X-Men: Alpha
Episode VI
Cross-town Rivals
Part One
5 ½ Years Ago...
Wind rocked the small plane as it flew above the snow-covered mountaintops.
Christopher Summers would not normally be worried. He'd done this a few hundred times.
However, this time he wasn't alone.
His family was onboard.
His wife, Katherine, glanced at him from an adjacent seat. The concern in her eyes was apparent.
"It'll be fine, dear."
Her apprehension seemed to lessen. "I trust you."
Before they could say anything else, two voices emanated from behind them.
"Oww."
"Quit whining!"
Katherine turned to face her sons. "Boys! Your father needs to concentrate."
Alex Summers pulled off his headphones. "Scott won't shut up!"
"Alex!" She noticed her eldest son rubbing his eyes. "Scott, what's wrong, honey?"
"My eyes hurt!"
Katherine removed her safety belt and her husband immediately took note.
"Kathy, what are you doing? Things could start getting pretty rough. You should stay in your seat."
"I'll just be a second."
She left her seat and knelt down in front of Scott. "Let me see them, Scotty."
The youngster slowly opened his eyes.
The image he saw was his mother with a shocked expression.
For some reason, she was tinted red.
"Chris...you should look at this."
"I'm a little busy, hon."
Alex glanced over and his mouth fell open.
Scott's pupils were glowing a bright red, casting an eerie glow around the plane's small cabin.
Suddenly, the pain intensified. Scott clutched his face as he cried out.
"Scott?! Chris! Chris, I don't know what's happening to him!"
"I can't really worry about that right now, hon!"
"But there's something very wrong here!"
"Mom?!"
Katherine turned her attention back to her oldest son. "What is it?"
"I...I can't keep my eyes closed! Get away from me!"
Suddenly, Scott's eyes shot open.
A massive beam of red energy knocked a large hole in the roof of the plane.
To Scott Summers it felt like every ounce of strength in his body was erupting from his eyes.
In a matter of moments, everything went dark.
-X-
He never really knew what happened after that.
Part of him didn't want to know.
Somehow, he and Alex had survived. Their parents were not so fortunate.
That memory always came to him when he stood before their graves.
They were laid to rest in the family's hometown of Anchorage, Alaska. He had come to visit them on the anniversary of their death.
Just as he always had.
Things in his life had become far more complicated over the past several months, but he knew he had to make time for this.
Yet, as leader of the X-Men, he had responsibilities to attend to.
After taking one more moment to honor his parents, Scott Summers turned and walked away.
-X-
Cold eyes watched as Summers walked from the cemetery.
How easy it would be to strike him down. He would never see it coming.
Years of anger and hate welled up inside.
As he clinched his fist, bright rings of energy emanated forth.
They ceased when a hand gently grabbed his wrist.
"Not now, dear. You'll get your chance soon enough."
-X-
Robert Kelly's grin stretched from ear to ear.
As he watched his opponent concede his senatorial seat, he felt as though he was fulfilling his destiny.
"Daddy!"
Kelly turned just in time to catch his small daughter in his arms as she ran up to him.
"Sarah! What do you think, honey? Your old man's a senator!"
"You were on TV!"
"I'll be on TV quite a bit now. Where's your mom?"
"She's getting a drink."
"Big surprise." Kelly muttered.
"Huh?"
"Nothing, sweetheart. Why don't you go find her?"
As Sarah ran off, Henry Gyrich quickly took her place. "Sir."
"Henry," Kelly gave his campaign manager at pat on the back, "why aren't you celebrating?"
"I'd love to, sir, but I'm afraid there's a problem." Gyrich quickly looked around before leaning in closer. "He's here."
Kelly's brow furrowed. "Were not supposed to meet with him until next week."
"I know, but he said that if you don't go and talk with him, he's coming out here. Sir, that would be very..."
"I know, Henry! Alright, you stay here and keep everyone happy. Tell them I went to...pray."
"Oh, pray. I like that."
The newly elected senator exited the main hall and stepped into a side office. He walked right to a small bar and picked up a bottle of wine.
"Drink?" Kelly looked across the room to a man in a trench coat sitting on a small couch.
"I don't drink."
