Chapter 4

The night breeze together with the moonlight, one of Eliza's favorite companions, gave her a sense of calm. As one of her major responsibilities was usually performed at this time.

Telepaths were a good way to get information in different ways. That's why Eliza was in charge of scouring the streets with her telepathic projection.

Her gaze narrowed and she roamed all over the slums picking up rumors and thoughts occupying the minds of passersby. His eyes and mind worked on their own, though he also knew he could stop it at any time if he wanted to.

He pondered freely while another part of his mind was occupied with the task of remembering the important things. The most complicated stretch was being conscious and keeping it working for that reason he was not usually asked.

But today is an important day, the leaders of the big lowtown gangs will be meeting today.

"Welcome and thank you all for coming on such short notice," said Haji, it didn't seem so big according to the rumors, Eliza reflected. "First of all, I think there is no need to talk about why we are having this emergency meeting."

I speak as the others settle into their seats, each with a symbol.

The boss was right, they are more of a syndicate than just a group... It's always scary that a kid barely 16 years old has more information and analytical power than an adult.

Nodding towards one of his subordinates, Haji lined up around the table, as a projection popped up on his back.

"An outside group took over and eliminated our fifth member" he spoke as he pointed towards an empty seat.

"Please, we all know he didn't deserve the seat, he would lose it to someone else or one of us" spoke Selina, leader of the red district, as her gaze rested on Haji and Raman.

"Although, indeed, our partner was not the best, we still have to maintain a certain reputation, we cannot allow a member of ours to die, and even more so if it is by foreign hands," said Haji, while speaking with apparent honesty.

"Although they are touching words I will not participate, soon there will be the annual celebrations, a loss of manpower at this time would mean huge losses for me" spoke Marcos, Capo of Cosa nostra, in charge of the largest drug distribution on the continent.

"I don't see why this is a topic of debate!" Raman Raghav was furious, his face flushed with anger and panic "We need to get together and expel an imminent danger What's the point of having formed a junta if we don't defend our reputation?"

Well the loss of Harbor Bay along with his failed attack attempt, spelled the biggest loss for him compared to a few eavesdroppers.

"We didn't form this board to be a charity for insufficient, you didn't follow the consensus to wait and watch," said Selina, with a cold indifference "Let me guess, as soon as you heard Harbor Bay had new management, you thought it would be the perfect time to expand your business"

"After I'm done with those pests, I'll slit your pretty neck" spoke Raman as he stood up from the table.

"Come on folks, we shouldn't argue amongst ourselves, although I'm afraid I agree with Miss Selina. We have little information about them, that's why we agreed on a posture of vigilance" Haji's calm voice, echoed through the room, this made it clear that he had been the one who handed the weapons to Raman 'That's why I investigated our new neighbors, although difficult and not cheap, we were able to find out why Raman's resounding failure'.

"I have no patience, get to the point, Haji," Marcos spat from across the table, his tone somewhat altered.

"Good. Our network has discovered that our new neighbors, aside from being an experienced group of pirates, have mutant members among their members. This poses a major problem for us, though. If we can prove their involvement with mutants, the city guard is likely to crack down on them, I think there are a few ways we can work this out."

"You have information about their powers" Selina spoke with a strong curiosity.

"We know, three mutants; Antonio Sandoval, youngest son of the Sandoval family, apparently abandoned after his father discovered he was a mutant. He was last seen in Brazil. His abilities are believed to produce explosions from his arms, coupled with extensive combat training is deadly," Haji replied as he pointed towards the projection where images of Antonio and more extensive information were displayed.

"Yes, I think I heard about the poor boy, the abandoned puppy of the Sandoval family, many sought his head with the fact that they could settle accounts with the Sandovals, but he disappeared not before having slaughtered a few of his pursuers" explained Marcos, with his eyes focused on the projections.

"Go on" interrupted Raman.

"With pleasure, next up is Project K42; a mutant with abilities trained by a certain assassin organization, based in Japan. Recently dismantled by the X-men but before that there was a reported escape of a test subject who could transform into an infernal being" Images of a young Koemi girl and her infernal transformation were the next images projected, Eliza analyzed,

"My goodness, it's a girl" said Selina in surprise.

"Finally Eliza Brentwood, Her family sent her to a mutant reform school as soon as her mutation was discovered, where she used her gifts to manipulate and convince all the employees of her release" Haji continued reporting.

"I don't think they are the only ones, though they are strong. what about their leader, I doubt they follow someone weaker" Mark interjected, leaning forward. "Who is it?"

"No one knows," Haji said, scowling his face, showing his annoyance at their lack of information. "He first appeared in Italy, then in Brazil, he was seen in Japan. But no one knows how he got there, or what he was there for. We don't know how they met, nor do we know for sure if their leader is here. We only know that he calls himself Maleït" Haji replied, as unfocused images were projected.

"You're not selling the idea very well, kid" he said. "I'm not a coward who backs down for a few freaks, but I'm not going into a battle blind."

"That's why I don't come unprepared, recently the market for anti-mutant weapons has been on the rise. Which is why a businessman like me has prepared in advance."

A dull ache came thunderously to Eliza's temple, the neural load from her projection was high and she was reaching her limit.

Knowing it was time, she withdrew her concentration and regained her awareness of herself.