Chapter 7
Microscope "People want the illusion of choice without having to make a decision at
all."
***** Introduction & Chapters 1 - 6 Synopsis
Thus far, we have met Clayton "Tres" Darkmoon III, an undergraduate, teenage mutant. Tres has attracted the attention of the X-Men and, it would appear, some less than savory eyes. The X-Men rescue Tres from a battle with several Sentinels and the entire group returns to the manse. While the group of super-powered mutants extends the hand of friendship, Tres seems hesitant to take it. Hesitation or not, Professor Xavier is interested in Tres' abilities as a mutant and plans for him to attend his first Danger Room session, but Tres seems more interested in returning to his life. As such, he ends up spending most of Saturday in the library; studying for finals or hiding? Regardless, the day passes and now it is time for Tres to enter the Danger Room.
*****
"Don't be nervous," Warren advised me. He clapped me on the shoulder good-naturedly. "On second thought - be nervous. It's normal to be nervous the first time. Everyone was." We were in the holding area near the Danger Room. I had gotten up early in anticipation of the session and dressed in my room. Warren - Angel, when he was in costume - had escorted me downstairs and now remained behind to give me some friendly advice.
"Did everyone survive their first time, though?"
"Well - if you don't - we have a special place back by the lake."
My eyes widened. "WHAT?!?"
"Just kidding, Tres," he said with a laugh. I exhaled slowly and evenly. "Speaking of which, we should think about getting you a code name." My eyes grew even wider, while he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Overpower, or Night Light, maybe Starburst."
"Warren," I groaned, "- give me a break. Please!" Warren just laughed harder.
"I'm just trying to help you relax. You can't do your best if you're tense."
I considered his words. "Thanks, 'Coach'. Soooo.do know you what they have planned for me?"
Warren shook his head. "Not at all. Just that you have to cross the room and get to the exit. Standard first Danger Room sequence."
I nodded solemnly. "Okay."
"Don't worry, Tres. It's not like the room will try to kill you. Well - it may seem like that at the time. Remember - it's a 'test of your powers and your ability to know how to best to use them'.When you're ready - just let the Professor know via the intercom." Warren stood, his wings rustling slightly behind him as he left the room. "Good luck," he called back over his shoulder.
"Thanks.Angel," I replied before the door swooshed shut behind him. I sat for a moment longer on the low bench in the waiting room before walking towards the large metal door. Next to it was the intercom. I pressed the 'Talk' button. "I'm ready down here, Professor."
"Please enter, Mr. Darkmoon," Professor Xavier's voice came in, after I released the button. The doorway slid open and I stepped just inside. After what Kitty had told me yesterday - I think I was still hung up on the idea that the Danger Room was some kind of "gym". As it turned out - I was pretty far off the mark.
"Wow." First - it was much, much bigger than I'd imagined. No wooden floors and balance beams - that's for sure. The ceiling, floor, and walls were made out of some kind of metal that shined with a strange life- like quality. The floor was composed of small squares - kind of like a monochromatic chessboard. There was a large bay window that overlooked the entire room; it was in the same wall as the door, high above me and to the left. I stared around trying to take it all in, but the Professor snapped me from my reverie.
"Please take up a position in the far corner of the room." A spotlight indicated the correct location at the opposite side of the Danger Room. I jogged over and continued to study the room, while awaiting instructions. From this new vantage point, I could see into the large bay window where Professor Xavier, Storm, and the rest were. I waved and Ororo returned the gesture. I tried not to dwell on the fact that I had a world-renowned audience to impress. "The objective of this exercise is simple: exit the room. In order to exit, you must to lay your palm on the panel to the left of the door," the Professor informed me. The specified panel lit up with a green light that faded to red. "Your session will commence.now."
"Commencing sequence C D Three Gamma One," a cool computer voice intoned. There was a split second of silence after it stopped talking and then I heard the whirring sound of mechanical devices coming to life. On the other side of the room, directly across from me, a section of the floor slid open and something that looked like an enormous jet engine began to rise up. In retrospect, I kicked myself for not reacting faster; here I was, standing in open-mouthed wonder, when I should've been making a run for it.
_What the hell...?_ I had time to wonder before the engine was turned on. It suddenly occurred to me that being directly in the path of any engine was Not A Good Place To Be, and I stepped towards the door a second too late. The whirling blades reached full speed in that moment of indecisiveness, and a sudden tornado-like wind hurled me against the wall; I was pinned in next-to-no-time. I squirmed ineffectively for a few seconds, before I began to use my head.
I wasn't able to move forward, but I could probably move upward. I concentrated, pulling power to me and prepared to "throw" myself out of the jet stream. But just as I came up with a plan, the engine reversed power. I dropped heavily onto the ground, too bewildered to do anything but gasp for air. And in the next instant, I was sucked helplessly into the engine.
