Sorry for the long hiatus, but my college Psychology class was kicking my butt this semester. I'm back now, though. On to chapter 60!

It's profile time, folks! Up this time is one of the team's international members. Give it up for Lady Mastermind!

Lady Mastermind

Full name: Regan Wyngarde

Nickname: Lady M, Reg

Age: 15

Birth: July 12 Sign: Cancer Element: Water Planet: the Moon

Hair: Blond (like Tabitha's hair). It's down to her shoulders.

Eyes: Blue (I know that it's said green in the story up until now, but I finally found an actual bio of her, and her eyes are blue)

Family: Mastermind (father) mother--unnamed

Mutation: Regan is a phenomenal psionic illusionist. She can cause people to feel, see, taste, hear, and smell things that aren't there once she's inside their head. Her telepathy, however, leaves something to be desired. She has recently been aiding Vampira in mastering her latent hypnotic talent.

Personality: Since her mother was a wealthy supermodel, Regan grew up in the lap of luxury. Her predisposition for Jimmy Choo shoes comes off in a snobby, whiny matter when dealing with issues she'd rather not acknowledge exist, or that she doesn't like. She does have a heart under her outer shell; it's just very well hidden.

Aside from being a tad self-absorbed, Regan interacts very well with her other teammates (except Virus). Unfortunately, she also has self-esteem issues with regard to her powers, and panics when asked to do something new without time to prepare for it.

Learning to Breathe

60. Hunting

"In other news tonight, another strange disappearance has occurred in the area east of Northbrook." The newscaster spoke up. "It is the third such disappearance in the last month in the tri-state area and fits the pattern of a dozen other vanishings and murders in a trail spanning from California to Illinois. No arrests have been made."

"Come on, get to the murders." Kristen asked impatiently. "I want to know more."

"I don't think he will." Burnout said.

"The victims' bodies are always found two weeks after their initial disappearance in roadside ditches. There appears to be no connection between any of the prior or current victims." The television prattled on.

"Ha!" Kristen exclaimed. "I knew they would!"

"The FBI's probably all over this case by now." Thrasher said. "Why are we so interested, again?"

"Because there is a connection." Andi said. "The kind of connection that usually brings SHIELD into the equation."

"They're all mutants." Steve blinked. "All twelve of them? You sure?"

"Yeah." The shapeshifter nodded. "This is what Mina was warning us about. This is why we're now going to work with Kid Razor. We can't track this guy down on our own."

"No, but we can chase leads." Zartan said. "There's no reason not to learn everything we can about this case."

"I take it that's my job." Virus stated.

"Well, you are the computer expert." Regan said. "Go have fun."

Across town: a building

The boy cried softly as he curled up into a ball on the cold stone floor of his pitch-black prison. Why had he been taken? Where was he? What had happened to him while he was asleep? Why was his body so sore? It's not like he could see anything. There were no windows. No sign of a door. No sense of time.

With a creak, the door opened, letting only a tiny bit of candle-light filter inside the room around the shadow of the intruder. The boy looked up and whimpered. "Where am I? What do you want?"

"Hush, child." The man's smooth tenor voice said. "It will all be over soon."

"What will be over?" The boy asked. "What are you doing?" the man walked closer and knelt down on the boy's level.

"Just relax." The man said, his eyes beginning to glow a faint red. "It won't hurt a bit."

"Yes sir." The boy said, not knowing that his eyes were also beginning to glow.

Across the country: a lab in New York

"He's waking up." He heard his father say. Slowly, Cal Rankin opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. White lights and metal walls surrounded him.

"What happened?" He asked. "How did I get here?"

"Son, there was an accident." Dr. Rankin said softly. "You'll need to stay here a few days."

"Days?" Calvin growled. "All I remember happening was me getting covered in goop and gas. What the hell was that stuff, anyway?"

"It doesn't matter." The older man said. "Not now. It's gone, and you're here. But I can't let you leave until I know for sure that you are all right, son."

Calvin groaned. Never in his sixteen years did he ever remember his father being so concerned over his safety. It unnerved him. "Fine. I'll stay, but don't expect me to like it."

"I never said you had to." Dr. Rankin chuckled. He then walked out of the lab and went to speak with one of the other doctors. "Dr. Masen, please tell me that you have good news."

"I'm afraid not." Dr. Masen said. "The serum has bonded to his DNA. Did you know that your son has an X-gene?"

"No." Dr. Rankin said. "No, I did not. What does that have to do with anything?"

"His exposure to the prototype serum activated his dormant gene." The other doctor said. "He's officially a mutant now."

"But what do we do with him?" The first asked. "I don't believe you realize just who the people at Extensive Enterprises really are. If they find out about this, they'll try to use my son as collateral! I don't want to work for them for the rest of my life!"

"Maybe we should head them off at the pass." Masen said. "From what rumors I've heard, there's a new mutant team forming. Maybe he could be of some use to them?"

"Maybe so." Dr. Rankin sighed. "But I hope it won't come to that. Calvin is the only family I have and I don't want to lose him to those snakes."