Xaviers!

Chase stepped into Lippincott''s office, unsure of what to expect.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Ah, Mr. Delacroix," Lippencott said, with a healthy French emphasis on the last name. "DO come in. We haven't had much chance to speak before now, and I'd like to change that."

"Talk about what?" he asked, relieved that he wasn't in trouble for something.

"Well, just in general, but today's meeting is specifically about your special project. The one which will help you stand out amongst your peers."

More than from being an ex-assassin?

"You... actually have one for me?" he asked with curious surprise, as he didn't think he had any particular academic talents.

"Oh, I have one for everyone. Most are hesitant to come claim it, though -- a lack of ambition on their parts, perhaps?

Do you have a lack of ambition, Mr. Delacroix?"

"No. Only a lack of ideas on how to apply it."

"Well, ideas are what my office is here to generate.

Tell me, Chase. How much do you know about your own history?"

"Not everything but I remember more every day. And the more recent the easier it is."

"Tell me about it. It may be quite useful," Lippencott said, as he began going through a stack of papers on his desk.

"Do you mean my life before or my time in Madripoor?"

"I do not wish to bring up too much of your trauma, of course. But how did you arrive in Madripoor to begin with?"

"My family was living in Hong Kong and my dad's boss took us out on his yacht. I was asleep so I don't know what happened, just that I woke up and it was sinking. The next clear thing I remember was being adrift on a piece of debris. Eventually I was picked up by a passing ship. Unfortunately, they were slave traders and when they noticed how I could move, they decided they should test me and sell me as one of their slaves. That's how I found out I was a mutant."

"Are you aware of your current status in Madripoor?"

"I can only assume I'm listed as a runaway slave, if the Lotus reported it at all."

Lippencott nodded his head. "That's what I've been led to believe.

You're aware that the UK government, and this university, does not acknowledge Madripoorian slavery laws, yes? You are safe here. Though that status probably can not rest easy on your shoulders."

"I know I'm safe from that here. But no, it doesn't feel good knowing that any country considers me stolen property."

"Well, perhaps we can do something about that. Hong Kong has an interesting status, being once a part of the United Kingdom. I don't suppose you happen to know where your father's boss' yacht was registered?"

"The Jade Crane out of Hong Kong," he answered, "I felt the need to read up on the accident. Details on the cause, unfortunately, were nothing but theories."

"But it was a ship from Hong Kong, yes? Not China proper?"

"Yes. Near as I could tell. Why?"

"Because Hong Kong was, at the time, a British dependent territory. Which means that your shipwreck falls under the jurisdiction of our Receiver of Wreck. Which means that if we can find it, we can place you under the UK's distinction at the time. Which means we can use our connections to officially and irrevocably remove you from the Madripoor slave registry."

"And how could we possibly find it after all this time? Even if someone found it, it could be anywhere."

"You attend a mutant school, with some of the best technology in the entire world, a fleet of advanced tech students, and contacts with the British Government. It will be a bit of an adventure, but I understand you have some experience on foreign trips?"

He nodded. "That I do. Though that usually involves getting into a kung-fu fight," he said with a small smirk.

"Well, ideally, that wouldn't happen here, but the university would be happy to set you and a team out to find the wreckage, and with it, your freedom."

"That would... mean a lot to me," he said with a solemn smile.

"We're here to help, of course. I'll make the phone calls and necessary arrangements; you need to come up with a team you feel comfortable with here for my approval."

"Any abilities you think would be especially useful? Maritime salvage operations aren't exactly in my wheelhouse."

"Taking someone who can handle underwater pressure may be wise, if this is to be a salvage operation."

"So Will, Robin, Tosh, and maybe Sam. Yeah, I could work with that."

"That sounds like an excellent team to me, though you'll have to watch Robin. She's not one to handle authority very well, as I'm sure you'll find out," Lippencott chuckled.

"I think I'll have her at 'deep sea adventure'," he chuckled.

"Do keep an eye on her, though. And a short leash, if needs be."

"I'll do my best. When do you think we might go?"

"There will be some permissions to take care of, and some dealings with the Chinese government, but it shouldn't take too long, all things considered. Have no fears!"

"I'll try to be patient then," he said with a ghost of a smile, "Thank you for doing this."

"Of course! I'm always looking after the well-being of my students."