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Merc's Metamorphs

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Chapter 12: Secretary of State

Despite Frank's general rule of trying to space out jobs between distant and far destinations it felt like Merc's Metamorphs had been required to travel far more than usual in their recent tasks. In most cases he preferred to wait at least a few weeks between all-day trips requiring his 'travel powers', yet the task in Santagua wasn't exactly optional and, suddenly, less than 72 hours later Merc and his boyfriends were tangled up in yet another 'not optional' summons to appear before a representative from the US Government... at Camp David, no less.

On one hand, the fact that they had been summoned to Camp David rather than some place with 'administrative threat' like Quantico, or somewhere overtly 'incarceration-oriented' like Guantanamo Bay was a relief but the flip side left a large question-mark in Merc's mind: why in the hell would someone from the federal government suddenly take an interest in Merc's Metamorphs. He did know the answer, of course, but he really hoped he was wrong; his team had a standing policy NOT to get involved in political jobs and, after one single overstepping of that requirement, he found himself in exactly the place he wanted to avoid by making that rule in the first place.

If that was all he had to worry about, Merc would have considered him much better off than he actual was. Despite the obvious concern of being handed a 'get here now' message from the feds, Merc also had to contend with the fact that he was required to cancel a dinner date with a possible paramour. Although Christopher seemed relatively laid back about the last-minute cancellation, Merc couldn't help but continue to run the phone call through his mind over and over again.

Frank had given him a call while Juan and Chance got ready for their last minute departure. Christopher started off the call with a pleasant greeting and a chiding joke about Frank not waiting to speak with him, but the discussion was steered in a much more serious direction with full disclosure: Frank wouldn't be able to keep the dinner date that evening. Rather than explode in anger or indignantly hang up, Christopher instead asked if there was some trouble with his boyfriends.

Unable to provide exact clarity as to why he had to cancel, Frank reassured Christopher that Chance and Juan were looking forward to it as well, but there was a small emergency the three of them had to attend to. Surprisingly, Christopher was rather relaxed about the whole situation and noted that he would be able to fend for himself. The call concluded with Christopher alerting that he would expect a make-up date, and that it would be up to Frank to call him because he didn't do the "chase after you until you eventually give in and give me a shot" approach.

That last comment did make Frank laugh, and they hung up on seemingly good terms... at least, that was Frank's initial assessment. Jumping from one location to another through the use of his Metamorph abilities didn't require a lot of deep concentration and that let Merc's mind wander. Was Christopher so not-into-him that he didn't care at all whether they ended up having a date, or was he really as cool and as laid back as he seemed? He'd closed the call responding to Chrstopher's statement with "I'll definitely follow up. Good things are worth the wait."

It was Bruiser who called him on it first. Despite the Orca not having previously connected their minds, the comment slipped into his thoughts telepathically. "You're still thinking about Chris, aren't you?"

Merc corrected him as much as possible, but couldn't deny the truth. "It's 'Christopher'... and, yeah."

Demon, as anticipated, butted in. "Dude... if half of what you say about him is true then he's crazy about you. Let's just not make a habit of cancelling and I'm sure he'll be chill about this."

Merc tried to keep the sourness of his thoughts from transmitting through their mental communication. "I know... I just hate the idea of not being able to tell him why I blew him off."

The Pit Bull immediately jumped on his word choice. "You blew him off already? Before the first date?"

The Kangacobra appreciated the attempt at humor, but he was under enough stress that he really wasn't feeling it. "Fuck off, Demon."

Merc took a moment to assess their location, then started the next series of jumps; they would be in Maryland before the top of the hour. Bruiser was the next to communicate telepathically after a short pause in the discussion. "Ultimately you have to decide on whether you're taking him at face value or not. Communication needs to be clear in every relationship-- especially ones that involve so many of us. If he can't be honest and straight forward then that'd make things really REALLY hard. If this is going to work out, we have to assume that he's being honest and, if he is, then Christopher seems like a really laid back, calm, and accomidating guy. I'd say that's quite a catch-- especially since he doesn't seem to mind that you already have two boyfriends."

