Franklin paused just inside the doorway and adjusted his duffle bag as he took in the sights, sounds, and emotions that made up the NYPD’s 18th Precinct. He could feel the fear of suspects as they were lead off towards the holding cells, the anger of parents who were picking up their delinquent children, and the exhaustion of overworked police officers. He could have mistaken it for the Fourth District back home if it hadn’t been for a group of physically mutated suspects that were handcuffed to a bench only feet away from him. They, or atleast mutants like them, were the entire reason why he was here. A man’s guilt should be determined by his actions, not their genetic makeup and he was going to do everything in his power to ensure that his people received the fair treatment they were due as living beings.

A sudden burst of rage drew Franklin’s attention from his inner thoughts and back on the room around him. He dropped his bag at the door and began quickly, yet calmly, walking the room as he searched with both his eyes and emotions. It was nearly impossible to ignore the hurricane of emotions that surrounded him in order to focus on the single fire that was the cause of his concern. He eventually found the rage in the form of a teen reptilian mutant sitting beside a desk where an officer was cracking jokes at the the young man’s expense. Franklin followed the mutant’s gaze from his slitted eyes to the Glock 19 at the officer’s hip. Thinking quickly, Franklin came up behind the teen and placed a peaceful hand on his shoulder and projecting calming sensations before speaking. “It is not worth it, brother. You will only prove him right with bloodshed. There are better ways to change simple minds.

With that said, Franklin turned his attention to bigot in front of him. “If I were you, I would become what garbage falls out of your mouth. You never know who is listening.” Franklin emphasized his last sentence with a sudden and quick wave of fear that made the officer buckle at the knees. Franklin flooded him with an even stronger tsunami of sorrow before speaking again. “Now if I were you, I would apologize to this young man and had him off to another officer.”

Franklin winked at the teen as he was being led away by the officer who was practically crying at this point. It looked like New York had just as far to go as the rest of the country in regards to human-mutant relations. Well, he had his work cut out for him and he better get started. Franklin retrieved his bag and went in search for his new boss.

Franklin eventually found himself outside of a door with a brass plaque engraved with the name Captain Edward Calder.  He quickly double checked that he was presentable before knocking on the door. “Enter” came the soft voice from the other side.


He did as commanded and found himself inside an ornate office that practically screamed of a man who was desperate to project status while appearing fiscally responsible.  The walls were paneled with imitation rosewood and covered with reproductions of fine art. For furnishings, the space had a tan pleather loveseat with a pair of matching chairs.  The largest object in the room was a day rosewood desk that sat directly across from the entranceway. Behind this desk sat a gorgeous twenty something whose attire could barely be classified as professional.  “Excuse me, I’m looking for Captain Calder.”


The young woman looked utterly annoyed that someone dare speak to her.  “He’s in a meeting. Sit down and he will see you when he is able” was all she said before returning to her whatever she has been doing on her phone.  Franklin chose one of the chairs and waited and waited and waited. It was nearly an hour later that an almost asleep Franklin was alerted by a voice emanating from the intercom on the desk.  “Amber, send Shinnick in.”


The woman, who apparently named Amber, merely pointed to a door in the corner.  What was beyond the door was completely opposite of the room he had his left. Where as the waiting area was the illusion of wealth, the Captain's office was the genuine article.  His desk was solid mahogany and flanked by kangaroo leather chairs. His walls were covered with awards and pictures of the Captain shaking hands with celebrities. The man himself also exuded wealth as he was clad in a finely tailored Armani suit.


“Welcome.  How was your trip?” the Captain said with an offered hand and a smile that was so white that it was almost blinding.


Franklin shook the man’s offered hand and opened himself to Calder’s emotions.  What he felt was a warmth that didn't quite feel real. It was almost as if it was a fog projected to mask the true feelings beneath.  Franklin instantly didn't trust this man and was put on guard. “It was fine, sir. I am excited to get to work.”


Calder beamed before opening a drawer in his desk to remove a badge and firearm that he places on the desk.  “I like your enthusiasm, Detective. I have just the job for you. In case you didn't know, we have a working arrangement with the X-Men that is for some reason on shaky grounds.  I want you to serve as a liaison between us and then. In fact, I want you working outreach for the entire community.”


Franklin was completely in shock.  “Uh, Captain. I’m a detective and my job is to solve crimes, I don't know the first thing about outreach.”


Calder’s smile turned to snear and for a brief second, Franklin could feel malice radiating from him.  “Your job is whatever I say it is. Did you forget that you were unemployed when I agreed to hire you. Your last captain flagged you as a trouble officer and no one would dare touch you.  But I gave you a chance. I would be more appreciative of I were you.” Just as fast, the smile returned and the emotional fog was back in place. “Plus, you'll still have time to solve cases.  It'll be good for public relations. No one can say we are prejudiced if we have a member of their community investigating them”


Franklin had to keep himself from snapping at his new boss.  “As well as ensuring that those who commit crimes against them are prosecuted, right.”


Calder was back down and waved at him dismissively.  “Sure, sure. You have a lot of work ahead of you, Detective.  You best get started.”


