Ranma: evolution: Hellfire Agenda [Episode 112914]

"Now." Sebastion Shaw said simply. "Handling Ranma is simply part of our goal to forge a useful alliance with his mother Mystique. Though he clearly has some value himself, from your description of his escape, Emma."

"Considering the condition of Magneto and his Acolytes, I'd call that an understatement." Frost responded with a grin. "However, am I right in assuming that you've already taken steps to contact Mystique?"

"I know of three means of contact, and have sent a message through all of them." Shaw responded. "However as we all know, Mystique is notoriously difficult to contact unless she wishes it."

"Meaning that the messages will sit where they are until she feels it's worth her time to check on them." Seline commented simply. "And I believe she's been known to go Months or even years between checks?"

"More months, as I recall." Shaw responded. "However as you've pointed out, it is in our interests to look into alternate methods of contacting her."

"Well, if it takes her a little time, that'll give us the chance to explore how Ranma could be of use to us." Seline commented, pausing to take a sip of wine.

"Oh, short term yes, but in the long term it's best for us to put real effort into reuniting mother and son. It'll make both feel indebted to us, and insure they look at us in a positive light in future dealings." Shaw responded.

"Our problem is that Mystique is on a mission for Magneto, and we have no idea what that mission is." Leland pointed out.

"Well, I suspect that Ranma would be willing to let me probe his memories of that fight for clues." Emma commented thoughtfully. "And if I pick up a few other tidbits in the process, that's just the way it goes."

"Good call," Seline responded.

Emma looked at the Black Queen. 'She might just be jumping on approving an idea that wouldn't be argued against. . . But is that it?'

"Still, beyond that we can't know how long it will take to contact Mystique." Leland commented. Reaching down he picked up a piece of fish-omelet sushi and popped it into his mouth. A few seconds later he added, "Not that I'll complain about that."

"Emma, how about the Academy?" Shaw asked. "Most of the kids there are his age so he might form a few connections that we could make use of."

"Hmm, not a bad idea Shaw. And considering our training facility and 'special students' he could find it very useful in improving his mastery of his mutant ability." Frost responded with a growing smile on her face.

"He doesn't have a mutant ability to master." Seline declared matter of factly, taking a long sip from her wind cup as everyone stared at her.

". . . Pardon me, are you saying that a 16 year old flatscan was able to fight his way through Magneto and his strongest henchmen!?" Frost asked.

"I'm saying that I can sense things, and if Ranma has an X-Gene based power, he's never used it once in his life." Seline responded.

"Do you have any idea how he did outfox. . . BucketHead, I think Ranma was calling him?" Leland glanced from Seline to Frost for conformation of the nickname.

Seline smiled as she felt all eyes on her. "I'm not directly familiar with his ability's, but what I sensed is similar to a group I knew a long time ago." 'Over 2000 years ago, back in Greece.' "They were experts at certain unarmed fighting arts, and the most advanced fighters would train by throwing boulders at each other, trying to split them in midair before they could be hit." With a grin she picked up a piece of Mackerel Sushi. 'Mmm, even after all this time, I can still remember that life energy.' Feeling her mouth water, she absently rubbed the fish in the Wasabi paste. 'Compaired to that pure life force, food is just so flavorless.' she thought as she popped the piece in her mouth.

Frost grinned, watching as Seline's eyes briefly bulged.

Seline forced her face back into calmness, forced her hand to stay slow and calm as it reached for her wineglass on the table beside her, and forced herself to be slow and deliberate in drinking a mouthful of wine. She raised her other hand in a beckoning gesture, and when the servant leaned in she looked him in the eye long enough to say "More wine, now." Then she turned back toward the other members of the Club.

"So." Emma said, leaning forward in her chair and lacing her hands together just in front of her face. "This, ancient group you knew in your long distant youth, do you have any of their secrets or tricks that Ranma might be interested in?"

Seline swallowed another mouthful of wine. "Not here," she commented thoughtfully. "Though there were some records in that cache in Greece. . ." She trailed off, looking up at Emma who had just started to smile.

"Excelent! It'll take you a few days to track that down, and I can help get Ranma feeling comfortable at the Academy while your over there." 'Heh, you brought it up so you can't very well dismiss the idea..'