Oh Canada Follow-Up Notes

January 13/14, the Week of January 15

Saturday early AM finds the Justice Squad quickly interrogating the villains captured in the battle to regain Lefty.  Sihn calls his government contact, Terwilliger, who agrees with the group's plan to turn the mutant villains into the Canadian government - the Justice Squad hopes that they can trade Jonas Hell who's likely captured now as he turned from stone to human form as Rodin used his power during the combat.

Spectrum luckily picks Road Runner first to interrogate, who surprises the group by spilling it all without being asked.  Laughton is almost disappointed as he'd braced to add visual cues and help bring whatever necessary to mind.  And despite the seeming cooperation, Spectrum angrily delves into his mind, straining herself - no one's sure but perhaps she's still upset about the closeness of the battle and the number of times the speedster struck her.   Going with Roadrunner first renders the rest useless except to verify things.  Roadrunner is a slight nervous man who begs, pleads, and literally cries for the Justice Squad to release him.  He swears he'll do absolutely anything to be let go.  He breaks down, sobbing, on his knees (if he's in any way allowed to do that), and says, "Please, I've got a family, they need me.  I only had to do this to support them."

It's more than a bit pathetic.  But he also spills the beans, explaining that Jacqueline lined him up, he swears he doesn't know who they worked for but heard the word "King" and saw the tattoos.  She came across him in a bar in Ottawa, apparently knowing he was in the area and seeking him out.  When he joined Rage was there and they waited a while to get Dampener.  They started working together a couple months ago.

Jacqueline is a mistress of disguise and has followed all the Justice Squad members extensively.  She has absolute loyalty from the others.  He doesn't add a ton to your understanding of the others, though, simply talking about their abilities.  He mentions they were strangely dispassionate about the whole thing, they didn't seem to really care about the Justice Squad. Frequently they exchanged the phrase, "Another day, another dollar." to the point where it was some sort of in-joke.  They treated the guys like mushrooms, in the dark and fed crap all the time. It was the 3 mutants' jobs to simply be bodyguards and errand boys.  She paid them handsomely to stand by most of the time.  They did help with The Captain though that was primarily just lifting him and such.

Laughton thinks he's telling the truth and Palmer in reading his mind can see he's spilling it all out.

He wets his pants as he last pleads to be freed.  He stresses he will do ANYTHING that you want.  And he asks if at least on the way to prison if he could stop and get a quick meal, his treat.

Sihn wants to know how Roadrunner became who he is, if he was born this way or what.  Roadrunner, real name Barry Adams, was apparently a research scientist himself, doing some esoteric academic work.  Through a freak accident in his lab where a collection of chemicals fell on him, he passed out and awoke with incredible reflexes and energy.  He's spent some years attempting to isolate exactly what happened but beyond knowing some 100 chemicals were involved he doesn't know exactly what entered him and how.

Rage is pretty hard to mind-read, big EGO, but with a bit of a push Suzanne can read both surface thoughts and some deeper ones.  He's less helpful as he's completely self-absorbed; his thoughts are almost painful.  He vacillates between morose self-pity for his mental rage/angst and simple undirected rage.  The only thing he adds is something rather interesting at least.  He fought Wendy a few times as an exercise and the one thing he had is respect for her.  Moreover, he witnessed the other girls' level of both kidding her for being so serious and dedicated to her routine by also admiring her absolute dedication to her code of justice and her word.  He also has fairly constant sexual fantasies about the 5 girls and it's rather yucky for Suzanne...

Spectrum is worried about Dampener and his mental abilities.  Sihn, taking a break from examining Lefty, uses the lab facilities and his drugs to whip up something at Suzanne's request to weaken Dampener mentally when awaken.  But when Dampener's awake his mental stasis field stays up.  When he's asleep, getting into his mind is way too surreal.

Throughout this as time permits, Sihn carefully examines Lefty, looking for any implants or chemicals left behind, as well as signs of harm and what exactly was done.  He explains to the beleaguered Lefty that all this is very important.  There appears to be no lingering effects or traces or bugs/hypnotic suggestions left behind.  Full tissue samples were taken and as far as he can remember (he frequently blacked out and during some periods of time anesthetics were given) the following stress/physical tests were taken:
        - pure pain thresholds
        - a variety of puncture and cutting tests, as well as bludgeoning tests
        - heat, cold
        - you detect traces of radiation
        - electrical energy was administered and shock treatments were given
        - no gasses were administered as far as Sihn can tell

He asks Spectrum to assist and delve into Lefty's mind to see what she can find.  She first asks Lefty if it's okay with him, ensuring she's going in voluntarily.  She also gives her word not to give any details out of what seems to be non-tampering - such as these meetings that he was setting up without Sihn's consent.  Sihn isn't so eager to hear that but understands, or more likely hasn't the time to argue,  Spectrum's moral code.  The little frightened hand attempts to be brave and consents.  Spectrum gets the following Fox Force Five info: 

    Jacqueline is the blond leader
    Tawana is the explosives expert
    Wendy is the martial artist
    Marie is the knife expert
    Sherrie is the scientist

Little is seen of Dampener, Rage, or Roadrunner.  Roadrunner captured Lefty, the girls and Dampener were along.  At the lab, during some of Lefty's blackouts, they pick up details on the tests and several comments on emotional responses.  They refer to Lefty as an "immature form".  Sherrie and Jackie discuss if it's a prospective offspring or clone of some sort.  Sherrie visibly winces when administering pain to Lefty, Jacqueline doesn't seem eager though she's more stoic. 

Not terribly much more is picked up of value since the Squad already knows the base and such.  Nothing new on the experiments performed, that's all confirmed.

However, there is a memory of a feeling that Dampener went into Lefty's mind.  Then Lefty blacks out and it's a "real" black out in that he was not recording information (hearing).  But it's safe to assume Dampener gathered Lefty's memories.  It's unclear to what degree he may have imparted the information to the girls.

All of the physical/stress tests were dutifully recorded in the computer they had there, confirming the physical exam.  It is clear that they likely gathered a mostly complete profile of Lefty's and thus to some degree Sihn's physical characteristics.  Toxin resistance was not studied yet.  Also, the energy tests were incomplete (no hydro, sonic, and other "niche" tests).  While it's clear Lefty was exposed to radiation, there is also no record in the computer.  Clearly there was another battery of tests to be conducted.  Had they been conducted, it's likely Lefty would have been in their possession between 12 and 24 hours as there was a series of more sophisticated recuperative/endurance tests.  Initial data on that was gathered, though.  Psychological and memory/knowledge templates ARE present but they are NOT filled out.  Looks like there was no time to document the results there.  It is possible they were written down, though.

So, from this, they gather that the enemy is aware of Sihn's problems with cold, and they know that energy is the best way to bring him down.  They also know about what goes on at the Laughton Agency, and that a base is being constructed underneath.  Sihn imagines their next target will be Sammy - since he's a bit naive and frequently wanders the streets alone.  The team wonders how they observed so much and how they knew when Lefty would be out.  No answers are forthcoming, and they are concerned that somehow Fox Force Five or some other element of the Kingpin organization has surveillance into the Laughton Agency.  Sihn considers among his next steps modification of his mutant detector to detect the members of Femme Force Five.  

They do find some of The Captain's "psychographic" data.  It includes the following:

    Delusional, perhaps schizophrenic - believes he's interacted with Superman
    Benign/altruistic megalomania
    Early memories heavily blocked, unknown origin and unknown details on childhood other than superficial interactions
    Ego-related issues due to height and loss of hair
    Subject has STRONG mental potential - not enough time for thorough work but suspect that physical abilities are mentally created, may be mind over matter

Later, on the ride back, Sihn reflects and is a bit suspicious of Laughton's new detective, Manny, as he was so eager to stay behind.  He asks Spectrum if she could "take a look" sometime.

On the way back, Rogers this time does all the talking at the border.  It turns out the statue that was Jonas Hell has disappeared.  The Canadians contacted the Americans - they put the statue in the front office, as nobody wanted to carry it any further.  After a while, no one was in the office for a few minutes (as luck had it) and when they came back, the statue was gone.  They checked around and it was nowhere to be found.  Clearly it couldn't have walked off and clearly it couldn't have been spirited away except by some sort of unusual force - like a mutant or collection thereof.  There were security cameras but someone disabled them and made off with the tapes.  Unknown to them, just a mere 2-3 minutes before they could contact the Americans, Jonas Hell crossed the border into Detroit.  The customs officials have lots of questions but the group feigns ignorance.  The Black Buick is searched but without any sort of evidence, the Justice Squad is free to move on.  Everyone except Sihn is exhausted as they motor away.

Back in Detroit, Eliot Sihn feels like he needs some time off.  His emotions almost got the better of him in the last fight, and this could have had dire consequences  After spending a couple days on the weekend analyzing the samples he's gathered (it's handy not to sleep), he arranges some time off and plans to see Origin, the new mutant city in the Mohave desert of Arizona.  Before he leaves, he has a long talk with Lefty about the importance of always letting Sihn know where he is, and about not going off alone, especially at night.  He then grounds lefty for a week (for the next week, Lefty is just a hand, unless he and Sihn are alone.)  Lefty is quite contrite and swears he'll never go out at night again.  He's grateful of course for being rescued.  After a day goes by, when Sihn and he are alone, he frets that the punishment of not being able to see Sammy or the other guys is "unfair" and he's really sorry and it'll never happen again.  Sihn responds, "Life is unfair Lefty, and the sooner you learn that the sooner you'll be mature enough to go out on your own.  You need some time to think about what you've done and what could have happened to you."  Sihn explains that he truly hopes that it will never happen again.  But the curfew will only be lifted after a week. 

