"Mr. Alva, your company's claims have yet to be
corroborated by any outside sources.
And your company has been unwilling to turn over the exact composition
of the gas to authorities. Getting back
to the matter at hand… regardless of how the gas may have worked, the fact
remains that it was a contributing factor in the deaths of hundreds."
"Because it was also found that ALVA Industries assured
him that the gas was 100% safe, and there were no indications of any side
effects or possible fatality risks.
There were also calls to ALVA headquarters made just minutes prior to
the order being issued to blow the bridge.
You also remember that the local city government tried to pin it on the
gang members, but no one bought that explanation because of the massive
explosives required to bring that bridge down."
"Mr. Alva, we're running out of time, but let me just ask
you one last thing…"
"How does ALVA Industries gain the trust back of the city
of Dakota, or indeed, the nation?"
"Thank you Mr. Alva."
February 2002 -
Westchester, NY
A motorcycle pulled up on the mansion's driveway. It was late, the lights in the house were
out, and the driver killed the engine and walked the bike to the garage. Logan took the place in with his eyes. "Not much has changed." Cyclops' car was still neat and spotless,
the Driver's Ed car was still dented up (actually, it had some new ones), and
the spot where ol' one-eye's bike used to be was still empty. He stepped through the door adjoining the
garage to one of the laundry rooms, then he went down the dark hallway and saw
a light in kitchen. "Hi there Chuck."
"Logan, I knew it was you…" Charles Xavier turned
himself around, away from the kitchen table and his midnight spot of tea. "It wasn't because I'm psychic… it's because
you need a bath man! There's a room
available for you. Number 207. I'd use the shower first!"
"You gettin' funny in your old-age."
"Younger than you… probably.
But I guess you know a bit more about that now?"
"No, I don't. Didn't
make it to Canada. I took a long detour
to see a friend about some money. Stuff
happened. Nasty stuff."
"Well, you can tell me and the others about that in the
morning. I'll have the team assembled
in the ready room. You can make your
grand entrance then. Good night Logan."
Charles then wheeled his chair out of the kitchen and into the main
hallway, towards the elevators. Logan
turned the lights off in the kitchen, then went down the hallway to the main
lobby of the mansion. He made his way
up the ornate stairs, and was right in front of his room door when it hit him.
"Room 207? Freaking
son of a…" Room 207 had the distinction of being the room right next to 206…
Jean and Cyclops' room. For a man with
a heightened sense of hearing and smell… sleep was not going to come easy.
***
The
next morning the entire team, and Rogue, was assembled in the Ready Room. Rogue, though proving herself to be useful,
was not a full-fledged member of the team.
It would be almost a year before she could graduate and join on as a
full-time X-man. Professor Xavier was
actually the last one there, which was very unusual in it of itself. As Cyclops was about to address him, the
older man just raised his hand to stop him.
"I have a surprise for you all… please come in now… Logan!"
"Logan!"
Jean, Rouge, and Scott almost said it simultaneously – though Scott's version
had more menace in it than the others.
Logan stepped into the Ready Room, feeling the stares of the others bore
into him. His trademark smirk on his
lips, he cockily walked to an empty seat and molded his body into it. His body looked almost boneless in the way
it slouched over the leather. He could
literally hear Jean's heart flutter as he made his way by her. Marie's heart was still beating so fast he
was sure the girl would have a stroke at any moment. *Feels good to be back* he thought to himself, that is, until his
gaze met Scott's grim-faced dour.
Scott's visor hid his eyes, which made him tough to read, but the
clenched lips were a dead giveaway. The
weird thing was, he wasn't sensing any hostility from him, which was fine… but
no fear either. Logan was use to
his adversaries feeling fear. Heck, it
was natural. But this pencil-neck geek
with the crazy eyewear was feeling absolutely NONE. Bad. Very Bad.
"Logan,
we can dispense with the pleasantries until later. Why don't you start by telling us what you found, or at least
what you feel comfortable sharing. It
isn't every day that we have someone go off on a mission like yours." He had to
start the conversation on an even note.
Xavier could sense the rising tension in Logan, the restlessness in
Rogue, the anticipation in Jean (hello? Did he miss that before?), and the
strange "nothingness" in Scott. Ororo
was the only one who had honest delight in her eyes and demeanor when Logan
stepped through the door.
