Xavier's Institute for higher learning.
"Any Luck finding the newest prospect Wheels?" Logan asked leaning against the wall of the sub basement as Charles exited Cerebro.
"None, it is proving to be quite a task nailing down a location for him." Charles answered wheeling past him and towards the Elevator.
"I thought you were supposed to be good at this." Logan said rather gruffly.
"As you know finding a mutant with Cerebro works much easier when they use their powers. And it works much better when they are powerful mutants. It is not very difficult when using it to find dangerous mutants or children who do not have a handle on their powers but this man is only a low level beta mutant and seems to have complete control of himself." Charles said rubbing his temples after his rigorous session in Cerebro.
"If he is not very powerful then why work so hard to find him?" Logan asked confused as Charles had been spending hours everyday for the past two weeks to locate this mutant.
"His mutation itself is not very powerful but the way he is able to use it. could make him a very valuable asset to the X-men." Charles said as they exited the elevator and made their way through the students filling the halls after dinner ended.
"What exactly is his mutation Chuck? Especially seeing as how I will most likely be the one going to pick him up." Logan asked walking side by side with the brilliant telepath.
"His Mutation is unlike anything I have ever seen. I am unsure of its exact capabilities or what ways he has discovered to use them but from what I can tell his Gifts allow his brain to function much faster than any other person or Mutant on the planet. He is able to absorb vast amounts of knowledge at an incredible rate." Charles explained and Logan scratched his head in thought.
"I could see how that could be useful to have around, or possibly dangerous." Logan then responded and Charles looked up at him briefly.
"I seem to remember the same thing being said about a certain other mutant not long ago." Charles responded with a slight chuckle.
"And that proved to be right on the money on more than one occasion." Logan countered with a smirk.
"Yes it certainly has but it has proved to be beneficial more often than not. Do not doubt yourself Logan you have become a valued member of the X-men and we are glad to have you. At least most of us." Charles said as he Noticed Logan seeing Scott with Jean and eliciting a low growl.
Detroit, Michigan
I sat at a bar throwing back double shots of whiskey trying to clear my head. Alcohol seems to clear some space at least temporarily. As much information makes its way into my head every day I am surprised I have not developed an aneurism by now. Actually I am not surprised as I know aneurisms are often hereditary or caused by other acquired diseases, and result from a weakened blood vessel wall. Just a little nugget of information that has made its way into my head 3 years 2 months 9 days and four hours ago. I Will have that information until the day I die although I will never need it, I have no intention of becoming a doctor. Alcohol seems to at least numb the onslaught of information and sometimes I get so stressed out I think I may have a heart attack. That one can actually be caused by stress as when your body gets stressed it produces cholesterol to keep your body lubed up as your body believes it will get physical. When your body does not get physical to wear off the cholesterol build up the cholesterol then lines your arteries. Another piece of information. I really need another drink. Sometimes I wish I could just forget this stuff.
"Hey honey, you look like you could use some company." A Blonde woman said as she sat down on the bar stool next to me.
"No thanks." I said trying not to sound rude but I am nowhere near drunk enough and my mutation is registering the smell of the alcohol on her breath to be that of a blood alcohol content much higher than the legal limit for an average woman of her size.
"Don't be like that baby, I can show you a real good time." She said before sliding her hand up my leg. "Oh is that a gun or are you just happy to see me?" She then asked and now I am getting frustrated.
"Its a gun." I replied lifting my shirt to show her the chrome slide and black leather grip. "Now get away from me whore." I then said a little more rude as she didn't take the hint the first time.
"Asshole!" She yelled as she got up from the bar and walked away in a hurry.
I then gestured for the bartender to pour me another shot and went back to drinking. I should have known that my luck is not good enough that telling the girl to leave would be the end of it. I heard a few foot steps approaching from behind me and I sighed in frustration.
"Hey dickhead, I think you owe my friend over there an apology." A man said and glancing at the reflection in my glass I could see three men behind me.
"I tried being nice to your friend but she didn't want accept nice. I will give you the same option. Leave me alone and you wont get hurt. I would much rather see you go back to what you were doing than ending up in a hospital." I said without turning around.
"We ain't goin nowhere until you apologize to the girl." The young punk stated bravely.
