Chapter Three

Elsie was worried. Nick had locked himself in his room and refused to come out. She was leaning against his door trying to coax him out when there was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Mendel. "Hi Elsie, just thought I'd drop by." She just nodded and let him in. "You want something to drink?" she asked.

"No, I'm okay," he replied. Mendel looked around. "Where is he?" he asked. Elsie just pointed to a closed door at the end of the tiny hallway. "Oh," Mendel said. Elsie heaved a heavy sigh. "He hasn't come out since you all left." Mendel looked guilty. "Is it because of what I said. Lemme tell him I'm sorry."

"No," Elsie said stopping him. "He needs to figure things out. He needs to be alone." Mendel nodded and sat down on the couch. Elsie sat next to him and gave him a weak smile. "So what have you been up to."

"Oh nothing much, working out, fixing NIGEL," he replied. Elsie gave him the first wholehearted smile he saw since he got there. "You look great Mendel," she said. Mendel smiled back and moved closer to her.

Nick finally emerged from his room to find Mendel and Elsie watching TV with Mendel's arm around Elsie and her head on his shoulder. Nick smiled and tiptoed back into his room.

Once back in his unofficial sanctuary Nick lay down on the bed, feeling depressed. Seeing the developing romance reminded him of something he had hoped to forget. He opened up his little backpack and took out a small box. Inside were some photos of things special to him. There was a picture of his family, of HEAT, and some friends from the ring. There was a framed picture of Audrey. He had never bothered to take that out, he never cared or had the time. He opened up the frame to reveal a picture hidden behind Audrey's. It was a woman posing against a black background. She was gorgeous, to put it simply. She was wearing tight, dark pants with spiked boots. She had spiked wristbands too. There were used to deflect bullets and the wristbands were retractable. Her top was basically a strapless bikini tube top. Instead of being straight on the top it spiked down. She was holding a trident that was crossing over her legs. The trident was her primary weapon and was extremely effective. Her long red hair gently framed her face giving her the fiery look she was well known for. Her fiery look AND temper. Under the picture was Mystique. Or Myst as only he could call her Nick fondly remembered. This was her file photo for the ring. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. He thought for awhile than replaced Audrey's picture with Mystique's and placed it on the nightstand. Nick stared at that sadly before drifting off to sleep.

Elsie and Mendel walked over too Nick's room and were surprised to find the door unlocked. They walked in to find Nick asleep. While Mendel looked at the pictures with interest Elsie noticed the nightstand. "What's this?" she said as she picked up the picture. She looked at the woman with interest while Mendel looked over her shoulder and gasped. "Mystique… MYST! That's who she is," he said.

"Myst?" Elsie said. "Mind filling me in here?"

"Nick said something about someone named Myst while you were gone, but I think accidentally slipped out and he wouldn't tell us anything more," he replied. Elsie looked back at the picture as the exited. "Well I think she looks like a slut," she muttered as the door closed.

The music of the Radicals blared into the headphones Randy was wearing as he danced around his hotel room. It was extremely loud so he almost didn't hear his cell phone ring. "Hello?"

"Hey Randy," said the voice on the other line. Randy brigthened. "Hey Candy, what's up?" Candy, or Candice (from the Area 51 episode) was Randy's wife of 7 years. After H.E.A.T's breakup she had offered him a position in Area 51. He had eagerly accepted and spark between them blossomed into a serious romance. He eventually married her, but not too soon after the marriage he was offered his government job. It would require him to travel all over the country. They had discussed it at great length and decided it would be best for Randy if he accept it. He called her almost every day and would stay with her every other weekend if possible. Sometimes he could go for months without even seeing her. He still considered himself a resident of New Mexico. He was on assignment in New York. He smiled. What a coincidence for all of them to be here at the same time. He explained this to Candy. "So everyone happened to be here at the same time. Elsie lives in Manhattan and Mendel in Queens and the rest of us were here on assignment."

"Wow," Candice said, "So what's everyone been up to."

"You should see Mendel, he's more heavily built than me."

"Damn, he must have really changed."

