Professor Wolverine?

"Hello Kim" Storm said as Jubilee walked into her office bright and early one morning.

"Hi Professor Montgomery.  Do you have a minute?"

"Sure - come in and close the door."

Jubilee closed the door and sighed a breath of relief.  "Storm I hate calling you Professor Montgomery."

"I know child…hopefully this mission will be over soon.  Though I can't say I'll miss it - it is rather nice living a normal life for a change."

"I know - college is great!  I've met so many people and have had so much fun.  I'm going on a rafting trip this Saturday and my RA is already talking about ski trips this winter at Boreal and Heavenly!  Can you believe it?"

"That sounds like a lot of fun.  But you know Jubilation – college is also for learning…what about your academics?  How are they going?"

"They're going great!  I mean college is kinda hard but after living with you and Frosty - I mean Mrs. Frost - this isn't half bad."

"Have you seen any signs of trouble yet?"

"Nothing.  Wolvie got on my case about being extra careful and making sure nobody was following or spying on me, but I haven't seen anything yet."

"What about your professors?" 

"Two of then know that I'm a mutant…or at least suspect it.  My chemistry professor is pretty pissed at me because I started a small fire in the lab, but at least he knows right?"

"Good job Jubilee, but try not to burn the school down…"

"HAH-HAH Storm." she replied sarcastically. "Very funny!"

"Are you thinking about staying on after the mission?"

"Well, I don't know - I really like college but I think I'd rather go to a university closer to you guys.  I'd miss you to much."

"And we would miss you Jubilation.  We've already missed you so much."

"Really?"

"Yes, the mansion just isn't the same without you.  Your youthful exuberance, your thirst for life…your innocence – they keep us grounded.  When you're around, the entire mansion is a brighter and happier place."

"Thank you Storm." she said as she gave her a hug.  Storm responded with an equally strong and very motherly hug. 

"It is I that should be thanking you Jubilee."

"Say – do you know what's bothering Wolvie?"

"I do not.  Clearly something about this mission has touched a nerve with him, but he won't tell me what it is."

"Dang!"

"Yes, I fear for what might happen when he gets like this…in all honesty, I think he's a ticking bomb."

"He's guest lecturing today in class right?"

"Yes – on the role of the government in the military.  It should be a most-interesting lecture."

"To say the least."

Later on that day…

"THAT'S Professor Montgomery's husband???" a tall, athletically built student said to another as he entered the lecture hall and saw Logan in the front of the room.  "He's so short…what could she possibly see in a shrimp like th…?"  He abruptly shut his mouth when Logan shot him a nasty glare from across the room as if he heard everything he was saying.

"I wouldn't say that to his face Joe.  Professor Montgomery talked about him last week in office hours.  She said he's as tough as they get.  He's an expert marksman with ANY weapon and is heavily trained in martial arts!"

"Oh." Joe responded shortly before he chose the seat closest to the door.

"Yeah – she also said he has a bad attitude toward people that ridicule his size.  If he calls you 'Bub' – you better start running."

After everyone settled in, Storm introduced Logan to the class and he took over with his discussion on the role of politics in the military.

Toward the end of the lecture…

"…and that sums up the role of politics in the military and the chain of command from the president down to the grunt soldier.  Any questions?"

"Yes Col. Montgomery." Jubilee said from the front row.  "Is it true that you have to call elected officials Sir or Ma'am?"

"Yeah that's right." he said with a bit of angst in his voice.

"Even if they were never in the military?"

"Uh huh."

"How do you feel about that?"

"Saying "Sir or Ma'am" is second nature to a soldier…makes no never-mind ta most."

"What about you?"

"Me personally?  I think them crybabies in Washington can take their Sirs and Ma'ams and shove 'em up their…"

"Ahem…" Storm interrupted.  Logan started to roll his eyes at her but changed his attitude when he saw the look she shot back.

"…makes no never-mind ta me either." he responded.

"Are you sure?" Jubilee asked…almost whimsically.

"According to my COMMANDING OFFICER I am." he mumbled as he looked at Storm again.  "Aint that right Ma'am?".  The class erupted in laughter.

"You – in the back, got a question?" Logan pointed to a student in the last row anxiously waving his hand.

"Yeah Col. Montgomery.  You said you were a Vietnam veteran right?"

"Yeah, I was there…did 2 tours from '66 – '68."

"Ever get hurt?"