Demon butted in again. "You DID say you have two boyfriends, right?"

Merc rolled his eyes before jumping again. "You know I did."

The Dog wasn't done. "And he knows you're in a poly relationship, yeah? He knows that he'd be dating us too?"

Merc didn't have to say anything; Bruiser piped up instead. "You don't just get to be added on as part of a bonus package, Demon... you know that all he needs is our approval, not our involvement."

Merc responded without hesitation. "Except I do want you involved. Both of you. If he's not willing and able to accept that you're both in my life then I don't need him in it. All or nothing, all the way."

Both Bruiser and Demon, shrunk to their easy to carry 'travel size' both hugged him from within his pocket, and that helped Merc enough that he was able to set the concern over Christopher off to the side long enough to focus on the night. It was well timed too since the next jump took the three of them to the exact spot Merc wanted based on the maps he'd studied online. Keeping to the side of the two lane road, the Kangacobra extracted both of his partners and set them on the ground, returning them to their proper size.

Although Merc had been thinking it, he wasn't about to say anything, but Demon voiced it anyway. "So... if things go south inside you still got one more power you can use to get us the fuck out, right?"

Merc offered a smile, starting the short walk toward the checkpoint at the entrance to the president's county residence. There was plenty of light shining out from the guard post; spotlights lit on the evening as if it were noon. He was honestly surprised that the soldiers waiting for them did not seem the least bit agitated as they approached. There were four in total: three stood by the traffic barricade and one was inside a small operator's station. It was the fourth soldier who picked up a phone and spoke into it; although Merc didn't use a Metamorph power to enhance his senses, his natural Kangacobra hearing still caught the words "Merc's Metamorphs are here, ma'am. Yes. I'll see too it. Right away."

The soldier then motioned to his fellows, speaking up. "They're clear... go ahead and let em through."

The three acknowledged with a simple "Sir."

Thanks to Bruiser's telepathic connection among the three Metamorphs Merc knew that his boyfriends were thinking the exact same thing he was, but, as usual, Demon was the one among them willing to speak it aloud. As they passed by the checkpoint the Pit Bull asked the closest soldier "So... not the least bit weirded out by being so close to a bunch a Metamorphs, huh?"

The solider didn't respond, nor did the two near him, but the one in the booth called out "We see plenty of Metamorphs, Demon-- don't flatter yourself."

It was possible that Demon would have been happy to offer a clap-back but Bruiser offered a mental warning "Behave, Demon. Those are US military soldiers. Play nice."

The Dog nevertheless glanced back at the soldiers, who returned to their post and didn't provide the three Metamorphs any further thought. Merc, on the other hand, continued focusing forward, and saw a well dressed political-type making his way toward them. The Kangacobra gave Demon a light elbow, noting mentally "Eyes forward... looks like we got a greeter coming out to say hi."

Merc's assessment was accurate enough. The gentleman introduced himself as Scott Parker; he would be showing them into the meeting room. The man, in Merc's opinion, had all the charisma and presence of a henchman, which was probably an accurate assessment if he was working for the government; the feds had a way of choosing the same kinds of people as the powered individuals from Legendary Heroes. Regardless, Scott was pleasant in his greeting and did a fine job of answering their questions; far more than the Kangacobra would have expected, especially when Bruiser cut to the chase.

The Orca got straight to the point. "So... are we meeting with the president? Is that why we're here?"

Scott opened a set of double doors and stepped aside to gesture the three of them in. "No, Mr. Bruiser. The President is currently in Guam on state business. Secretary Alvarez will be in to see you shortly. In the meantime, can I get you gentlemen anything to drink?"

Before Demon could speak up, Bruiser interjected. "No alcohol, Demon... we're on the job. Remember?"