"Naw, he's still the same Dr. C at heart. And Monique is pretty much the same too. She's still working for the French spy thing. Let's see, Elsie has kinda changed, I think she's depressed."

"Oh no," Candy began, "she was so talented, what happened?"

"I don't know," Randy replied. "So anyway we all met and-"

"Wait a minute," Candy interrupted. "You said everyone's back right?"

"Yeah…" Randy answered tentatively, knowing what was coming next.

"So what about Nick?" Randy paused. What should he say? They didn't have an alibi for Nick. Could he trust her with the truth? Randy decided against it. "He never said what it was that he's been doing," he lied.

"Oh, well find out for me 'k?"

"Okay," Randy murmured.

"I have to go now sweetie, call me later?" Candy said.

"Sure."

"Bye, I love you," she said.

Randy took a deep breath and let it out. "Love you too." He hung up the phone, aware of a new problem the team would have to discuss at its first meeting.

Monique paced around her hotel room. This was not happening. She WAS NOT joining forces with the Shadow Dragon. She plopped down on the bed and covered her face with her hands. How the hell did she get talked into this? It was stupid. She was supposed to catch him and turn him in, not start working for him. If she turned him in she could get back to the man who killed Phillipe. But did she really have a choice? Even if she had refused she knew they would pester her until she joined. She sighed. Something deep inside her also wanted to do this. To be working with Nick again. She had to admit she did miss him over the past ten years. Phillipe had too. Monique curled up into a ball and let her mind wander back to the day she had learned of Phillipe's death…

FLASHBACKShe was in her office in their home, looking over the case details she had gotten for her latest assignment. She was supposed to track an escaped felon who was trying to overthrow the French government. He apparently was attracting followers by telling them the reason for all their problems was a massive governmental conspiracy. She shook her head. What a nut. She knew that France hadn't been in the best shape lately and the government could definitely be better, but what kind of person would blame high bread prices on a supposed massive government conspiracy. What was even dumber was the fact that so many people agreed with him. She sighed. The country was truly getting desperate.

She was looking over his recent sightings when the phone rang. The caller informed her of another Ring of Fire assassination. But when she asked who the victim was the caller stuttered a bit before hanging up. Monique drove over trying to ignore the feeling that something was seriously wrong.

When she got there she had to fight through a wall of French agents. She finally got through she looked around for the latest victim. She saw a few friends of Phillipe's huddled together around two bodies. Monique called out to them, but knew something was wrong when their eyes wouldn't meet hers. They parted to let her see the bodies and her heart jumped into her throat.

At first she didn't want to believe Phillipe and Jean were the men lying on the ground, his clothes stained a sickening crimson color. But it was him. She knelt down and took Phillipe's hand. It was unnaturally cold. She stood up and stayed absolutely still. She could feel everyone's eyes on her. Monique took deep breaths, she refused to let herself cry in front of her fellow agents. With a heavy heart she left, she couldn't keep the tears away much longer. But just before she left she noticed a symbol branded into Phillipe's stomach, next to the long cut across his chest that had been the one that killed him. It was a circle with a flame inside of it. She suddenly felt a new feeling flood her, one of anger and lust for revenge. After that she had dropped the conspiracy nut case and vowed that she would take the Ring of Fire agent who killed Phillipe down or die trying. END FLASHBACK

Hot tears streamed down Monique's face. How could she do this? Now she'd never catch Nemesis. The tears were wiped away in disgust. It had been so long and though it always hurt, she never cried when she thought about Phillipe and Jean. She had tried dating again soon after their death, but never got too attached, she was afraid of being hurt again. What was strange was the fact that Phillipe's death had hurt more than Jean's. Maybe it was the fact that with their job, Monique hardly ever even saw Jean. She had even started to doubt if she really loved him. But Phillipe had always been there, he was like a father to her. She missed him so much. Even though it had been so long, it still hurt when she thought of him. This was her weak side, the part of her that she feared. But she needed to be serious. Although she was going to hate it, she had to work with the Sha-Nick. She shook her head. He was Nick now. NOT the Shadow Dragon. And that was who she was going to work with. Not the heartless killer, the man who she used to know. She sighed. This was going to be difficult.

