Rubbing her first knuckle along her inner brow, Maya was fighting off the beginning of a headache. It was like this most days for her as she seemed to have absolutely no telepathic ability whatsoever. This new training regiment was more than a bother to her. For the most part the Controlled Burn program was hardly different from previous training and exercises mandated by King William's previous attempts to jump start the Gulf Stream. The training was the same except for one largely obnoxious addition.

"Heya there, Sweet cheeks! How's my favorite mentally challenged elemental?"
Ghost growled not even bothering to look a the boy who'd fallen into pace beside her.
"Call me sweet cheeks one more time and I swear I'll suffocate you in your sleep." She couldn't contest the 'mentally challenged' bit. It'd said as much on her last psychic evaluation sheet.
"That'a girl!"
Ghost felt something pass through her shoulder. How many times would he forget that touching was a no-go? The young pup was intolerable, constantly fawning on her for information on whether it was a good day or a bad day.
"Bad day." She answered automatically after he withdrew his hand from inside her shoulder. "And this is the part where I tell you to mind your own business."

The long corridor was made even longer by the company, but they'd reached the portal that they both sought. Ghost built up the density of her fingers and depressed the necessary code into the keypad to release the door to enter her quarters.

"Wish you'd just let me."

She ignored the comment. It was important to her that she remain as independent as possible. It was bad enough that her superior officers were bothering her about how she was eating and how she was feeling. She was feeling fine! She was preforming her duties as magnificently as she had been since the day she joined the Jump Start initiative. Ghost drifted automatically toward the bedroom where her change of clothes waited. Jude, the obnoxious fawning youth of an Operator, followed her as far as the living room before splitting off to his own room.

The largest and most inconvenient change to the plan had been the addition of the Operators: those who by pheromone or telepathy could influence... no control the actions of others. They sat in on every power session, learning their charge's weaknesses and strengths as their own. Ghost's Operator, Jude Coilin, was an eager sprout and their relationship was an interesting one. Having been with the operation longer than most and possessing a power that was directly useful to the cause, Ghost vastly outranked Jude. She, like some others, had been saddled with a powerful, yet under developed Operator. She'd been charged with his training as well as her own. It was such a bother at times.

//...if you need help...// He prodded the mental link between the two of them causing the twinge Ghost felt behind her eye to bloom into a craggy pinch. Really these telepaths gave her such headaches!

"The day I need your help is the day I inject myself with Haywire!" She snapped aloud in response to his mental question. "If you're not changed in the next ten seconds I'm dragging you to the M-Sat naked! Worry about your own damn self already!"

Most Operators didn't live with their charges. Most trainers didn't live with their trainees. Their relationship was complicated. Ghost sighed glancing at herself in the mirror as she imbued her clothing with the power necessary to bring it to an incorporeal level like her own. It was harder to tell on days when she was mostly air what she looked like. Her cheeks looked a bit gaunt, but the damage wasn't too bad from what she could see. They were all just overreacting. So what if she was just a bit too see-through today? Ghost made a mental note to make sure to eat something soon. It was hard to remember when you didn't have a body to send you cues. Maybe if she filled out a bit more they'd all get off her back for a while.

Clothes adequately incorporeal, Ghost changed out of her uniform and into her training clothes. She took the time to touch up her dark red lipstick too. It was probably the one feature that was most easily seen today and to have it looking less than perfect would be irksome.

"Ready when you are, boss." The light call came from just beyond her open bedroom doorway. Jude had learned the hard way that stepping across that invisible barrier meant pain and suffering.

Ghost set the lipstick down on the counter. As soon as she withdrew her hand and her power it became as solid as the day it was manufactured. She wondered if she was missing something that would allow her to do the same. If possible she frowned even more.

"Let's go." Yeah. It was one of those headache days.

*M-Sat refers to the Mental Satellite, an arm of the training division that was added for the Operators training... just in case anyone was wondering.

