"Gentlemen," President Gregory O'Meara began as he strolled into the conference hall. Before him sat the group of fifteen senators. The title was really just a mere formality in a way. The fifteen were more like the members of the board while he was the CEO. Equal power, yet unequal at the same time. He walked forward and loudly dropped his briefcase on the table in his place. He fiddled with the latch for a moment before withdrawing a thin stack of papers. "It seems," He said, walking behind each seated board member and placing a document in front of them. "That our good friend Xavier is back at it."
O'Meara then paused for a moment, returning to stand behind his chair. He wanted the board to read the document, and read it carefully. The identical documents all contained a quite interesting file he 'borrowed' from Xavier's mansion. Not him personally of course, but some lowly hacker on his payroll. Xavier's system had gone down for a half-hour a few days prior, and it had been the perfect window of opportunity.
Smith, the hacker, had explained there had probably been a power failure, or perhaps Xavier had had to move the system, or alter it somehow. Ah, he didn't care. He finally had the evidence to go after Xavier, now all he had to do was convince everyone of it.
O'Meara reached into his briefcase and withdrew a spare copy of the document. A tight grin drew on his face as he reread the statement.
_________________
Classified.
Official report upon closing of Project Clone II.
July 31, 2007.
To Whom It May Concern:
CC: Charles Xavier
It is with much regret and sorrow I, Dr. Gerald Smith, draw closure upon Cloning II. Though our team of specialists had some progress early on, when we first took over the project from Dr. Kane, as our research had come to a swift halt.
For the record, Cloning II was the second part of two part study and finally an attempt to recreate clones with purely human genetic traits, from only the genetic material gathered from mutants. Dr. Robert Kane led his team of researchers through all preliminary processes and in late September 2005, unexpectantly handed his project over to our team.
With the premature transfer, our crew of forty-seven researchers had many reasonable problems early on. DNA sequencers malfunctioned, gel electrophoresis experiments had many inaccuracies, and computers and basic pieces of equipment came in late. Once everything began running smoothly again, we began to detect flaws in Kane's original files. Within months, which were filled with failed labor, we determined that the original purpose for Cloning II was unattainable.
Many strides were made with the research done by our lab. We wish to offer our sponsors a chance to continue with their donations. Their investments would keep the research continuing until late 2009, hopefully longer. I have great faith in the accomplishments that could be made with further examination.
Respectfully,
Dr. Gerald Smith
Representative of Key Post Laboratories.
_______________________
O'Meara loudly cleared his throat as he finished reading and glanced up. His eyes darted from face to face around the table. Yes, there were certainly reactions among the committee. It was what they had suspected and feared all along. Xavier had finally tried to do it.
As the last member looked up from the reading, O'Meara decided it was time to begin speaking again.
"Now," He began. "This was sent to Charles Xavier. Further examination of his files proves that he was the instigator of this research. From other documentation, we had reason to believe that he is holding humans against their will for his means of experimentation." O'Meara paused. "He is trying to recreate the human race." He let the statement hang over the silent room.
"Is there anything we can do?" One of the older senators inquired.
'We're the US government. We can do whatever the hell we want.' O'Meara thought silently to himself. "Well," He stated. "Not legally. We have not yet passed a law against harboring humans. There has not been a need up until now."
"I see," The senator replied with a tight nod.
"There is another venue we can take," One of the younger female senators said as she stood. O'Meara cast a bored, sideways look in her direction. Maria Fernandez was he name; she was from Texas or New Mexico or somewhere down there. Her tight beige suit matched her unnatural looking blonde hair that offered a contrast to her deeply tanned skin. She began waving her perfectly manicured hands, rambling on about equal rights. It was then O'Meara that remembered where she was from- Sedona, Arizona. She was the hippie, the New Age liberal of the group. He then coughed, interrupting her.
"Shall we just continue to monitor the situation?" He questioned a bit rhetorically. Fernandez shot him a dark look. "We have other matters to discuss this evening, so I would suggest we begin soon."