New Zealand coast

People screamed and stared in awe at the sight before them. A majestic orange bird flew over them. The bird's wings were flames, it was a Phoenix. The great fire bird circled over head before swooping down and gliding down a street, burning and crushing every building in sight. Widespread panic ensued as scorched bodies fell to the street and terrified civilians ran for their lives. A frightened family ran into an alley, only to be trapped by a wall of fire ten feet high. They huddled together as they felt themselves picked up in the beak of the giant. The sticky saliva covered them as they each grabbed on to a tooth to avoid being swallowed. But surprisingly, the bird never made an effort to devour them, it seemed to intend to just carry them in its beak. They looked at each other with confused looks. What was it doing? Their questions were answered when the bird stopped and its beak opened a crack. They were on a deserted island, a few miles away from the island they had originally been on. Tentatively peeking through the crack they saw several smaller Phoenixes, chirping loudly with their beaks wide open. They had been brought to the nest. No one heard each person's screams as they were one by one dropped into a chick's eagerly awaiting mouth.

New York City

H.E.A.T. huddled around a table in the plane which was going to transport them to Death Valley, where Tony Hicks was to rondevou with them. There were pictures from New Zealand spread out across the table. Although they were fuzzy and not very detailed they could make out the images of a village burning with what looked like a giant bird flying overhead. Elsie sighed. "Looks like we got our work cut out for us." No one said anything, this was said to be a picnic compared to what was happening in the Sahara desert. Mendel wasn't quite sure he had the stomach for this job as he came across a very clear picture of someone covered in third degree burns with a huge cut across their abdomen with intestine hanging out. He used all his willpower to push the gruesome sight away and force the impending vomit down. The team returned to their seats as the captain informed them it was time for take-off. Mendel sat next to Elsie while Randy promptly reserved a row of two seats to later be used for him to lie down on. Nick and Monique looked at each other. The team needed to in the little triangle of seats to talk to each other, and there were only two seats left. They reluctantly sat down. Monique promptly looked away, pretending to be intently interested in something on the plane's interior wall. Nick sighed. This was going to be a long flight. He didn't really mind sitting next to Monique, except he felt so guilty and awkward. He knew she hated him. And he knew saying he was really sorry, but he had to do it wouldn't get him anywhere. She couldn't understand what he'd been through. None of them could.

FLASHBACKNick woke up lying on a bed in a lavishly furnished room. "Where am I?" he thought. He tried to remember what happened. He remembered the announcement of disbanding H.E.A.T. As sorry as they seemed to be, each member seemed relieved when they heard the news and had left after rather quick goodbyes. The tension between them had not been lifted. He then remembered leaving his apartment at about two in the morning for a walk to clear his head. There was a bottle of liquor that had been full when he left with it, and the same bottle was on the nightstand, almost empty. He groaned. He must have gotten drunk, that's why this was all unfamiliar to him. He checked the date on his watch. It was the day after he had gone for his little walk. What happened? He was snapped out of his thoughts by a strangely familiar voice saying, "Ah, you're finally up, how do you feel." Nick answered without much thought to who the man was. "My head hurts. Where am I?"

"You are in one of our living quarters. In case you are wondering how you got here let me be the first to inform you. You were brought in, utterly drunk, by two of my, er, agents. We patched you up. You would have died if it weren't for our getting you medical attention quickly."

"Oh well, thank you," Nick answered, slightly confused. "Why?"

"Because when they brought you in I sensed something in you. I deterred them from their original plans for you and had them help you," the man replied.

"What did you sense?" Nick asked, curious.

"I sensed potential," the man boomed. "I sensed the potential for you to succeed greatly in our particular field. And I have never been wrong about anyone."

"O-kayyyyyyyyy," he said. "Uh-"

"Listen Nick, I will give you another day to rest, but before that I have a proposition to offer you,"

He was startled. "How did you know my name?" he asked, bewildered.

