"I don't know about you Sean, but personally, I don't find spying to be a trait common in people I trust."

Sean Cassidy looked at the security tape of Mystique at a computer console. He studied it for a few moments, and then chuckled.

"What?" Emma asked. "What's so funny?"

"Emma, yeh do realize that ye're overreactin', right?"

"I beg your pardon?" Emma asked. "Do you want me to replay the tape?"

"So she's at a computer console," Sean replied. "So what? She's a headmistress, she has access tah the files."

"Then why was she impersonating Jonothan?"

"I'm sure that she had reason tah do it," Sean stated.

"You're far too trusting, Cassidy."

"Listen, Charles had good reason tah send 'er here," Sean said. "Why don't we just wait it out fer now."

Emma sighed and looked at the tape once more. She turned back to Sean with a cold stare.

"Fine..." she muttered. "For now."

Silence fills the room.

That silence is quickly broken by the sound of Delerium mood music blasting through the stereos.

Jubilation Lee slowly looked up to see her teammate, Monet St. Croix, exercising.

"Turn that crap off!" she shouted.

"What?!" Monet shouted.

"I SAID TURN THAT CRAP OFF!!"

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"TURN OFF THAT DAMN CRAPPY MUSIC!!"

Monet picked up the remote for her stereo and pressed pause. She grabbed the towel and wrapped it around the back of her neck, then looked at Jubilee.

"What are you complaining about now?" she asked.

"Are you blind or something?" Jubilee asked. "Can you not see that I'm trying to sleep?"

"It's four in the afternoon."

"So?"

"So why are you sleeping so much lately?" Monet asked. "Are you ill?"

Jubilee turned over and pulled the covers over her head.

"Let's just say I was havin' an interesting dream..." she muttered.

Monet sighed and turned the music back on. Jubilee sat upright in her bed and aimed a finger at the stereo. She unleashed a small, pyrotechnic burst at the stereo. It short-circuited the system, and she fell back into her bed.

"There, much better," she stated.

Monet glared at her for a few seconds before she walked out.

Emma sat in the kitchen, a cup of tea in one hand and the business section of the newspaper in the other. She read over some of the latest dealings and checked up on the stock of Frost Enterprises. She heard the sound of footsteps and looked up to see Raven Darkholme enter the kitchen. Raven sighed as she retrieved a glass from the cupboard and filled it up with water.

"Something amiss?" Emma asked with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Mutant Politics," Raven replied. She took a seat at the table across from Emma. "Jubilee simply refuses to understand the philosophy behind the Brotherhood. She says it doesn't make any sense why anyone would follow it so religiously."

"Keep in mind that a large portion of her young life was spent with the X-Men," Emma noted. "It's like capitalists to communists."

"Mmm," Raven muttered. "God... it seems like forever since I followed that way of thinking..."

"Well, you helped usher it in with your Brotherhood..." Emma muttered.

"Well, we can't all be White Queens."

"I was young and naive at the time," Emma replied. "I thought that money and power were all that mattered in life. After the death of the Hellions and the Phalanx incident, I realized I was wrong. Teaching was what I loved most. It still is. I feel like I've outgrown the Hellfire Club."

"I suppose I've outgrown my contempt for humanity as well," Raven stated. She chuckled a bit. "Besides, there are far too many of the little buggers for me to kill off, anyway."

Emma took special note of that comment, but before she could open her mouth, another person entered the room.

"Well, isn't this a surprise?" Sean asked once he entered. "Never thought I'd see th' two o' yeh bein' civil."

He looked outside the window.

"Heh... there's snow on th' ground, but yeh wouldn't guess it from th' temperature," he noted. "So, what were yeh discussin'?"

"Nothing..." Raven stated. "Just reminiscing."

"Indeed," Emma said in agreement. She made a mental note to show Sean a tape of Raven's comment about humanity.

"JESUS H. CHRIST!!!"

"Somethin' wrong, Ev'rett?" Leech asked.

"Is something wrong?" Everett Thomas asked. "IS SOMETHING WRONG?! OF COURSE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG!!"

Leech and Artie Maddicks looked confused. They sat in Everett's room surrounded by comic books and opened action figures.

"YOU--YOU MESSED UP MY ROOM!!" Everett exclaimed. "AND THOSE ARE MINT-CONDITION ACTION FIGURES YOU JUST TORE OPEN!!"

Okay... okay, ease up, Ev... he thought to himself as he took a deep breath. They're just kids... they didn't mean it... they don't know any better. But those are mint. Condition. ACTION FIGURES!

