Chapter 34
He'd woke up cold and tired, which wasn't really anything new, just not what he was used to lately. A quick glance at the clock on the dashboard of the vehicle that had been his bed told him he had some time to kill, so he got out of the car and did some yoga stretches to loosen the stiffness that was the usual result of sleeping in the front seat of a car. Then he followed the scent of water to an old fashioned one-handle pump at the head of the hiking trail that lead out of the parking lot. The gush of cold water pouring over his head completed the waking process, and there was even time to enjoy a cigar before he left. The peaceful woods that surrounded him and the sweetly bitter smoke he pulled into his lungs did little to calm the edge he felt.
In a little under an hour, he was going to do something that he could have never imagined just a few short months ago. Assume a measure of responsibility for what happened to the mutant community known as Xavier's School for Gifted Students. The idea is so ludicrous that he wanted to laugh, but he was sure if he gave in to that impulse, he'd end up puking instead, because he was pretty much scared shitless of what he was doing. Logan thinks it's been six months since he let a frightened, under feed teenaged mutant hitch a ride with him. He probably would have told the kid to go to hell if he'd known then that this would be the result. But he's damned glad that he didn't. Marie was the first real connection he'd had with another person that didn't involve sex or violence that he could really remember. Without her, none of this happens. But he still thinks it's worth it. Because of her, he got to know Chuck, Jean, and then Marie's friends and finally Janet. While a part of him would like to, he isn't going to turn his back on them. They're his family now, whether he wanted one or not.
The drive was a short one, and he really didn't want to think so much about what he was going to do, so he thought about Janet instead. That didn't really help much. She was as much terra incognita as anything he was going to do for Xavier. This little dance between them had been going on for about six weeks now, and he still wasn't sure what was going on. He was in over his head with her and that wasn't anything he was used to, especially when it came to a woman he wanted. Things had never been this complicated for him before, but he never really cared this much either, and that was a tough thing for him to admit. He had a little crow to eat there, considering they way he'd acted yesterday after watching Hank's little home movie. He knew they were only trying to help, but Logan just wasn't prepared for the truth of what he had thought (hoped?) were dreams. He should have known better, should have watched the damned thing on his own. He growled softly at the memory of how he'd treated her. She'd tried to block him from leaving and he'd barked at her to get out of his way. Janet hadn't understood since he'd said it in Japanese, but the tone of his voice made it clear that his intent was hardly friendly. What was he going to do about her? He'd made a decision to stick with the X-men, but he didn't know if could do the same thing with her.
The whole distraction thing ended up working better then he thought it would, because Logan didn't notice anything until he'd rolled past the gate. Of course it was the smell that really clued him in, the tart scent of freshly cut wood. He stopped the car and scanned his surroundings. Something was different, but it took him longer then it should have to mark it. To his left he could just make out the top of the forest that peaked up over the lip of a low ridge line. Only thing was it was different. There was a huge open space in what had been the unbroken line of trees. Leaving the car he jogged up the ridge to get a better view. To the right the road continued on to the school, clearly visible maybe half a mile away. He couldn't see any damage, or any others sign that anything was wrong. Some of the younger kids were even outside paying soccer. Then there was the gaping hole in the tree line that ran near to the west side of the mansion. These were mature trees, probably well over a hundred years old, some of them over a hundred feet tall. Something had smashed them to pulp, scattering the debris across the meadow and into the woods. Even weirder, someone or something had plowed a trench through the grassy field that lead directly to the mutilated portion of the forest.
What the hell had happened, and why hadn't Chuck bothered to call him? Probably because you left your fucking cell phone in your bedroom asshole. He still had a prepaid cell, so he pulled out and dialed Xavier's number, but there was no answer. After trying Cyclops with the same result, he got a little worried and called Marie. He was damned glad when she picked up.
"Hey kid," he called out, and he was glad to hear he voice, even if she sounded upset.
"Logan! Where are you?"
"Not far kid. I can see the school from here. I'm kinda wonderin what the hell happened over by the woods."
There was a long silence, and when she answered her voice was more then a little sad. "Ah think it was Scott."
