The girl's eyes remained closed; however, her eyes seemed to be moving
under the closed lids as if she was dreaming. The monitor for her cerebral
cortex activity was wild with activity, off the chart then back on for
several minutes. Then it smoothed out to something resembling normal
activity. Jennifer Doe opened her eyes and silently regarded her two
observers with brooding hazel eyes that were reflections of Eckhart's.
Despite himself, Dr. Harrison felt a chill run down his spine. "In his
image." he thought. She tried to move, but was still held down by
restraints.
Looking at the restraints then at the two men, she opened her mouth to speak. Turning soft, almost expressionless eyes at Eckhart, she asked, "Who are you?"
Eckhart seemed captivated. He smiled a rare smile. "I am Mason Eckhart. Welcome to Genomex. Who are you?"
The girl turned puzzled eyes inward. "I don't remember that. I do remember a man saying 'I will have your mind', and I threw a force field. There was a huge explosion and now I'm here. Is this Genomex a hospital?"
"It is a genetics research firm." Dr. Harrison replied.
Jennifer raised an eyebrow and tried her restraints again. Eckhart nodded at him, his eyes bright with excitement. Harrison activated a function button on the control panel that released Jennifer from the restraints. He watched the young woman warily. Jennifer rubbed her wrists then catlike, pulled herself up into a sitting position and regarded the two men with somber, impassive eyes. There was a subtle arrogance about her that made Dr. Harrison uneasy.
Eckhart broke the silence. "In the absence of your remembering your name, we have named you Jennifer. Dr. Harrison will be installing a subdermal governor into the back of your neck. It is a device that will help you with your powers, and will help us to study them."
"So I am to be an experiment?" she asked.
Eckhart only stared at her in reply. Dr. Harrison approached with the gun. "Very well," she relented. Harrison pulled a handful of her long black hair to the side to expose the base of her neck. He pressed the nozzle of the gun to the site and pressed the trigger. Jennifer sat impassively through the procedure, only lifting an eyebrow slightly as the gun delivered the small circular device into her spine with a sting.
Eckhart continued to study Jennifer's expression. He added, "It will also keep your powers under control so that you will use them only when we permit it."
Jennifer looked at him gravely. "I understand, Mr. Eckhart."
Days turned into weeks within Genomex for Jennifer Doe. She submitted to examinations and tests of all kinds. Physical therapy seemed pointless as it turned out that she recovered from whatever had put her in a coma with unusual speed. Dr. Harrison, instead, put Jennifer into advanced GSA training with Eckhart's full approval. The white-haired GSA leader kept close tabs on Jennifer's progress. At the end of Jennifer's 3rd week stay at Genomex, Eckhart accompanied Jennifer into what looked like a small arena. "This particular training facility is designed to sharpen the fighting skills of our agents. Although your training is incomplete I have full confidence in your abilities. Only the most worthy will walk out. This exercise will test all of your skills beyond your normal limits."
"In other words, you're going to have your guys kill me if I don't kill them, aren't you." she stated flatly.
"Unless you have other ideas." he replied coldly. "I have given you full access to your powers." He looked at her meaningfully, and then turning to the 3 men waiting in the arena said, "Kill her."
Jennifer stared at the white haired man thoughtfully, then devoting her full attention to her opponents, she stepped into the arena. The first agent approached her with fists and feet flailing. Puzzled, Jennifer stood there not knowing what to do. Agent Banley's foot caught her square in the neck. Her head snapped back and she went flying backwards a few feet and landed motionless on the floor.
Eckhart stared disappointed for a minute. "Is she dead?" he asked. It had been too quick, too easy. Banley grabbed her shoulder and shook her roughly. Jennifer's hand moved slowly to her neck. There was an audible click. (Hmm. Instant Chiropractor!) Suddenly her eyes opened, glowering in a way that struck terror into the agent. He looked at her, then at Eckhart who was nearby observing him detachedly. Jennifer crept back to her feet, letting the anger course through her. Three agents were on her now. Each was approaching with that whirling, kicking attack. Jennifer's eyes turned catlike. Springing upwards at the last minute, she clung to the wall high above and watched two of the agents hit each other. She smiled and dropped back down onto the third one and swiftly dispatched him with a blow to the head. The first two agents had regrouped, one on either side of her.
