"Okay, I'm driving," Brennan announced. Which didn't surprise Jesse one iota. Powerful V8 engine that could do zero to sixty in fifteen seconds including time to start the car and fasten the seat belts, dark tinted windows, and enough gadgets that even Brennan couldn't try them all on the half hour trip to Merriwell's business meeting? Jesse would have been surprised if Brennan hadn't tried to take the wheel. Jesse contented himself with staying in the front passenger's side, admiring the high tech toys that had been added to the console. Kenny, in the back seat with Mr. Merriwell and Emma, grinned broadly, by which Jesse came to understand that half the technology present was at Kenny's suggestion.

The three of them, plus Kenny, would be accompanying Mr. Merriwell to the meeting. Emma, formally dressed in a suit that made her look like Merriwell's top vice president, would be escorting him inside and scanning for any trace of something more than business envy. It was certain that one or more of those present would not be happy to see the adoption and purchase of Merriwell's new technology, and getting a psychic hint could be very valuable as to who their opponent was.

The rest had their assigned roles: Brennan played chauffeur of course, Jesse opted for dark shades to look more fitting for the role of Number One Bodyguard, and Kenny did the heavy toting of computer equipment that Merriwell would use during the presentation. Shalimar too would be joining them, posing as part of Merriwell's sales team, and was driving herself over even as they pulled up in front of the building. The man, Jesse decided, would have the best protection that Mutant X could provide. It would be a come-down for Mr. Merriwell once this job was over and he hired his own people. Jesse snorted. Non-mutants. People with ordinary capabilities. Good people, yes, but without that little extra something that made mutants so formidable. Enjoy it while you can, Mr. Merriwell. It's only because Kenny is friends with Brennan that you have us to help.

Jesse found himself studying Mr. Merriwell on the trip over. It was the first time he'd ever met the man, and what he saw seemed less than impressive. Jesse was used to people a wee bit larger than life: Adam Kane, genetic scientist and bona fide genius. Brennan Mulwray, not only an elemental but with expertise in martial arts that went way beyond average. Shalimar Fox, a woman who if she couldn't knock you over with sheer beauty could land a jaw-breaker that would accomplish the same thing. And Emma DeLauro? Jesse blessed his lucky stars that the powerful empath was on his side. I hope; Emma was none too pleased with me this morning. And I still don't know what I did. I just really, really hope that I don't do it again.

Frank Merriwell was none of these things. He was almost non-descript: a small and mouse-like sort of man, shorter than Jesse and certainly less broad across the shoulders. Brown hair, brown eyes that failed to light up with the sort of excitement that Jesse was accustomed to in talking with Adam. It was as if there was something missing in the man.

No matter. Having the personality of a hunch-backed toad wasn't a crime, and it obviously didn't preclude having the genius to come up with the CAMS chip that was going to revolutionize the computer industry once it went into production. Which, if Kenny was even close to being correct, would be shortly after this meeting where Merriwell garnered financial backing for this scheme.

Jesse indulged himself by daydreaming of the sheer pleasure Adam would get with this chip. That was to be the payment for the help that Mutant X was giving Merriwell and Kenny: a CAMS chip for installation into Sanctuary computers. Kenny had assured them that with the amount of computer firepower that Sanctuary had, the chip would slide right in and speed up operations by a factor of ten or more. Adam had drooled at the thought. Jesse himself liked fast computers—power! More power!—but Adam's most frequent complaint was that the mainframes couldn't keep up with him. Times are tough when you're a genius, Adam.

Brennan pulled into the parking lot, sliding up to the sidewalk to let his passengers out before parking the car. Shalimar was already waiting for them, currently masquerading as a high powered personal assistant with hair pulled back in a sedate bun and hiding her eyes behind glasses that did nothing to hamper her vision or her good looks. Even Mr. Merriwell couldn't help the little smile that lit up when he spotted the feral. 'Nother conquest, Shal?

Kenny gathered them all into a small group before proceeding inside. "Okay, gang, I know we've gone over this but I need to say it one more time. We're all there for show and cover and protection. No talking; let Mr. Merriwell say everything that needs to be said. He's the one with the computer smarts. Don't argue with him even if he says something that sounds wrong."