He took a long look at the smashed trees and the furrow that was slashed across the meadow. Yeah, that did make a lot of sense. But it didn't. "You think?" He asked, because he wanted to be sure before he went looking to kick Scooter's ass. Logan liked those woods.
"Ah didn't see him do it."
"Marie."
"Ah didn't! Kitty told me. It was last night, Ah think she said about one in the mornin. Said she out on the patio and saw Scott leave the school and head out toward the woods. She didn't think nothing of it until he cut loose. She thought that somebody was attacking him, so her and Pete ran out there and…he was cryin Logan. Just standin there balling his eyes out."
Damn. He really needed Summers right now, needed him to have his shit together if they were gonna be able to talk to Chuck. "Where is he Marie?"
"He's with the Professor. Been in his office for a while. Logan, Ah tried to talk with him after Kitty told me what she's seen at breakfast. He wouldn't say a word to me."
"Anyone else in there sides Chuck and Scooter?"
"Don't call him that!"
"Damn it kid, I don't got time for this," he growled, and after a few seconds of sullen silence, she answered.
"Ah don't think so. Ms. Monroe and Doctor McCoy are standin outside the office. They look kind of worried."
He was going to kill him. The sneaky bastard had gone and talked to Xavier on his own, after all that bullshit on how he needed Logan's help. He started to snap the phone closed, but something else that Marie had said stopped him.
"You mind tellin me what the hell Pryde was doin out there with Pete at one in the mornin?"
"Do ya really need me to tell ya that Logan?" she answered around a giggle.
Jesus. "Though Pete was still in the med lab."
She laughed again. "You don't like talkin about this do ya? We're not little kids Logan. We're teenagers, most of us almost adults. We hook up. Sometimes it's serious, sometimes not. This one's pretty serious, at least Kitty thinks it is."
"So he's gotta be feelin better then?" He asked, determined not to have a conversation with Marie about this.
"Good enough to trade spit with Kitty."
Shaking his head, Logan cut the connection. He didn't really care he told himself. What ever those kids did when he wasn't training them wasn't any of his God damned business. Except in this case it was. Because he'd seen their personal files when Xavier had agreed to let him train them. Piotr Rasputin was twenty-one years old, but Katherine Pryde wouldn't even be seventeen for a couple of months, even though she was graduating high school with the other kids in a few weeks. Stuff like that happens when you're a frigging genius. Or you live at Chuck's teenaged mutant hook up zone. In way, he was glad that he didn't have time for this right now, what with Scooter's ass needing to be kicked.
Less then two minutes later he squealed to a stop in front of the school. Ditching the car, he pushed through the front door, loping toward Xavier's office. Hank and Ro were there, talking with Janet, who had apparently joined them since his chat with Marie. They were surprised to see him and Janet actually smiled, but Storm didn't look very happy that he was here.
"Hey darlin," he said, trying to return her smile, but his disquiet about what was happening probably made it seem more like a grimace. Then he turned to face Ro.
"Ain't we all supposed ta be havin a meeting?"
"Professor Xavier has postponed it," Storm answered in an icy tone. What the hell had he done to piss her off?
"Why's that?" He shot back, trying to keep his own tone neutral. It still came out like a growl. He couldn't make out the words, but he was pretty sure that he could hear Summers shouting at Chuck. He just didn't know why, and that's what really bothered him.
"Professor Xavier did not say why, only that it was something personal."
"Personal? And Summers went along with this?"
"I am sure he must have."
Ro might be fine with this, but he sure as hell wasn't. What if Chuck knew what was going on, knew what this meeting was all about. Maybe the old man was playing for time, which was something they just didn't have. Besides, he didn't really give a shit what they were talking about. This was more important.
"Well Ro, even if Summers agreed to put off this get together, I didn't. It's too damned important to wait till Cyke is done yellin at Chuck."
"Professor Xavier has asked that they not be interrupted," Storm retorted, with an edge to her voice.
"Is this really that urgent Logan?" Janet asked looking from Ororo to Logan with a frown.
"Damned straight it is darlin," he answered meeting her eyes with his own. Then he turned to Storm and Hank. "I don't want a jaw with ya Ro, but I'm goin in there. I think you and Hank should to, but it's you choice."