The second agent had pulled out his gun. He was determined not to fail his directive. He took careful aim and shot at the girl while the other agent was distracting her with martial arts arm movements. Jennifer, suddenly aware of danger, whirled quickly, taking the bullet in her left arm. Eckhart leaned forward, totally preoccupied with the scene. The second agent had already reloaded and was taking aim. Without missing a beat, Jennifer assessed the action and with a nod of her head, threw a force field between her and the gunman a moment before he pulled the trigger. There was a resounding explosion. The agent fell back as the bullet bounded off the force field and struck him in the chest.
Agent Banley had decided to fall back on his native mutant power of life force assimilation, but decided to go for the more vulnerable target, an incredible opportunity. Springing at Eckhart, he made a grasping motion with his hand and started to draw away. Eyes wide with surprise, even as he gasped for breath, Eckhart said, "You're making a terrible mistake, Mr. Banley."
Shaking his head triumphantly, Banley said, "I think not, Mr. Eckhart. It's time someone put an end to your perverse experiments." He motioned again, more fiercely to finish him off quickly.
"NO." Jennifer shouted. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
"What, are you crazy?" Banley exclaimed, still focusing on Eckhart, who was nearly unconscious.
Without answering, Jennifer sprang at him, drop-kicking him in the neck. "That's for taking one of my nine lives," she said. Banley rolled over gasping and struggled to his feet. Eckhart slowly picked himself up off the floor. Jennifer dropped Banley onto his back and started to slowly crush his throat. Eckhart looked at Jennifer, then gazed fascinated at the dying Mr. Banley. Jennifer had a distant, preoccupied expression on her face as she finished off the renegade agent.
Turning to Eckhart, she said carelessly, "Well? How did I do?"
Eckhart had a gratified but wary look in his eyes. He smiled "Nicely done, Jennifer," he answered, struggling to stand by himself. Jennifer offered him her arm. After a moment's hesitation, Eckhart accepted. As they walked the short distance to Dr. Harrison's lab, Eckhart asked innocently, "No hard feelings?"
Jennifer smiled. "None at all. This was a good exercise. I didn't know I could do all that."
"How's the arm?" Eckhart asked conversationally.
"Good," Jennifer replied easily. "Barely left a scar." Tossing her head, she remarked, "Why on earth did I grow this hair so long? I hate it!" Unconsciously, she narrowed her eyes and envisioned what she wanted. A moment later, her dark hair was shoulder-length, styled in shag with long bangs. "That's better," she said as Eckhart's mouth opened in astonishment.
In the meantime, the MutantX team strolled the streets discussing Natalia's disappearance.
"It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack," Emma was telling Shalimar. "There's nothing out there."
"Yeah. If she was in the vicinity, I'd have a sense of my Feral sister," Shalimar replied, "but where could she be?"
"Probably locked up in a stasis pod," Brennan said.
"Or fighting off Eckhart's goons." Jesse offered. "Look, I think she's at Genomex and we're wasting time combing the streets in search of her."
BACK AT GENOMEX....
Dr. Harrison checked Eckhart out for damage incurred from the confrontation with Mr. Banley. "Mason, you take far too many risks, considering your physical condition."
"I take reasonable risks, Kenneth, but risks nonetheless. I cannot allow my physical limitations to restrict the quality of my life," Eckhart replied. Turning to Jennifer, he said, "Would you care to join me for dinner?"
"Sounds like a marvelous idea." Jennifer replied. "Is there a place around here where I can freshen up?"
Dr. Harrison motioned to a door adjacent to the laboratory. "Make yourself at home."
The limo pulled up to the restaurant. Eckhart paused while Jennifer emerged from the vehicle. The pair walked silently into the restaurant. "Eckhart," he told the maitre de. The man nodded deferentially. "Right away, sir." He led them to a private booth area secluded from the rest of the business. Jennifer looked up at him from across the booth and smiled mischievously.
OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT.....
"Shalimar," Adam's voice came over the comm-link. "You and Emma meet me in the foyer at the Restaurant de Jena. I want to follow up on a hunch." Shalimar smiled. "That's great, Adam. I'm starved."
"Hey, what about us?" Jesse and Brennan protested.
"This is not a dinner date," Adam replied a little tersely. "I need both of you to patrol the outer parameters surrounding the restaurant. There will probably be GSA agents in the vicinity."
INSIDE THE RESTAURANT.....
The waiter returned with a pair of elegant water glasses. Eckhart lifted his slightly and looking at Jennifer said, "To your success, Jennifer." He turned his head slightly to the side to better observe this young lady who unbeknownst to her, was his daughter.
She looked at him inquisitively. "Sir?"
Eckhart tried a smile. "Just thinking."
Just then, the waiter delivered a single platter arranged with partially steamed assorted vegetables and a small prime rib in front of the girl. Jennifer's eyes fixated on the meat the way a cat would eye a mouse. "That will be all," Eckhart was telling the waiter. Jennifer stabbed her fork into the center of the meat and started to lift the entire piece to her mouth.
Incredulous, Eckhart stood up, leaned across the table and glared at her. "Didn't your mother teach you any table manners?"
Jennifer stopped in mid motion of taking a huge bite out of the piece of meat hanging off her fork. Eckhart glared at her with a mixture of fury and embarrassment. His hand pulled her similarly gloved hand back down to the plate. "Let go," he ordered in a half whisper, hoping desperately that they were the only ones in this dining area. Eckhart sighed, and then grimly cut the meat into little strips for her. "Where did you get such manners," he remarked angrily.
Jennifer, fully chastised, nibbled delicately at her meal. "Aren't you eating anything, Mr. Eckhart?"
He nodded with an uncertain smile. "Of course," he answered, producing a small envelope from his vest pocket. Carefully dispensing the contents into the glass of water, he mixed it then continued to sip from the glass.
"What is that?" The girl asked curiously.
"That is my elixir vitae," he answered. "My dietary intake is extremely limited. This formula allows me to continue to live a fairly normal life."
"Aren't you hungry?" Jennifer asked, intrigued.
"Hunger is irrelevant. It is merely a tool to discipline myself." Eckhart replied softly.
After he had consumed his beverage, Eckhart sat back and watched Jennifer intently. The girl, sensing his gaze looked up at him inquiringly.
"Those laboratory tests we performed on your blood samples revealed that you have enormous potential," Eckhart stated. "They also revealed something else.that you and I are closely related." Eckhart watched for her reaction.
Jennifer's eyes turned thoughtful. The man who recently ordered her killed and was now treating her to dinner was related to her? The perverseness of the thought pleased her. Watching Eckhart's impassive face for clues, she asked, "So does that make you, my uncle or big brother?"
"That would make me your father." He replied still studying her.
Jennifer took in a deep breath and exhaled quietly. "Guess that explains why I like you."
A little later, Jennifer and Mason Eckhart had finished the meal and were discussing training strategies and additional lab testing. Eckhart suddenly looked past Jennifer with intent, guarded look. Jennifer, poised to protect Eckhart, turned to see what had caught his attention.
Adam, flanked by Shalimar and Emma cautiously approached Eckhart's table. The man and young woman who had turned to face them reminded Adam of a pair of wolves, staring at him with watchful, speculative curiosity. "Corrupted." Adam thought bitterly.
Eckhart had a displeased expression on his face which he quickly masked with a cordial demeanor. "Always a surprise to see you, Adam." The girl was looking at Eckhart questioningly. Adam was beginning to doubt his hypothesis. She was so different from what he had expected to find. She had his eyes..
"What do you want?" Eckhart asked, getting to the point.
"To discuss a possible security breach in your operations," Adam replied.
Eckhart looked at Adam skeptically, a sardonic smile crossed his face. "And why would you be concerned about a security breach in my organization?"
