"This next mutant is regarded as extremely dangerous. We believe his name
is Eric Lensherr, although this is not confirmed to one hundred percent
satisfaction. He goes by the alias of Magneto. His powers revolve around
the manipulation of the planet's magnetic fields, giving him control over
metals of all kinds."
"Colonel Guile, do you believe he poses a threat to national security?"
William Guile, a colonel in the US Air Force, stood in front of nearly three dozen general officers. He was in his dress uniform, making this presentation because the officer who was supposed to do so mysteriously died only three days ago. Because of Guile's distinguished record, the brass had decided to put him in charge of the surge of mutant activity.
"Admiral, this Magneto is the one was responsible for events at the United Nations summit in New York last year. He was apprehended and placed under the supervision of Colonel Stryker, who had learned of Magneto's powers, and had a prison constructed completely of plastic. Somehow, the mutant affected his own escape, killing three guards in the process. There is also speculation that he was involved in the destruction of the dam at Canada's Alkali Lake, although the report we have from there is unconfirmed."
"So what you have, Colonel, is a whole lot of nothing," commented a Marine general.
"On the contrary, sir," said Guile, tensing up underneath his uniform, wishing he could take the punk Marine out back and beat him to a pulp, "we know a great deal about him. Some of Colonel Stryker's records were recovered from the fire at his offices. Apparently, this Eric Lensherr is German-born, and as a boy spent several years in a Nazi concentration camp."
Several of the general officers caught their breath at that. To have experienced such horrors, they couldn't imagine the rage that survivors would feel.
"We also believe he later made acquaintance with a certain Charles Xavier, a multi-millionaire and one of the world's foremost experts in physics and genetics. He runs a school for gifted children in Westchester, New York, and he has often been called on to testify in front of Congress on the mutant issue. He often sends a spokeswoman, this woman, one Jean Grey."
"Do we know the views on mutants of Mr. Xavier?"
"His views have always been pro-mutant, General," answered Guile, "He and Miss Grey have always stressed cooperation between humans and mutants, insisting that it is possible for both humans and mutants to live together peacefully."
"Has there ever been any indication that Xavier is concealing mutants within his school?"
There was silence for a few moments. Although a vociferous advocate for mutant rights, Charles Xavier was a world-renowned scientist and philanthropist. To think that he might be concealing mutants could be seen as dangerous in the eyes of the generals, Guile knew. They would see an unknown number of mutants with unknown powers under their nose.
Guile chose his next words carefully. "There has never been any indication that Xavier or any of the affiliates at his school possess mutant powers, although a thorough search has never been conducted."
"I think it's about time we found out why," said the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, "Colonel Guile, you are hereby ordered to put together a military and law enforcement task force. We will offer a select number of international allies to participate as well, although you are to be in overall command. You are to investigate this mutant phenomenon, particularly the activities of Mr. Lensherr and Mr. Xavier. We will expect your team to perform a thorough search of the Xavier school and its students. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"You're dismissed, Colonel."
Guile stood at attention and saluted. He walked out of the room at a brisk pace. The moment the door was closed, the scowl he felt appeared on his face. He didn't have much problem with mutants, so long as they weren't dangerous. He thought they could make a useful weapon against Shadowlaw, his real enemy. Guile knew he needed help; people he could trust. He tossed his coat on the desk when he got to his office. He knew who he wanted on his team, and there was no time like the present. He picked up the phone and dialed the number for a friend at MI-6, and he pulled out the rolodex for Interpol.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Agent White reporting sahr," said the young lady.
"Relax, Cammy," said the Director of Operations for MI-6.
"Yes sahr. Might I ask why you've sent for me?"
"Agent White, the American government has become concerned about mutants. Many are appearing within their borders, plus the incident at the UN summit concerned them a bit."
The typical British talent for understatement was obvious.
"Their military is forming a task force to investigate these wallies, and their commander has requested your help."
