Looking out the window of the small jet Bacchus sighed, never before had he rode in first class let alone one in a jet and never before was he going to get paid as much as he was going to after this mission. ‘Half million dollars…’ thought Bacchus as he sipped his ritzy crystal glass full of scotch.

Thinking how things got to this point only brought a small smile to his face, it did happen kind of fast, and their wasn’t much of a briefing for the mission but he did meet two interesting mutants. One would be the mutant he would be seeing very soon at the poker tournament, and the other kind of astounded Bacchus.

‘To think a kid could organize this…’ thought Bacchus as he took another sip of his scotch. But then again the one called slate was a mutant and did carry him self in a way that demanded respect. Of course the amount of money the kid was talking about was enough to get the respect he needed from Bacchus.

It had been almost two hours now and the flight was coming to an end, the co-captain mentioned that they would soon be arriving to their destination. ‘Night as well give it a once over,’ Bacchus thought as he pulled a vanilla folder from his leather suitcase that had the registration fee for the tournament that would be held upon his arrival.

The first piece of paper he pulled from the suitcase had the alias of ‘Austin Munders’ it was a mundane name but the nickname he received made him let out a low chuckle. ‘The Aussie Aces’ the nicknamed fit Bacchus for the mission after all he was there to play in a poker tourney. According to his Alias sheet he was the number one champ in an underground poker tourney, which was the only reason Bacchus suspected he could enter the tourney here.

Bacchus had been ‘kissed by Lady Luck’ or so said everyone back home. Truth was Bacchus blamed it on dumb luck. No matter what he did he some how managed to get the cards he was looking for. So he wasn't to worried about the game, after all there always was a 'Plan B'.

Shifting through the next sets of papers Bacchus took a look at his target, an Antonio Hernandez then he trailed down the rest of the information. His mission was to snag Antonio and bring him back to Slate. But Bacchus’s job was to try and win the tourney if that wasn’t possible then his partner would do the snagging while Bacchus did the smashing. The words were bolded and the lettering was slightly enlarged, ‘In one piece’.

Bacchus was good at being a bodyguard but he couldn’t guard while there is no body. So from his understanding it was his partner’s job to locate and then notify Bacchus after so they could begin their big escape.

____________________

It was a full twenty minutes before Bacchus landed but when his feet touched the ground he felt back in control again. He didn’t hate flying he just wasn’t big on the idea of having no control in the altitude the jet was in. Bacchus was the type of guy who liked being in control of where he was going and seeing how it wasn’t that uncommon nowadays for something to go wrong with jets it didn’t help him feel any more in control.

“Mr. Munders?” a voice said by a black suburban.

Bacchus at first didn’t pick it up but then it clicked, ‘I am Mr. Munders’ thought Bacchus as he walked to the man. Bacchus smiled as he spoke, “Are you my driver?”

“Ho shit, they told me you were named Aussie Aces but your accent… Damn didn’t think it was that bad…” said the guy as he opened the door to the car to let Bacchus in.

‘He’s a dead man’ thought Bacchus as he thought if they had to go to plan B Bacchus was going to go out of his way to kill this bloke. Once in the car Bacchus didn’t say a word till he arrived to the location.

“Hampton Inn, if you go straight threw the doors and take a left you’ll be at the grand hallway where they can brief you.” Said the driver more politely than before as he walked around the car to open Bacchus’s door.

“I’ll be heading to my room first,” said Bacchus as he put sunglasses on and then walked into the hotel and then to his room that was reserved for him and the room that would have his suit for the night. And where he was supposed to meet his partner for the mission…

Aiden was laying lazily on the bed watching the television. Not that there was anything good on, it was just something to do. It had become rather boring going over the mission briefing time and again. He could almost recite it by rote now.

The shifter had not been idle during his stay though he had managed to secure a waiting job in the place where the tournament would be held. Along with a few other loose ends that he thought of while he was there. He had reveiwed the schematics of the entire building and picked places that would be most likely to house the captive.

