Attention: Generation X and their villians, as well as any other mutant
mentioned in this story, is property of Marvel Comics. The character
Richard Cale is named after family relations. Any other reference to
anything copyrighted is a chance happening.
====================================================
Old Threat, Old Face, New Threat, Old Face
Freeze Frame jumped into the car just at the last second. The one
guard had fired a shot at him before he froze the guard. He heard the
bullet hit the car door, but it didn't penetrate the car. Soon, the car
sped off, heading out of the city of New York. As the car sped out of
the city, he heard Q. T., his teammate, go, "Smart move, lunkhead. You
had to try and break into something with alarm systems we couldn't
deactivate."
He heard the hatred in his teammates voice. He suspected that Q.
T. hated men, but he always wondered why she agreed to be part of their
group. He just looked over at her and said, "Well, I thought that
Golden would have silenced it. I didn't think it would be that well
protected. I mean, Golden has silenced every other alarm in the target
sites." He looked at his deaf and mute teammate. During their first
raid on Frost Enterprises, they had gotten the devices that allowed him
to drive the getaway car. While he couldn't hear, he could see all.
Q. T. just grabbed his shirt and said, "Yea, but he couldn't. We
have one hell of a problem now. We have a witness."
That little bit of info startled him. "What do you mean `we have
a witness.' That guard who shot at me didn't see my face, or yours."
He felt her hand slap his cheek.
Q. T. just said, "No, but the ones that got to that lab did see
our faces."
He laughed and said, "You killed them with that kiss of yours. I
saw that." He was afraid she'd do the same to him before he could stop
her. His ability was to put people into suspended animation for five
minutes.
Q. T. just said, "No, the one guard is alive because he was a
mutant. I can only put mutants into unconsciousness. Would you like a
demonstation, you moron?" He was almost afraid she was lying as she
started to pucker her lips.
He was thankful when the next voice said, "Enough, Q. T., we have
to prepare for the next phase, and we need everyone." He watched as Q.
T. let go of him and sat back. He turned to his boss, as she said,
"We've only been attacking the companies until now. Now we will take
care of their owners."
He looked over at her and said, "What's the deal with these two
companies, boss?" This was another thing he wondered about.
He noticed how sternly she looked at him and said, "Vengence.
That's what this is about. Vengence, and I will arrange a little deal
with an associate of mine, and if we fail, I plan to substitute one of
you three." He could tell in her eyes that something about this deal
was deadly. She then leaned forward and he saw the smile that crossed
her face. "Now, listen up, I shall only communicate this once, and I
will tell Golden the same thing psyonically. This is the plan." Freeze
Frame decided to focus on this plan. He didn't want to fail now, but if
he did, he hoped that Q. T. would be one sacrificed. He didn't like her
at all.
Richard Cale sat up in his bed. He had come down to the company
branch in New York to look at a project one of his scientists was
working on. He was in the special apartment that was built into all of
the office brances. He ran over to an intercom and said, "What's that
racket?"
He waited, and finally he heard a voice on the other end. "Sorry
sir, but those attackers just broke in. This time the alarm did work,
however, we lost two, possibly three guards."
Richard just sighed. Everytime these attacks happened, he lost a
guard or two. He was going to look into these attacks, and the attacks
at Frost Enterprises. He and Emma concluded that they were done by the
same attackers. He then said, "What was different this time?"
He bit his lip when he heard the guard say, "I don't know sir,
maybe the alarm was more than they anticipated. Nothing got stolen, a
few things damaged though."
Rich sighed and said, "Alright, in the morning call the police, I
want to talk to them personally, but be ready for the FBI. I may ask
them to investigate." He released the intercom and walked over to a
phone. He quickly dialed Emma's number at the school.
He waited about a minute before Emma picked up, half asleep, and
said, "Hello?"
Rich just said, "Emma, it's Rich. There was another attack."
He heard her concerned voice say, "Where and when?" She was
victim to these attacks as well, and was wondering which of them was
victim this time.
Rich sighed and said, "They attacked here. They didn't know about
the apartment, but they fouled up this time. They triggered an alarm."
It didn't make it any better, because he knew that if they hadn't
attacked at all, it would be totally better. "Three guards are down,
two dead."
He heard Emma say, "Any signs on how it was done. We still know
nothing about these attackers."
He understood what she had said, "Not yet, but we might have
something to go on now. I'm going to call Yvette, and in the morning, I
will look into the problem."
He listened as Emma said, "Alright, I wish you were here for the
new student. You are considered one of the headmasters now."
He rolled his eyes as he said. "I know, but it does seen awkward.
A student also being headmaster." That didn't really help all the
stress he was under lately. After the incident with Sabertooth, these
attacks started and had been going on for two months. He then said,
"However, I'm sure Yvette can handle the task. Besides, I may be here a
few more days."
Rich waited as Emma said, "Alright, you will let Yvette know what
to do. By the way, why don't you call her psyonically."
Rich just said, "No, I need to do it this way. I need to let her
know that when I'm here on business, she will have to phone me. You
understand that, don't you?" He heard a sound of acknowledgement on the
other end. He had gotten his point across. He then said, "I will be in
touch." He hung up the phone and waited. What would he say to Yvette?
She seemed a bit unhappy that he went alone to the company.
He finally dialed the private number to their apartment. He waited
patiently until he heard his wife say, "Hello?"
It made him feel a bit better to hear her voice. "Sorry to wake
you, love, but I needed to tell you something."
He could hear the joy in her voice when she said, "It's alright,
but why didn't you do it through our mind link."
He understood her confusion, but he needed to talk to her on the
phone. "My love, while I'm here, I need to talk to you this way. If
you need to call, it should be done this way. Also, you know that the
new student is coming tomorrow."
He heard Yvette's voice say, "I know, my love. I'll dress in my
best outfit. I was thinking the blue outfit you got me that one
christmas." He smiled. She knew that he liked her in that outfit.
"Sounds lovely, and when I get back, I'll have something for you,
and treat you to a nice romantic dinner." It was the least he could do
for leaving her back at the school.
He heard her ask, "How long will you be gone?"
He took a moment to think and said, "Maybe two days. There was
another attack tonight, and maybe I can find out who it is."
He heard a concerned tone in her voice as she said, "Be careful.
I hope it's not Emplate. I don't want to lose you."
He hoped it wasn't Emplate as well, but it didn't seem like
Emplate. He then said, "I don't think its him, but I don't know who
else it could be. The least I can do is make sure that the right people
go after these attackers. Good night, love." He heard her hang up, and
he returned to the bed in the apartment. When he laided back down, he
wondered who it might be, but he knew of no one who would form a team
like this, except Emplate. He had a feeling he would have disturbing
dreams tonight.
*********************************
Sean Cassidy sat in his office and continued to look over the
information on the new student. There was no information on the girls
mutant ability, just that she lived in fear. He wished that Rich and
Emma had both looked over the girl's profile before she arrived, but
Rich had to leave when his company called, and both were too worked up
over the attacks on their companies. He watched as Emma walked in. She
looked like she hadn't gotten the best nights rest. "Rough night,
Emma?"
He watched as Emma just looked at him and nodded. He noticed that
she had on a white business-like outfit to reflect her professional
side. "Yes. There was another attack, this time on Rich's company."
He gasped and said, "Was the lad hurt? I know he said that he'd
be in the building." He was thankful when she shook her head. Sean
then said, "Yvette would be a basket case if Rich would have been hurt."
He knew his `daughter' well on that. He knew Yvette was a bit upset
that Rich had gone alone, and he knew why.
Emma then said, "I don't think they even knew he was there. For
once, the alarms got them, but the attackers got away."
Sean looked at Emma and said, "You mean that they had no idea.
You think it would have been different if they had known?" He hated to
think that Rich and Emma were the targets of these attacks, and that
raised a question in his mind. "Ye don't think yur sister is behind
it?"
Emma sighed and said, "I don't know. I'm not exactly sure, but I
wouldn't doubt it. The thing is, if it is her, she's covering her
tracks extremely well." She sighed again and then said, "So what about
this student that is arriving today?"
He was almost startled by how she had changed topics, but it was
probably for the best. "Well, we know very little about her. All I can
get from the Cerebro unit was that her name is Quinn Taylor. Nothing on
what her ability is, but that she is a mutant."
"Anything on her background?"
He went through some of the papers he had on his desk. Soon he
pulled a sheet out and said, "Yes. Apparently, for a time, she went to
a college in Pennsylvania. However, it appears she was chased out of it
because she was a mutant."
Emma walked over to his desk and said, "What college? Maybe we
can find out something from the dean there. I'd hate to think she was
dismissed from there because she was a mutant." He nodded with her
though. It was a common and disturbing thought.
When he finally produced a paper, he looked at the college name on
it and said, "Here we are. I've never even heard of this place. It's
in a small town called Elizabethtown."
He was startled when he heard a voice say, "I've heard of that
place." He looked up to see Yvette standing in the door. She looked
proper for a first meeting of a student. She then said, "I've heard of
that school." He wanted to know how she heard of it, but figure he
already knew the answer.
