"You what!"
Erik was furious. He knew Shadow would do something to slip up. He was now practically worthless to Erik.
Sabretooth threw Shadow across the room. He vaporized to avoid contact with the metal wall at a forceful rate of acceleration. He then revaporized back. Another paw hit him and he felt it. He went flying, this time forgetting his powers and slamming into a table, breaking it in two. Sabretooth finally stopped his assault.
His wounds from Wolverine had healed slowly, and when they did he'd come back to tell Magneto the news. Erik took it like Shadow thought he would. He saw the new clone/drone standing next to Magneto; apparently Erik still had a lot of stuff to teach him. This was such a slow process; Shadow didn't understand the patience this man had for designing a project and making it perfect and successful.
"I'm sorry, it was an accident. That wolf man spotted me."
"He wouldn't have if you had kept your hands to yourself and off that girl. Reckless!"
"I couldn't help it."
"You lost our only link into the X-Men. Now we can't find out what they're up to. Do you not think with your brain at all?! They are at full alert now."
"I can still go back in."
"They'll spot you in a minute. You are almost worthless now."
Not a good sign, he thought. Shadow needed the cash bad. This was the best gig he could find; also, Vamp was here and he didn't want to leave his friend. Yet...these guys were getting on his nerves too much. They were a bunch of radicals. He had a love/hate relationship with the situation -- hated it but since there was nothing better he loved it.
Time for a little hardball.
"This was more then I bargained for. I'm leaving."
Sabretooth stepped in his path.
"I said almost worthless. I have a few other jobs for you...that is, if you still want to get paid."
"I'm not getting paid much."
"Your point?"
"I want a raise if I'm to stick around here."
"Nothing you've done recently merits one, don't you think?"
"I got you out of prison -- what more do you want? A thousand extra and I'll stay."
Erik didn't want to negotiate with this kid but he still needed him. However, he was not willing to pay much more to keep him. Mystique could easily find another mutant with his powers but the problem was finding one with his morals. He'd have to negotiate...as much as he didn't like it. "Try three hundred."
"Eight hundred," said Shadow
"Four hundred."
"Six hundred."
"Five hundred is my final offer, take it or leave it." Magneto eyed him, not giving another inch.
"Deal, and keep Big Dog here away from me."
"Agreed." With a wave of his hand, Sabretooth growled and left the room. "I am warning you, Shadow: I am paying you for completed good jobs, not ones where you blow it. Mess up again, and I won't be so forgiving. There's not much room for error if you want to change the world. Now get out!"
Erik knew he would mess up and get caught, but not know. This was too soon; still so much Xavier would be planning that he needed to find out. Mystique brought in another report from Vamp. He was going to inoculate two more clones tonight for replacements.
The clone, Mr. Paul Karringer, that stood beside him watched and learned from his father figure, taking everything in. He was learning fast. Erik sat back and marveled at he idea of his mutant army. Wonderful. Finally he could grow his own men and not have to rely on mutants like Shadow, who could apparently only think with his lower brain. This would be the time to change the world.
Only thing left is to get the real Mr. Paul Karringer and have the clone learn about him, reading his mind through telepathy. Then his "clone" will be truly authentic and ready to take over.
The time is coming, Xavier. You just wait and see.
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