Author's note : Sorry for the slight delay on this but I'm back to work and don't have as much time to skim things. Plus that season finale for Sons of Anarchy really threw me for a loop. I mean, holy crap...
(Four)
Remy ducked when the first explosions hit, he couldn't help it. There was no immediate logic behind the sudden bangs and clouds of smoke that followed, they had not come from any missiles he had seen or from anything that had been thrown. While lots of things that went bang sounded similar, he didn't think this had come from Trigger either. Perhaps someone had lobbed some kind of crazy ordinance into the mix, he couldn't be sure.
More explosions boomed in the large open space, followed by the quick rasp of automatic gunfire. One thing Remy had noticed earlier was that not many of Romulus' men were armed with guns. Claws and fangs and brute strength seemed to be the order of the day so unless the choppers had been loaded with these guns handy, some new development was taking place. Screams rang out, coming from people Gambit did not recognize. His vision had cleared somewhat from being flash blinded and that was when he got a bit a of surprise.
The smoke cleared enough for him to make out the familiar figure of Butch Madison, leader of the mutant terrorist organization known as the Outkasts. As he watched the man wisp into view he finally understood what was really happening here. While it might have seemed like a rescue, Remy knew better. Things just might have gone from bad to worse here.
Butch Madison had crossed Remy's path more than once already. The first time had been by reputation only and at a time when Remy was young and stupid. The African American leader of the Outkasts had made overtures through intermediaries that he was interested in Remy because Butch was above all, a collector of energy producers. Remy had refused and Butch had let him go, moving on to other more willing targets. In the same way that Romulus went out of his way to gather the ferally inclined, Butch sought only those who showed promise of real power. If you could explode something, zap it or cause it to fry, you were his man and he would pay you handsomely for the privilege of employing you. It wasn't a bad deal – so long as you were willing to swindle, rob, con and kill your way to the top of the financially elite.
Not that Butch was an energy producer himself. His mutation was of a different sort. He could turn his body into an invisible mist, allowing him access to any place he liked, no matter how secure. In ghost form, he had no scent, released no heat that sensors could detect. He could travel great distances this way, undetectable to those with enhanced senses, at least until he solidified his body. By then he was mostly likely already upon you and rendering you helpless before you even knew he was there. It wasn't just his own flesh he could manipulate in this way, but also any weapons he might chose to carry. Remy had even once seen him do this to an entire group of people, leading them in undetected just as he was doing now, bringing along his army to play.
Butch, though born American, wasn't much interested in leading any particular country. He did however dabble freely in politics in so far as it effected his ever growing bank accounts. There was an unsubstantiated rumor that Butch's Outkasts had even once absconded with nuclear missiles when one country threatened to use them on another, something that would no doubt cause one too many stock markets to crash – not to mention the inevitable demise of so many wealthy humans Butch had yet to fleece. When asked directly Butch did not confirm these allegations ... but he hadn't denied it either.
What Remy did know for certain was that Butch Madison and his Outkasts had helped out substantially the last time the X-men had run across a big bad guy – the terrorist Jael. He hadn't exactly been a saving angel of course. Then, as now, Butch delayed his entrance onto the battlefield, waiting until the X-men had suffered heavy casualties before swooping in to save the day. It was one of his most annoying traits.
Of course the real question was why was the freak even here in the first place?
But there he was, walking casually along as those he had brought with him misted into view. His crew was busy without many of them being armed with conventional weapons themselves, they had no need. They showered Romulus and his people with balls of glowing plasma and bolts of electricity to match Trigger's own. Those that did carry weapons were heavily armed with the world's latest toys of destruction - there were large caliber guns, automatic rifles and a grenade launder or two. One of Romulus' large Chinook helicopters was the first casualty, going up in smoke and flame, the deafening blast knocking most of the people nearby right off their feet. At least the open hatchway above kept the room from filling up with smoke and choking them all.
Like some of his own men, Butch carried a large automatic rifle – Butch may have had a fondness for the mutant abilities of his crew but wasn't beyond using a bullet or bomb or two to get the job done. He could afford it, he was well financed and very connected. He carried more than just a gun, his legs had straps tied to them, holding his many throwing knives.
Remy shook his head to clear it. He was still dazed a bit stupid from the concussive blasts, still seeing spots floating around here and there, and still bleeding from the numbed hand Sabretooth had torn. He wasn't without any surprise at this strange change of events, though he guessed he should not be shocked by anything Butch did. At least he should be grateful that this time Butch hadn't waited until most of the Red Team was dead before stepping in.
Butch's mutation kept him free from harm, the enemy's bullets traveling uselessly through his semi-solid body. It didn't keep him from retaliating. With a shout of, "Yo! Hans! Hans Bergman! Where's my fuckin' money?!" he tossed a good sized dagger at one of Romulus's nearby men and brought him down, the weapon lodging neatly in his chest.
Romulus jumped aside in surprise at the man's accuracy and was nearly struck by a second blade that came his way. The guy standing next to him wasn't so lucky, this one was less deadly and had sunk into the man's meaty thigh.
"Hans!" Romulus howled, snatching at the stricken man. "What have you done? Get us out of here!" Romulus might have been happy enough to play around with Remy's less experienced crew but these guys are too powerful and most of his crew had bailed already. The rest had been blown up in the first Chinook. He was now woefully understaffed.
"Aren't you forgetting something!" Butch shouted loudly. He pointed to Daken's mangled body. "Wouldn't want you to leave your best man (snort!) behind."
"He ain't yers to give!" Logan protested loudly at Butch's words. It wasn't that he held Daken in any high regard, but the douche-bag was still his kid and not to be fought over like a stolen toy. He also wasn't any happier that Butch had shown up out of the blue like this, taking over what Logan had considered to be his deal. The idea that Butch might have tracked them there somehow didn't sit any better. Logan didn't care much for spies or stalkers.
Butch did not give a verbal reply, he simply fired a few rounds at Logan's feet to back him up, not caring the least that Daken, who was still unconscious and unable to move out of the way, was struck.
