Obstacles
Hey, Jazz, you up? Psyc asked hesitantly.
No, I'm not up. I'm talking in my sleep. I always talk telepathically in my sleep. Especially when it's a human I'm talking to! Jazz said her voice dripping sarcasm. Now that I got that out of my system, what'd you want?
I wanna go back to the Danger Room.
You wanna what! Are you insane, after what you went through last time? Jazz asked, knowing what went on because Psyc explained everything from Omega Red to her freezing.
Come on, go with me. It's a chance to sneak around the mansion and break some rules.
Why…do I hafta?
I need someone to run the computer.
Computer? Jazz said sitting up in bed. I'm in. What kind are we talking?
Ionow? Psyc replied.
It hadn't been hard for Psyc pluck the codes from Scott's mind, so access to the observation room was easy and from there even easier. When Jazz saw the computer, she stopped dead.
"Holy shit! Where'd they get this crap? S.H.I.E.L.D.? This is gonna be fun," she said sitting down and positioning her fingers over the control panel.
"So can you work it?"
"Hell ya. Just give me a few minutes. Well here's how you get into the room. Get your ass in there," not really paying attention.
Psyc left laughing.
She found the intercom switch and flipped it. "Okay, what exactly do you want?"
"As close as you can get to the training course," Psyc replied, her voice echoing in the observation room.
"You got it," and Jazz turned off the intercom. "Okay, find the files. Got the files. See the files. Now which file do I run. Who would work with an obstacle course? Logan probably. Choose the file. Run the files. Not working," Jazz mumbled to herself, examining the control panel and not finding an enter button, and getting slightly frustrated. "How the hell do I activate Logan 101?"
A female voice said, "Logan 101 activation in 10, 9…"
Jazz said to herself, "Cool, voice activation." She turned on the intercom. "Five seconds and counting. Ready or not, here it comes," and all hell broke loose.
When the program activated, Psyc looked at where the booth should've been and sent, You're the best.
That's what I'm told. Watch it, fool.
I got this. Psyc said ducking the metal spikes thrown at her from the door of the room and starting the course that looked like a metal hall with no top and sides she couldn't climb. Just play with your computer but don't stop the program. Oh, could you add a bit? This is lame.
Harder coming up.
Jazz started to look for a way to add a few surprises.
"This is so cool."
Then she must've pressed the right button because suddenly on the screen there was a map of the course and a list of options for you to drag anywhere, complete with diagrams and explanations.
"Do they think I'm an idiot? Oh, well," she shrugged and started pulling things onto the course.
This is going to be fun, Psyc thought as she ran through the course. All of a sudden, two spikes came out of the sides of the hall at about knee height that slammed together a second after she saw them and jumped out of the way. Then a rope appeared at neck height and one a foot after at knee height at about a second before she crossed the point, as if the computer thought it would take her by surprise.
"Aww, come on, Jazz is that the best you can do!"
Over the intercom, she heard, "Fine, they'll appear a lot faster but watch out, they aren't nice!"
Then a rope appeared stomach height and just as Psyc felt it she rolled over and nearly touched it but didn't and continued. A waterfall showed up ten feet in front of her and she thought to herself, I wonder how thick it is? Oh well, I'll just go on through.
It turned out to be about five feet of water pounding down on her, followed by a practically bottomless pool. It was about twenty feet long, but the trick was she couldn't see it until she dropped into it and then it was covered in ice so she couldn't go up for a breath. She also couldn't breathe in the waterfall so when she came up at the end of the pool of freezing water she was a tad cold, wet and out of breath. Instantly a two-foot flame shot up and inch in front of her that she had to jump. A clear spot ahead let her jog and catch her breath. That's when she saw the end of the room.
Okay, that's odd. How am I supposed to go through this piece of shit? Well, this is gonna hurt.
She dropped into a tuck-and-roll only to find a tunnel that went under what she thought was the end of the danger room.