I twisted around midair, feet towards the engine and pushed away from it, my powers overcoming the draw. The engine pulled, and I pushed back, and I managed not to get chopped up into little pieces. I had a moment's breathing space to consider what I was going to do, while the drag steadily increased; it forced me to use more and more power just to maintain position. _That's it!_ _Of course!_ This time, I suited thought to action immediately; I stopped fighting the vacuum-like pull of the engine, hurtling suddenly backwards, strengthening my heat shields in the split second it took to traverse the short distance. A moment later, I was through.and the engine was out of commission.
It may have seemed like a ballsy move, but I knew I couldn't really be hurt; my power protected me. I just had to remember to think first - then act. This was a test of my powers and my ability to know how to best use them, Angel's words came back to me. I smiled, congratulating myself on my own ingenuity and mentally thanking Warren for the tip. It was a little premature, also in retrospect. Something snaked around my right ankle and my left arm and jerked me off the ground.
I strained against the metallic tentacles that had silently reached out of the wall and ensnared me. At the end of each tentacle was a four-pronged "hand" with a small opening in the palm. I could only guess at what each hand could do. Meanwhile, I was being hauled upward to the open maw of the "octopus" - a large opening in the wall. I didn't have any idea what would happen if I were pulled into that crevice and I wasn't about to find out. Focusing my power for a second, I superheated the tentacles around my forearm and leg, melting through them. I threw myself backwards in the air, as more arms came in to re-capture me.
I hurled an energy ball as an afterthought, but the mechanical arms disappeared into the wall, and a force field protected it from my power. I took a moment to get my bearings, righted myself in the air, and headed straight for the door. I heard a compartment opening in the wall above me, but continued onward, ignoring the sound. When the net unfurled above me, I moved a second too late and it caught me in the side. A twin net was propelled out of a similar panel in the wall to my right.
Soon I was ensnared in both nets and some sort of force - probably magnetic - dragged me out of the air, to the ground. Landlocked, I thrashed around in vain. Each movement brought a jolt of electricity, not painful, but not pleasant either. _Work smarter_, I reminded myself. I concentrated again, strengthening the thin layer of radiation around my body, thickening it and making it hotter. The nets virtually disintegrated around me and I was once more free.
By now, I had worked myself into the center of the room. I was far from out of the woods, and hesitated wondering what the next threat might be, and where it would come from. I "felt" the pinprick of a laser on my forehead, and looked in its the direction. I didn't even blink as the high- energy ray connected solidly with my chest. I felt a surge of adrenaline as I absorbed the power from the beam. I felt another laser on my back and an identical power boost. The more power that was poured into the lasers, the stronger I got. And so I paused, feeling a slight tingle as the intensity increased then lifted myself up and away from the crossfire. I should have been more careful.paid more attention. Instead, I hurled myself blindly, and directly, into the next danger.
I slammed headfirst into a padded piston that was rapidly descending from the ceiling. The impact knocked the wind out of me, and ramming my skull against the semi-hard stuffing disoriented me. Stunned, I began to descend; the piston pushed me to the ground, adding momentum to my fall. I was suddenly in danger of being pinioned against the floor. A few feet before I could be crushed, I rolled to the side. The piston connected loudly with the ground, but I wasn't trapped between the not-so-proverbial- rock-and-the-hard-place. I was up, and hovering above the floor, trying to shake off the close-call feelings I had. _I could have really been hurt under that thing._ I turned from studying the now-quiescent ram to look pointedly at the Control Room window. _How real was this test supposed to be, anyway?_
The moment's sudden annoyance turned to surprise; another battering ram came at me from the side. Using my radar sense, I dodged right and lifted up into the air, simultaneously. I oriented on the door and again tried to make a break for the exit.
The obstacles came hard and fast, then.
A wall rising up from the floor only slowed me a few seconds; I melted through it. Then a set of pistons, one on each side - and these two weren't cushioned - tried to sandwich me between them. I rose smoothly above them and flew onward, ignoring the fire of several wall-mounted flamethrowers; after all, I couldn't be hurt by fire - surrounded, as I was, by thermal shielding. I felt lasers sighting me again, but dismissed them. After all, lasers wouldn't stop me either.
Xavier was quite resourceful and quick-minded. I learned the hard way that he wouldn't use the same failed trap on me twice. I "saw" a series of small missiles coming towards me from the left. I did a barrel roll, twisting away then dropping vertically to let the projectiles pass harmlessly overhead. I turned momentarily away from the door, to face the launchers. Pointing my hands at them, I let loose with a fresh volley of blue-white energy balls. I was too slow, however; the launchers had pulled back inside the wall, and my powers bounced harmlessly off the Danger Room shields.
