Chapter 9        

            Almost a year has passed since Scott's departure, and after a while, things settled back into a normal routine at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. Jean Grey, Angel, Rogue, Remy, Kurt and Kitty found themselves watching news as it televised another report on mysterious 'kidnappings' by an unknown group of mutant hunters.

"Earlier today, there has been a report that another mutant have been kidnapped in the West coast area. This adds to a total of 21 kidnappings so far. What makes this even more strange is the fact that 10 of the mutants have been returned safely home, stating that the mysterious group, which called themselves 'X-Factor,' just wanted to help and were actually really friendly...."

"Wow, this sounds serious. You think that we should, like, check it out?"

"I don't know about that Kitty. They seem to be pretty powerful to pull off something like that, and from the report of the 10 returned mutants, there might be a telepath amongst them as well."

"Not'ing dat Gambit can't handle."

"Shut yoah trap, swamp-rat, before Ah shut it fo' yah."

"Of more news on the mutant issue," the news reporter continued, "the FOH or Friends of Humanity would like to inform all mutants that they should register themselves in one of their many headquarters so that they can help them control their powers...."

"Bullshit," came a gruff voice from the doorway. Six heads turned around and saw Wolverine with Professor Xavier standing by the doorway. "Yes, this is a serious problem. We need more information on this. Jean, gather all the X-men in the Planning room immediately."

"Professor, vhat avhout the kidnappings?"

"Don't worry about it Kurt. I'm sure the everything's just fine." The others exchanged confused glances before walking out of the Rec Room.

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            In California, Scott Summers gathered X-Factor in the Briefing Room after receiving news of the FOH Mutant Registration issue.

"X-Factor, we have just received orders for another mission. The Friends of Humanity have invited mutants to register themselves so that they can be 'helped,' but the most likely reason is probably so that they'll be able to track us more easily. We are tasked with a recon mission, and will be sending one operative into their Registration building. Betsy, because of your telepathy and talent in stealth and hand-to-hand combat, I have picked you to infiltrate the facility and gather information on why they want mutant data so badly.

"Your callsign is Psylocke. Blink will port you there immediately. Here's your image inducer – good luck." As an afterthought, he added with an impish smile, "Everyone else, to the Danger Room."

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            "Because of the nature of this mission, we will only send one member of the X-men to carry out reconnaissance. Angel, because of your background and your social skills, we have tasked you with this important responsibility. You will be posing as yourself, a wealthy business man who just happens to take an interest in the FOH. You will leave immediately on-board the X-jet."

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            Pyslocke easily evaded the advanced security systems of the Mutant Registration office. Prior to the mission, she had studied the blueprints provided by X-Factor, till the point she knew the building like the back of her hand. The perimeter was guarded by barbed wire pulsing with electrical currents. With her ninja training, she easily jumped over it. She then proceeded to the observation tower, taking out the guards and disabling much of the security in the process. Turning on her image inducer, she carefully made her way to the main computer room. After hacking the network, Betsy accessed some files, and what met her eyes made her gasp in astonishment.

~We had our suspicions, but this .... goes beyond anything that we ever thought of. Their actually going to....~

Just then, the doorknob turned. Quickly, Betsy jumped to the ceiling and clung on to it. A tall, blond man walked in. Closing the door quietly behind him, he made his way to the monitors.

Finding the computer already on, Warren was shocked at what he saw, before wondering why the files were opened in the first place. Suddenly, he was knocked off his feet, flat on his back. Looking up, he saw a beautiful Asian girl with dark purple hair. Some kind of glowing blade radiated from her hand, which she pointed at his throat.

            Realizing that she was a mutant, Warren held up his hands in defeat. "Whoa whoa! Easy! I'm also a mutant," he said, getting up.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

At that moment, three heavily armed soldiers burst through the doors and took aim at them with their laser rifles.

"Freeze! You are under arrest! Do not resist!"

            Thinking quickly, Psylocke grabbed Warren's arm and twisted it. He screamed out in pain as she pulled him in front of her as a shield. "Stay back if you want him alive!" Her actions had the desired affect; the men took Warren for the victim and focused on her.

"My name's Betsy," she whispered beside his ear before kicking him into her pursuers. Dodging the bursts of blue light, she jumped out the window and instantly disappeared.

~Wow~ Warren thought, as he sat there, staring at the open window. ~Wow....~

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"Are you sure of this?" inquired Professor Xavier.

"I'm positive. The main reason why the FOH is encouraging the registration of mutants is so that a project undertaken by some Bolivar Trask can be improved. When I accessed the files, there was already an extensive database that held very detailed information about some mutants, such as powers, ability, relatives, etc." Angel declared. He left out the part about Betsy – he didn't think it was important.

"This is not good, Charles," Wolverine stated, thoughtful. "If Trask is using that information for what I suspect...."

"You're absolutely right, Logan. I'm afraid we have no choice but to destroy those records. Gather the X-men in the Planning Room immediately." He dismissed them.

As Warren Worthington walked out of Xavier's study, he found himself reliving his encounter with Betsy. ~What a girl~

As he turned into another hall, he nearly bumped into Jean. "Oh Jean, I'm sorry. Can you get the others? The Prof wants us to report to the Planning Room."

"Uhhh, sure Warren," Jean had a strange look on her face. As Warren walked away, he didn't realize that he was broadcasting.

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            Inside an underground bunker, Dr. Bolivar Trask was working on expanding his Sentinel project when someone knocked on his door.

"Dr. Trask, there have been reports that a mutant has infiltrated the Mutant Registration Headquarters and accessed files linked to the Sentinel project." The files were supposed to upgrade the internal mutant database of the Sentinels, providing information such as height, weight, powers, relatives and abilities.

"Did they apprehend the mutant?" Trask demanded.

"No sir. Unfortunately, the mutant escaped before the main alert soldiers managed to lock down the area in time. Sir, if those files are destroyed -"

"I know very well the possible consequences," he interrupted. Pondering his thoughts, the doctor considered the possible course of action.

"Prepare all operational Sentinels on stand-by alert." With a salute, he was left alone again.

            Several minutes later, in the depths of the earth, thirty pairs of red eyes lit up the underground room as the Sentinels were activated.

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            Mr. Sinister found himself studying the files from the Mutant Registration office. With his shape-shifting ability, it wasn't hard to infiltrate the building at all, despite the added security.

            Bring up a new window, his eyes widened in surprise. Because of his nature, he wasn't a man to show any sentiment, but this went far beyond anything he had ever hoped for. To think that he finally found what he was searching for in the eleven years since he met Scott Summers in this little mud hole.

It was under his nose the whole time, and he chose to overlook it. The girl that Scott Summers fancied would be the final key to his freedom. And he fully intended to give Scott what he always wanted.

            Laughing maniacally, he left the room, the profile of Jean Grey still left on the computer screen. The stage was set, and everything was coming together perfectly.