"They pulled a good amount o' lead outta my hide."

"Really?  Did you get a purple heart?"

"More like black and blue."

"Did it hurt?"

"More than you could possibly imagine…" he said with a sarcastic expression – trying hard to keep in mind the fact that these students had never been exposed to combat outside what they saw on television and in the movies. "…especially the phosphorus bullets – they kept burning after they hit."

"What did you think about the M-16 back then?" another student yelled out – obviously trying to start a discussion about something.

"You talkin' 'bout the Colt .223 right?  The XM16E1?"

"Yeah – didn't you all have a some problems with it?"

"PROBLEMS?!" he yelled – as if the student's question hit a nerve.  "I was issued one of the first M-16's off the line back in '66.  That piece o' crap jammed on me the second day…and it wasn't just bad luck.  Plenty o' good men died because o' that weapon.  I saw lots o' dead marines with cleaning rods stuck down their barrels tryin' to punch out jammed cartridges.  You call that a flamin' problem sonnyboy?  That's what we in the Corps called political bullsh…stuff."

"No.  No sir – my uncle…he was one of those dead marines.  A buddy of his told my father how he died – how his M-16 jammed on him in a firefight."

"Sorry ta hear that kid…like I said, lots o' good men died – 58,000 of 'em in fact.  Thank the Secretary of Defense for that. Robert McNamara was his name.  He kept blamin' M-16 problems on soldiers not keepin' 'em clean.  Guess there were a whole lotta dirty marines back then huh?  They came out with the FIRST fix fer that weapon late in '67.  Man, that was one lesson in politics we didn't need ta learn!"

"I take it you didn't like the Secretary of Defense?"

"Strange McNamara?  He didn't DESERVE to be called SecDef…and I WOULDN'T have called him Sir if my life depended on it."

"You said 58,000 American soldiers died in Vietnam?"

"Yep – and over 400,000 VC…it was a damn bloody war."

"Ahem!" Storm interrupted.  "We'll be going over the Vietnam War in 2 weeks.  I'm sure I can convince Col. Montgomery to return then and discuss specific issues.  For now, are there any general questions about the role of politics in the Military?"

"I have a question." another student blurted out with a bit of excitement in her voice.  "What do you think about mutants in the military?"

"Don't ask, don't tell!" Logan replied.  Again, the room erupted in laughter.  "Seriously, whaddya mean?"

"Do you think mutant powers should be used to benefit the military?"

"If the mutant is willing…why not?"

"And what if they aren't, but can stop a war?  Should the Government force them to participate?"

"No."

"Not even if it will save lives?"

"That's not saving lives…that's trading lives."

"Yeah but…if one mutant can save the lives of 15 or 20 regular soldiers, isn't that better?"

"Sounds like it's better…unless you're that mutant."

"Yeah but what if that mutant could save more lives…say 100 or 1000?"

"Ok – I gotta scenario for ya kid.  A plague breaks out, kills thousands of people and will probably kill thousands more before they find a cure.  Suddenly someone realizes YOU have the antibodies to kill the plague, but ta get to 'em, they gotta kill you first.  They don't ASK if you want to sacrifice yer life, they just bust in while you're watchin' Scooby Doo and take you to some lab and kill you.  You think that's fair?"

"Well…when you put it that way I guess not."

"Forcing a small portion of the population to serve a larger portion is something we call 'oppression'." he said as he looked at Storm.  "That's what the military fights AGAINST!  No matter how you look at it kid, it's wrong.  You may not think so now, but you walk a couple miles in someone else's combat boots and you'll learn a lot about them…and about yerself.  Any more questions?"  Nobody raised their hand.  "None at all?" Logan asked.  "Anybody here ever think about a career in the Corps?  Again, silence…"What about you in the back by the door?" he said as he looked right at Joe.

"Me?" Joe said with a great deal of surprise.

"Yeah Bub!"  Joe's heart rate shot through the roof.  "You ever think about a career as a Marine?"

"Um…no…I nev…"

"You're a bit squirly, but the Corps will toughen ya up…make a man outta ya."  Joe sank as far in his seat as he could go.

The laughter from the class gave Storm the opportunity to end the session.  Afterward, she talked to Logan and Jubilee.

"I think we may have found a new career for you Colonel." Storm said to Logan.

"Yeah right…not now, not ever."

