Disclaimer: Marvel owns all the characters and would never abuse them this way unless they were on THE DRUGS.

Author's Notes: This story follows events in 'Awakening' and 'Interlude at a Chepa Motel.'
Naturally, feedback is appreciated and can be sent to decadentmazohyst@yahoo.ca

The Politics of Mutancy
Chapter One - Stop, stop. Go.

Scott Summers was getting pretty used to being roused out of bed at ungodly hours of the night (or technically, morning) in order to fly cross-country on a private aircraft with the ultimate goal of beating some super-powered threat to a pulp.

That was, he decided as he stifled a yawn, pretty sick when you thought about it.

Storm had come knocking at his hotel room not half an hour ago with the news that the Professor had received an urgent telepathic message concerning the intentions of Magneto's private brute-squad. They were apparently planning to assassinate Senator Hull, the man Scott had been watching on the news earlier that same evening, and somehow this was also all tied up with the girl the professor had been intent on rescuing some months back. Scott didn't ask for clarification - some questions were better off left unasked. Like how the Professor had managed to charter a private jet at such short notice.

Telepathy probably had its advantages, Scott thought as he stretched his legs and wished to be back in bed.

"If I could have your attention, please," the Professor said. Scott felt his back tense automatically and willed himself to look calm.

"I'm very sorry to uproot you all so suddenly. I know you've all suffered a terrible shock, and the only thing any of us really wanted was rest." There were murmurs of agreement. Scott glanced quickly at the Brotherhood, who's been unusually silent thus far and found they were watching the Professor with guarded curiosity.

"As some of you already know, a few months ago I came into telepathic contact with a young woman. I knew that she was in great peril, but upon arriving at her home I found that we were too late and she was gone." The Professor paused, his eyes momentarily dark. "Last night the same girl appeared to me while I slept. She is with Magneto."

The Scarlet Witch hissed air through clenched teeth. Rogue gave her a sympathetic glance, and Scott was pleased to find that the plane did not shake itself apart.

"Magneto has told this young woman that she and the rest of his team are to murder Senator William Hull. She does not wish to do so, and has told me as much. It is her hope - and mine - that we can prevent this needless killing."

Lance cocked his head to one side, his brow furrowed. "But… that Hull guy hates mutants. Why should we help him?"

"We didn't ask for your help," Scott said before he could put a rein on his mouth.

The Professor ignored him and focused on Avalanche. "Hull, whatever his opinions, is a person like you or I. No one has the right to decide who lives or dies. And if he is assassinated, Hull's death will fuel the fire of anti-mutant feelings in this country. We must prove that we mean our human brethren no harm."

Lance appeared to be absorbing this. Wanda's eyes sought the Professor's and bored into them. "I will help you, if only to ruin my father's plans." She smiled. It wasn't pleasant. "He can't hide from me forever."

"We got your back, sugar-wumpus!" Toad declared. He realized that everyone was looking at him and shrank into his seat. "And y'know… I mean, youse X-Geeks did give us a place to stay."

Lance nodded. "Just try not to get in my way, okay Summers?" There was no real malice behind the words.

"You don't jeopardize any of my team, Alvers, and I think I can stand you being around."

Bobby Drake shook his head. "Who'd have thunk it…?" he muttered.

"Okay people," Scott said. Slipping easily into 'leader-mode.' "We need a plan of attack…"

* * *

Everything was grey outside, in the stealthy predawn sort of way. There was no sign of the Acolytes as Cyclops and the rest of the young mutants crept quickly forward toward the sprawling house at the end of the lawn. Jean was close to Scott and he stopped when she paused, her eyes closing and her fingers going to her temples.

*Scott,* she said telepathically. *I think they're already inside.*

"You think?" he whispered.

She frowned. *There's something else. Something… strange. I should be able to at least get a feel for how many there are and where but… it's like there's some sort of pulse drowning out their psi-prints. Like… a blinding light.*

Scott shrugged. "Well, whatever tricks they're using to hide themselves aren't going to help them. Jean, you're coming inside with me. The rest of you-"

At that moment a hulking figure came rushing out of the shadow cast by the house, glinting in the half-light and snarling in a foreign language. Colossus. Eerily quick for his bulk, the Blob lunged forward and caught the Russian head-on. The two figures grappled on the lawn, but were oddly silent save for the occasional grunt. Scott darted past, Jean and Kurt right behind him.

"Should we help?" Wanda asked Lance, who was standing a good distance from the battle and doing a good job of looking casual about it.

"Nah. You and me, we're here for other reasons…"

The Blob stopped suddenly, grinning. Before him Colossus stood frozen to the spot by a thick layer of ice. "Thanks, kid," he said.

Bobby Drake tipped an imaginary hat. "No problem. Just promise I can hide behind you if he breaks out of there too fast!"

Inside the house, Jean stopped mid-run. "Oh my god," she said. "Kurt! You have to get the Senator out of the house! Something's about to happen."

"Jean," Kurt said.

"NOW!"

Kurt bamfed.

Then the upper half of the house exploded.

Man do I wish I were back in bed, Scott thought.

* * *

This chapter was short, I know, but it refused to mesh with the next.