Scott offered a plastic smile. "We do not have spirits available at this location per the president's request anyway. Perhaps a soft drink?"

Merc waved the offer away. "No thanks. We'll be fine. You can let Secretary Alvarez know we're here."

The man offered a nod. "She is aware, Mr. Merc. She will be along shortly. Please make yourselves comfortable."

He showed himself out, leaving the three of them in a room which appeared inexplicably designed for Metamorphs. Looking around, Merc noticed that he saw everything from lounge chairs with holes in the backrests for tails, a sunken section of flooring with a small indoor wading pool, and a curved fireplace. Demon also noticed the fireplace. "Wow... looks like they anticipate reptile guests too. Makes sense considering how fucking cold it probably is here in the winter."

Bruiser nodded, eyes on the pool. "And a nice courtesy there for those of us who like to stay wet too."

The Pit Bull walked up behind the Orca and gave his ass a squeeze. "I'll keep ya wet if you want."

Merc pulled Demon's attention back to the task at hand, sending the warning out mentally. "Focus."

Demon stepped back in line quickly enough, choosing words rather than telepathy. "Oh. Right... about now is the time we find out that this invite turns into a trap."

Bruiser smacked him with an open hand. "Not something to joke about, Pendejo."

A female voice spoke up from the side as a door next to a book case opened. She spoke in Spanish, indicating that she was used to visitors to Camp David being a little better behaved, but she'll forgive them that since it's their first visit. As expected, Demon didn't understand, and made a fool of himself in stating it. "No habla espanyole."

Merc avoided wincing when Bruiser corrected the Dog. "Hablo."

Rather than dwell in the proper conjugation or the correction there offered, the woman strode into the room as if she owned it. Taking a seat on one of the few human-shaped chairs, she crossed her legs and placed her hands on her top knee. "Claudia Alvarez, Secretary of State. Take a seat, won't you, Merc's Metamorphs?"

Demon folded his arms across his chest. "I'd rather stand, thanks."

The Secretary of State offered a very 'politically neutral' smile. "Very well... as you wish. You're welcome to be as hesitant and as doubtful as you like but, I will point out that you were contacted to join in on this meeting as a courtesy."

Merc raised an eyebrow. "So.... attendance was NOT mandatory?"

Her follow up smile was a little less neutral-- but not in a good way. "Allow me to rephrase: you had the option of not accepting the invitation, but the follow-up request for a meeting would not have been as laissez-faire."

Demon glanced over at Bruiser. "Just before you say anything, no-- I don't speak Italian either."

Bruiser shifted from one foot to the other before sitting down on a large ottoman. "That's French, actually."

Merc got straight to the point. "So... here's where we find out that you have files on us and the blackmail begins."

Secretary Alvarez's smile actually looked genuine that time. "Of course we have files on Merc's Metamorphs but, if it's any relief, no-- your human identities are not under investigation. Per the Metamorph Anonymity Act.

Merc nodded in thought as the Secretary of State droned on. The Metamorph Anonymity Act, or MAA for short, was an international accord that protected Metamorphs from being identified in a way that would connect their Human and Metamorph halves. It was an evolution of laws regarding Powered individuals since Metamorphs were often considered vulnerable when they weren't in their animalistic forms. Considering more Metamorphs tended to be positively aligned with local laws, the various governments wanted to assure them that their anonymity would be maintained.

Secretary Alvarez concluded her long monologue. "And, since we respect the international accord, the US government is not about to delve into the non-powered identities of a Metamorph unless said individual were a Net Negative scorer, and every last one of your team is sufficiently in the positive... even after that stunt you pulled in Santagua."

Merc was so surprised at her straight-forward statement that he sat down; conversely, Bruiser was so surprised that he stood up; through it all, Chase simply stood there arms folded across his chest, and his broad, fat muzzle creased with a self-satisfied smirk. "I knew there were CIA spooks involved."

