DNA: Building Blocks of Life and some times Police Investigations.

[Stern]

Michael Stern sat behind his desk waiting for his forensics expert, Jo Holloway. As he waited, he stared at the ceiling and gathered his thoughts for the meeting and synched his own bio-luminescence to flash different colors to mimic the fiber-optic tree plugged into a USB port at the back of his computer. A gift from his wife the day she found out Stern would subconsciously engage his color-changing behavior when he wasn't paying himself close attention.

"DNA. DNA. We use it to track criminals and place people at the scene of a crime. What do they use it for?"

[Jo Holloway]

Jo pushed her glasses up on her nose and tugged on her lab coat, noticing a suspicious looking stain on her sleeve just as she turned the corner and found herself facing the boss' door. It looked like a rave was going on inside, albeit a silent rave, as different colored lights flashed behind the closed blinds. She stopped in front of the door and paused, scrubbing at the dried stain on her sleeve and then rolling her cuff up to hide it before knocking.

As Capt. Stern called for her to enter Jo realized her sleeves were lopsided, and so was awkwardly adjusting her other cuff as she pushed through the door. "You wanted to see me, Captain?"

[Stern]

Stern snapped out of his meandering thought process--a change cued by his sudden return to a soft-40 watt glow of gentle white light. Over time, Stern learned the subtle differences in daylight, fluorescent, and other kinds of light, and eventually learned to give off different kinds depending on the situation. At home with Anita, it was daylight: natural, gentle, but bright.

At work, meaning now, the light was fluorescent: more of a bleach-white, steady, intense light. A lot of officers wore their shades into his office or simply chose not to look at him directly. Stern was used to it.

"Yes, Jo. I wanted to pick your brain about DNA--especially mutant DNA. I want to know about the X-Gene and see what you know about how it causes mutant powers to manifest."

[Jo Holloway]

She blinked in the brightness of the office, trying to maintain eye contact like her therapist told her she should, but her eyes quickly started watering. "Uh, wow, well, that might take a while." Jo rubbed her face and looked away from Captain Stern.

"For one, there is no so-called X gene. There are a series of different chromosomes that have been tagged as causing mutations, though as yet ..." she shrugged. "There isn't any rhyme or reason to it."

[Stern]

Stern's light yellowed and dimmed by a handful of watts. "Huh."

The captain jotted a note. "They make it sound so simple. I always thought it was just the one gene, but somehow people's genetic codes worked around the one gene to create multiple powers. But having different mutated genes to make different powers makes sense. Also, it seems easier somehow."

Stern checked the seal on his goggles as he considered his next question. "They say mutant powers manifest around the time they get to puberty, give or take a few years. Some even manifest really early or really late. Does the gene mutate during a person's life, or are they born with it?"

At the rate he was going, there was a likely chance that if word of this conversation left the office, there would be a sign outside his door that read Captain Dummy. Stern was incredibly ignorant about his own biology.

[Jo Holloway]

Jo figited and finally sat unasked in the chair across the desk from Captain Stern as he looked over a notepad in front of him. "Ah, you're born with the mutation, but since it can occur in different places in your genes it's still uncommon for people to discover they have it before an ability manifests."

She crossed her legs and wondered how in depth he wanted to go with this line of questioning. She ran tests, dusted for fingerprints, and looked through microscopes all day. She wasn't an expert on the science of mutation. "Even if parents pay to have their child screened there's no way to know if the mutation is recessive or dominant."

[Stern]

"I see."

Stern sat back, then leaned forward. He could never sit and think. Stern had to always be active.

"I was just wondering about all this really. I know you mostly deal only with what science is necessary for solving crimes, but as you're the scientist specifically called on for all mutant cases, I had to ask these questions."

It wasn't much, but definitely something to go on. With this little information at his disposal, he could start searching for patterns and clues. If he could find them and discover connections, he could figure out what was really going on.

"Would you do me a favor? I need some info out of the database on all of our mutant crimes and registered mutants and see what you can get for me concerning a mutant's power and his or her DNA. Like a genetic map. If this data doesn't exist, that's fine. I just need to know if we can gain access to that kind of information based purely on your forensic work."

