Ultimate Bubblegum Crisis – Simmer Part 1

Madripoor, 2032

Two figures made their way in silence through the serpentine streets of 'Low Town' in Madripoor, the low fog that covered the ground swirling with each step. Madripoor, once the haven for merchant princes and the pinnacle of Southeast Asia's high society, was now a warren of sin that catered to all the darkness that humanity could muster. It was now a place where anything or anyone could be bought if you could pay the price. These two were not in the market for goods, but for a person. A person that they had tracked to the very building they now stood before.

"Are you sure you want to go with me, 'Cat?" Logan asked in a low voice as they stood at the entrance of the non-descript building. Logan knew this was an Opium den from the information he had received, and was confirmed by the sickly sweet odor his heightened sense of smell was picking up. He knew that Kitty was an adult now, as she had rather loudly reminded him of on many occasions since she had returned to active duty earlier that year, but he was not sure she was ready for this level of depravity.

"I'm going with you, Logan. If he is in there, you know I want a piece of him as much as you do." Kitty responded.

"I know, Kitty. Just be prepared for anything, Madripoor is a hard town." Logan said. As if to punctuate his point, a blood-curdling scream tore through the night from inside, causing Kitty to jump slightly. "Sounds like the sick bastard is having some 'fun'. Stay close."

Kitty responded with a curt nod, unconsciously holding her breath as her teammate of many years kicked the door off its' hinges with a stout THUMP. Claws extended, the X Man known as Wolverine entered, followed quickly by Shadowcat. The pair moved with the grace and precision that had worked together as a unit for years.

The room that the X Men had burst into appeared to be a lobby with a worn leather couch against the far wall and a reception desk to their immediate left. With the exception of the furniture the room was empty.

Wolverine's heightened senses drew him to the desk and lumped against the wall behind the desk was a large black man, a hole created by a large caliber weapon centered in his forehead. Small flecks of bone and gray matter clung to the wall in a grotesque pattern from the exit wound. He never saw it coming. Ignoring the body, Wolverine picked up the old-fashioned room ledger that was open on the desk. Scanning it quickly, he found the information he was looking for.

"Let's go, 'Cat. Maverick is in room 12. The idiot actually signed in using his real name. We play it by the numbers, this place has already been hit and there may be stragglers."

Her stomach turning from the smell of death that hung in the building, Shadowcat could only nod. Silently, the X Men made their way to the room with a '12' stenciled on it in red spray paint. Wolverine locked eyes with his partner, waiting for her nod to signal she was ready, bursting through the door, removing it from its hinges in the process.

An opium haze hung across the room, but could not hide the fact that a fight had recently occurred there. Fresh bullet holes and large splatters of blood everywhere paid silent testament to the altercation. And lying on a mattress against one of the blood stained walls was their quarry, Maverick, vainly trying to hold his entrails in with his hands. The mercenary was covered in gore and injuries from head to foot, a laconic smile playing at his blood-encrusted lips. Lying at his feet were the remains of a female assassin boomer that had been shot through the chest with a large caliber weapon.

"Wolverine… cough, cough …looks like you're too late to do the job, hairball."

Wolverine was across the room in a split-second, his right hand, claws popped, reared for a strike. "You'll die. The only question you have to ask is how soon. Smack is making you numb enough that you aren't feeling the pain of the ass beating you took. But that might wear off before you die."

"What do you fucking care, you freak?" Maverick asked, the distinct possibility of what had just been suggested running over and over through his mind.

"I need some answers, asshole. About the bastards who hired you to hit the kid. I can end it for you now, quick and clean." Wolverine practically growled as his gaze bore into the drug-addled eyes of Maverick. "And don't give me any of that bullshit about you being a pro, and not reveling who your employers are, they just double-crossed you."

Shadowcat fought mightily to hide the look of revulsion at the scene playing out before her she knew was threatening to come over her face. She had forgotten just how brutal that her teammate could be when the need arose, but the casual way he was discussing killing someone really struck home how long it had been since she had worked in the field.

"You'll make it quick and clean, Wolverine?" Maverick asked.

"Just a pop of my claws and it will be over."

"What do you wanna know?"

"Who hired you, and why Phoenix?"

"Some GENOM executive, Andersen I think his name was. He acted like your little buddy was some prize they were competing for... cough, cough... Do me a favor, gut the fuckers for me." Maverick replied, as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He then pointed to his fatigue shirt lying in a corner. "There's a small data card in the breast pocket. It's the info they gave me on the boy, it may help you hunt them down. That's all I can give you, furball, so keep your end of the bargain."

"'Cat, take the shirt and wait in the hall." Wolverine ordered.

Shadowcat grabbed the shirt and hastily exited the room, but could not get far enough away before the snikt of Wolverine's claws reached her ears.

MegaTokyo, 2032 - X Men's condo

Chris sat at the breakfast bar in the X Men's condo in MegaTokyo reading the latest information that Nene had 'appropriated' from the ADP databases about the sentinel incident he had been involved in two weeks prior. The information printed there illustrated how much control GENOM had over the all facets of government in the megalopolis. Supposedly, it was an industrial accident and the case was closed.