"I know more about you than you think Dr. Tatopoulus. Like the fact that your team recently broke up and you have nowhere to go," the man started. Satisfied by Nick's bewildered stare he continued. "The proposition I have to offer to you is one of employment. I can offer you great pay and all the training you will need. Interested?" Nick nodded. "I'm listening." The man smiled. "I have prepared a contract. It is standard to all my employees. You work at convenient hours and are paid what you are worth." Nick raised an eyebrow at the last statement. The man just continued. "Don't worry, if my instincts are right you will be worth a lot. Now if you would just sign here." He thrust a paper into Nick's hands. Still a little woozy from all that alcohol, Nick didn't bother to look over the contract. He just took a pen and signed his name. The man snatched the paper out of his hands with a satisfied smile. "Thank you, I look forward to working with you. Now get some rest, you begin tomorrow." Nick just nodded and slumped back onto the bed and went to sleep.

He woke up and was able to only faintly remember the last day's events. He remembered signing some kind of contract that bound him to work for some guy. He chided himself for not actually reading the contract. How could he be so stupid?! "Oh well," he thought. The guy seemed nice enough. He had taken him off the streets and nurtured him back to health. He seemed so eager to get him; it was the least Nick could do. Besides, how bad could it be?

Nick then noticed a note on the nightstand.

Nick-

Please meet me in my office to discuss

the start of you're training. Miss Lei

will direct you to the office.

-Mario

Hmmm, Mario must be the guy from yesterday. He frowned. How was he supposed to find Miss Lei? His question was answered when he heard a voice call to him, "So you're finally up. Hmph, took long enough. Come on, Mario's waiting." Nick looked over to the source of the voice. He soon took in the sight of a stunning Asian woman dressed in traditional garb. He stared for awhile before realizing what he was doing. He blushed, mumbled an apology, then followed her out the door. After a long walk, they finally reached his office, five floors below where Nick was staying. Nick was confused. He didn't remember the view from his room being that far off the ground. This building was underground? But why? He didn't have time to ask because he was ushered into a large office before he could open his mouth. Mario looked up and motioned for him to sit.

"Now Nick," he began, "It's time for you to find out what you're here for. But first, here's a schedule of you day today." Mario tore off a piece of paper from a notepad labeled newcomer forms and quickly filled it out and handed it to Nick. "After breakfast in the dining hall you will report to the first item on there." Nick barely heard him, he was totally confused by the little form Mario had handed him. Weapon selection, basic combat moves? What the hell was this? He looked over to the part where it listed his trainer to find Mario's name. Nick looked at him. "Yes Nick, I will train you myself. You can be one of our finest, and I'll make sure you become one."

Nick shook his head. "Why all the weapon and combat stuff."

"Don't you know Nick?" Mario began. "You are now working for the Ring of Fire, circle of assassins." Nick heart sank and he wearily asked, "And I take it I'm going to be doing more than answering the phone?"

Mario laughed. "Nick you are going to be a full fledged assassins, one of our best!" Nick violently shook his head. "No no no, I mean no, I can't, an assassin? No way." Mario smiled wryly at him. "I'm afraid you have no choice." He handed Nick his contract and Nick felt sick to his stomach to find that he had been signed on for twenty years. "Don't think of purposely failing at being an assassin either," Mario warned. "Anyone who doesn't make it is exterminated." "Anyone who doesn't make it is exterminated." Nick stared at Mario before growling, "Then kill me." Mario raised an eye at him and sighed. "Perhaps it will take a little more persuasion than I thought." He forcefully pulled Nick into a standing position. "Let's take a little walk."

Mario led Nick to a small dimly lit room at the end of the hall. He pushed Nick in and made him sit in a small chair at the center. Nick looked around and tried to stay calm as he saw two heavily built men walk into the room. Mario smirked at Nick's predicament. "Dr. Tatopoulos," he began, "these are Spike and Jay, two of my comrades. Now I'll ask you again, do you agree to honestly go about your training to become an assassin? Before you answer let me warn you that a 'no' will force me to turn you over to Spike and Jay. And believe me," he said smiling grimly, "they like to use a much more physical method of persuasion."

Nick took a deep breath. "I am NEVER joining you."

"Are you sure," Mario asked.

"Yes," Nick replied firmly. Mario sighed and snapped his fingers. Spike and Jay advanced on him. Nick closed his eyes and braced himself.

