Siren's Call
By: Whitney Hansen
Part 1
The air roars, the attack throwing all of the X-men to the ground. Logan crashes straight through a pile of kicked up concrete. The others are a little luckier, but not by much. Bobby and Kurt are definitely out of the fight. When the air roars again, Logan is quick to dive for cover.
"This is the end of your reign, X freaks," their attacker shouts. He is eight feet tall and four feet wide. At least, his armor is. Why one of Ironman's enemies has decided to attack the X-men is a mystery.
"We're not reigning over anything," Scott stutters, pushing himself onto his hands and knees. "And neither are you." A quick press to his visor, and a wide optic blast slams straight into Iron Monger's chest. It makes him skid back a few feet, but no permanent damage is done.
"I've studied your abilities and worked them into my suit," the man says. "You can't hurt me."
"Try this," Logan snarls. He leaps forward, claws outstretched. When he is halfway to his target, though, a gun automatically surfaces from Iron Monger's shoulder. It fires a sonic wave, blasting Logan back and to the ground. The mutant screams as blood streams from his eardrums. Finished with Logan, Iron Monger turns to be caught by another optic blast. He stumbles but stays on his feet.
"Stupid mutant," he says. He turns and throws both hands into an untouched piece of concrete. He pulls, and the section gives way. He swings it over his head and starts for Scott.
"Hey, ugly."
Iron Monger looks up to the sky at the new voice and spots a teen approaching at high speed. The teen swoops down and pile-drives Iron Monger from under his concrete weapon, making the thing fall inches from Scott's head. The unknown teen continues to push until he and his prey slam into the side of the next building. It shakes horribly, debris falling down over them. Then all is silent. After a long pause, the pile of debris shifts, and the teen emerges, his hand securely holding the front of Iron Monger's shirt. Now stripped of his armor, Stane is at this child's mercy.
"Who the hell is that?" Logan coughs out as Jean helps him to his feet.
"I have no idea," she says. "I can't pick up a thing."
The others gather around them, Scott holding up Bobby, Rogue and Storm supporting Kurt. The new teen approaches them.
"Who are you?" Scott asks.
"My name's Terrance," the teen says, dropping Stane to the ground, "but you can call me Vessel."
"Terrance!" A girl rushes forward from the crowd. When she reaches the teen, she dives into his arms. He hugs her tightly. Then she pulls back. "Are you okay?"
The teen laughs. "I'm fine. Didn't even break a sweat."
The girl smiles.
The girl isn't really a girl. Probably about 20, she is a few years older and an inch or two shorter than the teen in her arms. Her soft brown hair is cut short; her calm green eyes worried even through his reassurance. She hugs him again and gives him a light kiss on the cheek. He smiles.
"Okay, so who's the girl?" Logan asks.
"This is Maria," Terrance says. "Of course, I don't have to ask your names." He offers Scott his hand. "It's a real honor to meet you guys. You're my idols."
"Um, thanks," Scott says, shaking the teen's hand.
"Well, it was fun working with you, but we've got to go," Terrance says. Maria nods and lets him pick her up. They begin to rise into the air.
"Wait," Scott calls. "You saved my life. The least I can do is give you a ride. You don't have to fly yourself home."
"We're not flying home," Terrance says, stepping back down on the ground.
"No?"
"We don't have a home," he continues.
"Oh," Scott says. He glances around at the others. Their looks are mutual. He turns back to Terrance and Maria. "Would you like one?"
"A home?" Terrance asks. He blinks a few times before Scott's words seem to sink in. "You mean the Institute? You're asking me to be a student? Man, that's amazing. That's just-" He stops suddenly, glancing at Maria. Her look is grave. "Um, sorry. I'll have to pass."
"I was asking both of you," Scott says. "There's always room."
"No, you don't understand," Terrance says. "Maria's…she's not a mutant. Your school's for mutants, right? I won't go without her."
The X-men glance at each other. A small shift in their looks shows an intense psychic conversation. Finally Scott addresses the two again.
