Chapter 6
Disclaimer: Here we go!
Sometime Later
Many in the town of Bayville, New York were not happy at the moment and quite a few were more than ready to blame their current situation on the local Mutant population. Especially given the fact that the primary source of their situation was holed up at the Xavier Institute thanks to the fact that apparently one of them had some sort of virus. One that was potentially contagious and thus why the Army and the CDC had shown up and quarantined the whole town. Of course, they weren't the only ones unhappy as the X-Men, the Brotherhood, and Arcade were none too happy either with the whole thing. Though with Arcade, his reason for unhappiness is that he'd gotten a call from his parents saying that he wasn't allowed home anymore for daring to be around Mutants and they didn't want to catch whatever he might have gotten from being around them.
There was also of course strain between him and Jean over his hacking and the wrench to her head and strain where Tabitha was concerned. Scott himself currently was dealing with a broken jaw thanks to Fred slugging him during the fight. "As best we can tell, it appears only young Mr. Alvers has the Adula Virus within his system." Announced the Joe Medic known as Lifeline once he was in the office of Professor Xavier.
The man known as General Hawk frowned at that information. "So rather than it being contagious like we thought it was all this time, its possible it was given by injection then."
"Its quite possible but we can't rule out it being contagious just yet. Its entirely possible young Mr. Alvers' X-Gene somehow kept it from spreading. And or somehow kept it from activating until recently."
"Meaning its quite possible that before his time in Northbrook, Illinois, he lived in Adula, Illinois." Murmured Charles Xavier thoughtfully.
Gaining two nods in return before Hawk spoke up. "Either that or his mother was pregnant with him at the time of the outbreak and with his being adopted, there's no way to tell for certain."
"Unfortunately not." Sighed Lifeline.
"What next then, gentlemen? Because I for one do not wish to see young Alvers die at such a young age. There has to be a way to save him." Emplored Xavier.
"We're gonna have to take him with us back to the base until a cure can be found for him." Decided Hawk quickly.
As to him, it was the only solution and Lifeline was quick to agree on the subject while Xavier frowned at that. "I'm not so sure that is wise, General. Primarily on account of the views he and his friends unfortunately have towards Humans."
"And what, you think it's better to keep him and his friends here until a cure is found? All of whom have issues with your kids for one reason or another? Somehow I don't think that would make for a good combination." Hawk told him bluntly.
But Xavier wasn't ready to back down just yet. "And you think you and yours can handle Mutants?"
"Xavier, you'd be surprised by what we can handle. Hell, we handled Cobra for years."
"Still, I have my concerns…"
"Too bad, I have the authority from the President himself to do as I see fit." Hawk told him.
Unwilling to budge on the matter and Xavier, not wanting to cause potential problems, gave in while not liking it one bit. "Very well."
"I'll begin preparations while you and the General inform the children." Lifeline said before leaving the office.
"Children, I'd like for all of you to meet myself and General Hawk in the living room."
Minutes later saw the kids all in the living room and having things quickly explained. "WHAT!? YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" Bellowed Fred angrily.
"I am, son. Your friend needs all the help he can get and my people will do their absolute best by him. Especially considering we're all too familiar with the Adula situation." Hawk told the big boy grimly.
"Like… I remember learning about that incident in History Class. Was totally one of the worst things to happen in the history of Illinois." Kitty said with a shudder.
Whom had long since kept away from the medical lab where Lance was as hearing his screams had been a little too much for her. Even in his sleep the poor kid could have no peace thanks to his situation. "But… But you're just gonna experiment on us! That's what guys like you do in the Army!" Yelled a freaked out Fred.
"Kid, I get that you're afraid and have probably been fed some propaganda, but we aren't Cobra or a piece of garbage in general. We've only got your friend's best interests in mind and we've known some Mutants over the years. Even proudly had a few serve with us and a few still do."
"But…"
"I don't like it either, Freddy, but the X-Geeks clearly don't have the means to help Lance and if things go bad, we can always bust our way to freedom if it comes to it." Todd told him.