Sihn starts to wonder whether Sammy needs similar punishment/guidance, and decides to talk Sammy into living with he and Aela.  He also mentions it to the rest of the group.  Sammy readily agrees while no one regrets it.  Laughton's glad Sammy won't be hanging around the office at night literally eating into his profits.  Eliot and Aela resolve to change the basement into living quarters for Sammy after a trip to the Philippines. 

He's finally off to Origin.  He flies to Phoenix and drives a rental the 130 miles to Origin.  There's not even a "real" road from the nearest town, Yucca, out to the desert mutant city, but with all the media attention a trail can now be driven with a reasonably robust vehicle.  As he gets out into the hot Arizona air, Sihn is relieved to be away from the crushing, unusually cold winter of Detroit.  Sihn pauses to take in a deep breath of the hot dry air, pushing out the last memories of the cold Canadian adventure

Origin is amazingly small and make-shift, compared to the impact and portrayal in the media.  There are reporters all around, though Sihn hears that there's fewer every day since the government is starting to persuade them they're going to be in the way and in trouble, if not in danger of their lives.  But the most prestigious journalists and the most aggressive reporters are around.  Sihn is approached several times and asked all sorts of questions.  As he's in his Eliot Sihn form he dodges any questions, replying only that he is an interested tourist on vacation, and that he'd rather not wind up in the news.  He does not give his name, and is reasonably careful to hide indicators of his identity. 

It's a strange environment.  There's not enough water for the population and its rationed, leading to a rather noticeable odor in the air as residents typically wash weekly, although a few water elementals do help - one for a price, two for free.  In the streets it's a bizarre chaos as there's billboards all over the place, none commercial though, all some sorts of slogans.  The slogans say things like "What are the politics of boredom?", "It is forbidden to forbid", "Down with the abstract, long live the ephemeral", "Down with a world where the guarantee that we won't die of starvation has been purchased with the guarantee that we will die of boredom", "Never work", "Be cruel", and "Indulge untrammeled desire". There's a park where children mutants play and are allowed to do so as dangerously and with as much use of their powers as they please - when Sihn sees it, it does appear functional as parents madly dash about but nobody's really hurt.  Some people clearly live in the streets while most live in the quickly erected "common apartments".  A few people have built their own homes as well.  There's clearly no building codes and the homes are astonishing in their range.  One is built upside down and as improbable as it looks makes quite a statement.  Another floats in mid-air.  Another is made quite literally of straw and looks like it's just waiting for the big bad wolf - or a flame.  There's a small group of inquisitors that a friendly sort tells Sihn, now in his Troll form, to stay away from, the "Council of Purity", who have begun rounding up any non-mutants or "sub-mutants" who are attempting to settle in Origin and rumor has it may be executing them, though the Council claims they are simply expelled - though without food, water, clothes, or transportation into the desert.  It's possible to walk to Yucca in that condition but more likely it's a death sentence anyway.  The Council is opposed by the Non-Thinkers Guild, a sort of post-situationist/post-dada art group that claims to be the "non-government" of Origin.  Then there's the "real" government, a joke in the same way the Weimar Republic was, a group of hastily elected officials who seem rather hapless but sincere.  The even more hastily devised city charter is a mish-mash of anarchistic and democratic philosophies; the only things it forbids are "the practice of old religions though new religions may be based on those", "murder or other undue harm for no reason", and "unreasonable encroachment on personal property".  It "guarantees" a civil authority based on popular vote. There's no police force but the city government deputizes at will/as needed. The media at large has caught hold of the inquisition and links it to the city government.  Eliot is rather sure that there's no connection, that anarchy is the condition of the city.

He is deeply and profoundly disappointed by the chaos he sees, so antithetical to his scientific mind.  He knows that in some way he should be buoyed by the struggles here, as he finds the whole venture to be somewhat "wrong" in an intellectual sense.  But in his heart, he understands the dreams of the denizens of Origin, and he can't help where his sympathies lie.  The Troll is happy to converse with anyone interested, but he's careful not to take sides in any sort of political debate or argument.

Sihn finds that some of the cafes seem modeled after Amsterdam and openly sell pot.  He shakes his head, thinking that's the last thing they need here for more reasons than he can count on his own fingers.  In the cafes he finds lively debate about the future, both on a personal and social level.  Many are disgruntled that Magneto set it all in motion and only seems to come into the city for press conferences and to stop a particularly nasty attempt at overthrowing the city government or intruding on the city.  The Troll feels some sympathy here; to him the whole town serves as a very eloquent rebuttal to Magneto's grand plan.  Some say that Magneto had nothing to do anyway with Origin, that it was laid out, right down to the dirt roads' layout and first buildings, by pro-mutant/anti-human (yet very human himself) philosopher Clive Edmundsson from Manchester, UK (he's fairly well known among mutants but not so among the general population - he's not an academic philosopher, rather more of an artist/philosopher).  Sihn writes this down and makes a mental note to do some more research on this.  Specifically, why this site was chosen, and why it was really named origin.  He remembers that the original Superman came from this general area.  He wonders what connection could there be?  In any case, he listens to the chatter continue as others maintain that Origin is simply an accident.  

Then there's a commotion, tables start flying, and someone declares it's a "Situationist Event Brought to you by Boredom!"  Others boo and hiss that person and declare that this is a Non-Thinkers Guild "party" (the Troll is unsure what that means as the wooden tables and chairs start to melt and a brawl ensues as formerly happy customers are upset their drinks have been spilt), and that the person shouting just before is a poser meant to discredit their movement.  The Troll stays out of it.  A few people are hurt, though none too seriously, and he's quick to render aid, but other than that, he attempts to keep a low profile.  He himself is struck a couple times and just lets it happen, not wanting to cause problems.  While tending wounds and helping clean up after the battle, he avails himself of the golden opportunity to gather samples (most secretively, of course.)  

He leaves the bar and as he moves along, a couple relatively minor mutants attempt to mug Troll as he continues on.  They do unnerve him as one hits him with a smothering electrical attack and the other with a blast of water, causing considerable damage, and he is briefly stunned.  As they are picking his pockets he comes to and, as he's quicker than they, manages to bash them and put them down.  He recovers his things, looks to see if anyone's watching, and drags them in an alley.  He gives them a piece of his mind on how opportunists like them are ruining Origin, that if they ever want to be accepted in any society, human or mutant, they need to get their act together.  He tells them that if he ever sees them up to such foolishness he'll get rough next time.  Then he lets them go (after filing away DNA samples, of course).  They run off meekly but Sihn suspects their colors remain the same.  

As Troll continues on his journey of discovery to see if he can find a boarding space (he's finding that there are no hotels or apartments with space), a mutant he's heard of called the Big Ugly Bug (for obvious reasons) sees him and calls out to him.  The BUB seems eager to talk about Origin with him and while clearly proselytizing is also quite personable and interested to hear Troll's opinion.  Apparently BUB has served the "legitimate" government several times in stopping the most homicidal mutants who've shown up, though they seem powerless to stop the Council of Purity.  While Big Ugly admits that things aren't yet "right", he's clearly confident they will be.  He also implores the Justice Squad to come to town, mentioning that the more "heroic" mutants who come, the more it mitigates the current problems, both perceived and real, and thus the more likely the "experiment", as he calls it (Sihn notes this is a controversial term - many mutants call it a "beginning" and disdain anyone who considers it might not work out) will be successful.  Big Ugly also offers to let Troll stay at his place, pointing out that any new mutants showing up basically either live in the street or have to stay with someone they know.  He indicates maybe it'll get better when the media leaves since sometimes their campers "remain behind" (as he puts it) and can be reused.  The Troll is quite friendly with BUB, and accepts his offer (with appropriate caution of course.)  He's very interested in what BUB has to say, but he assures him that there isn't much chance of the Justice Squad moving to town.  At this points their roots are too deep in Detroit.  He's sure that with enough mutants like BUB things will straighten out in Origin. 

Lefty wants to see and interact, too.  He reminds the Troll this could be the only chance in "his" whole life he'll ever get to see such a thing and if he isn't allowed to see it now he may as well shrivel up and die.  And he says he'll be "very, very quiet and very, very careful and only speak to whom you want"  The Troll explains that "grounded is grounded".  He adds that if he doesn't follow through, then he isn't being a very good parent, and that Lefty has to realize that rules are rules.  Lefty pouts and whines a lot when he and Sihn are alone.

After a day and night in Origin, the Troll bids farewell to the Big Ugly Bug, having enjoyed his company the prior evening and hoping to see him again soon.  It's a quiet morning in Origin as he takes to the road.  The end of the week finds Aela meeting up with Eliot in Phoenix and they head off to Manila.

While Sihn's away, his paper on mutant genetics, "A Practical Classification scheme for Mutatant Humans." is published in the credible Harvard University press niche magazine, "Mutation Theory Quarterly".  It draws some attention and establishes Sihn as a credible though at this point unremarkable field researcher..

