Notes: The characters from Forever Knight belong to Sony Tri-Star. The characters from Xena Warrior Princess belong to StudiosUSA and Renaissance Studios. The characters from Mutant X belong to Marvel and Tribune. The characters from “The Mummy Returns” belong to Universal. The Soviet Super Soldiers, the Champions, and the Hulk belong to Marvel as well. The characters from Smallville belong to DC Comics and the WB. The characters from Dark Angel belong to their copyright holders. All other characters are fictitious and belong to me. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.

Prologue
[Amazon Village, c. 85 AD]

Gabrielle, Bard-Queen of the Amazons, writes…

After returning from Istanbul, everyone hoped for a quiet few months before school started again. Unfortunately, this wasn’t to be the case….  

Chapter 1 [Takes place during “Honeymoons”] [New Sanctuary]

Adam turned off the computer screen and paced about the small office space, thinking about the conversation he had just had. Over the previous fifteen minutes, one of his old friends from the Genomex days had told him about a developing international situation. It seemed that a string of mysterious murders and kidnappings had taken place in a crescent pattern spanning from central Europe to Hong Kong. The acts had caused an uproar from the international diplomatic community. I hate to involve them in this mess, especially since we’ve just returned from Kandor, but we need to lend a hand in getting the situation under control. He sighed and shook his head before speaking into his comlink, “Everyone, please meet in the living area in five minutes. Thank you.”

****

The geneticist walked into the living room and found the five members of Mutant X waiting for him expectantly. He pointed a remote control at the monitor in the room’s center, turning it on.

“What’s up?” Max asked expectantly.

“A lot, Max, actually,” Adam replied, rubbing the sides of his nose.

“When you start doing that, I’d say we’ve got big time trouble,” Shalimar noted. “What is it?”

“Man, I should have known we wouldn’t have much down time,” Brennan surmised.

Emma shook her head. “Brennan, let’s hear him out, okay?”  

“Thank you, Emma,” Adam expressed, pressing another button on his remote and bringing up a map of the Eurasian land mass. “As you all can see, this is Europe and Asia. Over the past two weeks, a series of incidents have occurred, claiming several diplomats and soldiers. Ten other diplomats and soldiers have disappeared as well.”

“So you want us to go in and take out whoever’s behind this?” Brennan inquired.

“Hey, cool it. We have to know where we’re going first? Who’s behind this, Adam?” Jesse interjected.

“Actually, we don’t know the ringleader’s exact identity, Jesse. What we do know is that the organization calls itself ‘The Black Hand’.” Seeing the looks on the team’s faces, he nodded. “Yes, they are the terrorist organization which has protested peace talks throughout the Middle East and in the Far East.”

“They’ve finally launched their big offensive,” the psionic stated, piecing together the facts. “What do we do?”

“According to my contacts, Britain and Russia are interested in working with our government to stop the Black Hand. They want you all to go and help in the effort. I need you to be ready to leave in an hour. Steve Petersen will be accompanying you on the mission. After you get him, fly to London. There you will meet a British agent, Samantha James, and a Russian operative, Nikolai Rasputinov. All of you are to find the Hand’s base and shut it down. Any questions?”

“Yeah, I thought you didn’t want any exposure for Mutant X. That’s what you’ve been telling Logan, ain’t it?” Max wondered tersely.

“On this one, I didn’t have a choice, Max,” Adam sighed. “We do have an obligation here to our country and the world. I just ask you all to be careful.”

The mutants looked at each other, all feeling uneasy about this mission. Sure, they trusted Steve’s ability to handle himself in a fight and Adam’s judgment. However, they didn’t want to risk exposure either, especially to a world not ready to accept them. In the end though, they knew that they had to go through with it.

“Come on, guys, let’s go,” Max muttered. Time to save the world again. What a surprise.  

****  

[A day later—somewhere over Mongolia]

The Double Helix soared high over the landscape, shielded from both conventional radar and observers by its stealth cloak. Inside, Brennan continued to steer the vessel while Jesse manned the co-pilot’s seat. In the back, the remaining three team members and the government agents shared strategies and outlined their plans.

James, a petite blonde with long blonde hair, revealed, “Our sources have tracked them to a point just thirty miles to the east of here.”

Rasputinov agreed, “Da. In the Khindu mountains.”

Steve winced. “Right on the edge of India, Pakistan, and Mongolia, a virtual no man’s land. What a surprise.”