"Not
much to tell Chuck. I never made it to
Canada."
"But
Logan, I mean, it's been over six months.
You never called (*me*) or contacted anyone", Jean said. Xavier caught
that little mental "me", and just filed it away with all the other mental
"slips" he'd been sensing from Jean.
"I
spent 5 months in Dakota. Had a pal that helped me out, and then he needed my
help so I stayed until he got things under control."
"Dakota!"
Ororo blurted as Scott's left eyebrow rose above his visor. "That was where
they had that riot!"
"Logan,
you were there?" Marie asked. Logan's
appearance explained why she was called into the Ready Room. All along she thought that she would be
inducted into the X-men early, but this surprise was even better.
"Yeah
darlin' I was. In fact, I was caught up
in the middle of it. The locals called
it the Big Bang. Huh… it certainly was BIG."
"How
did you make it through the riots? Did
you join in them?" Cyclops' question
came out more like a statement.
"No
I did not. For a short time I thought I
could try and stop 'em, but I figured too late that you can't stop something
like that, despite whatever powers you have.
And that gas made the whole thing turn into an even bigger nightmare!"
"You
mean the gas the mayor deployed?", asked Xavier.
"I
don't know if the mayor did it, but that gas came down and started killing
people immediately. It even ate through the cops' gas masks. Those people never had a shot."
"Ate
through masks?, Ororo started, "But Logan, nothing like that was ever reported
on the news, or anywhere. Only people
who had heavy direct contact with that stuff died from it."
"Don't
believe everything you read or see on the news Ro. I was there. I saw that stuff melt the skin right off of a
hundred people. I saw the cops run for
cover when their faces started fallin' off too. Took me a week and a half to get over the stuff myself. And I wasn't hit directly."
"Oh
Logan", Marie's eyes were starting to water, "What happened to you over
there? Why didn't you call us… call
me?"
"I
don't know darlin'. I wanted to, but I
had a friend there who looked out for me, and helped me see some things more
clearly. That's why I came back here,
instead of Canada. I ain't going to
search for my past, at least not yet, when I already have a present to look
after. Let tomorrow worry about
itself." Logan could almost hear Tat Larsen's baritone voice in his head as he
spoke. The Reverend was a great
listener, but even better at giving advice.
Logan knew that he had to focus on living today, and living for himself,
and for Marie. He made a pledge to
protect her, and that was made out of loyalty, friendship, and love? He did love the kid. But it seemed fatherly, or like a big
brother. He wondered if her crush on
him had subsided any.
"People,
let's let Logan get settled in. He
obviously has more information on the Big Bang riots than even the official
sources." Cyclops was in "fearless
leader" mode, taking for granted that people would simply do as he said
because, well… he was him. Turning to
Wolverine, "Logan, I want to talk to you after this meeting is over, just you
and me. We need to get some details worked
out about your tenure here."
"Sure,
no problem Scooter." Rogue and Storm chuckled silently, but Jean seemed to
simmer a bit at Logan's disrespect for her fiancé. Granted, Cyclops was a bit of a prick sometimes, and Logan was a
welcome breath of fresh air (a feral, sexy breath… she mused). But after a 6-month absence you'd think that
he could lighten up on Cyke, whom she knew had only the best interest of
everyone in mind – all the time.
That was his best singular trait, and the reason why she loved him so
much. It was good to see Logan again
though… maybe too good.
The
meeting went on for a while longer, with Xavier explaining that there have been
some reports of mutant activity around the greater Dakota area. Logan had said that he saw some unusual
things in the riots, but nothing major after the Bang. Scott added that Cerebro had not picked up
anything and their high altitude flyovers with the Blackbird showed nothing
unusual. Since there was no visual
confirmation, the reports had been relegated to rumors, although Logan
objected, citing that he did indeed see people that had to be mutants during
the Big Bang, although none fit the descriptions of any of the reports. After the meeting, which dragged on for 2
hours, everyone shuffled out of the room. Logan made two appointments: lunch
with Rogue and an afternoon medical checkup with Jean. When Xavier left the room, Logan and Cyclops
were left standing on opposite corners.
Cyke was near the door, and Logan at the far end. Logan actually looked a little nervous, like
he did when he first came to the mansion.