This was probably her least favorite part. Not only did it always seem to take forever, but it was her last official duty before she was free to visit the X-Force for the day. She didn't have to say anything, the looks on Jude's and the other Op's faces made it clear that the desire for Ghost to visit the X-Force was much preferred all around.

It wasn't her fault that she royally sucked at this psychic link crap. (No, offense to King and Crown intended) She had a singular mind and that mind was entirely too used to wandering freely as it pleased. Ghost sighed and took her seat next to Marqus who seemed to have no problem slipping into the routine with the Operators. Ghost huffed a soft sigh that travelled past her dark red lips as she felt Jude take his place behind her. She looked around. It seemed like everyone was starting an exercise. Was she missing something?

//Yes, you are missing something! Quiet your mind already!// The psychic hiss made her jump slightly. Right. Quiet mind. Ghost rolled her eyes. Who's mind could be quiet when there was more than one inhabitant? That thought earned her another mental poke which in turn made her squirm again.

Ghost closed her eyes dutifully and tried to think of nothing. As soon as she shut off her internal dialogue she heard the instructor's mental instructions.

//...your minds are one. Operators, once your link is solidified take this opportunity to relax your charge. Begin to expel the tenseness of the day starting with...//

Ghost rolled her eyes even though her lids were closed. Many of the climate controllers thought this was the best part of the day: having someone invade your mind and take over your body was just so relaxing. Even as she baulked at the idea, Ghost felt the tenseness that had been gathering behind her eye ease slightly and her shoulders unknot. She felt like she was drifting in and out of range of the instructor's voice even though it was all in her mind.

//...are one. If you feel compelled, Operators, you may try... manipulate your charge now and attempt..... pick something up.//[/i] Ghost's mind locked onto the teacher's voice now, her attention keenly focused. //Your charges are in a state of relaxation so you may have easier access to the muscles and action center of the brain. Try it now...//

Ghost snorted and heard Jude behind her growl impatiently. Mentally she'd withdrawn from him. Pick something up? Was the teacher stupid? Ghost stopped and stiffened awkwardly, her body responding to Jude's power.

//It's a suggestion. Not a command. Relax, Chiquita, I didn't think you'd mind even if I...//

"You're right." Ghost shook off his command and stood, or drifted to an upright position, not caring that they were interrupting the class as she replied to Jude's mental objection. "you didn't think."

She wisped away. She might get in trouble for interrupting, for inhibiting the training of her inferior officer, for leaving the premises before her scheduled time: today she didn't care. She wasn't quite sure what was wrong with her today. She'd been less than solid for some time. Maybe it was just the fact that it was such a bad day. She was having a hard time keeping herself together today.

((OOC: apologies for length. X-Force introduction. Hope I got it all straight. and for the record: yeah... i likes the pretty colors. XD))

"You're early." He sounded pleasantly surprised, but Gary was like that sometimes. You never really knew what he was thinking, but you always felt that he liked you no matter what you were doing wrong.

She'd been loitering unsure of how to push that damn button. "Could you... uh..." He was also one of the few Ghost trusted whole heartedly. Sometimes she felt like she trusted him more than she trusted herself. She was also glad that he never seemed to outright accuse her of anything considering she was obviously skipping her duties at the training facility.

He depressed the button that granted entrance into the meeting room without hesitation. "Bad day?" The doors hissed to life, though neither made a move to enter.

"Worse. Think you could manage a hug?"

"I think I can manage." Gary smiled, he was always good for physical contact. Ghost knew he wasn't the type to ridicule or take advantage of people when they were emotionally foggy. He was her go-to guy. It really helped Ghost to know that there was at least one person who could synch to her exact level of incorporeality. It made her feel somehow less... alone. He emulated her power perfectly and wrapped his less than solid arms around her form. "You gonna make it?"

Ghost opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off. "How cute. Didn't know you two were a couple." Volcana arched her brow at the pair who were blocking the open doorway.

Ghost felt Gary nod to the temperamental seismic mutant as she buried her face into his shoulder to stop herself from saying something stupid. "Go on in, V, we'll join you in a second."

