Mutant Generation Force
Mutant Generation Force
Issue #20 – Rebuilding - Part Four or Moving Back In
The New Xavier Institute
"This looks great. You would have never guessed it had been destroyed or anything had happened here," Sam said as he looked at the others standing next to him.
Sam had received a call from Tessa, the X-Man known as Sage that the reconstruction of the mansion had been completed. With the help of Bishop, Sage had remained on site and worked closely with the computer and technology retrieval and setup. Having a majority of all the X-Men files in her brain she was able to help download everything they might have lost. Sam was very grateful, but having worked with her in the past he wasn't sure if he wanted her to remain working in the mansion. With her there was always another agenda, but he would have to worry about that later. He had other things to focus on.
"Yes, and thanks to Sage's help security has been upgraded. Nothing like this is ever going to happen again," Bishop said as he and Sage approached the group gathered on the front lawn.
"Let's hope not," Dani said looking around as the others nodded in agreement.
They had left the students back at Summersville and would bring them all back later. Sam, Dani and their staff wanted to check on things first. Make sure everything was ready and as back to normal as they could be before allowing everyone to officially move back in. Sam was scared but excited all the same. He hoped this new mansion meant a brand new start and that things would be better here on out. Sam smiled and exhaled as Dani stepped up to him and took his hand in hers and squeezed gently.
"You know, now that this is a new mansion, it totally seems like this is all ours now," Dani said softly.
"I know what you mean," Sam said squeezing her hand back.
"Sam, there are a few things I would like to discuss with you and Dani," Sage said giving him one of her looks.
"Okay everyone, let's do a once over before we bring the students back," Dani said.
"Rahne and Rictor go check out the Danger Room. Xi'an and Amara, if you would check on the clinic and infirmary," Sam said as the staff began to head into the mansion.
"If it's alright with you, Sam, I would like to transfer Banshee into the infirmary with Magik until he recuperates and can use his legs and arms again," Sage said.
"Yes, I wouldn't want him anywhere else," Sam said feeling bad about the senior X-Man who had both legs and arms crushed in battle.
"Lucinda, come help me make sure they got the Kitchen stocked properly," Luna said as she led Sam's mom into the mansion.
"Come on, Roberto, let's check out the rest of the place," Rouge said as she tugged on his arm and he followed.
"He's still bitter about not getting Emma's squad," Sam said as he watched the two head into the mansion followed by Skids, Flashfire and Bishop.
"You know we made the right decision," Dani said.
"I agree, Roberto needs to honor his commitment to his squad and the Hellions are better off with someone like Rouge," Sage said bluntly.
"I know. It just, you know how Roberto can get on my nerves," Sam said as the three of them were now the only ones left standing on the front lawn.
"What is it you wanted to talk about?" Dani asked looking at the mutant with a computer brain.
"With the restoration of the Institute's computer systems I stumbled upon some disturbing things," Sage said.
"What is it?" Dani asked.
"Please don't tell me Xavier has more surprises," Sam said.
"Well, most have to do with Xavier. Now mind you a lot was destroyed with the mansion. These were just the files I came across that I was actually able to retrieve and open or get some kind of information from," Sage said.
A part of Sage felt like she was betraying Charles by giving this information to Sam and Dani. With Xavier and the others still missing and possibly dead, all this could go to the grave with them. She felt like she owed Charles after they had formed a bond helping each other, even though he had used her to infiltrate and spy on the Hellfire Club. Most of what she found she already knew or could care less about, but she had found links to her name in some of these files. Most were gone and irretrievable but there were a couple that she found but couldn't open. These were the ones she wanted to see.
With discovering Xavier's secret about the true second wave of X-Men and Moira and Mona's secret group of mutants, she had never truly questioned or realized how much Xavier was doing in secret until now. Now with her name connected she had to find out what Xavier had on her or was hiding from her. She also felt like Sam had the right to know if he was now to fill Xavier and Summers' shoes. Also, by her giving Sam and Dani everything she found, it would make them trust her and allow her to remain here and continue working through the system without being questioned. It would keep them busy while making her team's agenda easier to accomplish.
"First, let me give you this," Sage said handing a flash drive to Sam and one to Dani.
"What are these?" Dani asked.
"One will connect you into the system and give you access to see what I've found while the other gives you the password to access it all," Sage said as Sam glanced at Dani wondering just what they were about to get themselves into.
"I'm almost wondering if it isn't better off not knowing," Dani said glancing from Sam to Sage.
"I think if you are to continue on with this school's legacy, you might want to know what comes with it. What you do with this information is up to you, but some of this I really think you will be both glad that you had and wished you hadn't," Sage said looking at the two.
"I hate to say, after finding out about Xavier's Secret, I need to know this," Sam said as Dani nodded nervously.
"Of course you will have all your normal access to regular files and databases here. What I wasn't able to retrieve I was able to reenter from my own database," Sage said tapping her brain.
"Then what is so urgent if everything is what he had access to before?" Dani asked.