It wasn't the mansion that gave him the creeps this time… it was
Cyclops. Cyclops was there, staring at
him with those ruby sunglasses, and not emitting the slightest hint of fear,
trepidation, or anything. His heartbeat was so regular, his body heat so staid,
that it was almost clinical. And the
silence, that seemed like hours, but was only a mere 5 seconds, was finally
broken by Logan's abrupt, "Well? What
the hell do you want?"
"I
want… to clear some things up."
"So?
Get to clearin' bub. I don't have all
day."
"Well…
yes… anyway, Logan, I want to officially extend membership to you into the
X-men, as an operative and trainer, and also as a martial arts instructor here
at the School. We can take care of the
paperwork later. I was telling the
Professor that I believe you will be an excellent addition to the team, and
your hand-to-hand combat skills are easily the best we've ever seen. As long as you remember our tactics,
strategies, and leadership structure you'll do well."
"Leadership
structure?" Logan bristled. "You mean, remember that YOU'RE the boss!"
"In
field situations, yes. Professor Xavier
is the actual leader of the X-Men. I'm
the field commander, and acting leader in case of emergencies like when
Mystique disabled the Professor."
"Ok,
bub, that was all business. You
could've sent me an email telling me the same thing. What's your beef Scooter?
Why'd you call me out for the one-on-one?"
"Beef?"
Cyclops looked down for a second, drew in a deep breath, and then slowly lifted
his head until his hidden eyes met Logan's.
"It's about me and Jean." Logan chuckled and couldn't help but
grin. When Cyclops grinned back,
coupled along with a glowing red light that emanated from BEHIND his
sunglasses, Logan's grin faded… fast.
"Jean loves me very much, and I would give my life before seeing her
hurt in any way. She has tried to hide
it, but she was a bit taken by you when you were here last year."
"So
what? Are you here to warn me to stay away from your girl again?"
"No,
I'm asking you to let sleeping dogs lie and take the moral high ground."
Logan's eyes widened in surprise. "I
saw something in you when you literally gave your life to save Rogue. Behind all the animal behavior, you have a
capacity for honor and nobility that very few men could ever achieve. I have never met a more selfless and
self-sacrificial man, aside from the Professor."
"Thanks
for the compliment Cyke." *Cyke? Soon I'll be calling this guy Scott. Memo to self: Impale myself with claws if I
ever utter the name Scott.* "What are you gettin' at?"
"I'm
just saying that, though I know Jean's love for me is as strong as mine
is for her, you present a unique temptation, and your living here presents a
distraction that other men would not. Mr.
Logan, I'm asking you, point blank, to not pursue her in that
way. I'm asking you… no, I'm giving you
the opportunity… to be a man of honor.
And I have full confidence that you can do it."
"Wha…"
was all that Logan could say. He never
saw this coming. He expected some kind of threat, which would've been
great because it would've given him the excuse he needed to cave in Cyke's
perfect little nose. But this was
beyond him. He was getting complimented
and encouraged to do the right thing.
Was Cyke talking to Tat Larsen behind his back? This is great, just peachy. If he pursues
Jean, the way Cyke puts it, he would ultimately be disgracing himself. And he caught that little remark about Cyke
giving his life to protect Jean in any way.
Would I do that for Jean, he thought.
No. For Marie, easily… heck, he
already did a few times. This was the most underhanded move that Scooter
could've pulled. Appealing to his sense
of honor, duty, and loyalty, and then look for the best in him. Did Cyclops really see all that honor stuff
in him? It didn't matter. He would never let this man, or anyone look
down on him or think he was a lecher. Clasping Scott's hand tightly, he said
"Fine, bub. No blood, no foul. I ain't never been a home wrecker, and I
won't start with yours. But hey, a man
can only take so much temptation himself you know."
"I
know. Jean and I already had this talk,
Logan. Jean told me she won't pursue
you, and assured me that nothing would come of it. But if you and I are to work together, trust each other, put our
lives in each other's hands… then there can be no room for distraction. And
buddy, this would be major. Personal and
major."
