We had heard that there was this weird rich guy out in the country who ran a school for mutants out of his mansion. Perks included free meals, free board within the mansion, and training that was supposed to help you learn to control your powers. It sounded a bit too good to be true to Suzie and I, however in the end we agreed to go and check it out, if only for the sake of pleasing Tash, and shutting her up. If we stayed, the only real difference would be that now I was mooching off of a complete stranger instead of my best friend.
Ok, I'll admit, attending a school did sound like a good idea. Tash and I hadn't seen the inside of a class room in over six months, and if you discounted the military training Suzie had received almost three years ago now, like security systems penetration, software hacking, hand to hand combat, and oh yeah, deadly weapons use, (Sheesh! What were those military goons thinking?) Suzie had never been to a school. Her parents had hired a tutor for her in her earlier days.
So we all needed an education. I wasn't really planning on mooching off of people for the rest of my life, even if that's what most artists did before they became famous (and until they committed suicide.) Tash, a practical genius in math and music, had her self-confidence destroyed when she'd been driven out of her small town home by small-minded mutant haters. She had recovered somewhat now, but I knew an impressed teacher, and a 90% grade average would help tremendously. As for Suzie, she was way too spoiled and used to getting everything she wanted easily. She was also prone to insane mood swings, and either scaring everyone she met, or treating them like dirt. (Ok, Ok, she never treated Tash and I like dirt, and she usually didn't scare us, usually.) I reasoned that a daily school routine, a strict teacher who didn't give grades easily, and a little peer pressure would at least mould her mind into some kind of shape. Anything was better than the volatile liquid that ruled that space now. But then this was Suzie, so I wasn't going to get my hopes up.
BaldGuyInTackyYellowFloatingChair: Your point is well taken Scott. I shall look into the possibility of recruiting some new students.
RedGlassesAndBlueSpandex: Thank you professor. I know it's not entirely urgent that we do so. However I think I speak for all of us when I say we could use a little help.
HairyOrneryMidgetInYellowSpendex: Well you're wrong Boy Scout, you don't speak for all of us. (Groans)
HalfNudeRedHead: That shoulder of yours could say otherwise. Are you sure you don't want me to look at it?
LongHairedFrenchGuyInTrenchCoat: 'E want you to look ah' evreithin' petit. 'E just too shy te say it?
HairyOrneryMidgetInYellowSpendex: Shuddup Cajun!
SouthernAccentInGreenSpandex: Shuddup Cajun. And jus fer the record, ah sure as hell would not mand a few more hands round here. That's the third time ah've had te run outta the shower at the bec'n call o magnito.
BlueFuzzBallInSpeedo: I agree with you completely Rogue. Until Storm, Marrow and Maggot get back, we are short handed.
LongHairedFrenchGuyInTrenchCoat: Who's short? Nah me. Dough I can't be speaking for all who're 'ere.
HairyOrneryMidgetInYellowSpendex: Shuddup Cajun!
The doors closed behind them again and we were all left in utter confusion. Suzie summed up all our thoughts in three words.
"What the fuck?" Then she added, "Get offa me!" quite intelligently summing up our next course of action the same way. I got to my feet and rubbed my poor shins while Tash and Suzie gazed around the hanger. I heard a light thumping noise as Suzie jumped the next three meters to the ground, landing in a perfect commando roll and summer-saulting to her feet. Tash landed neatly on all fours after diving off the wing head first, and I survived, which was lucky enough for me.
"Oh this is a really great freaking mess we've managed to get ourselves into this time!" Said Tash as she glared accusingly as Suzie. I just gaped at the jet.
"Well, look at the bright side," said Death, optimistically, "This place doesn't completely suck. They have beer. I could smell it on them." She smiled a sort-of, so there smirk and walked off towards the door with Tash glaring daggers into her back. She used her powers to open the door, stopping only long enough to say, "Mental link only from here on in." I nodded and so did Tash. Then we slipped through the door and entered the space on the other side. It scared me.
There were metal walls, everywhere, and as they gleamed coldly in the pale florescent light, I was instantly reminded of Suzie's brief descriptions of "the lab." I suddenly began to wonder what "recruiting new students" actually meant here.
"Perhaps we should not stick around to find out." I recognized Tash's brain pattern as she telepathically linked Suzie and I. Suzie didn't say anything, but a strange look began forming on her face, and I knew she was slowly loosing it. Best advice, leave now.
"There." Suzie pointed, indicating an elevator up to the main level. We followed as she opened the doors and let us in. Now the only problem was anybody who might be in the vicinity when we reached the top and opened the doors. Once they saw us we were good as toast, but luckily, we had developed a system to get around this.
Suzie let out one claw and sliced a hole in the ceiling of the car. We then boosted Tash, who was the smallest, up into the shaft so she could use her super hearing to scan the floor for any movement of any creature. In a few seconds, Tash jumped back down, gave us the all clear, and we were on our way.