"You are not going anywhere." I corrected. "Don't they teach you kids anything in school. Look just go back to doing whatever it is you were doing. I really do not wish to hurt you." I then said again and I could see the kid's reflection in my beer bottle cocking his hand back.
He swung a right hand and I moved my head to the side causing him to hit the bar. Judging by the blood and the crunching sound I heard along with the pained scream he let out it was not very hard to tell he has a broken hand.
I swung my barstool around without getting up and he was across the room holding his hand. One of his friends cocked a pool cue he held in his hand and swung it at me. I ducked it and he followed through with the swing hitting the third man in the head and knocking him unconscious he quickly dropped the pool cue and pulled a gun from his waistband. My mutation quickly began to register things about the weapon. Where he was pointing it, the angle in which he was holding it telling me the trajectory of the bullet and that if fired will hit me in my left cheek, the length of his fingers and the angle at which his trigger finger was bent telling me exactly how much pressure he currently had on the trigger, and the make and model of the gun telling me how much pressure is needed before it will fire. Just as he began to apply more pressure I dropped to the ground causing the bullet to miss me. I kicked in his left thigh just above the knee and he fell to the ground I grabbed the hand holding the gun and placed my finger over his. I bent his arm up and held the gun underneath his chin.
"Now I told you to leave. You should have listened and we could have avoided this whole situation. I am going to take my finger off of this trigger and I want you to do the same, ok?" I asked calmly.
"Ye ye ye yes." He stuttered scared for his life. I removed my finger from the trigger and he let go of the gun all together.
"I am taking this with me, do you have a problem with that?" I asked him and then I noticed the wet spot on the front of his pants. "Apparently you don't. Now your leg will regain feeling in roughly 79 seconds I just struck a nerve, when it does you will get your friends to a hospital. One will need a cast and the other will awaken with one hell of a headache but most like just a concussion. Be that as it may he should still get it checked out." I explained before getting to my feet tucking the pistol in my waistband and gesturing for the bartender to pour me another shot.
"Thank you sir. Those kids come in here all the time causing trouble and every time I ask them to leave they pull that gun on me." He said waving my money away when I offered it to him.
"Well since you wont take my money how about this?" I said taking the gun out and setting it on the bar in front of him.
"No thanks I don't like firearms." He replied and I just chuckled.
"A bar owner in this city and you don't have a gun. You know you could have gotten those boys out of here and avoided all of this a long time ago with one." I said sliding it closer to him. "Just be careful with that. Maybe take it to a range tomorrow and get some practice in." I said taking my last drink before I call it a night.
I head back to my apartment and sit down on my sofa eager to kick my feet up and relax after such a long day. Just as I am begging to enjoy the silence my phone rings, another damn job.
"No names, You got my number I assume you know my rate and that it is non negotiable. I will contact you on a time and date of my choosing we will discuss further matters there." I said before hanging the phone up and making a phone call to my business associate.
"I just got a job." I said quickly when I heard him pick up on the other end of the line.
"Yes a man named Hunter Brawn. Location Beverly Hills, California. Do you need anything else?" He asked although he knew I more than likely would not.
"No I will figure everything else out on my end. Thanks." I said before hanging up the phone doing a quick search and heading to bed for the night.
I woke up the next morning with a text message giving me a name which I already had, a family tree, and a home address. Looks like I am going to Beverly hills. I put in a call to the nearest delivery service and gave them the measurements for some boxes I would need to ship I then made a phone call and luckily there us a flight departing from the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and landing at the Burbank airport outside of Los Angeles. After picking up the boxes I packed the weapons I would be taking and dropped the back off at the company I picked the boxes up from with an address to a hotel I called and rented a room from. After setting up all of my arrangements it is off to California. At least the warmth will be welcomed. I do not like the cold but after calculating everything I needed when looking for a place to stay Detroit seemed the least likely for me to be discovered in. I try to avoid real large thriving cities. Making the money I do, most would expect me to stay in a beautiful place and at least Detroit throws them off my scent. Most of them anyway.
Xavier Institute for higher learning
*Logan, Scott. Can the two of you meet me at the blackbird?* Charles asked telepathically from the sub basement hangar that housed the jet.
Shortly later the gruff Canadian and the leader of the X-men entered the hangar to see Charles next to the jet with a warm smile on his face.