Logan jumped back from the shots, snarling, but was kept from reclaiming his prize by two of Butch's men coming forward to claim his property. Their glowing hands let the X-man know that they were powerful plasma producers and that to argue with them would not be to his benefit.
It was a choice he wished he didn't have to make. When he had seen Daken lying there so limp and helpless, he was startled to realize that he wanted Daken for himself - not to defeat in further battle, but in the back of his mind he had some small glimmer of hope that if Daken was taken into his custody, perhaps he get the man turned around, just as Kyle had been. As Julien had been as well. But that couldn't happen if Romulus took Daken back.
Logan could only watch helplessly as Daken's body was dragged over to Butch who regarded Romulus quite calmly in spite of the brutality he had just shown. He didn't have to speak to show that it was a trade he was offering, Daken's body made that clear enough.
Romulus stood there, actually considering his options before he finally growled, "You again. What do you want this time, Madison?"
Remy grinned in pain at the casual use of Butch's name. Why did it not surprise him at all that these two freaks had met before? The world wasn't as large as it once was and seemed to be shrinking all the time. All these bad guys being on such familiar terms could only be bad.
Butch gave Romulus his answer. "I've made that pretty clear. Give me Hans."
Wolverine smiled when he saw Romulus still mulling it over. If Romulus didn't care about what happened to Daken then Logan might be able to get his hands on him yet.
It was a small hope. Hans, being such a powerful teleporter, was Romulus' best means of escape this day. The surviving Chinook could hold a lot of men and cargo, but it was large and noisy. Not exactly the easiest getaway. It certainly wouldn't be stealthy. If Butch had tracked the Red Team here it wouldn't be a hardship for Butch to track the chopper out. Logan did find it curious that Hans hadn't bailed on his own already, he could have teleported himself out and left the boss behind. Maybe he was just loyal.
Butch thought Romulus was taking too long to decide and was happy to let it show. As an incentive to hurry this up, he gave the still dazed Daken a few more rounds to the body. The man had begun to recover and wake some from Logan's crude lobotomy but this new batch of abuse left him twitching and growling in pain. Confused and only feebly aware, Daken could only feel it but not stop it. He was still pretty much as helpless as a kitten and unable to defend himself during this exchange.
Romulus howled in anger at the unnecessary use of firepower but Butch was nonplused by the dramatic display. "By all means, take all day to consider what to do. Just understand that my blades are always toxic. Your man couldn't teleport you out now even if he wanted to. I always win, one way or another."
Romulus turned to Hans and watched as the man tried to prove Butch wrong. Hans' body flickered a bit here and there but otherwise couldn't teleport away. The teleporter glared at Butch and shouted, "You sick fuck! I'll kill you for this!" Empty words given his current predicament.
It didn't convince Romulus either. Hans gave a startled cry as his boss grabbed him more or less by the scruff like a naughty puppy that had piddled on the floor and gave him a rough toss in Butch's direction. There really was no point in keeping him now that he was useless to him.
Butch nodded, pleased now. He gestured for two of his men to drag Daken's body closer and then exchanged it for Hans. Hans was hurting now far more than a simple knife wound should have inflicted and once at Butch's feet, he collapsed in a wheezing heap of misery. Butch hadn't been kidding about the poison, it was taking its toll.
Romulus grabbed Daken himself and hauled the man up onto the open back of the large Chinook without an ounce of pity or gentleness. Daken was stumbling along drunkenly, his body having had enough punishment for one day. His eyes were glazed, broken, and it gave Logan pain to see it. There were still too many unanswered questions between them and he hated to see him go though he knew he was helpless to stop it.
Sabretooth meanwhile had regained his feet and while Trigger's attention had been diverted to the exchange between Romulus and Butch, he had stumbled his way back into Romulus' craft. His skin was still smoking and it looked like the worst of the fight had gone out of him. He wouldn't be seeking round two.
When Logan realized that Butch was actually going to let Romulus simply fly on out of here, he howled in rage, denied further battle. He came forward as if to take Butch on himself, but Hercules and Trigger snatched at him, holding him back. With this many men still in the hanger, it wasn't worth it to keep fighting.
With that, Romulus returned to his Chinook. The hatch closed and the blades whirled scattering dust and debris. It rose and once out of the hanger, was cloaked and gone.
(break)
Remy watched as Romulus' chopper began to lift and emboldened, made his way back to where Logan was. His vision had cleared enough for him to make his way easily, not always a blessing as it allowed him a perfect view of the Outkasts' terrible carnage, they had made short work of many of Romulus' weaker members. Bodies lay about like unwanted children's toys and blood was splashed all about, war's grisly artwork on full display. He caught up to Butch and the man smiled, recognizing him. It wasn't a pleasant grin. It was no secret that the man held Remy in contempt for his lack of nerve when it came to killing.
The last time they had met face to face it was out on the battlefield at the end of the Game and Remy had been severely trashed after having a comrade literally melt to death in his arms. It hadn't helped that he had also been witnessing the deaths of nearly four thousand mutants on that same field of battle, not an easy thing for an empath as sensitive as Remy had become. He had recovered, but it had taken time. Seeing Butch again brought back memories of that severe pain but Remy did his best to shove it down. The past was past and there was plenty yet to do right here and now.
Butch took note of Remy's mangled hand. The Thief had used a clean hand kerchief to wrap it, but the blood was seeping through. "LeBeau. You're still alive. How many of those nine lives do you have left anyhow?"
Remy chose not to reply to the dig, but nodded the way Romulus had gone. "You always let de bad guy walk away like dat?" The Outkasts had done most of the murderous damage at the end of the Game, enough that Gambit knew Butch was more than capable of taking Romulus all the way down. "What's yo' play in all dis?"
"I got what I wanted."
Gambit looked down, frowning a bit as Hans' labored breathing turned into a deep throttling snore before ceasing altogether. He tried to ignore the last glimmers of Han's shine fading away to nothing. Knowing the man was dying was one thing, but being able to see the finality of it like that, or from anyone, was always unsettling. He was a bit nauseated by it, but did his best not to show it. "You sure about dat? Kinda 'ard to collect money from a dead man, innit though?" Remy questioned, not exactly teasing. He did not have Butch's easy familiarity with corpses.