Since Bruiser was standing, he put him in a perfect position to elbow the Pit Bull, who accepted it in good form. The Secretary of State didn't seem the least bit concerned, but her brows furrowed nevertheless. "Whether there was or was not a CIA operation at work in Santagua, you SUSPECTED that might be the case and chose to take part in moving a significant person of interest out of the country, followed by a major shift of power?"

Merc quickly interjected. "We had nothing to do with any power shifts. The coup started well after we left."

She raised an eyebrow in response. "And I suppose the razing of the gubernatorial mansion also happened after you left?"

Demon got a big, goofy grin on his face. "Oh no... that shit went down while we had a front row se--OW." Bruiser's elbow got a reaction that time.

Secretary Alvarez continued. "The US is officially very pleased that the people of Santagua are free. As of now, the State Department is in the process of extensive economic and cultural diplomacy. We are eager to help the free people of Santagua bring about significant and lasting change in their country as we welcome them to the global stage as a rightfully free democracy."

Merc didn't blink. "Nothing like exercising a little bit of soft power, is there?"

Her gaze turned to the Kangacobra. "Not into politics, but you seem to know a fair amount, Mr Merc."

Carefully avoiding the significance of her question he sidestepped with a counter. "Just because I don't like dealing with something doesn't mean that I'm going to stay ignorant to it. The more I know the better I can be at not getting involved."

Her lips pursed into an almost chiding pout. "Kind of like you JUST did in Santagua? I presume you're aware now that the President will be expected to make an announcement regarding Merc's Metamorph's involvement in the liberation of Santagua."

Merc had anticipated that he was up to some verbal jousting with the Secretary of State, but that blow caught him completely off-guard and knocking the air out of him. In the end, he had to take a second to recover and, thankfully, Bruiser stepped in. "That's great and everything, Secretary Alvarez but, like Merc says, we're not really interested in politics. The President can do whatever he wants."

Pulling a pen out of her suit pocket, she tapped it against her lips, peering over the rim of her glasses at them. She was quiet for several moments, more than long enough for Demon to make a wayward comment in the group's telepathic connection. "Nngh... damn... I know she's the fuckin' Secretary of State and all, but, DAMN, she's hot. It's like she's TRYING to get me to bust a nut. I swear to god, if she starts sucking on that pen I'm--"

Merc and Bruiser replied mentally at the same time "Not right now, Demon!"

Fortunately she continued. "Well... whatever the reason you chose to get involved, you're on the world stage now, and the President is going to declare you a US Allied Metamorph contractor."

Scowling, the Kangacobra stood back up. "We JUST said that we don't get involved in politics, Lad-- uh... ma'am. Whatever the US has going with Santagua is none of our business and has nothing to do with us."

The pen left her lips, and Merc felt Demon's wistful regret, but the Kangacobra was more focused on the Secretary of State's response. "Unfortunately you broke that neutrality when you took action in Santagua and forced the State Department and its peripheral assets to reassess the situation. If you didn't want to get involved then why did you decide to break your own rule?"

Unable to provide the actual answer, Merc came up with the generic response he expected most people in power to accept without digging too deeply. "Seemed like a good cause... and money. TONS of money."

Without missing a beat, she replied; apparently she wasn't 'most people'. "That makes me wonder WHO convinced Merc's Metamorphs to take on the task."

Fortunately Merc was able to recover quickly from the surprise of being called out. "I'm afraid you'll have to keep wondering, Ma'am. You know a respectable Metamorph group doesn't divulge their contract holders."

That knowing smirk returned to her lips as she slid her pen back into her suit pocket. "Mmm... well, considering you've taken such an interest in 'good causes' and 'tons of money', perhaps you might be convinced to keep expanding your horizons in the future."

Demon stepped in. "Not likely, Lady."

She didn't relent. "There are a lot of good opportunities when it comes to working WITH the US Government, you know."