The first punch hit him in the back of his head. Nick forcefully opened his eyes to find the world spinning around him. He tried to ignore the blinding pain that came with the next blow to his face. Jay then pulled Nick up and the pair repeatedly punched him in the stomach and head until Mario called them off. "So Nick, now are you ready to join me?"

Nick could only croak out a barely audible "No." Mario sighed and snapped his fingers again. Spike and Jay punched him in the stomach, then started to kick him in the head. Nick's struggled to keep his balance, surprised that they could reach that far up with their legs. Jay went behind Nick and kicked him in the back of his kneecaps. Nick cried out in pain. Jay gave one more solid kick and Nick collapsed onto the floor, blood leaking from his mouth. He gasped and struggled for air. "Dr. Tatopoulos, I give you one last chance. Join us or die." Nick may have been severely injured, but that did nothing to dim his stubbornness. "Never," he whispered. Spike and Jay rubbed their knuckles eagerly, but Mario put up his hand. "That's enough Spike and Jay, you are dismissed." They looked disappointed, but did as Mario told them. "You," Mario said pointing to Nick. "Come with me." Nick grabbed onto the chair to help him up and staggered out after Mario.

Mario leaned back in his chair back in his office. He surveyed the mess that collapsed in the chair opposite him. "An iron determination" Mario observed. That would take him far. He waited awhile before he began to speak. "It seems that your own suffering will not faze you in your decision not to join me." Nick didn't reply; he just glared at Mario. The older man smiled. "Are you sure you won't join us?" he asked. Nick nodded. Mario sighed, "Then you are free to go." Nick stared in disbelief. "No catch?" he croaked.

"No," Mario replied smiling. "You might want to tell your reporter friend Miss Timmonds to check the dumpster behind your apartment tomorrow morning with her camera crew though."

"Why?" Nick asked warily.

Mario smiled evilly. "So she can have the exclusive story on the mysterious appearance of the bodies of Elsie Chapman and Randy Hernandez in that exact dumpster." Nick gasped. "No," he whispered.

"Yes." Mario replied. He picked up his phone. "Miss Lei, can you get the White Raven in here please. I have a new assignment for him." Nick slammed the phone down. "No," he yelled, "you can't! They aren't a threat to you!"

"I can and will," Mario growled. Then he smiled. "How guilty one must feel to know he could have prevented this. I know I would feel just awful and to think-"
"I'll do it."

"Excuse me?" Mario asked.

"I said I'll do it," Nick said struggling to keep his voice level. "Just leave Randy and Elsie alone."

Mario picked up the phone again. "Miss Lei, tell the White Raven to forget about seeing me, his assignment's been cancelled." He put the phone down and turned to Nick. "It shall be a great pleasure working with you Nick. And don't worry, it might be hard at first, but after awhile you'll be like any of us and be able to kill without feeling." Mario smirked as he saw Nick sink back into his chair, defeated.END FLASHBACK

Nick stared out his window and thought back to what Mario had said. Being able to kill without feeling. Yeah, that was starting to happen. Nick had originally thought Mario to be a nut and all that destiny stuff to be a load of B.S. But maybe Mario was right. Nick had become the Ring's greatest assassin. Perhaps it was his destiny. Nick mentally kicked himself. How could he think like that? He was not meant to be an assassin, he had been exploited by Mario. But still, why was it now so much easier to kill, why did he sometimes feel extreme cases of bloodlust? He sighed, becoming more depressed. Monique had every right to hate him. He glanced around at the others, looks like they weren't going to get back to work until they arrived in Death Valley. Mendel and Elsie were quietly talking, while Randy was lying down on his little row of seats, listening to his Discman. Monique had fallen asleep. He didn't have to look at her to know that. He could hear it. She was breathing deeply and slowly. He looked at her, and for the first time realized that her head was resting on his shoulder. She must have leaned against him unwittingly after she fell asleep. Nick just stared for awhile and, for reasons he didn't understand, made no effort to move her. For some reason he felt content with her leaning against him. He shifted to make Monique more comfortable, then transferred most of his attention back to the Phoenix photos.

