Brennan Mulwray looked upwards as a blur whizzed past him the gust of wind blowing his hair backwards a little. "Long Time Brennan huh?" Came a strangely familiar voice as Todd Richards stops in front of Brennan. The Two new mutants who were carrying the case seemed to pick up the pace towards the helicopter. Todd blurred forward towards them, close lining the two new mutants. Following over due to the tremendous force, the feral Karen pulled herself off the ground as her mouth growled. Though, as Karen looked at Todd she heard a sudden crackle of energy behind her. Whipping her hear around her face contorted in horror.
"Yeah I'd not think about that if I was you." Comes, the familiar York-accented voice of Matty Collan as she stood there with an orb of purple energy flickering above the face of her Elemental partner. Though Karen was willing to give her friend's life to do the bidding of Asheloche unconditionally—launching towards Todd she growled missing him as he blurred to the left and sent a quick elbow to her shoulder. Though, Karen was anything but defenseless as she brought her hand up only moments before calling Todd's move. Karen's hand wrapped around his wrist, to the Molecular's surprise and sent a hard kick into his stomach. Todd wheeled backwards at the kick crashing to the pavement. Matty had no love for the Strand, they did kill her brother. Though, as her energy released into the shaking elemental, the boy just collapsed cold.
"You all part of MutantX or something?" Karen asked as she came forward sending a swift round house towards Matty's Raven hair covered scalp. Slipping her hand upwards, Matty batted the kick away sending a right hook towards the feral's face.
"No, we're Mutant Zero." Matty retorted as the sucker punch connected into the Feral's jaw. As Karen fell a few steps she called into the head set she was wearing.
--Okay we are going to need a little help here. -- The feral snarled as she launched back at Matty… As she did another form dropped from the sky. It was a rather sudden drop without a parachute instead the new comer leaped from the sides of the walls, claws digging into the mortar before his feet landed on the ground.
"Good… so Urien want to take care of this or what?" Comes, the voice of Karen as she slammed her fist into the stomach of Matty. Matty went with the punch her back stiffing from the sudden pressure change. Matty's fingers curled over her hair as she launched back at Karen. Sending a volt of electricity at the Feral casting her backwards, it was as Karen goes flying that Urien's body kicks off a wall. His body flipping through the air his leg jousts outwards connecting with Matty's face. Matty hadn't seen it coming, due to the Feral's quick speed, his boot heel snaps the jaw of Matty in a devastating blow forcing her backwards. Matty's body falls over in a thump. As Urien turns around his eyes flare a yellow glow just as a blur comes towards him after trails was all Urien could sense as Todd's fist connects into Urien's face his head jars back—Urien falling to the ground. As Urien looks up to see the body of Karen sending him a smile as she leaps onto the ladder after the explosive elemental. "Go Go!" Karen screams as the Helicopter takes off. Karen feeling her heart pounding in her chest. Urien's eyes close slightly not sure who to trust… the battle over consciousness, doesn't last much longer as Urien's eyes close softly and the Darkness comes.
*****
Sanctuary
Storm king Mountain, Victoria Columbia
Urien's consciousness comes back to him in a blinding flash, the feral experiencing something a kin to eye sight in fast forward as he opens his eyes slightly. Though the blinding light in the room makes him squint transferring his eyes to narrow slits. Urien's squinted eyes take in the hazy shiny room, all appearing to be silvers and black. As Urien looks over to his left a Silhouette hovers over him unable to really make out exactly who was standing over him, though as the form talks there's a sense of recognition. A voice Gabriel Ashelocke had let Urien listen to many times during his training. "How are you feeling? The shock to your system seems to be all that we can find wrong with you on a medical stand point at least." Came the slow and eased voice of Adam Kane the leader of MutantX. There's a slight smile come over his face. "But there appears to be some mental conditioning apparatus inserted into the base of your cerebral stem. I suppose that's how Ashelocke is taking care of his new recruits."
Urien's face doesn't move, but for a tense moment as he tries to speak. "Your Adam, right so that means you have taken me to Sanctuary, that is where I am now?" Came the halted Welsh accent over his lips.