Meanwhile, Gere-luce is busy with building out the headquarters for the Justice Squad, based around Laughton Agency.  it will take several weeks to complete this project.

Suzanne Palmer, in the wake of her success in defending Sammy, has started to get a few requests to be represent different mutants in Detroit and other cities, largely due to her success in defending Sammy.  Most of the cases are civil rights and hate crimes things.  Two are individuals willing and capable of paying her, one a hideously deformed mutant in Detroit knows as "Bottom Feeder" though not by his choosing, who wants to sue the company that fired him, claiming his work suddenly went downhill.  He believes his new boss couldn't stand the sight of him.  The other is a female mutant in Cleveland who works in the porn industry due to her unique sexual abilities; she claims she was sexually assaulted by a director and she wants Suzanne since it'll be hard enough to make the claim as she work in the porn industry, and that much harder being a mutant.  The ACLU is asking Suzanne to do some pro bono work and assist in a team of lawyers, including the famous Durshowitz, in defending a lobster-like mutant in Dallas who supposedly attacked a gang of teenagers; the defense claims the reverse, that "Lobster Cowboy" defended himself against the teenagers and inflicted injuries only as necessary.  A paying opportunity is present right in Detroit as the Urban League is willing to pay, though only at half rates, for Palmer to wholly defend the Amazing Nothing Thing, a mutant who's barely even known to exist as it's thoroughly desolid and invisible and only detectable by certain electronic sound wave measurements.  The ANT insists he was subjected to several months of undue harassment by the police just because he's a mutant.  How does Suzanne react to these?  There's several in the crank file, by the way, such as Jericho Lad, who believes the Canadians are coming across the border and sleeping in his basement "just because I'm a mutant".  He wants to sue the American and Canadian governments for failing to prevent them from crossing the border.

Palmer begins following up on all these cases.  She spends time immediately helping Bottom Feeder, checking to see if the proper HR routines were executed and looking for inconsistencies in the company's story.  She finds that the proper warnings were not issued.  The company's claiming extreme, dramatic decrease in Jake Finnegan's (real name) work.  Very few employees want to talk at all but she does find a couple peers who are willing to say they observed no changes.  No managers. She also battles her client on his use of his negative moniker; he's defiant but her expertise convinces him to use his legal name.  

Suzanne also begins preparations for the other cases, agreeing to do what she can for those serious inquiries and politely responding to the "crank file" messages - in some cases even meeting re those.   In all cases her approach is earnest, not asking for up-front consultation fees in most cases, knowing many may not be able to afford her help and in some cases she can't even help.   As she meets with the "crank file" folks, she finds some are happy she's written or met them.  Others are raving lunatics who think she's "in on it".  Jericho Lad seems to just want a friend - he's quite willing to pay for follow-up visits.  She gets the impression he's more in need of a psychiatrist, but in any case he's latched on to Suzanne.  His collection of dolls is amazing.  He talks endlessly about the Canadians and their links to the UFO community.

Also, a few days after the adventure of rescuing Lefty ends, Suzanne is visited by her old friend, the DA, James Daniels.  The conversation starts well enough, but Suzanne is a bit startled as Daniels says, "So I know you're retired, but still I wonder if you'd ever consider practicing law here in Detroit, in my office?  We could use a fine attorney like you, despite the - ah -  connection you have to the mutant community."  After some more discussion, assuming Suzanne asks a few vague questions, it becomes apparent he has no recollection she worked for him in the past.  He believes she has been an independent lawyer serving various cases, both for the government (his own office on occasion) and for private individuals.

After a day her father calls, the first time since she quit the DA's office, and chides her for "working as you please" since leaving college.  His memory is also quite different than hers, the one she at least perceives as reality.

These inaccurate histories bother her and she begins checking her own past.  On paper it looks as she expects.  Of course, she's also unsure how to ask people there, so what do you remember?  Knowing that might target them for a revision if it hasn't happened, but since she thought of it now, maybe it's too late to worry. And she thinks to herself that she knows how squishy everyone's brain is.  When Velda happens to walk by and as she's wont to, comments on what she sees, Suzanne realizes she sees an entirely different document.  It appears her alter ego is "fixing" her association with the governmental institutions.  The problem is that it will create more questions than answers in the long run, or when/if anyone finds inconsistencies.  In the meantime, it makes for an interesting guessing game since Suzanne seems to be the only one not knowing her own work history.  The Justice Squad and their associates seem to believe what's consistent with Daniels.

She asks Laughton what he thinks of her doing some work for the DA - and is not too surprised when he also has mentally rewritten her history.  In any case she tells him about the other cases as well. They might bring some more work into the agency for that matter, she thinks, and is correct as Caruthers and Manny both work elements of the cases where that can be afforded.

Meanwhile, at Laughton Agency, Manny tries to call her Palmy or Suzie but otherwise is a perfect romantic gentleman, giving her a rose every so often, sometimes on days she could use a little attention, and careful to treat her with great respect yet also as a woman.  On the other hand, she knows he has at least one other active girlfriend and suspects more.  Still, he seems to have good intentions.   Nonetheless, she's sure to ignore him as he uses the Palmy, Suzie, or other y type name.  She otherwise enjoys his company, but not anything further, thinking:  A) he's a co-worker; B) he's a werewolf; and C) she hasn't been dating for a while.  She had a string of boyfriends that  just started showering her with gifts and just being too (oh what's the word?).  And of course when she broke it off, they would be upset for a bit and then act as if no interest was ever there.  So she's been a little stand offish for a while.

None of this stops Manny, who asks "Sue" (if that flies) for a quiet and he emphasizes non-romantic dinner.  Assuming she goes, he'll explain that he's willing to just be friends but admits that's not a role he's accustomed to with the fairer sex.  He wonders if she wouldn't mind coaching him a bit, since she seems like an intelligent woman and someone he'd simply like to know better.  He seems sincere.

As time permits with the legal cases rolling in, Suzanne begins looking for a new apartment.  She wants something closer to the office, in part because she seems to get called there at all hours and this way she can leave her BMW in the agency garage.  Of course when Hell hears Suzanne is looking he offers her to room at his place.  

She also calls on Buffy and Willow, for mostly social reasons, but she also want to ask Willow if she has any mental defense spells and if they're automatic or anything.  Suzanne would like to find someone she can trust who she doesn't have to worry about her other self modifying.  She's not ready to tell anyone this, but is just looking at this time.  While her week back is too chaotic, she plans to go out the following week with the gang.

Sammy is unusually unavailable; unknown to the group, he's preparing himself to act as an Elvis impersonator - one good enough to actually be Elvis!  He studies at the library and spends hours perfecting manners of speech and singing style.

Upon return to the office, Laughton notes when he checks the moon phases, in doubt and in response to Sihn's assertion, he realizes that he was with Manny on the 10th, interviewing him informally in a bar late in the evening.  A little reading reveals that all werewolf forms should have been manifested that evening, minimally until the wee hours when arguably it was no longer full, though all lore points to even longer werewolf forms for most.   And that's if even one admits such a thing is possible.  Laughton makes a note to more thoroughly watch Manny on the next full moon, but tell Sihn about it just before Sihn's trip.  Sihn indicates perhaps Manny's manifestation is more centered and shorter term, at least that's possible - but no doubt he's a lycanthrope per the findings.

Soon after returning to Detroit, Hamlet meets the Comet.  Comet appears to be a volatile sort but a "true hero" kind of guy.  He's a little put off by all the secrecy Laughton embraces, complaining as to why they can't just go to a nice restaurant and wondering if Hamlet will show him around Detroit - in hero guise.  He seems to want a little publicity.

Comet gives Laughton a disk containing his Fisk/Kingpin notes.  He says that Laughton better be very careful - he thinks Fisk is getting close to finding out his secret identity and he's worried for his own loved ones.  At one point or another, when the subject of personal sacrifice comes up, Laughton gets the distinct impression that Comet is getting cold feet - he probably has a family.  In fact as Laughton has checked it out, Comet has done little against the Kingpin in the last couple months.  On the other hand the Wombat has gone full steam and has been suspected of several murders in an office building linked to Fisk circuitously through some corporate investments.  Laughton assures Comet that he is being very careful, explaing that he just broke open a Kingpin lab in Canada and is well aware that repercussions are already on the roll.  He doesn't want to become too bright a beacon on the radar map.  Of course Laughton doesn't mention the fox force five episode to Comet.  "Careful is my middle name.  Besides, I'm the world's greatest detective, your data is safe with me."  Laughton's hubris is unnoticed by the similarly egotistical but much more flamboyant hero.

In what spare time Laughton can afford, at Comet's request, he introduces Comet to the Justice Squad still in town, as the Troll has already left.  Laughton, finding Troll has gone on vacation, thinks to himself, "Vacation?!?!!  That SLACKER!  Laughton is working himself to the bone to track down the evils that are about to befall them all, and Sihn goes on a merry little jaunt?  Bah!  I bet she's not even pregnant."  The Comet simply collects name and glad-handles the crew.  He appreciates Sammy's naive awe and makes what appears to be a perfunctory pass at Suzanne, then looks to get some publicity shots with them and asks them to a high-profile dinner in hero guise.  

Of the 3 addresses/names Laughton has found of the once-schoolmates of Fisk, one is in a rural area in northern Scotland and two are in the States, one in Exeter, NH, and one in a shack on Mount Rainier.  As they don't respond to phone calls, he resolves to visit them in the coming week.