As she was getting up, a spike slammed down where her head would've been if she hadn't seen it coming. Then there was a semi-traditional electrified, barbed wire net that tented in the middle so that it was the only spot high enough to go under, with a hole at the end that she guessed she had to go over also. She dived into her task but halfway through she realized that the wire was being squished. She looked behind her and saw a half-ton ball following her and gaining.
So that's what the hole was for. So this thing doesn't chase me through the entire course.
She was thinking of a plan to go over the hole because she saw it was too big to jump and, after all she still had some ways to go with the wire. She still hadn't come up with a way to get over it when about two feet away from it, it closed.
Hey, Jazz, no helping!
That wasn't me that was the computer! Besides, look there's another hole coming up for you to jump.
Jazz was right and before there was a maze of spears at different heights, coming out of the wall, that she would have to either jump or step over them.
Hey, spears. I can work with this.
After she went through, she grabbed the last one and used it to vault over the pit straight into a dummy she had to beat the crap out of in order for the computer to let her pass. It was also at the end of the hall and then she turned the corner only to have two spears be shot at her chest and three at her stomach. She dropped to the floor to avoid them. Then a giant spider showed up.
"Oops," Jazz said over the intercom and it disappeared.
She had to turn again and found rope strung across it for high stepping. It would've been fun but it seamed to go on for ages. Finally, she reached the end and it ended with a crossroads. Before she decided which way to go two scores of ninjas jumped out at her. When she tried to take them out all at once with her telepathy, the computer announced, freezing the program that only three could be taken out at a time. While she was taking them out by the three's as instructed, she also was engaging them in hand-to-hand combat.
When she was done with the ninjas, she had a choice, either to go the longer, seemingly safer path, or to go over a pit that covered the whole fifteen-foot hall before another crossroads. She decided to go over the shorter, and slightly more difficulty pit. As soon as she reached up for the rope that was hanging above it, grabbed hold and when she was too far, in her opinion, to go back, the rope started to break.
Oh, fuck. Well, I asked for a challenge.
When she was a little over halfway across, the rope broke and she fell, still hanging on to the rope, into the side of the pit. Then she started climbing when she realized that the rope was connected to the top of a ventilation shaft that she must have to crawl through.
Okay, this shouldn't be too hard, she thought as she climbed up into the shaft, and then she heard the telltale sound of hissing gas. She took a deep breath and thought, Don't ever say that again.
Just after about two minutes, when it was starting to become painful, the gas started to dissipate. Then the different sections started to rotate at the same speed, but at different times so there were holes between sections. When she was over three of the five sections, she felt the sections suddenly separate. She had time, however, to grab hold of the front of the section she was crossing. She swung down and kicked Creed, who had appeared right in front of her, knocking him back. She dropped down and saw a red, flashing button. She spared one look at the man ("Holy shit! He's over seven feet tall") and ran for the button. She hit it and the room reverted back to normal.
"That…was…one…wild ride," Psyc said gasping.
The next morning, they were the last to arrive at breakfast, and both were yawning.
"You two look like you up 'til half pas' four," Remy said with a smirk.
"Shut up, Remy," Psyc said, slightly whiny and laid her head down on the table.
"Let's head down to the Observation Room and have a look at the session, shall we?" Xavier said.
"But what about breakfast, you know the thing before lunch?" Jazz asked.
"I guess you should've been up earlier, then," Scott said, being the perfect teacher's pet.
"Ug," Jazz groaned.
Xavier looked at the computer and noticed that someone had been messing with it.
"It looks like someone has been here since the last time a program has been run. Computer, name the last program used."
"Program: Logan 101, stared 1:03 a.m., today."
Everyone looked at Logan, who stated, "Hey, I'm not the one who ran it."
"Um, listen to the name of the program, Logan, it's your program. No one can access it but you," Scott said, because he liked to state the obvious.
"Let's view it, shall we, and see what his time was like," Jean said.
The program started and as the figure came on the screen Jazz said, "Nice curves, bro, when'd you get those?"
He just growled and stared at the screen. As a matter of fact, everyone stared at the screen.