Plus, he figured Magneto would be more than willing to bust them out once he heard what was going on about them. Well, if the old bastard cared too anyway. "Can… Can I come too? I was practically disowned by my parents and don't really have anywhere else to go." Arcade asked hopefully as Fred reluctantly backed down in understanding thanks to his little buddy's words.
"Mr. Torque, you are of course welcome to stay here." Quickly declared Xavier.
Something Jean wasn't too enthused about given the wrench incident as the teen Human shifted uncomfortably. "Given how the X-Men seem to like shooting first and asking questions later, I think I'd rather go with the Army guys, Professor."
Many scowled over his remark and it'd be Jean who spoke up first. "Well, we clearly don't need someone living here who is willing to use hacking to ruin someone else's life!"
"That woman had it coming after how she treated Lance and the others, Grey!"
"No, she did not! There are other and better ways to handle things!"
"QUIET!" Bellowed Hawk before the arguing could get worse.
Which worked as the good General stared at Webber for a long minute, making the kid gulp a little nervously. "We'll take you in, son. But any hacking you do in the future will be first run by me, understood?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
Hawk nodded in approval before turning his focus over to Wanda. Whom was practically standing by herself with a scowl on her face as the others minus Todd and Fred were giving her a wide berth thanks to the fact she'd handed them their asses sometime ago and had proven yet again to be difficult to take on. Though of course Scott was continuously glaring at Fred for breaking his jaw and now would have to wait until it was healed before he could even speak again. I swear I'm gonna get him back! Wish I'd been able to leave him back at Area 51 with Mystique as well!
"What's your plans, young lady?"
"To find my father and make him PAY for putting me in that hell for years!"
"Sounds to me like you weren't left in there long enough." Muttered Bobby not so quietly enough and got reprimanded by the Professor as Wanda glared at him.
Making the young Iceman gulp nervously as not only was Wanda glaring at him but so was Hawk. "S-Sorry."
"To get back on track, going after your father alone isn't the best idea in the world, kid. Joining us would probably be a great way to get revenge on him considering his issues with Humans. And you'd have a more stable environment where you could get an education. Something Magneto denied you."
That made Wanda think for a moment before turning to Xavier. "He just brought up something I hadn't considered until now, how come you never helped me learn much of anything while in that hellhole?" She wondered and the good Professor grimaced.
"Considering you were so angry with your father and wanted to be free, I never thought to try given how focused I was on trying to help you deal with your anger."
"Oh." That did make sense.
But the fact she could barely read or write or had a clue about Math irked her. Giving the young Hexcaster's reasons for hating her father to grow even more. "Could… Could I get an education too? I know smarts has never been my strong point but I don't like being dumb."
"Coulda fooled me." Scoffed Rogue.
"You want a broken jaw too!?"
"Son, you aren't in any way dumb but you'll definitely get an education too if you really and truly want it. You too, Mr. Tolensky. I personally guarantee a stable homelife for all of you." Quickly broke in Hawk while glaring at Rogue.
And since so many owed him a Helluva lot thanks to all the work he and GI Joe had done, there was no way Hawk was going to get denied anything. "Then I'm in. But uhh… I like to eat. A lot."
"No problem, son."
Wisely no one made any comments as Wanda decided to go with Hawk. "I'm honestly halfway tempted to come along too since I'm not exactly cool with how some of you act like jerks." Muttered Tabitha.
Uncaring about a few unhappy looks in her direction because of her words. "Well, if you ever change your mind, we'll be happy to accept you, kid."
Tabitha nodded and soon, the two Joes and the Brotherhood plus Arcade were on their way with Lance firmly secured in his bed with Xavier requesting updates on the young man. And before leaving the area, Hawk would be sure to let everyone in the town know that things were going to be okay as the situation wasn't as bad as was feared and that the situation was NOT the fault of the local Mutant population. Granted, it was somewhat of a lie but the folks of Bayville didn't need to know that.
Author's Notes: Alright, this is as far as I've written and to be honest, I am heavily considering doing a time jump of several years after this chapter.