(Note: All the characters you recognize, are Marvel's. All the ones you've never heard of before this fic, are mine. Neener - Neener.)
Chapter three:
Secrets
A Hallway. Project Vindication base of operations. Earlier that day.
Hanson enters the hall through a door on the north side. McAllister and a pair of armed soldiers turn to face him. And where have you been, Dr. Hanson? McAllister asks.
Um, I took my lunch break. Hanson replies.
McAllister looks at him. All right then. Shall we continue on our rounds? he asks.
Hanson nods. Of course, sir. he replies. The four men enter the next hall. It is lined with doors to cells. They pass Red, who flashes McAllister a dirty look. And Edward, who is fast asleep in the corner of his cell.
McAllister approaches the next cell, there stands a woman in the center of the cell. She looks at McAllister. Mary Turner? he asks. The woman gives him the finger. McAllister gives a look of surprise, followed by an evil grin. Now, now, Ms. Turner. There is no need to be vulgar. he says.
I Understand you're a mutant. What are your abilities? McAllister asks.
Perhaps you missed the gesture I just made. Mary says, giving McAllister the finger again. It's my middle finger. It means fuck you. she adds.
A Grimace appears on McAllister's face. Ms. Turner, I am giving you the chance to cooperate. Now, I don't have to ask you whether or not you're a mutant. I Know you're a mutant. And if I want to know what you're abilities are, I don't have to ask you that, either. I can take you into a little room, knock you out, rip you open and fish around in your insides until I find out. he says, viciously.
Mary shivers. Now, I ask again. What are your abilities? McAllister asks.
Has anyone ever told you that you have some major issues you need to deal with? Mary asks in reply. McAllister slowly growls. Okay, okay. Sheesh. I Can create and control small balls of energy. I Can also teleport very short distances. Mary finishes. You wanna know anything else, you gotta bring me my lawyer. she adds.
McAllister smiles. No. That will be sufficient, thank you Ms. Turner. he replies. The four move on to the last cell.
Washington D.C. Eric's Hotel room. Present day.
Charles is looking over the photos given to Eric my Dr. Hanson. I'm not sure I understand. What would they possibly have to gain by all of this? Charles asks.
I Don't know. There must be something they could gain from this. Eric replies.
Charles asks.
Don't you see? They collect these mutants, perform these horrific tests on them. They then present their findings to senate. When senate sees how much they've learned from these tests, they'll pass prop 110. Once that happens, the floodgates will open, Charles. More tests will come. They will have won. Eric replies.
And who are they', Eric? Charles asks.
General McAllister and his men. Not to mention whoever originated Project Vindication. Eric replies.
Charles sits back in his chair. He sighs. And you plan on presenting this to senate? he asks.
Yes. If I present undeniable proof of their actions. There is no way they can ignore me. Eric replies.
And if senate has a hand in this? What if they're the ones behind all of this? Charles asks.
Eric thinks for a moment. That is a chance I am willing to take. he says.
Charles looks into the eyes of Eric. The eyes of his worst enemy, of his best friend. He is moved by Eric's emotions, by the rage in his words, in his heart. Eric, are you aware of what you're saying? You're already viewed as a threat, merely because of what you are. Charles says. If you go fourth, if you reveal what you know, they could have you killed. he adds.
Let them come. Let all of them come. I Welcome the challenge. Eric says, his words send a chill into Charles's heart. This must be stopped, Charles. At any cost. He adds.
I Understand that. But what if they succeed in killing you? Charles asks.
Then, perhaps, my fate will be sealed. Perhaps, it is my destiny to die for my cause, to become a martyr to my beliefs. Eric replies.
Eric, no.... Charles begins.
Perhaps this is what I must do. Eric interrupts.
A Tear forms in the eye of Charles Xavier as he listens to Eric's words. Eric, please, you cannot believe that. He pleads.
Eric places his head in his hands. He rests his elbows on the table. There are times when I don't know what I believe anymore.
Charles looks on, fear swelling in his heart as he realizes the helplessness that he feels.
One thing I know for certain, Project Vindication must come to an end. And whoever is responsible for it, must pay. Eric says.
Charles begins to speak, but is interrupted by a knock at the door. Eric looks at Charles, then the door. He approaches it and opens it slowly, the chain still attached. Who is it? he asks.
It's me, Mr. Lensherr. Dr. Hanson, may I come in? Dr. Hanson replies. Eric sighs a sigh of relief and opens the door. He motions for Hanson to enter.
Charles rolls his chair away from the table and faces Dr. Hanson. Charles, this is Dr. James Hanson. Dr. Hanson, this is Professor Charles Xavier. Eric says.
