Issue 1 Downtime

A little while after supervising the Danger Room competition between Allison and Nailah the phone in Sam's office rings on the emergency line.

She frowns, and picks up.

"McManus."

"Afternoon, Professor. This is Doctor Cooper, Chief of Medicine at Muir Island. I... have some bad news."

"I don't generally get calls from Muir for good news."

"Right. Of course. Well, I still wish I had better news. The detainment facility asked us to determine what happened to one of their prisoners, it seemed she had suffered a power outburst of some sort despite their power inhibiting measures. I'm... afraid that while she was in our care she... managed to disappear somehow along with one of our patients."

She frowns deeply. Of course, nobody could tell that on the other end.

"...tell me who escaped."

The man on the other hand may not be able to tell but from how nervous his voice sounds he's probably assuming as much. "Well there's Andrew Burke and... uhm... Mary 'Melpomene' Bell."

"...and do you want to tell me why Mary Bell was even allowed to come into contact with Mister Burke again?"

"She wasn't! We evacuated the entire floor, had her sedated, moved her under guard. Mister Burke was recovering well after we excised his conditioning. According got his session records he didn't even remember her. We... we don't know what happened."

"I need answers as your investigation proceeds. I don't think I have to tell you how dangerous Bell can be."

"Director Porter made that very clear. We know she disappeared while we were briefing the MRI technician and that she overpowered two guards at the harbour to steal their boat. That was... an hour ago. We'll inform the police as well but... between a mimetic shapeshifter and an omega-class telepath... Well we thought informing you was of more immediate importance. Director Porter will keep you informed about the ongoing investigation, I'm sure..."

"I'll likely be doing investigation of my own."

"Right. Of course." he says, sounding relieved. "If there's anything else you need from us..."

"Just keep me posted. I'll do the same with X-Corp."