"Why would anyone ask for me, sahr?" Cammy wanted to know. She didn't have many friends, particularly in the American military.
"I believe you're friends with the American commander, a certain Colonel Guile, whom you've worked with before."
Cammy's eyes widened and she couldn't stop them. It had been a while since she'd fought alongside Guile and the others. He had stood up for her and made MI-6 see how useful her skills were. He'd never owed her anything, but she owed him everything. If he asked for her help, she would give it; even it would mean her death.
"Thank you for informing me, sahr. When do I leave?"
* * * * * * * * * * *
Finally the phone was picked up at the other end. "Guile."
"Guile why the hell did you take me off the Shadowlaw case?!" screamed Chun- Li Xiang.
Guile winced in pain and shook his head to clear the ringing in his ear.
"You know that Bison's still alive after we failed to kill him and Shadowlaw is on the rise again!" continued Chun-Li, "Arms trading and drug deals are skyrocketing! And you want me to help you investigate mutants?!"
"What if Bison is a mutant, Li?!" Guile yelled back.
That quieted the Chinese Interpol investigator for a moment.
"Do you have any proof of that?" she asked, in a much quieter voice.
Guile breathed a sigh of relief. "None. That's why I need your help, Chun- Li. I need you because you're a detective, you hate Bison as much as I do, and I can trust you completely. If we can prove Bison's a mutant, then maybe we can figure out some way to use that against him. I need you, Li. Will you help me out? I'll owe you a huge favor you can call on at any time."
Chun-Li sighed. She wanted to bring Shadowlaw down more than anything. But she had to remain professional. Guile needed her help, so she would give it.
"All right, Guile. You convinced me."
She heard a sigh from the other end and smiled to herself.
"When can you get here?" he wanted to know.
"I have some things to finish up here. I'll be on a plane in two days."
"Good. You know where my office is in the Pentagon?"
"Yep."
"Great. I'll have a visitor pass and an escort waiting for you in four days. That'll give you a day to get over the jet lag."
"Thanks, Guile," said Chun-Li with a laugh, "See you in a couple days."
Well, readers, there you have it. The first chapter of my first fanfic. Let me know what you think.
"Colonel Guile, do you believe he poses a threat to national security?"
William Guile, a colonel in the US Air Force, stood in front of nearly three dozen general officers. He was in his dress uniform, making this presentation because the officer who was supposed to do so mysteriously died only three days ago. Because of Guile's distinguished record, the brass had decided to put him in charge of the surge of mutant activity.
"Admiral, this Magneto is the one was responsible for events at the United Nations summit in New York last year. He was apprehended and placed under the supervision of Colonel Stryker, who had learned of Magneto's powers, and had a prison constructed completely of plastic. Somehow, the mutant affected his own escape, killing three guards in the process. There is also speculation that he was involved in the destruction of the dam at Canada's Alkali Lake, although the report we have from there is unconfirmed."
"So what you have, Colonel, is a whole lot of nothing," commented a Marine general.
"On the contrary, sir," said Guile, tensing up underneath his uniform, wishing he could take the punk Marine out back and beat him to a pulp, "we know a great deal about him. Some of Colonel Stryker's records were recovered from the fire at his offices. Apparently, this Eric Lensherr is German-born, and as a boy spent several years in a Nazi concentration camp."
Several of the general officers caught their breath at that. To have experienced such horrors, they couldn't imagine the rage that survivors would feel.
"We also believe he later made acquaintance with a certain Charles Xavier, a multi-millionaire and one of the world's foremost experts in physics and genetics. He runs a school for gifted children in Westchester, New York, and he has often been called on to testify in front of Congress on the mutant issue. He often sends a spokeswoman, this woman, one Jean Grey."
"Do we know the views on mutants of Mr. Xavier?"
"His views have always been pro-mutant, General," answered Guile, "He and Miss Grey have always stressed cooperation between humans and mutants, insisting that it is possible for both humans and mutants to live together peacefully."