"I see." The senator poured himself a glass and made his way to his guest. "We weren't scheduled to meet until next week. May I ask what you're doing here?"
"I don't feel the need to explain myself to you, Mister, excuse me, Senator Kelly. Congratulations, by the way"
"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you. Wait a minute. You didn't have anything to do with it. Even before I got myself elected, I called in favors to get your legislation passed. You didn't have anything to do with that either."
Kelly's guest merely narrowed his eyes.
"I have been risking quite a bit for this project of yours. I suppose it is foolish of me to expect you to explain anything. Like what exactly you are going to contribute to this endeavor and when."
"I am well aware of all you've done. I assure you that my contributions will be vital."
"You'll forgive me if I don't get too excited."
"You will." The man reached into his coat and retrieved a disc. "Here. Watch it."
Kelly took the disc and eyed it for a moment. "What is it?"
"My contribution."
The senator cocked an eyebrow, but rose and took the disc to a nearby computer.
As a video file began to play, he immediately recognized a few faces. "What is this?"
"Surveillance footage from a former headquarters of mine. See anyone you know?"
Kelly's gaze remained locked on the screen. "Yes. Those are the damned mutants that attacked city hall. I certainly hope that those soldiers aren't all you bring to the table."
"Not even close." The man smirked as he watched Kelly's eyes widen. "Ah. The main event has begun."
"What...what is that thing?"
"It's called a Sentinel."
Kelly continued to stare at the screen in fascination. "Where did it come from?"
"That's not important. What matters is that it's not the only one."
The senator finally looked up from the computer. "There are more of them? How many?"
"Only a few, but there will be more. As you can imagine, their production is both expensive and time consuming. Now, if you are convinced that I have the means to fulfill my end of the bargain, perhaps you should give me the progress report that I came for."
"Yes, of course." Kelly stepped back over to where his guest still sat. "The formation of the MCA will be officially announced within the week. The headquarters is already being built."
"Excellent." The man suppressed a smirk as he detected the assertiveness and confidence that had existed in Kelly's demeanor earlier dissipate.
He had been reminded who was in control.
"However, the few legislators that I showed your, shall we say, more 'aggressive' program, felt that it was excessive to the point of criminality."
"I expected as much. All things considered," He stood and stepped toward the door, "Project: Wideawake is coming along nicely."
"Colonel."
The man stopped and turned back to the senator.
"I apologize for doubting you."
"Just do your job and stop worrying about mine."
After Colonel Daniel Rossman left the room, Kelly returned to the computer.
As he watched the video again, the senator cursed himself for allowing Rossman to intimidate him. He knew the colonel was a dangerous man, but that was no excuse.
He provided Rossman and his associates with an indispensable service. He would have to make them treat him as an equal and not a subordinate.
Or perhaps better yet; he should be calling the shots.
After all, he was the one with the seat of power.
When the video ended, he snapped the disc in two and tossed it in a nearby trash can on his way out of the room.
If Kelly hadn't been so preoccupied, he may have noticed that the picture of his daughter was missing from his desk.
-X-
A loud knock on the door of his study shook Professor Xavier from his thoughts. "Come in."
Bobby Drake swung open the door. "Hey, you wanted to...why's it so dark in here?"
"My apologies." Xavier used a remote control to raise the lights and turned to face his student.
"Wow, you look like crap."
"Thank you. Have a seat."
The young mutant sat in front of the desk as his mentor placed his hand on his chin.
"I understand there was a slight incident at school today."
"Was there?"
"Yes. I believe it involved a mysterious patch of ice."
Drake pounded his fist on the arm of the chair. "Damn climate change."
"Indeed. A young man slipped on this patch of ice, to his great embarrassment. What catches my attention is that witnesses claim that you were having a disagreement with said young man just moments before."
"Weird."
"Enough, Bobby. Do you think I would have called you here if I didn't already know it was you?"
"Of course you knew it was me. Who else would it have been?"
"I suppose you have an explanation."
Drake seemed to consider his words carefully. After a few moments, he appeared satisfied with his selection.
"That guy is a total jackass."
Xavier shook his head. "This isn't a joke. You used your powers at school! I warned you all months ago that such occurrences would not be tolerated!"
Iceman hung his head slightly, but he continued to look his teacher in the eye.
