sixwordstories | (no subject)

*Raises an eyebrow.*

Indeed.

Mystique, if you must know. I've had aliases. You may have heard of them, but we've never met in person.

I'm sure I would have remembered having the pleasure.

Here, I'll transfer the data I've gathered. There's a lot of it, it looks like this involved a lot more than just mutants. There's a mention of the one you brought up earlier though, weapon X. It seems his being a mutant enabled some...pretty nasty things to be done to him.

No doubt.

If it's any consolation, I've heard wondrous things about you.

Much thanks.

Mutant experimentation...these fuckers will burn.

I could say the same of you.

The file says most of them already have. Seems Weapon X didn't take too well to being a lab rat. Of course, those were just the people that were there. The boys in charge probably never came down to see things in person.

Could you now?

If you're the Mystique I've heard of, I'm surprised you need me for information at all.

Then that's who I'll dig for.

I prefer to work my way up. Confirming information is a precaution I take. If I'd never talked to you, I wouldn't have known to stay away from this mess at a fifty mile radius, wouldn't I? At least, I wouldn't have been certain...

A wise way to go about it. Fifty miles and you might avoid the blood spatter.

My turn to ask a question. Who put a hit out on Bill?

The hit...nothing to concern yourself with. Small time, big cash, but nothing I can't pass up. You know how it is. Bill fucked over an ally of theirs, they cry, stamp their feet, and come looking for the bitch with time to kill-- me. If only they'd known about you. If you like, I'll spread the word: Don't play the hit, the infamous Bill's going to have enough trouble on his hands.

No surprise they didn't. *lying comatose in a hospital bed for four years takes even the world's deadliest woman off the available assassin roster* Sorry to take your job from you, but I'll match their price if you let me do this one alone.

Well, you did disappear for so long, and there were rumors...but I never assume anyone's out of the game till I stand on their grave myself.

Like I said, I'm out already. I don't need the cash now, I was doing it for the thrill. Enjoy your...revenge, or whatever it is you need from him.

That's awfully demanding of you. [Her digitally altered voice sounds both amused and annoyed]

That's not much of an incentive.

*Thinks of some smartass remark, but while sizing her up, decides to dodge it. She knows a fellow predatorial female when she sees one.*

Come now. I want to know more about your former...employer. That's all.

It is. The government has hidden files from even me, and I need them.

*And so does Bea. It's a trait she knows how to deal with very well, one familiar enough to hang on to that she doesn't bring up Mystique's unusual appearance.*

Just because my employment's been terminated doesn't mean I'm overeager to share any details about my work.

We're practically in the same business. Maybe I want to kill your employer. Wouldn't that be a relief?

You wouldn't be the first to try.

Need is kind of a subjective term. And my files tell me you're not the most trustworthy person to be asking me to hack things.

Trustworthy is subjective, isn't it? I'm after a worse baddie than I.

I suppose you've got a point. [She's got the JLA number on standby anyway, just in case] So what info are you looking for?