“Yes, sir” replied Franklin as he grabbed his new gun and badge.  As he made his way out of the office, the last thing he heard was Calder welcoming him to the MRC.

The relationship between the X-men and the police had been more than a little clunky since the rip opened, and then closed, leaving all kinds of confusing, half-solved cases and a re-branded SUPER in its wake. The X-men had to deal with the dubious reputation of their Alternate team; the years of hard work where they built a relationship with the cops had to renewed, if not mended. So, when word came down from the precinct that they are getting a new mutant detective, the team had to step up and send someone to meet and greet.

This all, however, was not really and excuse for Gawain to listen in on the conversation with the captain through a mirror in the corner.
And yet, here he was.

>> “Your job is whatever I say it is. Did you forget that you were unemployed when I agreed to hire you. Your last captain flagged you as a trouble officer and no one would dare touch you. But I gave you a chance. I would be more appreciative of I were you. Plus, you'll still have time to solve cases. It'll be good for public relations. No one can say we are prejudiced if we have a member of their community investigating them”

Gawain rolled his eyes. The new captain was everything but straightforward, and it was not exactly surprising that he'd say something like that. The detective, though... trouble officer? That could have meant a lot of things. Good or bad, equally. Hell, Rupert could be trouble if he wanted to be, but so could Jorge... He'd just have to wait and see for himself.

As the detective exited the office and turned down the hallway, the mirrorwalker stepped out of the reflection in a nearby glass door.

"Detective Shinnick?"

Franklin stopped in his tracks, he could have sworn was the only one in the hallway. He slowly turned around with his hand resting carefully on his new sidearm. When he turned around, he was greeted by a young man taller than him. How did he not notice him earlier? Franklin sensed no anger or fear from him so he cautiously took his hand off his weapon before addressed the young man. “Yes? How may I help you?”

The man's hand went to his side arm. Nervous much? Gawain had to admit, someone stepping out into an empty corridor was likely to spook someone not used to mirrorwalkers. He just hoped the guy would ease up eventually. Otherwise, this was going to be a bit of a strained relationship.

"Gawain Morris" he introduced himself, offering a hand in a friendly gesture. The sooner he explained things, the better. "Codename Mirror. I'm the... uh, the X-men's liaison to MRC."

Among many other things. Mirror was one of the better know faces of the X-team (thanks, Maxine), and since he already did a lot of the PR work (including AMAs, thanks, Brat Brigade) it made sense for him to greet the new detective. Hopefully, he'd be a good one.

This kid was an X-Man, they must train them young. Maybe the rumors about them being a child army were true. He needed to learn more about the team if he was going to work alongside them. Well there was no time like the present. Franklin made sure he projected warm feelings as he took the hand with a nervous grin. “Sorry about the gun, I must have not seen you standing there earlier. I was going to schedule a meeting with your team later. Since you know my name, I assume you already know I'm the MRC’s liaison.”

Franklin focused all of his empathic senses on Gawain as he asked his next question. “Could we head to your mansion now?

They shook hands. The detective seemed like a nice guy, Mirror was getting some friendly vibes from him. Or maybe he just immediately liked anyone who managed to get on the wrong side of the captain.

>>“Sorry about the gun, I must have not seen you standing there earlier."

"Oh. I'm a teleporter." Gawain grinned "Sorry. Most people at the precinct are used to it."

>>"I was going to schedule a meeting with your team later. Since you know my name, I assume you already know I'm the MRC’s liaison. Could we head to your mansion now?

Well, the guy was really not wasting any time. Mirror nodded.

"Would you like to drive, or do you want me to take you?"

Franklin looked him up and down while reading his emotions again. He couldn't sense anything negative out of Gawain, plus he had to be honest that teleporting sounded interesting. “We can teleport if you want. Do I need to do anything?”

He was ready to go, and not opposed to teleporting. Gawain suspected the detective had not been briefed yet on the abilities of the X-men, but then again, he did not know what his powers were either.

"Just hold on to my hand. And if you get left behind, don't panic, I'll come back for you."

Taking the man's hand, Gawain pulled him into the mirror world. Slipping from one reflecting surface into the next, they traveled from the precinct to the mansion. The mirrorwalker knew the best routes and the shortest ways from mirror to mirror; it was not the firs time he made the trip.

Once they exited the mirror in the Mansion foyer, he let got, and gave the detective a few minutes to get his bearings.

"Welcome to Xavier's."

Franklin instantly became dizzy and nearly fainted before regurgitating the Cinnabon and coffee that was his only meal since landing at the airport. He had never been through an experience such as this and immediately knew he hated it. He couldn't even put into words what had happened to his body and he subconsciously checked to make sure all of him was still there. He vowed to never go through that again. “What the hell was that?”

The detective looked more than a little shaken after the trip through the mirrors. He looked ready to faint, or throw up, or both. Gawain knew that some people handled mirrorwalking worse than others, but honestly, it was the detective who'd picked this way of traveling. Maybe he'd think about it next time. Stepping back, Gawain gave him a moment to breathe.

>>“What the hell was that?”

"Mirrorwalking. I teleport through reflecting surfaces." he explained "It can be disorienting, but it's harmless. I also walk into movies... a lot more disorienting, but also harmless."