“You start at three million, and will increase if you perform well.” He could afford the five million, but didn’t want to seem too easy. “One final thing for the pair of you.” He opened another case and pulled out a pair of Rolex watches. “I will contact you through these. They will vibrate when you have a message, and once you find somewhere privet push this button and the massage will play.”

“Always have them on your person and do not lose them. You two are free to go, I’ll contact you when I need you. If you wish to continue training then this facility should be equipped to allow for virtually any sort of scenario you wish to run.”

He neglected to mention that the watches also contained a tracking and recording device. James’ latest build, undetectable unless you completely dismantled the watch and inspected each individual part. Never hurt to keep tabs on your employees.

Dakota looked at the watch and thought: If I know Hunter, then that watch is rigged with something to his advantage.. dakota then took the watch but made sure to not put it around his wrist but around a barrier of energy on his wrist. It looked like it was on his wrist though.

Xiin had been staring at the two men for several minutes now, not moving from his hunched position from the ground. He slowly pushed up from the ground and hissed softly. He walked slowly to the men and gave them a sly grin.

"Hello theresss...."

He reached for the suit slowly and began to pull it over his head. The suit scraped against the scales, but did not rip. He had slight problems with his tail fitting into the designed section, having to have the humans assist him. After pulling on the suit he turned back to Antonescu.

"Money... Ssssuitsss..... Misssionsss... Interesssting enough..."

He rolled his shoulders back and flicked his tail to the side, tapping one of the two men on the back. He winked at the man before speaking again, his voice surprisingly light.

"Ssso.... Where am I to be ssstored?"

He chuckled dryly, his eyes focused on his fellow members.

“You’ll have to remain here at the lab Xiin,” Hunter told the lizardman, “I doubt the public could cope seeing you walking around. We’ll make your stay as comfortable as possible. Was the previous enclosure to your liking or should I find an alternative?”

The armour was a good fit, and made Xiin look even more imposing. Striking from the shadows he could be a terrifying force to unleash on his enemies. While the others were much easier to please, he wasn’t sure if Xiin even understood the concept on money. He might need to find an alternative reward.

Xiin folded his arms, taking care not to scrape himself with the blades on his new suit. He had liked the previous room okay, but he wasn't going to just wait around everyday.

"You expect me to jussst wait in that room all day? I can't even hunt in there... or visit the villagesss at night... Sssurprissing people isss one of my favorite passstimesss...."

Xiin paused for a moment as a thought came to his mind. An image resurfaced in his head of his collection of books from the nearby village's library back in the Amazon. He had spent hours just staring at the pages covered in different scripts, trying to decipher their meanings. If he was going to have to be inside all day...

"Antonessscu.... Do you know how to... read?"

Hunter smiled, he’d found Xiin’s reward. “Yes, and I own a vast collection of books, more than you could read in your life time. What do you like to read? I can obtain any book in the world, you only have to name the book.”

He wondered just what the lizardman would be interested in reading. Would he seek to learn more about the modern world? Or perhaps learn about the past? Maybe even immerse himself in fiction. Regardless, he would find the appropriate books.

As Zephyr waited for Hunters response the elemental once more spotted movement from the corner of his vision, whipping his head round he spotted Dakota leeching energy from light bulb. The young crime lord did not appear too pleased and so when he raised a finger and pointed it at the elemental Zephyr's body reacted with an instinct that had been instilled from multiple shootouts he had experienced from his time in Europe. Shifting his weight Simon pivoted on his right foot and angeled his body away from whatever Dakota had fired at him.

Unfortunately Simon wasn't quite fast enough for he felt burning pain slice across his hip which caused a grimace to form on his features for an instant. Focusing his attention fully upon Dakota Zephyr considered unleashing another gale upon the man but quickly dismissed the idea; there was no point in allowing himself to be dragged down to Dakota's level of immaturity, however he still felt compelled to make a comment, "I suggest you mature quickly, grown men have no business behaving like newborn infants"

Dakota's response to this was to turn to Hunter and automatically declare that he found Zephyr's fee "outrageous" and that Hunter should not be required to pay a thing. Needless to say Simon's impression of Dakota did not improve.

"Dakota kindly keep yourself out of subjects that do not concern you" Although this was said in Zephyr's usual flat monotone it carried with it an unmistakable air of malice.

Before the young crime lord could say anything in response though Hunter interrupted the little quarrel, “You start at three million, and will increase if you perform well.”[/color]

The elemental immediately returned his full attention to Hunter as this good new met his ears, while he hadn't expected to get hi asking price three million was far from a pittance. Nodding at his new employer Simon allowed a small smile to form on his features, he was now officially in the black and could spend his time on more pleasant activities.

When Hunter presented the Rolex watches though Simon quickly faded and was replaced by his normal impassive mask. The mercenary already had a watch and he was no hurry to be parted with it. Glancing at the somewhat bulky metallic chronometer on his wrist Zephyr allowed a small frown to form, the watch had been a present from his sister and was now the only thing he had from her since he had faked his death. He was not going to have it replaced no matter how expensive the Rolex was, "I fail to see why you cannot simply contact us via cell phone. They would arose less suspicion and if your team is good they bounce the signal halfway around the globe to prevent anyone from tracking us."

“But if you stop to answer a cell phone anyone watching will know that you have been contacted. This way no one except you will know. You don’t need to ware the watch, just keep it close. Now, if Dakota feels like behaving as an adult I have a mission for the pair of you.”

