Chapter Two:
As the small, silver jet approached the Island of the Brotherhood of mutants, Mystique stared, almost unblinkingly out the pilot's window. Her dark blue skin made her almost invisible in the dim light of the jet. The sun had set behind them nearly an hour ago, leaving only the faintest silhouette to indicate her presence. Her yellow eyes stood out from the darkness, gleaming with anticipation of their arrival, betraying her not-so-subtle relief at returning home.
She made no effort to disguise herself, now that their mission was completed, though she was dressed in a long heavy coat and boots for protection from the cold. The clothing was real, not formed through shape-shifting, and felt heavy and comforting over her skin. The weather in Chicago had actually been quite mild for March, but now that they were flying north, the extra clothing was necessary.
Mystique reached over her head and activated the landing gear in preparation for their arrival to the Island. She glanced to her right, and nodded silently to the woman next to her.
Yukiro Oyama, also known to the Brotherhood as the Lady Deathstrike, sat in the co-pilot's seat, and acknowledged Mystique's wordless order. Her movements were almost mechanical and she had not uttered a single word throughout the duration of the flight. Yuriko's dark eyes stared steadily ahead, only shifting to regard the numerous dials and readouts on the ship's console when necessary.
There was an artificial air around the dark-haired, pale woman which Mystique found slightly unnerving after so many hours, but she tolerated the silence by focusing on their destination.
For Mystique, this was learned practice, forming a callous between herself and those around her, one which she had perfected in her time with the Brotherhood. For, in her duties to Magneto, she found herself associating with many wounded, angry and malicious individuals, whom she had no desire to become close with in any way. She had been betrayed by such bonds in the past, and the only man she ever allowed past that unapproachable shroud of feminine power was Erik Lensherr.
For him, she had sacrificed everything of her former life, to devote her entire being to his vision of the future. It had been over fifteen years since they met, and their relationship had changed, becoming close and distant at the same time, but always fiercely loyal. When future generations of mutants looked back on the Brotherhood's accomplishments, there would always be the two of them, the ones who started the fight for mutant freedom…and established mutant superiority.
However, there was work to do before that vision was realized. And, this mission had only been one step in many.
Mystique glanced over at the Lady again, regarding her coolly for a moment, but knew that the woman's skillfulness and strength had become an undeniable asset to the Brotherhood since Magneto had saved her from the flood at Alkalai Lake. She not only had an in depth expertise in military technology but also in most forms of unarmed combat. She also seemed to have an ingrained instinct in tracking and locating whatever information Magneto requested, which had been enhanced by the vast knowledge she had acquired during her involuntary 'enlistment' in Stryker's private army.
Mystique knew by studying the records how tortured that existence had been for the Lady, and also knew how fiercely motivated the woman was by her need for revenge. Outwardly, however, Yuriko was calm, unnaturally serene, and never failed to follow Magneto's every order, always without complain or argument.
Gazing forward again, Mystique could begin to distinguish the outline of the Island fortress against the dark and cloudy sky. She activated the onboard communicator, and signaled their impending arrival.
As they approached, dim lights guided them down through the dense foliage that circled the large stone mass in the Island's center. The jet slowed to a hover and a large hanger gate began to slowly open. From the apparently solid stone mountain wall, a small line of light appeared, and then grew wider as a pair of doors drew back. They were layered, folding back in four separate panels to create the wide opening into the Island's main landing bay.
The doors did have a mechanical system that allowed them to open and close, but it was not always necessary to use, and Mystique smiled as she noticed the man standing alone in the vast chamber.
Magneto held one hand toward them, as if in greeting, but was focusing his powers on opening the hanger gates, any proper machinery left unused in the process. The metal moved smoothly under his command, and, once the jet settled on the stony floor, he tilted his head slightly and forced the doors to expand and close again. They met with a hollow clang, and once again, the wall seemed to be solid, the doors hidden until the jet was needed again.
Magneto stood with his shoulders back, smiling proudly as the two woman walked quickly down the jet's ramp. Mystique came first, allowing her long coat to hang loosely around her, moving in a deliberately provocative manner, while Deathstrike followed several steps behind. When she approached Magneto, she stood with her hands behind her back, a soldier's stance, awaiting her commander's next order.
