Note
from the writer! ~~~ Hey all, A second chapter! Who would have
thought?! And it's longer. I want to send thanks out to Lamie for
the wonderful review! This chapter is dedicated to you!
The brow of Professor Charles Xavier rose slightly, which meant one of two
things. Either something of great interest had caught his attention, or he'd
just heard of Kurt's latest prank. Finger running over the keys of the computer
controls, his attention focused on the screen in front of him, it soon became
obvious for which reason that
eyebrow rose.
Something had indeed caught his attention.
At first he thought it might have been a glitch in Cerebro's system. An echo from past signals. It was a weak one, bouncing up on
the computer screen and then vanishing. He had performed diagnostic after
diagnostic on the coding, the mechanics, and the software, only to find they
were still in order. That could only mean one thing. Somewhere, out in the
world, a mutant, a teenage boy (if he was correct) had employed his mutation.
The signal was indeed authentic, but why had it been so erratic, so faint?
A hiss echoed throughout the chamber as the door from behind slid apart,
spreading the shadow of a bodily form into the room. Casting a sideways glance
toward the figure, Xavier slid the helmet from his head, placing the delicate
instrument atop the bust.
"What's on your mind?"
It was the voice of Logan. Charles took a moment to scan the screen once more before answering,
that eyebrow of his remaining arched at the situation at hand.
"That supposed glitch in the system is starting to form into somewhat of
an actual occurrence," he answered as he wheeled away from the computer,
his mechanical wheelchair taking a few seconds to spin him around to face his
colleague. "As weak as the signal is, I do believe it to be true to its
nature."
"So, we got ourselves another recruit?" The gruff man said, his arms
crossing over his chest. It had been a little too quiet for Logan's taste and, as much as he hated to admit it,
he was very similar to the kids when it came to life being quiet. He was tired
of it. Though the thought of putting himself into a dangerous situation was
somewhat of
an entertaining thought, he hated what could happen to the kids. they weren't as experienced as he.
"Perhaps."
The way Chuck said it produced a questioning look upon Logan's face. Not only could he smell the worry
flowing from the Professor, he could read it in the man's eyes. Something about
the reading was troubling him.
Charles looked once more toward the screen, his frown deepening as he noticed
the signal's location hadn't changed.
"The teenage boy's weak signal only means that the full mutation hasn't
emerged. I can only guess that's the reason why the reading was barely audible,
but that is not what I'm worried about." Xavier paused at this point, his
hand running below his chin, his mind sorting his thoughts into order.
"With the news of mutants being discovered, you are aware of the number of
enemies we have formed."
A growl signified that Logan knew precisely what he meant. The Friends of Humanity being at the top
of that list.
"I have been keeping a close eye on these groups, and I'm afraid that
destiny hasn't picked a logical spot for this boy's mutation to activate."
He continued as he moved from the room, Logan following at his side. "The
Shepherds of God's Lambs are in that town."
The halls leading to the Cerebro were silent at this point in the evening, though, it usually was vacant from all students at all times. The echo of Logan's footsteps the only real noise, minus the hum of the wheelchair. The men both had grown silent at this time; both lost in their own thought. Logan soon cast off the silence.
"Let me guess. A group of religious nuts?" Logan questioned. The nodding of Xavier's head
provoked another growl to escape Logan's throat. "Ain't destiny a bitch? So, how
bad are these guys?"
"Rallies in front of the Capitol Building, a few words tossed our way, but mediocre compared to some of the
other groups. I fear that is only because an opportunity hasn't arisen yet for
them to strike." They moved into the elevator now, the light hum
resonating as it rose. "We must be careful."
"Small group consisting of Scott and me?" Logan suggested, his voice
now neutral of all emotion, though the tensing of his muscles showed Xavier the
fury that dwelled inside him. Logan appeared to have a personal vendetta against
these sorts of groups. Xavier presumed the feeling came from his capture by the
Friends of Humanity.
"Actually, I'd prefer for Jean to go also." And with that, the
conversation ended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You're, like, so lucky!" Exclaimed the enthusiastic voice of Kitty
Pryde as she trailed behind Scott and Jean at the end of the school day. The
two glanced at each other, a smirk lining Scott's lips. He gave a light shrug
as they walked toward his car.
"I mean, you are, like, going to be able to leave this town for a little!
It's been so boring. I mean, me and Kurt were planning-" This was the
point when anyone that knew Kitty for more than five minutes tuned out her
voice.
Unlike Kitty, Scott had been told every detail of the situation at hand, and he
knew that it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. True, as long as they
didn't reveal their abilities to the townspeople, they would be fine. This kid
though. He already demonstrated some capabilities when his mutation manifested.
With practically the entire town taking part in this anti-mutant assembly, it
would be a challenge to protect him and convince his parents that he wasn't
what they thought.
Ignorance is
bliss.
At that moment, the pleasant voice of Jean Grey filled his mind. Casting a
glance toward the local telepath, her face an emotionless façade and her eyes
staring straight ahead, he gave a quick nod as Kitty continued going on behind
them.
"So, then I'm like, 'Lance, you freak' and-"
This new kid
might be a member of Shepard's of God's Lambs himself.
"That's what I'm afraid of," he whispered back, his hands slipping
into his jeans to retrieve his keys. "I'd prefer more members going."
The Professor
doesn't want to make any heads turn - oh, and speaking of which, I do believe
I'll be walking back today.
Quickly, he tossed a glance toward Jean as the last part of her message echoed
throughout his mind, his eyebrow rising in question (A habit he formed from the
Professor).
"You're walking?" He asked as the redhead began trekking away from
the two. "Why would you-" Scott stopped in mid-sentence, the horror
suddenly emerging on his face.
"So! I have a week until my next try at my license!" Kitty squealed
in delight as her arm hooked around Scott's, a smile spread over her petite
lips. "Third time's a charm! Let's go!"
"Jean!" he screamed as he was dragged to his car, his keys wrenched away by the adolesent. His only response was a quick wave, followed by a mischievous giggle.
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I just wanted to thank Darcy for all the help she's done with her
editing! Tikia!
