Cocktails for Two
Mystique couldn't believe what she found in her locker that morning. It was a note in an envelope. It read:
Miss Risty Wilde, or should I say Mystique?
Please give me the pleasure and honor of your company tonight at the penthouse suite at the Marisson Hotel. Say Seven o'clock? I have some very interesting information for you as well as a proposition you might find amusing. I don't have to tell you not to tell anyone because we both know how embarrassing it would be if Magneto found out your identity had been discovered. Not to mention certain other individuals. I hate to be so crass as to blackmail you but this is the only way I can be certain you will come. I believe we have a lot in common and I think we can help each other get what we want.
Yours sincerely,
An Admirer
So she went. Using the form of a crow she flew up to the penthouse and found the patio door open. Cautiously she went inside, but could not see anyone.
"I was wondering if you would fly here," A voice said from the shadows.
"Who's there?" Mystique looked around. Suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere. "Mr. Tanzar! You?"
"Oh please I think we can dispense with the formalities Mystique," The man removed his disguise to reveal his true form. "My name is Zartan. Perhaps you have heard of me?"
"Zartan," Mystique frowned. "Yes, I have heard of you. You're the legendary Master of Disguise."
"Well I admit I have earned that reputation," Zartan told her. "But compared to you I am a mere amateur."
"What do you want?" She asked.
"Well dinner for a start," He showed her a table filled with delights and lit with candles. He held out a seat for her. Reluctantly she sat down. "I know what you are thinking. And in answer to your question yes I am a mutant. I have the ability to camouflage myself to nearly any background. I can also mimic any voice I hear perfectly."
"So what do you want with me?" She asked.
"Well for starters I came to warn you," He told her. "You have heard of Cobra I presume?"
"Yes," She said cautiously.
"Cobra wants to capture a few mutants to help with the usual plans for world domination," Zartan told her. "Specifically the X-Men. I thought this might interest you since you have ties to two of them."
"And you're just telling me this out of the goodness of your heart," She gave him a look.
"Of course not, but I have great respect for fellow colleagues in our profession," Zartan sat down. "Especially if they are mutants. Frankly I'm a bit hurt Magneto didn't try to find or recruit me. Then again I am employed by Cobra, when I feel like it that is."
"When you feel like it?" Mystique raised her eyebrows.
"Yes," He said. "True I have gained a reputation as a soldier for hire, well I am a soldier for hire. But there are some things even I draw the line at."
"Oh so you want to come over to our side, is that it?"
"The only side I am interested in is my own," Zartan told her. "Something I think you might agree with. Besides, tell the truth, with the obvious exceptions of Nightcrawler and Rogue you wouldn't care a bit if both the X-Men and the Brotherhood were locked up. Now would you?"
"To be honest," Mystique toyed with her food on a plate before her. "I'd sell the lot of them off to the Care Bears if I could be rid of them forever. Especially Magneto and Xavier!"
"Exactly my point!" Zartan remarked. "We are a lot alike. Not just for the obvious reasons. Go ahead and eat. It's not poisoned. If I wanted to get rid of you I wouldn't have invited you here now would I?"
"No," Mystique shrugged and started eating. "Roast pheasant. Not bad."
"It's passable," Zartan shrugged. "Then again you can't expect perfection in a little hick town like Bayville."
"No one can't," She agreed. "But I'm stuck here babysitting those lunatics."
"You ought to meet the Dreadnoks sometime. They make your Brotherhood Boys look civilized. Almost. But one does need allies. And as uncouth as they are, they have their uses."
"Is that why you wanted to talk to me?" Mystique asked. "To have another ally?"
"Why not?" Zartan said. He handed her two lists. "Oh here are a list of Cobra agents and a list of GI Joe agents."
"What?" Mystique nearly dropped her fork.
"Oh didn't I mention it?" Zartan said. "Apparently the government sent a few of their agents undercover as well. In addition to keeping the X-Men out of Cobra's hands their job is to keep an eye on the Brotherhood as well. Of course they'd send members of GI Joe, a specially trained unit that specializes in fighting terrorism. And they have had a lot of experience with mutants as well."
"I'm familiar with them," She told him. "I can't believe this!"
"Here's something else you won't believe," Zartan took out a photo.