"Really Colonel…" Jubilee chimed in.  "You're a pretty good teacher.  That is, when your COMMANDING OFFICER isn't around to keep you quiet."  she laughed.  He growled at her.

"The class really seemed to respond to you." Storm continued.  "These kids really connected with you – especially when you talked about how soldiers die behind enemy lines while "fat cat" politicians sit up in their country clubs sipping tea and making decisions about people's lives they've never even seen.  They were especially captivated when you showed that video of how today's gun and helmet mounted cameras really make those fat cat politicians see the faces of the soldiers they send into battle.  I think you really reached them."

"Yah, whatever.  Can we grab some grub now?  I got a mean case o' the munchies."

"Take Kim, I have an appointment with Hartford.  He's giving me a tour of his labs today."

"What say Lee?  You up for some grub?"

"Sure!  The Outback?"

"Try KFC drivethru."

******

What do we do now?

"The boss ain't gonna be happy Mike."

"No shit Joe!"

"It wasn't our fault though – that hospital was covered with cops.  We couldn't get anywhere near her.  The receptionist wouldn't even tell us her new room number…even when we told her we were from the florist."

"Yeah – and we can't take her out either…not that I ain't too sad about that.  I didn't sign on to kill people anyway."

"Yeah, I hear you. You think he'll fire us?"

"Nah – where's he gonna find more people willing to support his little kidnapping ring?"

"I don't know Mike.  He's got a nice sized army there already – 30 or 40 at the warehouse, another 10 or 12 out in the field, and plenty of money to hire more…"

"Yeah that's true – but he won't take the chance of us talking."

"You think the girl told the cops anything?"

"Nah – what could she tell them…she didn't know anything."

"I hope you're right because I don't want to run into that short guy again.  He just looked plain MEAN!"

"You ain't lyin' about that Joe.  The way he came after us…you'da thought he was the girl's father or something."

"And that look in his eye  - he looked like some kinda berserker ape!  If he caught us, he would have killed us for sure."

******

Is that thunder I hear?

"Hello Hartford."  Storm said as she walked into his office on the second level of Briggs Hall.  "How are you doing?"

"Just fine Arowlyn.  Yourself?"

"Very well.  My husband just guest-lectured to my class on the role of politics in the military.  It went very well."

"Glad to hear it.  He didn't want to join us?"

"He had a "mean case o' the munchies" and took some of the students with him to lunch to talk about the military.  He's also not interested in genetic research – his opinions on it are rather…unfavorable."

"I see.  Well, I hope he one day realizes how important this is to me and how I take the utmost precautions in my research.  I really think it's the key to our future."

"Yes, as we have discussed before…"

"Anyway…" he interrupted before she could object.  "I'm really glad to hear that you're enjoying your time here at UC Davis.  It's a wonderful school in a wonderful town.  Hopefully you'll make this your permanent home."

"Hopefully…"

"I'll keep lobbying…despite your views on my research.  Are you ready for your tour?  I want to show you 4 labs today."

"I am ready."

The first 2 labs they went to were in Briggs Hall.  The research and experiments being conducted there centered around developing better agricultural products.  Years before, Hartford's group had succeeded in producing stronger processing fruits:  tomatoes, peaches, and pears…most of the leading canned fruits.  Because of their research, fruit had a much better chance of making it to the canneries without being damaged by the harshness of agricultural practices.  Storm was a little surprised to find out that many of the genetically altered fruits were already (and had been for quite some time) in grocery stores.  She asked Hartford if he was worried about eating genetically altered fruits and he gave her a very effective demonstration by grabbing one of the peaches in the lab sample and eating it in front of her.  He offered a peach to her but she declined.  Eating in a lab room didn't quite appeal to her.

The next two labs were outside Briggs – actually, off the core of campus.  One was in a research facility south of the campus on a compound referred to as "Max Iso" - short for Maximum Isolation.  Hartford told Storm they used labs in max iso because it was cheaper than the core labs and the added security was a large benefit.

"This is the really interesting research here – it's all about discovery."

"Really?  And what are you 'discovering' Hartford?"

"We're testing various types of animals to see if they are exposed to the same variations mutants are exposed to.  We want to know what other species possess mutant powers."

"Really?  Do you really think animals are capable of that type of mutation?"

"Not all animals, but non-human primates have shown mutant capabilities in several different ways.  Fortunately for us, they aren't smart enough to develop their abilities like we are.

"What have you discovered so far?"

