"Professor, I need to talk to you for a second," said Beast sticking his head inside Cerebro's room.
"Not now, Hank. I'm not sure but something is really wrong. Cerebro's been receiving a signal. It's strange, nothing like that has ever happened before."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Signal sent. Waiting for acceptance," said Tom. "Watch your energy levels."
"60-40. I still have more energy than Daniel does, so I'm okay for now. Use Daniel's psychic powers to create a shield around me. We can't have Xavier trying anything funny, now can we?"
"Consider it done. Acceptance received. Signal established. Taking over Cerebro's main system. Establishing second connection."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Warning. Systems being infected," said Cerebro turning an alarm on.
"What's going on?" said Beast.
"I believe someone has hacked into Cerebro," said the Professor trying to find the problem.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
""First barrier is off. They have more barriers than Zhar's computers did. Whoever works for them must have done a really good job," Tom said.
"Yes, that would be Kitty Pryde. She's supposedly a big computer wiz; she's still a kid though, so she doesn't realize much of her potential."
"I would very much like to meet her sometime."
"Continue doing what you were doing."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't know what's happening, or how to fix it," said the Professor, while Beast tried many different commands on the computer.
By this time, Scott and Kitty were already inside Cerebro's room.
"What's going on, Professor?" asked Scott.
"I don't know, Kitty. Somehow, Cerebro has been infected. I don't know how anyone could've passed through all our security systems."
"That's really weird. I, like, tested them all myself. There's no way anyone could've gone through them," said Kitty. "You tested them too, right, Mr. McCoy?"
"Yes, I have, Kitty. I don't understand what is going on," said Hank.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I just passed the third system," Tom said.
"Hurry it up, Tom. I'm sure McCoy is going to try to find our signal. We have to be in before he can do that."
"Relax, love. I've got it covered."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Let's go to the Control Room. Maybe we'll be able to block whatever it is off. Meanwhile, I'll warn the others. We have to be prepared," said the Professor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"They are trying to put up more defenses," said Tom. "What should I do?"
"How much control do you have?"
"Forty-five percent."
"Can you control anything???"
"Couple of weapons, maybe some cameras."
"What about anything on the danger room?"
"Not yet."
"Well, hurry up."
"Alright already."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm putting up defenses as fast as I can, but it's no good," said Kitty.
"Keep on trying," said Hank. "I'm going to try to find their signal."
"Please hurry, Mr. McCoy. I'm afraid I'll fry this computer like the ones at school."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hank's trying to find our signal," laughed Tom. "Boy, is he going to have a big surprise!"
"What did you do?"
"You'll see. I have control of all their cameras now. Have a look."
In the glass, screen, in front of Faye's eyes, she could see the image of Hank on one keyboard and Kitty on the other.
"That's Hank??? What happened to him?" she said, perplexed.
"It says in my files that he changed while experimenting with some chemicals. He attacked Kelly."
"No wonder the guy hates mutants. How much control?"
"Sixty percent."
"Keep going"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is extraordinary," said Hank to Kitty. "According to my findings, the signal is coming from here."
"But, like, how can that be?" asked Kitty, punching in as many codes as possible.
"I don't know. It's as if one someone in the mansion is sending the signal."
"Do you really think any one of us would do that?"
"Doubtful. I'm enhancing the search."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Seventy-five percent control," said Tom on the communicator. "I'm struggling with some of the barriers they're putting up."
"Boost up your power. We can't stop now. The train will be here in about 45 minutes. We have to get to them before that."
"But your energy...."
"Forget that! It's for a good cause. I'll hold Daniel, and you, don't let me down."
"Never. Increasing power."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*Students. We are experiencing some difficulties with Cerebro,*~ said the Professor telepathically. ~*I would like you all to stay as calm as possible. There's no need to be alarmed, but please stay inside the house. Hank and Kitty are working on it right now. Again, everyone, stay calm.*~
Though they found the request strange, they all complied. They knew better than to doubt the Professor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Eighty-nine. I have almost all capabilities. Waiting for you command."
"Enable Defcon 4," said Faye without any emotion.
"Are you sure? Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"I don't want Logan coming in. Shoot him if necessary. I know he can handle more than that."
"Whatever you say."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Defcon 4 enabled," said the computer.
All the doors and windows started closing. All weapons ready to shoot anything that would as much breathe wrong.
"Mr. McCoy, can't you stop that?" asked Jean as she came in with Evan and Kurt.
"I'm afraid not Jean."
"Mr. McCoy, I can't put up any more defenses. They've gone through everything."
"Heavens help us," said Hank putting his head down and closing his eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Cerebro's main system is all yours, love," Tom said as Cerebro's main screen appeared on the glass in front of Faye's eyes.
"Thanks, Tom. Project an image."
"A mask?"
"Of course, it's my trademark."
"Sure thing."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The whole mansion became dark. The energy was shut down. Defcon 4 was still in progress, and all the weapons were still looking for any intruders.
Suddenly, the whole mansion lit up. The sound of the machines humming surrounded them. In the screen, a beautiful and frightening image of a face came on the screen. It was fully drawn with weird patterns and shapes in shades of green and silver. The image had no eyes, just holes. It was truly a face that imposed respect.
