The next morning was a glorious one. The sun shinning with just a few thin, white clouds here and there throughout the sky. While you could look up to the sky and see the warmth of the sun, down on the surface was filled with a strong cold wind which carried dust and rubbish up and down the street. In and out of the lifeless souls that walked the street, yielding to the laws of their new leaders. It was near impossible to escape this, unless one was fortunate enough to make it to the edge of the city and find 'Haven'.
It was a contrast to the real world in every way. Where they had sunshine, Haven was filled with lights as it was buried so deep, with so many long, twisting tunnels. Elevator shafts and loading docks were the only glimpses of natural light that Haven touched. And where the streets were cold and filled with the pointless lives of so many, Haven was warm, and for the most part, filled with people of hope and joy. From young children playing games. Streets of caftshops and some entertainment. Good entertainment? Well that decision was always left to the individual.
On the lower levels of Haven is where you would find the population's homes. Put down in the lowest part incase of an invasion. Homes were the common term used by everyone, but they were a far cry from the homes they were used to before this war. They were more like a city of apartments. All varying in size, depending on the family occupying it. However many of these type remained empty. The ones that were full were the single apartments, as the majority of the people who fled to haven, came there alone. Shunned by their families, they usually bring only themselves and the clothes on their back.
Up the top levels of the 'Homes' is where you'd find the homes of the 'Pheolvrom' members. On the higher levels so as to be close to the things needed to protect haven and fight this war. Close to the medical facilities, 'Council' meeting room and most importantly for some, the 'Arena'. The place to go and perfect your skills, strength and combat training. Constructed, a long time ago, with the help of Wolverine, Storm and Forge, it is Haven's version of the X-men's 'Danger Room'.
And just below 'Arena', a few yards to the left Luke had just left his room from a restless nights sleep. A problem he very rarely encounters. He proceeded down the corridor, and as he turn a sharp left he was surprised by the figure in front of him. After all it was quite early in the morning for this person to be out and about. However early it may be though, to be smoking a cigar was not such a surprise.
"Logan", whispered luke. "What ya doing up, something wrong"?
"Nah kiddo, nothins wrong,…………..just….. I, paused Logan.
"Do you remember when you first got here Luke"? said Logan more like a statement than a question.
Whoa thought Luke. First name basis. This cant be good.
"Um, yeah coarse I do, it was…………..
"Well im glad you do champ, cause its almost all a blur to me now". Mumbled Logan. "damn it, I cant remember", he yelled.
"So what", Luke replied. Clearly puzzled by why this suddenly seemed so important to Logan. "Logan, people come and go here all the time. Man I impressed that you can even recall my real name".
Logan lifted his head and looked straight into Luke eyes.
"Forget your name kid? That's something that will never happen. From the missions we've been on, the courage you've shown and from drapping ourselves over the 'BAR' till all hours of the morning. By the sounds of it I trust and respect you more than you know", said Logan as he slowly look a breath from his cigar and returning his head to its sunken position.
Luke was suddenly filled with a feeling of importance he hadn't felt in a long time. To hear such words from the man he had looked up to for so long was above amazing. But his joy was short lived, for he had remembered the last time he heard Logan speak this way. And that time it was to Roxie, his own flesh and blood. Luke looked to the floor, leaned against the wall and looked at Logan.
"They're back aren't they?" asked Luke softly.
"Whatta ya mean kid? Don't talk in riddles", Logan asked
"The dreams or should I say 'SHE'S BACK'. How long now?" Asked Luke raising his head.
"Bout 2 months" Logan whispered. "Aaaaaaargh. Why cant I fix this?" he roared.
"Logan……….Logan look at me" said Luke, grabbing Logan by the shoulders. "Mate, you have to step back a bit. Give yourself time".
"TIME"? he yelled. "that's just it Luke, none of us have time in this bloody war, and what bout Roxie? Theres no way im leaving her on her own".
"I think she can look after herself now mate and im not suggesting you actually leave Haven. I'm just saying you might need to step back from active duty for a while and besides, Roxie, on her own"? smirked Luke. "She'll never be alone, Orchid and I will make sure of that".
"and what about Immortal?", asked Logan.
Luckily he was not looking at Luke when he asked the question, as Luke face had clearly given away too much.
"Oh yeah, him too I spose", Luke replied in a lose, matter of fact type of way.
"Have you noticed anything different bout him lately"? Logan asked.
Luke looked at Logan with an expression fear and relief.
"Different, what do ya mean"?
"In his behavior kid".
"Well, no not really". Luke decided to play it safe. "The same old moody, intense bloke ive always known. No offense". Luke finished with a smirk, in which Logan returned with a slight frown.
"And Roxie, how she been lately"?