Laughton's follow-up with an old crime boss in NY, Goldman, yields nothing - just a hang-up.  The middle-aged Rivera in Miami talks for a bit and as the conversation becomes obviously centered around Fisk he just laughs and says, "You a funny man.  I never bite the hand that feeds me - or can squeeze the life out of me without a thought."  Laughton responds, ""The only way to stop a bully is to stand up to  him.  Alone we are gnats, insignificant and useless.  together we are eagles.  If we combine forces, and efforts, the hand will not be able to reach the dog."    Laughton tries some minor pressure techniques on Rivera as he suspects there might be some hope here eventually.  While nothing happens in this conversation, the detective mentally bookmarks Rivera.

As one of the many asides in Laughton's life, he gets wind from another contact of a link between airings of the Millionaire game show and the activity in a certain government office in DC.  The suspicion is that the CIA is using the show to transmit subliminals to the nation as a few traces have been found of strange images in the airing but not on the actual video.  Also, several of the "contestants" on the show don't appear to have histories and have vanished.

Around the office, Manny is doing great, bringing in money and befriending Sammy in particular.  Velda seems to like Manny but is out of sorts, sighing and dragging her feet during the day.  Laughton's not used to affairs of the heart but it doesn't take him too long to figure out that she's pining for Sammy, who doesn't really get her romantic advances.

The Week of January 22

Sammy continues developing his Elvis persona but moreover is busily trying to get a gig.  The week is a bit frustrating as it's hard to find an opening in Detroit; people just don't want an Elvis sound-alike/look-alike.  But just as he wonders if he'll have to relocate to Vegas, as he dines at the mob restaurant Bartoni's, he overhears that the casino where the Justice Squad fought Shooter, Medusa, and Dr. Normal is looking for a booking.  He goes to the casino and auditions - they don't want an Elvis act but he's so impressive they hire him for a few weeks, starting the following week.

Laughton heads out for the week, telling people he's going on vacation in order to keep his tracks covered as well as possible.  He heads out under an alias and in disguise as a typical tourist to Miami, first stop as he determines to dig up every possible detail on the Kingpin.  First he hopes to dig up the Wombat but doesn't have high hopes, knowing what precautions he would have instilled if he were in the Wombat's place.  Yet through persistent digging and some lucky detective work, he manages to get the Wombat's attention.  He > guesses correctly where Wombat will likely seek him out and they run into each other in a horrid neighborhood - an abandoned house at the scene of Wombat's greatest victory/crime, where he slew a villainous mutant pedophile ring.  Over a dozen bodies were collected by the police.  Since the Wombat has huge claws and that's his main weapon, it was an ugly sight.   Laughton is more than a little curious about the fact that Wombat's choice of meeting place is the scene of a crime/battle.  He refrains from making any comments though, what with Wombat's curt and specific dialog.  It's just as well, Laughton doesn't really groove into the whole psycho thing when it's not about conspiracy and paranoia.

Wombat is brief and to the point.  He hisses through his mask, his voice deceptively plain and simple.  But he's a man who's seen more human misery than Laughton would care to conceive of.  Wombat tells Laughton he keeps his information locked in his head.  He cannot, will not divulge his source of information on the Kingpin but he's got a person on the inside now.  What he can say is that Laughton should watch the Detroit Longshoremen and a certain business based in Miami but just opening a branch in Detroit called Windbreaker City.  It's ostensibly a clothing outlet operation, decent outer wear real cheap.  But it doesn't make any money and for a fact there's a link to Kingpin in there.  He can't say more without compromising his contact and Laughton will have to bear the risk of getting into it.  He also tells Laughton that the Justice Squad better start watching their backs and literally when they least expect it, expect it.  He makes no small talk, no chit-chat, has no questions for Laughton except for what Laughton also knows on Kingpin.  He makes it clear there will be no means of communication after this except similar on-the-ground work.  Laughton is comfortable enough (within reason) with this means, but he'd like a way of contacting the Wombat in the future from Detroit if there is a dire emergency.  If things go the way he plans with Fisk, there will likely be strong repercussions across the Kingpin's territory.  It's for the Wombat's good as well as his own.  The Wombat says for things that can wait 24 hours, Laughton should put an ad in the paper and sign it "Gerald from Lansing" He warns this is a one-time method, once used he'll ignore any future such ad.  He can give Laughton another method later.  As far as anything immediate, there is nothing short of massive radio/TV broadcasts.  The Wombat indicates he cannot compromise himself or "those I know" (he never refers to friends) with methods that involve phones or computers.

From there Laughton takes a weekend off (!) and learns to scuba dive while in the warm waters. He thinks it might come in handy if he ever has to investigate the Great Lakes.  He'll pose as a typical annoying tourist for the purposes of taking the class, wearing the loud Hawaiian shirt, Bermuda shorts, dark socks and sandals.  Of course he wears a straw hat and sunglasses to alter his appearance.

Then it's back to the grind for Laughton.  He will continue in his annoying tourist shtick and visit some of the entertainment venues of the Kingpin.  This is both to attempt to relax a bit, and to check out the machinations of the organization.  He sees nothing extraordinary in these places except for the degree to which seems thing on the up and up.  Laughton determines it would take a long investigation to find the presumed illegalities   At one point he sees Kingpin, literally surrounded by a coterie of followers, in a prominent Kingpin-owned club.  It's simply an appearance, seems he's checking in.  Short of a scene, there's no way to get to him.  It's obvious several of his henchmen are around, a few scattered in the crowd, and seriously armed.  Given Florida's gun laws, it's likely they're within the law.

Laughton also takes a couple quick trips to Exeter, New Hampshire, and Mt. Rainier,  Washington, to follow up on the old schoolmates of Fisk.  After a bit of research it dawns on Laughton the man in Exeter must be a secret UFO writer.  On Laughton's personal visit the man on Mt. Rainier, Freddy Dent, says, "Please, pass on to anyone you might need to, I live a simple life out of the way and if anyone asks me about good old Wilson, I just say I can only recall I didn't know him well but he was always a good kid."  The guy in Exeter, Theodore Guyver, known secretly in UFO circles as John X Doe, claims complete ignorance, insisting Laughton must be confused.  He doesn't let Laughton in from his porch.  Laughton makes like he is accepting the "ruse of ignorance", tips his hat and turns to leave, "Sorry to disturb you Mr. Doe."

Given the tip, Guyver makes a midnight visit to Laughton's hotel in Exeter, where he's staying one night, and taps on his window.  After checking it out, Laughton realizes who it is.  He meets him in the cold NH air as Guyver doesn't want to enter the room.  The UFO expert has little to really add except that he gets visits every so often from men who clearly want to keep Fisk's schoolmates from saying anything negative to anyone.  To Guyver this is odd; all he really remembers is that Fisk got to know several people in his grade and then both bedazzled and frightened them with tales of unmitiated violence and power; he seemed like a nascent serial killer and was known to torture and kill neighborhood animals, though only among his schoolmates.  Guyver admits he exerts a force of power that at that age was mysterious and invited followers.  Fisk wanted to make a gang that he claimed could terrorize the school and their parents into allowing them anything.  He was insistent that he knew how to make people jump, and created an enemies list.  Guyver is sure that Fisk and 2 other boys, now deceased, killed one child on the list and it was at this point the others started getting scared and one finally talked.  He remembers Fisk looking at them all and simply laughing, unmoved and unafraid, saying, "You'll all pay, my friends."  And all have paid, with those few who've lived carving a life out of fear.

Suzanne Palmer continues busily working various cases on her schedule.  Bottom Feeder is not an ideal client but she knows she's got a good shot at her defense.  She also begins looking closely into other sexual harassment cases in the porn industry for one of her other clients, not sure if this is winnable, and begins to get a more thorough briefing on the ACLU case. 

Apartment-hunting in Detroit isn't too difficult but with Laughton out of town she decides to wait on signing what otherwise looks to be a good lease; while the "world's greatest detective" may be a conspiracy buff, she herself is rather paranoid and could use his ultra-sensitive knowledge.

With her schedule becoming manageable, Suzanne gets to go clubbing and otherwise hang out a bit with Buffy and her coterie.  They appreciate the attention of what they've finally decided is a "hip mature influence" on their lives.  Unfortunately this also means Cordelia is around a lot, who seems less appreciative, though her ego is actually fragile underneath her snide bluster.  Another guy hangs out as well, Zander, who seems like a dufus but a well-intentioned one.  He doesn't seem to fit.  Then there's an older English gentleman who seems a bit old to be friends with these girls or even Suzanne, but it turns out he's some sort of mentor of Buffy's, part mage and part tactician.  Suzanne finds that Willow does have some spells that keep people out of one's mind, but she mentions that magic is something people should be very careful with.  She seems genuinely concerned when people bring it up, not out of fear but out of respect for its powers.  She mentions that her powers aren't automatic, they all rely on some sort of spell casting, but she does have a sort of developed sixth sense.  The young witch is very self-effacing about it, saying it's not that great, but apparently she can "feel" when an intrusion attempts.  

