-3 Months

Proxy Blue's sarcastic smile was firmly back in place. "Things are too quiet, people! I can tell you anecdotes about abandoned human babies getting adopted by the ferals next door, or the ATM Speedster who moves so fast to grab your money, you think the machine hasn't spit it out, or even the legendary mermaid that's been spotted in Central Park. Boring! Feed me!" 

*****

Adam accepted his change of seat to Morrisen's right hand with good grace, and kept in mind the promise that he would have not only Genomex, but LexMor at his disposal to conduct the research he'd always wanted to do, but not had time, money, facilities, or free rein to do.

He just had two small problems to iron out, and he'd be secure.

*****

It was with a mixture of trepidation, excitement and relief that Emma waited in the old abandoned Mutant X safe house. She had Julie and Jeff with her as always and felt like a little girl with her mommy and daddy waiting for the school principal.

She was well aware that she'd changed a great deal in the last nine months or so, and it felt weird being here now. She was looking forward to seeing Adam, though, and relieved that he'd apparently organized things so that there was a chance for mutants to talk with those in power, under civilized circumstances.

A click, and steel shutters blocked doors and windows. Jeff's body turned dull silver as he threw himself at the door, making significant dents but unable to break it open.

White fog and gas was clouding the air, making them choke. Emma opened up her mind, focused tightly and hit those hiding in the walls with their worst nightmares. As Julie looked desperately for someone to beat up, Emma was thankful that broadband hadn't been necessary this time; she hated hurting such good friends.

Jeff continued to batter away, the door starting to give, but the gas was winning and seconds later all sounds of choking stopped as all three of them slipped into a drugged sleep.

*****

"Hey," Kathy poked Brennan in the ribs as he took a break after setting the latest car of mutants along their way.

"Hiya," he smiled, reaching out for her, but she pulled away. "What's up?"

"Ah, I'm sorry Bren," she shrugged, "I'm going to have to take off for a while. Family problems, you know how it is. Be back soon though."

"Sure," Brennan said, thinking she was going to leave a big hole in things while she was gone, a possibility he hadn't thought about before. Yes, she scratched an itch in his personal life, but she did so much of the day-to-day administration and organization that he wasn't entirely certain that he could cope without her. Maybe he should help her make sure she wasn't gone too long. "Want me to tag along?" he offered.

"Nah. Tell you what, though, you could give me a lift out to Maxi's - the old scrap yard, you know it? I said I'd meet up there with a friend'll take me home."

"Want the company?"

She gave him an embarrassed smile. "Ya could say."

The short trip was full of their normal banter, but as they stood outside Maxi's sharing a hug and kiss, it started to rain.

Brennan pulled back laughing, and Kathy did too, but her laughter wasn't playful. The rain was a fire hose and, as Kathy moved away, it was aimed at him full force by soldiers. The water meant he couldn't power up and the pressure meant he couldn't keep his feet. Helpless, he was held virtually immobile against the fence that marked the boundary of Maxi's yard. He didn't feel the tranquillizer dart, only felt the effects as the water overcame him and he sank into sleep, uncertain whether the vision of Kathy collecting a wad of money was an hallucination or not.

*****

Victoria Langley had been intrigued by Adam Kane, and would have considered courting him if Morrisen hadn't latched on to him. However, she was more curious about Adam's former pets, had been for a long time.

Previous to her political career, she'd been married one of the top men in the CIA. Of course, Harold had passed away a few years ago, right after he'd taken an early retirement. Fortunately for her. She'd met with one or two of Harold's operatives over the years, and one in particular had popped up on more than one occasion.

The younger Noah Kilmartin had caught her eye, dashing, charming and rich, although in recent years all that had changed. Apart from the rich part. And last she heard, official documents be damned, he was rotting away in some central African prison.

Noah could never have been hers, not with Harold around, and Harold was too valuable to risk her marriage. But now that the son had been swept under the carpet, as it were, she saw an opportunity. A couple of months should be long enough that she could make sure he was swept under her share of the carpet, yet not too long that he'd have starved to death or something equally undesirable.

With a little discreet investigation and a few favors traded, one filthy creature in chains dripped mud, dirt and other sludgy substances on the beautiful cream fur rug that adorned the hallway of her country house.

Her perfectly groomed afghan hound obediently at her side, she glided around the creature that came with two guards attached, examining him. He was lean, perhaps too lean, but stood straight and proud, his muscles strong and hard edged from hard labor. The SGFlex glinted dully at the back of his neck and blue eyes, although bloodshot and squinting, burned with defiance.

"For goodness sake, get the boy cleaned up, then we can see about his training. Raymond," she addressed a tall man waiting quietly by the door. "I want that boy as obedient as Princess." She stroked the afghan's head. "And you are responsible for making sure that happens any way necessary."

*****