"Yes, Urien I am Adam Kane and you are indeed in Sanctuary. And if you know that, then I assume you know the security mandates in place in this facility are without peer. So don't try to escape."
"Escape? I 'ave know where to go. Home is out of the question now, and I am sure with the way I was left that the Strand doesn't wish for me either."
That's when suddenly a voice came into his head, ~On the contrary my boy; you are right where I want you. What a chance this is. ~ Gabriel's voice mentioned before it dissolved back into his consciousness.
"Well, I suppose they don't value you for the extraordinary being you are. You are one of three Roden New Mutant experiments, which were conducted. I remember your father very well. Football (soccer for Americans) player was not supposed to walk again. How are your parents now?" Adam asked with a concerned voice.
"Look, Adam I really don't mean any offense here, but don't go on acting like you actually cared. This MutantX stuff is bogus, you created us all and now you're just what—trying to be nice so you can push pennies off your freaks?"
~Keep cool, Urien… we need you to gain their trust. ~ came Asheloche again.
Adam smiles shaking his head softly, as his eyes narrowed on Urien. "Well, I suppose it could look like that. But MutantX is designed to protect New Mutants; it was with them that we formed the Underground, with them that we could even safe guard new mutants when Genomex was a threat. But with the work of my team that is now over. I am not one to pretend I'm a saint, and yes unwillingly I did make all of you. But that was not my intention, just to help people… like your father."
"My father died 10 years ago."
"Urien, I am deeply sorry, you should rest now, and I will talk to you again soon."
*****
Strand Headquarters
Location Unknown
"Damnit, we should not have charged his with this delicate task. Karen why did you not tell me he was unstable?" Ashelocke's voice cracked as he leaned back into the chair. His silk shirt unbuttoned showing off his delicately graphed chest.
"Gabriel, Urien's a feral. Were all a little unstable, give him time to let it sink in. I am sure he will make a very good mole." Karen mentioned as she leaned forward lips pressing into Gabriel's neck.
"You better hope so Karen. This whole operation balances on that very concept." Gabriel mentions as he balls his fist into his hand. "So what about this other team, Mutant Zero, Does Adam really think his numbers are really going to have any effect on the endgame?"
Karen's shoulders rolled back against her neck. An arm stretched out to place on Gabriel's leg momentarily. "Adam is in a panic, he doesn't have the nerve to act like it. Trust me Gabriel; it's only a matter of time."
"Time is the only thing we don't have, Karen." Gabriel Growled.
*****
Jam & Joes
Toronto, Ontario
Matty paced back and forth around the break room her hands clinched, as she felt the anger burning inside her. The afternoon's events having had gotten her rather angry. Angry at being blind sided by the Strand member, angry at Shalimar from holding her back from beating Urien to death, and mostly angry at Brennan electing to come back to Jam and Joes with her, to make sure she didn't come to Sanctuary to get her revenge. Sure Brennan had made it sound like he just wanted to train her some. Though Matty knew the real reason, she knew Brennan just wanted to keep her away from him. Away from the guy who got her when she wasn't expecting it. "So you are going to walk holes in the floor Matty, or are we going to talk about what's going on in your head?" Brennan finally mentioned out loud after a few minutes.
"What's going on in my head? What's going on in your head—why are you and Adam protecting the enemy? Why are you all sitting on him and not letting us just put the ass out of his misery?" Matty exclaimed through much resilience to not send a few hundred volts through Brennan where he sat.
"Look, Matty it's not exactly the kids fault. Emma found the psychic link like the one in Shalimar's head in Urien's. Adam wants to keep him to match up sequencing brain Patterns. What ever his deal is, he's more use to us alive than dead."
"Now we know that, but Shalimar she just—"
"Shalimar's a feral like Urien is. Ferals have a connection to each other. Shalimar did what her instincts told her too. Like a mother protecting her young. And a damn good thing she did."
"You always pull this crap Brennan, making up excuses and avoiding the situation."
"The situation Matty, maybe you should enlighten me on what the situation is. Because as far as I see it the only situation that we have going on her, is your Damaged Ego, Matty."