"The Institute is also a haven for runaways," he says. "You understand, we haven't had a human student before, but that doesn't mean she can't come. The invite's still open. To both of you."
Now it is Terrance and Maria's turn to debate silently. After a long pause, Maria nods. Terrance turns to Scott.
"That would be great," he says. "Really, really great."
"All right then," Scott says. "Let's get going."
***
When the jet sets down at Xavier's Institute a few hours later, Maria and Terrance stare around in disbelief. They follow the X-men out of the jet in a daze. At the bottom of the stairs, Maria slips. Logan catches her. She looks up at him and smiles. Then she seems to think of something. She quickly pulls away.
"Thanks," she says weakly. Nervously she readjusts her gloves.
"No problem," Logan says. He glances at her clothes: long-sleeves, pants, and a pair of leather gloves. "Hey, are you cold?"
"Not particularly. Why?" she asks. Terrance glances at her.
"Well, there's only one person I've seen wear that many layers in the summer, and that's Rogue."
"Maria has a skin condition," Terrance explains.
"Contagious?" Scott asks.
"No, just…unsightly," Terrance says. He clears his throat. "Well, what happens now?"
"We'll take you to see Xavier," Scott says.
"Professor X?" Terrance asks. "Wow, I mean, wow."
The X-men smile at his antics. Maria is more reserved.
"Come on," Logan says, motioning her forward. "It'll be fine."
At his inviting look, she relaxes. She and the others walk across the hanger and to the elevator. They head upstairs. Scott opens the door to Xavier's study, and the man himself greets them with a warm smile.
"Welcome, Terrance, Maria, how was your flight?" he asks.
"Really great," Terrance says.
"I've never been in a jet before," Maria says.
"But I understand you fly quite a bit," Xavier says.
The two smirk.
"It's the fastest way to travel," Terrance says. "I can't fly at full speed when carrying Maria, but it's still a lot faster than any bus ride."
"Well, I believe we should get started," Xavier says. "Jean has informed me of your special circumstances. I want to personally invite you to stay here."
The two new students glance at each other.
"The others really won't mind?" Terrance asks.
"I will not lie. Some of the students have been treated incredibly harshly by their non-mutant relations. They hold grudges, but they will respect my judgment. As you've already seen, my senior students, the X-men, are all in agreement that you are welcome."
Terrance glances at Maria. She studies the floor for a long moment. Finally she nods. "Thank you," she says. "I…I'd like to stay."
"Wonderful," Xavier says. "Jean will set you up with rooms. I understand you have no other belongings besides those on your backs. Storm and Kurt can help you pick out clothes from our supplies. And one other thing."
"Yes?" Terrance asks.
"I must ask your ages."
The two freeze. Slowly Terrance swallows.
"Why?" he asks.
"If you are underage, I must inform your parents that you are here," Xavier explains. "I'm sorry, but that is how this must work."
"I'm 20," Maria says, "and there's no one to call anyway."
"And you, Terrance?" Xavier asks.
"Almost 18," he mutters.
"Almost, as in 17," Xavier presses. "I will have to contact your parents."
"I'm turning 18 in two months," Terrance protests.
"You are still underage," Xavier says. "Legally, I must inform your guardians you have an invitation to stay at my school. In most runaway cases, the news relieves parents."
"Yeah, well, I know what my parents will say," the teen mutters.
"Which is why I have to contact them," Xavier says. "Could you please give me a number they can be reached at?"
"Sorry," Terrance says. "We traveled a lot. I mean a lot. They like staying off the grid. They never have a permanent address, permanent number, permanent anything. I've been out of contact with them for more than a year. I have no idea where they are."
Xavier studies him for a moment then nods. "I believe you," he says. "I will have to employ…unconventional means of finding them then. I will find them, though."
The two before him tense.
"Don't worry," their new professor says. "I'm sure we can help them understand the benefits for you to remain here."
Terrance takes a deep breath. Finally he seems to accept the reassurance. His smile returns. "Thanks," he says.
Xavier nods. "Now, if you would go with Storm and Kurt, we'll get you settled in in no time at all."