Though Manila has its rough spots, it is indeed a nice quiet respite from the craziness of Origin and recent events in Detroit.  Sihn meets the detective he hired, finding him an amiable sort and has several leads that point to the much smaller islands south of the Philippines.  He believes Lakura was from one of the cargo cult islands.  But he admits that everything is based on rumor and hearsay, that no one directly knows her and it's always, "Oh, she sounds like the girl my cousin told me about 5 years ago"  He ingratiates himself by offering to help the couple navigate Manila though he's fairly forward about wanting a little extra cash for it.  SIhn notice everyone in Manila seems to be hustling for money, though, and finds Manny to be an okay guy.

Eliot wants to contact local mutants and experts on local supers to see what they know of Lakura.  Mutants are technically illegal in the Philippines though in Manila there are many "private" clubs that clearly cater to them.  Customs, incidentally, does not inquire as to mutant status; the ban is rather passive, though it is quit clear to Aela and Eliot not to display their abilities openly.  The private clubs are the best way to navigate if you have a guide like Manny, through whom Eliot develops his own contacts.  Eliot meets several locals including the local celebre, the mutant whom people like to believe is simply a very strong human, called "The Thrillah in Manilla".  He's boastful but in a fun way and likes to talk.  He was in fact a professional boxer and is a huge fan of Ali.  Thrillah enjoys speaking with Sihn but has no info.  The Troll arranges discretely to go a few friendly rounds with him just for fun. The Troll hopes to pick up a few pointers, and get in some training.  He also suspects that this is the quickest way to make a powerful friend in Manilla.  The Thrillah loves this sort of thing.  Eliot can tell he's going light just a bit at first, then when he realizes how strong the Troll is he opens up.  The fight goes on a little while; the Trhillah seems to be less strong then the Troll but with more endurance and a little more grace.  He floats like a butterfly...anyway, the bout breaks up after a few rounds with some laughing and mutual respect.  The Troll invites The Thrilla to visit him sometime in Detroit.

There's a research hospital that Eliot's aware of that specializes in mutant research and has dispensation from the government to see and confidentially interact with mutants for that purpose.  He speaks with a Dr. Debord, a Frenchman who speaks fair English, who hasn't examined anyone he'd class as specifically Aela or, to his knowledge, Lakura, but he does indicate that the area does have a large number of water elementals and moreover he believes there's an underwater culture of mutants somewhere in the Pacific.  But he doesn't know where.  Sihn tells Debord that he's looking for his wife's mother, but doesn't mention anything about Namor and his city.  They agree to have dinner so they can casually share notes on their research.  Eliot doesn't let out anything he considers "secret," but it is nice to talk shop with someone who knows what he's talking about.  Debord comes on a bit strong at dinner, seeming to boast and brag a lot, none of which bothers Eliot, but just as Aela becomes put off, he starts to relax and become more charming and casual.  Either way, Sihn's just happy to hear someone interested in the work he's devoting his life to.  After a while Eliot realizes that he's had to fight hard for his position in both Manila, where they distrust his work, and in the competitive academic environment.  Of course no revelations occur but he's glad to trade favors in the future.  He also reveals that he believes there's a seminal water elemental gene that explains all water elementals.  It's a rather dubious, over-reaching theory but he does have considerable good work in it and enough to make it credible.  Sihn listens eagerly to this theory and offers any helpful pointers he can.  He asks Debord not to hesitate to ask if he needs help with anything.  Almost everything Sihn believes now was dubious and overreaching until quite recently, so he knows the drill.  He leaves Debord with a copy of his card to he can contact Sihn if he comes across anything that might be of use in tracking down Lakura.

Throughout his time in Manila Sihn gets no direct leads himself though Manny introduces him to a couple of his not-so-anonymous sources so Eliot can ask questions himself.  The information they have is indeed vague and built on second or third hand accounts.  Manny indicates the best thing is for him (Manny himself) to go to the various South Pacific islands and follow up on all the rumors and hopefully get closer to their source.  But he warns it's expensive and the best thing to get tongues to open up is in fact to bring cargo.  He proposes getting a friend who is a pilot to fly him down to those islands just as the American and Japanese fighters once did.  However, it's dangerous as the airfields are poorly maintained, despite the cargo cult natives' best intentions.  It will be costly for the pilot, who has a family, though Manny trusts him.  It will run $500 a day to employ the pilot and $250 a day for Manny. Also they need to buy cargo to trade for into at probably around $2,500 as well as minimal supplies at $200 a day (fuel primarily since they'll have to carry it).  And it may take many days.  While Sihn basically trusts Manny, he offers a sum that is a bit below what Manny is asking, then tell him that if they get concrete provable evidence he'll supply a $5000 bonus.  Manny seems a bit insulted at the lower offer.  He explains that it's a very dangerous mission and that Eliot should realize the investments required.  He suggests a deal - he will take the lower amount but Eliot should not be upset if he writes and needs more.  He explains that he's familiar with detailed invoices and can provide backup.  Sihn agrees to this, somewhat grudgingly.  He has a strong feeling that he's throwing his money away, but he figures it is still worth the gamble.

At Laughton Agency, Manny, the new detective, is becoming fast friends with Sammy, whom he calls Slimey affectionately.  Manny is a really nice guy and enjoys even taking Sammy out on a few errands.  He talks at great lengths about his last career as a journalistic reporter for the World Weekly News, uncovering strange things in the Amazon and chasing Bat Boy around America. He discovered Bat Boy originally, by the way.

Also, Velda has been really putting the moves on Sammy lately.  She seems more eager than ever, perhaps because Manny has 2 or 3 girlfriends even as he's putting the make on Suzanne Palmer.

The Week of January 29

Suzanne Palmer's legal work brings Bottom Feeder to a trial - a win in fact as the employer is forced to recompense him for lost wages and opportunities.  The client isn't particularly grateful.  Meanwhile a date is set for the trial of Ms. Merry Holes, the sexually harassed porn actress.  She becomes engaged in research in assisting Durshowitz on the ACLU case.  And this week marks her meeting of the Amazing Nothing Thing (ANT), the strange being who's barely detectable.  She can speak telepathically though it seems to take some effort from ANT.  He complains he's slipping away, that his mutation is degenerative.  Medical science has not confirmed, but then again they can't even really touch him.  The problem she finds is that his complaints have to do with bullhorns and such and it's very hard to determine how much is coincidental as he lives in a bad neighborhood.

After a time Suzanne finds Willow calling on her every so often and talking on the phone for hours.  She seems to have a sort of crush, not necessarily sexual, but not necessarily not sexual either.  In some part Suzanne observes that no one except Buffy really pays attention to Willow (Hamlet's reaction is sadly predictable).  In the meantime, Buffy enjoys going out and teasing and only on very rare occasion picking up guys with Suzanne around.  In particular Buffy seems to enjoy having a woman who's more independent and self-sufficient than what Palmer comes to know as the "Scooby Gang", Buffy's misfit legion.  Zander takes a while to get over making childish passes and an ass off himself in front of Suzanne.  And in the meantime Spectrum gets more experience fighting vampires than she'd ever imagine.  Buffy seems to attract them, like moths to flame, with much the same effect.

Sammy's first night at the casino as Elvis goes marginally okay - maybe he's nervous, maybe it wasn't the right crowd.  He doesn't hit his stride.  But the next night goes better and his 3 nights a week, 2 month engagement is on its way!  He gets his first check at the end of the first week, for $1,500. 

Back in Detroit and buoyed by the successful Christmas present to his ever-abrasive mother, SIhn continues with meeting her for lunch about once a week, a program he started just after the holidays.  He hopes to establish a better relationship with her, facing one of his "inner demons" (or in this case perhaps an outer demon).

He also finds that money is starting to roll in now from his patented facial creme.  He realizes that he stands to be fairly wealthy soon, and begins deciding what to do with his money aside from growing the base Gere-luce is working on.  He seriously entertains going into business, establishing a research firm or similar.  He also begins to work with his boss' boss at Stark Industries, the SI Mutations Genetics Specialty Lab Department Coordinator named Wanda Sherwood, and negotiates with her to begin contracting as he leaves the firm.

He also spends some of the week with Rogers, consulting with him on his intentions to establish himself as an expert on mutants, writing papers and giving lectures.  Rogers recommends a pop-friendly book on mutants, something akin to the things E. O. Wilson has done for myrmecology or Carl Sagan for astrophysics.  He hopes that Sihn can get opportunities to be interviewed on or even narrate cable/PBS documentaries as well as be one of the experts consulted on mainstream news shows.  With Rogers connections he's sure he can get a good publisher and reviews in large publications such as the New Yorker.  Rogers demurely suggests that Sihn not worry about being entertaining - he finds a way to inoffensively say that Eliot's stiff and scientific manner, so long as it's delivered in common-man terms and metaphors, will be a "trademark" that people will find both entertaining and engaging/sincere, particularly since Eliot's quite good looking.  Bob is willing to coach Eliot on speaking and they spend a few hours a week on this, which works out well as Sihn doesn't need to sleep at all and Rogers prefers to work in the early AM.

Work continues as well on Lefty's automaton suit; he hopes to craft it such that it can appear as Eliot Sihn while the Troll appears with the Justice Squad.  Catching up on his mail, he also finds a letter reaching out to him for a teaching post at SUNY as well as some lesser schools.  

