Chapter 2: Doctors

The superior doctor prevents sickness; the mediocre doctor attends to impending sickness; the inferior doctor treats actual sickness." –Chinese proverb

The doctors were all prepared for their newest project. For the past 15 years they had been working on a major assignment that had come down from the very top. When the highest echelons of their institution asked you to take over a project, you generally complied with gusto.

Exiting the long, dark hallway of the covert facility, the 3 scientists moved into a small lobby that was intentionally poorly lit. Standing at the head of the group was Dr. Lachelle Phear. A beautiful African-American woman in her early thirties, Dr. Phear had a look on her face that would make ice cubes freeze to death. Having devoted the last fifteen years of her life to education and research, she was considered a foremost researcher in the fields of biology and genetics. Most recently, she had headed the project known simply as Bloodstream. It was her personal genetic experiment that had turned out extremely well. She knew simply by the tone of her summons to this particular meeting that Bloodstream would become a part of her life again.

Next to Dr. Phear was the more senior Dr. Alexander Valence. With an immaculate head of snow-white hair, Dr. Valence was a man of 60 who had spent over half his life deeply entrenched in government projects. A master of psychological manipulation, Dr. Valence had certainly earned his degrees in psychology and medicine. Having headed a covert profiling operation for the Defense Intelligence Agency, Valence was more than well aware of how the human brain worked. His time in the DIA was spent developing in depth profiles of people he would never meet. He was responsible for analyzing every action they took, and making some psychological connection that would help his bosses in planning their operations. Like his other two associates, Dr. Valence was apprehensive about this meeting that they had been called to.

Completing the group, long blond hair and even longer white lab coat and all, was Dr. Gail Tamblin. Of the three gathered, she was the only one who was actually a doctor by practice. Having worked for the past 17 years in pediatrics, her entire background seemed innocuous. To the casual observer, se was nothing more than a family medicine specialist who was out of place. There was little wonder why the other two were giving her looks that by all merits could kill.

"Do either of you know what this is about?" inquired Gail.

"No," Lachelle flatly replied.

"It would appear that this is some sort of recruiting mission," replied Valence. He continued pedantically, "Perhaps an excursion of sorts to gain some of our more intimate knowledge with our respective fields."

Just as the conversation was about to begin, the jet-black door that towered in front of them opened and a man with a serious look on his face stepped out. He looked like he had come straight out of the Secret Service; giving the group one sweeping look, he motioned for them to come inside.

As they passed through the door, each carefully took in what was one the other side.

The room was large and circular. With dark panels all over the place and low lighting, it would not have been the number one location for someone to try and read a book. In the middle of the room was a large rectangular conference table with a man seated on one side. One the other side of the table were three chairs, specifically set up for this little meeting. Also, along the walls were many aquariums. These weren't run of the mill fish tanks either; filled with exotic looking specimens from all over the world, the entire setup looked exceedingly expensive. The man at the table motioned for the group to have a seat.

Upon closer look, they all immediately recognized him as Drake St. Martin. Though none of them really knew what he did, they all had seen his face on the news.

"Hello. I am quite sure that you are all wondering what you are doing here," St. Martin said. He was a man of about thirty with a straight set jaw and piercing blue eyes. His brown hair accented the look, as he could have easily been a model; except for his height, which was pretty average at only five feet six inches tall. "First allow me to introduce myself," St. Martin continued.

"I am Drake St. Martin, special director of the Global Security Network." The GSN was whom the building that they were presently in belonged to. Global Security's operations on the worldwide scene were no secret. They were the premiere intelligence and protection corporation with a presence in almost 230 lands. Holding strong to their convictions, the people who comprised their 50,000 employees believed that it was their mission to keep the world safe. While it seemed a little cliché, it was the truth that they worked day in and day out, sometimes against the will of some very powerful governments and people, to make sure that what was right was done and what was wrong was eradicated. Of course, this was a front for much more important and much more dangerous operations.

"Dr. Valence, Dr. Phear, and Dr. Tamblin, you've been invited to this little meeting because we are in need of your services on a very special operation. Allow me to explain before you can object.

I am quite sure that you are all intimately familiar with the Mutant Movement across the world. While there are a number of mutants speaking out against what they consider as oppression against them, there are an equally important number who are keeping silent and choosing to go on wit their lives as normal. Counted amongst that number is a family of five mutants who, by all accounts are doing what they should: they're living a quiet life and going about their business as normal.

Unfortunately, the mother of this little group has discovered that the family has a secret that will not remain silent for long. She has decided to tell the children. Don't ask how we have this intel, but know that it is reliable and that it will set off a chain of events that will be devastating. As mutant factions in the world begin to separate and take positions on key rights issues, powerful mutants like these will be asked to take sides. With the discovery of this secret and mounting social pressure, this family will get involved with some things that we don't want them involved with. That is why we need you three to work with us to stop this family."

Judging by the blank expressions on the faces of the three doctors. Drake knew that what he had just said had taken them by surprise. So he continued, "All of you will have a crucial role."

"Then what is she doing here?" Dr. Phear asked, quickly recovering from her shock.

"Oh, there are a few things we can think of," Drake said, realizing this was the start of something beautiful.