CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"Shalimar. You should get some rest." Emma said as she walked in the computer lab seeing Shalimar typing furiously on the computer.
"I can't. Jesse needs our help." Shalimar said her eyes not leaving the computer screen. "Whoever is responsible for taking him is also responsible for the safe-houses being broken into. I think we can rule out the fact that the new mutants that were taking shelter in the safe-houses are missing because they managed to get away. I think whoever has Jesse also has the mutants. They're using dart guns to capture them so whoever did this wanted them alive. I need to make sure that we find them before that changes." Shalimar said finally looking up at Emma.
Looking at the determined look on the feral's face, Emma decided against arguing. There was no way Shalimar would be able to sleep anyway worrying about Jesse. Neither could she for that matter. Resigning to the fact, she settled down at the computer terminal next to Shalimar looking for something that may give them a clue as to the disappearances.
"Shalimar!" Emma said looking up from her computer. "I don't know whether this means anything. It could be just a freaky coincidence but you've got to take a look at this."
Shalimar got up from her seat and walked over to Emma's terminal. Displayed on the screen was a supply schedule listing down the safe-houses that each of the Mutant X members were responsible for to maintain supplies.
"It's our supply schedule". Shalimar said frowning, wondering why Emma thought this to be of significance.
"Yeah, but look". Emma said pointing to the screen. "This column here lists down the safe-houses that Jesse is responsible for. Look again at the first three safe-houses in his supply route."
Shalimar gave a sharp intake of breath as she saw what Emma was getting at. The first three safe-houses on Jesse's supply route were the three safe-houses that were broken into.
"So what does that mean?" Brennan asked as he and Adam were informed of the girls' findings. "That Jesse was the one that gave them information about our safe-houses?" he queried.
"Even if he was the one that somehow gave them the information about the safe-houses, you can be sure it was not given voluntarily." Shalimar said with an angry glare at Brennan, not liking the accusatory innuendo of the question
Brennan inwardly winced at Shalimar's retort. He didn't mean it to sound like an accusation. He knew Jesse would not willingly give up such information especially not when the lives of other mutants were at stake. Granted he may have a lot to learn about his molecular teammate, but he knew him well enough to know that Jesse would never willingly jeopardize the lives of other innocent mutants.
"Seven mutants in one day!" Jesse heard Xavier say to Lena as he silently watched Xavier going through whatever it was he had on his computer from his cage "and this is only the beginning!" Xavier continued rubbing his hands together.
"I think we should lie low a bit." Lena suggested as Xavier turned towards her away from the computer screen. "We've already broken into three safehouses today. Maybe a more subtle approach would not raise alarm levels and buy us some more time."
"What? And risk waning interest?" Xavier replied in disbelief. "Just look at this list of buyers." Xavier said motioning to the lit screen. "Demand is at an all time high. I don't know how long this level of interest is going to last but I'm certainly going to make sure I reap the benefits for as long and as much as I can." Xavier finished as his gaze moved to the cage at the centre of the warehouse and its mutant prisoner that seemed to be in deep sleep.
"Tomorrow, we will continue our raid on the other safe-houses in the list. We've got no time to lose. We have to finish off that list before Mutant X has an opportunity to step up security or to do anything about it. Right now, they're probably still wondering what hit them." Xavier added smugly.
"I really don't think that it's wise to underestimate Mutant X." Lena said looking on. Xavier was a man with great vision and power. But one thing he was not was patient. When we wanted something, he wanted it now. Lena hoped that that attitude wouldn't lead to his downfall.
"Let me worry about the strategy. You just concentrate on getting all the information we need from our friend Mr. Kilmartin over there". Xavier said nodding his head to Jesse's cage. "It's just a matter of time before we move to the next phase of the plan."
No. He couldn't let it happen. Jesse thought with fear. He remembered again the look on the faces of the mutants that were captured. He could not give them any more information. He had done enough damage. He looked around at the warehouse and the guards who were on duty. A head count showed that there were too many for him to take on. Not without his powers. But he had to try something. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he let them get more information from him.
"No". Adam said looking up from the computer screen. "Not after what happened the last time."
"Come on Adam. We know he may still be alive. Just let me try to get a connection. Maybe we can find out where he is." Emma urged.
"No". Adam said again shaking his head as he turned around in his seat to face Emma. "We don't know what happened to you the last time and until we do, we have no idea what we're up against. That's one risk we can't afford right now." Adam finished as a blinking signal on the computer screen caught his attention.
"Well we've got to do something." Emma said beginning to pace, oblivious to Adam's distraction. "We can't just sit here waiting for them to make the next move." She finished with a tone of exasperation.
"It looks like we don't have to." Adam said his attention fixed on the blinking screen in front of him.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked curious as she stopped her pacing and went to the computer terminal.
"Look" Adam said motioning to the screen. "It's another breach signal."
"Quick, pass me the list of Jesse's supply schedule you printed last night, over on that table." Adam said as Emma went to retrieve the list and handed it to him. "Unbelievable!" he commented as he looked from the list to the information on the screen. "It's the forth safe-house on the list."
"I'll call Brennan and Shalimar so we can go there now." Emma said grabbing the list as she headed hurriedly out the door.
"Emma wait." Adam said stopping her before she was out of the room. "Don't go there".
"What? Are you crazy?? This is our chance to get the guys who have Jesse. "We can't just sit here whilst... "Emma" Adam said interrupting her outburst. "Just listen. There's only one other safe-house on that list. I want you to go to that safe-house. By the time you reach the fourth safe-house, chances are it'll be too late. If my guess is true, they'll be aiming to finish the list as soon as possible. Just do it okay. And .. take these." Adam added as he went over to retrieve something from his worktable and handed it to Emma. "Be careful."
'Sir. We're at the safehouse now. No one's here. Everything has been cleared." Xavier heard the voice crackling over his com line.
"Damnit." Xavier said banging his fist on the table. "Where's the 2nd team?" he asked.
"They're already headed out to the last safehouse on the list you gave us sir."
"I want you to go there now. If Mutant X is on to us, they might be stepping into a trap." Damn that Adam Kane, Xavier thought still seething in anger. He was ruining his plans. Lena was right. He did underestimate Mutant X. Adam Kane definitely knew how to stay in the game, he acknowledged with grudging respect.
Well it looks like they just signed the death warrant of one of their own because this meant that they had to move on with their next phase of the plan a lot sooner than expected.
"Lena!" Xavier yelled just as Lena walked into the warehouse. "I need you to do it now! We've got no time to waste. Remember, every ounce of information you can get and don't stop until you get it all! Start with where Sanctuary is located!" he said motioning for his men to get the prisoner out.
This was it. Jesse thought as he heard the order. He had to do something and he had to do it now. He took in several deep breaths to calm himself down. Here goes nothing, he thought as his cage door creaked open.