Chapter Two

"Reynolds is back!" Catherine exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.

Cassie's expression turned guarded. " Yh, A few days ago, I think."

Catherine watched as Cassie exercised, lifting dumbbells and blocks that seemed to weigh a ton, their massive size straining her muscles. "You had better not dirty my home with all your sweat and... gross!" Catherine added, her tone playful despite the warning.

 ***.....***

The air was filled with chatter and camera clicks as influential figures arrived at the council hall. Lincoln City's elite politicians had gathered for the senatorial meeting, where they would flaunt their luxury and power under the guise of addressing pressing issues.

A sleek, black sedan pulled up to the entrance, its tinted windows glinting in the morning sun. A security guard opened the door, and Lydia, dressed in a black suit with tinted glasses, stepped out first. She turned to assist Senator Reynolds, who emerged from the back seat of the vehicle and into his high-tech wheelchair, which Lydia had thoughtfully positioned beside the car.

Reynold's grand entrance into the building was met with a mix of awe and trepidation. As the senator of Lincoln city, he had built a reputation for being untouchable, making every other politician seem inferior in comparison. His confidence was palpable, and he reveled in the fear and respect he inspired in others.

Elite politicians and influencers had long disliked Reynolds, but he didn't let that faze him. He knew his capabilities and wasn't intimidated by anyone, except perhaps the newly elected president, who kept a watchful eye on him. A few ranking councilors also dared to challenge him, but Reynolds remained unfazed.

Behind the façade of a respected senator of Lincoln City, he harbored a far more formidable identity: the founder of Murfield Corps, a powerhouse in the clandestine world of mutations. His air of superiority was deeply rooted in the weight of his accomplishments and the immense power he wielded, commanding reverence in both the public eye and the shadows.

Lydia handed him a slim leather folder containing his meeting notes and documents. With a nod, Senator Reynolds began to make his way into the council hall, his wheelchair gliding effortlessly across the floor.

As they entered the meeting room, Reynolds nodded to the assembled officials. "Good morning, everyone."

The vice councilor, a portly man with a reddening face, spoke up. "Reynolds, we need to discuss the recent economic downturn. Your... business dealings have caused quite a stir." His eyes shifted towards Lydia. "...and I see you came with your right-hand man. Where are my manners, lady?" 

Lydia was more than just Reynolds' right-hand woman or in the case of the vice councilors' mockery "man"; she was his closest confidante, a surrogate daughter, and an indispensable mutant. He held her in the highest esteem, always prioritizing her well-being and opinions above those of his other associates. Lydia was a fox mutant. Her genetic code was imbued with that of a fox making her agile, cunning, and virtually invisible. Lydia's fox mutant genes had gifted her with an uncanny ability to blend into her surroundings, making her a master of stealth and deception. Her senses were heightened to superhuman levels, allowing her to detect even the slightest changes in her environment.

With her incredible agility and reflexes, Lydia could slip in and out of the shadows unnoticed, earning her the reputation as the Mistress of Stealth and Gadgets. Her talent for infiltration and sabotage was unmatched, and she was often called upon by Reynolds to carry out high-stakes missions.

But Lydia's abilities went beyond mere stealth and agility. Her fox genes had also granted her an incredible intelligence and cunning, making her a master strategist and problem-solver. She was always thinking several steps ahead, anticipating potential dangers and devising creative solutions.

Catherine and Cassie adored her as "Miss Perfect" due to her impeccable skills and poise, but those who underestimated her paid the price. Lydia was a force to be reckoned with, and her reputation as a formidable operative was well-deserved.

Reynolds' expression turned cold, his voice biting. "I'm not here to discuss my business, Vice Councilor. That's what lawyers are for."

The vice councilor snorted. "Your philanthropy is admirable, Reynolds, but it doesn't erase the fact that your corporation is hoarding resources."

Reynolds raised an eyebrow. "Hoarding resources? You mean like the city's pension fund, which you've so aptly mismanaged?"

"Gentlemen, let's focus on finding solutions." Chief Thompson intervened, with a stern expression.

The vice councilor's face reddened further. "You're just defending him because of his... influence."

Reynolds' lips curled into a sly smirk, the corners twitching ever so slightly. "Influence?" he repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. "You wish you had a fraction of mine, Vice Councilor." His expression remained impassive, a mask of calmness that belied the underlying tension.

His eyes narrowed, glinting like polished steel as he turned to Chief Thompson. "And I suggest you refrain from intruding into my affairs, Mr. Thompson." The words were laced with a subtle warning, the tone low and even.

Reynolds' gaze locked onto Thompson's, the air seeming to thicken as the two men stared each other down. Thompson's eyes flickered, a fleeting glimmer of fear dancing across his face before he looked away, his shoulders squaring in a defensive gesture.

Lydia's eyes narrowed, her hand resting on the grip of her gun, behind her back. She scanned the room, ready to take out any perceived threat.