Yvette walked in the door as both Emma and her `father' looked at
her. She was amazed when she had heard the mention of the school. Her
`father' then asked her the question she knew he would ask. "Yvette,
how do you know about this school?"
She figured that they knew how she knew about the school, but she
figured that she should say anyhow. "Rich told me about it. He said
that he attended the school before the Onslaught event, but had to leave
for reasons he wouldn't say."
Emma then said, "Do you know if Rich has met our new student
before?" Yvette started to wonder that as well, but pushed it out of
her mind.
Yvette then said, "I doubt it. Rich didn't socialize much in
college. He had a few friends, but he doesn't talk to them much
anymore." That was true. Since he was here, he didn't talk to his old
friends much. She then said, "Besides, with about 1500 kids at a
school, he couldn't have met everyone."
She heard her `father' sigh as he said, "Then we will have to wait
until he gets back to ask about our new student." She noticed that he
looked at her when he asked his next question, "Yvette, are ye sure yur
ok with this?" She knew what he meant by that.
Yvette nodded and said, "I'm fine. I just hope this new student
accepts the fact that a student is also a headmaster here." She almost
giggled at that thought and then said, "I know Rich finds it a little
awkward, but he knows why we have to do it."
She then heard Emma say, "I just wish more of the students were
here. With Jono and Paige visiting the X-Men, and Jubilee and Everett
visiting his parents, we only have Monet, Daria, and you to represent
the girls, and Angelo, Darrett and Mondo to represent the boys."
Yvette nodded and said, "True, but we can still show a good
impression. So when is the new student due to arrive?"
She watched as her `father' got up and said, "In an hour. She
said that a friend would arrange for her safe arrival."
Yvette was shocked and said, "Is she in danger?" For most
mutants, that was an understatement. Especially with her, she knew that
her life was always threatened.
She watched as Emma shrugged and said, "Another of her mysteries.
We don't even know what her mutant ability is, but we know she is a
mutant." This worried her abit.
Yvette didn't want to get scared, or even think this, but she said
it, "You don't think she is working with Emplate, do you?" She heard
the fear in her own voice. It was a second instinct in her that made
her afraid whenever she thought about Emplate.
She heard her `father' say, "Calm down, Yvette. Last thing we
need right now is you tensing up. I doubt Emplate has any link in this,
but the new girl will be ariving in the hour. I want you to check on
all the students, and make sure Grimore stays in yur apartment. We
don't know if the gal is allergic to cats." Yvette nodded and left her
`father's' office. Now she had to find where everyone was. That, she
knew, wasn't always an easy task.
********************************
Emplate was surprise when D. told him who was outside of the
lighthouse, and their reason. As he made his way to the door, he heard
Elane come up behind him. She was wondering what was going on, and he
knew it, not just from his gift, but her pace. He anticipated her
question, "What's going on? And did I hear D.O.A. correctly?"
He nodded and said, "You did, and as for what is going on, I plan
to find out. It maybe some attempt to get me to leave Generation X
alone." He then openned the door and realized that D. was not lying.
"I take it you have an offer for me."
The figure just smiled, and he knew it was a genuine offer. "An
offer you'd definatly love. I noticed your reaction to the sword
Richard Cale held. You know who held that sword before him."
Emplate nodded and said, "The same person who forced me to wear
this respirator. How Richard Cale got it is a mystery and I will solve
it." He hated the sight of that sword, especially the blazing fire that
eminated from it.
The figure just said, "It's his sword because his father held it
before him. His father is the one that caused you to be hurt." Emplate
now remembered that incident, when he was merged with both his sisters.
The fire had seperated them, with the help of the talisman, and his
fathers words, but the sword cause a wound in him.
Emplate was almost in a fury and said, "I should have know,
especially when I saw that cat. Vengence shall be mine. I take it you
plan to get Richard Cale to me without the sword, but what about
Yvette."
Elane said, "That bitch won't stand idle as you try to do
anything."
The figure nodded and said, "Not unless Mrs. Cale is unconscious."
The words struck Emplate quickly. That could only mean two things.
Emplate looked forward at the figure and said, "You mean the two
are married now." The figure nodded and he continue his guess, "And it
happened when they were in England, didn't it?"
The figure nodded again and said, "And they have something you
have longed search for." He felt his eyes go wide, at the sole thought
of what he thought it was. The figure then said, "Yes, Richard and
Yvette have that book. When I get you Richard Cale, you can strike a
deal for his release for the book, and demand Yvette bring it to you,
alone or accompanied. I'll go with her and you'll have all you ever
wanted." He enjoied the thought of all his powerful dreams coming to a
close.
Elane couldn't believe what she was hearing. Rich and Yvette
married, although that had an extra benefit to it. Anything she did to
one would cause massive pain to the other. The only thing she didn't
like was why this deal was in the works. She looked at the figure and
said, "What do you get out of this?"
The figure just laughed and said, "I only want one dimention to
control. Emplate has the power to control many with the book in his
hands."
Emplate nodded, and said, "Only when you have brought me Richard,
Yvette and the book. Now you best go befor everyone gets suspicious."
He closed the door and started back to his room. Elane quickly ran
after him, in shock at what he had done.
She quickly stepped in front of him and said, "What have you done,
my love? You could have set us up for a trap." She didn't like the
idea of a trap, unless it was one they set.
She felt confidence again when Emplate said, "It's very simple. I
could tell our guest wasn't lying. They plan to follow through with it.
However, I am suspicious. If they fail, I'm sure they will compensate."
Elane smiled as she realized that they were in no danger at all.
She quickly got close to Emplate and said, "Then afterwords, we can have
a little victory celebration." She winked at him and kissed him. He
knew what she had in mind for a victory celebration, and she knew it.
She felt Emplate embrace her, not biting into her, and say, "I do
like the sound of that. I hope it will be a long celebration." She
liked the thought of that. She nodded and Emplate said, "Good. Let's
plan it right now." She knew what he meant, and smiled. This was going
to be a good time to be bad.
********************************
Quinn looked out the car window as it went up the driveway to the
school. She leaned forward so she could be seen in the rear view
mirror. The driver glanced back and she started to sign. As she
signed, she said, "Remember Golden, tonight you come back and attack
with Freeze Frame. You get capture, next night, the boss releases you,
and we capture Emma Frost." She watched as he nodded and she sat back.
She didn't need to let everyone here know about the trap, however, the
boss had done something to prevent them from finding out.
When the car stopped, she saw three people waiting at the door.
One was a gentleman with orangish hair, who had to be Sean Cassidy, as
her boss had told her. The second was Emma Frost. She had seen the
pictures at the company when they raided it. The last one appeared to
be one of the students, a girl with red hair and in a blue dress. When
she got out of the car, Sean Cassidy said, "Hello, Ms. Taylor. Welcome
to the Xavier's. I am Sean Cassidy, one of the headmasters here. This
is Emma Frost, one of our other headmasters, and Yvette Cale."
The name struck her mind and she held back what she was going to
say. The boss had never mentioned that name before. She smiled and
said, "Are you one of students here?"
The redhead nodded and said, "Yes, but I'm also representing my
husband since he could not be present today." Quinn now had a hatred
for this girl. If her husband was who she thought it was, she wanted to
do something to ruin the girl's life. Maybe she'd have to use her
ability on her. She almost smiled at the thought of the affects it
would have.
Quinn just said, "Well, I hope this place is better than my last
school. People wanted to kill me because I was a mutant." It was part
true. They wanted to kill her for all the men she killed.
She watched as Emma walked over to her and said, "Well, don't
worry. Here, no one will attack you." Quinn smiled, and surpressed a
laugh. She wanted to ask Emma who would protect her.
********************************
Richard Cale walked into the lab that was almost broken into the
previous night. He didn't know much about the project that was going on
in this room, but he knew it was like something he had heard about.
When he looked around, one scientist said, "Hello sir. Sorry for the
state of the lab, but that attack has made this place a basketcase."
Rich nodded and said, "It's alright. So this is the company's top
secret project. What, if I may be so bold to ask, is it?"
The one scientist walked over and said, "This is the Gateway
project." As the scientist neared him, Rich could tell the man was a
mutant, mainly due to the fact that the man had a glow in his eyes. The
man stopped and said, "Sir, I didn't know that.."
Rich completed the sentence. "that I am a mutant. It's alright.
This company was founded in a mutant friendly town, and you are exempt
from the laws that would surpress mutants when you work for Paladin
Technologies." It was true. All mutant employees were considered
residents of Easton, Rich's home which was pro-mutant. "Now, what is
this Gateway project."
The scientist nodded and said, "Well, there is no doubt you have
heard of the Age of Apcolypse, the alternate timeline that our world
could have followed, and that some mutants are refugees from that age."
Rich shuddered at the thought. A world in that maniac's iron grip was
not a pleasent thought. The scientist then said, "Well, we were hoping
to build a gateway to connect to alternate worlds, and try and help
people in them."
Rich really didn't like the thought of crossing barriers in time
and space. He said, "I'm leary on this. What if the wrong being comes
through? Or we bring someone here that already exists?" The scientist
looked down and Rich knew something had happened. "What happened?"
The other scientist said, "About 2 days ago, before we called you,
someone came through. They were a mutant, but they disappeared just as
they arrived. The only thing is that they didn't go back in the
gateway."
