SHADOWCAT REBORN 14
"Hey Kit, how do you work this communicator thing?" Logan was pressing random buttons while holding the Neo craft's com.
"You have to select a channel first then a frequency. Do you know Muir Island's frequency channel?"
"Do you have a phone?"
"Do you know the number?"
"Ah fuck it. We'll just show up." Logan slammed the com back down defeatedly.
Kitty had wanted to spend another night at the school but the men had insisted on leaving right away. She knew something was wrong but they were all keeping a tight lip on whatever was going on. Rosie wasn't dealing well with the flight and Remy was doing his best to be funny. Victor had taken one of the seats in the far back of the craft, looking quite miserable by himself. Leaving the craft on auto pilot, Kitty got up from her seat and left Logan to worry over the controls.
"Everything alright?" Kitty asked Victor as he stared at the floor.
"I prefer to be on the ground then in the air."
"You and Logan both."
"The runt's never liked flyin'. I never really cared until lately."
"Something on your mind?"
"Just feel like things have happened when they actually haven't."
Kitty paused for a moment, thinking back to the intimate moments they had shared in the cabin. He shouldn't have been aware of any of it.
"Like what?" She almost gulped as she asked.
"The Watch Dog program. I know I killed people but I can't recall if they were real or not. The number I killed and if I even thought about what I was doing."
Kitty was almost relieved as she heard him speak.
"You were under their influence. Richard created chips to control people without their knowledge. You function normally but can be told what to do. They also control the use of your mutant powers. You are probably experiencing the after effects of suggestion. You were controlled to do an act while being self-aware. It can be disorienting." Kitty put her hand on his shoulder in comfort.
Victor lifted his gaze from the floor to her eyes, a look of anguish filled his expression. Her eyes softened in empathy and she wanted nothing more then to make him feel better.
"Kit, we need to land soon. I can see Muir Island." Logan announced.
"You can talk to me anytime you'd like." Kitty offered to Victor as she walked back to her pilot seat.
"Don't fall for his pity party back there. He knew exactly what he was doing and enjoyed every minute of it." Logan mumbled under his breath.
Kitty tried to ignore Logan's negativity and focused on their landing. The Scottish isle was masked in a cloud of fog which made it hard to find a clear landing spot. She used her best judgement and found a fairly level part of the island to park the craft. The five of them exited and followed Logan toward the buildings. The air seemed fresher, even with its heavy mist. The smell of sweet grass and ocean water filled Kitty's nose. She knew this smell, she knew this place. When they reached the front door of the facility she got an uneasy feeling.
"Logan?"
"Don't worry darlin' just Moira's security system. Once she sees its us it'll be turned off. Creed, you might want to hide in a bush though."
"I ain't hidin' in a bush."
"Your choice."
Kitty felt a strange energy pulse emitted from the door. Instinctively she phased herself and Rosie. The three men jumped sideways as a beam shot out from the door frame.
"Who's there?!" A thick Scottish woman's accent asked.
"Moira, it's Logan. I brought some old friends to visit."
"I dunae remember you sayin' ye were comin' fer a visit."
"I found Kitty."
A loud click sounded and the door opened wide. Moira burst out of the door and wrapped her arms around Kitty. The woman's auburn hair flowed around her shoulders as she held Kitty tightly.
"I dunae believe it. Yer alive and kickin'! All these years we thought ye were dead." Tears formed in Moira's eyes as she pulled away from Kitty to look at her.
"Uh it's all a surprise to me too." Kitty tried to be polite, unsure of the woman before her.
"What's wrong with ye?" Moira felt Kitty's forehead, checking for a fever.
"She can't remember anythin' before her crash from the space station." Logan interjected.
"Oh dear! Well best ye come in. I'll get a brain scan done an' we can see what's goin' on in that head of yers."
They followed Moira inside, Victor staying at the back of the group so that he wasn't noticed. Moira chattered on about the changes going on in the world and her new medical technology. She mentioned the loss of Charles Xavier and the sorrow they all felt. She asked about what the other members of X-Men were doing and if Kitty had seen them yet.