"Aaaah, NOW my research has peaked your curiosity."

"Hartford!" she said in friendly bantor.

"Okay, we've seen evidence of things that don't require much thought – autonomous functions and natural reactions.  One of the successes we had was when we placed food just outside reach of several primates.  Two of them showed telepathic capabilities.  They were able to move the food with their minds.  We theorize that their desire to reach the food somehow awakened their mutant capabilities."

"How did you know which primates had which abilities?"

"We didn't…that's why it took so long to get these results.  We literally tested thousands of primates.  You'll see them at our primate research facility – the fourth lab on our tour.  This lab houses other animals, but none of their results have been positive.  I brought you here because I wanted to show you that even though we do research, we do our best to take care of the animals."

They quickly viewed the max iso complex because Hartford knew Storm really wanted to see the next lab.  It was located much further outside campus – west of the core.  The facility looked like a prison from the outside – very difficult for the average person to break in – or out.  Hartford explained that because they used non-human primates in their research, they were often the target of animal rights activists.  For that reason, security was a lot heavier there.  They walked in past several security measures and had to change into a set of scrubs before entering the actual lab area.  Once in, Storm was amazed at the physical size of the facility and how much was actually going on.  She was also a bit unnerved at seeing all the animals caged the way they were. She tried to keep it in check, but the soft roar of thunder echoing in the distance was clear evidence that she was bothered.

Hartford was right about one thing, he had taken every precaution and tried to make the animals as comfortable as possible.  Their cages were oversized compared to normal ones, and there were several recreation rooms – rooms designed to give the animals exercise and a sense of normalcy.  Though comfortable, the bottom line however was that they were still caged animals.

"This is the heart and soul of my research." Hartford said with a proud smile.

"All these caged animals Hartford.  How can you stand to work here?"

"Arowlyn, I've been in research so long that it doesn't bother me anymore.  I see the value of it.  Sure, when I started out it bothered me, but I made the distinction between research subject and pet a long time ago.  This really is for the greater good of mankind.  And as you can see, the animals are treated very well."

"Yes, but even the nicest of prisons is still a prison."

"Arowlyn, surely someone as smart as yourself knows the value of animal testing.  We'd still be in the dark ages of medicine if it weren't for research like this."

"I know…but this is the reason I got out of research.  This is the stuff that drove me away."

"Wait till you see our results.  You won't think so then!  Oh – and I want you to meet somebody."

They both walked over to another section of the primate center through a very thick and intimidating door.  On the other side were several more cages and lab rooms and what seemed to be an observation deck.  Hartford led Storm to the observation deck where another man was working.

"Arowlyn, I'd like you to meet Robert Benson, Ph.D.  Robert, this is Arowlyn Montgomery…also a Ph.D."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Arowlyn.  Hartford has told me so much about you.  How do you do?"  Robert said as he shook her hand.

"Quite fine, and thank you.  The pleasure is all mine." she responded.

"Robert is the head researcher under me.  With his help, we've discovered some amazing things."

"Such as?" Storm inquired.

"Well…come this way, I have something really exciting to show you." Robert said.

They left the observation deck and walked into a lab room that had a lot of testing equipment. 

"This…" he said while turning a monitor on and displaying a petrie dish with some sort of skin culture in it. "this is a skin sample from a mutant primate that has the ability to protect itself by putting up some sort of psychic shield."

"How did you find that out? Storm inquired"

"Quite by accident.  We let the animals have several hours of free time together each day.  One day one of our assistants put Daisy – the one I got this sample from – in with Drusilla and a few others.  Daisy is a rather timid ape.  Drusilla is not.  She started showing her dominance over Daisy and ended up getting into a fight.  We could hear the screams throughout the entire complex.  By the time we got to the observation deck, we saw that Drusilla was trying to get at Daisy but Daisy had put up some sort of shield.  Until then, we didn't know Daisy had any mutant abilities at all.  Now take a look at this."

With a few keystrokes, a light came on under the petrie dish and the skin sample lit up.  Shortly after that, a small laser was activated and guided toward the skin sample.  Everyone could see the laser cutting a shallow groove through the base that the petrie dish laid on, but as soon as it got to within a couple millimeters of the skin sample, it arced and went right over the dish; never touching the skin.  Once it reached the other side of the dish, it continued to cut the shallow groove into the base plate. 

"That's amazing!" Storm said.