"What's the deal Chuck?" Logan asked through a rough raspier than usual voice, red eyes and his hair even wilder than most are used to seeing.
"You have a mission for us Charles?" Scott asked a little too excitedly for 8 A.M.
"Eager to get started kissing ass are we?" Logan smirked and Scott glared through his ruby tinted glasses at the man he has come to despise and respect at the same time.
"Can we not start this today?" Charles asked frustrated at the constant bickering between the pair. "Cerebro has Located the Mutant we have been searching for and the three of us will be heading to California to meet him." Charles explained happy that he finally got a lock on the mutant.
The men entered the jet and Scott began firing up the thrusters. The basketball court slid open revealing the hidden Jet Hangar and the jet then lifted up into the morning sky.
"So Professor I thought you have been having trouble Locating this mutant, how did you get a lock on him?" Scott asked as the Jet lurched forward at a high speed.
"His Mutation is one of the mind, often with mutation as such it can become very overwhelming and the distress results in a Mutant signature. It is much smaller than A mutant using their powers but it is there all the same. Jean was running a late session with Cerebro when she picked up the signature. He was in Detroit last night but after doing some digging this morning we found that he I on a plane to The Burbank Airport as we speak." Charles explained to the two men.
"And we are going to intercept him there?" Logan asked hoping that wasn't the case as he always gets hassled by airport security.
"No The process of travelling can be taxing enough we will give him some time to adjust and get over his jet lag before approaching him. You both have seen how dangerous dealing with a possible unwilling mutant can be under the wrong circumstances." Charles then said.
"You said his mutation is in his mind, apart from that he is barely a beta, how dangerous can he be Charles?" Scott asked concern edging into his voice.
"Come on boy scout you cant be that stupid. Look at mutants like mastermind or Emma frost. Sure they are powerful but you have seen what mutations of the mind are capable of." Logan said causing scott to cringe at the nickname Logan used for him.
"You are correct Logan we should not underestimate this mutant." Charles said and then got quiet again.
"There is something you are not telling us Charles." Logan said picking up on Charles' uneasiness. "What is so special about this mutant that we are even wasting out time?" Logan then asked.
"You are right again Logan. This Mutant as Low as his mutation is found a way to escape a shield helicarrier make his way past all of the shield agents shoot hawkeye and shoot a bullet through Tony Starks bulletproof Iron man suit injuring him as well before threatening Nick Fury and jumping off of the helicarrier at 33'000 feet. There is no plausible way that any normal Mutant could have accomplished such a feat." Charles explained to the two and Logan smiled after hearing the explanation.
"Threatened Fury huh, and shot Stark. Please tell me we are going to give him a medal or at least let me buy him a beer." Logan said chuckling.
"This is not the time to joke Logan. Any man capable of something like that could be extremely dangerous and we need to proceed with caution." Scott said angry that Logan would joke about something like this.
"Calm down one eye. What did that stick get twisted in that ass of yours?" Logan asked through a snarl.
"Fuck you Logan." Scott countered.
"Enough!" Charles shouted. "Scott is right Logan we must treat this as any other mission, we Have no idea the full capabilities of the man we are looking for or what exactly we are getting into." Charles then said calming his voice.
Beverly hills, California
California is much better than Las Vegas but I have been to nicer places. I got to go to Tahiti for a job 5 years ago that was a beautiful place. California is a sloppy mess of a place by comparison but it is much better than Detroit. I checked into my hotel and thought about relaxing for a while but there is work to be done. First I need to meet up with Hunter brawn and get the details on my Job. I made my way into Beverly hills from the hotel just outside of the city and drove past the street my client lives on. I parked my car a few streets away and made my way on foot. After sneaking past the security guard of the gated community I snuck around the house after Noticing 3 men sitting in the entertainment room I went to the back door picked the lock and made my way inside. I crept through the house and began making my way toward the entertainment room when suddenly a cold metal object which felt very similar to a gun barrel was pressed against my head. I threw an elbow back and hit the person in the sternum before turning disarming him flipping the safety off and pulling the gun on him. I grabbed his arm, spun him around and wrapped an arm around his throat while pointing the gun at another man who had his pistol drawn as well. I fired a quick shot hitting the mans gun causing him to drop it to the ground when suddenly I heard the third man laugh from the doorway to the dining room.