"There's the crisis between Spain and France, Sir," A general spoke up, his orange eyes locking with O'Meara's. O'Meara nodded. "Very well." He said, opening the floor up for the general to quickly brief them on the topic.
* * * * * * * *
Hours later, O'Meara finally got the chance to return to his office. Before opening the door, he quickly scanned the room with his mutation, x-ray vision. There were plenty of people out there who wouldn't mind killing him. He found nothing out of the ordinary, and opened the door with a slight sense of satisfaction.
As he walked in he lazily loosened his tie and absently threw it towards the bookshelf in the corner. He made his way over to his desk. He slid his feet out of his shiny black dress shoes as he slipped himself into his cushioned office chair. He logged on to his computer and a smile crossed his face. Smith, the hacker had uploaded some more of the files from Xavier's.
A simple note filled the email screen, saying that it was a diary of sorts for Xavier. To that, O'Meara's grin widened. He opened the attachment and began to read.
__________________
Xavier's Journal of Anomalies and Further Research.
May 17, 2004: Entry One:
Discovered two new inconsistencies today. The first was Kyle Lauder, a thirty-two year-old African man who is currently living in South Africa. Made no contact with specimen, will continue supervision for the time being. Second discovery was Katie Becker, in her early teens, drifter. Can be found in the secluded areas of the Colorado Rockies. Also made no contact with specimen.
Been having problems with Neil, his body has rejected the latest treatment sessions. Dr. Kane has recommended taking a break from the procedure, but I disagreed. Neil should be able to supply what we need. There is no reason to jeopardize other anomalies while he is still in perfect working order.
August 8, 2004: Entry two:
Kyle Lauder passed away. A local telepath discovered he was human and he was stoned in the town center. On a more cheerful note, discovered three more anomalies over the last several weeks; Ming and Ty Woo, from Northern Cambodia along with Sarah Flomer, from Quebec Canada. Could there be a genetic connection between Ming and Ty Woo? Perhaps it kept them alive... Must proceed with further observation.
September 13, 2004: Entry three:
Having some concerns about Neil. Hank reports curious behavior as of late perhaps connected with his current drop in test scores? Must look into this further.
Have not identified any more anomalies to date, the total count is up to 79 though. With luck, the number will cease to decrease and the hate crimes will stop. To date, 86 anomalies have died.
October 29, 2004: Entry four:
Neil had a psychotic breakdown last night. Dr. McCoy believes it was caused from a repressed post-traumatic stress syndrome. Dr. Kane is concerned tests will be thrown off, but I assured him we would add however much time he required to his contract. Neil will not be happy to hear this, he still believes January first he is free to leave, but logically I cannot allow that, with the extraordinary study results and the ongoing projects. It is for his protection as well. It would be homicide on my part to allow him out there, with all the mutants. No, he is much safer here and I am sure he will agree with me once McCoy releases him from rehabilitation.
November 3, 2004: Entry Five:
Found a new anomaly, a James McKinney of Arkansas. Seventeen years of age, has been hiding in a swampy, deserted region for the last year.
January 5, 2005: Entry Six:
Neil was released this morning so he could continue participating in the study. His mannerisms seem to have been largely altered, which is curious. Hopefully now we won't have to keep him underground. His screams at night tended to wake the children. I am hoping McCoy's treatment helped him. I can sense Neil enjoys being around the children.
Located another four anomalies! I will add their details to the records later. Curiously, they were all from Costa Rica. Connection?
March 9, 2005: Entry seven:
One of the anomalies was killed, once again by angry mutants.
I fear Neil may be having a relapse of his breakdown, Dr. Kane has reported seizures to be occurring frequently and a decrease in social interactions. I spoke with McCoy about the matter. He feels the research may be too much for Neil. I feel that this is pure nonsense, but he insisted. He even went so far as to suggest sending Neil offsite for a while. I am confident though that it is nothing. Research will keep going as planned.
April 23, 2005: Entry eight:
Been busy in the last week, discovered seven anomalies, with the death of an older specimen a few days ago.