Death Valley

Tony Hicks looked at his watch. They'd be here in five minutes. He took a sip of his coffee. He hadn't been getting much sleep lately, mutations were turning up everywhere and were causing international panic. Looking at the report in his hand, he felt weak. Seven Basilisks was terrorizing the Sahara. Civilian casualties were fast approaching the thousands. All he could be thankful for was that there had been no sightings, besides a mutated cougar that had made it's way to Death Valley, in the US. He tensed as he heard the roar of the cougar in the distance. It rang loud and clear in his ears. "God," he thought, "that thing's getting closer." All he could do was try to keep it away from major cities and hope that H.E.A.T. would get here on time.

Ring of Fire HQ

Mario paced in his office. Who the hell did Nick think he was? What an ungrateful son of a bitch. He knew that Mario had taken him in and, instead of killing him, and spared him and made him a great assassin. What did Nick want? He was rich; hell he was making close to what Oracle was making. And Oracle was the second in command of the whole damn ring. "God, I swear I am going to cut that bastard's pay in half!" He heard a knock on the door. "Come in," he called out gruffly, hoping whoever the hell it was would make it quick. Oracle walked in. She was tall with long black hair reaching well past her hips. Her eyes were a dark, icy blue, which was a great contrast to her hair. She was very beautiful, but she almost never smiled and was very intimidating; most men were too scared of her to even get near her. Not that she cared. Oracle had always been a loner and was a very strong woman who could do fine on her own. She was dressed in a tight, EXTREMELY short red dress that was covered with black embroideries of exotic flowers, dragonflies, and random swirls. The dress was sleeveless, but did not just cut off in a straight line on her chest. Instead, the dress continued, in a triangular design, up to attach to a band of red fabric around her neck. The outfit was completed by thigh length black boots.

Oracle was one of those people who seemed to demand respect as soon as you laid eyes on them. And she was never afraid on hard work and strived to be the best at everything she did. Mario had got his job by being the heir to the ring. His great-great-great-great-great-well, you get the idea, grandfather had started it. It was passed down through the family to each first born son. A woman had never been in charge, it was forbidden in the charter the founder had drawn up. Unlike Mario though, Oracle had risen through the ranks to become second in command. Even though people feared her, they had a great respect that was reserved for her. If they didn't respect, they just saw her as a major bitch. But whether they liked her of not, if you asked any member of the ring, she'd be a much better leader than Mario. "Mario, we have a major problem," she began.

Mario dismissed her with a wave of his hand and said "We'll talk later Oracle," before turning back to the papers that were the reports of Nick's whereabouts on his desk.

Oracle strode over to the desk and with one motion swept the papers off his desk. "Not later," she said as she brought her face to within inches of his. She looked him straight in the eye and in a firm voice said, "Now."

Mario just stared at her before sighing. Tatopoulos was going to have to wait until after the bitch was done.

back on the plane

The pilot's voice came over the intercom telling them to fasten their seatbelts and get ready for landing. Elsie reached and swatted Randy on the back of the head to get his attention since he couldn't hear anything with his portable DVD player so loud. Randy sighed, turned it off, and fastened his seatbelt. Elsie smiled and leaned back in her seat. Mendel was a lot more than what met the eye. He was a sweet, considerate man, who shared her views on a lot of things. She frowned. She was a little scared of going any farther though. What if he turned out to be just like the others? She stared off into space as she attempted to sort out her thoughts.

Mendel looked at Elsie. Was it something I said? No, he decided, she was just reluctant to get involved with anyone. He didn't blame her. If he was divorced twice he'd be scared to death of women. "She'll come around," he thought. To get his mind off Elsie he took the time to look around at the others. Randy was off in la la land thinking of god knows what. Mendel chided himself, he shouldn't be so mean. Randy had changed. He was still the fun loving guy he had known before, but he was also more responsible and just a little less impulsive. And he was married now, so there was no more hitting on Monique. That was going to be a little weird. But as his eyes wandered over to the last row of seats he realized someone may be there to take Randy's place.