The new students obediently turn. With their guides, they reach the storage room on the main floor of the school. After only a little trial and error, each emerges with three new outfits, Maria sporting a new pair of gloves as well. Then they split. Kurt and Terrance head to the boy's dorm while Storm and Maria head for the girl's.
"So how long have you known Terrance?" Storm asks.
"About two years," Maria says. "I met him in Serbia. His parents had a three-week stay there. Terrance and I became…close…quite fast. I had nothing to stay for, so I followed them to Germany."
"So are you dating?" Storm asks.
"No, well," Maria stumbles. "It's complicated."
"Isn't is always?" Storm asks.
They reach one of the dorm rooms, and Storm points towards an empty bed. Maria sets her new clothes down on it.
"Your roommates are Rahne Sinclaire, Alison Blaire, and yours truly," Storm says.
"You?" Maria asks. "But you're an X-man."
"We don't really discriminate," Storm says. "Plus, everyone in this room's an upper level student: 20 and over. Rahne is finishing a bachelor's degree."
"And Alison?" Maria asks.
A small smirk twitches at Storm's lip. "Alison's…Alison. She kind of just sticks around. I hope you're not too against rock music."
Maria sits on her new bed. She bounces a few times before flopping down on her back. She hums in satisfaction.
"Comfy, right?" Storm asks.
"Very," Maria says.
"Do you want to rest, or would you like to check out the rest of the school?" Storm asks. She waits but doesn't get a reply. She walks farther into the room and glances down at her new roommate. Maria is completely lost in sleep. Smiling, Storm leaves the room.
***
In the school's cafeteria, Terrance and Maria sit with a group of students. Among them are Rahne, Alison, and one of Terrance's roommates: Samuel Guthrie. They laugh and joke, most of their lunches forgotten on their plates. After another round of laughter, Sam suddenly changes the topic.
"Hey, is it true you stopped Iron Monger yourself?" he asks.
Terrance shrugs sheepishly. "Sort of," he says.
"That's incredible," Rahne says. "So you basically saved the X-men's butts."
The others laugh.
"I bet they'll ask you to be on the team," Alison says.
"But I'm just 17," Terrance argues.
"So's Kurt," Sam says. "Being an X-man isn't about age. It's about power control."
"So what's your mutant name?" Rahne asks.
"Um, Vessel," Terrance says.
"Vessel?" Sam asks. "Why?"
Terrance shrugs. "I guess when I first got my powers I felt like I was channeling someone else. The name's kind of stuck. Do you really think they'll ask me to be part of the team?"
"Hey, Vessel."
Bobby's voice cuts clear across the cafeteria. The students instantly silence. When Terrance turns, Bobby waves him over.
"Ask and you shall receive," Alison says. "Go on. We'll take good care of your friend."
Terrance and Maria glance at each other. Finally she shrugs.
"Have fun," she tells him.
"Are you sure?" he asks.
She nods, leaning in to give him a light kiss on the cheek. "I know it's what you've always wanted."
Now grinning widely, Terrance gets up. All eyes follow him as he hurries towards the waiting X-man and they disappear out into the hall. Maria watches the empty doorway.
"He'll be fine," Sam says. "Really."
"I know," Maria says. "His skin's impenetrable, and his super-strength will keep him a step ahead of the others."
"I meant they'll take care of him," Sam presses.
Maria turns back to her food, pushing it around on her plate.
"So what's your mutant name?" Alison asks.
"Hm?"
"Your name."
Maria stops cold. She stares at her mashed potatoes.
"Well?" Alison asks.
"I'm…I don't have one."
"Well, what's your power? We'll think of something cool," Alison says.
"Um, actually, I don't have any powers."
"You don't…."
Maria looks up. "I'm human."
**
Down in the Danger Room, Terrance stands ready. He wears a generic trainee uniform, flexible for any use of power. The X-men cram the watchtower. Scott holds his hand over the controls.
"Ready, Vessel?" he calls.
"Yes, Sir," Terrance calls.