As I feared, Neil has fully relapsed into another breakdown. Dr. Kane is threatening to leave to project while McCoy is insisting we take a break from research. I cannot see how this could have happened! How could Neil do this? How?! I provide and help him; I let him live! All I ask is a little help trying to recreate his race for goodness sakes. I will be looking into McCoy's idea of sending him away for a while.
June 12, 2005: Entry nine:
Well, I found a perfect place to hide Neil. I bought one of the San Juan Islands over in Washington State. The area has primarily become deserted, save for the deepest pockets of downtown Seattle, where live is still quite bubbling. But I do feel the island is plenty secluded, one can only enter via boat. I've commissioned the building of a cabin on the shore a nice, sandy lagoon far inland. Hopefully a vacation there should bring Neil back to normal so we may continue. For the time leading up to his departure though, I've arranged for him to store plenty of DNA samples so Kane can keep working.
The anomalies I've been watching are all doing fairly well, and though I still haven't figured out what is different about them, I believe I've begun to find connections between them.
September 21, 2005: Entry ten:
Dr. Kane resigned. He approached me quietly this morning and announced his replacement team would be arriving shortly. He asked for his final payment check and then walked away. Replacement? He did not speak to me about this. Why is he doing this? We had originally thought of taking a break halfway through, but that most certainly did not mean he should up and quit! Oh well. At least this new research doctor of his, a Gerald Smith, is a respectable man. That would be just like Kane to stick me with some unreliable bum just to get back at me. He's always had problems like that. I have half a notion to have a bounty hunter go after him for doing this!
Ah, I must calm down. Kane will get his, that is certain. There have been a string of deaths among the anomalies. Over the last three days nearly fifteen have died. Only two of those appear to have been natural deaths. I'm beginning to worry by the time the project gets far enough along to use them, there won't be any left. Perhaps speeding the process up would serve to our advantage.
May 16, 2006: Entry eleven:
Dr. Smith's research had been moving along nicely. He says we might finally be on the brink of a successful altered clone. All the research, and finally the promise of results. Oh, this is so exciting! Imagine the reactions from the public! I will have not only redeemed myself for my horrid deeds but I will have finally thrown open the door for mutants and humans to live together in harmony!
October 6, 2006: Entry twelve:
The project has failed. Smith had tried his hardest and we have nothing. The modification division, alterations, even pure cloning has failed. The simplest things, procedures we have been doing for over thirty years, all failed! It is quite possible that Smith is ruining the projects on purpose, but when I checked his mind earlier I could find no evidence. I will though, all I need to do I keep waiting. We start research up again next week.
March 22, 2007: Entry thirteen:
More anomalies died, but thankfully only two this time. Both were from a mysterious viral infection that is spreading through Europe. The overall anomaly count to date is 457, Plus another 231 deaths.
Nothing has been heard from Neil for a while. I have left him undisturbed on his little island for months now. We still have plenty of his genetic matter, but I wonder about him from time to time.
July 31, 2007: Entry fourteen:
Dr. Smith closed research on the second part of the cloning project. How dare him! He submitted his closing report to me this morning with a fax from Rome. He simply explained he couldn't afford to work with me anymore. Preposterous! He then closed the letter with a request for further funding! Ha! I will see to it he never works again!
_____________________
A/N: That wasn't too boring, was it? Promise it will get exciting soon enough! As always, many thanks to all my reviewers!
MusiqBoy – Aw, your reviewers are great! Glad to have been an inspiration to ya! Thanks for so many reviews!
Leen713 – Yep, Xavier is rather sinister, isn't he? Thanks for the review!
Only Human- Thanks for the great reviews, I love how they are always so deep and thoughtful! Yeah, 500 is a pretty tiny town. I figure one in about twenty survived, or about 5% of the population. Xavier does care, just maybe not the way he should!
Lamby – Yeah, the chappie title was a masterpiece, eh? ;) Thanks for reviewing and I reviewed on of your fics.
Pendragon4 – Yay! You're finally going to continue you fic! Glad you still like the story. I'm a bit curious though where you think it's going. (Because I honestly have no idea. Well, I sorta do, but nothing concrete yet!)