DISCLAIMER: Same as before. I own none of the Mutant X characters except Natalia, Aarariah and Marlina since they and their world belonged to me long before Mutant X.
Chapter 3 My Father's World
Michelle Eckhart continued chronicling her activities to the computer.
"During the time Father was held captive in the stasis pod, I was able to empathically connect to his mind, or as Adam calls it, the limbic system to assure myself that he was undamaged. I found myself in an unusual mindscape, while indistinguishable from our own world, was unusual in that key inhabitants including him were gifted far beyond anything we know of in our own world except for perhaps Gabriel Ashlocke and myself. Father was somehow aware of me in his world and I became "Jennifer Eckhart" in his world. Perhaps these power figures- Natalia, Aarariah, Jennifer, and the mutated version of Mason Eckhart were Father's attempt to compensate in his mind for the things he could not accomplish in real life.
"In my spare time, I felt compelled to hack into Sanctuary's tightly guarded computer system during Father's four month captivity and was surprised at how closely connected Sanctuary was with Genomex. I shouldn't have been surprised, since Adam was intimately involved in creating databases for both; it would be no surprise if he had covertly interfaced them as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Adam Kane had created other connections we don't know about.
"I took the liberty of downloading the instructions for creating the com-link rings into my personal database. I manufactured such a ring, keyed to my and my father's DNA and interfaced it to Genomex's master computer. Before I could test it, Ashlocke and his band of slaves returned to the office to gloat over another conquest. I blended myself with the stasis pod and unobtrusively slipped the ring into Father's pocket.
"I am smiling now at Father's memories-- of how Father removed Natalia's interface ring in an effort to free her from the evil computer interface, of how he succeeded in joining together the two personalities of the woman he loves- Natalia and Aarariah- and of how he beat the tar out of Adam. Such intense feelings. He is a man with heart, he just keeps it hidden. I think Adam recognizes that, that is why he keeps chasing after him, to bring him back.
"After being awakened at Sanctuary, Father found the ring that I had slipped into his pocket. Unfortunately when his frequent blackouts landed him in the hospital for observation, his belongings were put into safe-keeping and Adam created a brain-monitor to try to keep him conscious. Adam's device, while well-intentioned, is a hindrance to Father. I believe that he needs to stay in that unconscious state, much like humans need sleep. He will eventually wake up for good. I located the ring that I had created for Father during his stay in the stasis pod. I can test it in relative safety now."
Michelle allowed the computer to deactivate in silence, her big hazel eyes gazed without expression at the stripped down corpse of Genomex. She continued to methodically search what remained of Mason Eckhart's office for some clue, for anything at all. The thin, athletic woman was wearing a black leather jacket and matching biker outfit. She put her shades back on as she sat in Eckhart's chair, placed her hands on the armrests, leaned back and looked around. Her pale blond hair hung in shagged ringlets around her shoulders.
She could almost hear him say, "I'm busy" in a detached far-away voice
Michelle slipped on the com-link ring and turned it on. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes.
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A few days later after the last visit to the hospital, Adam received an urgent phone call from Dr. Kyle. Eckhart had managed to tear off the head-set again, bruising his head in the process. He was lying in a coma once again. Adam frowned. The fellow certainly has a one-track mind. If he could only have a reasonable conversation with him…perhaps Emma could get some sense into him.
As they entered the hospital room, Michelle was leaning over Eckhart's motionless form, holding his hand.
"I have done everything you have asked me to do Father," Adam somehow heard her say softly before she noticed their presence. The thin blond woman closed her other hand over the one she was holding and gave them a guarded stare. Mason Eckhart lay peacefully in the bed, hooked to IV's and wrapped in the sterile plastic skin covering.
"Uh, where's Brennan?" Michelle asked.
"Off on business. I'm hoping that Emma can reach your father in a way that won't disrupt his body functions."
Michelle Eckhart gazed unblinkingly at the red-headed telempath. Emma stared back, trying to get a sense of what seemed to be agitating Mason Eckhart's daughter. Michelle sighed heavily.
"Very well," she assented. "I will have to come along as well. I do not trust you in my father's world."
Emma looked questioningly at Adam.
"What do you mean?" Adam asked. "Have you communicated with your father, Michelle?" Adam asked.
"I only have empathic abilities, Adam. I'm very limited in what I can do with them. I can read people, but unlike Emma here, cannot project anything. I am only a ghost in his mind now." Michelle answered, looking down at Eckhart. "Perhaps with Emma linked with me, he may be able to see me. Well?"
