Disclaimer - see previous chapters
A/N - sorry to anyone who was disappointed that this chapter took so incredibly long to write. Blame my Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fics if you must. At any rate, it's up now, and here to stay. Vivez des X-Men! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed thus far, I hope you enjoy this latest installment J
The Memory Remains
Chapter 7
----
Apathy their stepping stone
So unfeeling
Hidden deep animosity
So deceiving
Through your eyes their light burns
Hoping to find
Inquisition sinking you
With prying minds.
---Metallica "…And Justice for All"
----
Day was dawning in New York City and Alyson Blair was getting frustrated with her inability to get hold of anyone at the Xavier Institute. She had been calling repeatedly on her cell phone on the way over and now nobody was answering the buzzer at the gate. She was over-tired, irritated, and was now dangerously bordering on cranky. She had to be at the club again tonight - in what seemed to be only a few short hours - and didn't have any more time to wait. So she pulled out her cell phone (which she was really beginning to hate the sight of) and called the mansion's number.
"Hi, Scott, it's Alyson," she said when prompted. "This is about the fiftieth time I've called in the past few hours. I dunno where you guys are but I sure hope you get this message soon; I think it might be important.
"Last night when I was walking home I saw Lance again - always a thrill - but this time he was with Pyro and Toad," she frowned and scratched her forehead. "They were talking to, um, well I dunno who they were, but, let me just say they weren't exactly the type you'd see out in broad daylight, y'know? Two guys and a girl, minus the pizza place, and they were definitely mutants.
"One guy's skin was all purple and he had pink hair - we're talkin' serious fashion victim here. The other guy wore a purple coat and had pink hair too, and the girl...well, I knew bellbottoms were coming back but I didn't know they brought tie-dye mini-skirts with them," Alyson rolled her eyes as her fatigue began to take control of her sense of humour. "I'm hoping all this will mean something to you, because all I could think of was that the Brotherhood had decided to join the circus.
"Anyway, before I get cut off, they were talking and suddenly this white-" Alyson screwed up her face as she tried to think of the right word, "-portal opened up. I know, I thought I was seeing things too, until Lance and his buddies jumped in. And, I mean this is all speculation of course, but you remember Lance's face in the bar when you told him that Sasha chick was awake? I sure do, and he had the same one tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if they're already a couple of steps ahead of you guys. So, uh, watch your backs, okay?"
She clicked the phone off and sighed. "I need a vacation," she said as she ran her fingers through her short brown hair and started back home.
*
Clouds of dust curled into the air as the two mini-jets slowly descended into a fenced-in lot outside the large Department H Headquarters building situated in the remote wilderness of Northern Alberta. The engines hissed as they shut off and then three figures climbed out and surveyed their surroundings and the scenic beauty of the not-so-distant Rocky Mountains.
Wolverine pulled back his mask and deeply inhaled the crisp pre-dawn air. Jubilee and Morph came up on either side of him.
"You okay?" Jubilee asked him.
"Sure kid," he shrugged, his eyes locked on the bright full moon. "Just remembering the last time I was up this way...with Sabretooth, Maverick and Silver Fox..."
The door to the building opened as floodlights lit up the lot and snapped Wolverine out of his thoughts. Four figures came outside and approached the X-Men: the young Québeccer Northstar and his sister Aurora - AKA the Northern Lights, the pint-sized Puck, and Dr. Heather Hudson.
"Wolverine," Heather said when they were close enough. "I'm glad you came."
"Where's Sabretooth?" Wolverine immediately demanded.
Heather looked momentarily hurt but her expression quickly clouded and she straightened. "He's inside, and completely restrained. We're taking no chances."
"Finally doing something right."
"Yeah, now that we don't have to worry about keeping you under control, I imagine."
Wolverine and Heather glared at each other for the longest, most uncomfortable minute Morph ever knew and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He glanced from his old friend to the frowning members of Alpha Flight flanking Dr. Hudson before his gaze settled on Aurora. She was looking at him strangely as if pleading for him to do something, and he noticed the frown on her face was not of anger but of disappointment. Morph turned back to Wolverine and threw an elbow into his ribs.
"C'mon, Logan," he said without giving his friend a chance to react to the jab. "I wanna find out if the big guy's got any information we can beat out of him." He threw a look at Jubilee for her to follow and they went with Alpha Flight into Department H Headquarters. Wolverine and Heather brought up the rear without a word between them.
*
Moira MacTaggart and Banshee walked outside the Muir Island Research Facility as the Blackbird approached the landing pad, and soon Cyclops, Jean, Beast, Gambit and Storm joined them on the ground.