Great
move Cyclops, Logan mused. Talking to
both him and Jean makes them the bad guys in even their OWN
eyes. If this guy is insincere, he's at
least a master manipulator. Maybe he IS sincere, and is manipulating it
anyway. Either way, he's not going to
let some physical attraction get in the way of making a home here, where he can
take care of Marie, and see to it that the runaway has a decent shot at making
it in life. Jean's great, but right
now, she isn't worth the risk. "Ok,
Cyclops. You got a deal - man-to-man, and this stays between us. But just for the record…" SCHUNK
– out came the claws, "I admire your guts, bub. If this little convo would've gone sour, I'd 've sliced off a
good chunk o' you before you could take off your glasses."
That
eerie glow began emanating from behind Cyke's glasses again. "I don't know
Logan. I guess it all depends on how
you… look at it." And with that, a crimson beam of
super-pressurized energy shot from his glasses and instantly put a dent and
scorch mark on the table just inches away from Logan. The fact that he had his arms folded the whole time helped
augment the feeling of utter shock and dismay Logan was feeling. Cyclops just grinned, stood up, and walked
out the door… leaving a very confused Wolverine in his wake.
Logan
began to laugh a little and said, "Things are going to be real interesting
here. Maybe I should move BACK to Dakota."
He got up, took another look at the damaged table, and then headed out
to his lunch appointment with Marie.
***
Logan and Marie could be seen sitting together and talking
under the old elm tree near the edge of the property. They seemed so serene, and loving. Marie gazed into Logan eyes with anticipation, and Logan's entire
visage showed a compassion that betrayed his gruff exterior. Cyclops and Professor Xavier took in the
scene as they walked by, having an intense conversation of their own.
"Why didn't you tell me that you're learning to block your
emotions? I couldn't get a casual read
on your emotional state, and I was in the room with you. Scott, this kind of strategic advantage has
to be shared."
"Professor, Jean has been teaching me to stay completely calm
and collected. She's been teaching me how to steady my emotions, so I don't fly
off the handle and keep my cool under pressure."
"Scott Summers, in all the years I've known you, you have
never been an irrational or overly emotional man. What is really going on?"
Cyclops let out a deep breath. He couldn't lie to this man. Literally. But he never, ever wanted to either. In all the ways that mattered, Charles Xavier was his
father. The best father he had ever
known. "Remember the old broken TV in
the rec hall? The one that we think some kid must've punched or something?"
"Yes, I remember. Go
on."
"Well… a student didn't punch it. I did it. I blew it off the entertainment center."
"What happened Scott?
You lost your visor?"
"No Professor. I was
upset with Jean. We had just had a… uh… talk over a personal matter, and I went
down to watch some TV. My favorite team
was losing a close game. I was already
upset… I don't know… before I knew it I blew up and shot right through my ruby
glasses."
Xavier took a few seconds to process the information. He suddenly stopped and looked up at Scott's
downcast face. "Scott, I knew that some
day your powers might outgrow your Ruby quartz lenses. Your eyeglasses, even your visor, were
stopgap maneuvers." Xavier's face grew
a little downcast. He then looked up
and focused on the younger man, who, in every way that counted, was his
son. He grabbed Cyclops' hand, in the
most fatherly and gentle way he knew, and squeezed it tight as he said, "I
don't have to be psychic to know that you're worried that someday nothing
will stop the beams."
"Professor…", Cyclops
looked away and stared at the kids playing around the mansion.
"Scott,
look at me, I will stop at nothing until I figure out how to repair the brain
damage that caused your powers to go out of control. You will get through this… WE will get through this. Just remember that you are part of a family,
not just a team."
Across
the expansive property, Marie and Logan were under the aforementioned Elm tree,
having what some would call a "loving" conversation. Those same people would be impaled by
adamantium claws if they ever referred to the Wolverine as "loving".
"Marie, I know I said this a million times already
but… I'm sorry for leaving ya kid. If I
could take back the last 6 months, just to see you again, I would."
"Logan,
stop it. You already apologized." Her
brown eyes met his. As if by instinct,
his hand passed through her hair, careful not to touch her lethal skin.
"But
Marie…"
"But
nothing. I understand. You had some things to work out. You're such a guilt-magnet!"
"Marie,
when that gas hit me, it burned. All I
could think about was one thing… getting back here, to you."
"Logan,
you don't have to say it…" Marie's heart was racing at a mile a minute. Was Logan going to finally say it? Did he
feel the same way as she did? Oh God,
this can't be happening – this is to good to be true, she thought.