He shook his head. They didn't know if this was a good being or a
bad one. He looked at both scientists and said, "As of right now, take
it apart. Destroy all your records on it as well. If the wrong person
gets ahold of this, the world might as well be doomed." They nodded and
started on the task. He then said, "Before you destroy all the notes, I
want a copy to see who authorized this
As Rich left the lab, he heard the intercom page him. He walked
over to the nearest unit and said, "Yes, what is it?"
The voice on the other end said, "Sir, the police are here about
the break in."
He nodded and said, "Keep them there and do the standard check.
I'll be right over." He straighted his suit and started to work his way
to the lobby. He glanced back over his shoulder thinking he was being
watched.
She watched from a hiding spot that no one had checked in. When
she stumbled on the portal, she didn't know what caused it. She didn't
know if she had traversed to a better place or not. In the room she
watched now, she saw several men in blue suits. From pictures she had
seen from her past, they looked like people called policemen. Some were
in plain clothes, but more were in uniform. She then noticed as a well
dress young man entered the room. When she saw the face she quietly
said, "It can't be, can it?"
She listened carefully as he spoke, "Greetings officers, I'm
Richard Cale, owner of this company. I'd like to thank you for coming
so soon." The voice confirmed her suspicisions. It was him, Richard
Cale, however, he wasn't the victim of hideous experiments.
She shuddered as she though of what had happened to him and his
wife in her world. This was obviously a different world, one where
Apocalypse had not taken over. As she watched the scene unfold, she
wondered one question. Why had she been brought here, unless in
someway, she was there to protect Richard and his wife from Apocalypse.
She nodded and said, "Yes, that's why I'm here, and I will make sure
nothing happens to you." She then looked down and saw that guns were
pointed almost everywhere. It was not a good sign.
Detective Perkins was surprised when his one officer pulled out
his gun and aimed it at the owner of the company. He had never seen any
officer threaten a man for their beliefs. He heard the officer say,
"I'm not going to be told by a mutie lover that I can't do my job." He
noticed that several men also had guns drawn, but on his officer, and
that Mr. Cale was remarkably calm.
He quickly shouted, "Put your gun down, Charlie." He could see
that Charlie wasn't going to listen as the gun stayed level and aimed at
Richard Cale. Then he saw something and realized how much trouble
Charlie was in. Some of the men in the room were FBI agents. He
started putting things together and realized that Richard Cale was the
same one the FBI was protecting from the mutant maniac, Soundwave. He
quickly turned and tackled his officer to the ground. "Have you lost
your mind?" was all he shouted to the man.
The officer just said, "You siding with a mutie lover, sir? He's
the kind that makes this world terrible for us."
Detective Perkins just said, "Yes I'm siding with a `mutie lover',
but I'm siding with FBI as well. That guy is under federal protection.
If you're lucky, he won't press charges."
The officer just said, "He has no right. Mutie lovers are like
muties, not human." For the first time, Detective Perkins noticed the
pin the officer wore. It was for the hate group known as the Friends of
Humanity.
He saw the FBI agents right next to him and said, "Here, lock him
up for attempted murder. I don't really care if anyone thinks he was
right." He didn't care if it went over well with the other officers,
but he was going to respect the owner's wishes. He then walked over to
the owner and said, "I'm sorry about that. I didn't know that such a
good officer would go ballistic over a thing like that."
He watched as Richard Cale nodded and said, "I'm just glad he
didn't pull the trigger. I must be honest, that's one of the reasons I
had to have you answer those questions at the door. Paladin
Technologies is a mutant friendly company."
Detective Perkins let a small laugh out as he said, "Well, I guess
no one told your attackers that." He noticed that Mr. Cale didn't like
the joke and said, "So how long have they been attacking?"
Richard Cale just looked at him and said, "About two months, but
this time they slipped up. Plus, there was someone who saw the attack,
but he's unconscious right now."
The detective started to wonder if Richard Cale was leaving out
some facts and said, "Alright, how about you start from the top." He
watched as Richard Cale nodded and led them to a room. He felt that
this would be a long conversation.
********************************
Angelo walked down one of the halls, talking with Darrett.
Although he didn't know much about the boy, he knew somewhat of what he
was going through. He also knew Darrett had some problems to sort out,
but he wanted to talk to another guy about the new girl that had
arrived. "Hey, Darrett, have you seen the new girl yet?"
He watched as Darrett nodded and said, "So, it's just another
person around here." Sometimes Darrett seemed pessimistic.
Angelo was a bit in shock and said, "Dude, it's not just another
person, it's another babe. You have to admit that she looks sexy." And
she did. Angelo had never seen a girl look that good, but she also
seemed abit plain. "I wonder if her ability is linked to her beauty."
He noticed that Darrett still did not care. Before he could say
another word, Darrett just said, "Pardon me if I don't get excited, but
I'm sort of leary of girls since that whole incident with Claudette."
Deep down, Angelo couldn't blame him, mainly on what they had learned
about Claudette, but giving how he looked, he'd kill for that attention.
He was startled when he heard a voice say, "Who's Claudette?" He
turned to see the new girl, Quinn, coming up behind them.
He didn't want her to worry, since today was just her first day.
He still remembered hearing about Rich's reaction when he first saw the
image of Emplate. "You'll find out in time. So what do you think about
the school so far?"
He noticed she just shrugged and said, "I'm not sure. I hope it's
well secure. I'd hate for any of those people that tried to harm me to
get in and hurt me."
He just smiled and said, "It will be alright. We have one of the
best security systems here. If something is going to happen, we know
about it first." He felt a little proud about it.
He was surprised when she walked up to him and said, "Well, I hope
you protect me if anyone does attack." He watched as she winked at him
and then walked off.
He was somewhat in shock, but he heard Darrett say, "Be careful.
You might get hurt."
Angelo watched as Darrett walked off and said, "I doubt it. I can
tell that she likes me." He turned to follow Quinn, but she had
disappear. At least she was someone here instead of someplace he
couldn't go again, like Torres.
Emma sat in her office chair as Yvette literally collapsed in
another chair. She heard her student say, "I never knew how much would
go into what you do for these." She knew what Yvette was talking about,
but she wanted to wait for Sean to enter before she said anything else.
Soon enough, Sean entered the room and shut the door. She watched
as he glared at both of them and said, "Alright, while I don't like what
you did, what did ye find out?" She had told him that she and Yvette
would try and get into the new girl's mind, to find out what none of the
other methods could find out.
She sighed and said, "Nothing. We found absolutely nothing." It
upset her that she had failed in something she had no trouble in doing
before. "It's like she's conditioned her mind to mind probes. Not
even Yvette's variation of telepathy could break the barrier."
Sean looked at Yvette and sighed, "She put her all into it." She
nodded, and he said, "I guess that means we might have to wait for
either Everett or Richard to return."
She nodded and said, "Yes, it looks that way, and we don't know
when either is due back. I hope Richard is the one who returns first."
She was surprised when the vid-phone rang. When she pushed the button
for it, she was surprised when she saw who was on the other end. She
smiled and said, "Rich, how good of you to call. We were just talking
about you."
She was caught off guard when she heard him say, "I know, my ears
were burning." She noticed as Rich looked over at Yvette and said, "My
goodness, what happened that Yvette's so tired."
Emma decided to answer the questions and said, "We tried to probe
our new student's mind. She has some strong defenses. Unfortunately,
we couldn't get through. We hope you can when you get back."
She was surprised when he said, "I should be able to return the
day after tomorrow, maybe sooner, but I want to make sure the attackers
are properly taken care of. Almost had a shoot out here in my company."
She watched as Yvette almost perked up and said, "Are you alright,
dear?" Emma could hear the concern in Yvette's voice.
Rich smiled and said, "Yes. Luckily the police officer that went
nutso was taken away. I guess I lucked out on that one."
Emma looked at the screen and said, "Rich, why did the officer go
nutso? Was it something you said?" She had a feeling he wasn't telling
the whole story about what happened, and she had an idea why, glancing
over at Yvette.
Rich nodded and said, "I didn't want to say this part, but you've
backed me into a corner. He was part of the Friends of Humanity. He
didn't think I was a mutant, or if he suspected it, he knew enough not
to shoot outright. The FBI bodyguards are earning their pay, however, I
did have to do some reassuring that I wasn't trying to hinder their
investigation."
She heard Sean say, "Very risky, lad. Just be careful."
She watched as Rich nodded and said, "Well, tomorrow, we will know
something about our attackers. Also, I need a favor of both of you."
Emma looked at Rich and said, "What do you need?" She was
surprised how calm he was. He seemed to act as if the attack had never
happened at all.
He then said, "I need you to find out from any of the X-men if
they know anything about the `Age of Apoclypse'. Apparently, my
scientists found a way to access it, and something came through,
however, they don't know what." She found it an odd request, but she
knew who to ask. She nodded and said, "Alright, I'll call tomorrow,
when I know more about our attackers." She was surprised when he killed
the connection.
She just looked over at Sean, and before she said one word, he
said, "I know. I'll try and get in touch with Bishop, he'd know more
than any of us." She nodded and watched as he went to the door. She
was then started when she saw Monet standing at the door as he openned
it. Apparently she was just about to knock to come in.