"You can't just tear open those things!" Ev continued. "They're mint on card! They're worth a lot of money! You're supposed to leave them in the packaging! And... is that a Dynamic Forces comic you're reading?! You're not supposed to read those! You're not even supposed to take them out of the bag! These are collectibles, you can't do these things to them!"

Artie pouted and projected an image of them playing with the figures.

"Artie's right," Leech retored. "Why can't Leech play with them? Leech thought that's what you do with toys."

"Because they're mint condition!" Ev stated.

"So?"

"So that means you can't play with them!"

"Why?"

"Because they're mint-condition!"

"So?"

"So..." Ev began, then threw up his arms in frustration. "Oh forget it!"

Paige Guthrie was paying little or no attention to the movie on the independent film channel. Sitting next to her on the couch was Jonothan Starsmore, who seemed to be far more interested in it. Their shoes were off and lying beside the couch. The soles of their feet gently touched, and Paige playfully pushed her feet into his. Jono pushed his back as well, and if he had a mouth, he would've grinned.

Paige's eyes drifted away from the television to the door, and then to Jono. She grabbed the remote and turned off the TV, then looked at him.

"What's wrong?" Jono asked.

"Ah saw you an' Monet in th' biosphere the other day," Paige replied.

"And...?"

"What's goin' on, Jono?" Paige asked. "Ya'll were crackin' jokes - an' yah never crack jokes!"

Jono looked down for a moment, then looked back up at Paige.

"We've recently grown closer as friends," he replied. "Since we're both psychics, it's easy for us to relate and talk to each other. And... it's just fun."

"How could yah do this tah me?!" Paige demanded, as she practically leapt from the couch. "It hurts that yah feel more comfortable talkin' tah M than yah feel talkin' tah me! Ah'm supposed tah be your girlfriend, Jono! An' this is the way yah treat me?"

"Ease up, gel..." Jono stated calmly. He reached up and took her hand in his own. He gently pulled her back down to the couch. "Monet an' I are just friends, nothin' more. Trust me, I don't even look at her the same way I look at you. She's far too arrogant and self-centered for my tastes. We just like talking to each other, that's it."

Paige bit her lip and slowly sat back down on the couch. Jono put her arm around her and pulled her closer, and she reluctantly began to give in.

"Ah guess ah overreacted just a bit..." she muttered.

"It's okay..." Jono stated. "You had every reason to. I would probably do the same if I saw you with another guy. I should've mentioned something about it."

"Ah don't know... ah'm still not all that comfortable with it..."

"It's not a big deal, Monet and I just... talk differently. It's not like we're shagging."

Paige leaned back into his arms.

"It still seems a bit fishy... but ah'll let it go..." she stated. She looked up into Jono's eyes. "On trust, ah'll let it go."

Jono pulled her closer to him and brushed the hair away from her face.

"Y' really are a great gel, y'know that, right?"

"You see that, Sean?"

"So she made a joke," Sean replied. "I dinnae see how that proves a blasted thing, Em."

"There's a little truth to every joke," Emma stated. "And I think there's far more truth to this joke than she lets on."

"Emma, ye're paranoid."

"How do I trust her, Sean? How?"

"Look... why don't we question her ourselves?" Sean asked.

"Sean, there's another thing..." Emma stated. "Her mind... I couldn't scan it. She has powerful blocks in place. Ones that only a skilled telepath could implement."

"Emma... please..." Sean noted. "Just remain ca--"

The door to the study suddenly burst open.

"Ms. Frost, Mr. Cassidy!" Angelo exclaimed.

"What's wrong, lad?" Sean asked.

"It's Ms. Darkholme..." Angelo replied. "I saw her go into the comms room, an' she... she's up to somethin' in there. She's talkin' to somebody named Shaw. She saw me watchin' her and closed the door."

Emma spun around to look at Sean.

"Now do you believe me?" Emma asked. She got up and ran towards the comms room.

"Angelo, stay outta this," Sean warned. "Go back to yuir room."

Sean took off in a sprint after Emma.

"Emma, wait up!"

"That's why she mentioned the Hellfire Club earlier, Sean," Emma stated. "She's working with Shaw."

"That's impossible!" Sean exclaimed. "Madelyne Pryor wiped out the Hellfire Club - includin' Sebastian Shaw."*

( *Actually, it was Cable, but Maddie was framed for it in Cable #25 - Dino )

"There's more than one Shaw, Mr. Cassidy," Emma replied. She tried to open the door, but the computer wouldn't allow her to. "She's locked us out... damn."