“Does that frighten you, Petersen?” the Russian wondered.

Steve shot him a dirty look. “Please. I’ve been through so much crap that makes whatever this place can throw at us look like nothing.”

“Besides, you’ve got that question to ask Natalie, don’t you?” Shalimar cracked.

“And you have a problem with that?” Steve retorted. He sighed, thinking of how he would pull that one off. For three years, he and Natalie had dated, getting steadily closer all of the time. After talking with Dave and Nick, he was ready to propose to her. “I’m sick of being a bachelor, all right?”

“It’s about time, Chief,” Brennan called from the front of the ship.

“Hey, Sparky, pilot the plane, all right?” the FBI agent retorted. “You never know what’ll hit.”

At that moment, three blips appeared on the instrument panel.

“Guys! Brace you…” Jesse started to yell.

Just then, three surface to air missiles impacted with lightning speed, forcing the Helix from the sky. The plane dove nose first, spiraling downward like a wounded bird. Due to Brennan’s efforts with the controls, the vessel skidded to a halt, banging against a mountainside and rolling over several times. Finally the plane stopped rolling and sat perfectly still.

 Inside, Max managed to unhook her seat belt and stand. For some reason, she managed only a few cuts and bruises—or so she thought. Standing up, she felt a hot flash of pain through her leg. Damn. I must have broken something. Looking around, her comrades all lay unconscious and badly wounded. This has ‘trap’ written all over it. She opened the hatch and peered into the deepening dusk at the landscape. I’d best take a look around. With that, she made her way outside and made her way across the rocky landscape. Ignoring the pain in her right leg and focusing on her instincts, the lessons she had learned at Manticore. Looking at her ring, she shook her head. First thing is to maintain radio silence. She removed the comlink and slipped it into her pocket. Sorry, Adam, I know this is a major break with your rules, but I can’t have you blowing my cover.

Twenty minutes later, she discovered ten men breaking into the Helix and carting off her teammates. What the hell? Instinctively, she launched herself into the potential kidnappers, pummeling them before they knew what was going on. For their part, her victims weren’t expecting the attack, so she went through them quickly. As she caught her breath, she winced, grasping her leg in pain. “How am I gonna get them out of this?” Just then, she heard another vehicle coming over the ridge. Reinforcements. Crap. I’ll never deal with them like this! She quickly stripped one of the goons and jumped in the first truck. Lucky for me they left the keys. She cranked the engine and sped out of there, disappearing just before the other troops came into view. Grasping her leg, which throbbed now to beat the band, she growled, “Have to keep going! They’re countin’ on me!”

Making her way down the road, she negotiated the twists and turns and swatted away the dust blowing in her face. Finally, she saw the checkpoint for the Pakistani border just ahead. Pulling up to the checkpoint, she looked into the guard’s eyes and greeted, “Hey, I…need help…please.”

“Who are you, Miss?” the border guard, a tall, well-built man with dark skin, asked with concern. Even as he looked her over, he kept his gun ready.

“My name’s…Max Gueverra. I’m American,” she retorted. “What’s the deal with the look? I… Oh yeah, the truck. Hey, I needed all of the help I could get to escape from the…goons.” She slumped but managed to stay conscious. “Other Americans…on mission…in trouble.”

The guard grabbed his walkie-talkie and rattled off something in the native dialect. Then speaking in English, he asked Max, “Can you walk?”

“Yeah, I think so,” she grunted, getting out of the truck. “Can I get my leg looked at?” At that moment, two other guards, a man and a woman, approached her.

The first one asked something in Pakistani.

The English-speaking guard translated, “He asks if there’s someone we can verify the information with.”

“Yeah, tell…him to call one of these two guys, Adam Kane and Dave Dubois. They’ll tell ya…I’m…cool,” Max stammered before she hit the ground and drifted into unconsciousness.

The guards picked her up and carried her back to the base. There, they would treat her and check her story.   

Chapter 2
[Black Hand Base, five miles from crash site, Mongolia]

In a relatively short amount of time, the kidnappers had transferred the remaining Mutant X members and their companions to their hideout. The facility lay underground, right on the edge of the Khindu Mountains. The truck and two others following it took the unconscious captives down three levels to the very bottom of the base. A task force of twenty armed men in black uniforms surrounded the trucks after they stopped. Together with the drivers, the passengers were offloaded and placed on the ground in a line. “What do we do with them now?”