Yvette watched from the chair she was sitting in as Monet entered
the room. She was startled when Monet said, "I'm sorry for
interupting, but I noticed that Yvette seemed a bit washed out. Is
something wrong?"
Yvette didn't know if she should answer, but Emma answered the
question for her. "We were trying to find out something about our
newest student. However, she appears to have a few mental blocks up
that we can't get through."
Yvette then said, "It's taken a drain on me. Maybe I should head
back to the apartment." As she got up, she felt like she was about to
collapse. She almost did, until Monet quickly grabbed her. She faced
her friend and said, "Thanks Monet. Maybe I might need some help."
She heard her `father' say, "Monet, could you help Yvette get back
to her and Rich's apartment." She watched as Monet nodded, and then he
said, "Yvette, you better just rest." She nodded and Monet helped her
out of the office.
As they continued down the hall, Yvette said, "Monet, what do you
think of Quinn?" She honestly hadn't had any bad feelings about Quinn,
but she wanted to know what others thought. She watched as Monet looked
around puzzled. She then said, "Monet, do you know where we are going?"
She was surprise when Monet said, "No, I think I was unconscious
when you and Rich moved." She then remember that Rich and she moved
when Monet was in that severe shock.
Yvette smiled and said, "I forgot. Follow my lead then." After
she said that, she gave a slight tug to lead Monet in the right
direction. She knew Rich had picked the particular underground rooms
because it was secluded and very difficult to access. She liked that as
well.
As they continued walking down there, Monet said, "When you asked
about Quinn, she seems to be alright. She seems to be a well rounded
woman, however, she does look like she could use some physical
improvement, like a better diet."
Yvette almost nodded in agreement. Quinn didn't dress to suit her
appearance. She then said, "Well, maybe it's linked to her ability.
Maybe she can't hold a a phyical shape too long. I will admit, she does
seem a bit overweight in some areas, but in other area's she seems
skinny."
She watched as Monet nodded and said, "That's another of her
mysteries. I hope nothing happens until we find out more about her.
Think of her like a kindred spirit. You, Quinn and I seem to be full of
mysteries when we first arrived here."
Yvette nodded to that statement and then realized where they were.
"Monet, this is the apartment. Could you help me over to the key pad."
She appreciated Monet's assistance. When she finally unlocked the door,
she turned to Monet and said, "Thanks, I can handle myself from here."
Monet looked at her and said, "Are you sure, Yvette? If there is
anything else I can do, just say so."
Yvette found this a little odd, but Monet had acted different
since the incident with Claudette. "No, I'll be fine. You might want
to rest up though, Emma said something to me earlier about a training
session tomorrow." She entered and closed the door, locking it behind
her. Even though they were in a secret part of the underground area,
Yvette and Rich always felt safer with the door locked.
She felt like two things would help right now, sleep and a shower.
She started to get everything ready for a shower when she heard Grimore
say, "Long day, mistress?"
She nodded and said, "Yes, it has been a long day, and tomorrow
may be the same. The new girl is a mystery." She wondered if Rich had
ever told Grimore about why he left the college he attended. She said
to the cat, "Grimore, why did Rich leave the college he was at?"
She looked up in the mirror as Grimore said, "Well, there was
Onslaught at the time, and the murders at the school. He only said to
me that he stumbled across the murderer by accident, and figured it
would be better if he never explained how he knew." She realized part
of what that meant. The murderer had been a mutant, and she started to
wonder if it was the new student.
Quinn was getting tired of waiting. The boss had told her to wait
for them before striking at anyone. The whole plan revolved on an
attack from both sides, but only at the right time. There were to be
two strikes, a fake one, and the real one, however, some of her recent
discoveries made her want to forget the plan. She was startled when she
heard her boss say, "Upset at finding out he was here?"
Quinn tensed up and spun around to face her boss. She was upset
and her boss knew it. "Yes, I am upset. If I had know he was here, I
wouldn't have agreed to this plan." She almost shivered as her boss
approached her and back her into the wall.
Her boss had an upset look in her eyes. "Listen here, Quinn, I
picked you because of your hatred for him in general. Out of our rag
tag group, you are the one that I can't risk losing at all. You want
him to suffer, I want Richard Cale to suffer. We work together, we get
the common goal. Also, be thankful that I protected you mind from
probing, or they would have known about all this."
Quinn looked at her boss in shock. "You mean they were probing my
mind. Who was doing that? Miss Frost and Mrs. Cale?" Her boss nodded
and she almost erupted in a fit of rage. "Those voyeurist bitches. I
want to get them both back." She then smiled and said, "You said
tonight would be a fake attack. What if Emma would disapper tonight,
but we kept her hidden somewhere out of the way."
She saw her boss smile as she said, "True, but we need to
incapacitate Yvette. Golden and Freeze Frame will arrive in an hour,
and I will notify them of the change. Remember, we cannot let Yvette
disappear."
Quinn gave her boss a nod and said, "Boss, with one long kiss,
Yvette won't be awake for at least two days." Her boss started to
laugh, and Quinn said, "Besides, it will be easier to subdue the other
guys here." There was more laughter and they left to prepare for the
attack.
********************************
Rich sat at the desk in his office and looked over the notes he
had been sent by Hank McCoy. Sean and Emma contacted Hank to send him
all the notes they had on the Age of Apocalypse. According to many
rumors, it was caused by a single event that had been corrected.
Something one of the many time travelling mutants had done, and another
one undid. However, there were a few after effects. Hank had included
those in his report. The first one Rich noticed was the mutant code
named X-Man. Another was the Dark Beast. In Hank's notes, Rich noticed
that the two characters were linked. Rich yawned and looked at the
scientists notes. They had indeed contacted a probablity line when this
world had occured. He started to wonder about who had orchestrated the
whole project. He normally got word about these projects, but this one
was just brought to his attention. He pressed the intercom button and
said, "Dr. Jacobs." That was the scientist who was in charge of this
project.
Soon, a voice replied, "He's not here, sir, can I help?"
Something sounded familiar about the voice, something in its tone.
Rich just said, "Who had given authorization on this project, and
when?"
The voice replied, "I had received it from the man in charge while
you were in England."
Rich stopped right there. This was odd. He looked down at the
notes again and saw it. He felt himself go numb. The scientist that
acted as messenger, with the original idea to try and contact that
world, was a Dr. E. S. Nur. Rich looked for the name in the company
records, but it did not show up. He looked around his office and
realized he didn't have his sword with him. He then said, "I know you
don't work here. You didn't think I would let this pass, did you?"
He heard the voice change slightly as it said, "No, I honestly
though you would not have let this get by your eyes. I must admit that
you will be a worthy foe. I might have to honestly worry about your
skills. However, this is mearly observation. When the time is right,
you will do as all your predessesors have done when they have faced me."
Rich knew he wouldn't try it now, but Rich was still scared. Rich
pressed a button on the intercom and said, "Guards, get to the lab."
Almost immediately, a guard replied, "Sir, we are in the lab.
When we heard the voice, we came in to investigate. There's a relay
device here, almost like it was sending what you were saying to
someplace else." Rich was spooked now. He decided that maybe now would
be a good time to get some rest. He walked over to the bed, and just
collapse onto it. His own fear had drained him. In the morning, he'd
look into that, and who his attackers were, as well as shred the notes
he had been reading on the project.
She glanced into the room and saw that Richard Cale was asleep.
She too had heard the voice, the voice of Apocalypse. He was already
planning Richard's death. She hoped that he wouldn't be in danger.
Apocalypse had killed his parents personally, but had missed Rich
entirely, until he had returned in her world. She used her abilities to
enter the room. She walked around the room, and over to the desk. She
looked at what was on the desk. She found notes on the device that
brought her here. She then saw the notes on her own world. When she
saw the name on them, she spoke aloud. "No." She then saw more. "He's
here, and there is also a good version of him here."
She heard movement and saw Richard toss and turn. It was obvious
to her that he was having a troubled sleep. As she neared him, she
found another of the stories to be true. She watched as his face slowly
showed the same birthmark that hers had. It was odd to look at. She
was almost in awe when she heard the door open and a man say, "Mr.
Cale." She turned and he saw her. "Freeze." She took that moment to
get out of there.
She had returned to her hiding spot. She watched as more men
entered the room. One was by Richard as he said, "Sir, are you
alright?"
She watched as Richard slowly got up and said, "Yes, but what is
going on?"
The man said, "We spotted an intruder, but she got away. I don't
know if she was going to attack you or what." She watch as Rich said
something quietly and they left. She didn't know what he said, but
maybe he sensed that she wasn't there to harm him. She decided then
that it would be best to rest.
