Tales of the Parodyverse

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killer shrike
Fri Nov 24, 2006 at 07:02:49 pm EST
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Bad Genes, Part Four
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Bad Genes, Part Four



Glory, the Dog Dynamo, scanned the expertly wrapped package with her X-ray vision, “It is a juicer.”

“Yes,” Dominic Clancy agreed from the driver’s seat of the Ford Ranger. The two were driving the private roadway to the Paradopolis Explorer’s Society.

“I did not know Miss Apple and Crazy Sugar Freak Boy asked for a juicer for a wedding gift.”

The Man of Might shrugged, “I thought they could use it, especially Foxglove. The only fruit the man gets in his diet is the kind that can be rolled up or stuffed in a Newton.”

“That is very considerate of you,” Glory replied in her unique language of growls and body movements, “I notice it is an identical model to the one you bought for Nats and Uhunaluna.”

“It’s the same juicer.”

“I see.”

“The Democrats are back in power, Glory; we have to be economical,” Dominic explained as he eased the truck into a parking space outside the estate’s rustic-looking welcome center. The Man of Might’s own enhanced perceptions could see the sophisticated array of sensory and communications equipment concealed within and around the building.

“Mister Regent and his associates do not seem to be concerned with frugality,” the Border collie noted the luxury and sports cars they sat amidst.

Epitome smirked, “That’s not the first time you’ve gone out of your way to make a disparaging comment about our contact. I know Rex Regent worked with the opposition during the 1066 mess, but he was on our side the whole time. We can trust him.”

“How do you know?”

It was a good question, one Epitome struggled to answer, “Regent is a… proxy for a more powerful interest. A patriot, who helped us from the beginning.”

Glory’s ears pricked up with recognition, “Mister Regent works for the Grey Eminence?”

“Uh, yes. How did you- you know who the Grey Eminence is?”

“Not exactly. You told me, before your memory loss and age regression, that the Grey Eminence helped you run the Office of Paranormal Security. He was connected, influential, and dedicated to keeping America safe. From behind the scenes.”

Dominic nodded. What Glory told him went along with what the former government operative had learned himself from both the Eminence and Regent, “I am considering working with them again.”

“I see.”

“But if you don’t want me to, I won’t.”

“Wait. What?”

“That’s what this meeting is for,” The Paragon of Power reached over and scratched Glory’s snout, “Regent is going to give us the mission specifics. If you think the assignment is worthwhile, then we execute it. If not, then we don’t.”

“This is very surprising,” the Canine Champion admitted.

“That I want your advice? You shouldn’t be. You’re one of the smartest persons I know. I respect your judgment.”

Glory gave a happy bark and licked her friend’s hand in gratitude.

*****


Rex Regent was a skilled enough actor to conceal any physical signs of concern over Glory’s presence in the meeting. Of course, he could do little about his quickened heart rate or his body’s increased production of corticotropin, (or “alarm” pheromones), conditions both of his guests could easily discern. Regent knew it, which was why he curbed the blarney and just relayed the facts.

“There’s a geneticist named Maura MacTavish working on a cure for mutants in violation to international law. We want to shut her down. Unfortunately her lab is located on an island of the Scottish coast, and our British “allies” are a bit reluctant to help us. The lady has connections with England’s old super soldier program Project: Pendragon, and they’re interested in how they can use her results.”

“In addition,” Epitome interrupted, “There are some who argue that Dr. MacTavish is not in defiance of UN Resolution 4985 forbidding genetic research for the purpose of creating metahumans, as she is trying to return paranormal abilities to those who inherited them from birth. I believe there is a case pending in Scotland’s High Court of Justiciary.”

“Right. The suit’s being brought forward by a coalition of ex-mutate rights groups, some of whom have very disturbing pedigrees,” Regent exposited, “What makes it even harder for us to stop MacTavish is her main financier is an Italian pharmecutical company called SaluTecno. They’ve poured hundreds of millions of dollars into her research, and quite a bit of it has been spent on security. We’ve been unable to learn much about what’s going on at Moirre Island, because SaluTecno wants to ‘protect’ its investment.”

“So we are looking at a medical installation conducting theoretically illegal genetic research with no apparent government oversight, and no transparency,” the Man of Might summarized, “the consequences of success being the recreation of an entire subgroup of metahumans, many of whom hold ill will towards this country and its people.”

Rex permitted himself a brief smile. He could tell where Clancy was stood on the issue; but then, he figured that coming in. What complicated matters were the possible goings-on in the fuzzy little noggin of his partner.

“They want us because they cannot stop the doctor any other way. They cannot use political or economic pressure, or covert action. So we are to provide the power necessary for overt action,” Glory stated, “Is the Grey Eminence worried about the political ramifications of staging an operation like this on allied soil?”

The Man of Might nearly flinched when Glory mentioned Grey by name. He wasn’t sure if she was supposed to know of the existence of the unseen power broker, or if his organization knew how to interpret her language, “I would say there is more concern about the health and safety of the fifty three ex-mutates who have volunteered for MacTavish’s experiments, and the possibility that the world could face a massive influx of hostile metahumans if she succeeds.”

“And let’s not forget to thank that old duffer Wilton for nuking France because they refused to go along with his plan for stopping the Parody Master’s invasion,” Rex smiled, “After that show the Administration is pretty confident us smashing up a lab won’t engender too much backlash from friend or foe.”

It wasn’t her enemies that Glory was concerned about, “Can I have some time to think about this, please?”

Dominic nodded, and then rose to shake Regent’s hand, “We’ll be in touch,” he promised, and then they left.

To Be Continued

Footnotes:

Rex Regent: is a former CIA/NSA special agent who was also in the employ of the Grey Eminence. He was called back into service when Mr. Epitome lost his memories and was demoted from OPS. While he worked with the conspiracy behind SR 1066 and its attempts to control the world's metahuman population with "loyalty brands," he himself was a double agent working for the Grey Eminence.

The Grey Eminence, (Aldrich Grey), Texas billionaire and super-patriot, has used his vast economic and political powers to influence United States’ foreign policy for the past fifty years. A remarkably spry 97, Grey’s greatest asset in his quest to protect America’s interests has been the metahuman known as Mr. Epitome (q.v). The Grey Eminence is the creator and secret power behind the Office of Paranormal Security (q.v).

The Parodyverse's mutate problems: Most of the world's mutate population lost their powers due to the actions of the Vermillion Vex, who erased all such abilities to save her brother, the heroic mutate speedster De Brown Streak. The reactions to this loss have been varied, but it is clear that at least the American government is happy with the current status quo.






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