"Oh, shit," Psyc muttered, "I'm dead."
They watched the nearly thirty minute program and when it was over, they all started.
Finally, Scott broke the silence, "Well, at least you're not perfect, after all, you did hit the wall."
"Actually, Scott, the rope is supposed to break when you've covered about 60 of the rope. I set it up that way," Logan stated, "but some of the other shit in there wasn't mine. How'd you do that, kid?"
"I don't do computers much, unless it's the Internet," Psyc said. "You must've made the changes and don't remember, you know."
"Computer, when were the last changes to Logan 101 made?"
"That information is classified. Access code needed."
He looked over at Xavier, "What access code?"
Jazz stood up and said, "Computer, access changes for Logan 101 code: Omega 115 Minis."
"Access granted. Last change to Logan 101 made at 1:25 a.m. today." Everybody looked at her.
"So sue me, though you won't get much, I came with her," Jazz said to get them off her case.
"Shall we move on? Computer access yesterday's program records."
"Access code required."
Everybody looked at Jazz.
"Did I forget to mention that?" she said and gave the code. "Did I also forget to mention that I don't like to be left out? And stay out of my mind ol' man," she said rounding on Xavier. "I'll give you the codes when I'm good and fucking ready. Any questions? Actually, I'm impressed that you could make coffee this morning," she looked at Psyc, "Tag you're it," she muttered.
"Jasmin, Psyc, please come with me to the War Room."
"Jasmin, you will release control of the computer systems, immediately."
"Really? I must check my schedule. It doesn't seam to be on there."
"Jasmin…"
"Yeees…"
"PSYC, REMY!" Sherry yelled.
You gotta admit, she tends to have great timing, Psyc said turning to leave.
No I don't. This only gets you out of the lecture!
"Psyc, I do believe Remy can handle this. Sit down," Xavier said calmly.
"Shit," Psyc said, sitting again next to Jazz.
"Now, what was that about?"
"Just to prove I could," Psyc said smiling, "Or rather we could. After all, she took control of the computer."
"And I'm not giving it back," Jazz said and got up to leave. "I'm ditching your 'meeting'," and with that she walked out the door.
Xavier sighed. "I'd better get Hank to break the codes. It's hard to train when the room is closed to us."
"Does that mean I can go now?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes, and Psyc, no one, except Logan, has made it through that course, as of yet, so don't be surprised if questions are thrown your way."
When they went into lunch, Bobby called, "So how much trouble you guys in?"
"Don't know," Jazz said, "I walked out before he could tell me," she turned to Psyc, "So how much trouble are we in?"
"Didn't tell me anything, he just told me to go."
"Cool," Jazz said, as they got their food.
"How did you make it through?" Peter asked, because he was the one who had made it the farthest in that particular course.
"It was easy," Psyc said, "Even after Jazz made it harder."
"Keep talking and next time it'll be lava instead of water," Jazz replied, eating army style…eat now, taste later.
Bobby asked, "Where'd you learn that on the streets?"
Remy told him before Psyc could answer, "You lea'n lo's on de stree' bu' no' tha' mush."
"It's no big. My dad was in a group more highly trained then the S.E.A.L."
"So your dad taught you?" asked Ororo.
"Him and everyone else on his squad. They had me on the training fields before I could walk. Add that to seven years on the streets with Jazz and you got me."
"What's Jazz got to do with it?" Jean asked.
"They taught me a lot about tracking, camouflage, and weapons, by the time I was seven I had reached expert marksman status. But they don't get to in to hand-to-hand and what you do get…well, tends to be from bar fights or fights with people in your squad. That's where Jazz comes in handy. She knows a shit-load of different types of martial arts."
Jazz perked up and stopped eating, at the mention of someone and martial arts, "Martial arts? What about them? Who?"
"You," Psyc said simply.
"Oh," and she went back to stuffing her face.
Everyone laughed.
"She alway' like dis?" Gambit asked.
"Pretty much. She missed breakfast," Psyc said laughing and nodding her head as if it was a known fact.