Adam smiled almost resignedly. "It concerns her." He nodded at Jennifer and shrugged. "She's not who you think she is."
Jennifer was indignant. "He's lying. I am who I am," she said angrily staring at Adam.
"Stay," Eckhart said mildly, touching her hand, a gesture not lost on Adam. "And even if your story was true, Adam, you know that all New Mutants are welcome at Genomex."
"Yeah. In stasis pods," Emma replied softly.
Adam replied, "I think we can prove it to you. You're aware that Jennifer has the ability to shape-shift, I'm sure." Eckhart remained silent, skeptically watching his adversary turn to Jennifer, who was regarding Adam with loathing, only restrained from attacking him by a word from Eckhart. Adam knelt to face Jennifer at the same level. He was startled at the resemblance this youngster had to Mason Eckhart, especially in her eyes, whose depths seemed to reflect his soul.
"Jennifer," Adam addressed the girl carefully, "you are a Shape-shifter, a person who can change form at will. You were a different person not too long ago, you were one of our friends who had an accident. We believe that we can bring you back to your original form-"
"You're still trying to call me a liar, aren't you? Trying to destroy me?" Jennifer understood the implications of Adam's recovery mission. She looked at Eckhart pleadingly. He regarded her deeply for a moment with somber eyes and touched her outstretched hand again. "Jennifer," he said simply. Her fear vanished.
Suddenly she was seeing images of another woman in her mind. Jennifer shook her head uneasily then noticed one of Adam's companions was staring at her intently. Adam was only a couple feet away. It would be so easy to dispatch him, she thought, but Father didn't want to make a scene here. Emma suddenly had a surprised expression on her face as she picked up on Jennifer's feelings for Eckhart. Adam glanced at Emma questioningly and she shook her head almost imperceptibly.
Shalimar approached the girl. Jennifer sensed the kindred Feral connection with the beautiful woman. "Natalia." Shalimar called her. "I remember you. Try to remember me."
Suddenly Jennifer felt her world coming apart from the core of her being. As confused panic swept over her, she looked desperately to Eckhart for help. "Father!" She cried out to him. He too had realized too late that he was losing her and called her name even as he watched her melt from the appearance of the teenager he had always known to that of a thirty-ish, attractive raven-haired Amazon with fathomless steel-gray eyes.
Looking at the restraints then at the two men, she opened her mouth to speak. Turning soft, almost expressionless eyes at Eckhart, she asked, "Who are you?"
Eckhart seemed captivated. He smiled a rare smile. "I am Mason Eckhart. Welcome to Genomex. Who are you?"
The girl turned puzzled eyes inward. "I don't remember that. I do remember a man saying 'I will have your mind', and I threw a force field. There was a huge explosion and now I'm here. Is this Genomex a hospital?"
"It is a genetics research firm." Dr. Harrison replied.
Jennifer raised an eyebrow and tried her restraints again. Eckhart nodded at him, his eyes bright with excitement. Harrison activated a function button on the control panel that released Jennifer from the restraints. He watched the young woman warily. Jennifer rubbed her wrists then catlike, pulled herself up into a sitting position and regarded the two men with somber, impassive eyes. There was a subtle arrogance about her that made Dr. Harrison uneasy.
Eckhart broke the silence. "In the absence of your remembering your name, we have named you Jennifer. Dr. Harrison will be installing a subdermal governor into the back of your neck. It is a device that will help you with your powers, and will help us to study them."
"So I am to be an experiment?" she asked.
Eckhart only stared at her in reply. Dr. Harrison approached with the gun. "Very well," she relented. Harrison pulled a handful of her long black hair to the side to expose the base of her neck. He pressed the nozzle of the gun to the site and pressed the trigger. Jennifer sat impassively through the procedure, only lifting an eyebrow slightly as the gun delivered the small circular device into her spine with a sting.
Eckhart continued to study Jennifer's expression. He added, "It will also keep your powers under control so that you will use them only when we permit it."
Jennifer looked at him gravely. "I understand, Mr. Eckhart."
