THE INSPECTION

Chapter One

"Now, this'd better be good," muttered Logan as he sank down upon one of the plush cream couches in Professor Charles Xavier's office. The X-Men had been urgently summoned from their evening activities, of which for Logan had been sitting down to enjoy a nice cold beer. Currently apart from his beverage, Logan was far from impressed as he seated to join the rest of the team who had assembled at Charles's telepathic beckon.

The man himself was situated behind his polished oak desk, surveying the X-Men with benign eyes over the top of his poised, steepled fingers. A lavish desk lamp cast an atmospheric glow over that end of the office, of which was backed by tall windows that looked out upon the dark grounds of the mansion. "Thank you for responding so efficiently," the Professor told the room at large, deciding to politely ignore Logan's eye roll to the ceiling. "You may wonder why I've called you here so late."

"Admittedly, I was concerned there was an emergency Professor," said Scott Summers as he watched the elder man from his standing position besides the desk.

"No such emergency," Charles reassured with a small nod of his head towards the team leader. "However, the situation at hand is of extreme importance." The mutants gathered before him shifted uncomfortably, but all were awaiting further explanation. Even Logan had stopped studying the nearby ornament to lock his eyes upon Charles curiously. Satisfied his words had fully grasped the X-Men's attention, the Professor proceeded to elucidate the issue. "It seems the not so far-fetched rumours of our school housing mutants has attracted the unwanted attention of the USDE."

"Oosdee?" questioned Logan unhelpfully as he neglected to listen to Xavier's abbreviation.

There was a disdainful snort from Scott. "U.S.D.E," he said stiffly, spelling each letter out slowly as though it may help Logan understand. "United States Department of Education."

"So why isn't it USDOE - ?"

"How much attention has it garnered, Professor?" Storm quickly asked, overriding Logan's contemplation.

Charles slowly looked upon the white-haired mutant, pursing his lips slowly as he considered his answer. "Enough for them to want to arrange a visit from one of its school inspectors."

"They want to carry out a report on us?" questioned Jean Grey, an eyebrow hoisted in apparent disbelief.

"I very much doubt they are concerned about our education standards," said Charles darkly. "It seems like a convenient and legal way for them to come and scope out what we really are. I couldn't refuse the inspection on the grounds of arousing further suspicion."

Storm frowned, placing her hands on her hips, "But they'll report back everything we do! They'll know we're all mutants!"

"So you see my concern," sighed Charles, nodding his head in a slow manner. "That information, once leaked to the superiors will soon have a catastrophic effect."

"You think it's a cover-up, then? Them sending an inspector for an education report, but instead they'll really be wanting to see if there's any truth to the mutant rumours?"

There was an affirming nod. "Exactly, Scott," the Professor replied. "Though I very much doubt the true nature of the visit would be revealed to the very individual who is carrying out the inspection. However, the telephone conversation today, though polite enough has already tried to unsettle us."

Logan tilted his head slowly, "How so?"

"The inspector is arriving tomorrow."

There was a collective response of disconcerted sounds and Charles raised a hand to quieten the hubbub. "We must not let this trouble us. The Government is trying to interfere at Westchester and we must pass this inspection without any evidence of us being a mutant boarding school. More importantly, without any evidence of the facilities we run in the lower levels," he nodded slowly as he referenced to the X-Men.

"So we gotta lie to them?" said Logan, cocking an eyebrow. "What the hell happened to you wantin' humans and mutants to coexist peacefully?"

"It would be foolish to leave ourselves open for attack should the smallest scrap of evidence fall into their hands and give them the go-ahead to raid our school. My students' safety will always come first and I am not about to gamble dangerously with their lives." Charles gazed around at his team with the subtle striking gleam in his eyes. "The inspector will be staying with us for two weeks, in which we must ensure that we respond as any normal school would. Classes will be run as usual and attended by our visitor. There will be no mention of mutants or X-Men during their stay. Our educational curriculum will be evaluated, our range of amenities assessed."

The X-Men exchanged glances slowly, aware that the next fortnight would not only have a huge impact on their day-to-day lives, but also that of their students. "I'm guessing this means absolutely no display of powers," sighed Storm quietly, glancing out to the dark skies forlornly.

"It would be far too risky," confirmed Charles as his eyes turned upon the African woman. "The inspector is arriving at midday tomorrow, the students will be briefed at breakfast about the changes for the next few weeks."

As the X-Men prepared to take their leave and stew over the meeting's revelations, Logan's quiet mutter summed up all of their apprehensive thoughts. "These next two weeks are gonna be absolute hell."

This is a little plot bunny that's been burrowing away for quite a while. It's a drama comedy I guess, for I intend for it to be quite light hearted, at least initially! This prologue is just to whet your appetite. Please drop a review and let me know what you think of the premise!