Ororo started to answer, but Hank's large hand gently squeezed her shoulder. "I believe my dear, that in light of the current situation you need to give Logan the benefit of the doubt. There is also a strong probability that both Scott and especially the Professor would welcome our interruption. While I cannot understand what is actually being said, the gist of their conversation seems to involve little else other then Scott raising is voice in a provocative manner."
Ororo glanced back at Hank and then stared a hole through Logan. Finally she nodded, and he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He started to move toward the door and noticed Janet turning away out of the corner of his eye. That's when it hit him how much he needed her to be in Xavier's office with him. Chuck and Summers were already angry, and it wouldn't take much to set him off, the way he was feeling. Then there was Ro. She was either mad at him or pissed off at something, and when she heard about the danger the school was in…well, she wasn't going to be to damned happy about it. They could all use someone who could keep the peace, and that sure wasn't him.
"Hey darlin, I want you in on this to," he called out to her. She turned, confusion clearly in her expression. "Yer one of us Janet, even if ya ain't a mutant."
"Logan is right," Storm offered, after another long look at him, which wasn't quite so hostile. "Please join us Janet."
After nodding to Ororo, Logan turned the handle, forcing the heavy oak door open. For a long moment they just stared at the two men facing each other across Xavier's desk. Scott was leaning across, both hands planted on the polished wooden surface, his face contorted in anger. The Professor seemed calm, his expression neutral except for a pair of arched eyebrows. But Logan knew better. The stink of anger was as much his as it was Cyke's. Xavier's eyes immediately shifted in their direct, but Scott was slower on the uptake and continued to shout at the other man.
"…had a right to know about this! Maybe not all the details, but you should have told me something! She's my student damn it! You could have at least…"
At that point Summers suddenly stopped, as Xavier turned his head in their direction. "What can I do for you?" He asked, in that understated tone that still managed to convey a measure of thanks.
"Ain't we supposed ta be havin a meeting Chuck?"
"I'm sorry Professor," Ororo added, "but Logan insists that it is too urgent to wait."
"You wanted this Summers," Logan stated, when he saw that Scott was about to say something. "You ain't backin out on me, are ya?"
Scott looked at Logan for a long time and then just shrugged. "No, I'm not," he finally answered. Then he stood straight up, looming over the man on the other side of the desk. "We aren't done with his Professor," he said, his voice oddly calm considering how he'd been yelling just a minute ago.
Xavier just nodded and sat back in his chair, not trying to hide the look of relief on his face. "What is this matter you wish to discuss Logan?"
"Fury knows about Alkali Lake."
He had to give the man credit, Xavier had a damned impressive poker face. A single muscle along the left side of his jaw twitched, otherwise there was nada. Of course Logan didn't need to look at a man's face to know he was afraid, because he could smell the sudden stink of the Professor's fear, along with Ororo and Hank's as well. Slowly Xavier leaned forward, resting his chin on top of his folded hands.
"Exactly what information does he have?" Xavier asked quietly.
Logan looked at Scott, who walked over to the large flat screen that hung on the wall of Xavier's office across from his desk. He pick up the remote, and press a button. The screen brightened and the image of Xavier sitting at the controls of Stryker's ersatz Cerebro came into view. Behind him was Jason Stryker, his slack, expressionless face clearly visible. Only his eyes had the spark of life, shifting from Xavier to the unseen display that was out of sight. Storm made a straggled sort of whine, and Hank cursed. Xavier was silent as the short clip played out. After it was over there was a few seconds of stunned silence, before Xavier ask the question Logan figured was coming.
"How did Colonel Fury come into possession of this?"
Summers started to talk, telling the others about his confrontation with Fury, and how the head of SHIELD had gotten his hands on Stryker's secrets. There was more then enough evidence to show that it was Professor Xavier's power amplified by Cerebro which had caused the physic attack that had been visited upon the Earth's non-mutant population. He also made sure that everyone knew the files that Fury had could be manipulated to show the X-men and Magneto working together. Scott was smart enough to save the worst news for last, that SHIELD could prove the device which had been used to attack humanity was the creation of Charles Xavier and his former friend, Eric Lehnsherr.