"Greetings, X-men," it said, after a moment of silence.
"Not now, Hank. I'm not sure but something is really wrong. Cerebro's been receiving a signal. It's strange, nothing like that has ever happened before."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Signal sent. Waiting for acceptance," said Tom. "Watch your energy levels."
"60-40. I still have more energy than Daniel does, so I'm okay for now. Use Daniel's psychic powers to create a shield around me. We can't have Xavier trying anything funny, now can we?"
"Consider it done. Acceptance received. Signal established. Taking over Cerebro's main system. Establishing second connection."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Warning. Systems being infected," said Cerebro turning an alarm on.
"What's going on?" said Beast.
"I believe someone has hacked into Cerebro," said the Professor trying to find the problem.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
""First barrier is off. They have more barriers than Zhar's computers did. Whoever works for them must have done a really good job," Tom said.
"Yes, that would be Kitty Pryde. She's supposedly a big computer wiz; she's still a kid though, so she doesn't realize much of her potential."
"I would very much like to meet her sometime."
"Continue doing what you were doing."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I don't know what's happening, or how to fix it," said the Professor, while Beast tried many different commands on the computer.
By this time, Scott and Kitty were already inside Cerebro's room.
"What's going on, Professor?" asked Scott.
"I don't know, Kitty. Somehow, Cerebro has been infected. I don't know how anyone could've passed through all our security systems."
"That's really weird. I, like, tested them all myself. There's no way anyone could've gone through them," said Kitty. "You tested them too, right, Mr. McCoy?"
"Yes, I have, Kitty. I don't understand what is going on," said Hank.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I just passed the third system," Tom said.
"Hurry it up, Tom. I'm sure McCoy is going to try to find our signal. We have to be in before he can do that."
"Relax, love. I've got it covered."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Let's go to the Control Room. Maybe we'll be able to block whatever it is off. Meanwhile, I'll warn the others. We have to be prepared," said the Professor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"They are trying to put up more defenses," said Tom. "What should I do?"
"How much control do you have?"
"Forty-five percent."
"Can you control anything???"
"Couple of weapons, maybe some cameras."
"What about anything on the danger room?"
"Not yet."
"Well, hurry up."
"Alright already."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm putting up defenses as fast as I can, but it's no good," said Kitty.
"Keep on trying," said Hank. "I'm going to try to find their signal."
"Please hurry, Mr. McCoy. I'm afraid I'll fry this computer like the ones at school."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hank's trying to find our signal," laughed Tom. "Boy, is he going to have a big surprise!"
"What did you do?"
"You'll see. I have control of all their cameras now. Have a look."
In the glass, screen, in front of Faye's eyes, she could see the image of Hank on one keyboard and Kitty on the other.
"That's Hank??? What happened to him?" she said, perplexed.
"It says in my files that he changed while experimenting with some chemicals. He attacked Kelly."
"No wonder the guy hates mutants. How much control?"
"Sixty percent."
"Keep going"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is extraordinary," said Hank to Kitty. "According to my findings, the signal is coming from here."
"But, like, how can that be?" asked Kitty, punching in as many codes as possible.
"I don't know. It's as if one someone in the mansion is sending the signal."
"Do you really think any one of us would do that?"
"Doubtful. I'm enhancing the search."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Seventy-five percent control," said Tom on the communicator. "I'm struggling with some of the barriers they're putting up."
"Boost up your power. We can't stop now. The train will be here in about 45 minutes. We have to get to them before that."
"But your energy...."
"Forget that! It's for a good cause. I'll hold Daniel, and you, don't let me down."
"Never. Increasing power."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*Students. We are experiencing some difficulties with Cerebro,*~ said the Professor telepathically. ~*I would like you all to stay as calm as possible. There's no need to be alarmed, but please stay inside the house. Hank and Kitty are working on it right now. Again, everyone, stay calm.*~
Though they found the request strange, they all complied. They knew better than to doubt the Professor.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Eighty-nine. I have almost all capabilities. Waiting for you command."
"Enable Defcon 4," said Faye without any emotion.
"Are you sure? Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"I don't want Logan coming in. Shoot him if necessary. I know he can handle more than that."
"Whatever you say."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Defcon 4 enabled," said the computer.
All the doors and windows started closing. All weapons ready to shoot anything that would as much breathe wrong.
"Mr. McCoy, can't you stop that?" asked Jean as she came in with Evan and Kurt.
"I'm afraid not Jean."
"Mr. McCoy, I can't put up any more defenses. They've gone through everything."
"Heavens help us," said Hank putting his head down and closing his eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Cerebro's main system is all yours, love," Tom said as Cerebro's main screen appeared on the glass in front of Faye's eyes.
"Thanks, Tom. Project an image."
"A mask?"
"Of course, it's my trademark."
"Sure thing."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The whole mansion became dark. The energy was shut down. Defcon 4 was still in progress, and all the weapons were still looking for any intruders.
Suddenly, the whole mansion lit up. The sound of the machines humming surrounded them. In the screen, a beautiful and frightening image of a face came on the screen. It was fully drawn with weird patterns and shapes in shades of green and silver. The image had no eyes, just holes. It was truly a face that imposed respect.
"Greetings, X-men," it said, after a moment of silence.