Butch looked more than pleased at the idea. "Oh, I have found there are many ways to settle a debt, some more satisfying than others."
Remy shuddered and looked away. This kind of ruthlessness was the main reason he had never joined Butch's merry band of psycho killers. He didn't have the stomach for it.
Logan wasn't so squeamish, at least not about getting into a fight. He wasn't the least bit pleased about how all this had gone down and he was now right up in Butch's face. "You again!" he growled, showing plenty of fang. He had the claws out on one hand for emphasis. "Nice to know we can count on you for that last minute save. Oh, wait! You let that sick fuck just waltz right on out of here!"
"Yes. Yes I did," came the cool reply. He had answered Logan but his eyes were all on Hercules and Trigger who had stepped behind Wolverine, giving him backup should he need it. Aiden wasn't far behind, moving more to Remy's back in an unspoken taking of sides. In spite of all of that firepower the man had nothing to fear really, his mutation shielded him from so much.
"Why would you do that?!" Wolverine demanded, spitting in his rage.
"I don't want the man, someone will just take his place. It is more important to me that I slow him down instead. I want the camps, the bases. I want to make him spend, understand? I want his resources. I tracked him here, and I will be tracking him there, where ever that might be."
"So you planned to just rob his ass?" Remy interjected, incredulous. He wasn't against someone pulling off a great score, but there was greed and there was stupidity. Romulus was a terrorist, not an art collector. He needed to go, not just get a little light in the wallet.
Butch's smile was pained, as one might look at a retarded child that just spoke out of turn. "There is more than one way to take down an organization as powerful as this Lupine. Sometimes it takes a hammer, other times a scalpel. My way takes longer, but it will be more final in the end."
"How did you track him here?" Logan demanded.
Butch just smiled. "I have my ways."
Something in that smile was unsettling. They couldn't know it but Butch, through the skill of his many spies, had been listening in on the intelligence exchange between Seth and the Lucky Dragon. The X-men liked to think they had an edge over the average political group but Butch was a major player and no slouch in the spy versus spy game. They had nothing on him nor could they ever reasonably hope to ever keep him out. He kept close tabs on these X-men, did Butch, and when he learned that the X-men had collected samples so near to this location, he had made his move. All he had needed was confirmation of where his target was located and once he'd had it from other sources, he had moved in. Learning that Hans was here as well was just an added bonus.
"You sick fuck!" Logan howled. "I am so sick of yer stupid games! Waltzin' in here like yer the big man! Romulus was mine!"
Butch was unafraid of the man's outburst. He looked Logan square in the eye as he criticized sharply, "If that was true, you would have taken him yourself. Am I to blame if you are so inept? The man is gone, get over it."
"The hell I will! Who knows who he'll go after next. Those dead bodies will be on you!"
"Maybe, probably. But this was still expensive, it cost him dearly, taking you. I doubt it was worth it," Butch said rudely, looking Logan over with disdain. "What did he want with you anyway?"
"Just to say hello."
Butch just snorted with disbelief. "I doubt that, but I wouldn't worry. You'll see him again. I keep nibbling at him but he keeps popping back up again." Butch glanced at the sky, glanced at his watch. "You should get out while you still can."
"Why's dat?" Remy questioned. He didn't trust Butch any further than the man could be thrown.
"SHIELD is on their way."
"How do you know?"
"Because I called them. This base will be my gift to them."
"Never pegged you for a stooge," Logan criticized sharply.
"Being a CI gives me some breathing room," came another cool reply.
As much as it bugged Wolverine, he knew the feeling. In this the X-men were not different. They had worked plenty of deals with SHIELD to keep wandering members out of the lockups and to send SHIELD after prey that was too big for the X-Men to handle. In this crazy world some temporary alliances got made in the name of peace and stability.
"Fury and I have an understanding," Butch added, as if the statement had made it all okay. "One hand washes the other."
Logan didn't care. "I could give a shit about your understanding. Way I see it, letting Romulus go makes you nothing but a coward."
"There is cowardice and then there is prudence. Why should I sacrifice my people only to deny you a win in a fight you so desperately wanted to have? Besides Romulus was letting you go. Surely you noticed that he had pulled out almost all of his personnel, easing your so called escape? If he had wanted you dead you would be so. He is a man who doesn't want to be seen unless he plans it, your death would have been far less public. No, Romulus is a user and he is obviously saving you for something he wants more. He doesn't make mistakes."
"And you know so much about him?" Logan asked dubiously.
"Actually, yes."
Butch then explained that he had been trying to take out Romulus for a really long time, but the guy was too damn clever. Slippery. The Outkasts made great efforts to close down some of Romulus' camps only to find more had been opened elsewhere. Butch felt that he was justified in tracking these bases down as if he was some sort of mutant policeman. It was no different than when he had made the decision to remove those pesky nukes that others had seemed so eager to use. While Butch could at times be forceful himself to make a point, he carried an intense dislike for bullies. He didn't like guys like Romulus, freaks who keep trying to take over at the cost of weaker people. Butch didn't care if they wanted to just make a buck or two – who doesn't? – but folks trying to act like kings and interfere with his own liberty, well, that shit just wouldn't fly, not in his ball park. Not if he had the firepower to make them back down. Butch was more than capable of co-existing with some power groups as he did with the X-Men and SHIELD, but he took marching orders from no one. He was his own man with his own agenda.
Butch regarded Logan sharply. "And speaking of marching orders, you might want to ask yourself why Romulus has so much of that Starktech and access to SHIELD equipment like the train. It has to come from somewhere. Romulus has powerful friends."
"And you don't?"
Butch just smiled. "Maybe I'm just waiting to see who steps up with an offer I can believe. The House of Xavier, I thought you were going to unite us all and save the world from itself. I thought it was in your mandate to work with all of us for peace. That hasn't happened yet in spite of all of your many efforts. Maybe it is you who should be rethinking your tactics."
"We don't make deals with people we can't trust."