"This is intolerable," Ororo snapped, as soon as Summers stopped talking. "The Professor was as much a victim as any one else. Do not these so called records show this to be true?"
"Yes they do," Summers answered, with a shrug. "But I don't think that will help us much."
"He's right Ro," Logan added. "gotta figure that hundreds o' people were killed when Mags switched the machine over so it would effect normals."
"Actually, the number of deceased as a result of what the media are referring to as 'The Event' was 1872 in Europe and North America alone," Hank stated in a hollow voice. "Mostly traffic accidents and strokes. The mutant death toll is unknown, of course."
"Dear God," Xavier murmured, his face white.
"You are not to blame Charles," Ororo insisted, looking at Logan. "You were cruelly used by hateful men. I am convinced a careful examination of the facts will show this."
"Maybe," Logan answered, "but I'm thinkin that no one is gonna care too damned much about how Stryker or Lehnsherr screwed with us. All they're gonna see is that mutants did it."
"I agree," Summers spoke up, shaking his head. "Anti-mutant hysteria was on the rise even before this happened. Now the haters have something they can really latch on to, something that effected every baseline human on the planet. There's no way we could spin this, even if we were given the chance."
"What do you mean by that Scott?"
"Just this Hank. I asked Fury if the government already knew about what had happened, and he said that if they did then we would have already been attacked. I think he's right. If the authorities find out, they're going to shoot first and investigate later."
"This is a school!" Storm said in an angry tone. "There are children here. They would not dare to attack this place."
"Stryker did," Logan growled, running a hand through his hair.
"That is certainly a precedent that we should all keep in mind," Xavier stated in a tired voice. "Since we have heard nothing from those in power, I presume that Colonel Fury has not yet seen fit to inform them of what he knows. What does he want from us Scott?"
"For now? He wants us to agree to get rid of Cerebro."
"Of course," Hank murmured, "one can certainly see that it would be a priority, from his point of view.'
"It's not just a priority Hank," Scott answered, shaking his head. "It's a non-negotiable demand. If we don't agree, he's going to send all his information to the Department of Homeland Security."
"Surely though, there might be some compromise. Perhaps if I could discuss the matter with him personally."
"You mean face ta face, don't ya?" Logan asked, and when Xavier nodded, he laughed. "He ain't stupid Chuck. No way he's gonna put himself out there so you could change his mind for him."
"Are implying that Professor Xavier would use his power to achieve such a goal?"
"Not normally. But this ain't a normal situation, is it Ro? Sides I don't see why Fury would wanna talk about anything. Don't see how we have much of a choice here. He's got us by the short hairs and he knows it."
"You surprise me Logan," Ororo retorted. "I would have thought that you of all people would be urging us to fight back, not to knuckle under to a threat."
"That's cause it ain't a threat damn it!"
"Nevertheless, I cannot believe that you would simply submit to this blackmail."
"You think I don't wanna fight? If it were up ta me I'd gut the son of a bitch!"
"Then why give in?"
"Cause it ain't the kind o' fight that you got the stomach for Ro."
"And what do you mean by that?"
"Cause it'd be down and dirty, and none of you know how ta fight that way. Least ways I ain't seen it yet."
"I assume that by 'down and dirty' you mean that we would have to kill."
"There'd be blood enough ta choke all of ya."
"You presume too much Logan," she warned, her voice laced with contempt. "While I am reluctant to take life, I will use whatever means are needed to protect the children that have been entrusted to us."
"And that's your problem Ro. Ya got a bunch a kids here, so ya can't stand and fight, but ya can't run and hide either. At least not right now."
"Blaming our students for your unwillingness to defend them. How convenient."
"I ain't blamin them Ro. Ain't their fault you people thought it would be a good idea to run the X-men outta this school. If you want ta know who's ta blame for puttin them at risk, take a gook look in the mirror."
"How dare you!" She snarled rising to her feet with clouded eyes. "I certainly have no need to justify myself to the likes of you Wolverine."
Logan slowly stood up. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Hank stand as well. He opened his mouth to say something (probably something stupid), but Janet spoke first.
