Chapter Seven: The Hellfire Club
A few hours pass. Storm is awake now and feeling good. She is a little weak, but that much is expected. Both Xavier and hank have run tests on her to determine whether or not she has any damages, but both find that aside from some singed hairs and slight third degree burns, she is fine. Storm tells them both not to fuss over her. Jean is what matters. She would rather they divert their energies to Jean.
Inside the lab room, Jean sleeps. She seems very weakened by the events of the day. She hasn't said much, considering she has been falling in and out of consciousness. She has been able to muster enough strength to tell them not to worry. She is better now than ever. Scott, on the other hand, cannot leave her. Since she fell to the ground, he has been by her side.
Outside the lab, in another office, Charles and Hank discuss Jean. Xavier shows hank Jean's study on her DNA. Hank is a brilliant scientist and seems to read more into it than Xavier could. Xavier is a world known geneticist, but so is Hank. Together they hope to completely decipher this information.
They also took a sample after Jean was taken from the Danger Room. They are hoping that the old sample had somehow been corrupted. Judging from what the previous sample had said, it is impossible to determine the full extent of Jean's abilities. It was so inhuman. Of course mutants are inhuman in their own right, but something about that code was far beyond human and mutant. In fact, it seemed to be unlike any other creature on the planet. They patiently wait for the results and discuss some of the possible outcomes. Any number of variables could have thrown the previous results off target.
"Henry," Xavier begins, "Do you think it is possible that Jean has evolved so far beyond human and mutant?" Xavier knows what Hank is going to say. Not just because he is psychic, but because he is a scientist. He has been studying human and mutant DNA for years.
"I..." Hank begins nervously, "...it is possible she has evolved further, but something like this is very unlikely. Most mutants have fully evolved when we have studied them, but Jean was still developing. It is possible her mutation has continued."
Xavier ponders that statement for a moment, and then his memory seems to drift back to a time months before today. A day when the X-Men were forced to fight their first real battle. Xavier felt like he had failed that day. Because of his over zealous actions, Rogue had been kidnapped by Magneto. He felt responsible, not using his mind when he had the chance.
Later that day, a distraught Senator Kelley had shown up at the mansion demanding to see Jean Grey. After reading the Senator's mind, Xavier had discovered that Magneto had developed a machine to emit radiation that triggered mutation in humans. But the one thing that now troubles his mind is a single question from Scott: "What effect does the radiation have on mutants?" At the time, Xavier believed there had been none, but now he is given pause to wonder.
"Charles," Hank says, "The results are back."
Across the roads, fields and buildings, in the heart of Manhattan, four people are gathered together in a dark room. They are discussing many things, ranging from quarterly dues to guests and members. They are a very exclusive group of people. Only a select few have ever seen the interiors of this building. Outside the doors stand doormen and guards, protecting the building. This place is more heavily protected than the Crown Jewels of Europe. The one topic that seems to take precedence over all others is the subject of Jean Grey.
"I am not so sure about this," a female voice states. "We know so little about her, about what she can do. True, such powers would be indispensable to us, but at what cost?"
"Please, Emma!" A Strong and commanding voice replies. He is a tall and dark man with a bold build and face. His hair is drawn back into a ponytail and his clothes reflect that of a 17th Century Englishman. "We have been through this before!"
"I know, Sebastian," she replies. "But, are you certain we should do this?"
"If I may, Sebastian," a charming male's voice intercedes. Sebastian nods to invite the other man's comments. He is a remarkably handsome man. His eyes are bright and his smile inviting. He is tall and very well built. It is rumored he was once a model. He goes by the name of Jason. "We have a tradition here, Emma. You know it as well as I do. Although I am relatively new to this establishment, I understand that our goal is to further ourselves and use any and all means possible to do so. Jean Grey provides an almost limitless source of power."
"I am a psychic, Jason," Emma comments. "I have been studying her for a long time now. Our operative has been very resourceful in that department, but I am afraid of what may happen. I am a very advanced telepath, and I have remotely no trouble hiding my thoughts from Xavier, but I cannot get inside her mind. She is far too powerful. And she will never join us willingly."
"I can take care of her coercion, Emma. All I need from you is a small boost so that I can direct my illusions into her mind." Jason continues. "We must have her powers. It is tradition that such powers be wielded by us!"
"What about the soldiers, Jason?" Emma asks. "We sent them to get Scott Summers so that we could bring her to us. They disappeared. I'm sorry if that strikes me as ominous."
"Forget the soldiers, Emma," Sebastian commands. "I am the Chief Executive of this group, and what I say will be done. Tell the spy to prepare himself. Within days, Jean Grey will be ours!"
Emma shifts nervously but realizes she must comply with Sebastian. "Fine." She states.
"Keep monitoring her for any sign of weakness where we may be able to get into her mind," Jason says. Emma reluctantly agrees and opens her mind.