Stern would find a way to spend more time in the forensics labs when he could. He needed to know more about that side of the investigations. As much as this was a search for information, it was turning out to be quite a journey of inner truth. It seemed the Captain's weaknesses were continually being pointed out as though sectioned out with a hi-lighter.

[Jo Holloway]

Jo blinked, and grimaced. "Well, that would be awesome if I could. A map like that - what gene corresponds to what kind of ability - it's like the Holy Grail of genetics right now. The Jericho Institute is practically working around the clock on it.

"The LAPD runs their DNA swabs and checks for mutation in broad strokes, but specific gene mapping for every sample? Way too expensive to justify, with little practical purpose for the police. Especially since we have their abilities written in the files. I'm sorry, it's just impossible for me to conjure up the information you want. And even if I could, no offense Captain, but you'd need a degree to be able to understand it."

She paused, and then added, "Even if you got it, what would you do with it? Randomly test citizens on your own to determine what their abilities are without needing them to demonstrate?" Jo chuckled at the absurdity of that idea. "If you really want more information about mutant DNA you'll have to look at a civillian source."

[Stern]

"Crap."

He was afraid the LAPD wouldn't be able to get him what he wanted.

"Jo, I'm going to level with you on this, and I need you help me out 100%, ok? Keep it quiet, because this could make or break the future of this department. If you don't think you can handle it, say so and you can walk right out my office door and just pretend I was only asking questions for curiosity's sake."

[Jo Holloway]

Jo twisted slightly in the chair and eyed the door he'd indicated. She wasn't feeling particularly lucky this afternoon, but she didn't have a round of bad luck coming her way either. That she was aware of. And the Captain's words were only making her more curious, and a little excited, as if he was recruiting her to be a secret agent.

"I'll help you," she found herself saying. "And I'm really good with secrets." Mostly because she didn't have anyone to tell.

[Stern]

"I want to take down Jericho."

The statement left his lips immediately. His face expressed full-focus, his voice determination and conviction.

"Klaus Heidegger is a bad man, whatever he purports to do. I know this, and you have to trust me on this, because I was held by him as a captive briefly in Warsaw."

Stern moved some papers to reveal a file folder. "These are all the complaints I've received from mutants against the Jozua Clinic. Klaus has managed to rebuff any attempt to investigate them as 'fear mongering' and 'paranoia,' and he's winning. He's doing more than cataloging mutant DNA and running our mutant prison for us. He says his work is harmless in nature, but I can't have officers posted in the Clinic 24/7. Even if I could, his government grants at all levels prevent me from requisitioning his records."

Stern took a breath and let it out. "That's why i was hoping there was some data we could mine out of the forensic files we have for our investigations. I figured if we could trace a pattern or even see what he sees, I might could find out what he was using all those mutants for."

The Captain looked at Jo intently. "This has to remain a secret because the media will see it as in-fighting. If the mutant community finds out, I'm not sure they won't riot or try some kind of vigilante bullshit. Plus, if I fail, the MCU might be disbanded. News of this investigation must not reach Klaus Heidegger. I hate to say it, but he's smarter than me. I need every advantage I can get if I'm going to take him down."

[Jo Holloway]

Her eyes had almost gotten used to the light beaming out of the Captain, but she still couldn't quite look right at him - it was like being at the dentist when they accidentally shone their spotlight in your eyes instead of your mouth. Jo discretely dabbed at a reflexive tear or two, and bit her lip. "Well, if you want to know what he's doing with the mutants... I mean if you were..." she hesitated, "held captive by him then surely you have some idea of what he's doing. If its bad, and all."

Fear-mongering and paranoia indeed. Captain Stern was beginning to sound a little bit crazy. Just her luck. "Uh, but of course there are always the rumors of scientists attempting to map the mutant genome in all its varieties, and then creating super soldiers with specific powers chosen by government spooks. I mean, I guess that could be what he's doing?"

[Stern]

Stern scratched his chin. "I suppose. But considering every registered mutant hands over a blood sample to confirm their mutation, I don't see why kidnapping is a necessity..."

