, the military will not accept you unless I'm included."
"And why wouldn't you be included?" asked Mendel.
Elsie turned to Nick who had been silent the entire time. "Nick I think you know the answer to that."
Nick sighed. "I don't really know what I'm going to do. I think maybe I'll return to the ring."
"No!" Elsie cried. "You can't! We finally found you, you can't leave me!"
Nick's expression softened. "What other options do I have?"
"You could come with us," Randy offered. "You can just be Nick Tatopoulus, no one has to know you're the Shadow Dragon."
Nick didn't look too keen on the idea until Elsie gently ruffled his hair. "Please Nicky," she pleaded.
"Oh fine," Nick sighed, defeated. Elsie smiled and walked into the kitchen to get a drink. Nick looked around and suddenly felt self-conscious when he saw everyone smiling at him. "What?" he asked, confused.
Randy walked over to Monique and put the same expression Elsie had on. He ruffled Monique's hair while saying in a high voice "Oh Nicky I loooooooooove you." Nick just stared then sighed and said "Listen guys Elsie's great and all but…" Mendel's head jerked up at the 'but'. "I just like her as a friend not anything more." He paused. "I mean after Myst I don't know if I can feel that way about anyone…" he trailed off before realizing his slip up. Elsie returned and was surprised to find everyone staring at Nick critcally. "What?" she asked.
Randy opened his mouth to tell her, but a threatening glare from Nick silenced him and the others. Elsie remained just as confused. "Really guys what happened?" she asked. No one answered. She looked then over than slowly said, "I'm going out to get our lunch, can I trust you guys not to trash my apartment?"
"Oh course you can Else," Randy replied. Elsie grabbed her purse and left. Randy looked over at Nick and said, "Okay who the heck is 'Myst'?"
"No one," Nick answered quickly.. He plopped down on the sofa and switched on the TV before anyone could reply. It came up to a news report done by a pretty blonde reporter. "This is Audrey Timmonds reporting for channel 5 news," she said. Nick stared at the screen. "She still looks great," he mused. He shook his head and changed the channel. He had been in love with her, but it hadn't survived her ten-year absence.
"Are you okay?" asked Mendel.
"About what?" Nick replied.
"About Audrey." Randy supplied.
"Oh, I'm fine," Nick said. "She was nice, but after ten years you tend to forget people."
"Is it about Myst?" Randy asked. Nick bristled and glared at Randy, sending him the message that she was a touchy subject and he should drop it. Monique picked up the remote and flipped to a made for TV movie.
When the show was over Elsie still wasn't back. Randy flipped the channel back to the news, saw nothing interesting was on, then just sighed and turned off the tv. "Now what?" he asked.
"We could play a game," Mendel suggested.
"Like what? Go Fish?" Randy joked.
Mendel beamed. "Exactly what I was thinking." Everyone just rolled their eyes. At that moment Elsie walked in. "Hey guys, got our lunch. Hope you guys don't mind McDonalds. Oh and Nick, I got you some new clothes."
Nick was puzzled. "Why?"
"C'mon, you can't honestly think you're going around dressed like that. There will be cops everywhere and you're a wanted criminal." Nick looked skeptical. "Don't worry," Elsie said, "I guessed you're sizes and got you everything except new shoes." She dumped the contents of the bags onto the sofa. As the others looked at the one-color lump of clothes Elsie explained, "I figured you were pretty partial to black."
"You figured right," Nick muttered as he rifted through them. Elsie smiled. "Guess I know you better than you thought Dr. worm guy. The bedroom's over there, go try them on," she urged pushing him into the room. After a few minutes Nick emerged wearing black pants, and a black shirt under a mid thigh reaching thin jacket (think Keanu Reeves from The Matrix…kinda). Nick brushed away the hair falling over his eyes. "Nick man, you should really get a haircut. I mean those bangs, how can you see. The style's not that bad and all but…" Randy trailed of as Nick gave him a look that clearly said look who's talking. "Never mind, your hair is fine," he said quickly. Nick's smile quickly turned to a frown when he heard a familiar ringing. He picked up his cell phone and looked over the caller ID. "Oh shit," he said softly.
"What, who is it?" Mendel asked.
"It's Mario and he's pissed," Nick replied.
"Who's Mario?" Mendel inquired.
"My boss," Nick answered. After a while of consideration Nick picked it up and said "Hey Mario what's up?"
The rest of the team could hear the yelling on the other side of the phone. Whoever this Mario was, he didn't sound like a very nice person. The conversation escalated to the point where Nick was yelling just as loud as Mario was. Mendel motioned to the others to show that he got NIGEL to tap into the signal so they could listen in. They all gathered around the yellow robot.
"Listen Tatopoulus, you may be a Master Assassin, but I am the leader of the whole damn ring and you have to answer to me."
"Listen Mario," Nick began coldly. "If you're this worked up over this I'll be happy to take it to the Circle." There was a pause on the other end. "And don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're my boss. It's a fight to the death and I have no reservation about killing you just like those other three."
"Listen Shadow Dragon," Mario sneered. "I made you who you are. I trained you myself. I gave you that katana and showed you how to use it to it's full potential. I brought out the full potential in you. Who was it that picked you up and turned you into the most dangerous assassin in the world? I was like a father to you. You owe me."
"You ruined my life," Nick growled. "I don't owe you anything." And with that he hung up. He looked back at the others who had shocked and frightened looks on their faces. "Who are you?" Mendel started. "Because you're not the Nick I know." Nick could only look down at the floor as the others left Elsie's apartment.
End Chapter Two