"Do we have any word on this menace they've captured?" the addressed man asked.
"No," the man said. "Yashida-san is playing his hand close to his chest."
"That is to be expected," the other said, nodding.
"Sir?"
"There is something rotten in the works," came the answer. "And until we find where the smell comes from, we must all keep our cards close...as you say."
"I see, sir," the officer said, nodding. Internally he frowned, the powers that be were starting to look inward for their trouble, this was not a good sign. "I shall see what other information I can find."
"Good," his superior said, dismissing him casually, taking him for granted by all appearances. The officer left with a discontented attitude under his emotionless face.
Soon after he was gone, the other, glanced curiously back at the door. He tapped his fingers thoughtfully for several moments before heading out the of the room. Perhaps he should pay an incognito trip to Yashida's manse himself.
****
"These Ekusu-Hito saved the lives of many police officers and apprehended the monster that attacked the city today," the anchor said. "But who are these warriors that proudly bear the colors of the Empire while including a European in their midsts. Are they truly champions of our country? And what became of the creature whom they took with them? That...wraith of fear? Officials are close-mouthed about the team, unwilling to either confirm or deny government involvement. But in researching the appearance of these mutants, it has become apparent that suspected mutants in Japan have been disappearing in alarming numbers of late. One wonders if these two facts are connected."
"It is in the public eye now!" declared the head of the Million Man Patriots, dressed in the regalia of a full Japanese general. "This must be remedied. We will not be ready until our forces have proven themselves before all. We must irradicate all this negative propaganda...all these lies against us now, before it has time to grow!"
****
"Interesting," Mr. Sinister said, smiling as he watched the footage caught by the the late arriving press. It was hardly enough to gauge the abilities of these new Ekusu-Hito, unfortunately. Another test would have to be arranged.
Nathaniel Essex's thoughts turned away from the child and back to another guest. A largely useless guest.
Normally he wasn't given to producing short-lived monstrosities with his genetic talents. He was seeking perfection, after all. Now, however, it seemed like it might be a good idea. And if he didn't mean for Genma to survive, then he need not take the precautions that would be necessary with Saotome's wife when he sparked the mutation.
Mr. Sinister, Nathaniel Essex, smiled a grim smile. Everything was turning out most interesting. The daughter of Saotome and Orohime was developing, into what he wasn't certain yet, but he felt she had great power.
****
"The kids' doing all right for themselves then?" Logan asked as he slipped into the war room and saw the Japanese news alongside the American one.
The Japanese were considerably less biased than the American on this matter, and it was obvious in the way the Americans pondered on how this new "potential threat" would affect the war on terrorism.
"Indeed," Professor Xavier said. "You and Psylocke had little trouble I believe."
"Course not, did you make a call to Cooper or something, security was lacking." Logan said, but the sents were mucked up.
"Agent Cooper may have given some aid," Charles said smiling and turning his chair to face Wolverine. "Did either of you learn anything?"
"Hmph," Wolverine snorted. "Took forever to get anything out of it. It's what you thought it was Chuck. Sinister's goons grabbed Mystique an ran. Going to tell us why now?"
"Computer," Charles said. "Compare the DNA code of Ranma Saotome with the code of all other mutants on file and find relatives."
The computer rolled through the files like a bowling ball through ten pins, and stopped, providing two names.
Darkholme, Raven: aka Mystique - Probable parent.
Wagner, Kurt: aka Nightcrawler - Probable sibling.
"We know Ranma's mother," Logan said. "So that makes Mystique..." He cracked an amused an grim smile as the humor of the situation came to him past everything else.
****
"WHAT?!!" Rogue cried out in shock as the news was made apparent.
See other episodes by Thrythlind
(Posted Fri, 27 Dec 2002 21:45)
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