The saucy orange-haired vixen walked straight through them and pushed the door close button once inside.

"Look, you don't have to be here today. We can fill you in later if it's that bad..."
"I can handle Volcana, Gary." She regretted her acidic tone as soon as the words left her mouth. She knew that wasn't what he meant either so she tried again. "I appreciate it, really I do. If it gets to be too much I'll leave. Promise."

He ruffled her hair in a brotherly fashion before extricating himself. His power flashed in his eyes and he was all at once himself again: Emulator, the fully solid leader of the X-Force. He opened the doorway and slipped inside, leaving the door open for Ghost.

"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" She was practically purring with vicious delight. They knew the rules: X-Force was business. You date outside of the force.

"Like you haven't snogged a multiple." Ghost snapped and drifted past Volcana coolly. There was nothing between them anyway.

"I resem-I resemble-I re-I resemble that remark." Max's cacophony of voices echoed around the room. Ghost had picked on him since she'd felt Max and his usual multiple gang of 3 striding down the hallway toward the meeting room. Sometimes having her 3-dimensional senses constantly triggered was a boon.

Volcana wrinkled her nose. "You'd think with a hive mind, you'd be able to speak in synch."

"You-Yo-You'd think that wouldn't you?" He echoed. The truth was that Max usually did. He just enjoyed being obnoxious more.

"Where's Caitlin, Emulator?" Ghost settled into the proximity of a seat just as Dryad danced into the room. She couldn't help but think that girl was just too adorable for her own good, the daisies sprouting to form a crown around her head were just the perfect touch for a plant user.

"I'll address the group when they're all here, Dryad."

"Address away. I think I'm the last here today if Caitlin's gone." Marqus shot a look at Ghost as he took his place next to Volcana. He'd been in the class that Ghost had left early. Usually they came to meeting together once the program had finished for the day.

Ghost looked away feigning intense interest in every word Emulator was saying. She still felt a little guilty about that one.

"Okay then. There's no easy way to say this, but Caitlin decided she couldn't wait to go home to visit Australia."

A communal hiss went around the room. Australia was in an uproar. They all knew she'd been worried about her sapien family. Haywire was rampant. Even if she came back whole her chances of coming back un-infected... or being allowed to return at all were slim. Essentially it was an announcement that meant Caitlin was no longer a member of their team.

"Moving on with announcements," Emulator demanded their attention. In a kind way, he temporarily cut off all worries about their former teammate. "In a few weeks time an expert from Antarctica will be coming for some first-hand testimony on Haywire and for those who would like, a series of Haywire inoculations."

Strike and Ghost both groaned. They were rather tired of Haywire testimony.

"He may even be a former acquaintance of yours, Ghost? Files indicate he used to live in New York, an X-man even."

"It's a big place, Em, and I've been here longer then ever I was there." She was busy sharing a look with Strike. One of those 'you wanna get out of here?' looks. She needed to know how much trouble she was in for leaving early anyway.

"Well, he's scheduled for some work with CB, of course, but I've asked him to come down anyway. He's a well respected guy, I hear, and even if you guys are tired of it, It'll be good for the rest of us."

Emulator surveyed the room. Their force had dwindled yet again. Sure, the threat was considerably less these days, but it irked him to see his family falling apart. "Okay. I think that's it for now. Any who'd like to stick around are free to do so. No missions today, just news. Dryad or anyone else who'd like to meet me in my office, I'd like to go over some options for contacting Caitlin..."

Ghost breezed out of her chair like a coiled spring, unconcerned about the possibility of an X-reunion. Her life was here now and she'd potentially jeopardized that life. She motioned for Strike to follow her out into the hallway for a chat. He'd give her the skinny on how much trouble she'd be in for her little performance today.