“I want you to, independently of one another, get inside a building that is known as the Sanctuary. It is supposedly a mutant haven, but Calley informs me that a group know as the Order run terrorist operations from it. I need more information on the Order. You will be there to assess their offence and defence capabilities.”

“To gather data you will both be given audio and visual recoding equipment (OOC: No bombs, that was just a way to ensure that Calley came back. You two already have strong enough incentives to come back) so that my analysts can process the data. If you follow this gentleman he will led you to Dr Ingram (OOC: But not his personal lab, a secondary one where he does not do the top secret work. You’ll be led to the same one Calley was) and he will issue your equipment. Remember to keep the watches close. If they vibrate that will be a signal to get out without arousing suspicion.”

Having given his orders Hunter turned back to Xiin. He looked forward to training the lizardman’s mind and body. It had been a long time since he had had a physically equal opponent to spar with.

Dakota went with the man to see Ingram. He had heard a lot about him and wanted to see his gadgets..

Dr Ingram looked up at the two men who walked in. “Right, lets make this quick.” Going over to Dakota he quickly snipped a button off his jacket and replaced it with a new one.

“Camera and microphone, virtually undetectable.” Picking up something minute in his gloved hand he placed it inside Dakota’s ear. “Speaker, only you and someone with hearing a hundred times better than a human can hear.”

Picking up a small package he handed it to Dakota. “Location plus intelligence so far. Transport is available or make your own way there.” Throughout the whole briefing Dr Ingram had never sounded even slightly interested.

The intelligence report in the package read:

The Order is located on the lower levels.
Priority mutants for identification and power evaluation:
Dorian, Leader of the Order
Syn, Possibly Second in Command
Abyss
Isabel

Determine the number of mutants working for the Order and their capabilities, as well as the buildings defences and security measures.

Under no circumstances are you to engage any member of the Order, this is a recon mission only.

Dakota laughed. Recon wasn't his style. He thought he might do a little bit of fighting. But he accepted all the things. He then called his Limo and drove off. HE was on his way to the so called: Sanctuary.

"...You don’t need to ware the watch, just keep it close...[/color]

Simon nodded at Hunters reply, he still wasn't keen on this latest gadget but he wasn't stubborn enough to continue arguing. Picking up the sleek Rolex watch he gave it a quick one over before placing it in his pocket.

Hunter then gave them the details of their first mission, ironically enough it seemed that Zephyr would be heading back Sanctuary; the supposed "haven" he had left not three hours ago. The nature of the mission was pure reconnaissance and that suited the elemental just fine, he was not eager to become involved in a battle against what could possibly be an army of mutants.

Following Dakota the British merc was led to yet another section of the labs where he was introduced to Dr. Ingram, a self centered sole if ever Simon had seen one. The man clearly had no interest in their presence and briskly gave the two Kebal members additional surveillance equipment and intelligence reports, he explained everything he was doing with a low, monotonous voice that could rivals the elementals own.

As he left the labs Simon took his time to survey the intelligence reports, he would let Dakota go on ahead of him, hopefully the parasitic mutant would cuase some kind of ruckus that would allow Simon to enter the building with relatively little notice. If not he could always say he was looking for work again.

Heading out in to the grounds surrounding Mondragon Labs Simon never took his eyes of the intelligence report as he flexed his will and summoned an air current to lift him up into the sky and back to New York City, it was time to earn his rather generous paycheck.

--

Topic Left

Xiin watched the two members walk out of the room, his breath calm and relaxed. He felt surprisingly comfortable... But why? He was taken by force, serious force, from his home and stuffed in cage. He practically had no choice in joining this 'team'. But yet... a new family? It had been many, many years since he had a family. It felt... good? His gaze drifted back to Antonescu as he spoke.

"I can't read... But sssuch textsss fill me with wonder... Perhapsss... you know someone that could teach me? I promissse to be a good ssstudent...."

Xiin's lips curled into a smug grin as he finished his sentence. He flicked his tongue slowly, tasting the air around him. Could this lab of steel and concrete really be... Home?

So he wanted to read. Hunter kept his expression straight, but was laughing inside. Such a simple thing, and yet if it was what Xiin wanted, then he would happily oblige. “Of course I can teach you to read. If you will just remove the armour and come with me I’ll show you to one of the libraries here at the lab.”

He was very pleased with the fit of the armour, and it made Xiin look even more menacing than before. Hunter led him out from the testing chamber and into a rather more comfortable room. There were several armchairs and the walls were lined with book cases full of books.

While Hunter had several larger libraries, this one would be sufficient, plus had some simpler books in it, as well as a computer that he could project up onto a screen. Motioning Xiin to sit he started up the computer

Xiin followed Hunter, his throat making a low pitch rumbling noise as a sign of his contentment. When they walked into the library, the lizard's eyes widened considerably. Even if he had stolen a book everyday of his life until this very moment, he would never have this many at his fingertips. He walked pass a bookcase, running his clawed finger across the spines of the books. Xiin's lips formed into a wide smile, his jagged teeth showing. Without looking away from the bookcase, Xiin spoke to the man.

"Thisss.... thisss.... isss good."

He then began to take off his armor, letting it drop idly to the floor. Xiin could care less about the armor, having all these books in front of him. Xiin caught Atonescu motioning him to sit down out of the corner of his eye. He rolled his shoulders and shook his tail, feeling much more comfortable out of that suit. Xiin then slowly walked to one of the armchairs and sat down, wrapping his tail about his waist as he did. He leaned forward anxiously, his eyes focused at the man in front of the computer.

"Pleassse.... begin. My thirssst for knowledge overwhelmsss me..."