Aiden just had to clear a few things about the plan with his associate before the day of the tournament to get everything squared away. Then came the sound of footsteps. Heavy footsteps. Aiden assumed it would be his partner and if it wasn't he wouldn't be bothered.

Assuming it was the Australian mutant Aiden got up and unlocked the his door which connected the two of their rooms which were so generously provided by the Kabal. They were quite nice even for Aiden to tell the truth.

Having done that, Aiden went back to lounging on the bed and watching television.

Bacchus opened the suitcase he had with him during the flight and pulled out a gold Rolex watch that was meant for his ‘high roller’ attire. Looking under the bed Bacchus found his nice leather dress shoes and pulled them out and set them aside. He then found a suit wrapped up in a plastic giving it the freshly tailored look.

Laying out all his clothing Bacchus quickly changed in to his tailored suit and his size fourteen leather dress shoes. After all of the clothing was on Bacchus put his sunglasses on and looked in the mirror, “Looking fine!” Bacchus said with a smile on his face as he turned around and looked at his backside, “Think I might keep this after the mission…”

Swiping his hands on his left sleeve Bacchus knocked on the door and walked into the room that connected his room to his partners. “Ohi Mate, you ready for the show?” Bacchus asked curiously as he looked down at his watch, “Hour left…” Bacchus said as he began shaking his hands slightly he had the pre-game jitters not because he was nervous but because he was going for the money.

Bacchus clicked his ear slightly as the small two way radio was safely hidden in place, “Your two way working?”

The weretiger shifter had began getting dressed as soon as he had heard the door to the other room open. He was in his waiter's garb complete with some bothersome contacts to cover his eyes. The less attention the attracted the better. He placed the ear piece in last.

The giant's speech resounded inside his head when he spoke. Causing him to move his body as if ducking a blow to the head. Aiden removed the piece and turned the volume down the the decibels would not hurt his eardrums with his enhanced hearing.

"Yeah, it is thanks," replied Aiden. It was just about time for him to leave. "I need to get over there and slip in with the other waiters while there's still time. Is there anything you would like to discuss before I leave?"

Nodding to the man’s question Bacchus asked, “So what’s the word when you find the target? Or are discovered, I want to know so I can act accordingly during the game.” Bacchus said as he calmed himself, if the guy was going to be caught odds were Bacchus would kill them all and if the guy found the target… Bacchus would probably kill them all quickly.

Catching a glimpse of his reflection Bacchus stopped thinking and was immediately thinking aloud, “I need arm candy…” frowning slightly Bacchus shrugged and opened the door and said, “keep me notified on everything, our mission here is crucial!” Bacchus grabbed his suitcase full of the registration money and headed down to the main hall where the game would be held.

Upon entering Bacchus raised his hand up and jumped into character, “Evening Mates!” Bacchus walked closer to them with a big goofy grin on his face, “Name’s Aussie Aces!” For some reason he enjoyed putting on the act. Bacchus noted all the other guys in similar attire to his. ‘I can pull the look these guys look stupid!’ thought Bacchus as he slammed his money on the table and sat down.

Aiden nodded at his partner's suggestion of a code word. "I'll tell you that I have captured the dragon when I have the hostage in hand. Once I have ferried him to a safe location I will return to the game so just in case you have any problems and just in case things get out of hand."

Aiden had a car provided by the Kabal for the get away vehicle, so he simply drove that to the site of the tournament. He parked somewhere around the back of the building and entering near the kitchen. He immediately grabbed a plate of drinks and began his deception.

The weretiger shifter had decided that he would wait until the game would have been well underway before he made his move.

“Mister Aces why don’t you give us the money and we can get started…”

Bacchus looked around to the crowd of people none of them looked particularly dangerous but the fact that they didn’t check him for weapons or anything made Bacchus think they were all packing a weapon of some kind. Which didn’t really make Bacchus worry too much but if one of them had a stun gun it could be a slight problem.

Handing the suitcase of money to a rather skinny bloke with one hand Bacchus tried to hold back a small snicker at the fact that the fella almost collapsed under the weight of the heavy suitcase. “Sorry mate I could only get the amount in ones…” Bacchus said with a smile on his face.