"Then begin." Scott pushes the start button, and the Danger Room comes to life.
Five laser guns start to fire. Terrance dives out of the way, catching himself and rising into the air. He zigzags through the shots, each just barely off his skin. Taking a second to assess the situation, he dives down between two of the guns. When he quickly jerks off his flight path, the guns shoot each other. The resulting explosion takes out another two guns. Terrance lands on the fifth, grips its barrel with both hands, and rips it from its stock. The simulation shuts down.
"Good job, Vessel," Scott calls.
"Is that all you've got?" Terrance asks. "I thought this was supposed to be a danger room."
Up in the watchtower, Logan chuckles. He taps Scott on the shoulder, and the man steps out of the way.
"Don't go too hard on him," Scott mutters.
"Oh, Slim, you know me," Logan says. He presses the com link. "That was level three," he explains to Terrance. "It's a warm up round."
"Yeah, well, I'm warmed up," Terrance says.
"How warmed up?" Logan asks.
A mischievous look sparks in Terrance's eye. "Try me," he says.
"You asked for it," Logan says. He taps out a sequence on the Danger Room controls, and a level seven session starts.
The sudden trap doors almost catch Terrance up. Then the flying disks make him spin awkwardly in the air until he can correct for the sudden attack. There are now ten laser guns and a dozen moving walls. Terrance pulls higher into the air to get a look at the full layout. He dives to the side to get out of reach of one of the disks.
"He's not ready for this," Scott says. He moves forward, but Logan stops him.
"Just wait," Logan says.
As they speak, Terrance finally begins to get his bearings again. He dives down, throwing his fists in front of him, and busts straight through two guns. He pushes off a moving wall and reaches the disk thrower. Three laser shots that followed him take it out. He races to catch the disks still in the air. When he has them all, he throws one at each remaining gun. With the speed of the throw, the disks pierce straight through, digging deep into the floor. With a shower of sparks, the session ends.
"That's amazing," Rogue whispers. "Ah mean, really amazing."
"How you doing, Vessel?" Logan calls.
Terrance brushes some metal shavings from his uniform. "Piece of cake."
Logan smiles. "Then why don't you try the whole thing?"
"Logan, don't," Scott calls, but it's too late.
The screen displays 'Logan's Run,' and the Danger Room explodes into motion.
Terrance dives desperately out of the way of the lasers, disks, and throwing darts that attack him from all sides. A group of spiked orbs follow him in his path, heat-seekers out for blood. A wall panel directly before him shoots out, blocking his path. He twists, catches his foot on it, and launches straight up. Three heat-seekers crash into the blockade.
"He's going to get killed out there," Scott shouts.
"Would you shut up?" Logan asks. He taps the com link. "Hey, Vessel, the game is 'take down the computer'. We didn't say anything about doing it nicely."
Terrance glances up to the watchtower then back to the projectiles following him. He shrugs and stops cold. The X-men all shout out as the spheres strike him and explode. The smoke covers his entire form, and more laser shots enter the cloud. A split second later, he bursts out into the open, no worse off for the attack.
Now without checking what hits him and what doesn't, Terrance flies straight for the guns and launchers. Ducking his head, he breaks through every single one of them, never stopping or even slowing down. He circles the room three times, hitting everything in a single stream. When he finally stops, the Danger Room is a pile of scrap metal.
"Told you," Logan says. "I pegged him the first time. He's level five, plain and simple."
"It would explain why I can't sense his mind," Jean cedes.
Down on the practice floor, Terrance watches as the digital carnage around him disappears. Then a sudden cloud of blue smoke appears at his side.
"That was incredible!" Kurt cries, his little demon eyes bright with excitement. "You are officially the most amazing mutant I have ever met."
"Yeah, amazing mutant, that's me," Terrance says timidly. He runs his hand through his hair. "I really don't like to brag."
"But that was some of the best work I've seen in a long while," Jean says as she flies down from the watchtower. The others follow on the descending platform.
"Was Logan's run even that much of a workout?" Storm asks.
"That last one? It was the single scariest thing I've ever seen, but to tell you the truth, it could have been harder."