Brennan darted a look at Jesse, their acknowledged computer geek at Sanctuary. Get the message, bro? That one's aimed at you.

Kenny moved on. "Stay close. Everyone here has their own security measures, and we can take advantage of that by concentrating our own forces around Mr. Merriwell."

Emma frowned. "That's not the way we work, Kenny."

"It is today." Kenny brushed aside her objections. "We don't have enough people to spread out. We cover Mr. Merriwell, and let the others handle outside security. If anything comes in through the windows or doors, that's our department. Right, Mr. Merriwell?"

"Right." Kenny's employer turned himself on like a robot with its power button pushed. "Trust me on this one; I've been using the resources of other people all of my life. They will look for people approaching this building who shouldn't be. All I need is for someone to be watching for the immediate threat." He swiveled around to bestow a smile on Brennan. "Are you sure I can't give you a CAMS chip right now for Dr. Kane? I want you all to know just how much I appreciate what you're doing for me." He patted the briefcase he was carrying. "Got an extra one right here."

Brennan grinned back. It felt odd, working for Kenny, his old buddy. They had always been partners, not employer/employee. No matter. Kenny was Kenny, an old friend and compatriot from the streets. He was a good guy. Brennan continued, "We'll take it after we earn it, Mr. Merriwell. Right now let's get inside so that I'm not worrying about snipers on rooftops."

Shalimar's eyes yellowed. She scanned the area. "Not a problem, Brennan. Not yet, anyway."

"Good." Brennan's eyes darted around the same territory. It wasn't that he didn't trust the feral's instincts, it was just that being distrustful of every situation was part of his nature. He could rely on Mutant X, on Kenny; not on anyone further out. "Let's get inside." He herded them toward the entrance, their charge in the midst of the group.

Shalimar moved up alongside Jesse. Jesse had positioned himself behind; any stray bullets to come in their direction would have to go through him, and the bullet would find it tough going to get through the solid density that Jesse intended to offer. Shalimar touched him lightly on the arm. "Did you get the information I asked for?"

Jesse frowned. "What information, Shal?"

Now it was the feral's turn to frown. "Glen Shadling. I asked you to look him up. I found traces of him on the grounds of the estate. And I'm getting a hinky feeling about him."

"Shal, you didn't say word one to me about any Glen Shadling."

Shalimar's frown deepened. "Are you saying that you don't remember calling me up at four AM this morning?"

"No, but you didn't mention any Shadling guy. You said everything was quiet, and I signed off. Then went to bed."

Shalimar sighed, trying to keep her annoyance in check. "You must have forgot, Jess." She glanced around one last time before the group entered the elevator. "I really wish you'd checked, Jess. I have a funny feeling that this Shadling guy might be important. I'd like to know more about him." They moved out of the elevator as one mass, passing other masses involved in similar maneuvers around other important targets.

Jesse suppressed his own sigh. Forgetting things seemed to have been happening a lot lately, and he fell back on the standard response, perfected over a multiplicity of times. "Sorry, Shal. I'll do it as soon as I get to a computer."

Kenny had been listening in. "Not a problem, guys. Let's get settled inside, and I'll show you what a real expert in computer security can do."

"Good." Jesse didn't have to be an empath to hear the unspoken follow up line that Shalimar didn't voice: 'cause we need one. He winced.

It was less a meeting room and more of an auditorium that the meeting was to be held in, although it would seat less than fifty people. Mutant X immediately went to work to secure the area: Shalimar stalked the perimeter, and Brennan checked out the electronic surveillance gear in the various corners of the room. Emma didn't quite close her eyes, but Jesse got the impression that the empath did the mental equivalent while scanning the immediate area for anyone whose thoughts were less than stellar. Jesse himself? Me, I'm pure defense. Stand here, looking impenetrable in case a bullet or a knife comes flying in this direction. Right. Like that's going to happen here in this room without windows and access to assassins from afar. Do they really need me here?