However, little did we know that some members of this "school" have the annoying ability to float around wherever they go, without making so much as the sound of a pin drop. In this case, it was the southern one, Rogue I believe, who caught us off guard. She passed the elevator just as the doors opened, and Suzie, Tash and I had just enough time to dive into a closet across the hallway, before she looked back. Once again, we stood there, frozen in very uncomfortable positions, afraid to move in case one of us got propelled into the hallway, waiting for her to pass.
She didn't.
"Gambit!" she yelled.
"Jea Chere?" replied the Cajun whom I assumed was called Gambit.
"The damn elevator's on the blink again." She complained, "Look, the door's stuck open."
"Shit," Suzie link swore. We heard the doors shut and an electrical hum as the elevator went back down again. There was a gasp of surprise from the two onlookers.
"There it goes again!"
"Dat ting sure 'as a mind of it's own, non?" said the Cajun. " Eh 'ank [Hank], did jou see dat?"
"Did I see what Gambit?"
"The elevator's busted again!" said Rogue, "Look, now the bloody thing won't come back up again!" She pounded the button with her finger.
"Don't let it come up," I linked to Suzie, "the hole."
"I know," Suzie linked, sounding slightly pissed off. I guessed it was because my elbow was digging into her stomach at the time.
"Damnnit!" Rogue gave up.
"Odd," said Hank "perhaps it is blocked?"
"Well den," Gambit put what little brain he had to work, "let's open dis bean can up, Chere?"
"Ma pleasure!"
Tash and Suzie winced as a horrible metallic screeching sound came from across the hall. It took me a second to realize the woman was forcing the elevator doors open with her bare hands, easily! She stopped and the three of us listened with baited breath as a dead silence followed. Two seconds later it was broken by a whistle and Gambit's French accent.
"Damn those rats sure got big!"
Hank grabbed the intercom.
"Would all personnel please report to the main floor elevator".
"What is it Hank?" I recognized the voice. It was the square with the weird red glasses.
"We got intruders Scott, That's what!" Said Rogue.
"Intruders? Where?" I recognized the sandpaper voice of the midget.
"Ah dunno." Said Gambit, "Dey jus' cut a big 'ole in de elevator an left."
Suzie suddenly decided she'd had enough hide and seek. "Let's get outta here!" She linked, meaning she was ready to explode. I tried to calm her.
"Wait, let me think of a plan first!" I linked, and ignoring her profane, unhappy response I did. It wasn't the greatest of plans, but it hopefully wouldn't get anybody killed, on either their side or ours. I linked.
"Alright, I've got my laser on stun. When they open the door, I'll shoot them and give us some time to get out. We run like mad and jump out of the first window we see, all right? And no using our powers unless we have to. That way we can always save them as a surprise attack incase we get caught. Okay?"
Tash agreed and Suzie complained about hiding like cowards, but she was outvoted. I took aim.
Outside, it had become rather quiet. Someone began sniffing, and I held my breath. Slow, heavy steps began coming towards the closet. They stopped directly in front of the door. I heard a metallic "shink".
"Suzie!" I linked angrily "I said no powers, that includes claws!"
I was perfecting my aim on the
door when she linked me her answer.
"Those aren't mine!"
"What?" I said out loud, completely not understanding. I turned my head to look at my friend as the doors were ripped open by a hairy, short, muscular man whose eyebrows were so scrunched up in rage I couldn't see his eyes. He roared in my face, his putrid smoke filled breath filling my nostrils as I screamed in terror and fired out of sheer defense reflex. I sank to the back of the closet, too afraid to move.
The force of the shot had been enough however, and the hairy man fell backwards as Tash yelled, "GO" and sprinted forward. Suzie grabbed me by the wrist and yanked me out of the closet. We ran, Suzie almost dragging me down the hall.
I was doing ok, being dragged and all, until we reached the first corner. Then, in my state of non-balance I swung wide on Suzie's lead, playing crack the whip directly into a wall. The doors in all directions shook as I bounced off it and landed on my back, dizzy from the impact. When the stars cleared, I saw Gambit looming over me. He shook his head.
"Dat musta smart!"
I glared at him for a moment, and then sank back to the ground in defeat. I was caught, for now, at least until Tash and Suzie were free. I linked with my friends, hoping they would make it. Tash and Suzie ran on, knowing I could blow this place sky high once they were out of range.
I reached them as they turned
another corner, running parallel to each other as fast as they could. Using
Suzie's psychic ability, I could see what they saw, and use it to give them
advice. It seemed we might make it, when our transmission was suddenly
interrupted.
"Please do not resist us, we will do you no harm." The psychic waves flowed into my mind like an uninvited tranquillizer. I tried to shake them off, concentrating on my friends. Suzie was fine. Being a psychic herself, the drug had no effect on her. Tash however, was not, and she began to lag behind more and more as the assault on her mind persisted, the pursuers gaining with each step. She glanced behind, and through her mind, I saw the blue beast was almost upon her.
