(Continued from An adventure like no other (Solo))

Streak had lost track of the time as he flew over the Southern Ocean. The only way Streak could catch a glimpse of Antarctica was by flying into space. It's not that he didn't like flying that high it's just he didn't want to attract attention and it was really a lot brighter than in pictures. There was no sign of the colony from the altitude that he was at. It was all white ice and blue waters from up there. He didn't know where to start so Streak dove down through the atmosphere and started by looking from the outside in. All throughout the world there were rumors of where it was located, but Streak never seemed to be able to find the right people with the right information.

His trip to get here had definitely been an interesting one. Nevertheless he had arrived at a resting point...for now. Streak had no intention of making this his permanent home but he did think it would be a good vacation spot. Silver moved along the outer edge of the continent and worked his way inward. Streak landed on the densely packed snow and ice and started looking for any signs of the colony. No matter the cold or the harsh conditions it didn't seem like such a bad place to be. Streak passed some polar bears eating a seal, they seem to be doing well. He thought as he walked past them with considerable distance. In doing so he walked right into a group of penguins. That caused quite a commotion and even the polar bears, who were into their food lifted their heads to see what was going on. After flying up to get out of the way of the penguins, Streak flew only twenty feet or so off the ground. He didn't want to fly really high because visibility was starting to get poor.

Silver made sure that he was clear of any animals and landed once again on the hard ice, and almost fell down. He then fashioned a pair of silver ice skates on his feet and started skating on. Shaking was a lot faster and stabler than walking. It was fun being on the ice. Since there was no one around, yet, he pretended like he was a Olympic speed skater. He was making great time. Streak slowed down once he started to see lights in the distance. Streak flew the rest of the way to the colony. There was a lot more there than he thought there would be. As Streak passed over over the outskirts of the colony he saw many building that all seemed to be linked together. Streak landed at the edge of the colony and slowly started to walk towards the main area. He wasn't sure how to get anyone's attention there so walked around looking for people. "Apparently people don't spend much time outside here." Streak said jokingly to himself. He looked around and said, "I don't see a door bell anywhere, so how do they get new people?" Streak stood out in the snow waiting for someone to come out.

Garrett had been studying the recent charts he had created detailing Maya's condition, looking for any type of pattern which might lead him towards a cure or treatment for it. It would have helped to have some other kind of scientists handy, as her metabolism and body chemistry could only loosely relate to that of the average patient. Of course, in a place where every person has their own unique set of challenges, a free thinker was vital to the task of treating any of the colonists.

He received a message on his comm-link. He had taken it off, finding it irritating to wear for long periods. He saw the blink and could hear something on it , so he put it back in his ear. Dr. Wills, respond please. Observation to Dr. Wills." Go ahead, Observation." There's something approaching us from the southeast. Looks like a silver humanoid statue, skating along the ice." Copy. Have one of the Ice team meet me at the Lobby to investigate. Wills out"

A silver humanoid figure. It brought to mind Nathan, his friend and former teammate from New York. If anyone could just visit at anytime, it was him. He always did seem to have the wanderlust, but Garrett decided that should he be in the same position, he would probably do the same. He arrived at the frozen lobby doors, finding Glacier, one of the senior Ice team members waiting and already opening the door, keeping the heat from entirely escaping.

Garrett put his hood and mask on, ensuring his gloves were snug and he didn't have too many open places to allow for wicking of heat. He mumbled to Glacier in a muffled voice about waiting. The ice mutant responded with a nod. He stepped out into the open area, walking a few steps out to meet the man in silver. It was definitely Nathan. He waved him over towards the opening in the lobby dome.

Streak was standing outside when he realized that there were doors on this ice colony. The doors opened and a man stood there seeming like he was waiting for someone before approaching Streak. The man wasn't very heavily dressed for this weather which seemed a little weird, but it only made sense that he was one of the ice manipulators that Streak had heard of. Along with the rumors of the whereabouts of the mutant colony, he'd also heard that there were icemancers and pyromancers that were here to control the temperatures and the stability of the buildings here. Soon another man joined the first. The second man was bundled up more appropriately for the part of the world he is in.

The person covered in layers said something to the other mutant and before continuing his check of his clothes. Streak didn't take his eyes off the two standing in the door way the entire time. He stood still as a statue, facing them. Streak saw the man take a few steps out of the dome and motioned for Streak to join him. Streak walked over to him and decided it was probably better to introduce himself to the man. "Hi there. My names Streak. I was hoping I could have a place to stay for a while." Streak said to him. He held out his hand to the man bundled in coats. He waited to see how he would react what Streak had said.

Garrett nodded and shook Nathan's hand. It hadn't occurred to him that he was unrecognizable all bundled up. He chuckled inside the coat and nodded his head towards the open doors. As he walked through the cold barrier that Glacier had raised, e immediately slid his gloves off and let his hood slide back. He was working his mask off, hearing the metallic footsteps of his friend behind him." Go ahead and close up, Glacier. Thanks." The mutant froze the opening closed and nodded , waving as he wandered off. No one panicked here when it came to people who looked different. Most did.