"To make things worse, you used your powers to take advantage of someone else! That goes against everything we stand for!"
"I made a guy fall on his ass! What the hell does that have to do with what we stand for?!"
"Do you have any idea what kind of hypocrite you...you..." Xavier's voice trailed off as he noticed his students incredulous stare.
He had barely noticed how agitated he had become. His pulse had quickened and a few beads of sweat had formed on his brow.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Y-yes. Yes, I'm fine. I didn't mean to yell. I apologize."
"Ok, fine. I shouldn't have used my powers at school, but it was just some stupid prank." Bobby noticed that Xavier was not even listening. "Hello?"
The professor blinked as he looked up. "I can't deal with this now. Just don't do it again."
He turned and looked away from his student.
"You serious? That's it?"
When no response came, Bobby rose and slowly walked toward the door. Just before he opened it, he turned back.
"Is this some kinda trick?"
"Leave." The professor's voice was surprisingly cold.
Iceman simply shrugged and left the room.
Now alone, Xavier reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a bottle of scotch and a glass.
After quickly taking a drink, the mutant closed his eyes.
It had been three weeks since Jean had nearly been consumed by that 'thing' growing in her mind.
Three weeks since she nearly killed Duncan Mitchell.
Three weeks since she nearly broke Storm's hand.
Three weeks since he committed the most egregious sin he could imagine.
Sleep had been hard to find since then. His contact with his students, especially Scott and Ororo, had been as scarce as it had ever been.
As he poured another drink, he considered the consequences of his actions.
What if they found out? They would never trust him again and rightfully so.
Xavier raised his fresh glass of scotch to his lips, but stopped himself from drinking it.
"Enough of this." He thought as he sat the glass back down. "They will not find out. They cannot find out."
-X-
"And so that is how we are able to connect the power supply to the..."
Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy took note that his student was paying very little attention, if any at all. "Are you listening to me?"
"Huh?" Kitty Pryde looked up from the piece of paper she was scribbling on. "Yea. You said something about...something."
"Learning advanced engineering requires focus and attentiveness. You seem a bit preoccupied. Is there anything you'd like to get of your chest before we continue?"
"Well, actually," Kitty hesitated for a moment. "I have this friend."
McCoy couldn't stop his eyes from rolling. "Oh, boy." He muttered.
"She recently broke up with her boyfriend of several months. They decided to be friends, but now she, my friend that is, isn't sure she's over him."
"How unfortunate for...her."
"It gets worse. She doesn't think her ex-boyfriend is interested in getting back together. He thinks that she settled for him, but she didn't. So, now she..."
"Your friend." McCoy interjected with a nod.
"Yea. Now she doesn't really know what to do. What would you tell her?"
"Well, I would start by suggesting that she positively ascertain whether or not she truly wants to be with this young man."
"Uh-huh. She does."
"Ok. Then I suppose I would ask her if her desire to reunite with him had anything to do with her fear of being alone?"
Kitty narrowed her eyes and spoke slowly. "She is not afraid of being alone!"
"Is she sure about that?"
"Yes, and honestly she said she's getting tired of the accusations from some intellectual pinhead!"
McCoy only raised an eyebrow.
Kitty shook her head. "She didn't mean that."
"Of course, she didn't. Tell me, how old was she when her father left?"
As Kitty's eyes widened, McCoy gave her a compassionate gaze.
The young mutant hung her head. "6."
"And how many years did she watch her mother being miserable and alone?"
"7."
"She doesn't think that such an experience could lead to fear of a similar fate?"
Kitty sat very still for a few moments before responding. "She doesn't know."
"She needs to be sure, Kitty."
McCoy walked over and sat down next to his pupil.
"She owes it to him and to herself to figure out what she really wants. Her ex-boyfriend, I'm guessing here, may not act like he was hurt by the realization that she settled for him, but I would imagine he was. If your friend convinces him to take her back and then she realizes that he was right all along, he won't be the only one that will have a hard time forgiving her."
"Yea, I guess. You do know I'm talking about me and Bobby, right?"
The elder mutant let out a sigh as he shook his head. "Yes...it was a good try though."
As McCoy rose and walked across the room, Storm entered. "Hey. What's up?"
"Kitty and I were having a conversation about engineering. Perhaps we should call it a day."