Days turned into weeks within Genomex for Jennifer Doe. She submitted to examinations and tests of all kinds. Physical therapy seemed pointless as it turned out that she recovered from whatever had put her in a coma with unusual speed. Dr. Harrison, instead, put Jennifer into advanced GSA training with Eckhart's full approval. The white-haired GSA leader kept close tabs on Jennifer's progress. At the end of Jennifer's 3rd week stay at Genomex, Eckhart accompanied Jennifer into what looked like a small arena. "This particular training facility is designed to sharpen the fighting skills of our agents. Although your training is incomplete I have full confidence in your abilities. Only the most worthy will walk out. This exercise will test all of your skills beyond your normal limits."
"In other words, you're going to have your guys kill me if I don't kill them, aren't you." she stated flatly.
"Unless you have other ideas." he replied coldly. "I have given you full access to your powers." He looked at her meaningfully, and then turning to the 3 men waiting in the arena said, "Kill her."
Jennifer stared at the white haired man thoughtfully, then devoting her full attention to her opponents, she stepped into the arena. The first agent approached her with fists and feet flailing. Puzzled, Jennifer stood there not knowing what to do. Agent Banley's foot caught her square in the neck. Her head snapped back and she went flying backwards a few feet and landed motionless on the floor.
Eckhart stared disappointed for a minute. "Is she dead?" he asked. It had been too quick, too easy. Banley grabbed her shoulder and shook her roughly. Jennifer's hand moved slowly to her neck. There was an audible click. (Hmm. Instant Chiropractor!) Suddenly her eyes opened, glowering in a way that struck terror into the agent. He looked at her, then at Eckhart who was nearby observing him detachedly. Jennifer crept back to her feet, letting the anger course through her. Three agents were on her now. Each was approaching with that whirling, kicking attack. Jennifer's eyes turned catlike. Springing upwards at the last minute, she clung to the wall high above and watched two of the agents hit each other. She smiled and dropped back down onto the third one and swiftly dispatched him with a blow to the head. The first two agents had regrouped, one on either side of her.
The second agent had pulled out his gun. He was determined not to fail his directive. He took careful aim and shot at the girl while the other agent was distracting her with martial arts arm movements. Jennifer, suddenly aware of danger, whirled quickly, taking the bullet in her left arm. Eckhart leaned forward, totally preoccupied with the scene. The second agent had already reloaded and was taking aim. Without missing a beat, Jennifer assessed the action and with a nod of her head, threw a force field between her and the gunman a moment before he pulled the trigger. There was a resounding explosion. The agent fell back as the bullet bounded off the force field and struck him in the chest.
Agent Banley had decided to fall back on his native mutant power of life force assimilation, but decided to go for the more vulnerable target, an incredible opportunity. Springing at Eckhart, he made a grasping motion with his hand and started to draw away. Eyes wide with surprise, even as he gasped for breath, Eckhart said, "You're making a terrible mistake, Mr. Banley."
Shaking his head triumphantly, Banley said, "I think not, Mr. Eckhart. It's time someone put an end to your perverse experiments." He motioned again, more fiercely to finish him off quickly.
"NO." Jennifer shouted. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
"What, are you crazy?" Banley exclaimed, still focusing on Eckhart, who was nearly unconscious.
Without answering, Jennifer sprang at him, drop-kicking him in the neck. "That's for taking one of my nine lives," she said. Banley rolled over gasping and struggled to his feet. Eckhart slowly picked himself up off the floor. Jennifer dropped Banley onto his back and started to slowly crush his throat. Eckhart looked at Jennifer, then gazed fascinated at the dying Mr. Banley. Jennifer had a distant, preoccupied expression on her face as she finished off the renegade agent.
Turning to Eckhart, she said carelessly, "Well? How did I do?"
Eckhart had a gratified but wary look in his eyes. He smiled "Nicely done, Jennifer," he answered, struggling to stand by himself. Jennifer offered him her arm. After a moment's hesitation, Eckhart accepted. As they walked the short distance to Dr. Harrison's lab, Eckhart asked innocently, "No hard feelings?"