"Morph!" I yelled and linked at the same time. The blue beast dove at her in a tackle as she suddenly transformed into a sleek cheetah cat. She kicked out behind her as the beast's arms grabbed at her legs, scratching his face and breaking free. Then she raced forward with so much speed it seemed she might overtake Suzie again.
However as she passed an open hallway a red beam sideswiped her into a wall with a loud bang. I saw her vision blur, and then the link broke all together. Needless to say, Tash didn't land on all fours.
***
I snapped out of link world to see Gambit kneeling down beside me.
"Jou ok?" he asked, then " 'ow many fingers I got?" He held up five in front of my face, still holding my wrist with the other. I looked up at him and shook my head.
"Combien de doits?" I asked in French, "Un."
" 'Ey, jou speak French! Not bad peti..." he stopped as he realized I was holding my middle finger to his face. He glared at me, grabbed my wrists and dragged me to my feet. I couldn't help but smile. What a dumbass! I shook my head and passed back into the link with Suzie as the Cajun marched me down the hall with my arm twisted behind my back.
***
Suzie was, by now, way ahead of us. In my mind I saw her turn a sharp corner and head through a set of double doors. A large rec room lay beyond, with a big fireplace, and many large windows. She was about to dive through one, when she found her way blocked by a flying Rogue. She charged, putting all her weight into bursting through her and out of the mansion. It didn't work. Rogue easily grabbed Suzie's wrists, spun her around in mid air and then sent her flying into the stone fireplace. There was a sickening clank as her adamantium enforced skull hit the brickwork, and she crumpled slowly to the ground. Slowly, she staggered back up to her feet, only to be faced by that same hairy midget who had scared the crap out of me earlier. She looked at him a second, then, suddenly broke the link.
I came to only to find that my arm had become very sore. The Cajun was directing me down the halls and soon, I found myself in the same room as Suzie. Behind me, the blue beast and the guy with the glasses came in, dragging behind them a pissed off cheetah on a quickly made choke chain. I glared at them. Tash didn't like choke chains. I was about to say something when a metallic "shink" distracted my attention. I turned back to Suzie.
Her and the midget still hadn't
moved, they stood, staring at each other as the spectators filed in. Looking
around, she must have realized she was cornered. An eerie, wild look was
filling her eyes. I held my breath.
The midget looked around the
room, and decided he had the upper hand. He smirked.
I gaped at his foot long claws, six of them, protruding from his knuckles. In the light, they gleamed coldly, with the deadly aura of Suzie's self same adamantium blades. My mind whirled. They were the same, but how, and what did it mean?
Suzie continued to stare at them.
The crazy look in her eyes sobered slowly into a hard resolve as she pulled
herself up to her full height. Looking closely, a smile played on her lips, and
I realized I was looking at a serial killer in the making. In my mind, I begged
her not to lose it. My thoughts raced, trying to stop her from giving in to
that violent personality within.
"Well," said the midget, "You gonna give up?"
An empty, cold sound emitted from Suzie, which, to those who knew her, was to be recognized as a sadistic chuckle. Her face broke into an evil smile, and the midget, as well as everyone else, raised their eyebrows in confusion. However she didn't care about everyone else. Locking her eyes directly on the midget she wiped the rest of us away, giving us no more thought than she did to the paint on the wall. The laugher stopped and she held him in a cold steady gaze, which he returned, somewhat confused, but all the more wary and just as harsh. There was a heavy silence filling the room as the staring contest began. Suzie's voice sounded hollow as an ice cavern when she spoke.
"Well," she smiled, "at last we meet."
The midget raised his eyebrows, but didn't lose his cool.
"Do I know you?" he grunted in a voice dry and rough as sandpaper.
She considered for a moment, playing.
"Mmmmm, no," She concluded, "but I know you."
"Is that so?" he asked. He seemed to think she was bluffing. This amused her. "How?"
Triumph! I saw Suzie's smile widen into a full satisfied victory grin gone evil. The question was just the invitation she had been waiting for. She paused for effect, before laying her first bombshell.
Slowly and deliberately she curled her hands into fists, flexing her forearm muscles. One by one, her own claws cut through her skin, each giving off a loud, metallic "shink" as they came to their full length.
There were gasps of confusion and
awe from the spectators, especially the midget, who took a step black and
blinked in shock. I heard Frenchy whisper; "Mon Dieu!" and his jaw
hung open forming a perfect 'O.' Even I was had to admit it was very
impressive.
Suzie could barely control her pleasure at the crowd's reaction, but she wasn't finished. In the deadfall silence that followed, she spoke. A whisper like the north wind, that sent shivers up my spine.
"Weapon X." she smiled, "At last we meet."
(Then there was a commercial break because you know whenever there is a good part in a show or movie those losers at FUTV or wherever can only see the potential for profit and money so instead of letting you enjoy the show they have to degrade it's cultural and spiritual value by throwing in a commercial for that greasy birthplace of obesity known as Mac Donald's! Anyway, just so you know. Now back to the story.)