{{ Excellent work, Raven. These schematics will definitely prove useful once the Hellfire Club makes their move. }}

"Glad I could be of assistance, Shaw," Mystique replied.

{{ No need to be so formal, Raven. You may call me Shinobi. And you've rightly earned your position as the Inner Circle's White Bishop. }}

"Just what I wanted to hea--"

*EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*

Mystique's words were drowned out by the sound of the powerful sonic scream. It caused the door to burst open, and she saw the Banshee standing there with his mouth wide open. He closed it once the door popped. Emma ran inside, and quickly dealt a blow to Mystique.

"BITCH!" she exclaimed. "I knew you couldn't be trusted!"

"Emma..." Sean stated. "We have an audience."

He pointed to the monitor where Shinobi Shaw watched the events transpire.

{{ Don't mind me, I was just leaving. By the way, so nice to see you again, Emma. I'll send your regards. }}

"Regards to whom?" Emma asked. "Shinobi? Regards to whom?!"

Shinobi simply grinned and then, the monitor went black.

"SHAW!!" Emma exclaimed. "Blast!"

She looked back towards Raven.

"I just want you to know one thing..." Emma stated as she approached. She was already beginning to use her psychic powers to tear into Raven's mind. "I am very cross about this. Very cross, indeed."

"Emma, that's enough!" Sean ordered. "I'll handle Raven. As a former Interpol agent, I have methods tae deal with traitors."

Emma glared at him, and Sean simply returned it.

"Don't make me use me sonics on yeh. Th' level o' control I possess would amaze even yeh."

"Is that a threat, Cassidy?"

"Nae... 'tis a promise. Now go."

Emma stood there for a few moments before she left the room. She didn't want to admit it, but there was something about Sean Cassidy at that moment that intimidated her to no end. Once she was gone, Sean looked at the monitor and didn't even acknowledge Mystique for a few moments.

"Go," he finally said.

"What?" she asked.

"I know what yeh are," Sean replied. "I know why yer here. D'ye really think that Charles would send yeh here without informin' me first? We had been plannin' on bringin' yeh in fer months. Now go."

"What about Frost?"

"As far as she's concerned, yeh escaped."

"I see..." Mystique stated. She stood and Sean walked over to her.

"Go on, make it convincin'."

Mystique nodded and delivered a solid hit to Sean's face. He fell back against the console and feigned unconsciousness. Then, she assumed Sean's form and left.

NEXT: Who knows?

TALKIN' 'BOUT MY GENERATION

Well, it's sad to say that this marks my last issue as scripter of Generation X. I had to drop it due to other projects I wanted to focus my attention on. However, Mikey G. will return to writing the title full-time, and once his run is overwith, we've got the most prolific X-writer in fanfiction, Ryan Krupienski coming onboard. It's been a lot of fun scripting the book for these two issues, and it allowed me to set up some stuff with the Hellfire Club (for more on them, keep an eye on Bishop).

-Dino Pollard
March 4, 2002

Now then, first letter comes from Cory Wiegel, who writes Iceman and will be writing X-Men Alpha.

Generation X has actually always been a favorite at M2K since it began. Mikey's written some good stuff -- only thing is, it's hard to keep someone's attention on a title if a certain number of issues don't connect into a story arc. Hopefully that'll change starting with this issue. There's still the great character interaction there always was, it's just now there are new complications that affect the characters individually, and as a team. With those elements, interest in this title is held for next issue.

Dino's scripting is awesome as usual, and combined with the unique creativity of Mikey G, Generation X stands out from the majority of titles at M2K. This title is definately hitting a new high -- and I'm definately here for next issue.

Thanks for the comments, Cory. Hope you'll stick around even after I'm gone, since both Mikey and Ryan have some kick-ass stuff planned.

Next letter is from Russ Anderson, who writes Scarlet Spider, Fallen Angels, plots New Warriors, and collaborates on Defenders. *whew* Better watch it, Russ. At this rate, you're gonna become as prolific as me.

Finally, this book is moving again! I hated these great characters being stuck in stasis for so long. I'm sure -- with Dino on-board as co-writer -- things should start happening a little more quickly now.

Sorry to say that I'm gonna be leaving after getting you psyched up.

Dino's participation is also making itself known in the stronger character moments and interactions. Meaning no disrespect to Mikey, but the majority of his Gen X issues -- while possessing a lot of heart -- have been pretty light fare, sometimes passing entire issues with nothing of note really happening (I direct anyone inclined to disbelieve me to the Christmas issue... what was that, #8?). With Dino here to focus things, and Mikey in charge of shaping the plots, things are looking up for this title.