Elsie looked over to where Mendel was staring and saw Monique and Nick, both asleep, leaning against each other. "Awwww," she said softly. Mendel looked over at her and smiled. "Just what I was thinking," he whispered. Elsie smiled back and turned her attention back to the book she had just started reading.

Nick woke up as the plane touched down and realized he was slightly leaning on Monique. He reddened a little, hoping no one had noticed, but a wink from Randy told him they did. He avoided the other's eyes and started to nudge Monique awake.

They all walked out of the plane and found Major Hicks Jr. waiting for them. He gave them a tour of the base. "But don't make yourselves too at home," he warned, "Cause you'll be leaving before you know it." Tony led them to the central conference room. "The materials describing the latest attacks will be here shortly. But until then let me get to know you a little better. So tell me Nick, where have you been all this time, I couldn't find you anywhere." The team exchanged worried glances as Nick shifted uncomfortably. "Well uh, I uh, had to change my name for uh protection." That was true. He had to change his name to the Shadow Dragon to protect him from being caught. "Protection?" Hicks inquired. "From what?"

Nick took and deep breath and said, "I, uh, kinda, um, witnessed a couple of murders." That was also true. Witness meant to watch it take place and Nick had definitely watched them take place. The rest of the team kept their mouths shut about how Nick had done a lot more than just "witness" these murders.

"Oh," Tony said. "Well don't worry, your secret's safe with me." But somehow Tony got the feeling Nick wasn't telling him the entire truth.

The team looked over the papers Tony had handed them. Basilisks in Africa, a giant cougar here, and a Phoenix in New Zealand were the ones they already knew about. What they didn't know about were the regenerating hydras sighted in the pacific, and a few old friends that had gotten loose including Medusa (the melting sea anemone) and the Shrewster (that shrew inside a tornado). "What were the last known whereabouts of Medusa and the Shrewster?" Nick asked.

"Medusa was sighted heading towards Chicago and the Great Lakes, and the Shrewster was last seen near Oklahoma City."

"We have prepared a plane to for your use." Hicks said. "He'll be your pilot," he added motioning to a man standing in the doorway. The man looked taken by surprise, then waved and smiled shyly at them. Elsie turned back to Tony. "So where are we headed?"

"That's up to you," he said. "I don't really give a damn as to what mutations you go to first, as long as you destroy them all before they cause the end of the world as we know it!"

Elsie looked at him, "So no pressure, right Tony?" He gave her a look and said nothing about her little comment. "Just hurry up and leave," he said ushering them out the door.

Elsie looked at the rest of the team. "You know the best thing about him are those great people skills of his. Really makes us feel important."

"Whatever Else," Randy replied. They got into the plane to find it very roomy, with a conference room in the middle. "Guess he made sure we never stopped working," Mendel commented dryly. They made their way to the front to find seats better then those in first class. "Hey look," Randy said, "We even get our own phone. And wow, mini TVs!" He tried to turn them on, but got nothing but static. "Hey mister pilot guy, the TV doesn't work."

The pilot came out of the cabin and replied "First of all my name is Jim Henderson, not 'mister pilot guy'. And second, the TVs aren't supposed to work. You're here to save the planet, not watch Saturday Night Live. Okay, now where to?"

The team looked at one another. Nick spoke up. "We better head for Chicago and cut Medusa off before she gets to the Great Lakes." The rest nodded. "Okay," Jim said, "Chicago it is. Now please go back to your seats and fasten your seatbelts until after the plane had taken off." The team did as they were told.

Once in the air and transmission started coming in on one of the central TV screens. "Hey," Randy said, "I thought those weren't supposed to work."

"It's not a TV show," Nick said. "It's a transmission from the military. Looks like a map." It was a map of the world with little red dots all over it. Monique touched one of the dots and a picture of a mutant with a short description of it came up. "It's a map of all the sighted mutations," she exclaimed. She counted them. "Nine," she reported. "And there are probably more to come."

They exchanged worried looks. Nick sank into his chair. How were they going to do this? One monster at a time was already near impossible. But now they were expected to take down nine? He looked around at the rest of his team and saw that they were thinking similar thoughts. He sighed. What had they gotten themselves into?

End Chapter Three