"Bullet I presume, Your reputation proceeds you." He said leaning against the doorway. "I would appreciate it if you would let Molokai go." He then said and I smirked.
"Molokai tried to kill me, I do not take kindly to such actions." I said calmly. "However I understand that I am in your home and he is here to defend you at any cost. You should train your men better though he did point a gun to my head with the safety still engaged." I then said letting the man go and handing him his gun back.
"Would you mind if I ask how you got into my home without setting off my security system?" He asked and I smirked again.
"Your security is a joke, your home security system and your men." I then said looking to the man still shaking his hand that was holding the gun when I shot it.
"You misunderstand these are not security guards of mine just business associates. I would like you to meet Reno and Molokai." Hunter introduced the two fuck ups.
"We are not going to become friends. I am here for a job and then we go our separate ways without ever speaking again. Do I make myself clear?" I asked letting them know I am strictly there for business.
"Of course, silly me. What do you say we head to the den to discuss matters further?" He then asked and I gestured for him to lead the way. As we walked through the home I noticed that he clearly has money but isn't extremely worried about protecting it as much as most of the clients I meet.
"Would you like a glass of Scotch?" Hunter asked me and I waved the offer away.
"No thank you, I do not drink while I work." I politely refused.
"A true professional, You Bullet are the last of a dying breed." Hunter said before pouring himself a glass and taking a swig of it. "Please take a seat." He then said gesturing towards a leather sofa.
"I do not plan to be here long. Why don't you tell me who you want gone." I said eager to get this over with. I have met some bad people in my time but there was a cold merciless side of this man that made me feel uncomfortable. Most of my clients are not very good people but they have families and lives and some sense of humanity, Hunter just screamed calculated psychopath. The sooner I distance myself from him the better.
"Straight to the point then. I want you to kill a man named Cheung lee." He said and it has been a while since the last time I killed a Chinese man, a leader of a triad gang. "He is costing me a lot of money and I need him dealt with but make it look like an accident." He then added.
"I make no guarantee's I will look into the man and I will make a judgment. I will let you know whether or not I choose to take this contract. I will contact you in anywhere from two days to two weeks and let you know of my decision. You never saw me today, you got that?" I asked and he nodded.
"I understand how anonymity is required in your line of business I will speak to no one about this." Hunter said and I looked to the other two men.
"That goes for the two of you as well." I then told them before walking back out of the den and out of the front door.
The next day
I followed the Lee family and watched as Cheung dropped off a young girl at a gymnastics studio before continuing his drive. I followed from four car lengths back and kept an eye on the man. He came to a stop at a building in the city limits and he walked inside carrying a black laptop bag. After doing some research I found that he programs software for large corporations and makes a comfortable living doing it. He has a wife and a daughter. So far I have seen nothing that makes this guy a bad person. I guess I will continue to follow him after he leaves here. I will plant some bugs later and get some info from him as time passes.
Cheung Lee left the company he was currently working with and walked back to his car. I proceeded to follow him again only for him to pick up his daughter again. They went back home and I went back to enjoying the quiet with a pair of binoculars until something happens. Still nothing so far but an ordinary family.
6 P.M. rolled around before anything happened and then a car pulled up. I noticed another young girl in the driver seat. Cheung Lee's daughter, Jubilee if the family tree was correct left the house and got into the car. I contemplated following them to see if I could find out anything but then decided against it.
The night progressed further, Jubilee had come home and the family had already headed to bed along with most other people in the neighborhood. I walked down the street so that I would not wind up getting caught sneaking through yards and jumping fences. I approached the Lee's car and picked the door lock. I quickly removed the center console and planted a bug before putting it back in place like it had never been removed at all.
Three days later
The past couple days have drug on extremely slow. I have been watching and listening to this family nonstop but they are clean. Cheung Lee works hard to support his family in a completely legit business. Jubilee is a bit of a mall rat but other than that she is a good kid. They are living the American dream and I am having trouble figuring out why someone would want Cheung Lee dead. There has got to be something. I will tap their phones and home next someone is bound to slip up and reveal something. Maybe I should look into Jubilee she is young and naïve maybe I can get her to let something slip about her father.