Matty's face contorted as she strode over to Brennan, her wide legged Kickwear pants zipping as the denim connected with each other. Throwing out two forceful hands she pushed Brennan back against the couch hard, causing Brennan's head to knock against the drywall. Matty threw out her hands, fingers and fist clinching the collar of the t-shirt he wore as she brought him towards her. Brennan's eyes narrowed as he looked to Matty's pissed off face, a flexing of jaw muscles tinged as she said nothing just leaned in and forcefully kissed his lips with no abandon. Brennan's hand eased up to the back of Matty's scalp as he got into the kiss. Electricity crackling both audibly and in the passion of the two old friends—before Matty broke the kiss and stepped backwards her soft eyes looking back towards Brennan now. A wide grin forming on the lips of Brennan, as the elemental just stared at the girl he never hooked up with. "That's the situation." Comes, Matty's voice now that had transformed from a bark to a soft purr.
"Oh that, well… yes, that is a whole different situation." Brennan Jeered though under the rough exterior of the once criminal, was a sense that Matty was hiding a lot more from him than the kiss they had shared. Under those full lips Brennan knew there was something more to be seen. "So since were here, we might as well get to training."
*****
Sanctuary
Storm King Mountain, Victoria Columbia
Emma De'lauro was probably the last person who Jesse Kilmartin thought would show up behind him while he was analyzing brain signatures for the sanctuary's newest guest. Though one was not to say that Jesse was not content to see the psionic member of MutantX. Jesse's lips formed a smile as he turned to greet Emma. "Hey Emma." Jesse mentioned seeing her reflection in the glass of his monitor.
"Hi Jesse, still working on the pattern of those signatures?" Emma asked Jesse.
"Yep, sure am, trust me Emma nothing says fun like crap load of little ethereal specks and trying the guess the right ones that form the trail."
"Sort of like constellations huh?"
"Huh?"
"Constellations, you know stars?"
"Oh yeah I guess they are a little like Constellations. Not that… that will help to much."
"You'd be surprised how rudimary patterns exist in all things Jesse." Adam's voice rang out as his footfalls neared the Psionic and Molecular.
"How do you mean Adam?" Jesse asked as his head turned around followed by Emma's
"Well take a look here." Adam mentioned as he formed his finger around some of the dots that formed the little dipper in a connect the dots formulation. Go ahead and highlight that section." Adam instructed.
"You're the boss Adam." Jesse retorted as the little dipper form was highlighted on the monitor in gleaming yellow designs.
"Now do a cross search on the that Pattern over the net." Adam mentioned.
"I'm on it." Jesse mentioned sending a look to the suddenly quiet Emma. As Jesse did the search screens began to fill with information highlighting that pattern as a the standard DNA type set for analyzing DNA. Another screen showing that this curve of nerve relays were also used for the brain to go into beta wave patterns. "Hey, when your right your right."
"Actually the reason I came out here, was a theory I have. Emma, this will be a first for you, working in connection with another Psionic to merge within one nexus to use both Psionics abilities at the same time. At least in theory it should work."
"Oh no Adam. I know what your thinking and there is no way."
"Emma, you and Michelle were best friends at a point. If anyone knows each other enough its you two."
"Adam, but what she did, with the whole cyber lady thing. That is just to freaky. I don't want to go into her head again. Please don't make me do it."
Adam sighed as he listened to Emma's pouting. "Well Emma I'm not going to make you do anything. Just know that the safety of the Santuary as well as both Urien and Shalimar hang in the balance."
Emma sighed as she looked down at her feet. "I know Adam, its just. She use to be like my sister."
"I understand Emma." Adam patted her shoulder softly, as he turns to leave, to return to the lab.
"Wait Adam… I'll do it."
"Thank you Emma."
As Adam was speaking to Emma and Jesse, Shalimar was more curious about the visitor who had gotten a good shot in on her, the strange feral who she felt was a danger to her the team, though as she entered the lab, she thought about something else. The fear in the eyes of the strange feral, that was blocking all else. Shalimar could smell that same damp smell even as her eyes looked over at the unconscious form, of Urien. Shalimar's fingers tapping against the chair, thick hair shaking around her shoulders as a smile traced over her lips. "So what's your story, wrong place at the wrong time?" Shalimar's rough voice asked as she looked down at Urien. Urien's body doesn't move though there's a sudden split in his lips.