********************************
Yvette was surprised when she felt the kiss on her lips. Her
first thought was that it was in a dream, but it felt too real. As the
kiss continued, she said in the mind link she had with her husband,
{Dear, are you home?} There was no answer. It worried her when he
didn't answer her like that. Then she remembered that he said he would
be a few days. If it wasn't a dream, and he was still in New York, who
was kissing her? She opened her eyes to see the person kissing her was
the new student, Quinn. She almost screamed, but Quinn kept the kiss
up. It wasn't a romantic one that Rich would give her, but it was more
like the short kisses they gave each other on the lips. That is except
that it lasted too much longer. She went to kick the girl off, but she
couldn't. She went to push the girl off, but her hands were pinned
down. She didn't want to hurt the new girl, but something was really
amiss now. One was how the girl got in, and the second was who was
helping her. She tried to tense up, but she couldn't. She realized
that she was losing her strength. The more she tried to struggle, the
more she lost her strength. Eventually, she couldn't even keep her eyes
open, and soon everything went black.
Quinn knew that Yvette was now unconscious, and would be so for a
day or two. She got up and backed away from the bed. Her boss looked
at her and she could see some shock in her bosses eyes. "Q.T., I was
not aware of that little affect of your ability."
Quinn knew what her boss was talking about. As she stood their,
her outfit filled out, almost matching the body of Yvette. "A unique
twist. Now you understand why I always wore baggy clothes. It left
growing room, and she needs room where it counts. I can see why Rich
married her."
Her boss just said, "If only it was that simple, now we must move
fast. We have to get out of here, and respond to the alarm Freeze Frame
and Golden are going to set off. I will help Freeze Frame get Emma to
the specially hidden location. Tomorrow, we take Yvette there. You are
to help catch Golden. Quinn nodded and they both left the room.
On their way back, Quinn said, "Boss, what if Rich relizes what
happend?"
She was surprised when she saw her boss smile and say, "I'm
betting on it. This is what will lead to his downfall." Quinn smiled
at that thought. Rich was the one who had pegged her for the murders on
campus at the old school, and cost her alot of power. Now she had her
chance at revenge. She smiled inwardly as they ran back to the girls
dorm.
Emma sat in her office. It was late, and due to all the attacks
at the company, she couldn't sleep. She wondered how Rich managed it.
She wondered if Yvette had any factor in it. Her thoughts were
disrupted when she heard the alarm go off, but just as quickly, it
stopped. She felt fear building in her. She knew Sean would be asleep
and said psyonicaly, [Sean, did you hear that?]
Soon enough, she heard Sean reply [Aye, that I did. Malfuntion?]
She could tell that he was puzzled by the strange action of the alarm as
well.
Emma hoped it was that, but something in her knew it wasn't
Before she could get a reply out, she heard the door to her office crack
open, and two men entered. She just said, [No Sean, it's an attack.
The same ones who attacked the companies. They're here.] She knew Sean
would wake the kids, but she felt she could handle two. She looked at
them and said, "You made a big mistake." At least she thought she said
it. The one guy shook his head and smiled. No sound. That's how they
got past the alarms. One of them stopped sound. She quickly said,
[Sean, be careful, one of them can...] When she went to finish the
thought, however something had changed.
Freeze Frame knew one thing about this target. The boss told them
she was a telepath. He figured that she called for help, but his talent
would stop her mid-thought. As he held her frozen, he turned to Golden
and motioned, "You know what to do." His fellow mutant nodded and
openned the door, just in time to let the boss in. As Golden left, he
turned to face his boss and said, "What should we do with her now?"
The boss looked at him and said, "Put this on her, it will kill
her powers." He looked at the collar and nodded. When it was on Emma
Frost, he felt the boss pick him up, and flew them off to the location
she had specified. When they landed, she said, "Now get her all taken
care of. I want you to also tell her that her demise is being
recorded."
As he was getting everything up, he just said, "It seems a shame
to do this to her. She got a nice body." He felt a sharp pain as he
said that. He almost doubled over as he said, "Sorry boss."
He boss grabbed his head and said, "That's why this is the perfect
way for her to die. She flaunts her body, and now she's gonna lose it."
He saw the look on her face as she said that. He wondered if she was
jealous. When he was done, she flew off. He looked at the now cocooned
Emma Frost and shook his head.
He walked over to the one wall, and watched as Emma moved. She
looked around, and he could tell she was confused. He then figured she
tried to use her abilities. Soon she looked at him and said, "Where am
I, and what are you up to?"
He turned on a faucet over a bucket, and it started to drip. He
then faced her and said, "Where you are is someplace no one is gonna
find you. And what I'm up to is your demise. See that bucket. As it
fills with water, the bindings around you get pulled tighter and
tighter, eventually crushing you. Since my boss can't be here to watch
this, they are recording it. Hopefully, it will be a slow death." He
watched as a look of horror crossed her face. He knew that she realized
she was in big trouble.
When Emma was cut off, Sean knew there was trouble. He had a
special communications unit in his quarters and called to everyone. As
he ran out of his quarters, he saw Darrett, Skin, Mondo, Daria, M and
Quinn meeting outside his quarters. It was the new girl that said,
"What's happening?"
Sean didn't see Penance, but she was in the same building as
Emma's office. He was fearing the worse. "It looks like someone
decided to attack us, but I don't think it was over you, lass. Mondo,
Quinn, and M stay with me. Darrett, Skin, Daria, see if you can find
Penance. I want to be sure she's safe." He watched as everone nodded
and they ran off.
As he lead his group to the main entrance, he saw the others head
for the back entrance. When they entered, the first thing he noticed
was the lack of sound. That's what Emma must of meant. His ability was
useless. He saw Mondo merge with the floor and head off in one
direction. He watched as M and Quinn headed off into two others. He
then heard M say [Sir, it might help if I link all of us together to
speak psyonically.]
He nodded and said in the link, [Good thinking, M. Everyone, be
careful. We have two maniacs on the loose in here.] He moved slowly
from room to room.
Just as he was about to enter the next room, he heard Mondo say,
[Sir, I've found him. I'm going to knock him out.] He heard a thud
come from the room he was about to enter. When he openned the door, he
saw a young man on the floor. He then heard Mondo say, "I think we have
one of our attackers."
Sean nodded and then he heard M say, [Banshee, it appears that the
other one must have taken Emma away. There is no sign of her or the
other attacker.]
Sean shook his head and hit his communicator. "Skin, Daria,
Darrett, be careful, we have one attacker still going around." This
really worried him. He wasn't sure what they would do to Emma, but he
had a feeling that time was going to be limited.
He then heard Skin say over the communicator, "Banshee,
something's not right. Grimore is outside the door waiting for us. I
think something is wrong." Sean was half afraid that the other attacker
was doing something unspeakable to Yvette.
He started in a run to where the couple had placed their apartment
and said, "Try and get in there. Last thing we need is for something to
happen to two people here." He turned to Mondo and said, "Mondo, get M
and Quinn to help you get our guest to someplace he can't cause a
problem." He watched as the boy nodded, and then Sean ran down to the
apartment.
Daria looked at the cat. She knew something was wrong just by its
stance. After Angelo had called Sean, she noticed that the cat had
positioned itself near the door. The mechanical cat flap was staying
open. She looked at the others and said, "I'm going in."
She heard Darrett say, "Are you sure you can get in? We don't
even know the combination." She didn't want to leave it up for
discussion. She used her ability to make herself able to fit through
the hole.
She heard Angelo say, "Careful Daria, and try and get the door
open. Last thing we need is for any of us to get ambushed." She nodded
in agreement.
When she finally got in, she heard the cat follow her in, and she
watched as the small door closed. Obviously, the cat was holding the
door open for her. She didn't see anyone, but that didn't mean that
they weren't there. She heard Grimore meow, and she entered the bedroom
of the apartment. She could already tell that Yvette wasn't alright.
She hit her communicator and said, "Sean, I think Yvette's unconscious."
She was surprised when she heard the door open. She turned to see
Sean entering the apartment with Angelo and Darrett. She could tell
that he was upset. He looked over Yvette and said, "Well, I don't know
if it was our other mystrey attacker or not, but we need to get her to
the med center." She watched as Sean picked up Yvette and carried her
out of the place.
As he left, Daria walked over to Darrett and Angelo and said one
thing that bothered her. "Guys, I don't know why, but I think something
bad is going on. I think there is a spy here."
Angelo looked at her and said, "How can you be sure? They broke
into the school, and broke into Rich and Yvette's place."
Daria shook her head and said, "The door was locked, and no forced
entry. Plus, Grimore wouldn't allow anyone else in there like he did
with us. I think we have a spy, and it's someone who knows the
combination to the lock." She saw both the boys nod in agreement.
She heard Darrett say, "It must be Quinn. I don't trust her, and
something seems wrong about her."
She would have said the same thing, but Angelo said the one
important detail. "Darrett, she just got here today, and she hasn't
been down here yet." She nodded in agreement, but it wasn't a
comforting agreement. It meant only one thing, the spy was part of
Generation-X.
********************************
Richard Cale stayed in his office most of the morning. The events
of the previous evening had rattled his nerves. The first had been the
transmitter. To think that Apocalypse has somehow gotten into his
company definately unsettled him. The second was what his one guard
told him. Someone had been in his quarters, and they had been a mutant.
His bodyguard had told him that a mark was disappearing from his face.
Rich could only wonder what that meant about the mutant who had snuck
in, but something told him that they weren't a threat. He was sitting
at his desk milling those thoughts over, when a knock came on his office
door. He looked up as it openned and Detective Perkins entered. "Mr.
