Template:Featured Articles/46-2019

Moment of Awesome - Clea Lake: One her first field mission for X-Force, Clea is thrown into a world of sex trafficking in Madripoor. Clea looked at the man with her bright blue eyes, obviously clueless of what he was asking for. The man moved closer as the money was tossed on the table and began to reach for her, which Clea quickly intercepted and pulled his hand into hers. "Be calm, stranger." She said with her drunk smile while her index finger made the symbol to make him relax, and more or less fall under her spell. Kevin better buy her a cheeseburger after this. "Here." She slipped her slender arm around his neck and lifted her drink to his lips, so he can drink. It was then when another brought to her attention and made the motion for her to follow him. She gave the middle age man wink as she picked up the money and left the booth. "Thanks." She fixed her short dress and started to follow the man to what she was assuming was the office. The puzzled business man she left behind was quickly replaced with a scowling scarred man in an admittedly excellent leather jacket. The door closed behind them and Kevin waved at her like a new car. "Mutant, red-head. Parents have money but not enough to close real trouble. Just another poor stupid tourist who made some bad decisions playing bad girl in Lowtown." "And you're sure she's a mutant?" "Makes... what is it, illusions or some shit like that. My contact say her showing off at the resort yesterday. Although, with a dozen drinks in her and a roofie, I doubt she's going to show anything much right now." "That right, girl? You a mutant?" His English was heavily accented but understandable. Clea eyes adjusted to the room before she focused on the man who was addressing her. "Maybe" before stumbling a bit in her heels. "Can I sit down? The world...is spinning." Kevin grabbed her by the back of her shirt and shook her. "Answer him!" "This dress is my favorite." She looked back at Kwan, "Yes. But I don't know why that is important." "I'm not convinced, Benny. You conning me?" "Show him. What you showed those people yesterday!" Kevin said, with another shake. Clea started to shake as she fumbled for one of the paper money that she took from the middle aged man and threw it up into the air as it burst into flames. Once the ashes reached the floor the money was back together again. And after that Clea collapsed to the floor. "Woah...what a trip." She started to laugh. "What I said." "I'm impressed. We can talk rates-" That was as far as Kwan got before Kevin buried a knife in his torso. The man grabbed a chokehold on him, pushing the knife deeper. "If this knife comes out, you'll bleed to death in seconds. So you're going to tell me what I want to know, quietly. Otherwise, you get to die while your security comes in. That understood?" Kevin said, staring into the man's eyes. He nodded dumbly. Clea's smile faded as she stood up and very much sober.