"We came as soon as we could, Moira," Jean said as Cyclops shook hands with Banshee. "I only hope it's soon enough."
"Considerin' who we're dealin' with, Jean, I donnah think there is a soon enough," Moira replied.
"Isn't that the truth?" Cyclops agreed. "As far as I'm concerned, the faster we find Velocity, the better."
"I completely agree w'ye, Cyclops," Moira nodded. "But ye mus' be careful. I believe her mind is confused an' she'll no' understand wha' is goin' on. In tha' state she may be e'en more dangerous than ye know."
"I'll keep that in mind," Cyclops said. "But right now our priority is to find Velocity before the Brotherhood does. Gambit, Storm," he turned to his teammates, "let's move out."
"Good luck, lad," Banshee said. "If ye're wantin' my advice, ye'll contact the Ferryman. The only way off this island -unless the lass used her powers- is by the Muir Island Ferry. William lives in the small town on the mainland coast. He's a good man, an' he'll help ye if he can."
"Thanks, Sean," Cyclops smiled appreciatively, and then he, Gambit and Storm reentered the Blackbird and soon they were gone.
Jean turned to Moira and Banshee. "We're anxious to help with Kevin, Moira, but if you don't mind, we haven't slept since you called last night."
"O' course, Jean," Moira smiled kindly. "I'll show ye and Hank to ye rooms."
Beast, after picking up his medical kit in preparation to follow his hosts into the facility, noticed a small frown cross Jean's face.
"Something troubling you, Jean?" he whispered.
Jean pursed her lips and then replied using telepathy. It may be just lack of sleep, Hank, but I cannot locate Rogue at the Neuherzl Monastery. I have been trying to reach her since we left.
Beast furrowed his bushy brow. "Perhaps after a rest your powers will be rejuvenated," he assured her. "I am certain it is nothing more than fatigue."
Many things can be said about the man known as Dr. Henry McCoy, but that he is a fool is not among them. Beast knew that, tired or not, there was no way the most powerful telepath on the planet should be unable to contact their teammate. Jean had been in Rogue's mind more than once; it was not possible for the Southern Belle to elude the redhead's detection if she knew where to find her. Therefore, only one explanation was possible: Rogue was no longer at Neuherzl.
My thoughts exactly, Jean told him.
*
"No answer," Toad muttered as he snapped shut his cell phone. "Freddy must still be in the kip - what time is it?"
Lance looked around for a clock and eventually located one inside the window of a nearby building. "Bit past ten."
"So it's only 'bout five back home," Toad shrugged as he pocketed the device. "Our Fred doesn't get up this early sober, so's not likely he'll be up for a sunrise when he's flipping smashed."
"All that means is we've been dallying about for near three hours and we still haven't a clue as to the whereabouts of Sasha!" Pyro spat as his patience began to wear thin. He rounded on Rogue, who'd been walking a pace behind the three men, lost in her own thoughts. "You were the one who said she were 'ere, darlin'. So? Where is she?"
Rogue's eyes were dark as she met the other's heated gaze. "Can it, firefly," she warned, clenching her fist. "An' don't call me 'darlin'."
"Not a problem," the blond Aussie retorted and moved up to walk with Lance. Toad, meanwhile, fell back beside Rogue.
"How is it you knew she were here?" he asked.
"What's it t'you?" she snapped, shooting him a dirty look.
"It's interesting is all," he shrugged. "No need to get your knickers in a twist. Just, well, you never used to be able to sense her or you'd have known all them years she were alive."
"Ah guess so," she conceded, thinking about his words. "Y'all sayin' ya got an idea 'bout what's goin' on here, Shorty?"
"No way to be sure yet, but I'd wager me mum's pension it's down to that device what zapped you 'n Sasha," he said. "Loved to have gotten me hands on that gem if bloody McCoy hadn't beaten me to it. D'you reckon he'd lend it?"
Rogue smiled softly at his joke. "Doubt it, Sugah."
"Pity," Toad smirked. "Has he figured anything about it?"
"Said some technical hoo-ha 'bout affectin' the X-gene and reversin' the nature of our mutant abilities," she replied casually. "All Ah know's it messed up Sash somethin' awful."
"You're telling me," Toad rolled his deep yellow eyes. An awkward silence followed as both realized they had talked themselves into a corner. Toad quickly cleared his throat. "So-"
"Shh," Rogue held up a finger as she cut him off. Toad watched her curiously as she closed her eyes in concentration and, without opening them, pointed off to her right. "There."
The green-haired mutant looked in the indicated direction. "The train station?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Ah think-"
"Oy! What's the bloody holdup 'ere?" Pyro demanded as he and Lance doubled back, realizing the others had stopped walking.