“We treat them with caution,” a female voice told the soldiers. As she stepped into the light, they saw her slender form, beautiful Latino facial features, jet-black hair, and sharp eyes. She wore a white blouse and matching slacks.

“Indeed,” Hansei Arighatto agreed, inspecting their prizes. “Well done, my friends. These Americans will serve as sacrifices and bait at the same time. First though, we need to neutralize the mutants.” He took out what looked like a tube with a handle and a sharp point at the end. One by one, he implanted sub-dermal governors in Jesse, Emma, Brennan, and Shalimar. “There, that’ll keep them in line. Move them out.”

The subordinates nodded and carried their special prisoners toward the detention area.

“Make sure the agents don’t have any weapons on them and keep them separated from each other. Be especially watchful of Petersen. Got it?” the woman ordered. Turning to Arighatto, she requested, “Follow me if you would.”

He nodded, following her path as they went to the main office. Inside of the area sat a fine cherry desk and several bookcases stuffed with tomes. Maps hung on the walls like tapestries. She sat down at the desk and began typing. “Well?” he asked.

“Patience, Hansei, we do indeed have the bait we seek. I have not forgotten our agreement,” she replied firmly.

“I never suggested anything of the sort, Conchita. We have our mutual goals. Why not put our efforts together?” “To launch the plan I am suggesting will require our mutual cooperation,” she declared, staring at him intensely and lighting a cigarette. After taking a couple of puffs, she smiled, almost making herself appear like a cobra stalking its prey. “I will enjoy this.” Pressing the intercom button, she requested, “Carlos, come here if you would.”

The samurai grinned wickedly. Having seen the file on Carlos Martinez, he knew that their third player would be a formidable one indeed. Martinez entered the room. “You rang, Senorita?”

“Si,” she agreed. “Are you and your group ready to move?”

“We are. I see you took in an impressive catch. Muy bien. What now?” Martinez asked.

“Now we each lead a strike force to accomplish our objectives. Hansei, you will go to Tucson, Arizona and deal with Dubois’ brat squad. Carlos, you will head to Los Angeles. There’s a medical conference being chaired by Angela Dubois. Grab her and bring her back here. I will go to London and deal with the main pest himself,” she instructed.

“You know what he’s capable of?” Arighatto inquired.

“My father kept an extensive dossier on Dubois. Trust me, I know about his fits and I can rely on his experience. If this goes well, they’ll all be dead and you’ll have your stepdaughter back,” Conchita detailed. “Now, we must prepare.”

Indeed. And I will be ready for anything. Arighatto smiled deviously, thinking of the special green stone in the hilt of his katana. Absolutely everything.    

Chapter 3 [Tucson: Three days later]

Clark and Lana stood inside of their new apartment, admiring their surroundings. Only a month earlier, they had signed the papers and moved out of their respective dorm rooms. Despite Lex’s multiple invitations to allow them to stay at the hacienda, the newlyweds wanted their own space.

 However, not to be deterred, the billionaire bought out their first year’s lease as a wedding present.

 After they adjusted to the idea, the couple brought various pieces back from Smallville. Clark brought the old couch from the loft and his end table. As Lex had bought new furniture for the Talon six months earlier, Lana brought an old table and some chairs. In addition, Gabe Sullivan let her take the bed she had been using while staying at his house. Finally, their classmates had brought them some nice housewarming gifts and knickknacks.

“This place is finally starting to look like a home,” Clark surmised, looking at their surroundings and feeling satisfied.

“Our first home,” she agreed, smiling warmly at him. “It’s nice to say that finally.” She walked over to the kitchen and ran her hand across the counter top. “I can’t believe it.”

“I’ll believe it when I see you cook,” he cracked.

She giggled, “What was that?”

“You heard me,” he reiterated, grinning good-naturedly.

“Be careful, Mr. Kent,” she snickered. “Or you might be on the couch tonight.”

“Says who?” he retorted, trying to keep a straight face as he hugged her. “Well, there are the neighbors, you know.”

She shook her head. “I guess. Dr. Alvaro promised to show me how to make that lasagna you like so much.”

“Really? You’re so good to me,” he told her.

“Yeah. I am,” she chuckled, letting her eyes shine into his. “Actually, I was going to get a cooking lesson tonight if that’s all right. The Professor’s invited us for dinner at 6 and I get to help. I hope you think it’s all right.”