"Yes." Hartford proudly said.  "We've found that by using certain frequencies, we can stimulate mutant cells to activate their powers.  It's really amazing.  We're close to figuring out how mutants call upon their unique abilities.  Once we've thoroughly cracked that code, we'll be able to activate other mutant powers.  Can you imagine what we can do to help humanity once we figure this out?  The possibilities are endless!  We still have a lot of work to do though.  It took us nearly 8 months of research to come across the right frequency for Daisy.  But now that we know more about it, we anticipate less time for other animals."  The thunder outside seemed to get louder at that point.

"Have you done any human testing?"

"We had several volunteers and have made quite a few skin grafts, but nothing has developed yet.  The human brain is so complex that we may not discover the right frequencies for years.  But this is so promising that we're willing to wait!"

"Can I see the place you do your human research?" Storm inquired.

"I'm sorry, I can't show you that area." Hartford responded.

"Why not?"

"Two reasons, one:  it's offsite, and two:  to protect the identity of those participating in my research.  Besides Arowlyn, I still don't know you very well.  You may be one of those research saboteurs." he said jokingly.

"Hartford!  You know me better than that."

"Well, you can never be too sure…"

"You think I'm capable of sabotage?  I'm capable of many things, but sabotage is not one of them."

"Well, I'm sure I'll discover that as we get to know each other….over the years hopefully."

"Again with the lobbying?"

"Until I get you to stay!.  Would you and your husband like to have dinner tonight?"

"I can't speak for him, but I'd love to."

"Great – how about Café Italia at 7?"

"Sure.  I'll do my best to drag Logan along."

"We're still on for racquetball tomorrow morning right?"

"Yes."

Hartford and Robert showed Storm the rest of the compound.  It was a very lengthy and detailed tour.  Hartford hoped that by giving her the tour, she would change her mind about the value of his research.  Unfortunately for him, her mind remained unchanged – and the weather remained poor.  She complimented him on the level of comfort and care he'd provided for all his research animals, but that's where the compliments ended.  The work was very interesting, but the driving force behind it was still the same – the exploitation of mutant abilities and rights…that was paramount.  She also really hated seeing nature's creatures locked up the way they were.  She remained silent as Hartford drove her back to her car.  He made a comment about the sudden thunderstorm that came up, but she was to far in thought to hear it.

******

Beast gave Logan his finished report on Lisa Johnston – neither was happy with what he discovered.  Lisa had definitely been pregnant sometime within the last year.  What happened to the child, nobody knew.  Logan took the report and went back to Merced to present it to Lisa and her family.  It was her last day in the hospital and he wanted to talk to her before she went home.  He arrived there about an hour before she was set to be released.

"Mr. Jacobs!" Lisa yelled as she gave him a hug.

"Hey Lisa.  Howya doin?"

"I'm glad I got to see you before I went home.  I'm doing fine – thanks to you.  Nobody else tried to kidnap me…not since my GUARDIAN ANGEL showed up!"

"Hah, I've been called a lotta things before, but nobody ever called me an angel."

"Well you're an angel to me!" she said as she kissed him on the cheek.

"I think somebody has taken a liking to you Mr. Jacobs." Lisa's father said.

"TWO somebodies" Janice added while giving Logan a hug.  "Not only did you FIND our daughter, you also protected her from being taken from us again.  We're never letting her out of our site again!  We have our Lisa back and it's all because of you.  We'll never be able to thank you enough."

"Seein' y'all together as a family is thanks enough.  But if ya wanna go beyond that, I'm partial to lasagna."

"You'll have lasagna coming out your ears Mr. Jacobs!!  When you first came to my door, I knew there was something good about you.  You seemed to really care about finding Lisa.  You seemed to really care about her period – as if she were YOUR daughter you were looking for.  I don't know why, but for some reason I knew you would find her.  I knew you were the answer to our prayers."

"Thankya Mrs. Johnston."

"Please…call me Janice.  You'll be receiving birthday and Christmas gifts and cards from me for the rest of your life!  We should be on a first name basis."

"Okay - Janice it is…"

They sat and talked about what he discovered regarding the case for the next hour or so. He explained to them how they had broadened their search to encompass the entire state of California and had come up with a number of missing students similar to Lisa.  With her help, they were closer to figuring out what happened to the others.  Logan traced the license on the ambulance but it turned up stolen.  Whoever was behind the kidnapping did a damn good job at covering their tracks. 