"Well, I think it goes without saying that you have control over your powers," Scott says. "I'd like you to do a couple more runs for me so I can get more of a feel for your style. Then I'll teach you some of our maneuvers and come up with more that utilize your skill level. In a week or so you can start training with the team."
"Sounds great," Terrance says.
"Well, we're out of here then," Logan says. The rest of the X-men are already on their way to the door. "Scott's tactic sessions are just about the most repetitive and annoying things to watch."
"They're necessary," Scott shoots at him.
"Sure, but that doesn't mean I have to sit through them again."
Terrance raises an eyebrow as Logan disappears through the Danger Room door. Then he turns back to Scott. The man is rubbing at his head.
"They don't always take you seriously, do they?" Terrance asks.
"They think I'm high-strung," Scott says. He smirks. "I guess they're right."
In the hallway, Logan smirks as well, glancing over his shoulder just as the door closes. He listens a moment longer to what only he can hear then heads for the elevator. He reaches the main floor and heads outside. He stands on the patio, leaning against the railing, and watches the students play in the yard. Then his ears perk at a new sound. He glances to the trees to spot a half hidden form. He heads for it.
Maria sits at the base of a tree far away from the playing students. She has one leg curled under her, her arms wrapped around the other. Her eyes are closed as slow tears run down her cheeks. When Logan reaches her, she breathes in sharply and bolts to her feet.
"Whoa, easy," he calls, raising his hands. She calms almost instantly and drops back to the ground. "You want to tell me what's going on?" he presses.
"No," Maria says. She wipes furiously at her cheek.
"Okay," Logan says. He sits down.
"Okay?" she asks.
"Your problem," he says. He leans back, propping himself on his elbows, and looks up at the treetops. Maria watches him suspiciously.
"They're calling me names," she says.
"Who?" he asks.
"Everyone."
"You have to be a little more specific," he says. He sits up, his eyes trained on her.
"I mean it," she says. "The second I told them I'm human, it's like I grew another head."
"If you did, they'd accept you in a heartbeat," Logan jokes.
"You know what I mean," she snaps.
He nods.
"Terrance and I've been through a lot together. We've gotten kicked out of restaurants, run out of town by mobs, the works. But that was all because of the mutant half of our duo."
"And now it's the human half that's being attacked," Logan says.
"Why would they do this?" she asks. "Why does everyone do this?"
Logan shakes his head. "I don't know, darlin', but let me talk to Xavier. He'll straighten them out."
"No," she snaps.
"That's what he's here for," Logan presses.
"No," she repeats. "They're not worth it."
"I don't want to see you badgered in the only place I feel safe," he says. "Xavier's a good man. He's training mutants to be the same. He'll make this right."
Tiredly, Maria nods. A fresh tear hits her cheek. Logan moves to sit down next to her. He wraps an arm around her, and she buries her face in his jacket.
"It's going to be okay," he says. "I promise."
***
Maria sits alone in the library, a worn book in her hands. Her face is dry, but her eyes barely focus on the pages. The entire room is silent, no one else in the whole expanse. The door opens, and Terrance enters.
"This place is amazing," he calls, grinning wildly. "You should see the Danger Room. It's solid-light holograms. And the tactical room has a display table as big as a couch. It can actually display images of the X-men in action."
"That's great," Maria says, setting down her book.
Instantly Terrance calms. "What's the matter?" he asks.
"Nothing."
"Maria."
"Nothing. You're happy here. That's all that matters."
Sighing, Terrance sits down at her side. "Maria, what happened?"
"Some of the students are just a little mean. That's all," she says.
"Because you told them you're human?" Terrance asks. She nods. "I thought we weren't going to do that unless it became necessary."
"They asked," she says. "Was I supposed to tell Xavier one thing and his students another?"
"They'll come around," Terrance says.
"You know that's a lie," Maria counters.
"We've never been in a place like this before," he says. "Maybe it's different here."
Maria watches him for a long time. Finally she smiles.
"Yeah," she says. "Maybe."