"What's the damage?"
"You ran out like a brat. What more do you need to know?"
"You are so lucky I like you, kid."
"Luck has nothing to do with it." Strike sighed and folded his arms across his chest. He didn't like being cornered and he didn't ever indulge Ghost's attitude for all her physical problems. "You're gonna have to hash it out with Hawley, but they're not gonna just dump you out on the street if that's what you're worried about."
Ghost sighed in relief. She wasn't exactly sure what she was thinking, but Strike's words comforted her in some small way.
"Teacher pissed?"
"Nah - class actually ran a bit smoother without you."
Ghost moaned. "Am I really that bad?"
Strike looked as if he was about to say something, but changed his mind just before it came out of his mouth. "You just -- need to learn how to relax."
Ghost snorted. "Right. It'll come in time, I guess."
Strike shook his head in slight disbelief. Mentally, Ghost seemed to get the concept, though she never seemed to be able to act as she'd said.
"Eh - I guess I'd better take care of this sooner rather than later."
"Wise decision. Tell XiaoXiao I'll catch up to her later. I'm gonna stick around here for a bit."
Ghost smiled. She really liked Strike's roommate. "If I see her I will."

Strike waved Ghost off and slipped back into the meeting area. Right. She'd said it'd be best to take care of it soon, but she didn't have to look forward to it. She kicked at the wall watching her particles pool into smoky bits where her less than solid foot was forced to go around the very solid plane of the wall.

She didn't call ahead. Even though it was technically after Dr. Hawley's office hours, Ghost knew he'd still be there. In fact, she'd never not seen him there. Rain, shine, sick, well, day or night. She wasn't even sure if the man ever slept. Ghost hesitated outside of the closed door. The light was shining through the crack beneath the door. She didn't hear anyone inside, but was unsure of how to proceed. A normal person would have knocked.

"Dr. Hawley?" Ghost reached inside the small space with her power. Her voice echoed around the room. She heard a slight shuffle and then a call for her to enter.

"Uhm." She chewed on her lip unable to decide where to begin as she took her place before the large solid oak desk.
"I hear you left your controller's class early, Ghost." He cut right to the chase. Doctor Braden Hawley was not a man who beat around the bush. The man was shuffling papers around, but his movements suggested that she might have woken him. So even Hawley was human.
"It was wrong of me. I'll accept any punishment you see fit, but please allow me to continue on here as a Controller."
"Wouldn't know what to do without you."
"-and I will do my very best to n... wait... excuse me, sir?"
Hawley sighed. The crows feet and laugh lines that made him seem friendly now only seemed to define his age. "Ghost... Maya." He stopped his shuffling and focused all his attention on Ghost. The full power of his gaze was striking. "You are an excellent addition to our program. You've dedicated you time... your life... your body, some say, to this effort." Ghost shifted uncomfortably. She didn't know that Hawley paid attention that much to the goings on. "I would hate to lose you, Ghost, but behaviour like what you did today has to be discouraged. I think your problem is that you need a life."
"E-excuse me, sir?"
"A life? Friends? Family? I assume you have them."
"I'm a member of the X-Force."
"Yes, but you never seem to relax. X-Force is more work."
She shifted again unsure of where this conversation was going.
"I think you need a vacation." He said suddenly the idea seemed to be taking shape behind those fiercely intelligent eyes.
"Is that an order, sir?"
"It might be."
"Sir! I don't-I haven't... please, don't send me away. You of all people know that what we're doing here is important. You would jeopardize Jude's training for me to sit on a beach somewhere for a week? I'd only agonize over what I was missing here the whole time."
Hawley chuckled. "I guess you're right. Sending you on a vacation is too harsh of a punishment." He dug around for a form and started jotting something down as he continued to speak. "I'll need you to report to the Mental Wing for some remedial control classes. It'll be optional for Jude since he's not the one who needs the outside help."
Ghost blinked she wasn't sure which was worse vacation or remedial psychic classes... and Jude. She sighed. She'd need to apologize to him as well.

"Ghost?"

She snapped to attention, not realizing that she'd missed whatever he'd been saying.
"That'll be all for now. Dismissed."
She saluted and headed for home.