the department of mutant affairs

The maximum security mutant prison in Georgia was better designed for keeping the mutant inmates in and harmless than keeping people out.

But then again, the Host was very good at getting into places she didn't belong.

She had to be careful not to be caught, of course, or leave an obvious physical trace. There would be no busting through prison walls. Instead, one unfortunate guard was taken and disposed of, and the Host used her credentials to get through. And if there were any problems, superstrength or a literal host of diseases could take care of it quickly enough.

When the lights in the maximum security room went off, the four recently captured mutants all stood on edge. The Host's glowing amber eyes could be seen in the distance, and she laughed slightly.

"Who are you?"

"Your boss sent me."

They all looked to Beast, and Morph chimed in, hopefully, "Are you getting us out?"

The Host's laughter was deep when she was very amused. "You know so little about him. Go, my children. Get rid of the weak links."

Thousands of microorganisms left her body and entered theirs. It would probably be unclear which disease actually caused death, but it would be clear that someone had let loose a plague in this room.

To anyone driving by, the plain looked normal enough. A flat stretch of Virginia, tucked out of the way of the highways and the major cities. Just a plot of land.

But underneath was a lab rushing with activity.

( It was times like this when Mimic wished he could duplicate himself still. )

It had taken too long to get Jean Grey to cooperate. Emma usually had a way of forcing people to do what she wanted, but Jean Grey was not weak-willed. Even when the agents brought her in to talk, it took a long time. She didn't seem to understand that the students were in danger.

Emma was many terrible things, but she cared about the students.

But the two telepaths soon came to an agreement. Emma needed to help her students. Jean wanted the pain to stop. Together, they should have been able to crush any mind.

( They underestimated the competition. )