For as thick-skulled and clueless as Demon was from time-to-time, he could also have flashes of perception. He indicated to them mentally "You hear that? She JUST implied that we'd worked against em... CIA operation for sure."

Rather than tug on that thread or respond to her comment, Merc quickly changed the subject. "You know... I find it strange that we were invited to Camp David for a casual talk... especially since the President isn't around, and there are a LOT more popular places for Metamorphs to chat with public officials."

The Secretary of State's smirk returned. "Oh? Where might those places be?"

Merc knew right away that she was probing him-- likely for some hint as to his background in governmental knowledge. True, the MAA protected Metamorphs from outright government spying, interrogation, and espionage, but she was a politician and there was nothing wrong with 'just asking questions'. he wasn't about to fall for it. "Take your pick... somewhere that isn't where the President goes on vacation."

If she was dismayed that her little indirect info gathering session failed to produce results she didn't indicate it. "Well... to answer your question: no... you weren't invited here for a conversation."

Bruiser sat back down. "Then why are we here, exactly? You don't have any cause to detain us."

She waved away his statement. "I already said: we have no intention of imprisoning any of you. The President is going to announce your involvement in the liberation of Santagua and you're going to gain national recognition. Treating you like criminals would not be a good look. No... Merc's Metamorphs is going to be recruited for an important, and very low profile mission on behalf of the US Government."

Her constant assertion that they'd be working for the feds was starting to grate on Merc. Barely managing to hold back a hissing growl, the Kangacobra stated flatly "Not sure how many times we need to say it, but we don't do political work."

Secretary Alvarez political smile was just as daunting as ever. "You SAY you don't, and I can respect that words and actions don't always coincide-- as you say, I AM a government official, after all... but this job is definitely not official; it is an off-the-books task, so I'm certain you might be willing to make an exception... not unlike what you did regarding Santagua."

Demon was quick to send a telepathic warning. "It's probably some kind of black ops bullshit. We should cut and run."

Merc was a little more pragmatic, scratching the palm of his glove in trepidation. "And what happens if we respectfully decline this invitation to take part in a 'definitely not official, off-the-books task?"

The woman's smile turned almost viper-like. "We are having such a nice conversation, I would rather discuss the pay and assets, Mr. Merc. Given an option, the State Department prefers its contractors to be highly compensated and pleased with their benefits package. You can find that working alongside the US government can be very lucrative."

He wasn't swayed. Crossing his arms to mimic Demon, the Kangacobra rephrased his question and posed it anew. "Got it... lots of money if we take the job. I asked what happens if we 'politely decline'?"

Her smile disappeared and Secretary Alvarez let out a long sigh. "It honestly shouldn't come to that, Mr. Merc. Given an option, I would much prefer to discuss the upside-- the carrot, as they say, is far better than the stick."

Feeling increasingly like he was backed into a wall, Merc didn't like where the discussion was going. Apparently neither did his companions. Bruiser was the first to pose a suggestion through their mental communication. "We could always ask for a few days to decide, and then lay low. It's not like they could track us."

Demon wasn't so optimistic. "Dude... fuckin' CIA. Whether the US follows the MMA or not, you think they plan on following ALL the rules ALL the time?"

The Secretary of State had not heard their discussion so she presumably chose to break the silence by adding "You're welcome to talk amongst yourselves... let me just add another voice to the conversation first." Reaching down, she pressed a button on the side of her arm rest. "You can come in."

All three Metamorphs turned to the side door which opened, revealing-- They spoke aloud in unison. "General Glory?!"

The man smiled warmly, spreading his arms wide. "Merc's Metamorphs! So great to be finally working with you! Looks like you'll finally be joining the Legendary Heroes for a worthy cause!"

Realizing that the 'invitation' was not one which could easily be declined, the simultaneously came to the conclusion that they wouldn't have any choice. All three spoke again though, to their credit, it in their mental speak and not aloud. "Fuck."