"Then that is your loss. But I can be generous. To prove that, here is a parting gift before you go." He handed Logan a thumb drive.
Logan took it, squinting with suspicion. Like he would even know how to use it. That was what Seth was for. "What's this?
"Laura Kinney, also known as X23. Happy hunting."
"X23?" Logan questioned dubiously, squinting at Butch in an unfriendly way. He didn't like being messed with much. "What the fuck is that?"
"Not what. Who. You seem as though you are collecting Lupine as much as Romulus, yes? At least in terms of your direct family. You have Kyle and John. You may not have Daken, but you can have what amounts to his half sister."
"Are you trying to say this is another one of my kids?"
"Not exactly. Your clone."
Logan snorted loudly in disbelief. He'd had enough with playing with his family tree for one day. "My clone. Right. And the tooth fairy just kissed Santa Claus. What kind of fool do you think I am?"
"The smart kind that appreciates when he has been given an item of rare worth." Butch just smiled indulgently. He was aware of Logan's reputation for having a quick temper. "They named her that because she was the only clone that proved worthy of being kept alive. See, you worry so much about mutant groups like mine and Romulus' here, but you often overlook the less obvious but more sinister threats – modern day scientists. Do not underestimate humanity's desire for survival and the lengths they will go to achieve that. They will take the best parts of us – by force if necessary – and use them for their own gain. Time to keep your eyes on the whole chessboard, boys, and not just on the more easily seen darker squares."
Logan was going to reply with more scathing doubtful remarks, but something in Butch's voice gave him pause. He didn't think Butch was lying, not about this anyhow.
Butch saw it. "It's all there. Have Seth vet that all you want. But I suggest you act on that soon. You aren't the only ones looking to claim her. Think of me what you will. I am choosing to force Romulus to spend, you can hurt him in other ways like denying him more of your family to toy with. We are all doing our parts. Together we can shut him down and those whom he would serve. He is too big to be taken down by any one person, it will have to be a group effort. Take his money and then his allies."
Logan groaned inwardly. How did Butch even know about Seth? Geez... "I'm still not happy with you letting Daken go like that. He said he was my son and I don't know that he was lying."
Butch shrugged. "I know what he claims to be, but that does not make it so."
Logan wasn't buying any of it and his voice dripped with disdain as he sneered, "You're no better than he is, making up your own rules as you go along. Both of you with yer overblown sense of entitlement."
Remy stood as he was, trying to process all of this himself. Did Logan just say that guy was his son? Damn... but there were those claws... It was just too much and he was growing impatient. He clicked his teeth and looked away in annoyance. This bickering was pointless and he just wanted to take his kids and go home. He had wounded to care for. They could settle this later, there was nothing to be done for it now. The bad guys had already departed, taking their answers with them. It was time to go.
Butch turned to go but he stopped once again, looking over Trigger with obvious delight. "I'm always on the lookout for new talent. You're welcome to join us."
"You got not'ing he want," Remy insisted roughly, moving possessively in front of the boy. He could only hope that his obvious rejection would not be lost on the kids. Butch and the Outkasts were bad news and none of his kids should be anywhere near them.
Trigger responded in Remy's favor and backed right up. Trigger wasn't always sure about people, but he trusted Remy more than this guy. If Gambit didn't like Butch then there was a problem. Trigger hadn't been one of Frost's victims but he had heard enough about the guy to be wary of strange guys with easy promises. Butch's own men were a little scary with their heavy skill set. They had killed people today and while he didn't mind letting loose once in a while, he was no murderer.
Butch watched Trigger retreat and said to Remy, "That's for him to decide. Your own son as well. He is a power producer, is he not?"
Remy pulled out his bo staff on that one, flexing it just as easily with his left hand as he did with his right. He butt the end of it hard on the floor in warning and snarled, "Baisez-vous, encule de mere! You can't 'ave im, not now, not ever! Best git yo' sorrowful ass to walkin' b'fore you piss me off fo' real. You wouldn't like it much."
Butch wasn't moved by the display or the vulgar profanity he had the skill to translate, but he didn't challenge it either. He said simply, "Time will tell," and then walked off. He began giving orders and the Outkasts organized, heading out. They made no moves towards taking the Dragon, though Butch did give it a long look over and at Julien who was now standing in the hatch.
Remy and the others didn't wait for Butch to leave. Once the Outkasts were clearly on the move they headed to the Dragon. They weren't much interested in seeing Fury today and having to explain their involvement in this. Remy did motion to Hercules to take up Cristof's poor ruined body and bring it along. They hadn't known him long, but his sacrifice had earned him a decent burial at least. If only for Grace's sake.
Remy hadn't quite reached the ramp when Trigger called out and pointed to the open hatch. "We've got company."
Remy grumbled, pissed that they hadn't missed Fury after all, but when he looked up he broke out in a wide smile instead. It wasn't some overpowered government agency, but the Lucky Dragon instead who hovered there. Things were looking up.
(break)
It wasn't an accident or happenstance that had finally led the Lucky Dragon to Romulus' hanger. When Butch Madison had told Logan he could be generous, he had meant more than the small thumb drive he had handed over.
Minutes earlier, Scott had jumped in his seat when he felt his cell phone chirp in his pocket. It couldn't be a call from home, he knew, the caller would have contacted the Lucky Dragon directly instead. His wife was here so it wasn't that. It could be one of the kids from the Red Team, he could dare to hope.
He clicked his phone open and frowned at the unknown number. He answered anyway. "Summers."
"Still looking for your friends?"
"Who is this? How did you get this number?" He didn't immediately recognize the voice though it did sound vaguely familiar.
Jean moved to his side, concerned by his tone. She didn't need to be a telepath to see this was something unexpected. The only question was if it was bad or good.
The voice on Scott's phone continued to speak. "Your friends are in Pennsylvania. Here are their exact co-ordinates." The voice then read off some numbers which Scott then relayed to Fallen who typed them into Lucky's map systems.
Scott kept the voice talking even as he watched Lucky work the numbers on the screen and pinpoint that exact location. It didn't look they would have to go far. "And why should we believe you?"