"Let's begin!" Reynolds instructed with a mild tone.

"Let's begin a detailed report on all the corporation's activities in Lincoln city." One of the councilors' voice rose above the chattering in the room.

Reynolds nodded curtly. "Go on!"

As the meeting adjourned, Reynolds turned to Lydia. "Rachez filled me in on yesterday's mission. I'm impressed." Lydia helped him into the car. "Catherine, not so much." He then entered his car, speaking to her through the lowered window " Tell Cassie to stand guard tonight, I have a feeling something different might come up… it's a feeling though." The black shades of the tinted window slid up as the car screeched away.

 ***.....***

The city was shrouded in an inky blackness, but the atmosphere was far from serene. The conjunction of car horns, chatter, and technological hums created a symphony of chaos, a familiar melody that echoed through the streets every night. For Cassie, perched atop a towering skyscraper, it was just another night on watch.

Concealed in the shadows, Cassie's eyes scanned the concrete jungle below, her gaze piercing through the darkness. Her task was to detect and neutralize anomalies - rogue mutant actions that threatened the fragile balance between humans and genetically enhanced individuals. Reynolds relied on her, she was the perfect mutant for the job. Miss Muscles, she was called by Catherine and Lydia for her sturdy and muscular physique but revered as mistress of the skies for her advanced mastery on air. Cassie was a falcon mutant; the genetics of a falcon fused with hers made her a formidable force to be reckoned with. Cassie's falcon mutant genes had gifted her with incredible strength, speed, and agility, earning her the nickname "Miss Muscles" from her friends Catherine and Lydia. But it was her mastery of the air that truly set her apart.

With wings as strong as steel and feathers as light as silk, Cassie, the mistress of the skies, could soar through the skies with ease, her falcon-like reflexes allowing her to dodge and weave through even the most treacherous air currents. Her eyesight was equally impressive, with a sharpness and clarity that rivaled that of the falcons she was genetically linked to.

As she stood vigilant, the wind whipping her dark hair into a frenzy, her senses remained on high alert...

Cassie's gaze snapped towards the commotion, her eyes locking onto the black SUV as it weaved through the crowded streets. The police cruisers were hot on its heels, their sirens blaring in a cacophonous symphony. Cassie's instincts kicked in, her mind racing with possibilities.

She quickly pulled out her comms device, her fingers flying across the touchscreen as she accessed the police frequency. The dispatcher's voice crackled through the speaker, "Girls, we have a high-speed pursuit in progress. Suspects are considered armed and extremely dangerous."

She spread her wings, the dark feathers unfolding like a shadowy cloak. The wind ruffled her hair as she took to the skies, soaring above the city streets. Her eyes turned completely white as her X-ray vision activated, allowing her to see through the SUV's metal shell.

Inside, she saw five occupants and a driver at the front, their bodies glowing with a soft, ethereal light. But one of them stood out - a mutant, her energy was a faint blue pulse, the signature for psychic energy. 

The power of psychics had long been a subject of fear and fascination. From telepaths who could delve into the deepest recesses of the mind to telekinetics who could manipulate matter with a mere thought, the extent of their abilities was seemingly boundless. Seismics, with their capacity to control the very fabric of the earth, were perhaps the most feared of all and many more. Their potential was so great that it led to the downfall of several mutant organizations, including Omicron and Velot, which had specialized in harnessing psychological energy.

However, it was not their own undoing that led to their demise, but rather the ruthless ambition of the Murfield Corporation. Through a combination of strategic maneuvering and brutal force, Reynolds conquered and assimilated Omicron, Velot, and other organizations, bringing the psychic community under its strict control. 

As she flew, Cassie's comms device crackled again, "Girls, be advised, I'm receiving a psychic pulse from one of the occupants in the SUV." Cassie's voice was laced with caution, her eyes narrowing into a determined gaze. Her focus intensified, her wings beating powerful and swift as she zeroed in on her target.

Her priority was clear: neutralize the mutant and prevent any exposure to the public. As a member of Murfield Corps, Cassie was part of the organization that had sworn to protect Lincoln City from threats both humans and mutants, at all cost. The corps had worked tirelessly to maintain the delicate balance between the two worlds, and Cassie was determined to uphold that mission.

"Lydia, Catherine, I need you to provide backup," Cassie's voice was firm and commanding. "We can't let this mutant compromise our operations or put the city at risk. Let's move in, quietly and quickly."

With her wings beating in a swift, deadly rhythm, Cassie dove towards the SUV, her eyes fixed on the psychic pulse emanating from within. She was ready to take down the mutant and keep Lincoln City safe, no matter the cost.

Meanwhile, Dahlia, the psychic mutant in the vehicle, felt Cassie's presence above them. The gang had just broken out of the bank with cash-filled duffel bags.

"The mistress of the skies is above us, Karl!" Dahlia said to their leader.