"I am sorry, about what I did to the girl. Is that what you want to hear Shalimar? You of all people should know that when caged in the only action is to lash out."
"Lash out? Is that what you are calling it Urien. I don't know whats in your head or whats going on. But if you ever attack one of my friends again, your going to wish you didn't."
"I already wish I hadn't."
*****
Jam & Joes
Toronto, Ontario
Brennan's hand formed a bright ball of electricity as his dark eyes looked at Matty, a smile forming wide over his face. "Forming the telsa is easy like putting your soul into your hand. Never been a real problem for me. But I was born with it. It was always aiming that tripped me up. But you weren't so lucky right?"
Matty nodded as she cupped her hands forward letting a purple telsa coil form in her hands crackling. There was a tense form coming to her face as she formed it—body contorting a little. "Well it took some practice, but yeah I have it okay."
"Well I'd not expect you to tell me the truth, you have changed a lot since the old days Matty." Brennan mentions as he fires his coil at one of the targets on the other side of the large room they were in. The room looked like a gym of some sort, linoleum floors white walls, and large targets situated to the far walls—targets that resemebled dummies. Brennan's current hit the target being absorbed into the Dummy's cotton confines. "Now aim and fire."
"Well My control isn't even as close to yours Brennan." Matty mentioned as she set loose her coil as it dashed across the room hitting the wall in sudder. A round black circle stained the wall as the smoke cleared from the impact.
"Yeah Matty you can say that again. But that's what all this is for. Cause your going to have to learn control. Check yourself, and not to let your anger control your motions."
"What are you trying to say Brennan?" Matty asked with a smile as a giggle feel over her face.
"Nothing Matty, don't worry about it. Now lets try this again."
*****
The Strand HQ
Location Unknown.
The Hanger was filled with about twenty to thirty random New mutant bodies as Karen was trying to coordinate the effort of refueling of plane that sat to one side of the the hanger. Repairs were going on, on a helicopter that was in the battle with MutantX early last night. Gabriel's presence in the room went unnoticed with so many others in the place fixing repairs and busy on other things that no one seemed to see his lanky steps behind Karen. A soft hand pressed onto her shoulder, gently staying there until the feral turned around. The soft smile landed over her lips as dazzling blue eyes curved around to see, Ashelock standing there. "Your pick has been surprisingly resourceful." Came Ashelocke's voice towards Karen.
"So he's gained the trust?" Karen asked almost surprised that Urien would have continued to do his job, with how Gabriel's plan sent him in as the scapegoat. Karen never doubted Gabriel even for an instant, in getting a job done, until this plan. Karen felt bad about how it worked out. Though Karen knew Gabriel was a man who could induce much into the minds of others. Urien was a fractured mind already, being of rodent DNA it was evident, that he was not very trusting and little things could put him into a frenzied rage. As the thought blossomed in her mind again, there was not even a sudden synopses flip before Gabriel's hand was at her neck forcing her against the wall.
"Don't ever doubt me Karen. Not even for a moment." Came the loud and very angry voice of Asheloche as his eyes looked down at the feral. A purple hue came up to her face as Gabriel's grip tightened. Slowly Karen winced in a nodding motion. As she did Gabriel forced her back against the wall. "Now our friend Urien is going to be our Judas. How are preparations to lure MutantX out in the open?"
Karen looked at Gabriel and sighed. "Well Mutant Zero seems to be their new hand, at least its how I think."
"well we'll call their bluff. We don't have to much time to wait. We need to cover all sides. We can't let Adam know my purpose, what I'm trying to do. We have to find the Tablet. Its my one chance, to beat what he did to me."
"I understand, and we are making preparations."
"And Karen…"
"Yes Gabriel."
"Don't think for a moment that this is selfish. We can rebuild the world, where New mutants take their place as the next step in human evolution. Its just a matter of removing the obstacles."
"Don't worry about Adam, Gabriel first we need to make sure you are going to be well."
"I'll worry about my health Karen, you worry about getting the job done."
"Yes Gabriel."