Shadowcat scooped up her things. "Ok. Thanks, Dr. McCoy. You're the best."
"I try."
After Kitty left, Ororo leaned against the wall near McCoy. "Ok, out with it. What were you guys really talking about?"
"I'm afraid that is confidential."
"Oh, come on. You can tell me. I'm good at keeping secrets."
McCoy turned to face her. "So I've noticed."
The two stared at one another for a moment before Storm threw her arms around his neck and they kissed.
After a few moments, McCoy pulled away.
"What's the matter?"
"Forgive me, Ororo, but I still find this rather awkward. I mean, the age difference..."
"I'm eighteen, Hank. That's the only age that matters."
"I turned eighteen twenty years ago. Thus, making me old enough to be your young and woefully unprepared father."
"Hey, I never knew my actual date of birth. The professor said his psychic estimation could be as much as two years off. I could be twenty."
"Or sixteen." McCoy walked away from her and paced the room.
"Why are you making this so complicated?"
"Because it is complicated."
"No it's not." Storm placed her hands on his shoulders to stop him from pacing. "I'm attracted to you, you're attracted to me. It's our most basic human instinct."
"We're not human."
"Hank." Storm put her arms back around his neck. "Don't fight this. We like each other and that should be enough to bridge our differences. Age or otherwise."
McCoy nodded and placed his hands on her hips. "I suppose you're right. After all, how many opportunities does someone like me have with someone like you. I should probably be shouting from the rooftops."
"So does that mean you want to tell people about us?"
"Oh, God, no."
Storm raised an eyebrow.
"W-well, of course. I mean, eventually. I mean, not that there is any reason for me to be ashamed of you, nor you me. Well, maybe you me. I mean, given the..."
"Oh, shut up."
The two engaged in a deep kiss once again.
-X-
Rogue and Colossus exited the cab and walked toward the institute.
"Ya didn't have to wait fer me after school."
"It was nothing, Rogue."
"I get detention a lot, so I wouldn't make a habit of it. You'll spend all yer time waitin'."
Peter Rasputin simply shrugged. "There are worse ways for me to spend time. Doesn't Professor Xavier get angry when you get detention?"
"Normally, but he's got bigger things on his mind."
"Bigger things? What do you mean?"
Rogue stopped and turned to her colleague. "You haven't noticed him lockin' himself in his study?"
"Well, yes, I suppose he has."
"That ain't all either. McCoy's hidin' somethin'."
"That, I had not noticed. What do you think it is?"
"I'm not sure. He's just been lookin' kinda guilty lately."
"You think the two things could be related?"
"Damn straight."
"Are you going to say something to them?"
"Not yet, but I'm keepin' my eyes and ears open. You better do tha same."
"I don't know if I like the idea of being suspicious all of the time." Peter said as the duo resumed walking.
"Well, you can do whatever you want. I'm gonna be ready."
"Ready for what? These people are friends, Rogue. Practically family."
"I knew some people that were 'practically' family once," She stopped in front of the door and looked him in the eye "and believe you me, I wish I'd kept a closer eye on those sons-a-bitches."
-X-
Daniel Rossman watched as thousands upon thousands of small metal pieces slowly became a deadly machine.
He stood atop a catwalk high above the once automotive factory, now Sentinel factory.
Sentinel 0004 was nearly complete. The process was slow, but things were going well.
"Colonel!"
Too well, apparently.
Rossman glanced down the walkway to see Professor Bolivar Trask walking towards him.
Two armed guards followed close behind. The concerned looks on their faces told the colonel that he would not like this conversation.
"Colonel, have you seen this?" Trask waved a file folder in his hand.
Rossman remained calm despite his irritation. "Of course I have. You got it from my desk, did you not?"
"Well...yes. The door was open." An ice cold glare told Trask to get to the point. "This 'MCA' of your's is useless! According to these files, it will be so bogged down in bureaucratic red tape that it will ultimately accomplish nothing!"
The colonel's expression didn't change. "And?"
Trask couldn't hide his frustration. He looked at the documents in his hands and then back at Rossman. "Colonel, I have been perfectly satisfied with our arrangement thus far. I supply the technology, you supply the plan. However, I'm in this as deep as you are, if not deeper. I deserve to know what's going on."