That evening I followed her into the mall and kept my distance so that she would not notice me. I waited for an opportunity to approach her when suddenly she took off running out of the store. I looked around and saw her friend being held by a mall cop. I took off running after Jubilee she was difficult to keep up with she was extremely fast and agile.
"Stupid girl." I said to myself as I noticed her run down an alley that happened to be a dead end with two mall cops right on her heels. I began rounding the corner to intervene when suddenly a bright flash and a loud explosion occurred. I shielded my eyes and yanked the security guards out of harms way. The explosion caused bricks from the buildings on either side to fall directly toward Jubilee and I ran back in. I threw myself on top of her taking the brunt of the few bricks. I then grabbed Jubilee's hand and helped her to her feet we ran back out of the alleyway and down the street with more security guards onto us. Jubilee stayed right behind me as we continued to run. We cut through another alley and came out where I parked my car. I opened the door for Jubilee and she jumped inside. I walked around and got in the driver side before driving off casually.
"Are you ok?" I asked quickly looking at her for any cuts or bruises.
"No did you see what I did?" She asked incredulously.
"Kind of but not the whole thing. You are a Mutant Jubilee. It means that you have an X gene in your DNA strand and it chose tonight to manifest." I explained calmly hoping she would calm as well she is a little shaken up and considering the events that just took place that is understandable for such a young girl.
"I know what it means I am not an idiot." She said and I chuckled.
"You are right, I shouldn't have assumed that you wouldn't be aware." I said laughing at the fire she just showed.
"Why me, why now. I have a gymnastics competition tomorrow, they will never let me compete now." She said and I just laughed more.
"Everything that just happened and you are concerned with a gymnastics competition?" I asked and she glared at me.
"Gymnastics are my life have been since I was a kid if you are going to laugh at me then pull over and let me out." She said and I immediately stopped laughing.
"You Shouldn't accept rides from strangers as it is." I said calmly thinking it wouldn't be right to pry into her life at the moment given everything she has gone through.
"Your right, pull over." She said and I obliged. "Thank you for helping me." She then said before walking off into the night and I couldn't help but admire the fire she had within her.
The next day
I sat in a crowd watching gymnast after gymnast perform for judges and I wasn't impressed. I was growing bored watching the competition when the girl I came to see was called to the mat. She began her routine and my gaze drew to her like a moth to a flame. The way she moved was so fluid. The way she connected her flips and spins were incredibly complex but seamless. The confidence she showed on the mat was far from the scared worried girl I met last night. I have never seen anyone move with such grace and beauty before and I couldn't help but look on. I swear if she doesn't win this I may kill the judges.
"Wait... Jason did you just say beauty?" I asked myself. She is a young girl that's creepy. Well I guess she is eighteen so maybe its not so creepy. But still you may be killing her father you cant think like that.
The judges announced the scores and I stood up and began clapping when Jubilee received near perfect scores. Suddenly I realized I was the only person standing and I drew stares from everyone in the room including Jubilee. I sat back down but continued my cheering. The competition ended and I made my way back outside to my rental car. I unlocked the car and opened the door when I heard a familiar voice.
"What are you doing here? Have you been following me?" Jubilee asked and I turned to face her.
"No I have not. I was driving by and I saw you on your way in. I decided that after laughing about the competition last night that maybe I should check it out for myself. You did great congratulations." I then said before turning back to my car.
"Is that it. You come and spy on me and then you just leave?" She asked and now I am confused.
"What else is there?" I asked in return.
"You could tell me your name." She then said and I sat stunned for a second.
"Why would you want to know my name, for all you know I was following you. I could be a crazy stalker who wants nothing more than to murder you." I replied and she laughed.
"If you wanted to murder me you could have done it last night, instead you stopped the car and let me out when I asked. You made no attempt to stop me or even talk me into staying in the car with you." She said and I smiled. She is braver than most although its not necessarily a good thing it is refreshing.
"My name is Jason Woodbury." I replied and she smiled.
"Jubilation Lee but you can call me Jubilee, everyone does." She extended her hand and I accepted.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Jubilee but sadly I have some business to attend to." I said before getting into the rental car and starting the engine.
The Lee family is not a bad family, Cheung is not a bad man. I can not go through with this. Its time to go see Hunter and tell him the hit is off.