Cale, I came by when I heard that you wanted to talk to me about the
video tape."
Rich nodded and motioned the man in. "Yes, I did. I hate to tell
you this, but I think the FBI might have to take juristicion on this. I
have looked at the tape and discovered something which make me think the
attacks are going to escalate to a murder attempt." That was the other
thing bothering him.
The detective just looked at him, stunned and said, "How do you
know this for certain?"
Rich motioned to the screen and said, "Take a look at the person's
face you are about to see." He watched as the detective looked at the
screen. Soon enough, one of the attackers faces were caught on film.
"That girl is wanted in Pennsylvania. She's a serial killer, and a
mutant."
He could tell that the guard was stunned, and then the guard said,
"So she's a big time problem, but how do you know she's a serial killing
mutant." He wondered if the detective suspected or honestly knew,
mainly because of his tone.
Rich stood up and walked over to the detective. "It's because I'm
a mutant under federal protection. My involvement in the Soundwave case
a couple of years back gave me a special status. I came from a mutant
friendly town, but all I wanted was a normal life."
The detective nodded and said, "Hard to do that in this world, but
something about you makes me belief your not bad. I've seen bad
mutants, and they never acted like you. Tell me, do you think you know
where they will attack next."
Rich shook his head and said, "Not really, but I hope that they
haven't moved out of the area." To be honest, he hoped they had, but
not to where the school was, although Rich was afraid that was where it
would come to a head. Rich then said, "I'll need to make a business
call. I'll let you know what I can, officer." He watched as the
detective nodded and left. Rich then headed for the phone. He wanted
to check on Yvette.
********************************
Sean sat in the med center, next to Yvette. He was in shock with
all that happened. What had made Yvette go unconscious, and when would
she recover. He then wondered if Rich was aware of Yvette's condition.
He somewhat doubted that Rich did know, with all that had been going on
in New York. He was surprise when he heard Monet in his mind say,
[Sean, Richard is on the phone.]
Sean focused on Monet and said, [Patch it through down here.] He
watched as Rich's image appeared on the screen. It looked like Rich had
had a troubled sleep. He looked at his `son-in-law' and said, "Rich, I
hope ye found out something and are heading back."
He then saw Rich's scared look. He knew exactly what was on
Rich's mind, and he could tell the boy spoke what he meant, "Sean, what
happen to Yvette?"
Sean had a feeling that Rich knew what might have happened. He
just said, "The attackers that have been attacking your company paid us
a visit last night. We found Yvette unconscious and Emma is missing."
Rich then said something that surprised him, "All three were
there?" Sean never knew that there were three, and if so, that left two
unaccounted for.
Sean looked at Yvette and said, "You think the third might have
done this?"
"Definately, but I don't think she knows I'm married." The word
she surprised him. He wondered if the new girl was somehow involved,
and recalled things from the previous day. Rich had gone to the same
school as new student. He then heard Rich say, "Sean, I'll leave the
office now. I have a picture of the third attacker." He almost got to
ask the question when Rich shut off the phone.
Sean sat there for a moment and thought about it. Three
attackers, but two went after Emma. What happened to the third? Was it
the new girl, Quinn? Only one thing bothered him, Quinn didn't know that
Rich and Yvette were in the underground apartment. He just stood and
said, "I don't think it's her, but maybe I should just be sure." With
that, he left for Quinn's room.
********************************
She watched from her hiding spot and watch as Richard Cale hung up
his phone. She had recognized the man he was talking to. He was an X
Man, like herself, but he was different here. She then heard Richard
say, "Make sure my car is ready. I must head back." He was going to
leave here. She needed to follow. It was the only way she felt she
could fulfill her task.
She used her power and soon she was in the garage. She stayed in
the shadows and watched as Richard appeared from an elevator and headed
for a red car. As he got in, she quietly said, "I'll help you and your
wife, sir." As the car started, she used her ability again, but this
time she was in the confines of the trunk of his car. For a brief
instant, she almost paniced, remembering her time in the pens, and even
worse, the Sugar Man. She didn't know where he came from, but he
terrified her and haunted her dreams. Soon enough, she felt the car
move, and hoped that Rich wouldn't stop to check the trunk. It took her
some time, but she managed to be able to raise the seat so she could
keep an eye on him. She also could tell by his speed and such, he
wanted to get back to his wife in a hurry.
********************************
Emma looked over at her captor as he just sat and watched her
hanging there. She knew she was in a dangerous situation. She knew
that the collar he had placed on her was preventing her psyonic
abilities, but she had doubts about who he was working for. Originally,
she had thought he was working for Emplate, but Emplate wouldn't have
his group kill them. She looked at him and ask the question on her
mind. "Did my sister tell you to do this?"
She watched as he looked and said, "I doubt it. I doubt that your
sister is younger than you." She was almost certain that Adrienne might
have something to do with this, but now she wondered who it was. He
said she was younger than her, which meant to her that his boss was
female. She started to wonder if the new student was the head of this
little gang, when her captor looked behind her and said, "Hey boss, she
thinks your her sister. Isn't that a laugh?" She then watched as her
captor yelled in agony.
Her eyes went wide in fright, mainly because she knew who his boss
was. It was the one person she didn't expect it to be, but should have
realized it. Her fears were confirmed when she heard a familiar voice
say, "Sorry, Ms. Frost, but you're not letting anyone know." She felt a
blow hit her head, and she was loosing consciousness, she heard her
attacker say, "This is for that cage you put me in."
Freeze Frame slowly got up from the psi-blast his boss gave him.
Apparently he had said too much, and the boss was upset. As he got up,
he heard her say, "You idiot. Do you want to botch this operation up
now? Do you know what will happen if this fails?" He could tell by her
tone that it would be something bad, but part of him wanted to know. He
shook his head and she said, "I've already promised to hand Richard Cale
over to a being called Emplate. He feeds on mutants. He'd love to feed
on Richard Cale, but if I can't deliver Richard Cale to him, I'm gonna
substitue some one from the group, and guess who's front runner for
substitution."
He was scared now. He started to back away from her and said,
"Why me, why not Golden or Q.T." Honestly, he wanted to see Q.T. gone
more than Golden.
His boss closed in on him and said, "Because, Golden can't speak
and he's proven very useful. I've seen Q.T. in action, and have no
doubt that she can take out every guy here with her new physique.
Besides, she loathes Richard Cale, because he stopped her killing spree
a few years back."
He was half surprised by this. He didn't know the past Q.T. had,
and didn't realize how expendable he had become. He was almost grasping
for his words as he said, "W-what about the plan?"
His boss smiled and said, "You break Golden out and get Yvette
Cale here. Be careful how you bind her. I don't want her to wake up
and break free. Then prepare to stage an escape with Q.T. That's when
everying will go down." He nodded and she left. He knew the extent of
his dilemma now. He didn't want to die, and if he failed, he might as
well be dead.
********************************
Quinn sat in the lounge with the rest of the students at the
school, except for one, but she knew why that student wasn't there.
Angelo was sitting next to her. Daria and Mondo were sitting on another
seat, and Darrett was standing over in a corner with a man she had never
seen before. As they all sat there, she leaned over and softly asked
Angelo, "I know I'm new here, but why is everyone so worried about
Yvette?"
Angelo looked at her in the eyes. She could tell he was entranced
by her charm, and maybe her new look had a part in it. "Well, you see,
Yvette was a prisoner of the being named Emplate. He feeds off mutants
like us. On our first days, Yvette was left here, and Emplate attacked
us trying to get her back."
She then heard Mondo say, "She was very scared. It wasn't until
Rich came that she started to speak aloud." She hated to hear that.
Rich had ruined all her plans a few years ago.
She did wonder how Rich had managed this, because it might explain
how her ruinned her plans. "How did Rich do this?" She felt finding
the answer to that question would mean getting an answer to Rich's
discovery of her tasks back at college.
Quinn was almost startled when she head Sean say, "Rich's ability
is to fully mimic a mutants ability. In some cases, he doesn't have to
fear about the mutants ability affecting him." That must have been it,
the reason she couldn't kill him, or comatose him at the college. She
then noticed that Sean was still looking at her as he said, "Quinn, I
was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about your past, like
what happened at yur old school."
She was wondering if he suspected that she was the one who put
Yvette in a coma. She had to think quick, and it hit her. "Well, Mr.
Cassidy, I was a freshman at my college, Elizabethtown College."
She watched as Sean nodded and said, "I know that ye went there,
but it appears that Rich had gone there as well."
She had to really lie now, and hope that he would buy it. "I
can't verify if he was there at the same time or not. I tended to stay
with a small group, which had included my boyfriend at the time. We
were very close until one day when I stepped out of the room for a
moment, and when I returned, he was dead." She started to cry, as if it
had bothered her. She felt Angelo put his hand on her shoulder. She
continued by saying, "My roommate, who never liked me from day one, said
I was the murderer and said I was an evil mutie. I had never told her I
was a mutant."
She heard Angelo say, "That's terrible."
She then heard Sean say, "Hmmm, well, I was wondering what had
happened that you left your old school. Anyhow, Rich is on his way back
everyone, and maybe we can get some words out of our silent attacker
down there."