"I found files that were never meant for anyone's eyes and hidden well and just happened to surface only because of the Demon Storm and my restoration. Almost all of them were destroyed in the beam of fire or so badly damaged that there was nothing to access or view. I did find twelve files and even though a few of them I'm not able to access I believe there is still something there and important to keep," Sage said as Sam swallowed hard.
"Lay it on us," Dani said.
"I won't go into details out here. I will do a brief run down and you two can view these later. Any questions you can ask me or just prompt "Ask Tess" and it will give what assistance that I can or know," Sage said.
"Go ahead. It probably isn't wise to go into big details out here in the open," Sam said.
"First file is the Xavier Protocols. This is what most X-Men discovered not long ago. It's a list of almost all mutants and how to take them down or kill them. What most don't know is that Xavier has tied this database into the Danger Room. Meaning, while the Danger Room trains you or you are out on missions, it is also finding your potential and keeping tabs and records on your progress and how to counter any new developments in your powers or new abilities," Sage said.
"Oh my, I had no idea. Sam did you? Is it still programmed that way?" Dani said looking back and forth at the two mutants suddenly feeling violated.
"I had an idea that the X-Men found the Protocols, but I didn't know the extent of it," Sam said.
"Yes, the program was still running up till the Demon Storm. It appears Scott and or Emma kept it active. All of your students and staff are in it. The link and program ended with the beam of fire. I have not reactivated it. I will leave that up to you two," Sage said looking from Sam to Dani.
"Wow, to think Scott would allow it to continue on makes me wonder if maybe it's one of those necessary wrongs," Dani said softly to Sam.
"What ever you decide, be careful. If knowledge of this gets out or falls in the wrong hands, which it has before, could mean grave danger to this school and all mutants," Sage said as Sam agreed.
"I see we are going to have our work cut out for us," Dani said.
"Yes, but we better keep this brief for now. We have to get ready to transport the students back soon," Sam said as he nodded for Sage to continue.
"The second file contains the information you all have learned about in regards to the formation of the X-Men and the team thought dead and the team Sam was a part of that was reinserted back into new lives," Sage said.
"Is there any new info in those files?" Sam asked wondering if the revelation of who his real parents were might be found.
"I'm afraid that there is nothing new to add. There were links to several files that are destroyed and lost, but there were a few links to the files I can't access which I will get to here shortly," Sage said.
"Sorry, go ahead," Sam said.
"There is a file called the Illuminati. It's very vague but contained a list of names you might or might not find interesting. There were no links but I found a trace of protective encryption that might be magic based. I didn't want to mess with that.
"The next file contained sub files of mutants being held captive in a secret level in the basement. I don't know who was all down there because a majority of the files were damaged. On the disc lists those I was able to retrieve," Sage said.
"There were mutants being held prisoner below us and we never knew it?" Dani gasped at Sam.
"I can't believe Xavier would do that and who was caring for them in his absence," Sam said suddenly feeling appalled at the thought of lives suffering or starving in his home and not knowing it.
"Before you go scolding, Xavier and a lot of the X-Men including Scott, Beast and Emma were aware of this and continued its use," Sage said.
"What are you talking about?" Sam and Dani both demanded.
"You'll read everything in the files, but Scott, Emma and Beast were involved with holding the Omega Gang after the school riots," Sage said.
"Wait a minute. I don't know what happened to Quentin, but the other members of the Omega Gang were all placed in jail," Dani said.
"Like I said, read the files, but in the end all those being held there were all killed in the beam of fire," Sage said.
"This is just awful," Dani cried.
"We'll have to review that file," Sam said as his stomach turned. Was that what happened to the leaders of the Institute? To make questionable decisions? Is this what he and Dani would be faced with? Not if he could help it. They would do right by the dream from this point on.
"There was another file labeled Xavier's Underground and later subtitled by Scott as X-Strike. It seemed Xavier had a list of mutant agents, which one includes Mystique, that he sent out in espionage or covert missions that no one was to know about to benefit mutant kind. As you know, I was one of them infiltrating the Hellfire Club. It appears Scott was thinking of continuing on with this idea and coming up with a team called X-Strike. You can read more about it in the files but it is clear that this will all lead to Bishop's future X.U.E and X.S.E," Sage said.
"It makes me wonder how much we didn't know about this man we all called mentor and worshiped," Dani whispered.
"Now, the next file I want you all to read with a grain of salt. There was a file called Sanctioned Underground Units. It was like Xavier's Underground but different. It appears that Xavier actually funded various organizations and teams over the years. It was a way to keep track of their dealing if he couldn't completely control them. The reason I say to take caution is it seems Xavier had a hand in Cable taking over your team and making it X-Force," Sage said.
"What!" Sam yelled getting angry.
"Calm down, Sam. You will have to read the file but we can't determine how much Cable allowed and how much was forced by Xavier that he isn't aware of," Sage said.
"Sam, let Sage finish and we can review all this and sort it out later," Dani said as Sam tried to control his ever changing feelings toward Cable.
"There is another file labeled Rise of the Phoenix. It contains notes on Jean and the Phoenix Force, but the main substance of it appears that Scott was trying to find away to bring Jean back and it might be that her body may not even be buried here. I have also added some things that I've found out to this file that leads me to believe that the Phoenix Force is back and among us. It is safe for now, but I think this is one to read as soon as you can.
