Robed figures dashed about the large, stone chamber. All over, people were moving about in preparation.
All but one.
Raymond Evans, also called Toxic, of The Aristocracy stared up at the genetic analysis projected on the wall.
Unbelievable! He shook his head. There is no denying it. This sample is a 99.9 percent genetic match…
He watched everyone milling about and chattering absently about their good fortune and the fulfillment of prophecy.
They aren't ready. He admitted. If we proceed with this plan it will decimate most of what we've managed to build here. Most of these people were in fact called to take up this cause, but oh, so very few will actually be chosen to survive it.
He eyed the readout and watched the living cells dividing and multiplying on the projection.
You could kill me. He told the sample. And I could kill all of them. But… not you.
He pulled his robe slightly tighter around him.
I know just how to do it. He told the sample. I know just who to send after you and just how to stop you, to bring you back with us.
He allowed himself a superior smile. And I even know how to make our dream yours.
His eyes fell on the tightly secured door that led to the memory augmentation unit. Even as I sit here, basking in your magnificence… The alterations are being made to ensure that the memories we implant will suit you.
He smiled. I feel I should apologize. We just … assumed … that you'd be a man.
Quite foolish on our part, really. But nothing we can't remedy with very little effort.
He smiled. And we've been waiting… so long now. So very long… And now… you're here. You're real. It wasn't vanity or pomp and circumstance…
You're here, on our doorstep… and waiting to lay waste to the world, so that a new one can rise from the ashes.
"We've finished reprogramming the memory chips." And underling told him. "The machine will be back on line within the hour."
"Excellent." He told his minion. "Now, go prepare the capture unit. I want it pristine for our new lord."
"Yes, my liege." The other man scurried away.
What concerns me is this man Watts. Why does he wish us to succeed? He's a member of the Hellfire Club, not an anarchist like us, he believes in being the order that manipulates the world. He must benefit somehow…
But I'll never know how. I'm sure of it.
I'll be too interested in receiving the greatest honor in my life.
He smiled once again at the display. You're going to kill me my lord… I shall be the sacrifice that cements your position within our ranks…
His eyes sheeted over with visions of glory. I will be remembered… forever!
And he turned away, off to verify that all is progressing with his plan, to destroy the life of a young girl, then his own… and then… the world.
Emma finished the last file on Excalibur. It had been Brian's and she left it open to the photographs.
That's quite a change. She admitted. You look much better than the last time we met. I must say, I underestimated Kurt again. Where he found a magician powerful enough to remove your curse I'll never know.
But then again… Watts isn't through with you yet either. And ... She eyed the folders. His plans are pretty well fool proof from what I see here.
Another folder caught her eye. It sat alone on the table.
What? She wondered. Project Prism?
She opened the file and began to read.
What?
No!
She began to shake. It's… unbelievable!
Sebastian!
She placed her fingers to her temples and imagined Sebastian's scent filling her mind. Across town he hesitated.
"Pardon me." He slipped out of the meeting he was in.
Emma! What is it? He demanded mentally.
Sebastian! She sucked him to the astral plane to talk. We're in trouble.
She showed him the astral copy of the file. It's Watts. He's assembled a rogue court within the club!
What do you mean? He pressed.
Members of both the white and black courts, hand picked by him. He calls himself The Red King, already! He's got plans to eliminate half the club by splitting it down the middle and then dividing up the resources through half as many people! His Red Court!
Sebastian clenched his fist. We need to do something… but I don't know what. Do you have a list of his court?
Yes. She told him. But we need to be careful.
Indeed. Sebastian nodded. Contact me tonight and we'll discuss it more.
As you wish. She bowed her head and back at his flat, Sebastian's eyes flew open. He was lying on the floor, blood was running out his nose and his eyes hurt to look at the light, with a pain that went clear to the back of his head.
Thank you Emma. He thought, standing back up and cleaning himself up. You've proven most helpful… despite your new conservative tendencies.
Back at the lighthouse Kurt sighed.
Alistaire smiled. "You're wiped out, aren't you?"
"Ja." Kurt shrugged. "All these legal papers… They bleed the life right out of me."
"I know." Alistaire smiled. "But we are done with them now. At least until next week."
Kurt smiled wide. "Thank you!" He beamed. "I've been waiting to hear that all morning."
Alistaire checked the date on his watch. "Oh, and tomorrow we've got two new meetings. One in Scotland, or more appropriately, Muir Island."
Kurt furrowed his brow. "I've seen that name on some of the medical records we've handled."
Alistaire nodded. "It appears to be a classified Mutant Research center that they've just now decided to reveal to us."
"Nice of them to let us know." Kurt shook his head. "Probably means they want something."
"Probably." Alistaire agreed.
"What else do we have to do tomorrow?"
Alistaire's eyes betrayed a wicked humor. "It's not so much for… us…"
"Alistaire…" Kurt said in a warning tone.
"We've another delivery scheduled from… ahem… Mister Logan." Alistaire smiled.
Kurt threw up his hands in disgust. "What now?"
"I've no clue." Alistaire said happily. "But it's been stored as Cargo and it's addressed to Lucy."
Kurt sighed loudly.
"Could I make a recommendation sir?" Alistaire asked, pitying the elf.
"Please do." Kurt looked towards the heavens shaking his head. What, a cousin? Another clone? What?
Alistaire smiled slyly. "I stopped by Wimples Department store on my way here… I bought you something."
Kurt was shocked. "Vhat?"
Alistaire smiled. "A box kite. I remember you saying that you never had one before."
Kurt's eyes lit up. "You bought me a kite?"
Alistaire nodded.
"Let's go!" Kurt laughed, rising up off his bench and pulling on his coat.
"After you!" Alistaire smiled. You deserve a break, you really do.
Kurt looked at Alistaire for a long moment. "And… by the way… Thank you."
"Any time, sir. Any time."