Almost instantly everyone gave Bacchus a dirty look and Bacchus laughed and said, “Jez just kidding mates, y’all really need to lighten up, were here for a game so let’s have a little fun!” Two of the men at the table let out a small snicker as the others just shook their head.

“Would you like anything to drink Mister Aces?” came a cool and hypnotizing voice from behind him. Turning his head Bacchus’s face lit up into a large smile, “Yes I do!” Bacchus said as quickly as he could. He looked the girl up and down and said almost in a silent whisper, “found my arm candy…” the girl however must have heard seeing as she let out a small giggle, “What was that?” she asked now slightly blushing. “Just get me the biggest bottle of Vodka you can find…”

Now aware of all the faces in the room looking at him Bacchus looked to the girl and said, “And a shot glass…” he watched her as she walked away and then turned back to the table and said, “What never see a gambling alcoholic before?”

It took a few short minutes for the game to go under way but when it did a small smile twitched onto his face as he looked at his first set of cards. ‘An Ace and a ten off suit…’ Bacchus picked up a few of his chips and tossed it into the pile, “Call” said Bacchus as he looked to the others.

Four were out and three including Bacchus remained in, ‘last card…better be something good’ thought Bacchus as he looked at the other cards o the table, two tens were on the table along with a six, a two and a king. The ace came up on the table and Bacchus tossed in a few more of his chips. One folded and another said “All in…” as he pushed all his chips on the table.

“Already?” Bacchus said as he was aware he had a full house, and the best thing this bloke could have had was either a full house with a pair of kings or three tens… “Call” said Bacchus as he pushed all his chips in. Bacchus flipped his cards as the look on the guys face went from confident to worse; he flipped his cards and had a king and a ten. “No…” the man whispered, “He’ll kill me…” Bacchus shrugged and took the chips and started to stack them, “Sorry mate got to play better to win.”

The man pulled out a gun and aimed it at Bacchus’s head, “Give me the money!” letting out a loud sigh Bacchus thickened his skin and continued to stack his now large amount of chips. “ I am serious man give me the chips! “You don’t have the stones to pull the trigger,” Bacchus said as he continued stacking the chips.

It was a dead silence in the room as everyone was on edge except for Bacchus. He continued to stack the chips and once he finished he said, “If your going to shoot do it…” Bacchus got up and walked over to the man who was still aiming at him and said, “If your going to shoot do it,” lifting his finger Bacchus pointed to a spot in the middle of his forehead and said, “right between the eyes, don’t want to ruin this good suit…”

Bacchus felt the barrel pressed to his forehead and felt the gun shaking a little, “If you don’t pull it I’ll kill you…” said Bacchus as he put his hand on the guys arm, ”3…2…” Bacchus never got to ay one for the guy pulled the trigger, Bacchus felt hot metal on his forehead as he reared back screaming, “Oh my god! You actually pulled the trigger? Your Sick! Your Sick!” then Bacchus whipped the hot metal from his forehead and said, “My turn!” said Bacchus as he walked back to the guy with a grim smile on his face.

After waiting the table and carrying drinks, Aiden had just about had it. His partner had almost blown their cover. He certainly drew more than enough attention to himself. If the mutant had actually been dead from the bullet, Aiden would have thought he got what he deserved. He was entirely too brazen for the shifter's way of thinking.

The feline mutant decided it was time. He walked past the table that 'Aussie Aces' was sitting at. He glanced at a man's cards just before he left the room with an alibi of getting more drinks. But after he exited the doors he turned right which was not the way to the kitchen.

The shifter spoke into his radio as he walked. "The man sitting across from you with the nose ring is bluffing. He only has a two of spades and a five of diamonds." Aiden knew he wouldn't get a reply unless the giant wanted his cover blown. But judging by his earlier actions, Aiden didn't entirely rule it out.