"Well now that you mention it, she's been really good lately. She seems to be happy all the time, somethings obviously agreeing with her", replied Luke slowly turning to Logan.
"WAIT A MINUTE, what'ya saying", quivered Luke looking straight into his eyes. "Roxie and Immortal, ya mean Immortal and Rox".
No this cant be Luke thought to himself, not now. Not after all this time. NOT after what he just saw. Immortals loyalty has never been questioned. They all trust him, but after last night something's not right. Especially throwing something like a 'Relationship' into the mix.
"Nah im not saying anything for sure. Maybe im just being a dad.Well mate, ive got someone else to see", Logan said as he regain his composer and stuck his cigar back between his teeth. "Where were you goin anyway"?
"Just off to the arena for a work out", Luke replied.
"Well ill see ya, and…ah not a word to Rox bout this stuff", implied Logan
"yeah right-o. for now anyway", Luke stated.
They gave a quick mutual smirk of agreance and went their separate ways.
There was a knock on a door.
"Orchid, its me. You ready to go I'm starving".
The door open to reveal Orchid grabbing a few last things into her bag and heading towards the door.
"Yeah, now im ready, Roxie. Im hungry too", said Orchid and then spotted someone standing next to Roxie that she hadn't expected to see this early in the morning. "Oh………….hi Immortal", she said in a surprised tone as she walked out of her place and up to Roxie.
"How'd you manage this. He's actually joining us for breakfast"? Orchid whispered.
"Ssshhh", replied Roxie immediately. "Don't push it, it took me long enough to convince him to even leave his room this early, let alone have a meal surrounded by a heap of people.
The three made their way down the corridor, turned left just past what seemed like a door that was open revealing a large, smartly dressed woman trying her best to get her children to dress for the day. A job that would be easy if the tall dark haired boy with glasses would stop making his brother and sister's clothes fly around the room in what seemed like an amateur rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.
As the walkway slowly widened, more people emerged. Old, young, families. From smartly dressed business people to scruffy looking store keepers setting up shop for the day. As they approached a run of places to eat Roxie noticed a young, tall beautiful woman. Dressed very neatly, her hair pulled back and wearing a slick black apron. She was standing outside a cart that was an absolute disarster. Tables covered in left-over food. Chairs with half eaten French fries and stains of tomato sauce over them.
Immortal noticed Roxie watching this woman.
"You know its one thing to have convinced me to do this, but quite another thing if you think im eating there", Immortal said standing behind the girls as he looked around uncomfortably at the crowd surrounding him.
"Hang on wait for it Immortal", said Orchid as she slowly leaned her head in his direction so as to get his attention.
And as he turn his head to join them watching this woman, she proceeded to take what looked like a long deep breath, closed her eyes. She then exhaled a beautiful, thin red and gold dust that covered everything out the front of the cart and everything began to shine as though it were brand new. She then composed herself, checked to make sure everything was clean, then walked inside while turning the 'open' sign as she went in.
"Hmm, how appropriate", mumbled Immortal as they made their way over.
"What was that", asked Roxie
"Oh nothing, I just……..
"He said,… 'how appropriate', I take it in regards to that type of power belonging to a woman", said Orchid with a smirk, trying to get him in to trouble.
"REALLY, did you now", demanded Roxie with an up-turned nose. "Someone's enjoying walking a very fine line this morning".
"Now, now ladies, come on lets order. We need to be done before we all meet with Bronco".
Some time had past as they sat and ate, occasionally stopping for some light conversation, with Roxie asking why Luke didn't join them this morning and Immortal not responding. And there was even a glimpse of light shown by Immortal upon seeing his reaction to a small mutant boy being yelled at by his father some reason. Though the girls had decided not to acknowledge this in fear of making him uncomfortable.
"Come on, we all finished? It's nearly time and we have to stop past the arena to get luke.
As they turned down the last corridor on their way, they noticed Luke standing outside the arena talking to someone. And as they approached the conversation seemed to finish, and the young woman walked away.
"What did she want"? Orchid asked Luke in a bleak way as Billie left. "Weird, weird weird", she finished
"It's strange", replied Luke. "I don't really know to be honest". "She said she was just passing by, then started to ramble on about…………um….
"About what"? they asked
"Well, like I said…………….i don't know…………weird". "Though I did get to ask her in all her 'popping in and out' last night at Alkon if she noticed anything out of the ordinary".
"What do you mean 'out of the ordinary', asked Roxie
Luke looked at Immortal, and Immortal at him.
"Like anything at all that might help us against who took Bronco". "But she said she didn't though, too busy keeping an eye on all of us", said Luke, but this time interrupted by Immortal,
"Come on, lets get to the conference rooms before they start without us", Immortal said giving an order that he knew everyone would comply with.
A/N: Please review. Chapter eleven will be up soon.