"There is another file I found called Project Hellfire. It is completely destroyed but I kept it for you because it has three things. One, it was created by Emma Frost. Second, it shows communications from here to a source that can't be traced but I'm ninety-nine percent sure I recognize the codes as being the Hellfire Club. Lastly, even though nothing can be read or retrieved from any of this, I was able to pull one sentence sent from here right before the X-Men disappeared and the Demon Storm hit," Sage said.
"What was it?" Sam asked.
"The pawn has been planted," Sage said.
"Which means?" Dani started.
"We may have another spy in our mists?" Sam finished.
"Yes, that is what I was thinking, if this person hasn't died in the beam of fire," Sage said.
"I always new Emma was never up to any good," Dani swore.
"We don't know that for sure. We can't jump the gun too soon, but we do need to wrap this up. I don't know how much more I can take today," Sam said.
"The last four files were the ones I told you about earlier. I believe they contain information but I am unable to open them. I tried to open them but there was some kind of protection around them that triggered when I tried to push to crack them. Thanks to my computer mind, I got out a millisecond before by brain was fried. Anyone else would be brain dead. One was labeled Lilandro," Sage began.
"Lilandro? That's the code Emma gave us to trigger emergency help with money or reconstruction of the mansion," Dani said looking at Sam.
"Well, that file, along with these other three seems to be linked together and I also sense a connection to Xavier's Secret we found out from Mona and the surviving siblings. One is called Genetics, the second is called Totems and the last one was Special Room," Sage finished.
"Special Room, I wonder what that is?" Sam asked.
"I don't know, like I said I almost died trying to break into these files, but before I backed out I got the feeling that if the fire didn't destroy it, that Charles' Special Room might be a secret room he had hidden somewhere on this property. Because of this I ask you this favor. Of course I will not reveal any of this to anyone, but I would like to stay here at the mansion and continue my efforts in trying to crack these files for you. I can also help Bishop with security and technology here at the mansion as well," Sage said.
"Yes, I think we can use your help, but you must keep me informed on everything and all your efforts and for now, I think this all stays between the three of us till we review it all and determine what is safe to tell the other staff," Sam said as Dani agreed.
"It's a lot to take in, but I think its time to get this school running again," Dani said as she could feel Sam's tension building right up there with hers.
Interlude
"So, they letting you stay here?" Rouge asked as she passed Sage in the hallway.
"Yes, and I've come across some information. Once I crack it and find the Special Room, then you will be able to do what Emma put here to do," Sage said as she handed a data chip smoothly into Rouge's hand.
"Do I really have to do this?" Rouge asked.
"Yes. I know you want to get to the bottom of what Charles had done to all of us as much as we do. Plus, your powers are the only ones that will gain access to the Special Room once it's found. I got to go, just remember your involvement is on the down low," Sage said as she walked away quickly and caught up with Bishop.
Rouge wasn't sure if she should be doing this, but Emma was right. They had to find the truth. Rouge pushed the thoughts from her mind as she almost got plowed over by a bunch of students. It made the school seem so alive to see all the students filling the halls again. She could tell that being back here was really helping the students to move on and forget what they had all just been through. Rouge took a deep breath as she followed the kids out into the courtyard to face the final piece of rebuilding and moving on, the memorial.
Xavier Institute – Courtyard
Sam and Dani stood at the podium facing out looking at the courtyard filled with students and staff. To be safe and with the X-Men gone they had chosen to keep this memorial strictly to the students and staff. He was happy and sad to see everyone here. Happy to see the school filled again and rebuilt but sad to have to once again put more students to rest and honor their memories. As he spoke to the students he glanced back at what was behind him.
Constructed behind him were memorial statues of every X-Man that had fallen. Amongst the statues were all the students and staff that had died during the Demon Storm. Those were the ones they were honoring today. They had also placed statues of the members of X-Calibur who had sacrificed their lives during Demon Storm. They weren't only mutants but many of them had been friends and family of those here at the Institute. Today they honored them too. There were others that needed to be honored by they did that in spirit and not in mentioning names.
They didn't have time to review the files Sage had given them. Their first priority was getting the current students moved in and the school setup and running back on track. They decided that if they reveled the names of those listed on the file like the Omega Gang there would be too many questions they were not ready to answer. So Sam and Dani decided they would read the files and find out whose names were listed and deal with it later. They had to get through the memorial then they could deal with the files and secrets that were handed down to them with the X-Men legacy.
Sam's thoughts moved back as Dani finished her sermon and moment of silence and prayer. Sam then retook the podium and gave his final thoughts and closing for the memorial. Letting the students know that they would never forget the ones they've lost and that today was not an ending but a beginning, a rebuilding. The school and their lives here would go on and he and the rest of the staff will watch over them and make sure they remained safe behind these school walls. They were the next generation of mutants and they would help secure that legacy. Sam stepped away from the podium as everyone felt sad at the loss but happy about the future. They had rebuilt once again and tomorrow would be a brand new day.
Next: Issue #21 – Just another Day at the Mansion