Back in Detroit, Laughton catches up on a few things and gets wind from another contact of a link between airings of the Millionaire game show and the activity in a certain government office in DC.  The suspicion is that the CIA is using the show to transmit subliminals to the nation as a few traces have been found of strange images in the airing but not on the actual video.  Also, several of the "contestants" on the show don't appear to have histories and have vanished.  Laughton mentally says "Ah-hah" as he has been saying this for months, the CIA is trying to tap into America with popular TV shows.  He does some quick in-depth investigations to see if he can grab the signals of the show directly from the original airwaves and later in the week even taps Manny for assistance.

He also researches the Fox Force Five, following up on a few irons he put in the fire before leaving Detroit.  He wonders what are the FF5's prices and methods for hiring?  He thinks, "maybe the shoe fits on the other foot.  It would certainly throw some for a loop that the worlds greatest detective hires help to do detective work."  After a while, he does find there's some secure digital channel to leave requests and there's a few people contact points that spread word back through other circuitous methods.  Those people are hard to get to, none in Detroit.  He's certain that they carefully check out inquiries, and it's known they ignore many inquiries.  Pricing starts at $500,000 for quick jobs and the sky's the limit.

He also finds a pining Velda; while he's not used to affairs of the heart, it takes him no time to figure out she's wanting Sammy who doesn't get her romantic advances.  He wishes he could help her out but Fisk plus the usual conspiracy digging is taking a ton of his free time.  Besides, he realizes that Sammy is still a child at heart, and perhaps not really ready for a mature relationship. 

The Week of February 5

The beginning of February federal agents appear at Laughton Agency to arrest Jonas Hell for violating the terms of his restraining order - he was spotted inside an NEA building by several employees who've signed an affidavit.  "Hell can go to his name-sake", Laughton thinks as this is hardly the best time.  Laughton then puts Suzanne on this issue with some pointers about where he thinks she should  or could best get some success.  He's now certain there is more than meets the eye to the NEA, and puts it right at the top of the list as soon as Fisk is taken down. 

Not wanting the lead on the CIA/Millionaire broadcasts, Laughton works with Manny.  The patterns from the broadcast do seem suspicious.  Manny's seen this before but he's not so sure, he thinks it's just the regular random influences of sun spots and ambient radiation.  But after applying a little chaos math based pattern checking and some fuzzy logic, Laughton is sure there's a repetition which alone is odd.  There's publications to send results to who'd be interested and sympathetic.  It takes the better part of a week but something's been exposed!

Manny continues on the new lead.  With Hell in jail and the specter of Fisk, Laughton realizes before exhausting too much energy that this is back burner stuff, as the organization likely involved is both too big and too entrenched in the black ops to really do anything about with out a great deal of investigation.

Laughton takes a little extra time to spend time with and watching Manny - February 8th is the next full moon.  He carefully observes Manny on the 7th, 8th, and 9th, even spying on him, in large part just to disprove Sihn.  He's rather smug as he confronts Sihn with the truth, there's no way Manny is a werewolf.

And Sammy turns in his first big check to Laughton, indicating it's for "billable hours".  Hamlet asks what this is, of course, and Sammy explains he's been impersonating Elvis at a local eatery.  Outside his life as Elvis, Sammy enjoys time as permitted with Lefty and Manny.  Manny seems to equally enjoy Lefty's company, probably in  no small part due to his familiarity with strange creatures in his past job.  Eliot is still a bit suspicious of Manny but at least pleased to see him carefully watching out for the two youngsters.

Velda goes to see the new Elvis impersonator, and Elvis-Sammy blows her a kiss, coming down off stage and singing part of the song to her, along with some of the other ladies in the audience.  She doesn't quite swoon but is enthralled.  She thinks to herself, "He's good, but I know the REAL Elvis."

Speaking of which, Velda and Sammy do manage to spend some time together as Velda does go site-seeing with Sammy, going around Detroit.  She starts asking him lots of questions on Memphis and Tennessee in general, how it compares.  Sammy finds that Elvis is her major interest, but she does enjoy swing dancing and long walks.  On a blustery February Saturday afternoon, on such a walk overlooking the frigid waters of the Great Lakes, she keeps getting choked up and starts to ask, "Elvis, don't you..." then she says  nothing.  While Sammy may not catch it, she wants to tell him how she feels but continues to be the martyred would-be girlfriend, in large part simply too afraid to speak directly to her life-long idol.  Meanwhile, Sammy tries to pick up some Elvis lore from her -- and pick up some new dance steps as well.  Sammy heads off that Elvis comment, by pointing out a Bojangle's (or similar Denny's-like restaurant) and suggest they have a nice cool lemonade --- then to a nice underground shopping center or mall to escape the heat and keep clear Velda's troubled mind.

At the Sihn/Oceanchild household, one night when Eliot wants to stay home, Sammy asks if Lefty can go out on the town with him.  Eliot scrambles for an explanation and Sammy plays along - at least he's a good actor.

In the weeks since the publication of Sihn's work, in Mutation Theory Quarterly, his work has garnered more attention and he has received some correspondence from academicians and fellow field researchers.  His confidence in his next publication seeing a wider audience and response is bolstered.

Sihn spends time working on the suit, developing his contractual relationship with Stark Industries, but moreover developing his thoughts on a universal mutant theory.  He begins assembling notes and considering how to build on what he's learned to date.  This is a difficult task and he realizes that though he's made considerable progress a real break-through will require more work, particularly on the more peculiar, inexplicable forms. However, he does have the building blocks and now enough information to develop a "limited" unified theory, one that points to where more research could be done but has a particular focus on the common mutation forms.  He's confident that the ambient radiation theory already commonly touted does have bearing but knows it is not a total explanation.  He feels either a gene-altering viral element or heretofore unidentified influence is the base element, with radiation as a sort of catalyst.

For the second week in a row, Sihn goes to lunch with his irascible mother.  She asks, "What you do wrong?  Why you > take me out like this?"  Eliot smiles and lets it pass, while in his mind reflecting how in reality, the emergence of Lefty and Aela's pregnancy have got him thinking more about parenthood, and thinking more about his mother.  So he's resolved to do his best to reconcile with her.  He ponders that it may have to shoot up with ego-boosting drugs, but he's sure he'll stick it out.

Suzanne spends some more time on the ACLU case.  t's a team so the work isn't overwhelming but high pressure.  She takes her first of what will be a few trips to Texas  Durshowitz is hopeful and given media attention and recent rulings in Texas hate crimes, the odds are this should be a good ACLU victory.

Over the last two weeks, as Sammy is about the base during construction, he acts very pleased with himself.  It's noticed though no one's quite sure why...

The Week of February 12

The mysterious magnificent Elvis impersonator is beginning to get local and regional acclaim.  Newspapers want to know who this person is, though the person only maintains their Elvis identity.  Fringe papers bolster his claim and point out similarities, claiming the very subtle differences (and they are indeed subtle) are due to it simply being over 20 years since his disappearance.  Sammy/Elvis enjoys going out to big meals and lives up to Elvis' legendary appetite, though he doesn't seem to gain weight.  It's an age of miracles and wonders, and few question it.  But Laughton, having just received checks from Sammy, quickly adds it up, particularly as in the last few weeks Sammy has asked for pointers on secret identities and such. 

Before Sihn and his mother's third weekly lunch, she calls him demanding $2,000 saying "This very important, you help mother now.  I make you born, so you help.  It not easy having baby like you, you know, you painful coming out and bad little baby, make me lose years of life."  He says he will only give her the money in person and hands it over while they lunch together.  While at lunch, he asks her what she needs all this money for.  If she is in trouble, he'd like to help.  She brushes him aside but pauses when he asks her if she needs  help - it's almost touching, in the context of their dysfunctional relationship.  He reiterates that if there's any kind of trouble he can handle it but she simply puts up an emotional smoke-screen by side-stepping the issue and finding something to criticize him about.

After the lunch Sihn goes to Laughton and asks him if he can have someone look into why his mother needs so much money.  Laughton assigns Manny, and it doesn't take long for him to find out that she has a gambling problem and is indebted to none other than the Tocci organization.  Apparently she goes to an illegal casino, where her tab is way over-extended.  At this point  they lean on her to give them money every so often, but are allowing her to build up a tab that  suggests she'll either owe them a favor or worse.

 Sihn seethes with rage at the Toccis.  "Their time is coming soon, " he thinks, but he realizes something like this needs to be handled carefully.  First, he goes to the Chinese priest who has been so successful in helping him deal with his anger.  He tells him about the problem and ask what kinds of things can be done through the Chinese community to address this sort of addiction.  Somehow, Sihn can't imagine his mother attending regular outpatient rehab meetings (though he could be wrong - it might give her a good forum to talk about her ungrateful son.)  The priest says she'll only seek help when she admits she has a problem (obviously not a revelation to Sihn).  He suggests a special  herbal tea mix; it's not a drug nor is it a spell, but if Sihn will persist in using it at their lunches, it will help her see things more clearly.  Sihn is quite dubious about this, but he feels he should comply.  The priest indicates results are not guaranteed.  He adds that she will need Eliot's help, but not to foster her  dependency on gambling, rather what westerners call an intervention.  It will be unpleasant, he warns, and again he cannot guarantee anything.  But start with the tea, he adds, and keep her drinking it in his company 2-3 times a week for a week or two and then attempt the intervention.  If the intervention fails, he advises, try again.  Do not give her money, he admonishes Sihn.