"Oh! What is HE doin' here?" Moira seemed quite alarmed as her eyes caught sight of Victor.
"He's with us Moira." Kitty answered for everyone.
"Since when?" Her eyes were watching Victor suspiciously.
"I saved his life and he saved mine."
"That dunae sound like somethin' Victor Creed would do."
"Believe it sister." Victor grinned smugly at Moira.
"I dunae want him in here unless he's locked up."
"I'll not allow it. He's here with us as a friend. I'll not see him harmed or locked up." Kitty spoke defensively.
"Kit, ye cannae be serious about havin' Victor Creed as company. He's tried ta kill every one of us."
"He'll be on his best behaviour, won't you Victor?"
"Yes ma'am." He winked at Kitty.
"He's not ta be trusted Kit. Last time this monster was here he tore up the place and left people fer dead."
"He gave his word Moira, that's enough for me." Kitty was being stubborn on the subject.
"He's been pretty well behaved since he's been with us Moira but I'll keep a close eye on him." Logan added.
"I'd rather ye keep a claw on him Logan." Moira tossed her hands up in defeat as they continued to her lab.
They reached Moira's medical laboratory and filed out around her main bed. The equipment looked quite sophisticated and almost alien-like in nature, far beyond the technology that Kitty had worked on.
"Have a lie down lass and let's see what's goin' on in that head of yers."
Kitty complied, resting her head on the flat pillow. After several hours and an exhausted Kitty, Moira sighed defeatedly. Everyone turned to look at her with questioning eyes.
"She has psionic damage ta the memory section of her brain, mainly her stored memories. It hasn't effected any other regions as far as motor functions or knowledge. It seems though that the damage is permanent."
"What exactly you sayin' doc?" Logan looked at her confused."
"Someone's psionically removed her memories."
"Plain English doc."
"Someone's gone in her head and taken her memories, she'll never get them back. How daft are you Logan?"
"Why couldn't you just say it like that in the first place?"
"Ach, you are impossible."
"Anyway to find out who did this to her?"
"I know who." Remy stepped forward, his eyes pensive.
"Well spill the beans already Cajun."
"He's dead. He tried takin' Jeanie's memories too. His name was the Neo Gethrin. Called his power 'psiSharks', ate memories..."
"Figures, kid can't catch a break these days. Well best she gets some rest. We can help fill her in on the missing years. I'll see if I can get ahold of Pete tonight."
"Wisdom?" Moira looked quite surprised.
"Not that douchebag, Rasputin."
"Don't be bringin' either 'ere. Last time they trashed the place."
"Don't worry, I have no intention of bringin' them here. We're leavin' first thing in the mornin'."
"What's the rush? Kit needs medical attention and help from a psychic to sort out the damage that was done."
"Think the last thing the kid wants is another person poking around her head. You said the damage was permanent, she ain't gettin' those memories back so what's the point of havin' someone mess around in her head?"
"She might have hidden memories away in defense. She might not have lost all of them. She might have some pop up."
"Yah she already had a few of those. One where we were held hostage by The Hand and another when Ogun possessed her as a thirteen year old."
"A psychic can help her unlock those memories at least."
"Look doc, I know you're tryin' to help her but sometimes you don't want to remember the bad times."
"I think that's a decision that Kit should make, not you Logan."
"Guys, as much as I appreciate the help, right now I'd rather not make any decisions." Kitty held a hand on Logan's tense shoulder to calm him. "I'm exhausted and need sleep. Is there somewhere I can crash that's not a hospital bed?"
"Of course lass! I actually left your old room intact. Sentimentality and all."
"Thank you."
Rosie had insisted on accompanying Kitty to her old room, she wasn't going to leave her best friend out of her sight for a moment. Kitty was too tired to argue and just shrugged her shoulders at the men and their hostess Moira. Changing into some comfortable clothes, Kitty laid down on the small bed and drifted off to sleep. Rosie in her curious nature began to explore the room, searching drawers and closets for clues to her best friend's past. Finding a diary in a bedside drawer she sat down on the window seat overlooking the island and began reading.