Next Logan went over each detail of Beasts tests.  Basically there was no permanent damage to her body.  There were several incisions from who knows what type of experimentation but they were all done by someone with surgical experience and designed to eventually yield a complete recovery.  She had been pregnant at some point, but not carried to term.  The child was removed by C-section and from Beast's best guess, was probably in its second trimester.  He couldn't tell anything else about the baby other than the C-section took place more than 5 months prior. 

They also discussed a visit from Storm.  Logan told Lisa that Storm would help her come to terms with her newfound abilities and was also a great person to talk to about the trauma she'd recently gone through.  He told Lisa how Storm helped him out of several bad situations and was always there when he needed a friend to talk to.  By the end of the conversation, he had talked Storm up so much they were very excited to meet her.  He promised she'd contact her soon – first by phone, then with a visit sometime in the coming weeks.  He then reassured the family that he would find the person or people that kidnapped Lisa and bring them to justice. 

After a final hug and kiss from Lisa and Janice, Logan headed back to Davis.  On the way back he saw the location of where Lisa was found.  He pulled off at the next exit and circled back to the frontage road to investigate it.  Though it was very faint, he could still smell traces of where Lisa was dumped on the road.  Picking up her scent reminded him of when he first saw her and detected the unknown chemicals on her body.    As the memories of that first sight became more dominant in his mind, the anger in him started to build. 

He started walking back to his HMMWV when the wind picked up.  That's when he picked up the faintest trace of chemicals in the air.  The wind was erratic and short, and didn't give him enough to trace the scent, but it definitely peaked his curiosity.  Upon pulling out a map of the area, he quickly surveyed the town and it's surrounding areas.  There weren't too many facilities around that could deal with a large amount of chemicals, and finding the ones that did might be good place to start looking.  There was a community college about 6 miles away, a food processing plant, a fruit processing factory, and an airstrip - all within 3 miles.  There was also a refinery about 8 miles out.  If the quantity of chemicals was large enough, any one of the locations could have housed them. 

Logan drove around the area for just over an hour trying to locate the source of the smell, but because the wind was so erratic, he never got a solid lead.  At one point it seemed like he was driving in circles.  He finally decided to do more research on the area and headed back to Davis to compare notes with Bishop.  On his way back he called Storm to see how she was doing.

"Hey Ro…"

"Hi Logan, how are you doing?"

"Five by five…got some news, Um headed back ta Davis right now.  I'll be there in a bit."

"Good.  I can't really talk right now.  I'm with company."

"Company?"

"Yes, I'm having dinner with Hartford and one of his colleagues – Robert Benson.  Say – would you like to join us?  We're at Café Italia."

"I don't think so…wouldn't make good company tonight.  I'll seeya when ya get home."

"Okay Sweetie, bye."

"That was your husband I take it?" Hartford asked.

"Yes."

"Will he be joining us tonight?"

"No – he's had a long day.  He's pretty tired."

"That's too bad."

"What does your husband do?" Benson inquired.

"He's a liaison between the military and local governments in California.  In his spare time, he watches over the ROTC programs here and at CSUS."

"He sounds like a busy man."

"Very.  He's been traveling between the valley and the bay area for the last couple of weeks.  I keep telling him to get a hotel room but he tells me he misses me too much."

"Aaawl." both Benson and Hartford said together in a joking manner.

"He's the best husband a woman could ever have." she replied to their banter.

"For him to attract a woman like you, I would imagine he'd have to be." Hartford said with a wink. She returned his wink with a smile – one that let him know exactly how happy she was to be married to Logan.

"I see my winning charm is working on you."

"And just what do you mean by that?" Storm asked.

"You haven't gotten on our cases once all evening about our research.  I think I'm starting to win you over."

"Like I said Hartford…It's your research I don't agree with, not you.  I find you to be a very pleasant person.  In fact, I think that once I convince you to END your research, our friendship will really blossom."

"Hah!" Benson blurted.  "Get HIM to stop his research?  He's the most dedicated man I've ever seen.  There are times when he'll go to Site B and I won't see him for DAYS!"

"Really?" Storm inquired.

"What can I say?  I'm a very dedicated scientist.  I believe that my research will usher in a new era for humanity; and unlike YOU, I think that this will lead to BETTER mutant relations."

"Oh?"