"Has there ever been any indication that Xavier is concealing mutants within his school?"
There was silence for a few moments. Although a vociferous advocate for mutant rights, Charles Xavier was a world-renowned scientist and philanthropist. To think that he might be concealing mutants could be seen as dangerous in the eyes of the generals, Guile knew. They would see an unknown number of mutants with unknown powers under their nose.
Guile chose his next words carefully. "There has never been any indication that Xavier or any of the affiliates at his school possess mutant powers, although a thorough search has never been conducted."
"I think it's about time we found out why," said the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, "Colonel Guile, you are hereby ordered to put together a military and law enforcement task force. We will offer a select number of international allies to participate as well, although you are to be in overall command. You are to investigate this mutant phenomenon, particularly the activities of Mr. Lensherr and Mr. Xavier. We will expect your team to perform a thorough search of the Xavier school and its students. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"You're dismissed, Colonel."
Guile stood at attention and saluted. He walked out of the room at a brisk pace. The moment the door was closed, the scowl he felt appeared on his face. He didn't have much problem with mutants, so long as they weren't dangerous. He thought they could make a useful weapon against Shadowlaw, his real enemy. Guile knew he needed help; people he could trust. He tossed his coat on the desk when he got to his office. He knew who he wanted on his team, and there was no time like the present. He picked up the phone and dialed the number for a friend at MI-6, and he pulled out the rolodex for Interpol.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Agent White reporting sahr," said the young lady.
"Relax, Cammy," said the Director of Operations for MI-6.
"Yes sahr. Might I ask why you've sent for me?"
"Agent White, the American government has become concerned about mutants. Many are appearing within their borders, plus the incident at the UN summit concerned them a bit."
The typical British talent for understatement was obvious.
"Their military is forming a task force to investigate these wallies, and their commander has requested your help."
"Why would anyone ask for me, sahr?" Cammy wanted to know. She didn't have many friends, particularly in the American military.
"I believe you're friends with the American commander, a certain Colonel Guile, whom you've worked with before."
Cammy's eyes widened and she couldn't stop them. It had been a while since she'd fought alongside Guile and the others. He had stood up for her and made MI-6 see how useful her skills were. He'd never owed her anything, but she owed him everything. If he asked for her help, she would give it; even it would mean her death.
"Thank you for informing me, sahr. When do I leave?"
* * * * * * * * * * *
Finally the phone was picked up at the other end. "Guile."
"Guile why the hell did you take me off the Shadowlaw case?!" screamed Chun- Li Xiang.
Guile winced in pain and shook his head to clear the ringing in his ear.
"You know that Bison's still alive after we failed to kill him and Shadowlaw is on the rise again!" continued Chun-Li, "Arms trading and drug deals are skyrocketing! And you want me to help you investigate mutants?!"
"What if Bison is a mutant, Li?!" Guile yelled back.
That quieted the Chinese Interpol investigator for a moment.
"Do you have any proof of that?" she asked, in a much quieter voice.
Guile breathed a sigh of relief. "None. That's why I need your help, Chun- Li. I need you because you're a detective, you hate Bison as much as I do, and I can trust you completely. If we can prove Bison's a mutant, then maybe we can figure out some way to use that against him. I need you, Li. Will you help me out? I'll owe you a huge favor you can call on at any time."
Chun-Li sighed. She wanted to bring Shadowlaw down more than anything. But she had to remain professional. Guile needed her help, so she would give it.
"All right, Guile. You convinced me."
She heard a sigh from the other end and smiled to herself.
"When can you get here?" he wanted to know.
"I have some things to finish up here. I'll be on a plane in two days."
"Good. You know where my office is in the Pentagon?"
"Yep."
"Great. I'll have a visitor pass and an escort waiting for you in four days. That'll give you a day to get over the jet lag."
"Thanks, Guile," said Chun-Li with a laugh, "See you in a couple days."
Well, readers, there you have it. The first chapter of my first fanfic. Let me know what you think.