Thanks again to Red Witch for the review. *grins* Yep, Cobra's come up with another genetically engineered killer, but this one's a bit different.
And thanks to L1701E for the review. As soon as I get my report done for Operating Systems, I'll head over to read your fics.
Good luck on the test, Epona! You know, I didn't even know that Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic were so different until I went looking for a Gaelic language dictionary. I kind of assumed they were pretty much the same thing.
RogueFanKC, thanks for the review! Glad you like the story so far. I don't know much about the characters from X-men: Evolution, but I've read all of Red Witch's stories so hopefully I don't butcher the characters too badly. Yep, Kit's empathic among other things and a mutant.
Title: Àrisaidh Seun
Author: Kris Ice
E-mail: wknightmare@yahoo.com
Kit wavered for a moment before sliding forward to help the taller man to his feet. He said nothing as he supported the older man. Together they hurried over the dark maw of the Tomahawk's side door.
"What the hell?" Lift Ticket squinted in the dark trying to make out the odd form heading toward them.
"What's wrong?" Wild Bill demanded, looking over at his co-pilot.
"Low Light's got a kid with him," the other flyboy replied.
"Say what?" The mustached Texan unbuckled long enough to look out the window to see the pair approaching the helicopter. "His mission didn't say anything about picking up anyone did it?"
"Not that I heard," Lift Ticket replied.
"He better have a hell of a good story to explain this," Wild Bill said, strapping himself back into his seat. "Better get out of here; he can explain when we get to safer territory."
"Who's the kid?" Flint asked, helping Low Light into the helicopter.
"Name's Kit," Low Light relied, letting the other man help him into a seat. "Saved my life."
"You sure he's safe?" Flint asked softly, watching as the boy hesitantly pulled himself up into the Tomahawk.
"He's safe," the blonde soldier said, leaning back in the seat as his CO started unwinding the ragged strips of Kit's shirt so he could examine the bullet hole in his thigh. He hissed softly in pain when Flint gently prodded the wound. "I trust him."
Kit stood in the hold of the Tomahawk unsure of what he should do. The man looking at Low Light's leg looked up at him after he rewrapped the wound with gauze.
"Sit down and strap in," he advised. "Alright, Wild Bill, let's get out of here," he shouted to the pilot, who let out a whoop as the helicopter lifted up off the ground.
Kit stumbled over to the seat across from Low Light and quickly fastened the harness. He watched as dark haired man strapped into the seat next to Low Light. He chewed on his bottom lip, unsure if he should say anything.
"I'm Flint," the man shouted after a long moment. "Low Light said you saved his life."
Kit shrugged. "He was hurt and I couldn't leave him there, they would've hurt him."
Low Light snorted. "They just about killed me."
Kit shook his head, the movement all but lost in the darkness of the hold. "The Night Vipers wouldn't have killed you. They were under orders to bring you to Mindbender."
When Flint raised an eyebrow in silent question, Kit explained. "I stole one of their radios. I got it from the stores so they never noticed that it was gone. It's in my pocket," he added. "I had it off earlier because I was afraid they'd hear it if someone called on that frequency."
Flint nodded, approving the boy's foresight. He glanced over to see how Low Light reacted to the boy's explanation and frowned in worry when he saw that the sniper had quietly passed out.
"He lost a lot of blood," Kit said, soft amber eyes watching the man he had befriended.
"We've got to get him back to the base, he needs a doctor." Flint watched the blonde man, fighting the urge to check his wound again. There was nothing he could do for him that he hadn't done already. Low Light would just have to hold on until they could get back to the PIT.
Kit hesitated, thinking for a moment before speaking again. "I'm a mutant."
Flint nodded. "I thought so. Your eyes are glowing."
Kit winced, he'd forgotten about that.
"We've got other mutants at the base," the dark haired man said, glancing over to check on Low Light again.
"He's OK," Kit said, trying to reassure the man. "He's stable."
"How can you tell?" Flint asked.
"I'm empathic," the young mutant explained. "I'd feel it if he wasn't alright."
"Is that all you are?" the soldier asked, sounding more curious then critical.
Kit shook his head. "I'm also telepathic and telekinetic."
:That's not all you are.:
:True, but he doesn't need to know that,: the young man silently replied. :He may not be as trustworthy as he seems.:
:He is, and you know it. You've already read him. : The silent voice snorted. : I'm not suggesting you tell him anything. I was just pointing out that you are far more then just that.:
:I know.: Kit closed his eyes, wondering for a moment if he had done the right thing by leaving with the Joe.
:You will be safer with them, and from what I've read in their minds they won't use you as an experiment,: the voice in his head pointed out.
Kit snorted, not quite believing, as he blinked his eyes open to find Flint regarding him curiously from across the way, completely oblivious to the conversation in the boy's skull. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
"I just asked if you were alright. Our medic will meet us at the landing field and he'll want to check you over."
"I'm fine," Kit said, a little too fast. "Just a little tired."
"Go ahead and get some sleep. It'll be a few hours before we get there. Don't worry, I'll wake you when we touch down."
He bit his lip before asking, "Do I have to see the medic?"
"It's for the best," Flint said, trying to reassure the boy. If he knew Cobra, the kid had probably seen far too much of the inside of a lab. "He'll just make sure you're all right and you're not carrying any illness or anything." And he can tell us just what Cobra did to you.
Kit closed his eyes, leaning back in the seat, trying to get comfortable. He hadn't slept much since he'd been on the run, but the racket kept him from doing much dozing. He had finally started to drift when Wild Bill called back to announce that they were almost there.
Lifeline raced out to the Tomahawk as soon as it set down, clambering on board without waiting for it to shut down. He knelt by Low Light's side and cut off the field dressing before cutting off the man's pant leg so he could examine the wound.
"It looks like a single shout, probably from a small hand weapon," Flint reported, unstrapping himself from his seat.
"The bullet appears to be lodged in the bone," the medic commented, glancing up at Flint. "Help me get him down on the gurney."
Flint nodded and between the two they managed to manhandle the wounded man down onto a gurney where the well trained medical team started working on him to set up an IV and blood bag. Lifeline shouted orders as they pushed him toward a waiting ambulance.
Kit hesitated, wanting to hurry after them, but unsure as to what he was supposed to do.
Flint looked up and gestured for the boy to follow them. "Come on, Lifeline can check you out after he gets done with Low Light." And this way, you know that he'll be ok.