"Once non-mutant humans see how mutants can contribute to society and significantly improve it, I think people will come around and be a lot friendlier.  I mean, it's very difficult to hate someone that helped cure cancer or AIDS or many other horrible diseases.  This will be a catalyst for a cohesive society."

"I understand what you are saying Hartford, but I still think it is unwise.  I don't think the world is ready for this type of research.  I don't know if it will ever be."

"Only time will tell my intelligent political friend, only time will tell."

They ended the evening on a pleasant note.  The three set up another lunch date and Storm told Hartford and Benson that she would try to get Logan to join them.  Hartford also set up a few more racquetball sessions and a trip to San Francisco for Logan and Storm so he could show them the sights of Northern California.  It was becoming increasingly difficult for Storm to keep her objective distance because she sensed Hartford was a good person who was genuinely interested in a friendship with her; but she knew he wasn't above suspicion regarding the mutant disappearances.  Friendship – true friendship – was something very hard to come by - especially for a mutant, so it was always a welcome site when one like that between her and Hartford developed.

******

"Storm?" Logan asked as he walked into the house. 

"Up here Logan!" she yelled from the upstairs bedroom

"We need to round up the…" **sniff sniff**  "What's that smell?" he asked as he neared the bedroom.

"What?"

"That smell!  What is it?" he asked again – this time in a more abrupt voice.

"What smell?  I don't smell anything."

He searched the room and zeroed in on the closet.  After yanking the doors open, he quickly identified the source – Storm's blazer; the one she wore that day.

"That chemical on your coat.  It's the same smell we talked about before – the one I got from Lisa when they found her."

"That's the coat I wore today when I toured Hartford's labs.  I must have picked it up there."

"Which lab?"

"We toured several, but the most probable one was the primate center."

**Snikt**  "Get dressed – we're gonna take a private tour of this so-called primate center – and you aint talkin' me out of it this time." 

"I agree…I didn't find what I was looking for today – we need information on Site B." she replied – much to Wolverine's surprise.  She quickly dressed and prepared to go back to the lab.

Before leaving, Logan filled her in on what he suspected in Atwater.  He thought Lisa might have been held somewhere in the area but couldn't get more specific because the scent was so faint.  Storm called Bishop and told him to collect information on the area and see if there were any possible locations that might fit what they were looking for.  Bishop had a knack for getting even the most classified information without suspicion, so he was a natural for the task.  He never explained how he was so good at it, but on missions like this one – nobody cared…they just wanted the information.  His intel was always legitimate and extremely accurate.  With him researching the Atwater area, Logan and Storm headed for the primate center. 

*****

Monkey Business

It was a little after midnight when they arrived.  They parked a couple miles from the primate center and Storm flew Wolverine the rest of the way.  That kept them from being detected by any of the security measures as the approached.  Once in range, they landed and hiked in to the compound through the wooded area around the center.

"This is as far as you go Ro."

"What?  But I've been inside – I know the layout."

"You're also pretty identifiable – even with yer mask on and yer hair tucked away like that.  With my holo-emitter off, I'm not.  Just give me the run-down on the inside and I'll be fine."

"Okay Logan, but be careful."

She gave him all the information she had about the primate center and he got started.  He kept a radio with him so he could stay in touch with her if anything happened.  About a half an hour later, he radioed her and told her he was inside.

"How did you get past the outside security measures?"

"You don't wanna know.  Where's the observation deck?"

"Where are you?"

"Northwest corner – storage facility."

"I didn't go to that area, but I'm pretty sure there's a hallway that leads to a large door.  Take it – if I'm right, it'll come up on the opposite side of the main lab."

"I see it – then what?"

"If you can get past that door, there will be a staircase that leads to the observation deck."

"Dunno Storm – I may have ta cut my way into…wait a minute…okay I'm in.  Hah – I guess yer friend Hartford ain't too worried about security once you get INSIDE.  The door wasn't even locked."

"Good – the observation deck is upstairs."

"I'm there.  The deck has a coded lock on it though.  You wouldn't happen to remember the code would you?"

"No – he stood in front of it when he opened it today."

"Hold on.  It's a manual push-key – 5 keys.  I think I can get past it."

After several minutes of silence, he radioed in.

"Got it. – had ta do a whole lot of listenin' to the tumblers, but I'm in."

"Now you see…had I come, you would have been inside in half the time…you know I have a way with locks."

"So do I – just not as delicate as yers…" he snickered.  "Okay, I'm looking at the computers…let's see what I can find."