Charles and Hanson shake hands. Yes. Xavier. I've heard of you. Hanson says, a tinge of fear in his voice. Charles and Eric exchange a glance.
You said on the phone you had some more information? Eric asks.
Yes. Very important information. I've been able to pinpoint who began Project Vindication. Hanson replies. He sits down.
Eric and Charles look at each other. And who is that? Eric asks.
Project Vindication was started in nineteen seventy six, by a Dr. Nathaniel Essex. Hanson replies.
Charles quickly looks to Eric. Sinister....' he says telepathically.
Yes. I Am aware....' Eric replies in thought.
Hanson notices the exchange of glances between the two men and shifts nervously. Have you heard of him? he asks.
Eric walks over, he peers out of the window. You could say that. he says, he turns and looks at Charles.
We've dealt with him before. Charles adds.
Hanson looks to Charles, he crosses his legs in a nervous matter, as he continues. While I haven't been able to find out anything about the original intentions for Project Vindication, I have confirmed that it did involve some sort of testing on mutants. However, it did not involve capturing them illegally.
Eric continues to gaze out the window, deep in thought. Any thoughts on what Essex's original intentions for Project Vindication were? he asks without turning.
Hanson flashes a look of worry to Charles, then looks back to Eric. Charles furrows his brow at this, attempting to figure it out. Well, um, no. I, as of yet, have not been able to figure out what Essex wanted with the mutants he tested on. Hanson said with a small sound of fear in his voice. This caused Charles to raise a single eyebrow in question of Hanson's actions.
Eric turns. I Am again in your debt, my friend. I Thank you for your help in this matter, I will see you get your wish. That those mutants will be freed with no harm coming to them.
Thank you, Mr. Lensherr. That is all I ask. Good day. Hanson replies, he goes to leave the room.
Good bye, Dr. Hanson. Charles says.
Hanson turns quickly. he asks nervously. Oh, right. Goodbye, Professor Xavier. he says, then leaves the room.
Sinister. Can you believe that? Eric asks Charles once Hanson leaves. Charles stares blankly at the door. Charles....Charles? Charles? Eric asks.
What? Oh. I'm sorry, Eric. Charles says looking to Eric. Did you notice Dr. Hanson acting somewhat strangely towards me?
Eric looks to the door. Yes. As a matter of fact, I did notice that. Rather strange, wouldn't you say? he asks.
Yes....I Attempted to scan his mind, but I came up short. Some type of psychic barrier. Charles replies, drifting in his words.
Perhaps it's best not to ask. I've gotten all the information I need from him. Eric says.
Yes...I suppose.... Charles mumbles.
Project Vindication base of operations.
McAllister and his men approach the final cell. They arrive to find the cell empty.
What the?! Code Red! We have an escapee! one of the soldiers shouts. McAllister motions for him to stop.
Shut up, you twit. he says.
What, sir? I don't understand. the soldier replies.
McAllister turns to Dr. Hanson. Is he there?
Yes. Right in the center of the cell. Hanson replies.
The soldier gives a look of total confusion as McAllister speaks. Mr. Jonas Micheals?
Suddenly, the inside of the cell begins to warp, changing shape. The air changes, everything returns to normal as a man is revealed to be sitting, legs crossed, on the floor in the center of the cell.
His eyes shoot open. You broke my concentration. He stands and approaches the cell door.
Yes, well, you have my apologies. McAllister replies. The soldier stands there, mouth open wide in shock at what he's just seen.
Mr. Micheals here is a mutant, just as all the others. His ability, his gift, is to manipulate the minds of those around him, to affect the sense of reality of others. You see, he has been sitting there the whole time. But we didn't see him. Only Dr. Hanson, here, was able to see him. McAllister replies, motioning to Jonas. Jonas stars at Hanson. The soldier nods slowly as he ponders McAllister's words.
Have I left anything out, Mr. Micheals? McAllister asks. Jonas shakes his head, never taking his gaze away from Hanson's face. Hanson narrows his eyes at Jonas.
Oh wait, I have left one small bit of information out. Performing his mutant ability takes a rather large toll on Mr. Micheal's body. Not to mention, his mind. Why, even as we speak, he is mentally drained, physically weakened. McAllister adds.
Jonas shifts his gaze from Hanson to McAllister. Eat shit.
Mr. Micheals, you try my patience. Not to mention, my kindness. McAllister replies harshly. Hanson flips up a page on his clipboard and begins writing.
Come, we've learned all we can from these specimens. Shall we prepare our presentation? McAllister asks while turning to Hanson.
Hanson looks up from his clipboard. Yes sir, we have enough for a detailed presentation.
McAllister smiles. Good. Let us get it under way, then.