Something was happening.
Raphael could almost smell it in the autumn air — the urgency that came when something important was coming up. It had started when a message came from the Foot's spy at StockGen, which had prompted Karai to charge out into the night with a contingent of Foot ninja, her eyes blazing and her face set in determined lines.
Raphael watched the black-clad figures vanish into the night, resting a hand on his sai. This had to be something major, he reflected. He couldn't remember the last time Karai had gone somewhere so swiftly and with so little time to prepare.
And the mention of StockGen piqued his interest. Master Shredder had told him long ago of his origins — how he had been a turtle hatchling from StockGen's experiments, who had been doused in a chemical mutagen also from StockGen. That was how he had become a mutant, apparently. He didn't know much else about the place except for that, and had concluded long ago that he didn't need to know about it, or someone would have told him.
"Master," he said hesitantly. "What's happened at StockGen?"
Master Shredder did not answer at first, as though mulling over his answer. Finally he said, "We have received word that StockGen has captured a mutant for experimentation."
Raphael felt his heart skip a beat. "A mutant?" he said, stiffening.
"Yes, Raphael, another mutant," Master Shredder said, sounding amused by his reaction. "And if our enemies are enhancing their ranks with mutants, we shall do the same — but with greater effectiveness."
Raphael's mind was still processing this news. He had certainly known that it was possible there were other mutants out there — all it seemed to take was a splash of the mutagen, if he was anything to go by — but he had never actually heard of one before. Similarly, he had occasionally heard whisperings among the genin of a possible mutant army, of countless mutants trained in ninjutsu, if Master Shredder could obtain enough of the ooze, but had dismissed the idea as just gossip. Certainly Master Shredder had never said anything in his hearing about it.
"What do you mean, Master?" he said slowly.
"We shall add this new mutant to our ranks, if he is able to fight effectively. The most adaptive, the most powerful, the most capable fighters will belong to the Foot Clan, and we will dominate in the war that is coming to this city." Master Shredder slowly turned to Raphael. "Fighters like you, Raphael."
"What—if he doesn't wanna?" Raphael asked.
"He has no choice in the matter," Master Shredder said, an ominous tone entering his voice.
An uneasy feeling crept into Raphael's heart, as he contemplated what would happen to this mysterious mutant if he were to refuse Master Shredder's will. His hand slowly rose to touch the side of his face, even though no scars had been left behind, and his breath caught in his throat. He remembered all too well what refusal had felt like.
But he doubted the mutant would for long. Master Shredder was always obeyed, one way or another.
And another feeling was rising inside him like smoke from a kindling fire — excitement. He had lamented to Mother before that he was the only mutant in the Foot Clan, and that another might be able to understand him, commiserate with him… befriend him. Now there was the chance for another mutant to be a part of the Foot — someone who would understand what it was like to be a "freak." He could try to reach out to this mutant, convince him that it was in his best interest to obey Master Shredder, let him know that he wasn't the only mutant there…
If the mutant showed signs of resistance, Raphael decided, he would ask Master Shredder to let him speak. It couldn't hurt, and it might help…
"What are you thinking, Raphael?" Master Shredder inquired.
"I… I was wonderin' what kind of mutant he is, Master," Raphael said hastily.
Master Shredder steepled his fingers. "The message did not say."
The night air was blisteringly chilly, especially with the wind blowing in gales down the city streets. Scores of ninja were spilling out into the street, and then fading into the shadows, their footsteps silent, their eyes keen as they vanished into the alleys and rooftops of New York. The waxing moon hung low overhead, like a giant white eye staring down at them.
Raphael took a step forward, intending to join them on the journey to the rendezvous point with Karai. She was supposed to bring the mutant to one of their many buildings, a former warehouse that the Foot had refitted according to their needs. Raphael had never been there before — most of his time was spent in their main headquarters, and most of his missions outside were on enemy territory.
But as he moved forward, a bladed arm swung in front of him. "No, Raphael. You will ride with me tonight," Master Shredder said.
"Yes, Master," Raphael said.
The journey to the rendezvous was a silent one. Raphael kept his hands clamped on his knees, and his eyes fixed on the buildings rolling by outside. He could see the dark shapes of the other ninja flitting over the rooftops outside, briefly silhouetted against the moon and deep gray clouds, and he almost thought he could hear their footsteps as they landed lightly on the roofs. His muscles tensed as he unconsciously thought of how it felt to be running out at night.
Finally the car pulled up to what appeared to be a large warehouse, and Raphael followed Master Shredder inside. It was a single large room inside, with windows showing the night sky high up on the walls. Torches burned against the walls, and a stone platform like a stage stood at one end of the room.
"Remain out of sight, Raphael," Master Shredder said, pulling his crimson cloak around himself.
The turtle obeyed, slipping into the shadows near the platform, letting them slip around him like a curtain. Raphael supposed that his master was intending to reveal him to the other mutant at the right moment, in order to show that he would be welcome in the Foot — that being a mutant was no barrier.
Other Foot ninja began filing into the room, silent and shadowy, their faces hidden by masks. They formed a semicircle around the stage, crowding out into the corners of the room and waiting. Waiting. Waiting for the sign to do something Master Shredder commanded. Waiting in case this new mutant was violent or uncontrollable.
Then the doors opened, and Karai appeared between them.
Raphael felt excitement and apprehension warring inside him, making him squirm slightly. He was tempted to move closer to the end of the platform to see more of what was happening, but didn't dare disobey Master Shredder.
The ninja with Karai were dragging a smaller, slighter figure dressed in a rather ratty kimono, hands bound behind its back, a blindfold over its eyes. The head moved slowly from side to side, as if trying to hear or smell something about its surroundings. Raph leaned forward, trying to see it more clearly.
"Well done, Karai," Master Shredder said.
The mutant was forced down onto his knees before Master Shredder, who came closer to see what they had claimed. Raphael felt his breath catch in his throat as Karai finally tore off the blindfold from the mutant's head.
It was a rat.