"Because I am Butch Madison, leader of the Outkasts, and I never lie."
"The fuck you are," Scott challenged, but his words lacked conviction. In the scheme of things it wasn't entirely impossible for a man who could spirit away nukes to get this number. Didn't mean it wasn't creepy.
Butch may have given Wolverine some crap in the hanger, but the truth was he had always held some affection for the X-men. Or Xavier at the very least. Butch could respect the man's ambition to keep the big heavy hitters from duking things out in an arena where so many innocents could get hurt. Xavier wasn't trying to steal money or topple governments. His aims were not entirely at odds with Butch's own. It was that sentiment that had Butch calling now, alerting the Lucky Dragon to the location of their missing companions. He had made this call seconds before he announced his presence to Romulus in the hanger but he reasoned that he could be well away before he could be tracked. Besides, doing this might be something he could use should he ever need to ask Xavier for a favor down the road.
And so Butch informed Cyclops, "They were taken by someone they did not expect. They can probably get out on their own but they may need some back up. I wouldn't wait too long if I were you." The line went dead.
"It's close enough to where we are," Fallen advised, waiting for Scott's answer. It was her ship but he was still in charge. "Five, six minutes top speed."
"Do it but be ready for anything."
They flew quickly and a couple of minutes later Fallen gasped softly when the beacon light for the Dragon 2 came on. The information they had been given had to be right for that to happen. But what were they headed into?
They saw the smoke before they saw the buildings itself. "That's not good," Fallen complained unhappily.
"Smoke isn't always bad," Scott tried to reassure. "Could be our guys busting out."
Or it be could be our guys dying, was the unspoken addendum to that, but no one gave it any voice.
As they got closer, Fallen could see the long winding train tracks stringing through the vast forest all around, converging on a large flat industrial building. Trains were moving away from it but in different directions. They didn't look like most industrial cars, they were long, black and unmarked. The trains would have been hard enough track in a crowd as it was and with so many departing at once, they couldn't possibly follow them all. But just the fact that they were there at all made the caller's information that much more credible.
"Seth, the tracks."
"I'm already on it," came his quick answer. The truth was that while the conversation with Butch had taken place, he had finally hacked into the Omega Grid, the main server tracking all train traffic along this dense line of complicated tracks. "But they must have some kind of classified clearance or a hack. I can see the trains on your cameras but they aren't coming up on the train finder."
"We can't follow all of them," Jean protested, as confused as everyone else. "There are too many and we don't even know if the kids are on any of them. There's buildings here, too."
Rogue had a solution. "Maybe we could chase one of 'em, see where they go?"
"We still risk infecting other people with the Flush," Hank cautioned. He was still down below doing his best keep Gryfon stable, but had been listening in on everything that had been going on. "Technically, we are still under quarantine and shouldn't be in contact with anyone."
"Does flying count? Ah just want to track it."
Scott could live with that and nodded. "Go, but keep in touch."
Fallen opened up a door and Rogue jumped out, happy to be doing something. All of that sitting around and waiting had been horrible.
"I doubt these are actual SHIELD trains," Seth admitted a moment later. "SHIELD can go off the rails sometimes - pun intended – but let's be real, they would never use someone like Hans for anything. They couldn't hope to control him, nevermind his terrible past crimes. But whoever it is could be trying to make us think it's SHIELD when it's not. SHIELD has immunity and can break certain rules, the same way the government can torture with impunity. They come and people get out of the way, it's a handy cover to have if you can make someone think you're them. No one will question what you are doing there."
"What if it is a splinter group?" Jean offered. "SHIELD is a huge organization. It's not impossible that they could have cells or groups of people inside doing things on the sly. Maybe one hand doesn't know what the other is doing."
Fallen didn't like the sound of that. "Should we call Fury?"
Scott just shook his head. "It's too soon. We don't know how much of our info is accurate."
Just then Rogue chimed in, reporting on what she saw outside. "There's a large flat building with some kind of huge open roof hanger door open. That's where the smoke is coming from. Ah can see a big ole chopper in there and Ah think... Yeah, it's the Dragon 2. It's real crowded down there and Ah think there's some kind of fight going on."
"Then we should be jumping in," Bobby suggested, always eager for it. "Those are our people down there."
"And by just showing up we could kill every non mutant in that room," Hank was quick to remind, unable to keep the frustration from his voice. While he could identify with the desire to help out their comrades, they had to be smart about it and be patient. "We could all be infected with the Flush."
"You don't know how exposed we've been," Bobby continued to argue. It was true. They hadn't been in contact with Gryfon long and he had been infected in a non-conventional way. They had no idea if they were capable of spreading the disease or not.
"We just can't risk it."
"So we just stand by and watch our people die?"
"We have no idea what's going on down there."
Bobby begged Scott with his eyes. "Our people are down there!"
"If it's Butch and the Outkasts it's mostly mutants anyhow," Scott grumbled, more to himself than anyone. "Exposure won't be fatal. Besides, Butch invited us. We have to go."
"Guys, listen," Seth was quick to interrupt. "Here's some preliminary data I hacked from Stark's mainframe. Those bullets are bad, but they may not infect the same as direct exposure. They weren't made for that, only for bringing down a high powered target more quickly. A mutant target most likely."
"That was risky," Scott chided, but he did it gently. He was referring to hacking the Stark computers. If SHIELD was high tech, those were higher and more dangerous. If Seth's hack was detected, the consequences could be high. The last thing Scott wanted was some kind of high tech war against Tony Stark's own group of hackers. Not that Tony Stark would admit to having them, but Scott wasn't that stupid.
Seth just shook his head. "I had to try, our own folks were at risk. The bullets seem to infect the targets, but that's it. At least that's what his files say."
"A little convenient, isn't it?" Jean challenged. "Like Stark would ever admit to anything that might be unsafe."
"Or he could be sued for," Scott mused, but he was fidgeting, his eyes on the open hatch.
"We should still go for it," Bobby was insisting. "I don't want to sit up here while our people are down there, dying."
"Neither do I," Scott replied, his voice betraying a decision made.