Jennifer smiled. "None at all. This was a good exercise. I didn't know I could do all that."
"How's the arm?" Eckhart asked conversationally.
"Good," Jennifer replied easily. "Barely left a scar." Tossing her head, she remarked, "Why on earth did I grow this hair so long? I hate it!" Unconsciously, she narrowed her eyes and envisioned what she wanted. A moment later, her dark hair was shoulder-length, styled in shag with long bangs. "That's better," she said as Eckhart's mouth opened in astonishment.
In the meantime, the MutantX team strolled the streets discussing Natalia's disappearance.
"It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack," Emma was telling Shalimar. "There's nothing out there."
"Yeah. If she was in the vicinity, I'd have a sense of my Feral sister," Shalimar replied, "but where could she be?"
"Probably locked up in a stasis pod," Brennan said.
"Or fighting off Eckhart's goons." Jesse offered. "Look, I think she's at Genomex and we're wasting time combing the streets in search of her."
BACK AT GENOMEX....
Dr. Harrison checked Eckhart out for damage incurred from the confrontation with Mr. Banley. "Mason, you take far too many risks, considering your physical condition."
"I take reasonable risks, Kenneth, but risks nonetheless. I cannot allow my physical limitations to restrict the quality of my life," Eckhart replied. Turning to Jennifer, he said, "Would you care to join me for dinner?"
"Sounds like a marvelous idea." Jennifer replied. "Is there a place around here where I can freshen up?"
Dr. Harrison motioned to a door adjacent to the laboratory. "Make yourself at home."
The limo pulled up to the restaurant. Eckhart paused while Jennifer emerged from the vehicle. The pair walked silently into the restaurant. "Eckhart," he told the maitre de. The man nodded deferentially. "Right away, sir." He led them to a private booth area secluded from the rest of the business. Jennifer looked up at him from across the booth and smiled mischievously.
OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT.....
"Shalimar," Adam's voice came over the comm-link. "You and Emma meet me in the foyer at the Restaurant de Jena. I want to follow up on a hunch." Shalimar smiled. "That's great, Adam. I'm starved."
"Hey, what about us?" Jesse and Brennan protested.
"This is not a dinner date," Adam replied a little tersely. "I need both of you to patrol the outer parameters surrounding the restaurant. There will probably be GSA agents in the vicinity."
INSIDE THE RESTAURANT.....
The waiter returned with a pair of elegant water glasses. Eckhart lifted his slightly and looking at Jennifer said, "To your success, Jennifer." He turned his head slightly to the side to better observe this young lady who unbeknownst to her, was his daughter.
She looked at him inquisitively. "Sir?"
Eckhart tried a smile. "Just thinking."
Just then, the waiter delivered a single platter arranged with partially steamed assorted vegetables and a small prime rib in front of the girl. Jennifer's eyes fixated on the meat the way a cat would eye a mouse. "That will be all," Eckhart was telling the waiter. Jennifer stabbed her fork into the center of the meat and started to lift the entire piece to her mouth.
Incredulous, Eckhart stood up, leaned across the table and glared at her. "Didn't your mother teach you any table manners?"
Jennifer stopped in mid motion of taking a huge bite out of the piece of meat hanging off her fork. Eckhart glared at her with a mixture of fury and embarrassment. His hand pulled her similarly gloved hand back down to the plate. "Let go," he ordered in a half whisper, hoping desperately that they were the only ones in this dining area. Eckhart sighed, and then grimly cut the meat into little strips for her. "Where did you get such manners," he remarked angrily.
Jennifer, fully chastised, nibbled delicately at her meal. "Aren't you eating anything, Mr. Eckhart?"
He nodded with an uncertain smile. "Of course," he answered, producing a small envelope from his vest pocket. Carefully dispensing the contents into the glass of water, he mixed it then continued to sip from the glass.
"What is that?" The girl asked curiously.
"That is my elixir vitae," he answered. "My dietary intake is extremely limited. This formula allows me to continue to live a fairly normal life."
"Aren't you hungry?" Jennifer asked, intrigued.