As Sean left, she watched as Darrett and the other man left to
follow. She then said to Angelo, "Angelo, could you come walk with me
to my room. I just feel all worked up after reliving that terrible
memory." She watched as Angelo nodded and with that, she lead him off
to her room. Soon, another of Generation X would fall.
Darrett followed Sean and when he felt they were out of earshot of
the other room, he said to Sean, "Sean, do you think Quinn is at the
bottom of this?" He suspected her, but what Daria had said earlier
struck a note.
He heard Sean say, "Lad, I don't know. It is weird, but we don't
even know how the attacker got in. That lock's combination is know only
by Rich, Yvette, myself and Emma. I doubt Emma had told them."
He watched as Henry, his almost constant compainion said, "You
know, Darrett mentioned to me that they think there might be a spy here.
He hates to think it's a member of the team." It was true, he had
mentioned that to Herny.
He watched as Sean stopped short of the Med-Center. Something in
Darrett knew that Sean was thinking about that very scenerio. He
watched as Sean shook his head and said, "I don't think it's that. If
it was that, we'd have to check Mondo, Daria, Angelo, Monet, and
yourself. If there is a spy here, they are hiding themselves well."
Darrett thought about it. None of the others had a reason to do
something like this. He wondered what could be happening when he heard
a slight crunch. He looked over at Henry who was looking around the
corner and said, "Henry, what was that sound?"
He watched as Herny looked down and said, "Apparently glass from
the broken window over here at the med center." Darrett saw the look of
horror cross Sean's face. He knew what Sean was thinking.
As they turned the corner, he could tell he was right. "They took
Yvette." He watched as Sean brought up a security camera trained on the
room where they placed the captured attacker, but the screen didn't
light up.
Sean shout aloud, "Damn, they got that boy out of there and took
Yvette. How did they get by the security." Now things were really
getting bad. First Emma was gone, now Yvette was gone. Deep down,
Darrett knew that Quinn couldn't have done this. She was with Angelo,
unless. No, he didn't want to think that. He didn't want to think that
Angelo had betrayed them. He then said, "I'm sure now that Quinn isn't
our third attacker. This happened when I was looking for her. She was
with you and Angelo, right Darrett."
He nodded and said, "Yea, she was, as well as Daria and Mondo.
The only person not there was Monet." He then had another gastly
thought.
He saw Sean look at him and say, "I have an idea about what yur
thinking, and it can't be. Emma and Monet both made sure Claudette
couldn't escape. Maybe Aura is here." He nodded. It had to be that.
It couldn't be Claudette. He then saw Sean run off in the direction of
the main hall. He followed, and saw that Henry was following as well.
He made Henry disappear. He didn't need Henry right now, but he might
need something with strength if an attack was starting up again.
When they reached the main hall, he saw Rich running in the front
door. He saw how worked up Rich was. He wasn't surprised when Rich
asked, "Sean, what happened to Yvette?" He knew how much the two cared
for each other, even in his own timeline, they cared for each other.
Sean just said, "We found her unconscious, like she was in a coma.
Now she's missing, and the attacker we had captured escaped."
Darrett watched as Rich pulled out a picture and said, "Was she
one of the attackers?" He was almost in shock. The face in the picture
was Quinn.
He heard a gasp as Monet entered the room. It had been the first
time he had seen her since the attack. "That's Quinn. She was entering
her room with Angelo." He then watched as Rich went pale and he ran
off. Soon, he followed with the others.
Angelo couldn't have believe that Quinn wanted to be with him, but
he wasn't going to ignore it. Quinn was cute, but she seemed different
then yesterday. As they sat in her room, he said to her, "You went to
school at the same college Rich did. What was it like there?"
He watched as she sat closer to him and said, "Well, there were
more girls than guys there, but I think I was the cutest there. I think
that's why they blamed me for the murders. They were jealous of my
looks, and how all the guys liked me."
Angelo was a bit startled by that, and then said, "Didn't that
bother your boyfriend at all?" He started to notice something as she
was sitting closer to him. Her build was almost similar to Yvette's.
Quinn looked him in the eye and said, "It did, but when I kissed
him, he forgot about it. I think I have a kiss no one can forget." She
then winked at him. "You know, you do remind me of him. You're as sexy
as he was. You're not seeing anyone, are you?"
Angelo looked at her and said, "No, but I'd like to be dating
you." He was almost surprised when she pulled him down so that they
were lying on the bed, and she kissed his cheek. He looked at her and
said, "You like to go fast, but what if someone comes in here?"
She smiled devilishly and said, "They can't. I locked the door."
He started to realize that she had this planned. She then started to
kiss him on the lips. As she kissed him, he though he heard a knocking
on the door. The knocking got louder, like someone was trying to get
in. He then saw her eyes. There was an evil look in them. He realized
that she didn't like him. She was doing something to him. Then it hit
him. Quinn was the one who made Yvette go unconscious, and she was
doing the same to him. He noticed that his skin was oozing off him,
like he was loosing his concentration, and he was. Soon, he felt
drifted into unconsciousness.
As Rich ran through the halls, he heard Sean say, "Rich, you mean
our new student is the third attacker, but how did ye know." He
couldn't believe that she was a new student. Something more was
happening. She had to have been planted there. She had help, but who
would help her.
As they made there way to the girls dorm, he said, "Quinn Taylor
was at my college when a bunch of murders happened. No one knew how all
the victims were being murdered. Then I sort of stumbled across the
murderer. It was Quinn. I was suppose to be her next victim. She
usually butters some guy up before she saps their energy with her kiss."
He heard Monet say, "You mean she plans to kill Angelo with her
kiss?"
He shook his head. "No, Quinn can only make a mutant unconscious.
Also, she can steal looks from women if she kisses them."
He heard Darrett say, "Which would explain why Yvette won't wake
up." When they reached the door to the room Quinn had, he started to
ram it. He heard Darrett say, "I knew that girl was no good."
Rich then said, "My question is, how did she get into the
apartment, unless she had help. I know Yvette, and she would lock the
door at night." He started to wonder if Apocaylpse had some how gotten
onto the campus. Just as the thoughts entered his head, he said, "No,
he can't be here."
He heard another person ramming the door, and saw Sean putting his
all into it. He heard his teacher and father-in-law say, "Who can't be
here, Emplate?" He shook his head and he saw the look on Sean's face.
"Ye mean Apocalypse, don't ye?" He nodded, and Sean said, "I definately
doubt that, but ye must have a reason to worry?"
As they continued to ram at the door, he said, "He got into the
company, set up a project to connect to the age where he ruled.
Something came through, but I terminated the project. He said he did it
for gathering information."
As they continued to hammer on the door, he heard Monet say, "Do
you know why he was there?"
Rich just continued pounding on the door, "He said he was looking
into his advesary. It scares me, and I wonder if he's behind the
attacks." Soon the door gave way, and he saw Quinn openning a window.
He also saw Angelo unconscious on the bed. He looked at her and said,
"You bitch."
She smiled and said, "You ruined my fun. Now I'm gonna ruin you."
He watched as she jumped out the window. He ran over and saw another
man a few paces away. She said to him, "Come on, Freeze Frame, has
Golden got our guest to the hideout." He saw the guy nod and they ran
off.
He went to jump out the window when Sean grabbed his arm. "Skitz,
ye can't go charging after them. Not alone at least."
Rich nodded and said, "You're right, Banshee. And the others
should search for Emma and Yvette. I don't think they are heading to
where the others are being kept."
He heard M say, "I'll go with you Rich. You might need some
telepathic help." He nodded and she said, "We all have to be careful.
Look at what happen to Skin."
He cringed when he saw Angelo lying there. At least Angelo wasn't
dead. He heard Banshee say, "Alright, you two start out, I'll get the
rest, and we'll get Skin to the med center." When that was said, he and
M jumped out the window.
As they followed the trail, he softly said to M, "M, do you have
any idea who might be helping them. I don't know who's the mastermind
of all this." He then noticed that M was staying about 5 feet behind
him. He thought that she was going to allow him to use their ability
against them. He then heard voices up ahead.
He stopped short and listened careful as he heard Quinn say, "Now,
all we have to do is wait for the boss, and I hope she shows up soon."
He saw her and noticed that her figure was changing. He wondered if
that meant Yvette was going to be awake soon.
Sure enough, in his head, he heard her say, {Rich, can you hear
me?}
He heard the worry in her voice and said, {Yes, my love, I hear
you. I've found the attackers. Where are you?} He was worried about
her.
He then heard her voice, a bit panicked, say, {I'm with Emma. Be
careful, there leader is...} He didn't hear the name, because at that
time, he felt a punch from behind.
He hit the ground hard, and looked back to see his attacker. He
realized who Yvette was trying to warn him about. The true leader of
the band was right there looking at him. As he looked at them, it took
the last of his strength to say their name. "Claudette."
Yvette awoke in a strange room. She also felt that her hands were
tied behind her, which she easily fixed. She quickly tensed up and soon
her hands were free. As she got up, she heard a noise from the next
room. She wondered what it was and quickly slashed her way into the
next room. Then she saw it. She looked at her teacher and said, "Emma,
what happened to you?"