"Fine, do what you must. Just be so very careful," Hank continued to caution, his voice tight with worry. He didn't mind the occasional fracas, but not one followed by the bodies of the infected. "Try not to get close to anyone you don't have to."
The hatch was still open from Rogue's departure and the others made for it. They didn't all have to be able to fly, Jean was more than capable of using her telekinetic powers to lower the others carefully out and down into the hanger. They had no more than simply gathered at the hatch when they felt the heavy beat of Romulus's departing second Chinook throbbing in the air, a large rumbling double bladed chopper. As much as they wanted to go down, they had to avoid its huge twirling blades, it wouldn't be safe to get too close.
"Shoot it, don't shoot it, or what?" came Fallen's tense question.
Scott had to pause a second before remembering that unlike Remy's smaller Dragon 2, Fallen's Lucky Dragon was armed with plasma cannons she had designed and also had some big guns with armor piercing rounds if needs be. It would be nice to remove what was clearly and enemy combatant but damn, it was just too risky. "We can't be sure that none of our guys are on board."
Fallen nodded and let it go. Prisoners had been taken before and probably would be again. It was why they were here in the first place after all.
"We could track it," Jean suggested, but the words had no more left her mouth than the big chopper flashed brightly and then winked out of view. Romulus might not have been able to teleport it, but he had been able to cloak it somehow.
"Just take us down," Scott grumbled, hoping that wasn't some kind of mistake.
They were relieved when moments later, after Jean had dropped them all down as neat as you please into the hanger, they could just make out the Outkasts walking off but also Logan and Remy making for the Dragon 2. It looked like all the missing were more or less accounted for.
"Yer late," Logan grumbled though he wasn't displeased to see them. He didn't know that Gryfon had sent for them but the X-men were pretty quick. It didn't take them long to figure out when something was off.
"What happened here?" Scott wanted to know. He could see that most of the Red Team looked smoky and battered. Logan as usual was a big bloody mess.
Logan gave them a quick rundown, or at least the bits he knew. Remy filled in the rest. Scott listened and then gave his own story. While Remy was happy to have Gryfon not only accounted for but somewhat redeemed, Logan wasn't thrilled about the dirty Starktech bullets. "You sure it's safe for you guys to even be standing here?"
"Hank said our exposure was limited and things didn't look too good down here. We took the chance." Scott looked Remy over. "You guys okay?"
"Oui. Little battered but we whole. We gotta roll, we want to beat Fury outta here. See you back home."
"Too late," Hercules grumbled, pointing upwards.
Remy looked up in dismay to see a small cadre of semi-silent choppers now filling up the space over the open hanger and men in full combat gear were busily sliding down long black ropes. They quickly formed a circle around the group of X-men, their guns raised. It was easy to see that most of the men were nervous and afraid. They had guns, yes, but what good were they really, against such a group of high powered mutants? This kind of confrontation was what Remy had wanted to avoid. Fury was sure to be a pain in the ass about all this.
And sure enough, here was the man himself arriving with a second group of soldiers, sliding down one of those thick black ropes like he had done it his whole life. He was twice the age as most of his men but you would never have known it from the long tall way he walked. Each stride conveyed power and confidence, not unlike Romulus himself. Fury was a fit and trim white man dressed in the dark navy SHIELD uniform and long black jacket, but what really stood out on him was the black eye patch. Even partially disabled he was still intimidating. Not a man to fool around with.
Jean saw him come and raised her hand. "You and your men should keep your distance. Some of us have been exposed to the Flush virus."
Fury scowled as menacingly as only an eye patched man could. "Then you guys shouldn't even have been here."
"Well, that just might be on you," Scott was quick to fire back. He then briefly explained about the dirty bullets Gryfon had been shot with. "Are you keeping tabs on where you store your toys, Fury?"
Fury didn't even try to apologize, he said simply, "More like you guys sure like to take risks you really shouldn't." His lack of willingness to share wasn't entirely groundless. There had been a lot of strain since both SHIELD and the X-men had collaborated to remove Jason Frost from Twilight. The op had succeeded, but the X-men had come out on top of that one, gaining unlimited access to Twilight while only doling it out under a limited basis to SHIELD and then only to forensic crews finishing up on Frost. Fury, being very protective of his national security, felt cheated. "I suppose I shouldn't be all that surprised to see you guys here, even when you didn't even call this in. Party crashing?"
Logan gestured to the hanger. "Butch Madison sends his regards. But you already knew that, right?" As he was speaking, he couldn't help but wonder just how much Fury knew about Romulus. More than he was likely to say. Still, Logan couldn't help but jab, "Don't suppose you know where these fellas got all their Starktech from? A Night Train or two?"
Fury stood still, chewing on that a minute before he chose to answer or not. He chose not and demanded, "I'm going to need you to formally debrief."
"Yeah, we'll get right on that," Logan quipped and started walking away.
"Hey!" Fury snarled but to no avail. The man wasn't afraid of him, never had been.
Remy stepped up and just looked at him in the eye - the eyepatch was so unnerving! "We got wounded, patron. Got to get dem out an' safe. You want yo' statement, you best come on to Arizona."
"I could detain you."
"You could try," the Thief suggested, but the look on his face wasn't friendly. He'd had enough fun for one day and only wanted to get back home. He certainly wasn't going to let Fury stop him from doing that. He gave Fury his back and walked up the ramp of his ship, leaving the man to his work.
Fury hesitated, gritting his teeth. Truth was he had plenty here to keep him busy and Butch had given him some information up front already. Logan's story didn't conflict with what he had been told. That didn't mean he didn't intend to get the full scoop on the day's doings sooner or later.
(break)
Remy stumbled into the Dragon happy to be home and back in familiar ground, but at the same time gasping in pain. He couldn't make a fist with his right hand, could hardly move his fingers at all let alone feel them. He was numb from the wrist down. He was dripping blood everywhere in spite of the hand kerchief, making quite the mess. He hoped it wasn't serious, it looked like nothing more than several deep punctures from Sabretooth's large claws, but it hurt like a bastard. He feared nerve damage the most. He might need a stitch or two in the deeper places. He took one look at the handles of his pilot stick and hesitated, having his doubts.