Rogue glared at him. "What Ah was gonna say, b'fore Ah was so rudely interrupted, was that Sasha was here."
"Oh really? And is this another of your 'Ah jus' know' moments," he mimicked her, making Avalanche and Toad snort (because an Australian imitating a Mississippi accent is probably the funniest thing you will ever hear), "or did you find the graffiti she's gone and left?"
"If'n y'all don' want mah help, hotrod," Rogue's cheeks were flushed as she snarled at Pyro, "jus' say so!"
"Maybe we don't."
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
The ground shook violently beneath their feet, and, before Rogue could take off, both she and Pyro had lost their balance and landed hard on the cobblestone.
"Finished?" Lance asked as he ended his seismic shockwave. "If we're going to find her, we're gonna have to work together, so how about the two of you bitch at each other on your own time. Got it?"
"Jus' keep him away from me," Rogue snapped in reply as she pushed herself to her feet and stomped toward the train station.
Pyro stood up without a word and became the recipient of a slap upside the head, courtesy of Avalanche. The Aussie rounded on him, intending to punch the other in the face, but Lance easily blocked him.
"Cool it, Sparky," he ordered, shoving the smaller man back a step. "Pissing off an X-Man is one thing. Pissing off your few remaining friends - that's something else."
Pyro rolled his eyes and straightened his coat but didn't argue.
"What next then, Boss?" Toad asked offhandedly.
"Whoa, whoa - Boss?" Pyro scoffed and looked angrily at his teammate. "Since when are you in charge, Lancey-boy?"
"Since now," Avalanche replied smoothly. "Mystique fucked us over, Sash ain't here, and if you think you're more qualified you've got another thing coming. It wouldn't be my first choice to follow a fucking suicidal leader."
Pyro's face fell and he was suddenly unable to look his friend in the eye. He unconsciously shoved his left hand in his pocket to avoid catching a glimpse of the ugly scar that decorated that wrist. His stomach cramped as a wave of humiliation swept over him. What will she think when she sees what I've done? He'd been weak - too weak, for certain, to be a leader.
"So, unless there are any further arguments," Lance continued, though his tone was not quite so harsh, "I'll tell you 'what next'. Toad, you were just talking to Rogue. Do you believe her about Sasha?"
"She seems to believe it," Toad nodded after a side glance at Pyro. "And she did ask us for help. I don't reckon she's trying it on, not where her sister's concerned."
"Anyway, she's our only lead," Lance agreed. "For now, then, we go with her. Without a Blackbird of our own - or more help from the Nasty Boys - we're up Shit's Creek when it comes to options."
*
With the unexpected emergence of Mystique as a player, Cable and Domino had decided to change their game plan. After the attack in the alley outside the Dragon's Lair, they'd lost Velocity's trail and had to regroup. As luck would have it, however, they'd dragged their beaten bodies to the back lane and ducked out of sight of the four figures they discovered gathered there.
Though both had been mildly shocked at the X-Man's readiness to conspire with her terrorist former-teammates, Domino had pointed out that, between the four of them, their resolve to locate Velocity was great. Far greater, she'd continued, than that of a pair of mercenaries seeking only justice and the bounty on her head. Cable had been eager to argue that point, but nevertheless conceded to follow Rogue and the Brotherhood trio, which they had done all the way to the train station.
"Did you manage to scan them?" Domino asked as she watched the three men enter the building.
"The guys don't know anything - no surprises there," Cable replied, his gruff voice momentarily softening for the subtle wisecrack. He recalled the images of the young Irishman he'd seen in their minds. "Seems Mystique tried to throw them off track, so they're apparently not working for her.
"Rogue's got her own agenda, though," he frowned. "She's not representing her team on this - in fact she wants to find the target before the X-Men."
"Stupid git, letting her emotions get involved," Domino shook her head. "So, including us, that's four different parties playing this game," she quickly tallied. "Makes things a tad complicated."
"That's not all," Cable said. "Something I sensed when I was scanning Rogue's mind - it was almost like I could hear the Russian bitch herself. 'Cept Rogue's no PSI; neither's the other one. Don't add up."
Domino turned to look at him. "Do you remember the old days when mercs had their business and heroes had their business and they all just kinda stayed out of each other's way?"
Cable raised an eyebrow. "No."
"Neither do I, but a girl can dream," she replied and tossed her long sable tresses over her shoulder. "I think, Nathan my dear, that it is well-nigh time we made our move." She patted her concealed sidearm and set off with her partner for the train station.
TBC