“Great! I look forward to tasting your masterpiece,” he agreed. “Hmm…it’s 2:00 and we have about 2 hours before you have to meet Dr. Alvaro. Whatever shall we do in the meantime?”

She rolled her eyes. Oh well, being married does have its perks. “Come on, Lover Boy; let’s see what you’ve got.” Taking him by the hand, she led him into the bedroom and closed the door.    

****    

[Dubois Condo–6 PM]

Dave stood in the kitchen, slicing and dicing cucumbers and peppers for the dinner salad. All in all, it had been a great day. His conference paper sounded good. Grades were turned in. He would be in London for the next two days, catching up on some sightseeing and having dinner with Alex. According to Nick, everything was in place. I think this is going to be quite the trip.

“So, how does your presentation look?” Angie wondered, coming out of the study.

“Not as good as yours, I’ll bet,” he replied.

She smirked. “Excuse me; was that the politically correct response? What have you done with my husband?”

“I’m okay. Just trying to reassure you,” he told her, giving her a kiss.

“I see we’re not the only two with the verbal judo skills,” Chloe laughed from the couch where she and Lex enjoyed a glass of wine apiece.

“Who do you think taught me?” the billionaire retorted. “Your professor could outsass my father at any point.”

“The man’s face is motivation enough,” Dave retorted, mixing the dressing and giving the whole salad a good toss. “There, that’s ready.” He put it on the table. “Francesca should be here any minute.” Hearing a knock at the door, he added, “Chloe, can you get that?”

“Sure thing,” the reporter agreed, opening the door to find Clark. “Why, Mr. Kent, hello! And where is your lovely wife this evening?”

“Hi, Chloe. She’s with Dr. Alvaro getting more cooking lessons,” Clark replied.

“Hey, you want to learn about cooking, Italians are the masters,” Lex told him, snitching a cuke from the salad and savoring it. “Even half-breeds. Nice, Dave.”

“Gratze,” Dave retorted, shaking his head. “Give Lana credit, Clark, she wants to be a good cook for you.”

“I know, but I wish she didn’t take it so much to heart. I’m happy with whatever she gives me,” Clark told him.

The oncologist sat down and smiled. “She knows that, but she wants to be at her best for you. Cooking is art. Anyone can take a pan of lasagna out of the freezer aisle and stick it in the microwave. She wants to put her heart into something for you.”

“She does have your mother to contend with, Clark,” Lex pointed out.

“I guess. What about you, Dr. Dubois? Do you do that for the Professor?” Clark wondered.

“We both do for each other,” Dave told him, as he rubbed his wife’s shoulder. “Give her some space. I guarantee you’ll like the results.” A smile crossed his face as he walked toward the door. “And speaking of which...” He opened the door to find his cousin and the cook-in-training standing there with a covered pan in the latter’s hands. “Well, howdy. That does smell good.”

Lana managed a nervous smile as she entered the room. “Thanks, Professor. I hope it’s as good as it smells.”

“I’m sure it will be, Lana,” Lex reassured her as they all sat down at the table.

“It’ll knock your socks off as usual, gang,” the literature professor reassured them. “Manga!” After they doled out portions, the group sampled the lasagna.

“Francesca, this is wonderful!” Dave complimented. “The meat and sausage together is a great combo.”

“The spices are just right,” Angie agreed.

Francesca chuckled. “And what does the Farm Palate have to say?”

“This is great. Only you could do something this great,” Clark agreed.

Francesca shook her head. “No, Clark. I didn’t make this one.”

“I did,” Lana revealed, staring hopefully around the table. “Do you all really like it? I didn’t overdo it, did I?”

“It’s perfect, Honey,” her husband told her, kissing her on the cheek.

She grinned at him. “Thank you. I was so worried that you wouldn’t like it.”

“I told her she was doing great,” Francesca added, before taking another forkful. “Mmm, magnifico!” “Aunt Louisa would be jealous of this and so would my Grandma Alvaro. God rest her soul,” Dave complimented, carefully tasting another bite. “Great work, Lana. This is true art. Byron may have his poetry and Samantha has her music, but you have hit on a masterpiece.”

“Thanks,” Lana accepted, flushing a bit. “I’m glad my first try didn’t bomb out.”

“You haven’t before. Look at the Talon,” Lex told her. “You made it work. I helped with some financing but that was your dream. Give yourself some credit.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” the former cheerleader agreed, sipping on a glass of wine. “Thanks.” 