"Any clues?"

"Too much data – it'll take to long to sift through it all – I'll just download it all to disks."

 "Good."

After downloading as much data as he could, Logan left the observation deck and took a look around the compound.  He inspected several lab rooms, several animal areas, and several storage rooms but didn't find anything significant.  He found the chemical that he smelled on Lisa, but it was just in the storage area.  It was a substance called bio-fill and the center had a significant quantity of it, but nothing there alluded to any missing mutants.

"Logan, are you about done?" Storm asked.

"Yeah.  I ain't found a flamin' clue."

"Well get out…it looks like someone is coming in to do some late night work."

"Copy – I'm headed out right now…ETA 10 minutes."

"You leave any tracks?"

"Nothin' anybody'll find."

Eight minutes later, Logan caught up with Storm.  He was in a pretty foul mood.

"What's that smell?" she asked.

"You DON'T wanna know." Logan grumbled.

"It's vile!"

"There was only one way inta that place without trippin' any sensors – the one inlet that security overlooked…through the flamin'…"

"Let me guess – the sewage system?"

"Yah."

"So that horrible smell is…"

"Yeah Storm, it's ape shit."  Storm tried her best not to laugh.

"You know you're walking home right?"

"Grrrrrr" 

"But I'll help you out; I'll take those disks off your hands for you so you won't have to carry them all the way home."

"You can take these disks and shove 'em where the sun don't shine!"

"I'd love to Dear." she giggled. "Does it involves apes?" she said as she snagged them and flew back to the car.

Later, back at the house…

"HEY – LET ME IN!" Logan said from behind the 3-inch opening the chain lock on the door permitted. 

"Did you shower yet?"

"WHERE THE HELL AM I GONNA FIND A SHOWER?!  The key ta being undercover is not being detected!"

"I love you Logan, but you are NOT coming in here smelling like…ANIMAL FECES!  There's a hose out back with a spray gun and 2 bars of soap."

"You're killin' me with compassion Ro."

"And you're killing me and Henry with your…scent.  Now, to the back yard…and put your clothes in the bucket – and LEAVE them there."

Storm wouldn't let him in until he started on the second bar of soap.  Wolverine wondered why with him being the one with the superhuman sense of smell, she was the one that could still smell the ape shit.  She assured him that it was simply a matter of not being able to smell one's own scent.

"You find anything on them disks Ro?" Logan asked when he was finally permitted to come in.

"Beast is looking at them right now – so far he's found nothing unusual."

"What say Beast?  You tellin' me I crawled through ape shit fer nuttin'?" he said, walking into the library where beast was pecking away on a keyboard.

"So far it looks that…geez Logan – you could at least put some clothes on!"

"I ain't got nuttin' you ain't seen before…and Storm never complained!"

"He's not the shy type Henry." Storm said as she brought him a robe and a beer – the very least she could do after what she put him through.

"I'm sorry Storm, Wolverine" Beast said while turning around and refocusing on the data in front of him.  "These disks have nothing on them related to the missing mutants.  I found tons of information about site B, but everything seems on the up and up."

"What about the identities of the mutants used in the experiments at site B?" Storm asked.

"Yeah – they're here…I've already cross-referenced them with the names of the missing mutants.  None of them match."

"Damn!" Logan grunted.

"Just because we didn't find anything doesn't mean the night was wasted Logan.  Even a lack of information is information.  Maybe Hartford isn't involved in this."

"You gotta be kiddin' Storm!  Most of the mutants disappeared from THIS campus.  He's doing genetic experiments involvin' mutants on THIS campus.  There's a whole storehouse fulla that chemical I smelled on Lisa in a complex that HE is in charge of.  Everything points ta him.  Just because he likes you and wants ta be your friend doesn't mean he ain't involved in this!"

"I hear what you are saying Logan, but it might not be him – what if it's someone else?  It could be one of Hartford's associates.  I just met Robert Benson today.  We don't know anything about him or what he's capable of.  I say let's investigate the people associated with Hartford and see where it leads."

"Whatever Ro.  But I'm keepin' my eye on yer pal Hartford."

"As well you should."

"Well!" Beast said with a sigh.  "It being 3:30am – a mere 4.5 hours before I have to be on campus, I think I'll head back to my humble abode."

"Good night Beast." Storm said while walking him to the door.

"You'll keep me apprised on any new developments?"

"Yes."