"Will you sit down Logan!" She snapped, then turned on Storm. "Don't we have enough trouble already Ororo, without fighting each other as well?"
"Janet's right," Scott added in a loud voice. "The last thing we need right now is to start playing the blame game."
"If you will recall," Ororo retorted in a brittle voice, "it was I along with Henry who protested using the school as a base for the X-men. You thought our concerns amusing at the time."
"And I'm sorry Ororo," Scott replied. "I was wrong. It was dumb, I can see that now, but it doesn't really help us at the moment."
"Indeed it does not," Hank said after a few moments of silence. "Whatever decisions that were made in the past, they cannot be undone. I believe we would be best served contemplating our current dilemma."
"Colonel Fury must know what would happen were he to deliver this information to the authorities," Xavier mused, looking at Scott. "That being the case, do you really think that he would take such a step?"
"Yes I do Professor," Scott answered without hesitation.
"He'd have ta," Logan added. "After what happened, he ain't got much of a choice."
"Please explain yourself Logan."
"It ain't hard ta figure Chuck. He's taken a big chance as it is by not tellin the Feds about this. If he were ta let you keep Cerebro and they found out, he's done."
"This isn't a hard choice to make," Janet said, looking at Xavier. "You have to think of the students Charles. Most of them simply do not have any place else to go."
"I wish it were that simple my dear," Xavier answered softly. "Without Cerebro, I fear our ability to find and protect mutants will be irreparably harmed."
"I don't want to give in to this man Charles," Storm declared, "but Janet is correct. Our first responsibility must be to the students."
"It ain't given in," Logan stated in a low raspy voice. "We can't win this round, but it's gonna be a long fight. Ro is right, we can't throw in the towel ta that son of a bitch."
"Our mission won't change Professor. We'll find away to protect our kind, even if we don't have Cerebro."
"There is more to what we do then that Scott. I still believe in a world where mutants will be accepted just like anyone else."
"With all due respect, that's not the world we live in right now Professor, and I don't see how things will ever be different."
"Scott, I know that you have received a terrible shock, but I think…"
"No, not a shock," the other man interrupted in a hard voice. "Just a dose of reality. We're different Professor, and we always will be. I accept that and so should you. What I will not accept is that our difference gives these so called humans the right to abuse us with impunity."
"You cannot deny that we have many non-mutant friends, who we will have to rely on more then ever now."
"None of them were there to help…" Scott stopped at Xavier's warning gesture. "Sorry," he whispered, looking around the room, almost like he'd forgotten the others were there.
"Fury needs an answer," Logan drawled, breaking the uneasy silence.
"Indeed," Xavier answered in a sad voice. "It would seem that you are all agreed that the best course of action for the moment is to meet Colonel Fury's demand."
There were silent nods all around. "Very well. Scott, please inform him that we will make no attempt to reconstruct Cerebro."
"He's gonna want more then that Chuck. He won't just take your word."
"Of course Logan. I am sure that we will all need to have a discussion concerning the pertinent details. However, I have no wish to do so now."
With a brief nod Scott walked out, leaving the door to Xavier's office open behind him. The others began to file out in his wake. Logan turned to go as well, but Xavier asked him to stay. He glanced at Janet and shook his head, before pulling the door closed.
"What do ya want Chuck?"
"Your opinion. You stated earlier that Fury is taking a risk on our behalf by failing to disclose what he knows concerning Alkali Lake. Why would he do that?"
"Cause he needs us."
"For what purpose?"
"Hydra for one. Those fuckers are lookin for mutants, and Fury wants our help keepin them away from em. From Mags too. Havin us around gives mutants a place ta go sides runnin to Lehnsherr."
"Then why take away Cerebro? Surely he knows how important it is to us?"
"Come on Chuck. After what happened, what would you do in his place?"
"I would certainly institute safeguards to ensure such a thing never happened again."
"Don't see how ya could possibly guarantee that."
"You would be my guarantee Logan. The one person who could be counted on to stop me were I coerced into misusing Cerebro again."
"Now how the hell would I do that?"
"By killing me."
A/N: A big thanks to all who are still reading this story. At least this update didn't take me over a year to write. Please give me your feedback. I enjoy hearing what you think, good or bad.