Jazz perked up again, "Breakfast?"
That night, Psyc decided she was tired of being couped up inside.
"Jazz, cover for me," she said, as she stepped onto their balcony and straddled the rail.
"K," Jazz muttered. "But you're insane for doing this."
Psyc laughed quietly, then swung the other leg over the rail. They were two stories up, but there was a tree right by the balcony so she grabbed the nearest branch and climbed down. She dropped the last few feet and landed in a crouch.
As she straightened up, she heard someone behind her say, "If Remy din' no be'er 'e say you go looking for troub'e."
"What? It's not like you haven't snuck out, after all, you're here, too. Go back to bed!"
"All righ' jus' thought Remy migh' talk y' out of some more troub'e," he turned to leave.
He hadn't gone mote then a few steps when she called, "Remy wait!"
When he turned around, she was directly behind him. She stood on her toes and planted a quick kiss on his lips, whispering, "Good luck." She stepped back, turned around and started walking in the opposite direction.
"Whe'e y' gon'!" he called in a stage whisper.
She through him a grin over her shoulder. "What I came out here to do in the first place of course," she told him with a laugh.
"Well, if yo' jus' gon' leave like tha', a' leas' tell me wha' it was 'bout."
"You'll find out tomorrow I promise," and with that she disappeared into the stables
The next morning, during the time when Xavier always met with Sherry, Psyc stood up just as he projected, Everybody I would like to speak to you in the library.
When they got there he had them all arrange themselves around the table that was still littered with Sherry's schoolbooks.
"I realize," he began, "That some of you have only been here for little over a week. But we have a job to do."
"Professor!" Scott said pointedly looking at Sherry.
"It's all right Scott. While she is indeed to young to go no any missions, she does live here and there for has a right to know what is going on. As I was saying, we have a job to do. Actually two of them. Both are under cover and will last for a time. Cyclops, you Beast, Storm, Marvel Girl, and Colossus will be going to Germany, to help get a mutant that we ran into in Weapon X out of some trouble. You leave immediately, on the Blackbird."
After they had left the room he continued, "Wolverine, you Jazz, Psyc, Gambit and Iceman are going to go to Miami and infiltrate the mutant hate group located there called Friends of Humanity. Questions?"
"You're gonna leave me alone again aren't you?" Sherry said quietly not looking at anyone but they all knew she meant Psyc and Gambit.
Psyc and Gambit looked at each other sadly. Gambit because he knew that if Xavier told them to go they pretty much had no choice. Psyc because she had been expecting this and knew what she had to do.
"Professor," she began, "I think I should stay here. I know it would be splitting up the team, but I could use the time they're gone to work with Sherry and make it where she can stand to have us gone with nothing more then a couple of phone calls a week." And you owe me BIG for this. She added silently to Jazz.
"Agreed." Xavier said after a moment's consideration
"Wait a minute," Logan said, "you send the obvious mutant to infiltrate a mutant hate group and make the normal looking one behind?"
"Not exactly," Xavier explained, "after our encounter with Weapon X we found a spray that they had designed. It was made for just this reason so their operatives could infiltrate without being noticed, it can be used twice every twenty-four hours and will last for five hours with each use. It will make Gambits eyes look normal that duration of time."
"Right so when do we leave?" Logan asked.
"You, too, will be leaving immediately, but you will have to take normal transportation."
Forty-five minutes and many good buys latter it was just Psyc, the Prof., and Sherry.
"Well," she said looking down at the little girl, "Let's get started. First things first, we need cell phones."
The little girls face lit up and Psyc easily read what she was thinking: cell phones were things that only older, more mature people got and if Psyc was trusting her with one then she must think she was old enough to be on her own, even if being alone scared her she was going to work her hardest so that Psyc didn't change her mind and take it away.
Psyc laughed, "Let's go. I'll even let you pick out your own. Now the question is: Scott's car…or Logan's bike?"
