Dreams and Schemes

"I can't believe that you disobeyed me!" Magneto snapped. "What were you thinking?"

"I thought I could get some information on those mutants sir," Pietro said. "And I did! A lot of information!"

"By having a beach party with them?" Magneto snapped.

"Okay it was a bit unorthodox but still…" Pietro gulped.

"I thought you were trained better than that," Magneto snapped. "Once again you disappoint me."

"Please sir," Pietro looked at him. "I…I just wanted to help you."

"And you did," Magneto said. "Which is the only reason you and the others will not be punished for your transgression. Have I made myself clear?"

"Very clear sir," Pietro nodded. "It…It won't happen again."

"It had better not," Magneto glowered. "Now get out of my sight!" Pietro did so.

"Don't you think you're a little hard on the boy?" Emma Frost entered the room.

"Someone has to teach that boy how to be a leader, since he has no obvious natural talent," Magneto said. "It's for his own good. What are you doing here?"

"I am aware you and your forces have had a recent encounter with the Joes," Emma told him. "I've come from the Circle with a message. Do not engage them again if you can help it."

"Really?" Magneto seemed amused. "Why? Don't tell me that your precious Circle of Power is worried about my health?"

"More like worried about your interference," She snapped. "We have a few projects that we'd like to keep quiet. One of them is the Cytorak gem project you helped us on recently."

"You got your crystals as well as I," Magneto told her. "What's to worry about?"

"We just don't want the Joes to get wind of it, just yet," She told him.

"You are overcautious," Magneto told her. "How could those people figure out what your plans for them are?"

"Do not underestimate the Joes," Emma told him. "They are very resourceful."

"Still, they are after all only human."

"The fact that you dismiss the Joes as a threat because they are human proves that you have no concept of reality," Emma snarled. "Let me enlighten you. Stronger organizations than yours have tried repeatedly to take down or defeat GI Joe only to fail. And I'm not just talking about Cobra. They have an uncanny knack for doing the impossible as well as showing up in the right place at the wrong time! Their unorthodox methods are what make them extremely dangerous! Even former members of the Circle have tried and failed!"

"They can't be that dangerous to us," Magneto scoffed.

"They are!" Emma told him. "Which is why we need to avoid them as much as possible. I know you Magneto. Your curiosity will get the better of you if you are not careful."

"You came all this way to simply warn me about a group of lunatic soldiers?" Magneto asked.

"I came with a message from the Circle. Do not engage the Joes until the time is right," Emma said. "A frontal assault would be disastrous!"

"Bah," Magneto waved. "All right Emma. If that's what you are so worried about then fine. I will not plan a frontal assault on them."

"Good," Emma said. "That's all I needed to know. Of course I have no choice but to take your word for it, seeing how your helmet shields your thoughts from me."

"I must say it is amusing to see the great and all powerful Inner Circle afraid of a few humans," Magneto chuckled.

"Do not mistake common sense for fear Magneto," Emma told him. "Don't worry. One day we will be ready to take on the Joes and bring those mutants into the fold. With enough persuasion they will help us with our dreams of conquest. But that day is not close. Not yet. You must be patient Magneto. Try to have some restraint, please?" She started to walk away. "Oh and Sabertooth that goes for you as well." She left the room.

Sabertooth came out of the shadows. "Never did like telepaths," He grumbled.

"You don't like anyone who's sneakier than you," Magneto pointed out.

"You're really not gonna listen to Miss High and Mighty are you?" Sabertooth asked.

"Of course not," Magneto smiled. "It's just that we have more important things to concern us at the moment."

"Yeah like that Project Evolution," Sabertooth said. "When are you gonna restore me to my ultimate form?"

"Patience Sabertooth," Magneto said. "Your time will come. You will be restored to your ultimate form permanently soon enough. But first there are other more immediate projects I must work on." He turned on the scanner and watched a training simulation. Lance was on the screen.

"The kid's got potential," Sabertooth nodded. "I have to admit."

"It's time to put Alvers to the final test," Magneto said. "If he is worthy of being a chosen member, he will survive."