His walk lead him to a hallway that contained at four guards standing in front of a door. This must be the place. Still carrying a tray full of drinks, the shifter walked up to the men and offered them some. The men were overconfident, and therefore met with death.

A broken glass cup took one in the lung, another had a broken neck, the last two had their throats ripped out by a pair of tiger's claws. The door was locked by a card key slot but after a quick search on each of the guards the desired card key was found and used. The door swung open to reveal a dimly lit room with a man tied to a chair.

The shifter looked at the man with his feline eyes. He certainly matched the description of the package. The feline mutant could not tell that with the brightness of the hallway behind him, his eyes let of a eery glow. The man tied to the chair wimpered slightly as he entered.

"I guess it's time to get you out of here," said Aiden.

The room was silent all except the heavy breathing of the bloke who was inches from Bacchus and pulled the trigger. The bullet lay inches from them on the ground; it was all indented like it just lost a fight a fight with Bacchus’s skin. Rubbing his forehead slightly Bacchus let out a laugh, “Still burns like hell, don’t mind the impact it’s just the heat that bugs me… like a tickle really.” All around the table the other power players were furious and yelling things like, “He’s a mutant?” “He must have cheated!” “I am not playing with a mutant…”

Letting out a loud sigh Bacchus shrugged and said, “Look my abilities have nothing with you gents sucking at cards, but if you really feel that way I think I can work something out.” A large grin appeared on his face as Bacchus lifted his hand and said, “Like I said, My Turn!” and with that Bacchus palmed the gunner’s head forcing his brains t be forced out through the ears and the back of the skull. “All I wanted to do is play cards,” said Bacchus as the gunner fell to the ground dead.

Almost out of reflux Bacchus’s head turned to the group, which was a good thing seeing as how all the other players pulled out guns and started to fire at Bacchus. Bacchus felt the bullets shower his body, as the guards seemed to be getting in on it as well. “That’s IT!” Bacchus yelled as he started to grow, “You blokes messed up my suit!” grabbing the two closest gunners Bacchus squeezed their heads in his hands and felt a loud juicy squish, “Gross” said Bacchus as he threw the two limp bodies at the furthest guards from him not only killing them in the process but barricading the doors which was perfect so no one could leave or enter.

It only took another four minutes but after Bacchus had his fun he finished swinging an arm back into the owners face, “Quit hitting your self!” said Bacchus as he then prodded the fellow and asked, “You dead?” the man’s other fingers twitch slightly as Bacchus lifted him up and launched him at the wall causing him to splatter on the wall like a bug on the widow shield.

Spotting his suitcase Bacchus picked it up and sat down on the ground and then clicked his ear, “Ready when you are mate.” Bacchus hoped that Aiden already had the package otherwise they were gonna have to move fast seeing as it looked like a bloody war zone in the poker room.

Spotting himself in a small mirror Bacchus frowned and said, “Son of a bitch…my suit is ruined!” trying to brush off some of the blood, bone bits, skin and brain from the suit Bacchus gave up and continued to sit at the table, ‘to bad I couldn’t get the others money…’ thought Bacchus as he looked at a man with half of his face ripped off. Picking up his cards Bacchus frowned, “Would have beaten me…”

Aiden untied the ropes that bound the mutant and led him out of the room. "I wouldn't advise running away. You'll only end up hurting yourself." The mutant didn't say much of anything. Aiden figured he was in shock from being rescued.

Before they left the hallway, Aiden grabbed a few of the pistols the guards had been carrying. They didn't have much use for them anyway. His tiger transformation was effective, but it certainly lacked in the range department.

Through the earpeice, the shifter spoke, " I hope you're still alive. I've captured the dragon. I'm headed out toward the kitchen exit right now. Meet me at the car as soon as you can. Or make you own way." Aiden turned to the Colombian mutant, "Alright, let's get you out of here."

The hallways were free of guards fortunately. As they entered the kitchen they saw the workers that had not fled cowering behind tables and cabinets. Aiden barely gave them a second thought as the two of them passed through the door to the outside.