Mutant X regrouped, huddled around their charge with Kenny hanging on the edge. Kenny hauled out his laptop and moved to the center of the group for cover, powering up the little machine. "Searching for network access," he muttered, watching the interplay of little screen changes. "Searching, ah, there we are. Internet access achieved. Love the wireless concept." He glanced around the room. It was filling swiftly with men and women in three piece suits, several of whom were eying the stars of the afternoon with undisguised interest. "Guys, can you cover me?"

Brennan moved into position, his bulk obscuring the smaller Kenny from the view of the onlookers. "Go for it, man."

Kenny cracked his knuckles in anticipation. "Glen Shadling. Right, Shal?"

"Right."

Brennan had seen this before, but the rest of Mutant X had not. One moment Kenny was there, and the next he had swooped into the little laptop itself. Jesse could have sworn that the laptop screen waved at them, and the man was gone.

Mr. Merriwell permitted himself a small smile. "It's what gave me the idea for the CAMS chip. Intriguing, isn't he?"

"Best search engine I've ever dealt with," Brennan agreed, clearly proud of his friend. "You should see what he used to come up with."

"Good thing he's gone legit," Shalimar nodded. "I hate to think what he could do if he hadn't."

Kenny was back within seconds, flashing into existence once again as a normal human being, no sign that anything unusual had ever happened. No one in the auditorium noticed anything.

"Well?"

"Sorry, Shal," Kenny reported. "I checked the guy out. Real low-life. Out on parole two weeks ago and took a job doing some grounds maintenance with the company that Mr. Merriwell uses. Picked up two nights ago for trying to knock over a liquor store, and is currently back inside. That must have been how you picked up on him, but he's not a threat. Not from behind bars, he's not. And he doesn't have the smarts or the ambition to do anything from inside."

Shalimar accepted the information. "Thanks, Kenny. That was fast."

"Always aim to please the lady." Kenny grinned engagingly.

Jesse bit down hard on his tech-envy. It wasn't Kenny's fault that he was naturally good at computers. Comes with the mutant territory. "Nice work," he offered magnanimously.

"What can I say? It's a gift." Kenny cocked his head. "Sure you can't let me into Sanctuary, Brennan? Promise; I'll speed up your computer systems like nobody's business. Just ask Mr. Merriwell."

Merriwell snorted. "Hah. You think I'm about to let you go off so easily, just when the hard work is beginning, Kenny? Let Dr. Kane get his own mutant computer genius."

"Yeah, but from what I hear, the computers Sanctuary's got would be sheer joy to go playing around in." Kenny gestured at the laptop. "Just give me the IP address, Brennan. I swear I'll be back in a year or so."

"Maybe," Brennan laughed. "Adam's pretty touchy about computer security. Even Jess sometimes has trouble with all the protection. You should see what we have to go through just to get a live mutant inside. Blindfolds that work directly on the optic nerve, and even then Adam is jumpy as all get out."

"Like I said, Brennan: you need a computer mutant. Make your lives so much easier."

"I'll talk to Adam," Brennan promised. "Let's just get through this job first, bro."

Bro. The word cut through Jesse like a knife. The old relationship that Brennan had had with Kenny was kicking back into high gear and pushing the newer one with Jesse out of the way. Brennan was already giving Kenny implicit permission to join Mutant X and, from the sound of it, Shalimar and Emma were agreeing with him. Nobody looked at Jesse. The molecular was suddenly grateful for the dark glasses that he was wearing, for it cut down the exposure his features had to the open air. There wasn't much he could do about the empath, but he could at least pretend to be pleased for Brennan and Shalimar. Yes, Kenny would make a lovely addition to Mutant X. Then we wouldn't have to put up with Jesse's forgetting everything all the time, would we? Wouldn't have to put up with Jesse's whining about having to stay behind and monitor the mission. He schooled his features to impassivity and settled back to listen to Mr. Merriwell make his pitch.

Kenny was right: the speech that Mr. Merriwell gave sounded wrong. Oh, all the words were there, and in the right order, but the concepts behind the CAMS chip didn't make sense. Or, they did, but they flew in the face of conventional computer science. Everything was backward. It was as if Brennan had suddenly decided to start sucking the electricity out of everything instead of throwing lightning bolts, or if Jesse himself felt the need to become dense in order to pass through a brick wall. Something wasn't right.