Which isn't to say this issue is flawless. I'm disappointed that they've already gone the route of Raven-as-traitor. Sure, it's possible that there's a completely rational explanation for what Emma showed Sean at issue's end, but it just feels kind of expected... kinda like how, at DC, if there's a traitor in the JLA, you know that Martian Manhunter is going to be the main suspect (well, except for that recent story where Batman was... but that was an exception).

There's more to Raven's betrayal than meets the eye. She's gonna have a major role in the Hellfire Club over the next year, and you'll discover more about her.

Also, I thought the scene between Raven and Penance could have been handled better. The passage from... whatever it was from... was entirely too long, pretentiously long even. If it had had more bearing on the story, or if there'd been some sort of payoff at the end of the scene that justified transcribing half the book Raven was reading, I might have felt better about it. But no... that large a passage shouldn't have been included. It accomplishes next to nothing story-wise as it is.

Don't look at me, that's something Mikey wanted to toss in.

I'm pleasantly surprised by Raven's suggestion to Skin on the inherent shape-changing abilities his extra skin affords him. Never would have thought of that.

It makes sense when you think about it. He's got six extra feet of skin - think about how you could manipulate that if you really tried.

It's also good to see the kids being paired up a little differently than they traditionally have been. The first scene has Ev and Jubilee, and those two hanging together is to be expected, but the unexpected pairing of Jono and M later on in the issue was cool... and should lead to some issues with Paige down the line.

Hope you liked how the Jono/Paige thing played out.

The Verdict:

I'm glad to see this title moving again, and with Dino on-board to help focus and complement Mikey, it's better than it's ever been. Minor gripes aside, I'm hopeful this book will now start appearing on a regular basis.

Sorry about the long delay. That's partially my fault, since I had to work with Mikey on developing the Mystique plotline a bit more and tying it into the Hellfire Club.

Last but not least is a letter from Mike Exner III, writer of Amazing Spider-Man and Thunderbolts, as well as scripter of Avengers and New Warriors.

I’m glad that Dino decided to script Generation X for no greater reason than the title hadn’t been updated in ages. Holy shiznit is right.

Funny little backstory to the word "shiznit." That was the first time I ever used that word, and about a month later, I started dating a girl who claimed that she invented the word, "shiznit" (what do you expect, she was a cheerleader). We're no longer dating, I just thought it was interesting.

I really liked the re-cap at the beginning of the issue. The re-cap was obviously needed because the title hadn’t been written in so long and Dino always seems to come up with interesting ways to jump into a story. The news report was an excellent touch.

That was actually Mikey's idea, not mine.

Jubilee is just as much a little firecracker as she’s always been. I really like Synch, so I’m glad he got to play the role of “big brother” in this scene. The talk about dreams was interesting, and I’m definitely interested. Perhaps the kid left some sort of psionic residue in Jubilee’s head? I agree with Ev. Jubes should go see Emma.

Jubes and Ev are probably my two favorite GenXers. Maybe it's because of the fact that they're basically normal kids, moreso than any of the others.

Mystique reading to Penance was a little weird. I’m not sure what’s up with Penance in this title. Now is as good a time as any to ask. Is she the twins together now? Or is she like the Penance in Gen-X who showed up after the twins separated again? Whatever the case, I’ve always liked Penance as a character too. Some of the Gen-Xers just plain suck, but Penny ain’t one of ‘em.

Actually - NONE of the GenXers suck - only those who were written by Hama and Faerber. As for Penance, ignore all that twin garbage. All we know about Penance is that she's a walking mystery, and her only known name is Yvette.

The Monet and Chamber conversation/encounter that Husk saw was a little bit strange. Maybe I should really go back and read some of the older Gen-X issues. Or maybe Dino and Mikey are just bringing out new plot twists that interest me. This one does, I’m very curious.

It was lightly touched upon earlier.

I like the exploration of Skin’s powers too. I think the early success of Mystique’s idea was a little unbelievable but that’s a minor complaint. I would have liked to see some frustration at failing out of Angelo, but there’s plenty of time for that. Jst don’t make him an expert too fast.

Yeah, I’m definitely spotty on Gen-X. Why in the hell would Charles have Mystique run with the young kids? As much as she’s influenced young mutants into doing her dirt in the past I’m surprised Charles would support her. Let alone Banshee. Emma has the right idea and the spying footage is another nice little twists. Twists are what make a comic book fun people. Take note.

As I've said, there's more to Mystique than meets the eye. You'll see more over the course of the year.

That's it, guys. Dino has left the building.