"I still object to this idea..." Henry Gyrich muttered. He stared down at the folders before him.

Val Cooper looked up at her colleague with displeasure. "Henry, we been through this before... In the aftermath of Senator Kelly's assassination, mutant-human relations have become strained. We've been asked by President Bush to put together another government-funded super-powered team consisting of mutants. The President believes that now, more than ever, we've got to bridge this gap between races. He thinks that by example, this team can show the world that mutants can be a force for peace."

Gyrich looked up at her, "We've already tried this avenue twice before. Both times failed. Once with Freedom Force. That was a fiasco... Then we set up X-Factor, which worked for a while then fell apart again!"

Val's face darkened, as she relived past failures. "I know Henry, but this time we've got to make it work or we may very well have a race war on our hands..."

Gyrich snorted. "YOU'VE got to make it work, Ms. Cooper. I'm just an advisor..." He picked up the folders and began to flip through them. "OK, let's just get this over with... What do you got for me?"

Val sighed and flipped open a red folder with a black "X" etched on the cover. "I've assembled most of the core team and have chosen a leader. However, I've asked you to choose the last member of the team. This is the team so far...

• Fixx -- Jane is one of the remaining members from X-Factor's last incarnation. She claims to have come from the future where she was a part of a mutant, peace-keeping force. She was sent back in time to prevent some sort of disaster, which she says she has accomplished. She is now left without direction or purpose. She is a telepath and a telekinetic. Fixx was eager to join our group and has already agreed. Her psychological profile shows she's level-headed and a good team player.
• Jamie Madrox, the Multiple Man -- Another member of the previous X-Factor, before being thought dead. He recently resurfaced and is also eager to help with our group. He has the ability to create exact duplicates of himself by applying a certain amount of force to his form. Though somewhat of a practical joker, he's dependable.
• Magma -- Allison has been out of circulation awhile. Recent reports have placed her in relation to a radical group of mutants who caused a bit of trouble. Whether she participated is those troubles is unknown. She was recommended to me by a contact who thought she could use guidance. Though she is a British citizen, she has recently been made a US citizen. If you look at her psych profile, you'll see that she is tough and practical, but she lacks confidence and direction right now. Her power is the ability to control the earth's lava flows.
• Vanisher -- You may object to this one, but I believe he can be a indispensible part of our team. He says his name Rupert Wells, but our sources say otherwise. The Vanisher is a world-renowned thief, due to his mutant ability of teleportation. He has agreed to work with us in exchange for a full, federal pardon for his past crimes. His profile shows that he is quick-witted, adaptable, and stable.

• Alchemy -- Thomas Jones is another British resident. We've agreed to help him learn to use his powers and pay for his university bills, as well as further is education in the physical sciences. His mother was quite happy with the arrangement. His has the fortunate ability to transmute any substance into any element. He has enormous potential and may one day be able to do molecular transmutation or more. He's shy but very intelligent. He will need some physical training as well.
• Penance -- This young girl known as Penance was found roaming the Catskills in New York. She is mute and horribly disfigured by her abilities. She has razor-sharp and diamond-hard skin. Fortunately, she is well-mannered and gentle. We could not get much more from her and standard psych tests failed. Strangely enough, she has taken to Jamie Madrox and they have been spending time together.
• Key -- This next one is another unknown. He refuses to give his real name and with good reason. Key is a high successful computer hacker. So successful, our best agents have nothing on him. As a matter of fact, he approached us looking for a high-paying job. We accepted after one glimpse of mutant ability to crack any code. The only thing left to decided is whether to put him on our team. He's young, arrogant, and fearless. We believe he's from Australia, but we're prepared to offer him US citizenship.
• Charlotte Jones -- I like this candidate because she is NOT a mutant. She's a resourceful, competent NY police detective. She's also had extensive dealings with super types, including this team's leader. Furthermore, her presence on the team may show how mutants and humans can work together.
• Skids -- Sally Blevins has been around the block. She was captured by mutant-hunters, brain-washed by a terrorist mutant group, and has found the time to get a college degree. She has applied to an FBI agent and has been accepted to the Academy. She would make a great addition to the team. She produces a near-inpenetrable, slippery force field about her body. She's bright, down-to-earth, and ambitious.
• Neophyte -- This young man was found aboard a cargo ship that docked in San Francisco a month ago. He escaped capture by "phasing" through the ship's hull. Our agents tracked him down when he fell unconscious from exhaustion and a rare form of the flu. We do not know his name. We do know he was a member of the terrorist group known as Magneto's Acolytes. He has left that order, but he refuses to tell us why. He is confused, but overall an amiable boy. Though, he may need further psychiatric help. He would be a useful addition due to his ability to "fuse" with matter and pass through it, as well as bringing others with him.