"Hunger is irrelevant. It is merely a tool to discipline myself." Eckhart replied softly.
After he had consumed his beverage, Eckhart sat back and watched Jennifer intently. The girl, sensing his gaze looked up at him inquiringly.
"Those laboratory tests we performed on your blood samples revealed that you have enormous potential," Eckhart stated. "They also revealed something else.that you and I are closely related." Eckhart watched for her reaction.
Jennifer's eyes turned thoughtful. The man who recently ordered her killed and was now treating her to dinner was related to her? The perverseness of the thought pleased her. Watching Eckhart's impassive face for clues, she asked, "So does that make you, my uncle or big brother?"
"That would make me your father." He replied still studying her.
Jennifer took in a deep breath and exhaled quietly. "Guess that explains why I like you."
A little later, Jennifer and Mason Eckhart had finished the meal and were discussing training strategies and additional lab testing. Eckhart suddenly looked past Jennifer with intent, guarded look. Jennifer, poised to protect Eckhart, turned to see what had caught his attention.
Adam, flanked by Shalimar and Emma cautiously approached Eckhart's table. The man and young woman who had turned to face them reminded Adam of a pair of wolves, staring at him with watchful, speculative curiosity. "Corrupted." Adam thought bitterly.
Eckhart had a displeased expression on his face which he quickly masked with a cordial demeanor. "Always a surprise to see you, Adam." The girl was looking at Eckhart questioningly. Adam was beginning to doubt his hypothesis. She was so different from what he had expected to find. She had his eyes..
"What do you want?" Eckhart asked, getting to the point.
"To discuss a possible security breach in your operations," Adam replied.
Eckhart looked at Adam skeptically, a sardonic smile crossed his face. "And why would you be concerned about a security breach in my organization?"
Adam smiled almost resignedly. "It concerns her." He nodded at Jennifer and shrugged. "She's not who you think she is."
Jennifer was indignant. "He's lying. I am who I am," she said angrily staring at Adam.
"Stay," Eckhart said mildly, touching her hand, a gesture not lost on Adam. "And even if your story was true, Adam, you know that all New Mutants are welcome at Genomex."
"Yeah. In stasis pods," Emma replied softly.
Adam replied, "I think we can prove it to you. You're aware that Jennifer has the ability to shape-shift, I'm sure." Eckhart remained silent, skeptically watching his adversary turn to Jennifer, who was regarding Adam with loathing, only restrained from attacking him by a word from Eckhart. Adam knelt to face Jennifer at the same level. He was startled at the resemblance this youngster had to Mason Eckhart, especially in her eyes, whose depths seemed to reflect his soul.
"Jennifer," Adam addressed the girl carefully, "you are a Shape-shifter, a person who can change form at will. You were a different person not too long ago, you were one of our friends who had an accident. We believe that we can bring you back to your original form-"
"You're still trying to call me a liar, aren't you? Trying to destroy me?" Jennifer understood the implications of Adam's recovery mission. She looked at Eckhart pleadingly. He regarded her deeply for a moment with somber eyes and touched her outstretched hand again. "Jennifer," he said simply. Her fear vanished.
Suddenly she was seeing images of another woman in her mind. Jennifer shook her head uneasily then noticed one of Adam's companions was staring at her intently. Adam was only a couple feet away. It would be so easy to dispatch him, she thought, but Father didn't want to make a scene here. Emma suddenly had a surprised expression on her face as she picked up on Jennifer's feelings for Eckhart. Adam glanced at Emma questioningly and she shook her head almost imperceptibly.
Shalimar approached the girl. Jennifer sensed the kindred Feral connection with the beautiful woman. "Natalia." Shalimar called her. "I remember you. Try to remember me."
Suddenly Jennifer felt her world coming apart from the core of her being. As confused panic swept over her, she looked desperately to Eckhart for help. "Father!" She cried out to him. He too had realized too late that he was losing her and called her name even as he watched her melt from the appearance of the teenager he had always known to that of a thirty-ish, attractive raven-haired Amazon with fathomless steel-gray eyes.