Then he consults with Laughton re calling Tocci and finding out how deeply in his mother is.  Laughton tells Sihn that Tocci is now Kingpin's stooge and runs the mob in Detroit only as a figurehead, advising him to use a secure channel or untraceable method.  Sihn follows his advice and finds a way to safely call Tocci.  He tries to seem unemotional and detached while doing this, guarding against letting his emotions get the better of him.  Tocci acts surprised and even like he doesn't quite know Eliot/Troll personally.  Eliot hangs up angrily.  But moments later he gets a call and a voice, not Eduardo's, on the other end, simply says "Thirty thousand and small change.", pauses and hangs up.

Suzanne Palmer continues to socialize with Buffy and the Scooby Gang, and Willow takes Suzanne aside and, stuttering most of the while, asks if Suzanne's aware that she's got some sort of others in her head.  Willow doesn't know if they're other spirits or simply other personalities, but she's worried for her new friend.

Meanwhile, the plans for the base are being finalized and many facets are already built. Sammy's as excited as a child going to the circus over the plans for his living space with its multimedia entertainment center.  Hell, out on bail, seems to know a lot about the construction that's begun in earnest upstairs as well as some things about downstairs.  He keeps giving Gere-luce direction to build him an "office" that's 5 feet tall and 20 feet deep by 8 feet wide.  The last 10 feet of it are a vault that is undetectable from the office portion, fire-proof, and will keep paper from decomposing for eons.  It also, if he gets it, will function such that part of the walls can be scratched into for a depth of about 3" and then covered up, so messages can be written into the wall and then concealed.  Only small, remote, sections of the wall would have this putty.

The office part will have no electronics other than a feed to a screen that monitors several cameras throughout the base.  Also, when entering the office it looks like it's full height so that anyone not knowing otherwise will stand up and if over 5 feet tall hit their head. 

Hell also wants his own self-destruct button, actually 2, one for the office portion of the space and one for the vault.

Gere-luce approaches Sihn about this, and indicates Jonas won't leave him alone on this, telling him, "Just get it done, the fate of mankind rests on it, ya little science freak."  Gere-Luce doesn't mind doing it (though he resents being called a science freak - this might encourage him to make a few "mistakes" like a 4 foot height ceiling).  Sihn and Gere-luce go over the plans and determine it's possible to fit in.    He'll essentially comply with Hell's wishes, but things won't be exactly the way they were specified.  After all, why stop at 2 self destruct buttons...

Meanwhile Laughton feels mildly ill, most likely a symptom of too much burning of the midnight oil.  He stays in Rodin form for a while and wakes refreshed and fully healthy.  

The biggest news of the week by far has global repercussions.  Late in the evening of February 15 and the early AM hours of February 16, the federal government, with The Captain as well as other pro-government mutants, storms Origin.  It's an ugly scene.

After the "massacre in the Mohave", the follow-up news indicates over the following days that initial "damage" estimates were exaggerated but still tragic.  743 American soldiers were killed.  Mutant deaths are less accounted for; the Mutant Liberation Front says "authoritatively" 719 mutants were killed.  The US government estimates 300.  The truth likely falls somewhere between.  Some 500 mutants were imprisoned (the government refuses to give precise details) and ALL mutants who did not leave Origin prior to 5 PM on the 15th are considered are considered accused of treason and wanted by the government.  Rewards are posted for anyone turning them in.  

The Non-Thinkers Guild has declared itself, "The Official Dictator of Earth" and "estimates officially", "All mutants are now dead but for 719."

The Justice Squad members are appalled by the government's actions.  While they wouldn't take sides, given the inefficient unplanned and over-the-top activities in Origin, they see no excuse for the massacre.

Riots erupt in several major American cities.

The Week of February 19

In the wake of the Origin fiasco, riots in major cities have turned ugly and in Philadelphia a pitched battle waged for over a week.  Many mutant heroes, most notably Spiderman, have refused to get involved in riot control although most have stopped "smaller" incidents on both sides of the riots.

Many cities have not exploded into such violence.  Detroit is among them but things are tense.  Mayor Berry is actually accredited with the relative calm in that city due to his laissez-faire attitude towards city mutants.  However, more and more buildings have gone up in flames and the NME has waged a publicity campaign telling humans to arm themselves.  Flaming Carrot has declared himself a "Non-Thinker" and is reading poetry in support of the "719 Grinning Corpses of the Bedouin Summer".

Suzanne Palmer has been asked by the 719 Society, the renamed legal and above-ground front for the Mutant Liberation Front, to join a team of lawyers to represent all mutants of Origin in a class action suit against Arizona and the US Government.  They are asking for their "homeland" back and $7.19 billion in restitution. 

Elvis-Sammy gets contacted by Michael Ovitz, interested in representing him and sensing a national talent, if only a flash in the pan (the jury's out on that).  Of course several other talent agencies are also reaching out to Sammy-Elvis.  Although Sammy enjoys being Elvis, he's not sure he's ready for anything like a national tour, besides which the Justice Squad might need him - he dimly remembers something about the Kingpin.  So he considers his options and in the meantime enjoys the publicity of being Elvis.  

And as he's considering it, Sammy goes up to Laughton when he isn't too busy, and brings him some nice dinner (turkey, mashed potatoes, and lots of thick gravy and stuffing), and Sammy asks how Laughton likes show biz?  He says to Hamlet, "So, I have this friend who has been contacted by Michael Ovitz -- he is an agent for lots of famous people. Anyways, my friend was wondering how he should best go about pursuing an agent, without messing up his regular life. "  Of course Hamlet knows what is up as Sammy's attempt at subtlety is transparent, at least to the self-styled world's greatest detective.

Meanwhile Sihn, while seeing his mother frequently and feeding her the tea, concentrates on work as well.  Financially independent, he now consults free-lance for SI, working with Wanda, who encourages him to pursue his tentative plans of forming Sihn-Tech, an independent research firm.  Apparently SI is interested in outsourcing arrangements.  As Sihn gets to know her, he finds she is a quite capable scientist, in contrast to the token (she's a black woman) some perceive her as.  She isn't the best manager but her technical skills are strong enough to compensate.  She doesn't treat her staff the best, though over time as she develops personal relationships with them it gets better.  Sihn is in a very different position with her, though, as a contractor and finds himself receiving the respect he's occasionally observed other external consultants automatically get.

Work on the base is now proceeding fast and furious.  Resources are pooled (including unspent reward money from the Toccis but moreso Sihn's some of new-found fortune and the Palmer trust fund), contractors are called in under strict mushroom-style instructions from Gere-luce, and considerable progress is made.  The primary work is scheduled to finish in a week!

Not sleeping is a boon to Sihn.  He continues to cultivate his still-tentative reach into the mutant underground, quietly observing in the dark, often literally underground, clubs that the mutant population, whether super-powered or simply super-deformed, socializes in.  He's becoming a regular, particularly at the closest thing to a purely mutant night club, the anonymous building known generally as the Border Crossing, over near the docks in SE Detroit.  It's almost an underworld  Cheers setting, with barfly regulars but with very seedy goings-on.  Troll notices that in any of these underworld clubs, because of their outside-the-norm status, the seedy comes with the social.  While he avoids attracting attention, the Troll is now among Detroit's best known vigilantes and always gets visitors.  Fewer approach him re criminal errands as he snarls at those requests, and the more legitimate approaches for work decline as well as he politely declines those.  The denizens of this society are not entirely comfortable with him yet; it takes time to build trust.  

Throughout this time Sihn and Laughton have been spending every spare moment studying to see how Fox Force Five could have so easily monitored them and known when to get Lefty as well as The Captain.  Since Sihn, given his interest in mystery books, has a special interest in this puzzle and keeps asking Laughton questions and mentioning things he could look up, Laughton mentions that he's glad to give Sihn a repeat customer discount - he's quite serious.  Sihn is willing to help Laughton finance the investigation, though he certainly considers it a shared venture.  Of course, Sihn thinks the fair solution would be a tax on the residents of Detroit, since they are the real beneficiaries, but Rogers has assures him that this is a bad idea - one never to be voiced in public, either.

In any case, once over the distraction of the CIA broadcasts, Laughton has spent considerable time checking the neighboring buildings, finding one lead.  It turns out a space was leased November 20th through December 31st, occupied just until December 5th, though.  The woman who signed for it, while not looking like any of the women (no surprise), paid in cash and simply left a terse note and money upon departure.  He also looks to see if the mercenaries used already-occupied spaces surreptitiously - Laughton is pretty sure that if he wanted he could share a residence with a typical suburban family for weeks and they would never even know it - but finds no evidence of this.  He also notes that the homeless population around the agency has diminished a bit and suspects some of the "homeless" were FF5 members in disguise.  He resolves to begin checking out satellite pictures and reviewing movements.  He also makes a mental note to keep closer tabs on the local transients.  It occurs to him this is actually a great task for Caruthers to take on as a daily chore.  Perhaps part of locking up the first floor, he can make a pass through the neighborhood and greet all the box-livers, Laughton thinks.  

Of course this is part of Laughton's other purpose - in the wake of the Hayes Parade article, Laughton is  beginning a campaign of ineffectualizing Caruthers/ minimizing Hayes influence.  It starts with subtle increases in Caruthers field work requirements and as above continues with worse tasks.  