She ran over to where Emma was hanging and cut at the bindings.
Soon Emma was free of the death trap, and said, "It's Claudette. She's
free again. You've got to warn the others, most of all, Rich." Now she
was scared, and everything started falling into place. How Quinn ended
up attacking her, Claudette had helped her.
She started focusing on her mind link with her husband. She asked
{Rich, can you hear me?}
She was overjoyied when she recieved an answer. {Yes, my love, I
hear you. I've found the attackers. Where are you?}
She quickly realized that might have meant. Claudette must have
been with him. She quickly said, (I'm with Emma. Becareful, there
leader is} She felt the mental disconnect at that time. She turned to
Emma and said, "Emma, Claudette has got him. What can we do?"
She helped her drained teacher up, and then noticed the collar on
her. Yvette quickly cut the collar and Emma said, "Well, that's a
start. Now we need to get in touch with the others, and find Rich."
Yvette looked at her teacher and said, "What about Monet? How are
we going to rescue her?" She could see it in Emma's eyes, that her
teacher didn't have an answer. Yvette started to have a bad feeling
about this. Claudette was already preparing to give Rich to Emplate,
and she was going to be the next handover.
Claudette picked up the form of Richard Cale and dragged him into
the encampment. She looked over at Freeze Frame and said, "Time him up,
and hang him from the tree." She then looked over at Q.T. and said,
"Nicely done with Skin, but we have a new problem. I think Yvette has
awoken, and might have freed Emma Frost."
She heard Q.T. say, "We can still stop them. What's the problem?"
Claudette just said, "The problem is, Freeze Frame practically
gave away who I am. If Emma Frost is free, then she told everone else."
She saw how Q.T. glared and Freeze Frame.
She looked at Freeze Frame as well. She watched as he was hanging
Rich from a nearby tree. "Don't blame me. I never said your name. All
I said was that she thought you were her sister."
Claudette almost went to hit him, but noticed he had stopped
moving. She smiled and saw Rich open his eyes. "Claudette, how did you
get free?"
Claudette looked up at her captive and said, "It's very simple.
The shock over the attack of Sabertooth on Everett hit Monet hard. I
just broke free then. Now, I know someone who is waiting to see you."
She saw the fear in his eyes, especially due to his situations. She
then turned to Q.T. and said, "Take care of his struggles, please."
She stood back and watched as Q.T. smiled and said, "I've been
waiting a long time to do this." She enjoyed watching Q.T. kiss
Richard, and watch as his struggle died as he went unconscious. When he
stopped moving, she smiled and flew off. This change in plans required
Marius to get him.
Q.T. looked up at the unconscious form and then looked at Golden
and signed, "I've wanted to do that for years." She then pushed over
Freeze Frame. He was still in suspended animation, but that wouldn't
last for long. She just said, "You are pathetic, and a good patsy. The
boss knew that by having you tie him up, I could easily knock him out."
Now, all they had to do was wait. The boss was going to fetch her
partner in this caper. She didn't know much about the other party, but
something in her told her that Freeze Frame knew. There was a fear in
his eyes.
She then turned to faces Golden again, and he was pointing behind
her. She turned and saw movement in the trees. Had Generation X found
them that quickly? It couldn't be. Then she realized it wasn't, but
someone on their side as the figure lunged out of the trees with a
flying kick towards her. As the kick connected, she heard the figure
say, "He not dying in this world."
Q.T. flew back and knocked Golden down. As she struggled to get
to her feet, she got a good look at the girl. She had purple skin, and
purplish-red hair. Who was this attacker? She then saw Freeze Frame
start to move. She yelled over to him, "Freeze Frame, you idiot, stop
her." She noticed that the girl had almost gotten Richard free.
As Freeze Frame stood up and said, "She's not going anywhere." It
happened. The girl threw a pike at Freeze Frame and it piereced his
arm. It wasn't a lethal blow, but he couldn't concentrate on his
ability, but that wasn't the worse of it. She watched as the girl
disappeared into a portal. The boss was not going to be pleased.
She emerged a good distance from the clearing that the attackers
were in. She had kept an eye on things when she saw two of them carry
Yvette off. But at the time, she saw that Yvette was starting to regain
consciousness. Now, all she had to do was keep Richard safe. She
watched as people started to gather near where she was. She was amazed
at how many of them looked familiar to her. She then saw Yvette
helping another person along. The few that were there were glad to see
her. She heard the one man say, "Penance, yur alright. Thank goodness
ye found Emma."
She then heard the person Yvette was holding say, "I'm lucky she
found me. I was very close to being crushed to death. All this must be
part of Claudette's plan, and no doubt she off to get Emplate."
She then noticed a handsome young man say, "I hoped she hadn't
broken free. If she hands Rich over to Emplate, it could mean
disaster." She had to let them know Rich was alright.
She pushed Rich out into view, and she heard a girl with silver
hair say, "Everyone look, it's Rich. Someone must have saved him." She
watched as Yvette almost dropped the woman she was holding and ran to
Rich's side. She watched as others came over as well.
Soon, one man, who appeard like a gentle giant, said, "What's
wrong with his face?" She noticed that her birthmark was on Rich's
face. She didn't know if she should say anything. They might think she
was one of the others.
She heard the irish man say, "Faith and Begora. It cannae be, can
it?" He recognized the mark. How did he know who she was, unless,
there had been someone like her here. He then said, "Emma, does that
look like.."
She heard the woman say, "Yes. It does look like her birthmark,
but I thought she died during the Phalanx."
So her version here was dead. She then heard the man say, "She
did, but Rich said that something appeared at his company. Maybe it's
Clarice's second chance." He knew her name. She knew now that these
people were friends, and that she would be welcome there.
She slowly got up, and approached the group. She saw how some
where amazed at her appearance as she said, "Sir, my name is Clarice
Ferguson. I'd like to join your group." She saw the handsome boy smile
at her. She smiled back. This world had to be alot better than the
world she left.
Freeze Frame grasped his arm as the pain of the pike throbbed
through him. The others walked over to him and he was scared. The plan
had gone to blazes, and he knew he was going to pay. He then saw that
the boss was back, rather quickly, with something hideous next to her,
and a woman behind that. That must have been Emplate. He heard Emplate
say, "I thought you said Richard Cale would be here."
His boss just said, "It looks like someone got lax on their jobs,
and I won't be able to reinfiltrate. They are on to me, thanks to
Freeze Frame over there." He could tell by her tone that he had become
the scapegoat.
He watched as Emplate walked over to him, and looked him over.
"He has an ability I can use. He'll make an excellent meal, or
servant." He didn't like the sound of that, especially after he saw the
hands.
He heard his boss say, "You may have him. I promised you a
mutant, unfortunately, it's not my first choice." He watched as the
other woman acted as she was picking him up. Then he realized that she
was. It truely hit him that he was now dead.
He heard the woman say, "It's not a fair deal, my love." Now he
was scared. This woman loved that monster. She must have had a warped
mind.
As everything started to change, he heard Emplate say, "It may not
be fair, but maybe I can use him to still achieve the end means.
Richard and Yvette will be our prisoners yet." He felt pressure on him
and he couldn't breathe. He truely realized that his life was over.
********************************
Yvette sat on the edge of the bed, looking over her husband.
Grimore also sat nearby. He had been worried when Yvette brought
Richard in. He looked at her and said, "Yvette, when will Rich awaken
again."
He could tell she was concern, but she smiled. "Soon. They
called down a little bit ago, saying Angelo had awakened." He then saw
movement as Rich started to move his head. He then saw Yvette kiss him
on the cheek. "Welcome back to the land of the living, my love."
Grimore watched as Richard openned his eyes and said, "Yvette,
please. After all this, the last thing I want to do is kiss." Grimore
had know before about Quinn, but he never wanted to mention it. Richard
then said, "How long have I been out?"
He jumped onto the bed and said, "About a day. The new girl,
Clarice, rescued you." He liked her for some reason. He still had a
lot to learn about her, but that could wait. Everyone was due back
tomorrow.
Rich tried to sit up, but he watched as Yvette pushed him back
down. She just said, "Lay down, my love. It's about 10PM. Everyone is
either in bed, or going to bed. I also changed the locks on the door."
Grimore saw Yvette kiss Richard again, but on the neck this time.
He decided that now would be a good time to leave the room. He
saw the devilish look that crossed both their faces when she did that.
As he got off the bed, he heard Rich say, "Grimore, can I ask you one
thing?"
Grimore stopped and turned around. "What is it, sir?" He noticed
that a slightly concerned look had crossed his master's face.
Richard just asked him, "Grimore. Apocalypse had gotten into the
company. Would he try to kill me outright?"
Grimore shook his head. "I don't think so. I've heard the new
girl speak about her era. I must say that what I had heard make me
think he wants you two to suffer, and she has sworn to protect you." He
saw some relief cross their faces. He then left the room. He just
hoped that the battle wouldn't happen until his masters would have a
kid. If Apocalyse would kill Rich now, he would have won. He left
through the cat flap and walked the halls, wondering if things would
start to calm down for a bit. He hoped so, now more than ever.
The end for now, but more to come....