"Yeah
I do darlin", Logan said as he took Marie's gloved hands into his and gently
pressed them against his chest. "Marie,
I love you." Even before the words got
out, the girl's mind went into sensory overload. In a flash of visions mixed
with fantasy, she could see the two of them living, loving, getting married,
raising a family, and growing old together… that is, until she heard and
processed Logan's next words. "I
love you more than a friend… you're like family (more than that, but how
much more?). I never had any, not
any I can remember. But from the very
first moment I saw you, talked to you…"
"Logan,
I love you too (more than you'll ever know)", Marie looked down at her
hands on his chest. She was trying to hide tears that threatened to roll down
her soft cheeks at any moment. Was this
how she pictured it? Logan, coming back
from his trip, pledging his love for her… but like a sister? She tried to put on her strongest face and
looked up. "I'm so glad you're back.
Waitin' for you was gettin' to be a drag…" A faint smile appeared on her face.
The
kid's being strong, Logan thought to himself.
He could sense her elation slowly turning into disappointment. I got to make my feelings clear to her. I can't lose her, and I don't want to push
her away while I sort things out either! "Marie, you are the most precious
thing in my life. You're my reason to
live." He squeezed her hands a little
tighter and noticed the girl's face brighten.
"I love you more than anyone or anything in this world, kid. I always will. I know that now."
Logan
was not prepared for the monster hug he received as his last words wafted into
the air. Marie rested her head on his
shoulder, and Logan stroked her hair, again being very careful. He was the only person in the mansion who
was not afraid of touching her. "Thank
You Logan", she whispered softly, and the two of them held that embrace for
what seemed like an eternity.
~~~~
Ororo sat in the rec room, staring at the television news
programs. She always took time off to
just to relax after a hard day's classes.
Those kids, bless their hearts, were a pain. A constant pain in the neck on days when she wasn't feeling
particularly chipper. But today was
worse. For the past 2 weeks, the kids
can speak of nothing but Logan's return, his adventures during the Big Bang
(which have grown to Legendary proportions), and all the rumors about he and
Marie. It doesn't help that he sits
with her at meals, treats her like a porcelain doll in the martial arts class,
and actually SMILES whenever she says his name. Anyhow, this is my time, she thought, just
relax and watch the…
"This is a CNN headline News Special Report. The scenes you are watching were shot live
just 15 minutes ago from a local news helicopter in the city of Dakota. As you can see, a large structure, believed
to be a tenement slum housing local drug dealing gangs, is being burned down to
the ground."
"Oh my Go…", uttered Ororo. It wasn't the burning building
that made her gasp. It was when the camera focused on a group of young men standing
outside the entrance. One if them
looked like he was glowing red or yellow. There looked like there were flames
on his hands. And then she almost
jumped out of her seat as she saw an arc of flames shoot out from his fists and
into the building. "A mutant!"
"From what we can make out, it looks like a band of
mutants has attacked this building. These attacks have been reported throughout
the city, but none has ever been captured on video. Since the days of the riots, rumors of super-powered mutant gang
members have been circulating, but none corroborated, perhaps until now. Wait it looks like there some more activity
on the ground…"
Ororo, and the rest of the nation, she imagined, watched in
shock as a young man in a leather baseball cap and shades emitted a blue
electrical glow. He floated up, halfway
between the ground and the helicopter, and
then pointed at the news camera.
A flash of electrical energy was the last thing the news camera caught
before it all turned to static. Ororo
was so entranced by the video images that she didn't acknowledge the
Professor's mental call-to-arms until he was practically screaming inside her
mind.
"ORORO!"
"Yes, Professor, I'm sorry. I was watching…"
"I know. We saw it too in the Ready Room. Please join me and the others up here as
soon as possible. We have a more
serious problem than we thought."
"Professor, how could these mutants attack, or even exist
without you being able to catch them first with Cerebro?"
"That's just it Storm… Cerebro doesn't detect them."
Next Chapter:
"First Contact"
The X-Men head back to
Dakota to investigate these mutants that can't be detected through
Cerebro. With Wolverine leading the
way, they meet up with Dakota's newest urban menace… face to face! Combat time! Let me know what you thought of it so far. Feedback makes me
write quicker!