"What good it do you 'avin' all disz exzpenszive body armor it don' keep you from gettin' urt, non?" Aiden teased in his ear, helping him into his seat.
"Gonna 'ave to talk to my guy 'bout better gloves," Remy promised, wincing as he relaxed down into the chair.
"Yer already so armored up, it's a wonder you kin even moves as it is," Kimble added from his own seat, a soft whimper of pain leaking out.
Remy watched him, a half smile at Kimble's joke coming through in spite of his pain. Kimble had both of his ruined hands in his lap and for once Remy could actually sympathize with what that actually might feel like. At least Kimble didn't need his hands to fly.
Remy grunted in gratitude when Aiden was there by his side, having brought some gauze and some bandages. The Siskan didn't speak but skillfully went to work, cleaning and wrapping Remy's hand. Once more the Thief was grateful for the medical training his boys had received. It was certainly coming in handy today.
Julien stood nearby. Though his face showed nothing, Remy could see in the boy's shine that he felt some sympathy for his father's injury. It was the blood and the pain on Remy's face, making this real.
Watching this complicated reaction from his son gave Remy an idea. "Jules, you t'ink you could 'elp us out 'ere?"
Julien took a step back in fear. "Me? What can I do?" As far as he was concerned, he had been pretty much useless on this outing so far. He hadn't changed to water to make a brilliant escape or used powerful lightning bolts to send Sabretooth flying. Instead he had cowered down during the skirmish and hadn't fought at all, mindful of his own poor damaged hand.
"Need you to power up de Dragon, get our asses outta 'ere. What say you let Aiden dere take dat collar off, neh?"
Julien took a step back, his eyes wide with horror. "No way!"
"You gotta do it, fils. De team need you. You gotta try sooner or later."
"What are you so afraid of, Judas? Afraid you might kill someone?" Hercules teased sharply, his eyes anything but playful.
Julien glared at Remy. "You promised not to tell!"
Trigger stepped back. "Woah, who did you kill?" He was awed a bit by the unexpected revelation – there was no way Julien had faked that outrage - but then thought back on his earlier prediction of Julien fitting the mold of the battered kid who brought a gun to school to wipe out all the bullies. Maybe his appraisal hadn't been that far off the mark.
Already outed, Julien answered with an eerie calm, "My dad, right after he smashed my hand." Maybe he could at least get some fear points out of it.
"That's harsh, man," Hercules replied to that, his eyes a bit wide. He had never taken the time to question just how Julien's hand had ended up mangled as it was. For all he had known it might have been a birth defect. This new knowledge changed a lot of things. His remark wasn't a rebuke, but had been given in sympathy. He was no stranger to abuse and he was looking at Julien in a whole new way now. Remy was glad to see it.
Izzie interrupted with a soft question, "I thought Gambit was your dad?"
Julien just scowled and grumbled, "My real dad. The one who actually stuck around."
Remy sighed and crossed his arms, careful with his bandaged hand. "For de record I didn't tell de kids any'ting, fils, you done dat yo own self, jumping to conclusions. Second, I didn't take off on you, yo' momma chose not to tell me about you. Like I say already a hundred damn times already, I didn't even know you existed 'til we saved yo' ass at Twilight."
Hercules was looking at Julien, his mind still trying to process all this. It was true that the kids knew very little about Julien. Julien stayed to himself and was bullied when he didn't. This was the most they had heard about Julien's personal life and it explained a lot, especially why he seemed to hate Remy so much.
"Maybe we kin hash all this out laters when we gots more time," Kimble interjected, his voice strained and tired. There was no fighting to be done in here, but there was work. "We gots ta goes."
Julien was looking at Kimble now, worried by how awful he sounded. It was enough that he nodded at Aiden. Remy reached into a pocket and tossed Aiden a tiny silver key. Julien hadn't been the only child to be rescued from Twilight with a restraining collar though he was the only one who still wore one. Hank had used the other collars to fashion a key and had given it to Remy in the hopes that Julien might some day come to the decision he had made now. Aiden used the key to unlock the collar and removed it carefully, taking possession of it. He hoped that Julien would never need it again in spite of what he had been promised.
Julien swooned a bit once it was off, feeling his body tingle all over. He hadn't realized just how much the collar had dampened his senses. He had worn it for too long. He looked at his hands, expecting them to be glowing or something, he felt just a little too funky.
Remy stood and offered Julien his seat. "She all yours."
"I don't know... I could break the ship or something."
Gambit leaned in close, watching the boy with a full understanding. This was a huge first step. "Don't worry, fils. You can't overload de Dragon, she got too many failsafes."
"I can't control it."
"No way yer gonna overloads the ship," Kimble continued to persuade. "Remy's real strong too, but this ship kin handles him easy. No way yer gonna be stronger than him. Let's see if yer as brave and strong as we all hopes ya are."
Julien smiled a bit at that, he was flattered some by the compliment. He gingerly sat down in the pilot seat, nervous of its odd design. It seemed so strange to be in this chair, it was like sitting on the king's throne. The thought made him immediately self conscious and nervous. He didn't belong here.
"Lean forward, not back. It'll be more comfortable yo' first time," Remy advised, not letting Julien have any more time to talk himself out of this. He used his free hand to gently move his son into the better position while Aiden, having two good hands, properly adjusted the seat. Sitting forward was more like sitting on a motorcycle as opposed to a sitting in a chair and it did seem more like what it was, something that drove. Julien did as he was told, allowing Aiden to adjust the foot pedals as well to his shorter height.
"Now, grip de handles loose, you ain't goan fall off. It ain't like no real bike."
Julien did as directed, already starting to sweat. They were all watching him and he just knew he was going to screw this up. The restraining collar's absence was very noticeable now and his fingers were tingling in an unnatural way. He didn't like it. He took one hand off, rubbing his palm on his pants.
"Relax, fils. She don't bite."
"What do I do next?" Julien questioned sharply, just too nervous to control his anxiety.