And the audience knew it. Jesse tried not to concentrate on the words that Merriwell was using. His job was that of bodyguard, not salesman. This was Merriwell's baby, his chip to sell to this doubting crowd. Jesse pushed himself to scan the room constantly from behind the dark shades, watching for an odd movement that would signal the need for quick action. A cough here, the mild scratch of a nose there; all perfectly innocent, and no attempts during the entire speech. Then it was over.

"They didn't buy it." Merriwell was downcast. "Not one of them believed the technology, despite what I said."

"Yeah, but it got them to thinking," Kenny argued. "Listen, a couple of those guys—not the business types but the Pentagon types—they were interested. I handed out a bunch of business cards, Mr. Merriwell. You wait a week; the offers are going to start creeping in. You'll see."

Emma agreed. "There was plenty of curiosity, Mr. Merriwell. It wouldn't surprise me if some of them acted on that curiosity. They simply need time to consult with their technical staff. What you said flew over their head. All except the part about turning the computer industry upside down. That part got through."

Merriwell's face lit up with cautious hope. "You're the empath, right? You really think so? That's what you felt?"

"These are not people to commit billions of dollars on a whim," Emma assured him. "They will do their due diligence. They will check this technology out. Then, if they think it will benefit them, they'll come calling with a vengeance."

"Maybe you'd better whip up a few chips for demo models," Brennan suggested. "One person buys into this, the world will beat a path toyour better mousetrap."

"I can do that," Merriwell mused. He eyed Brennan hopefully. "You can persuade Dr. Kane to use my CAMS chip? That would show a lot of them." He began to get excited. "Come back to the estate, and I'll get you one. The top of the line model. That would work; that would show everyone that the CAMS chip works."

"Let's get you back to the estate first," Brennan advised. He scanned the area: dusk by now, with all of the non-buying participants already well into their vehicles and on their way home. "This could be the dangerous part."

"It is." Emma's eyes were glazed over, zeroing in on malevolent thoughts. "There's someone out there, guys. We have company."

"Form up," Brennan ordered immediately. "Shal, move out! See if you can find whoever it is."

"On it." Shalimar was gone in a feral flash.

"All right, listen up." Brennan was no nonsense, taking charge automatically. "I'll get the car. Wait inside until I pull up, then escort Mr. Merriwell to the car. Blast anyone who comes near. Got it?" He pushed his way to the door, vanishing through the crowd.

Jesse used his comm. link as soon as Brennan disappeared toward the vehicle. He held the little group back, waiting for the all clear to sound or at least, a signal to move forward. "Shal? Anything?"

"Not yet," came the murmured reply. "Still hunting. There's definitely someone out there, and I smell gunpowder and bullets. Keep your heads down. I'll meet you at the car once Mr. Merriwell's safe inside. That sedan is bullet-proof, right?"

Merriwell swallowed hard. "This is real, isn't it?"

"Very real," Emma told him. "But that's what you hired us for. We'll keep you safe."

Kenny clutched his precious laptop to his chest like a bulky shield. "Like I told you, Mr. Merriwell; I only get the best. Especially when it's my neck on the line, too."

The large black sedan pulled up to the edge of the sidewalk, Brennan behind the wheel. There was twenty feet between the door and the car. Twenty long feet, all fraught with danger.

"We'll keep Mr. Merriwell in the center as we walk out. Walk, don't run," Jesse ordered. "I don't want any of us accidentally tripping and falling flat on their face. Shal? Brennan? We're moving out."

"Coming in," Shalimar's quiet reply came back. "Haven't found anyone. Might be gone. Given up. Not sure. If he's here, he'll be coming at you from the West."

"Be careful," was Brennan's contribution. "Jess, you handle the western approach. You know what to do."

"Right." Any bullets or other flying objects wouldn't get past a densely phased Jesse Kilmartin. He changed places with Kenny, placing himself in the line of fire between any assassin and Mr. Merriwell. "Ready, everyone?"

"No," Merriwell whispered, his face pale.

Emma winked reassuringly. "Piece of cake." And aimed a jolt of telempathic endorphins at the man. A fatuous smile appeared on his mousy brown face. "Let's go."

