-8 Months
Proxy Blue had a new expression on her face for once. It was almost disapproval. "Yesterday the Chicago Tribune printed a story that Genomex had proof that mutants were not on the same sentient scale as humans, due to the animal DNA spliced in. They may walk and talk, but that's all just programming, according to the report, and they're no more human than a complex organic robot. What do people think a human being is? And besides, do none of these people read Asimov? I feel almost insulted. Today, pretty much every other paper in existence has picked the story up, and well, the pen is mightier than the sword for a reason. Human rights are remarkably quiet, and animal rights have been quoted as saying that mutants are outside their pervue, that they simply don't have the resources. When it comes to ferals, I wonder where exactly they draw the line.
"Clashes between the AV's and Freedom Fighters are becoming fewer but far more vicious. If I were paranoid I'd think that maybe someone views the Freedom Fighters as a threat. After all, wasn't the AV's agenda to take down humans?
"And one last little tidbit. The psionic intern who claimed to be able to project people's thoughts into other people's brains, remember him? The same intern who last week threatened to expose corruption within the senate and the White House. Well, that was a story forgotten in a day as he was put into protective custody for his own good, and of course, with the National Enquirer backing him, any credibility was lost. It seems that last night, however, he had a nasty accident with a steak knife. I bet there are a few people breathing easier today.
"It's little snippets like this that make it all worthwhile, so keep them coming, kiddies!"
*****
Lena McEnery looked up as her partner crashed into their office. "So, what's upset the FBI's finest today?"
"Darlene's been taken to interrogation for questioning!" Darius Johnson flopped into his chair. "I mean, she's just a gopher, and it's like they arrested my great aunt Ethel or something."
"Darlene?" Lena was astounded. "Why?"
"Grapevine has it because her hair is blue. Now that part I don't believe for a moment."
"And that makes her what, a suspect? A mutant? A conspirator?" Lena asked.
"No, but - and this part I believe, if not the reason for it - it makes her a suspect for Proxy Blue."
"Proxy - ? Oh, shit!" Lena slammed the desk with the palm of her hand.
"Exactly my thought," Darius said grimly. "So what do we do about it?"
*****
Eckhart was not best pleased to see Adam welcomed into the inner circle, and had advised Morrisen against it. However, the ruling seat thought it could be amusing to have the two co-founders of the mutant movement here to express their views. Eckhart failed to see how that could be in the slightest bit humorous, but put up with it as one of the many he prices he had to pay, prices he was keeping strict account of. And he tolerated it despite the supercilious smile Adam had taken to wearing, secure in the knowledge that Adam was just a pawn in the Circle's games.
*****
Emma's last contact with Shalimar had been fraught and heated, and had frightened the psionic no end.
Shalimar was telling Emma to run, that their main base had been compromised and, over the web-link, Emma could see the fighting approaching. She protested, suggesting they rejoin forces, but Shalimar negated that with a growl, telling her to run and stay low until Adam contacted her, that she'd get in touch with her once they'd relocated.
Emma hadn't needed her powers to know that the feral didn't believe that she was going to get out alive and she couldn't break the web-link even after Shalimar had switched her end off. It was only Julie's strong hand on her shoulder that eventually brought her back to the here and now.
Brushing angry tears aside, she told her people that like it or not, they were running to ground.
*****