"So you're tired of being behind the scenes and you want to step up to the front lines, eh?"
"I suppose you could put it that way."
"Well, that, Professor, is a great idea. Here," Rossman reached into his pocket and pulled out a small picture frame. "take a look."
Trask studied the picture for a moment. "Who is this?"
"Sarah Kelly."
"Kelly? As in..."
"Senator Robert Kelly. Yes."
The professor wiped a few beads of sweat from his forehead. "What exactly does she have to do with this?"
"Kelly is going to become a problem. He's already getting cocky. Once he actually sits down in that congressional seat, his ego will override his judgment."
Trask swallowed hard. "Again, what does she have to do with this?"
"We need to make certain that Senator Kelly does as he's told. That's why, should it be necessary, you will apprehend his daughter."
Trask dropped the picture. "Me?!"
"You are ready for the front lines aren't you, Trask?"
The professor wiped more sweat from his brow before kneeling down and picking up Sarah's picture. He gave it one more look before handing it back to Rossman.
"Point taken, Colonel."
"Don't have the stomach for it? Too bad. Why don't you just make sure that one of the Sentinels is ready to deploy."
As Trask grumbled and walked away, Rossman allowed himself a self-satisfactory smirk. Two potential uprisings in two days, both quelled. He was on a roll.
"Baker!"
One of the guards stepped forward. "Sir!"
"Find this girl." He handed Baker the picture. "Stay on her and be ready to bring her in at a moments notice."
"Yes, sir."
As he was left alone once more, Rossman turned his attention back to the sentinels.
It wouldn't be long now.
-X-
Jean's hand was poised to knock on the door to Professor Xavier's study.
The fact that she was hesitating was a testament to how awkward things had been over the past few weeks.
Normally, Professor Xavier had an open door policy. Things had changed significantly.
After almost a full minute, she finally just opened the door.
The study was dead quiet save the ticking of a grandfather clock. Xavier sat behind his desk with his back to the door.
Just as Jean considered slipping back out, Xavier spoke. "Is there something you need?"
"Umm. I just wanted to talk to you."
"Now is not the best time, my dear."
"Ok. Sorry." Jean turned to leave, but stopped herself. "Professor. I'm not leaving until we talk."
Xavier's chair turned to face her. "I see. Well, I suppose I have no choice. What would you like to talk about?"
"I'm worried about you, Professor. We all are. You've barely even spoken to us in weeks."
"It's nothing for you, or any of the others, to concern yourselves with."
"I disagree. Look, you have done more for us than we could ever repay. It's not a one-way street. We want to help you if we can."
Xavier wheeled around to the front on his desk and took his prize student's hand. "Oh, Jean. If only you could, but I'm afraid this is something I must bare alone."
"Why?"
Looking into Jean's compassionate eyes actually made Charles Xavier feel a small bit better. If there was one person in this world who was worth protecting, no matter the cost, it was her.
For a few moments at least, his transgressions seemed worth it.
"Just trust me, Jean. You have already done more than enough."
The young telepath didn't seem to understand, but before she could question him further, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Professor?" Jean and Xavier looked to the door as Scott Summers entered. "I'm back, sir."
"Ah, Scott. How was Alaska?"
"Cold. I wasn't interrupting, was I?"
"Not at all. Jean and I we're merely discussing..." Xavier's voice trailed off as his eyes narrowed.
Jean placed a hand on his shoulder. "Is something wrong?"
"In all likelihood. Scott, would you get the door, please."
"The front door?"
Xavier only nodded.
Cyclops exited the room and made his way down the stairs. Iceman crossed his path.
"Hey, S-Man. When'd you get..."
"Come with me."
"Nice to see you too."
The duo came to a stop in front of the door. Summers looked to his teammate. "Be ready."
Drake clinched his fist and it began to be covered in a thick layer of ice.
After a second's hesitation, Summers threw open the door.
Iceman's eyes widened as the ice quickly dissipated from his hand. "Holy freaking God!"
For a few moments, Cyclops could only stare at the shapely blonde woman who stood before him.
"Emma Frost?"
"Well, well. If it isn't Scott Summers." The woman brushed a few strands of hair from in front of her face. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"