They pushed out through the doors, scanning the horizon for any sign of any potential assassin. Shalimar would be coming in from the East, Jesse knew, having swiftly explored that half of the area. There was no time to check out the West, but if Emma still felt a malevolent presence, that was where it had to be coming from. Jesse concentrated on the tops of the tall buildings, hoping for a glimpse of anything that would give them advance warning; a glint on a rifle barrel, a slight movement where no movement should be. Anything.

Crack!

Kenny yelped, and fell back. His laptop fell to the ground.

East! It came from the East!

"Shalimar!" Jesse yelled into his comm. link, certain that the feral had suddenly been taken out. How else could an assassin have gotten past her?

Get the job done. Jesse grabbed Mr. Merriwell and rushed him to the waiting sedan. Another crack! Jesse swiftly phased, felt the bullet shatter against his diamond hard surface, and then he was pushing the man into the back of the car. Emma was right behind him with Kenny, a smoking laptop in the computer mutant's hands, wires sprouting from a slender hole in the case. Shalimar dove in head first after them, yelling, "Go! Go! Go!"

Brennan slammed his foot onto the accelerator.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It didn't take long. Brennan cornered Jesse as soon as they had gotten Mr. Merriwell safely into the mansion on his estate and behind the secure gates and perimeters. He advanced on the molecular, fire in his eye. Even the trio of cherubs sprinkling water into the fountain quivered in fear. "You were out of position, Jess! What the hell were you thinking?"

"I was not out of position!" Jesse blazed back. "Shal checked out the eastern section! That's what she said!"

"West, bro." There was no affection in the term this time, only anger. "She said west. She checked out the western half! Kenny almost bought it because you took the wrong side. That was your place, and you blew it! We're lucky that the bullet only took out one damn expensive laptop instead of going straight through his heart! He could have been killed!"

"East!" Jesse insisted. "Shalimar said east!"

"Sorry, Jess." Shalimar and Emma entered the room, trailed by a pale and shaking and exceedingly lucky computer mutant. "Jess, I told you west," Shalimar said ruefully.

Emma nodded. "That's what I heard, Jesse. When you took the wrong side, I thought that maybe I'd heard wrong."

Kenny stepped in, trying to defuse the anger circulating, worried at the naked fury flashing back and forth between the mutants. "Look, it's okay, guys. Everybody's safe; nobody got hurt. No damage done; well, maybe to a certain laptop, but that can always be replaced." He winced. "Ouch. There were a couple of really nice jpeg's that I downloaded to play with. Real super-model stuff; amazing what you can do in cyber-space. Oh, well. Easy come, easy go. There's always a new super-model with pictures on the 'net. I can get more. It's okay, guys."

"No, it's not okay." Brennan turned back to Jesse. "You've been screwing up a lot recently, bro. You need to get your head on straight."

"Brennan—"

"He's right, Jesse." Et tu, Shal? "You've been forgetting things, ignoring what we say," Shalimar continued with a this'll-hurt-me-more-than-you air. "We've been picking up after you."

"This isn't like you, Jesse," Emma said. "What's going on? What's wrong?"

Jesse's response was interrupted by the crackle of the comm. link. Each one of Mutant X jumped.

Adam's voice came through. "Jesse. You there?" There was no warmth in the scientist's tones but plenty of heat.

Jesse raised his comm. link hand to his mouth. "Yes, Adam?" What had gone wrong with the computer program now?

It wasn't the computer program.

"I thought you said you dropped Denise off to the Underground," Adam snapped.

"I did. Why?"

"I was just contacted by her foster parents. They said you never showed."

Shock; disbelief. "Adam, I turned her over to them yesterday afternoon. They were there, both of them!"

"That's not what they said, Jesse." Any more ice, and the words would have frozen the comm. link.

"But—"

"I think you'd better get back to Sanctuary, Jesse."

"But—"

"Sanctuary, Jesse. Now."

Jesse looked up at the others. No help there, only pity from Emma and Shalimar. Kenny was unreadable. Not so Brennan: the elemental was breathing fire. Jesse left.