"What are you waiting for? Take her down!" Karl barked at her with a tense tone. Fear had caught up to him for he feared what the mistress of the skies would do to them or worse, if Catherine, was with her.

Amongst the trio, Catherine was the most feared. Catherine was a speed mutant, her genetic makeup bombarded with that of a cheetah. Labeled as Miss Beauty by Cassie and Lydia, she was generally known for her bloodthirsty nature. She refined and completed her kills with surgical precision, earning her the ominous reputation as the "Blade of Murfield." Her speed was mesmerizing, a blur of movement that left opponents reeling. Catherine's cheetah-like reflexes allowed her to dodge even the swiftest attacks, making her nearly untouchable in combat.

But what made Catherine truly formidable were her razor-sharp claws, which extended from her fingertips like gleaming blades. With a mere thought, she could unsheathe these deadly talons, using them to tear through steel, flesh, and bone with equal ease. Her claws were a testament to her cheetah heritage, and she wielded them with deadly precision, striking fear into the hearts of her enemies.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Cassie and Lydia regarded Catherine as a trusted ally and friend. They knew that beneath her tough exterior lay a complex and vulnerable individual, driven by a fierce loyalty to those she cared about. As Miss Beauty, Catherine was a stunning contradiction - a gorgeous and deadly mutant, feared by many and admired by few.

As Cassie's eyes locked on the vehicle, Dahlia knew she had to act fast. She focused her mind, launching a telepathic assault on Cassie's mental shields. The first attempt was like slamming into a brick wall - Dahlia's consciousness recoiled, repelled by Cassie's formidable mental defenses.

Unshaken, Dahlia gathered her strength and tried again. This time, she employed a reminiscence force, creating memories of her past encounters to create a resonance that would allow her to bypass the attacker's defenses. The mental landscape shifted, and Dahlia felt herself being pulled into Cassie's mind.

As she breached the mental shields, Dahlia swiftly assessed Cassie's thoughts and intentions. With a swift, telepathic strike, she severed the connections between Cassie's brain and her motor skills, effectively shutting down her ability to fly. Cassie's eyes widened, as she fell to the ground, her body crashing onto the hard ground.

Dahlia opened her eyes, her chest heaving with exertion. She had successfully taken her down, but Cassie's formidable mental shields had left her shaken. The gang sighed in relief, screaming and shaking hands, overlooking Dahlia's shaken states. 

Their vehicle stopped right before a team of special forces, with their guns aiming right at them. The gang came out of the car as Dahlia was too drained to force her way into their minds. She had only one option.

"Come out with your hands up!" the officer ordered, cautiously approaching her.

Dahlia blocked all her senses, an oppressive stillness descended upon her space, as if the very molecules had been stilled. Inside her mind, her cranial nerves sparked wildly like live wire. Then a strong burst of brain waves lashed out from her mind. Her eyes turned blue, sparking with a maliciously tempest. She forcefully bypassed her way into the last power tier of telepathy -Mass mind control. A state of immense potential, but at a great cost.

"I said..." The officer's voice trailed off as his face turned beet red. He grasped his throat, eyes wide with panic. His body convulsed, hands shaking wildly. He fell to the ground, desperate for oxygen.

"That's my girl." Karl muttered with a curt smile.

Dahlia emerged from the vehicle, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. She closed her eyes, her face scrunched in concentration. A low hum filled the air as she reached out with her mind.

She pinpointed the hypoglossal nerves, the delicate threads that controlled the squad's ability to swallow, to speak, to breathe. With a subtle mental nudge, she disrupted the nerves' gentle hum, sending a wave of relaxation coursing through the squad's bodies.

Their eyes began to droop, their heads nodding forward as they struggled to stay awake. Their limbs relaxed, their bodies swaying gently before crumbling to the ground.

The only sound was the soft thud of their bodies hitting the earth, followed by the gentle rise and fall of their chests as they slipped into a deep, forced slumber. Dahlia's eyes snapped open, her eyes fell on Karl who was walking towards her.

"Didn't I warn you not to kill anyone, Dahlia?" Karl said, a hint of amusement on his face. "Guys! …Let's go!" He was about to step into the vehicle but stopped when he saw his team freeze, their eyes widening. "What is it this time?" he asked suspiciously. They didn't answer, only gaze wordless at the darkness before them. Karl sensed it wasn't a joke. His gaze fell on Dahlia who was still buzzing with energy. Dahlia reached out her mind to know who it was that struck such fear on the team. Within seconds she snapped back, her eyes widened, her fingers danced to the tune of fear. At this point Karl sensed that it wasn't a joke and stepped right out to see who they were looking at. He found himself gazing upon a mystique figure concealed in the darkness. The figure had two outstanding features, glinting green eyes that radiated fear and razor sharp claws.

"Taking Cassie out! …That was quite a daring move." a voice rose from the darkness "However you should have known better than to harm a mistress, Dahlia!"