"Welcome back," Magneto said, glancing from the Lady's unemotional stillness to Mystique's cold glare, "Did you ladies have a pleasant flight?"
Mystique rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. She did not look at all amused by Erik's repartee, so with quiet amusement he looked back to Deathstrike, who did not seem to register the tension between the other two at all.
"Please…" he said, motioning to her, "Report…"
"The reconnaissance was successful…" she began, her voice even and disciplined, "We identified a male and female target matching the descriptions gathered from evidence recovered during my missions over the past two months. These, of course, still must be cross-referenced with the previous records acquired from the Council Houses in Seattle and New York."
Magneto looked pleased, but frowned thoughtfully.
"Did the subjects present any indications of their mutant abilities?" he asked.
Yuriko blinked, and shifted slightly. Mystique recognized this as the closest expression of disappointment the Lady was capable of. Magneto looked at her with understanding patience, coaxing the woman to continue despite her discontent.
"Not the girl," she said, "The male subject seems quite unconcerned about how conspicuously he displays his abilities, however, there was no indication of pyrokinesis in the female."
Magneto pursed his mouth in thoughtful acknowledgement and gave the Lady a warm smile.
"Perhaps…only because the situation did not warrant it," he said, and Deathstrike raised her head a little, straightening her shoulders again.
"In due time…" Magento continued, "We may be able to…persuade her…to make use of those abilities."
Deathstrike nodded, seemingly satisfied with Magneto's reassurances.
"The jet is in need of maintenance," Deathstrike reported, "The left wing seemed out of alignment upon our last take off."
Magneto nodded, "Fine. Ask Toad to see to the repairs. I believe he and Pyro are working on the ventilators in the East wall. Let him know of your concerns before you continue on to the Information Room. I assume you have further footage to add to the previous data."
"Yes, I will integrate the information and bring you a full report within the hour…" Deathstrike said.
Magneto glanced over to Mystique and shook his head.
"Now, now, my dear," he said softly, and returned his gaze to Yuriko, "You've had a long flight. Why don't you get some rest? The reports can wait until the morning, when I've had time to reflect on the next item on our agenda. I believe…"
His eyes returned to Mystique, "…we could all use a slight…respite from our duties."
Magneto's deliberate tone, directed at the cold blue woman, was either unnoticed or ignored by Deathstrike who took her commander's words as orders, and left to speak to the other members of the Brotherhood before resting for the night.
Mystique held Erik's gaze as the Lady walked off, and neither moved until they were sure she was gone.
"And…Mystique," he said her name with a purposeful smile, "Do you have anything to add to the Lady's brief account of your time together."
Mystique did not return the grin, "I think she gave you a fairly complete summary of the entire three weeks…"
She began to walk off with quick angry steps and Magneto paced her easily.
"Now, now, my dear," he repeated in the same tone he had to Deathstrike, "Don't be bitter. Accuracy in identifying those children is imperative to the success of their allocation, as time consuming as determining that may be. If these children are as gifted as their mother, there may be the need for all of the Brotherhood when the time comes to finally meet them."
"All?" she repeated sarcastically, "Am I to assume then that another Brother is coming home?"
Magneto grinned secretively, regarding Mystique with exaggerated curiosity.
"And would that please you?" he asked, "To hear that Victor is finally returning after all this time?"
Mystique glared at him viciously, "Why would it matter to me, Erik? You're the one he takes orders from. I doubt he even realizes women have the ability to speak."
Magneto chuckled, "I, however, do not doubt that he is very well aware of all of your abilities, my dear."
Mystique stopped and turned slowly towards him, her eyes dangerously seductive and a wicked grin curling on her lips.
"And…how would he know that?"
Magneto did not reply, but looked pleasantly amused by Mystique's mockingly innocent chiding. He grasped her by the upper arms, and brought his face close to hers. He felt her icy pretense betrayed by her body's soft response.
"Soon, my dear," he said softly, "No one will ever question your worth again…human, or mutant."
Within the privacy of their fortress, the lovers folded into each other, reveling in both their growing strength and in anticipation of the future.