"What is that?"
"A picture of your vice principal Guyrich. I believe you recognize the man he's with?" Zartan handed her the photo.
"Trask," Mystique snarled.
"Three guesses who Guyrich works for and the first two don't count," Zartan told her.
"That slime!" She hissed. "They're working to root us out!"
"Yes Of course Cobra plans to get the Sentinels for their own purposes," Zartan told her. "In fact the leader of this mission is at this very moment having dinner with him. She's reeling him in so she can get a meeting."
"Serves him right," Mystique snapped. "But why are you telling me this?"
"Because we mutants should stick together," Zartan smiled. "And I have a very interesting proposition. I don't know about you but I am getting tired of being dictated by a short sighted lunatic who only cares about his own power."
He leaned forward and looked into her eyes. "Doesn't it make you sick to work for a man who forced you to give up your family? I know it sickens me to watch my family work at the beck and call of a miserable human. But that can change. With your help we can both get what we want!"
"How?" She asked, clearly interested.
"I've been thinking," Zartan said. "What if Cobra was run by mutants instead of humans? Think about it, the world's most powerful terrorist unit with ties to some of the wealthiest corporations in the world with mutants at the helm? Think how quickly mutants could dominate the earth!"
"I'm listening," Mystique's eyes shone.
"It would be child's play for a person with your talents to impersonate Cobra Commander," Zartan told her. "We get him out of the way, then we remove a few key figures and replace them with our own people and voila! We're running the show! It's easy! I would have done it myself years ago, but I didn't have the necessary skill or partners to do it! That's where you come in."
"That is a good idea," Mystique said.
"Think about it," Zartan told her. "Once Cobra is under our control we can secretly use Cobra's influence to place mutants or supporters in high powered positions! Hell we already have a few members in Congress and the Senate. Not to mention Parliaments in governments all over the world! With time and careful planning, we can do in a few short years something that Magneto could never do with all his boasting!"
He came even closer to her. "Imagine, humans at our beck and call. Obeying us, their rightful masters. Together we could get rid of all our enemies, GI Joe, Magneto, the X-Men…"
"But what about my…" She started to say.
"I've got a plan for them," He smiled. "When the X-Men and the Brotherhood are taken away I have people in position who can 'lose' them or something to that effect. I'm telling you now, I'm afraid we may have to do some slight…reprogramming to them. But they are children after all. They need to be guided on the right path. Don't you agree?"
Mystique sat there in silence for a moment. "They won't be harmed?"
"No," Zartan shook his head. "Just a few memories erased or re-arranged. They might get a few headaches along the way but isn't it worth it to free them from Xavier's clutches?"
"You have a point," She nodded.
"It is for their own good," He told her. "In the long run they'll be much happier. And they'll be free from Xavier's influence. Not to mention when they are ready they will be given key positions of power in Cobra."
"And who will be in charge of Cobra?" Mystique asked.
"Well I was thinking of a partnership," Zartan smiled. He stood up and turned on some music. He offered his hand to hers. She smiled and took it. Before she knew it, they were dancing.
Mystique hated to admit it, but Zartan was quite charming. She tried hard to ignore those little urges and stirrings that had been dormant for so long. She couldn't ignore how fast her heart was racing as he inched closer to her. Why should I stay loyal to Magneto after all he's put me through? At least with Zartan I have a chance at real power. It does make sense after all. If I can trust him. Fat chance, I'd sooner trust Trask. At least he's predictable. Still…
"Well?" He asked. "What do you say?"
"Let me put it to you this way," Mystique purred as she kissed him. She felt chills up and down her spine as he returned the kiss.
"I like the way you talk," Zartan chuckled as he gently stroked her hair.
"And I like the way you think," She smiled.
"Would you like some more proof of my good intentions?" Zartan purred in her ear.
"I…think you already have," Mystique felt her knees weaken as his nibbled her ear. "Would you like some information from me to show my faith in the deal?"
"I was thinking of something more…reckless," Zartan grinned. He picked her up and lowered her onto the bed. "Tell me, I'm curious. Is that outfit a part of you or is it one of those specially designed morphic outfits that changes shape with its wearer?"
Mystique smiled back at him. "Why don't I just show you?"
