A Meeting With Hawk

After they had been shown around the base and seen their quarters, the adult members of the team went to Hawk's office. Inside were Roadblock, Hawk and two other Joes. One was a blond man in a green uniform and the other was a dark haired man in a red medic's uniform with green sunglasses.

"Come in please," Hawk motioned for Ororo and Logan to sit. "I'd like you to meet Lifeline and Psyche-Out. Psyche here is our resident shrink and Lifeline is our head medic." The pleasantries were quickly yet politely dispersed with. "Well Professor I take it you have some concerns you wanted to discuss."

"Well that is putting it mildly," Xavier said. "You did place several operatives in the high school to spy on us. Then again, after what I've seen with Cobra, maybe it was just as well. I just wish you consulted me first."

"Couldn't risk it at the time," Hawk told him. "We weren't exactly sure whose side you were on."

"Well that's reassuring," Xavier frowned.

"I know you still have some reservations about us," Hawk told him. "Quite frankly I don't blame you. But we both believe in a better future where mutants and humans can work together. We all want a better future for the kids."

"Speaking of kids, what's the story with Toad?" Logan asked.

"My unit was on patrol," Roadblock told him. "We found him. We couldn't let him die in that swamp so we brought him back here and took him in."

"And what are your intentions for Toad?" Ororo asked.

"The same intentions you have for your X-Men," Lifeline replied. "His progress is going well, not just his fighting abilities, but his emotional well being as well."

"The kid's been working through a world of hurt," Psyche-Out explained. "He still has a ways to go, but he's getting there."

"Why didn't you call me?" Xavier asked.

"Two reasons," Roadblock replied. "First, he didn't want to see you. Secondly he's safer here. Mystique threatened his life. Quite frankly, we didn't think you could protect him."

"Now just a minute," Xavier was starting to get a bit miffed. "My school is designed to help mutants. My students know how to handle difficult situations."

"With all due respect sir, your students don't know anything!" Roadblock snapped. "You have no idea how much danger that kid was in. Lifeline, show them."

Lifeline took out a file and hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Go on," Roadblock said.

Lifeline did so. "As you can see, these were taken shortly after we found him," He explained about the photographs. "His injuries were quite extensive."

Storm's face grew pale. "Goddess…"

"Mystique did that," Roadblock said with cold eyes. "He was unconscious for a week. He nearly died."

" I knew she was a threat," Xavier said softly. "But I had no idea. I never dreamed she could do something like this!"

"Believe it," Roadblock told him. "And she's done a lot worse to some other mutants that weren't as lucky."

"Now you understand our concerns," Hawk said.

"I knew I should have taken her out when I had the chance," Logan snarled.

"She's done a lot worse than this," Hawk said. "We learned that she's been in several mutant experimentation operations with Magneto. One place was disguised as an orphanage. Toad was there as well. When he was younger, he was subjected to such terrible experiments that his mind blocked out his memories when he escaped. He's only just remembered them now."

"My god," Xavier rubbed his forehead. "I knew he was bitter and twisted with hate. But I had no idea the depths Magneto was willing to sink to in order to ensure mutant supremacy."

"Like it or not Professor, you need our help more than you realize," Hawk told him. "Do you have any idea how many lunatics there are that would love to get their hands on a mutant for experimentation? Cobra is only the tip of the iceberg. A big tip, but there are many more! I can name at least two dozen organizations that are more than aware of your school. Terrorist groups, renegade spy agencies, foreign powers, billionaires who want to find ways of making more money, not to mention the odd nutball scientist whose idea of a good time is to splice up mutants into tiny pieces…"

"I get the picture," Xavier said.

"Have you ever heard of the Jugglers?" Hawk asked.

"No," Xavier shook his head.

"I have," Logan said. "Supposedly they're supposed to be the real power players in Washington. But I thought it was a rumor. Even SHIELD doesn't know if they exist."

"They are real all right," Hawk told them. "Let's just say I know them very well. They are an elite group of generals from each branch of the armed forces. They are supposed to be a balancing agent within the government and military. However they are also not exactly the most altruistic group in the world. They're the ones who wanted us to watch over you and the X-Men."

"I don't like the sound of that," Logan frowned.

"Fortunately in the past few years there's been a shake up in the Juggler's ranks," Hawk smiled. "Some of the worst and most corrupt have been replaced by…well let's just say the less corrupt. True, they still want to use their position for money and power, but they also are very interested in preserving freedom. In fact, a few of them are what you might call pro mutant. Well, as pro mutant as you can get with that group. Suffice to say that they are more interested in creating alliances with mutants rather than enslaving them. It's more profitable for them."

"Why doesn't that reassure me?" Xavier muttered.

"I know," Hawk nodded. "Still you can't fully trust them. But don't worry, let's just say I made a little deal to keep them from coming after any mutants on our base. And to keep you safe as well."

"Blackmail huh?" Logan smiled.

"Bingo," Hawk smiled back. "That's another reason Toad's safer here."

"Toad's been under my care," Psyche Out explained. "This is the first time in a long while that he's had a real home. He's bonded with Roadblock. He sees this as a safe place. He's made great improvements, but he still needs individual attention."

"He does need help with his social skills," Lifeline said. "And so do the other kids on the base."

"There are other children here?" Xavier asked.

"Their father is a Joe," Hawk explained. "Their mother was a former Cobra agent that was subjected to mutating experiments. We've practically raised them in order to keep those kids safe from Cobra and anyone else that wants to hurt them. They're family here."

"That's why we're so protective of those kids," Roadblock explained. "When we found Toad and took him in, well it we kind of got attached to him as well."

Xavier looked at Roadblock. "You're very fond of the boy aren't you?"

Roadblock shrugged. "Hey, he's not that bad. Just needs somebody to keep his froggy butt outta trouble twenty-four seven that's all. I mean let's face it, his social skills need serious upgrading, not to mention he's a trouble magnet. Gets into more trouble with that tongue of his than a dog at a cat show."

Xavier and Hawk both gave him knowing looks. "All right you got me!" Roadblock threw up his hands. "I've more than gotten used to him. The little tadpole grew on me. You didn't see how hurt and helpless he was when we found him. He was scared of his own shadow…" Roadblock went silent. "I promised myself that I'd raise that boy as if he were my very own and I intend to keep it."

"I guess I can understand that," Xavier said. "So what happens now?"

"Well tonight we've decided to put together a little get together," Lifeline said. "A barbecue so that the kids will get to know each other better. Tomorrow we can start training. But we'd also like for you to bring the other students here as soon as possible so that they can start training."

"I've already called Hank back at the mansion," Xavier explained. "The others will be here in a few days."

"I can help with Peter's recovery as well," Lifeline said. "We have a lot of recovery and therapy methods so he'll be on his feet in no time."

"Well that's good to know," Xavier said. "This might work out after all. We'll stay for at least two weeks. It shouldn't be that hard."

Not long after Xavier regretted saying those words.