Not surprisingly, when Laughton approaches Caruthers on watching and interacting with the homeless, Caruthers says he's too busy and wants to know what case in the world this would relate to.  Manny overhears and stops by saying he'd be glad to do it, trying to mitigate conflict.  Manny seems to like Caruthers, unlike anyone else in the office.

His curiosity piqued, Laughton follows up and finds out that Wulfenstein is helping Caruthers get his work done since it's a lot of crap work and as it increases it's apparent to everyone what's happening to Caruthers.  And then on Feb. 25th Maddy calls, she's visiting and she wants to "shake things up".  She isn't clear what she means.

Sihn combs through his material on mutants looking for any interactions between known mutants and the FF5.   He finds that the FF5 has contacted several known mutants, some of whom are in jail but none of whom either talk or, if they have spoken, know much.  As far as how mutants/agents who NEED work get in touch with FF5 - they don't. It's strictly a one-way call.

Sihn also reviews forensic evidence of the office the FF5 were suspected of using but given that it's been occupied sense, nothing of interest turns up.  Along those lines he secretly gathers DNA samples from Caruthers, Hell, and Velda to attempt to make sure they are who they are supposed to be.  He recalls how Holmes once remarked, "Once you've eliminated the obvious, that which remains, no matter how improbable, must be true."  Unfortunately (for his own sake) nothing suspicious is found.  

Sihn also thinks back on the attempted kidnapping of Sammy a few months back.  The JS had attributed it to ABC at the time, but the operatives involved seemed to be employed by an organization known as Omega.  He calls Terwilliger and see if he knows anything about this group.

When Sihn hears about the neighboring suspicious occupant leaving around December 5th, he believes this could be a clue.  Decemner 5th was about the time Maddy Hayes was in town demanding that Caruthers be given a more assertive oversight role in the Blue Moon.  That bears looking into.  Checking back, about December 5th had Caruthers asking Laughton to bury the hatchet...

Intrigued by the reported death of Daredevil, Laughton takes a day-trip to Chicago to find out if the news is true.  After bluffing his way in and then finding he needs to do a little fancy footwork to get alone with the body and find records, he manages to find out...he still can't tell.  There are suspicious marks/bruises around the dental area, but given Daredevil's many known injuries these may have been the result of necessary reconstructive surgery.  And fingerprints are worn down - but Daredevil might well have done that in life as well.

The Week of February 26

At the last Elvis show, this one a televised charity event hosted at the Riverside Casino (MCd by Jenny Tocci, a niece to Eduardo and reputed to be a good citizen involved in charities and uninvolved in the mob) Sammy-Elvis was unexpectedly pelted with tomatoes and even some rocks as trouble-makers came in and shouted "MUTANT!" during his act before and while releasing the volley.  This is apparently based on two speculative schools of thought, one that only a mutant could imitate Elvis so uncannily and another that Elvis is alive and young precisely because he is a mutant.

Elvisammy stops his show for a moment. As soon as the trouble makers are ejected, Elvis simply says to everyone that, "The Events in Arizona are on all our minds as of late.  These are troubled times that our country is going through, and as such, let us all try to understand each other. May god help our president in making the right decisions. Let us all have a moment of silence to honor those who have lost their lives and hope not too many more will follow them before this is through."  After the silence, the crowd erupts with applause, and a couple people have tears come to their eyes!  Everyone's impressed, including a certain Mr. Ovitz lurking in the audience.  Somebody hollers, "Elvis, you're a class act, man!"  Elvis continues with the show with more energy then ever!

Researching the Millionaire broadcast phenomenon, the only thing Manny finds is that the repetitions' frequency within the broadcast can be tied to some fancy math on the Egyptian pyramids.  To Laughton, this strongly implies the involvement of the Rosicrucians, an ancient mystic order (http://www.rosicrucian.org) that, like the Masons, has a public face.  In the real world, Miq, a few people, particularly in the UFO speculative fringe, believe the Rosicrucian Order is tied back to ancient aliens or Atlanteans (or both if one believes Atlanteans were/are aliens).  Laughton is aware and interested in this theory.

During this week Laughton mentions that he doesn't have an apartment any more.  He was never using it since he spent so much time avoiding surveillance (and surveying others).  And, while it's not unusual, he's gone a lot on casework and following up on strange conspiracies.  He's also attempting to find what he can to clear Hell of any charges.

As Sihn works out his next book, he uses the working title, "Different People - an Examination of Modern Mutation Theory and Fact," looking to create a book with both scientific and popular appeal.

The Big Ugly Bug contacts Sihn after the fiasco in Origin.  He made it out alive, barely, fleeing as the bombs started to fly.  He's pretty down-hearted.  He puts most of the blame on the activists in Origin, claiming they let things run away from them and lost a public relations battle that enabled the government to just step in.  That doesn't make him any less angry at the government.  He doesn't know what to do next or where to go.  Technically, he's a fugitive, though it's unlikely the government knows that he specifically is among those guilty of treason by virtue of staying in Origin too long.  Still, in the current witch hunt environment he maintains a low profile.   Sihn suggests that he can pay a visit to Detroit.  BUB can stay in Sihn's guest room till he figures out what he's going to do next.  Sihn is glad of his regenerative powers, because without them, Aela would kill him.  But a friend in need is a friend in need.  Besides, Sihn thinks, he can move BUB to the SihnTech building as soon as he gains ownership.  Sihn suggests that he come visit and stay with him in Detroit for a time, thinking in the back of his mind this probably isn't likely to gain any favor with Aela but a friend in need must be helped.  Big Ugly is grateful and will take him up on it, but mentions it will be a week or two before he can get there as he's going to see a few others on the way.

Also work on Sihn-Tech proceeds.  Sihn begins contacting potential employees for a beginning staff, and casts about the neighborhood as he needs a location and would prefer something adjoining the Justice Squad headquarters and Laughton Agency.  He's pleased to find the next door  insurance company wants to move and is a motivated sellers, it's hard to sell property in Detroit.  and Sihn, via Rogers, begins negotiations, knowing he can get the property for better than market value.  It's a large building and also will be used, Sihn muses, to give the expanding Laughton Agency a little more room - and for a change the flow of money won't be all from Sihn to Laughton.  Of course he realizes this large building is way beyond his current needs, and casts about for prospective tenants.  During one his night-time jaunts through the mutant underground, he comes across Flaming Carrot who mentions he has made friends with some sort of new super-group, the Mysterymen.  They're in need of a modest place to meet, looking for something small but private.  However, they don't seem to have much in the way of means and the way FC describes them, they seem a bit daft.  Sihn figures it's in the spirit of public guardianship as the Carrot swears to their sincerity and such, saying, "Ut!  They are good guy heroes who will be the John Waynes of Michigan, you will see," and a couple calls to a strange, short-tempered man (who makes a point of indicating he's short-tempered) called Mr. Furious, then calls with a more stable individual known as the Shoveler, establishes that they can at least pay $200, which will help defray some expenses for what will amount to a single office for them.  Sihn also figures that although they may attract trouble, that just means more samples, besides which if the Flaming Carrot comes around that isn't bad for the Justice Squad's image, either. After his Origin experience, The Troll is starting to become more accepting of the idea of being a guardian of the public.  He's even thinking about changing his name to something like "The Green Guardian."  He probably won't do that though, on second thought.

Suzanne mentions to Eliot that her friend Buffy and her team are looking for space.  Eliot is dubious about working with a teenager but finds out that actually her mentor (whom Sihn rolls his eyes to hear referred to as "the Watcher") will rent the space.  Sihn worries this is more charity but is pleasantly surprised to find Giles can somehow afford full market value and a tad more, making their space out-right profitable.

Also Eliot begins writing the business plan to satisfy the banks and secure a solid loan so it's not entirely his personal money involved.  Rogers is heavily involved

The base is being finished out (q.v.) - and just in the nick of time.  Terwilliger contacts Sihn and, unusually quiet at first, says, "Ah - yes...well I don't know how to tell you this........but as you may know the federal mutant prisons are, um, now full.  You know.  Because of this prisoners are getting redistributed all over.  Apparently during the shipping of Bogeyman he escaped.  I was told because, ah, he vowed several times to authorities that he would get out and murder all of the Justice Squad.  So another federal agency contacted me so we'd be on the look-out here in Detroit at all levels.  I suppose you should be on the look-out also.  You should know that many other criminals escaped as well but specifics were not shared with me.  Suffice to say we have little doubt that Bogeyman has fodder for a new gang and should be considered extremely dangerous.  I'm sorry, Eliot.  If I find out more I'll let you know.  I - well, I'm sorry all this has happened this way.  See you."

Sihn Responds, "That's good to know.  I appreciate the fact that you let me know as soon as you did.  I would also appreciate it if you could provide me with a list of the other escaped mutant criminals so we can be better prepared."  But due to government compartmentalization, Terwilliger has nothing to add.

The Week of March 5

Aside from the Bogeyman threat, Sihn spends too much time with banks and loan processes.  The business plan is created and now it faces the critiques of men who know less about biogenetics than his mother.  He does interview a few capable scientists and plans for the start-up activities and initial products to get working on.

While out at night, the Troll encounters Wilting Rose.  She's surprisingly gregarious, despite her heavy metal mistress image, and approaches Troll as she recognizes him.  She eagerly discusses crime-fighting techniques and the like.  She doesn't discuss what exactly she's up to these days as she's been out of the limelight but indicates it's some deep underground crime-fighting.