"The bike!" Sherry exclaimed. She had begged anyone and everyone for rides ever since her initial trip to the mansion. She had even gone so far as to quietly and VERY politely ask Logan if he would take her. The child's love for the bike seemed to have put her in his good graces. Now if only we could get Jazz to like her Psyc thought
"Well," Logan said, as they pulled up outside the 'Moon Beam Resort', "This is it. Now the prof. was only able to get us two rooms so we'll have to share. Remy, you and Bobby get one room. Me and Jazz will be in the other."
Great, Jazz thought, I'm stuck in a room with him for however long we're here.
The next two months was all the same. Meeting after meeting, all based around the same thing: eliminating the mutants. One thing was happening that Jazz could not complain about, Remy was finally paying attention to her and it wasn't just to tell her she was being a bad influence or to glare at her for what ever her latest slip was that scared Sherry. In fact it was no longer strange to see them laughing and joking together. But then one-day things suddenly changed.
Two months latter
"...See wha'd I tell you?" Psyc asked "I've been gone for how long now?"
"Two weeks," Sherry told her "and this time I only called you every third day. Is that good?"
"Yes that's very good." Psyc told her "I'll be home in about thirty minutes. Okay?"
"K then I'll un-lock the door for you. I'm the only one home right now. The Professor had to go to some meeting."
"That's fine I'll see you in a few," Psyc was smiling when she hung up the phone. Sherry has no idea what it meant that she had stayed home alone and waited for Psyc to call instead of calling her. Well, she thought, at least I know I won't have to stay home for the next mission.
When Psyc got to the mansion it was un-locked just like Sherry said it would be, with one small problem, there was no Sherry.
At first Psyc thought Sherry was playing a game, so she spent the better part of the afternoon scouring the grounds looking for her. Finally, she got tired of it and went back to the entranceway. She took out her phone and dialed Sherry's number, to her surprise she heard it ring, and it kept ringing. Curious she followed the sound, and found it lying behind the vase at the top of the stairs.
"Oh, no," she said then dialed the number to the Moon Beam Resort.
"I'll get it," Jazz called over the music, "Road kill café, you kill 'em we grill 'em," Remy heard her say when she answered the phone.
"Jazz!" Psyc yelled on the other end, "I need to talk to Remy! NOW!"
"Alright! Here he is," she handed the phone to him and left the room.
"We have a problem!" Psyc said without preamble "She's gone"
"Who?" Remy asked, as it was obvious Psyc was in hysterics.
"Sherry! I called her to tell her I was on my way home, and she said she would unlock the door so I could get in, but when I got there I couldn't find her. At first I thought she was playing hid-n-seek, but when I got tired of looking and called her phone I found it at the top of the stairs, behind the vase."
"So she hid it the'e an' forgo' it, tha' no' tha' big a deal." Remy said.
"No, you don't get it. She never lets the thing out of her sight. She sleeps with it for crying out loud!" Psyc had gone past hysterics and was now completely calm, as if nothing mattered any more, and Remy knew that was a bad thing. "So believe me when..." but he didn't wait to hear the rest. He dropped the phone not bothering to hang it up, grabbed his coat and started for the door.
Jazz heard the door slam and wondered if her brother was home early. When she saw the phone, it was obvious who had slammed the door. "Hello? Psyc waz up?" she asked.
"Sherry's disappeared," was the calm response right before the other girl hung up the phone.
Great, Jazz thought why do I even try? One thing happens to her and he can't even be bothered to tell me what happened. He just storms off.
With a sigh she scribbled a quick note to her brother then followed him.
Lar'as zageratin' Remy told himself Remy'll ge' the'e an' it'll all 'ave been a mi'take.
He knew he was trying to fool himself. Lar wouldn't have called if she hadn't been sure, but the thought that some one had taken her again was too much. Just then his thoughts where interrupted by a vehicle pulling up beside him, it was the one Logan had rented.
"It'll be faster this way." Jazz said when she opened the door. Remy climbed inside and Jazz floored it.
It took them two days to get back to the mansion. When they got there Larla was gone.
Please reveiw. Any comments welcome.