Revealing his identity, though it might be odd to see him with hair, Garrett grinned and turned to his friend. " Of course you are welcome, Nathan. I knew who you were when they said a metal man was skating up, to be honest. Heh. Not so many like you running around, I don't believe."He opened his jacket and greeted him once more."Welcome to the Colony"

Streak followed the man into the dome of the colony. Everything seemed nice, inviting, and comfortable. It was like whoever controlled the temperatures her had created a eutopia for mutants. He walked pasted the man that stood at the opening and stopped short of the man that had invited him in. When the man removed his hood, gloves and mask Streak thought he recognized him.

"Of course you are welcome, Nathan. I knew who you were when they said a metal man was skating up, to be honest. Heh. Not so many like you running around, I don't believe."
"Welcome to the Colony"

Streak smiled shortly until it registered that he was being called by the wrong name. "Well that's true. You don't see people like me everyday. But I gotta stop ya there. First of all, you look familiar and I can't put a name with your face. Secondly, I'm not Nathan. The names Shawn but I go by Silver Streak. I'm part of the X-Men and I'm just taking a little vacation and seeing the world. I figured this would be a good place to rest for a little while." Streak mentioned to the only to familiar looking man. Silver wracked his brain trying to remember where he'd seen the man before. Finally he remembered. "Garret! That's who you are. Man you look different." Streak said hitting himself on the forehead. When he realized who he was talking to he almost yelled for a second. His smile returned to his face and he retracted the silver from his body, leaving it only where it normally rests involuntarily.

Nathan? Where was he getting Nathan. He thought back and couldn't remember anyone of consequence in his life who had even had that name. He was really reeling lately from so many events." I apologize, Streak. I don't know any Nathans. I can't recall why I would even call you that. My life has had many events of late and I have been very busy. I suppose I need a vacation. Sorry again." He had so many names to remember with all of the residents he treated, the Council, the people at CB, NY, Pax. He kept seeing the pattern but he needed to start rectifying it rather than being a casual observer in his own social train wreck.

" I just need to test your blood for the airborne version of Haywire. We are all clean here and it is standard operating procedure to test all visitors to ensure we don't pick it up. As you might guess, an isolated outpost full of Haywired mutants wouldn't benefit anyone." He tried to alleviate the bungle with some humor, a smile and his bedside manner, while preparing the tester. He never demanded the test as many had become wary of needles after the epidemic. It was just that further progress could not be achieved without it.

"Don't worry about it. I know...correction, knew a Nathan. But I don't know what happened to him and haven't seen him in a while." Streak told him. It was nice to have someone he knew be the first person he saw in Antarctica. It made everything seem nicer and more welcoming. When Garret mentioned that he needed a blood sample Streak recoiled a little. Streak then decided that if Garret needed it then it would be alright to cooperate.

"I gotta be honest. I don't think I have the virus, but if you need to do the test than go right ahead. If it was someone else that I didn't know saying that then I would probably say 'no', but I trust you." Streak said holding out his arm for Garret to poke. He had never liked needles, Ever since he was a a child and was in the hospital. Streak smiled at Garrets humor. It was dry but what do you expect from a doctor. Silver waited patiently for Garret to do the blood work before putting his arm back at his side.

Garrett was happy to see that Streak was still as friendly and resilient as ever. A man of metal surely had to be. " I wouldn't worry. This testing device is similar to a blood sugar tester. You will barely feel it. " He smiled and tapped the device on Streak's arm and then gave it a moment before analyzing the readings." Yep, clean as a whistle. It's just a precautionary measure. Sorry, but I'm all out of lollipops for good patients." He smiled and winked.

Garrett opened his coat and relaxed a bit, knowing the initial worry was over with." So, I suppose you have been on a long trip, indeed. What brings you to our little corner of the world? You are welcome to stay and don't have to answer. Just curious." they began walking down the long icy hallway towards the Hub and the central part of the Colony. "Oh, just to let you know, by the way, there are some other familiar faces around. Ali came down not too long ago to stay and should thankfully be leaving quarantine soon. Maya has been visiting me also. It's been wonderful. We take every opportunity we can get to see each other these days."

"I wouldn't worry. This testing device is similar to a blood sugar tester. You will barely feel it."
Yep, clean as a whistle. It's just a precautionary measure. Sorry, but I'm all out of lollipops for good patients."

"Thanks but, I think I've never been a big fan of lollipops." Streak returned the smile from Garret.

"So, I suppose you have been on a long trip, indeed. What brings you to our little corner of the world? You are welcome to stay and don't have to answer. Just curious."

"Well, I just needed a change of scenery ya know? Something to clear my head and have some adventure." Streak said to him as they began walking down the hallway. He was having a good time no matter what he'd been through. Streak figured that if only half the world had been this exciting he couldn't wait to see what the rest of the world had in store for him. "I only plan on staying a little while before heading on my way. Just need a place to crash without any fights. I figured this was the best plce to get that rest."

"Oh, just to let you know, by the way, there are some other familiar faces around. Ali came down not too long ago to stay and should thankfully be leaving quarantine soon. Maya has been visiting me also. It's been wonderful. We take every opportunity we can get to see each other these days."

"Oh, Ali and Maya are here I have to say hi to them while I'm here." Streak said to himself more than Garret. He was pleased that there were people here that he knew.