 ****

After dinner, the group sat in the living room, enjoying their coffee. “When do you folks leave?” Lex wondered.

Angie replied, “I’m flying to LA tomorrow.”

“And I leave for England tomorrow as well. In fact, after we’re done here, I need to talk to Nick Miles about some things,” Dave added, considering all of the possibilities. “You all should be okay.”

“I’m here as well,” Francesca reminded him.

“And we’ll be fine for a couple of days,” Clark assured his mentor. “Hey, it’s still summer session and the campus is quiet.”

“Speaking of quiet, has anyone heard from Dr. Kane or Mutant X?” Lana wondered.

The medievalist quirked his brow, considering that query. “I checked in with Dr. Kane two days ago but there’s nothing new. That is odd because I’ve been getting weird vibes from Emma.”

“Such as?” Angie asked.

“She’s not doing well for some reason. I was going to check on it after I get back from London,” Dave replied. I hope nothing’s wrong.

Lana scrutinized him carefully. The Child’s antsy too. “I’m sure everything’s fine,” she responded, trying to reassure him and everyone else in the room.

“I was thinking of having everyone up to the hacienda this weekend,” Lex added.

“Mmm…you can’t wait to play host, can you?” Chloe inquired.

“I live for it,” the billionaire retorted, giving her a kiss.

Clark smiled at his friends’ happiness before asking, “Dr. Dubois, are you going to be near UCLA at all?”

The oncologist nodded. “I’ll be speaking there. Why?”

“If you run into Pete Ross, can you say hello?” he asked.

“Actually, he’s picking me up at the airport,” Angie informed him. “Of course, I’ll pass along your regards.”

“Thanks,” Lana expressed. “It’ll be good to know how he’s doing.”

Dave nodded, thinking, Yes. It will be good to know. He’s special too. He remembered the feeling Pete gave him when they shook hands before the wedding. I’ll be interested to know about him. Very interested indeed.  

****  

[El Gato Negro, two hours later]

Dave descended the stairs, entering the dark club. Although his eyes remained fixed on the counter area, his senses remained on full alert. Granted, Nick wouldn’t allow anything to happen, but it never paid to be too careful.

Janette greeted him at the bar. “Bonjour, Monsieur Dubois. What will it be tonight?”

“A Sam Adams, please,” he requested, handing her $7.00. “Is Nick here yet?”

“He’s waiting for you in the back with Divia,” she informed him.

Divia? What the? “All right. Merci,” he answered, taking his drink into the back room. There he found the Elder sitting at a table with his ‘sister/grandmother’.

“Ah, Dave, you’re here,” Nick greeted. “Take a seat.”

“What’s up, Nick? And what’s Divia doing here?” the Professor wondered. Turning to the girl-vampire, he added, “No offense.”

“None taken,” she retorted, giving him an icy glance. “With both you and Nicholas away, the Community thought it would be good for either Lucius or me to keep an eye on things here. I hope you don’t mind if I was picked.”

“Better than LaCroix, that’s for sure,” Dave retorted, opening his beer. “But what’s the big deal? I thought that Janette could watch things.”

“The Community has received reports from Asia. A threat is rising there,” Divia noted, taking a sip from her blood wine. “I don’t mind saying that you have many enemies, Dubois.”

Including you, technically,” the medievalist declared. “But tell me what this threat has to do with me.”

 “Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. I just ask that you be careful is all,” Janette added. “We will watch things here.”

“And we’ll keep an eye out while in London,” Nick added.

“I’ll talk to Cybelle before we leave too,” Dave told them. “Angie and Pete will be on their own in L. A., making them targets.”

Divia chuckled, “And you doubt if Xena can handle herself, do you?” Seeing the other’s surprise, she continued, “I’ve known for a while now. No, Lucius doesn’t know nor will he. As much as I would relish a rematch with your darker self, I’m not a fool. I remember what happened in Wabash both times. To endanger your family or students is to risk death, especially given your annoying ability to kill our kind.” Dave nodded.

“That’s good. Because if the Child has to come back here to deal with anything, he and I will both be very, very pissed off.” As a point of emphasis, he allowed his eyes to glow at the three immortals.

 “That shouldn’t be necessary,” Nick cut in, looking to preserve the peace. “We’ll only be a couple of days.” Yeah well, a lot can happen in a couple of days.

Dave looked at the picture on the wall. For some reason, Divia’s advisory had him thinking. I guess it’s better to be on one’s guard.

Onto Part 2