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Post by skybright on Jul 10, 2006 5:59:20 GMT -5
Hubert frowned. "I hadn't realized there was quite that level of danger involved for all of you."
Daws gave a good-natured shrug. "Don't worry about it, Hubert. It's gettin' to be par for the course with this bunch."
The scientist looked thoughtfully at his hands. "Obviously at this time my DNA has been somewhat . . . modified." He said after a moment. "But shouldn't your Doctor Ollivard still have a fairly sizeable sample from . . . before?" He shrugged. "Perhaps one of your associates could plant it in such a way as to support the illusion of my suicide."
Daws ran a hand through her hair. "Y'know, that's a good point." She frowned. "Though I dunno if planted DNA would end up looking less suspicious -- or more."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 10, 2006 6:14:33 GMT -5
"That's beyond me," Vance remarked, and glanced at Miriam. "You're the one who deals with dead people. Whata you think?"
The pathologist frowned. "I don't quite see how we could use any kind of a trick like that. Suicides don't get up and walk away. The only time you'd expect to find blood and no body is if there was foul play involved."
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Post by skybright on Jul 10, 2006 6:19:36 GMT -5
Daws grimaced. "No deal. If Nocturne thinks for a minute that anybody but him decided to bump Huber off, he's gonna get cranky. Maybe not as cranky as he'd be with Huber getting ready to deploy genocide -- but still a lot crankier than I ever wanna see him."
Hubert shook his head. "Then I'm afraid my store of ideas is exhausted. It's been a long week -- I'm afraid my problem-solving skills are not at their best."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 10, 2006 6:28:47 GMT -5
Vance sighed. "Well, there's always the old B-movie suicide-by-drowning dodge--chuck a few personal items in the river and wait for 'em to wash up." He shrugged. "Other than that, we'll just havta see how the old bat takes it when the cops find the note."
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Post by skybright on Jul 10, 2006 6:34:01 GMT -5
Daws rolled her eyes. "That's assuming that Art Simpson and company ever manage to find it. I've met home appliances smarter than that jerk." She shrugged. "But chuckin' stuff into the East River's probably not a bad idea. As wicked as the undertow gets down by some of the piers, it's not that unusual for bodies to just up and vanish."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 10, 2006 6:39:32 GMT -5
Vance shrugged. "I can do that tonight." Then, glancing at Huber, "I know you didn't have much on you when we grabbed you, but if there's anything somebody could identify, we could use it. Wallet, watch... things like that."
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Post by skybright on Jul 10, 2006 6:48:18 GMT -5
Hubert nodded. "By all means." He pulled a wallet from his pocket and held it out to Vance. "There's nothing in there that would be of use to me any more, anyway." He added.
Daws smiled. "I've got some friends who do a little . . . 'freelance document creation'." She said. "And I'm pretty sure Major Vance does, too. Between us, we'll get you some new identification as soon as we can."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 10, 2006 6:51:18 GMT -5
"Which brings up another point," Vance observed. "We've been callin' you 'Hubert', but you can pick pretty much any name you want now. We'll have to know your choice before we can work on that new ID."
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Post by skybright on Jul 10, 2006 7:00:56 GMT -5
Hubert looked mildly startled. "I . . . hadn't even thought of that."
He thought for a moment, studying his hands. "Jacob was my father's name." He said at length. "It would be easy for me to remember. And . . ."
He smiled faintly and looked up at Vance. "If I may, I'd like to keep the name 'Hubert'. It . . . will remind me of what I was. And of what I'm trying to become."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 10, 2006 7:05:13 GMT -5
Vance smiled slightly, and nodded.
"There's a few more things we'll have to go over later--details to decide on, so you'll remember 'em. After that, I'll take it all to one of my forger friends." He glanced at Daws. "Unless you'd rather have your people do it. Same difference to me."
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Post by skybright on Jul 10, 2006 7:11:24 GMT -5
Daws frowned thoughtfully. "Probably better to send it to your boys -- mine are more contacts than friends, and they're not in the resistance. This is one of those things we'd better play as close to the vest as we can -- especially with Nocturne as worked up as he is."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 10, 2006 11:00:17 GMT -5
"Check." Vance turned back to Huber. "You'll have all the papers you need before Ollivard comes to pick you up."
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Post by skybright on Jul 10, 2006 16:16:57 GMT -5
Hubert nodded. "Thank you, Major." He glanced curiously at Daws. "Does this Ollivard know exactly what he's getting himself into -- who he's taking in?"
Daws nodded. "He's the guy who ran those blood tests for us -- so yeah, he's pretty well-informed about the whole situation. And don't worry about how he'll see you -- Caddy was born without the ability to hold a grudge."
She grinned wickedly. "Of course, he was also born without the ability to shut up -- and with a disproportionate sense of cheer to make up for it. He'll either rub off on you, or drive you completely loony."
Hubert looked mildly dismayed. "I'm sure I look forward to either prospect with equal enthusiasm," he said -- not sounding particularly enthused.
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 11, 2006 0:39:07 GMT -5
Miriam chuckled. "Doctor Ollivard takes a little getting used to, but he's very kind--and he knows his stuff. You'll learn a lot from him."
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Post by skybright on Jul 11, 2006 0:54:59 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Caddy works out at the Lefkowitz Institute -- the mutant health wing of Mount Sinai -- as one of the head physicians. But his real interest is research -- studying how to ease symptoms and manifestations. Who knows what the two of you might come up with?"
Hubert smiled faintly. "I must admit, it's hard for me even to concieve of studying how to help mutations. I've spent so long doing just the opposite -- I'm not sure I'd know where to start."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 11, 2006 1:02:49 GMT -5
Alex shrugged. "When Sid's daughter grew gills, Doctor Ollivard said a lot of other mutants like her have problems manifesting and need surgery. Maybe you could start with something like that."
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Post by skybright on Jul 11, 2006 1:12:19 GMT -5
Hubert looked thoughtful. "Yes, I can see where such a transformation would be easily complicated. Even if the coded information of the X-Gene were complete, the tendency of mature cells to . . ."
Daws laughed. "Oh, you and Caddy're gonna get along just perfectly. Ten minutes after you meet you're gonna be talking shop, while the rest of us stand by and try to figure out what on earth you're saying."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 11, 2006 1:17:52 GMT -5
"Yeah, this'll work." Vance stood up with a stretch, and glanced at his watch. "Listen, I gotta go see about some of the arrangements for Brandeis. Handy's got another key to the apartment, so he'll let you in when you go back."
He turned to Hubert. "I'll give you your partner's address when we get her moved to Amherst. Whether or not you ever wanna write or call her is your concern."
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Post by skybright on Jul 11, 2006 1:24:02 GMT -5
Hubert paled slightly and looked down at his hands. "I . . . appreciate the gesture, Major Vance, but I'm sure there would be no point in that -- unless I want to torment myself." He closed his eyes briefly. "I'm sure you saw enough to know what her reaction would be."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 11, 2006 1:30:59 GMT -5
"Yeah." Vance shrugged. "But people can change--especially if they've got somebody to teach 'em. If she cares about you, I think it'd be within your power to bring her around. And frankly, I'd rest easier if you did; she may say she's outta the research, but there'll always be a chance of danger from her as long as she's afraid of us."
He spread his hands. "Like I said, that's your decision. I'm just gonna make sure you have the option, either way."
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