The two mutants arrived at the car without any resistance surprisingly. The brute must be drawing all the attention to him. Aiden didn't complain. It certainly made his job easier.

Despite Bacchus’s current suit fitting him perfectly seeing as it was tailored to his original size he reluctantly took off the jacket and white shirt under it to spot one of the guards hardly covered in blood. “Mighty nice jacket…” Bacchus grinned devilishly as he picked the dead guard by the neck and gave a small squeeze just to make sure the deed was done. It took him a grand total of three minutes to strip the dead guard and replace his blood soaked suit. “Looking good!” Bacchus grinned as he expanded his chest slightly to make the suit fit that much better.

“Now all I need is…” Bacchus clicked his earpiece and grinned slightly as his partner seemed to locate the package. “That’s Aces mate!” Bacchus said with a small laugh, “Been done here for a bit, though I think it’s best I find my own way out…” Looking around at the blood and body limbs sticking out from tables and walls not to mention the smell of blood and brain matter lying about. The second he opened the door someone was going to notice…

“Shit” Bacchus muttered to him self as the kitchen doors opened to reveal a few more armed guards. Turning away from the wall he had planned on leaving from he shrugged and said, “Guess the kitchen exit will have to do…”

Ten minutes, two suits and fifteen armed guards later Bacchus managed to exit the kitchen with relatively small amounts of blood on his latest suit which required him to increase the length of his arms by a few inches. He loved kitchens he didn’t know why but the idea of using pots and pans not only as cooking utensils but also as weapons appealed to him highly.

As he approached the car Bacchus spotted the bloke who was the assigned target, “I’d recommend we bail less you want them to catch on and trail us to the airport.”

As soon as Aiden started up the car and looked back in his rear view mirror, he saw his partner exiting the building. The shifter waited impatiently as the growth mutant made his way to the car. "I was just waiting for you sweetie," the feline mutant said with thick sarcasm.

The mutant finally got in the car and Aiden pressed on the accelerator. He spoke to the other two mutants. "You two should stay down so that no one can see you. I don't think anyone would want to chase a poor waiter who is fleeing the scene."

Aiden drove the appropriate speed limit as the group made their way to the airport. Their mission was almost done. There was no reason to attract unneeded attention. And that went well until a bullet broke through the back window and through the front wind shield as well. "Hmm. It was almost gonna be too easy."

"Bacchus would you be so kind as to take care of those men behind us please?"

As he reached the car Bacchus frowned slightly and said, “what can I say they were sore losers!” looking over to the man and smiling with the knowledge that their target was still intact he hopped into the car and said, “Gun it!” letting him know that Bacchus was already set to go. He didn’t mind missions such as this as long as he was getting paid but the fact that it was going to become more public than he would like to admit within the next few minutes if they decide to chase the car.

Bacchus hated car chases mainly for the reason that he couldn’t use his powers to their limits, he got to big and the car would break, he got to heavy the car would break, he got to strong the car would break. Despite what ever the situation was with car chases they usually resulted in broken cars and him having to escape on foot, which was okay as long as it didn't involve him running in wide pen spaces, which was far easier to be spotted opposed to cities or woods where he could change shape fast enough to be over looked till he made his escape.

Sighing as he was in the back seat as the first bullet pierced the windows Bacchus grew slightly feeling the weight of the car tilt to one side, “Yeah just hurry up with the driving…” looking around for a weapon of some kind to use Bacchus spotted an empty vodka bottle as another bullet shot through the glass and hit the back of his skull. He smiled at the label not even paying the bullet much mind as he looked at the target in the front seat who was cowering and covering his head, “Puss…”

Rolling down the window and sticking his hand out the window still holding onto the glass Bacchus made the bottle larger by a few feet then slammed it on a passing van full of clowns causing the van to flip and the enlarged glass to shatter scattering out behind them ready to pop any and all tires that could maneuver through the now tipped over clown van. “It is rare that I can get paid for doing a service to man kind… you think we can pull over so I can finish them?” Bacchus asked jokeingly as he expressed his hatred for clowns.