So, the abduction, torture, and testing of a foreign national is an industrial accident now? I'm starting to really understand why Priss hates the AD Police so damn much…

The thought of the fiery brunette brought a smile to his face, especially since Chris had finally been released from Mariko's thoughtful, not to mention strict, care. And even though he had been given his 'return to active duty' status, the lovely Dr. Mariko Yoshida had made it abundantly clear he was not to push himself or he would be on her bad side. So, he still had to take it easy, but tonight Priss had a concert at Hot Legs and he planned on being there for her.

A slight tingling at the edge of his awareness let him know that he wasn't alone and he recognized the visitor. "Morning, Jubilee. The coffee's fresh if you're interested."

"It is going to take some getting used to, you being a telepath." She responded as she went to the counter and poured a cup for herself. She leaned on the other side of the breakfast bar he was seated at, trying vainly to read the papers in front of him upside down.

"Not just for you, but for me too. I always had that limited empathy, but I had to think about it to use it. Now I can hear people thinking all the time. At least the Professor has been able to show how to push it back so it's sort of like a background buzzing you can ignore." Chris said as he handed her the useless report so she could read it right-side up.

"Why did you suddenly gain telepathy? I mean, it was always considered 'undeveloped' before." Jubilee asked.

"It's yet another secret the Professor kept from me, but at least I can understand it this time." Chris stated, hint of bitterness in his voice. Shaking off the negative thoughts, Chris continued, "The Professor put some blocks on my abilities when I was young so that my telepathy wouldn't show up. If I had shown that talent, as well as my TK abilities, Fury would've drafted me right away. SHIELD covets telepaths over all other mutants for service in the Ultimates."

"That makes sense, I guess, but what is going to keep them from drafting you now?" Jubilee questioned, some concern seeping into her voice.

"Well they don't know yet, which is helped by me being out of the country, and if Uncle Hank is successful in his lobbying on Capitol Hill, they won't be able to. If worst comes to worst, I'll just lie low and keep moving for awhile."

"Oh." Replied Jubilee as she actually started reading the report that Chris had handed her, "I thought the cops in the States were useless, but I'm surprised these ADP idiots can tie their own shoes."

"I know what you mean, but from what I've heard it's actually more like what they are allowed to do. They're controlled by the Diet and the Diet is controlled by GENOM. According to Nene most of those on the force are sick of the bullshit too."

"That makes sense, I guess, but you would think some of them would find ways around it." She replied.

A silence fell over the kitchen as they both retreated into their own thoughts, when Chris noticed the time.

"Well, Jubes…I meant Jubilee, sorry…I've got 'Telepathy 101' with the Prof in a few minutes, so I better get going." Chris stated as he rose to leave, only to be held back by her grip on his forearm. "Jubilee?"

"Jubes…call me Jubes like you have since we were both kids."

"I…alright, Jubes." Chris responded, a lump forming in his throat. "Friends again?"

"We never stopped being friends; I was just hurt and angry. The Professor told me you considered me your best friend when I was ranting one time and that made me recognize you were my best friend too. It made me start thinking of all the things you said when we broke up and realized that you were right. I'm not in love with you, but I still do love you, like a partner, not a lover, but I want that back in my life. We made a great team and I miss that. I know it might not be easy, but…" Jubilee said unshed tears in her eyes.

Chris moved around the bar and pulled the young woman into a hug, which she earnestly returned. After holding each other for a few minutes in the emotionally healing embrace, Chris backed away, "I really have to go, but why don't you join some of us at Priss' concert tonight? Linna and Mariko are going too; we'll all have some fun."

"Sounds good, Chris. Have fun with the Professor." Jubilee replied with a grin.

MegaTokyo, 2032 - Hidden GENOM research facility

Brian J. Mason reclined into the overstuffed chair, a tumbler of twelve year scotch in his right hand as he looked out the large picture window upon members of his research staff that hurriedly finished the preparations for the night's festivities. Scientists involved with the production of the subject to be tested that night moved here and there, in some cases their lab coats embossed with the symbol of GENOM on their left breast billowing behind them as they ran around to meet the deadline that Mason had imposed upon them.

"It appears that you presence this early in the evening has inspired the workers to redouble their efforts, sir." Mason's executive assistant, Andersen remarked without mirth.

Of course they move, if not they KNOW I would crush them if they fail me. Mason thought, but remained silent.

"Mister Mason? If I might have a moment of your time I have an update on the modifications to the unit that you requested." The rotund Dr. Keele said from the doorway to the observation lounge.

"Come in doctor." Mason replied, eyes never leaving the scene before him.

"The mutant detection equipment has been installed per your orders, sir." Dr. Keele reported as he executed a deep bow in Mason's direction.

"And it is functioning properly, Doctor?" Mason asked in a cool tone.

"Y-yes, sir. We checked it with one of the lower level mutants from Madigan's project."

"Very good, Doctor. Return to overseeing this project." Mason commanded, not watching the portly scientist quickly waddle from the room.

"I believe that Keele is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, sir. Shall I begin the search for his replacement?" Andersen asked.

"Hmmm, yes do that. We will let Keele complete his work on the Rebirth project, and then an unfortunate accident may have to occur."

"Very good, sir." Andersen replied.

End of Simmer Part 1