Remy let it slide. "Close yo' eyes and give de 'andles just a little charge, nice and easy."
Julien closed his eyes and willed it to happen. Unfortunately, his body had other ideas. His fingers glowed just slightly red, but the energy never left his hands. It was too embarrassing. "Fuck!" he hissed under his breath. Too much power when he hadn't wanted it, none when he did.
Gambit tried to be encouraging. "Don't hurry when dere ain't no need, eh? Dat rush, dat tingle you feelin'? Just send it out."
Julien just glared at him, needing to vent his frustration somehow. "I don't know what that means."
Trigger stepped forward, chewing his gum, too cool. "Dude, it's like having to pee. You hold it in too long, sometimes it doesn't want to come out right away."
"Trigger!" someone complained in disgust. It sounded like Izzie but Julien couldn't be sure. There was some laughter involved though.
"No, it's true!" Trigger protested. He looked back at Julien, speaking to him nicely for the first time ever. It was different now, teaching instead of teasing. "You feel that fullness, like you just can't hold it anymore. Just let it go, let it out. You must be full to bursting right about now after having had to hold it in for so long. Feel that? Just let it out."
Julien's hands glowed a bit more brightly. "I think so..."
"Then, my boy, just let that bitch right on out."
Julien gave it a bit more and there was a little crackle and sizzle. Julien was startled by it but Kimble just laughed. "Don't be scairt. She kin takes it. My brother built her good. Just let it fly."
Remy nodded. "Just keep yo' hands on de stick handles, Kim will do de rest."
Julien closed his eyes and relaxed, just giving in to it. There was a hum under the floor now as the engines revved up and the ship's interior lights brightened. He stayed as he was, just letting it happen.
The others cheered him on, genuinely interested in this. First they chanted his name calling him Judas, but then it began to change to Julien when they saw him boost the ship with no trouble. It pleased him beyond measure. The others had really stepped up and made the grade today, now it was time for him to do so as well.
Remy was smiling, too. "Dat was a real fine boost. Now how 'bout we take her for a spin? 'Bout time we blow dis pop stand."
"Okay..."
Remy stayed as he was, standing next to the pilot stick and not taking a seat, but Aiden retreated, returning to his precious Kimble. Kimble scootched forward as the ship readied itself, giving wordless consent to Aiden's settling in the pilot seat behind him, a first. The seats hadn't been designed for two to ride, but the long seat was generous enough for this with the back in the sleeping position. Kim relaxed back into Aiden and let his arms secure him. Kimble was lucky in that unlike Remy, he didn't need his hands to fly, only his mind. He leaned back and closed his eyes, setting his hands carefully down in his lap, trying to get as comfortable as he could. He searched out the Dragon with the mechanical part of his mind, found her and smiled, the connection made.
Julien gasped softly when he felt the familiar change in air pressure as the craft began to rise. He had felt this many times but not from here. The sensation in his hands changed slightly, the Dragon was now drawing power from him instead of him giving it. It was a wonderful, nearly orgasmic sensation and he swooned a bit forward, he couldn't help it.
Remy laughed softly and lay his bandaged hand gently on Julien's shoulder. He was a bit sly about it, but he ever so quietly set his good hand just over Julien's own. The ship surged just a bit, as if recognizing its true owner.
Aiden snorted just a bit and jokingly grumbled, "Liar," in Siskan.
"Quoi?" Remy returned. "Never said I couldn't fly, just dat we needed de 'elp."
Aiden didn't bother to reply and Remy looked away, catching that Julien was now glaring up at him. Julien hadn't needed to understand the language to get the gist of what was going on. He was feeling too good to argue about it though. It was just too exhilarating. In this Trigger was right, it was the best rush to finally release all that he had been holding back all these years. It had been building up inside of him all this time and letting it out made him feel awake and alive for the first time in a long time.
It did remind him some a bit of sexual release. He was still technically a virgin, but being of an age and a loner he had learned how to manage his own urges by himself. Boosting and flying the ship was like that feeling of release only better. He could do this forever. All of the pain he had been feeling in his joints was gone except for his hand. He didn't know if that was just the release of energy or something else. Right now he didn't care. He felt amazing.
Remy watched him power the ship, smiling a bit when he saw the boy relax fully into his seat, even close his eyes a bit. Being his first flight he would be tired by the time they landed but it would be so worth it.
Gambit was proud of the entire squad, truth be told. They held up well for a supposed last chance team. These kids had all been rejected from previous teams and he wouldn't have parted with any of them after this. Each had done well enough to be guaranteed a spot when the time came for the official cuts. They would all go up a level that was for sure - the kids to level twos, and Kimble and Aiden up to threes. Not too shabby. While Remy had hoped his team would be notorious at least, they had done him one better.
Logan stood nearby, chowing down on some of those yummy protein bars. He was healing nicely but needed the food to catch up. It wasn't as good as a nice big fat steak, but it would do. As he munched, he looked over the kids. Earlier he had seriously doubted Remy's skill as a squad leader but after seeing how well he had worked the kids on the way out he was quickly changing his mind. Remy still needed to get the kids' heads on straight about who should be dating whom though, Logan couldn't believe Grace had been that stupid. Some folks were just off limits, Kyle being on or near the top of that list.
Grace was at Logan's feet, holding Kyle the whole way home. He had relaxed into her once they were leaving for real. He had started growling a choking sort of purr for her, happy to be there. Being held like this by her reminded him of those tender moments he'd had with Skye, only this was better because deep down he knew that she would never mess around with his head like Skye had done. Sleep soon claimed both him and his gentle noise, his body needing the rest.
Grace had felt the vibration of his affectionate croon and it did a lot to calm her fears that he wasn't going to let her stay close. Their future was so uncertain, but she wasn't worrying about that now. He was so warm against her, the best blanket she could ever ask for.
The flight was quick, only a half hour or so. Julien remained on the stick the whole ride home though he was just about fully asleep by the time they landed. Kimble was just as tired but still managed to get them down in one piece and never was there a more grateful crew. They were home at last.
To be continued in Where the Wild Things Go.