Chapter Four

A Crime of Survival

Part One

Under the disguise of shadows, the X-men slipped quietly toward an airstrip.  They had landed their own jet a hundred yards away in a barren field of dying grass and trekked across the land.  Cyclops had blasted a hole into the perimeter fence of the tiny airport.  And they all climbed through, Storm's cape snagging on a serrated edge, but Kurt had been quick to release the fabric from the jagged spike.

As they neared the gleaming giants of metal, Storm's eyes clouded over, her entire eyes turning milky white.  The skies erupted in thunder and lightening sparked through the clouds.  A dense fog blanketed the airport making it impossible to see within two feet.

Declaring it safe to proceed without him, Scott rushed back to their own jet where Bobby and Rogue were standing guard.  Kurt transported Logan and Storm into the nearest jet.  Logan tore off the lock on the cockpit door and crashed through, his claws itching for action.

The pilot was on his microphone, frantically explaining to the operator that his aircraft was being hijacked.  Logan tore the headphones off, destroying them with his razors.  Both the pilot and copilot began hollering, demanding that Logan leave.  Logan snarled, "I don't think so, bubs.  This plane is ours now."

Kurt grabbed onto the two angry men and vanished, quickly reappearing without them.  "They will tell."

"So what," Logan growled.  "This is a war they started."

Storm took the controls and taxied down the runway, lifting them off high into the now serene sky.  Logan hopped into the copilot seat even though he knew nothing about flying.  Kurt strapped himself into the buck seat reserved for special guests or stewardesses.

"That was easier than I expected," Logan mused somewhat disappointed that he hadn't been able to kill anyone.

Part Two

Logan strolled stiffly off the plane, which they had had no choice except to land in the gardens.  Rogue flew out of the double glass doors of the mansion's patio and leapt down the marble steps, a horde of children hot on her heels.  Each child had been permitted to pack two bags, a blanket, and a pillow.  They clutched onto their things as though they feared someone would rip their precious belongings away from them.

"Logan," Rogue exclaimed as she reached him.  "Scott's already left with a load."  She ushered the children up the ramp, urging them to move with speed, but not to be afraid.  She peered up at the muscular man before her, her eyes gleaming.  "We'll make it," she assured him.  "We have to."

Logan grunted, admiring the tiny woman in front of him, impressed with her sudden air of control and courage.  Where was the little girl he had stopped for on a cold and snowy Canadian road merely four years ago?  Did she even exist anymore inside the tranquil beauty he now stared at?

"Are you going with them," he asked her, nodding towards the plane as the last of the children boarded.

"No.  I'm needed here.  I'll leave when the supplies are shipped over."

Logan jerked his head, his eyes narrowing.  "You can't stay here," he decreed.  "The soldiers will be here in less than forty-eight hours."

"I'm staying, Logan.  I refuse to back down and hide like a coward in Africa while there are still things I could do here."

"Like what," he demanded, fear for her security clutching at his gut.  "Get yourself killed?"

"I don't plan on it.  But if I'm killed helping these children and the X-men then, I can't think of a more fitting way for me to die.  And don't reprimand me.  I know you were planning on staying until we got everything out, too."

"Yeah, but I ain't…I mean…damn, kid."

Rogue smiled at him.  "Don't worry, Logan.  Nothing's going to happen to me."

End Chapter Four

NOTES:  It takes 16-17 hours to get from New York to Africa.  So in 48 hours with 2 planes, you could get 4 loads of people out.  Yet, it'll take them at least 6 trips to get everyone out and another trip (per plane) for equipment (meaning both jets need to return 2 more times AFTER the 48 hour deadline).  Keep that in mind as the story progresses.  (That is, if I decide to finish it).

Blix:  Lol.  Yeah, just look around.  Anyway, thank you for all your support, but I think I'm going to pull the plug on this one.

Snoob:  Hey, sometimes the women just have to "kick" the men into gear.  Lol.