Jo never could seem to look him in the eye, and she always seemed to be ill at ease around people, but even so Stern figured the suddenness of his plan was jarring to her.

"You've been registered, right?"

[Jo Holloway]

She shifted in her seat. "Of course. I'm a government employee."

Jo paused, and added, "Anyway, what do you mean kidnapping? If people are checked into clinics that isn't kidnapping. And Jericho has been operating longer than this registration has been in effect, and in many other locations, right?"

[Stern]

"No, checking yourself into a clinic doesn't make the clinic operators kidnappers. But suppose they never released you, even though you have a clean bill of health?"

Stern thought it over. "It would be like you coming to my office to ask a question about a procedure, but then after I give you the answer you're looking for, I continue to keep you in my office despite your protests that you need to get back to work. I wasn't kidnapping you before, but I'm certainly keeping you against your will later. Is that not a crime?"

[Jo Holloway]

"Unlawful imprisonment," Jo agreed. "Yeah okay."

She hesitated, thinking. "Sounds like you need some sort of undercover operation." She blushed, "But I'm just a lab rat, I don't really know how the investigation stuff works. But whatever you need me to do to help, I'm game."

Jo smiled, trying to look helpful.

[Stern]

"An undercover operation would be helpful indeed, but incredibly dangerous. All undercover ops are dangerous, but depending on who we sent in and under what circumstances it could be more so. Someone we sent in as a patient wouldn't get to leave the center. Someone who went as an employee would get to leave, but would have to put on a really good act. I'm sure Klaus only hires the best as scientists. Then again, it might suffice to send someone as a janitor. They get keys to damn near anywhere."

Stern went over the MCU roster in his mind. Every mutant on his force would be in Jericho's system. The Mutant Registration Act saw to that. The need for a disguise would be paramount. Klaus wouldn't slouch about security measures for potential employees, and would no doubt find out his new hire was MCU in a heartbeat if that person was not disguised.

"Remind me your power again, Jo."

[Jo Holloway]

"Uh, probability manipulation," she said. "I'm lucky. Well, and unlucky too. There's an 'equal and opposite reaction' clause to my ability so I can influence events or circumstances to favor me, but then later that day, usually within 24 hours, something unlucky happens to me."

Jo grimaced a bit and grinned, "Don't ask the scientists how that is possible, they'll probably start pontificating about quantum something or other, but really, it just works because it does."

[Stern]

"I can accept that."

Plans were already brewing in the captain's mind, and having some luck on his side wouldn't hurt. Of course, the bad luck backlash would be something different.

"So are we talking big good luck now, big bad luck later, or might it go big good luck now, little bad luck later? That is, if you win the lottery against all odds, would you end up in wreck that totals your car, or might you only just lose your keys right before you need to go to work?"

[Jo Holloway]

She shook her head. "No, its definitely big good now, big bad later. If I won the lottery against all odds I'd probably find that my house burned down through some sort of freak accident involving a semi truck coming in through the living room. With me in the house, of course." Jo adjusted her glasses, and shuddered. "That's something I don't really want to test, if that's ok with you."

[Stern]

Stern chuckled. "No, we won't test that."

Jo's powers had Stern curious. He had no idea such a double-edged sword was a member of his department. Stern believed in miracles, but he also believed that a person made his own luck. Perhaps Jo's probability backlash could be overcome? It was hard to say, seeing as he didn't know the extent of her powers.

"Later, I want to find out more about the nature of your powers. If we were to get an agent on the inside of Jericho, having your probability altering powers to lend a hand might work out well. We'll figure out the negative part as we go."

The captain let out a breath. "Well, Jo, that's really all I needed from you. I appreciate you helping me out during my Captain Dummy moment. Remember, this investigation is secret. No one can know. If I think of something else you can do to help, I'll find you immediately."

He stood and gestured to the door. "You're dismissed."

[Jo Holloway]

Jo nodded, got to her feet, and quickly found herself on the other side of the office door. Behind her the light changed hues a few times before she mustered up the strength to walk down the hallway. Use her ability in an investigation? Sounded like a good way for her to end up in traction.

She made her way down to the labs, back to relative anonymity and her comfort zone.