My radar sense tracked another set of missiles coming at me from behind. I whirled to face the new threat, blasting each rocket out of the sky. Too easy, I thought smugly. Just like shooting fish in a - THWACK
I grunted, as the 'paddles' of some windmill-like device slapped me in the side. I tumbled wildly through the air before slamming shoulder-first into the wall. I slid to the ground and lay in a crumpled heap, resting, panting, and my heart pounding in my ears. I desperately needed a time- out, but I didn't have a few seconds to spare. I "saw" another set of objects hurtling towards me. I groaned before forcing myself to move again - springing into the air just in time to avoid being pummeled to death. Five heavy medicine balls rebounded off the wall where I had been only seconds ago. They careened off, bouncing around the room while I turned back to the door.
However, instead of taking a direct course to the door, I tried to use a strategy to throw off any pursuit. I zigzagged through the air, in a seemingly erratic manner, but moving unerringly towards the egress. I dodged a rapid succession of spiked cannonballs that could have been very painful; the last one nearly caught me in the side as I tried to zip forward the last few yards to the door. I landed to avoid it, coming to rest in a half-crouch on the ground. Standing up fully, I was prepared to walk triumphantly onward, ending my first Danger Room sequence successfully. Again, I had naively underestimated Professor Xavier.
As I confidently strutted the last few feet to the door, I heard a panel opening behind me. I ignored the over-sized portal in favor of the door, continuing to walk onward. I brought my left foot down and was rewarded with a powerful jolt of electricity a mere three feet from the exit. I jumped backwards and lifted into the air, slightly out of sorts. _Of all the dirty rotten tricks._
But that wasn't the last of them - not by a long shot. A hand - large and cold, grabbed my ankle. Thinking it was another of the mechanical octopi, I simply tried to melt through it. I received another nasty ZAP of electricity and was rewarded by the powerful grip tightening around my ankle and hauling me down out of the air. The static shock mixed with the pain startled me - and very nearly disrupted my control over my powers; _I shouldn't be able to be touched,_ I thought dimly. I tried to twist around to see what had me, but was held fast in a vice-like grip. Once my head cleared, I understood what had happened, but by that time, my captor had thrown/pushed me hard into a wall. I slid to the ground again, still slightly dazed from the electrified floor as well as the jolt I had gotten from whatever had grabbed me.
The doorway I had previously ignored had produced a 10-foot-tall vaguely man-shaped robot with large blocky arms and legs, and a helmet-like head. It was this robot that had tossed me into the wall and was now standing over me, reaching towards me with its voltage-filled grip. I rolled to the side, leaping to my feet.
While the robot looked ungainly, it was unexpectedly quick. It had turned, taking a step towards me, studying me through its visor. But I didn't intend to let it ogle me long or move any closer. At a distance of three feet, it was close enough. Pointing one hand at it, I summoned forth my power, bathing it in cascade of blue-white energy that should have left it so much slag on the floor. But it didn't even slow, walking forward through my power as if I were hurling flowers instead.
I don't know what surprised me more - the fact that it could shrug off my abilities, or the hand that suddenly reached down to grab my right bicep. Instinct took over then as I threw a jab into its 'face'. My balled up fist bounced off its head; again, it hadn't even blinked - or whatever. I think that hurt my pride more than my hand - although my left hand was already starting to smart. I stared dumbly at my captor while it grabbed my other arm and began to lift me into the air. I felt twin stabs of electricity as it released another debilitating shock. It was like being stung by a joy buzzer many times over - irritating and very disorienting.
The pain only made me fight all that much harder. My naïveté towards my powers showed itself then. I am sure I could have calmly and rationally dealt with this final test, but I . . . well - overreacted. That's probably putting it mildly. 'Freaked out' probably best describes the next few moments.
I began throwing off waves of power first, twisting and writhing around trying to break its grasp. Initially, I directed it at my robotic captor, but then as I remained imprisoned, I began to throw a little more wildly. Frantically.
"Let go," I said through gritted teeth, starting to break out in a cold sweat. I could feel the voltage climbing steadily as it continued to shock me every few seconds. Pulling back, I aimed a kick at its face, but my legs weren't as long as its arms and I missed badly.
"Let go," I repeated with a little more authority. I tried to elbow my way out of its hands but instead I banged both my funny bones against its metal forearms. The robot - completely oblivious and uncaring of my efforts to free myself, turned and carried me towards a dark, foreboding cavity nearby. It looked like it meant to put me inside. The raw pain from my joints coupled with the electro-shock "therapy" and the haunting, mysterious door triggered a set of memories from a long time ago. _No._ _Not again._ _Please._
"LET GO!" I roared in pure frustration, the first hint of an icy fear creeping into my mind. Desperate to get away, I even tried to lift us both into the air. But I remained firmly in its hands, and we continued towards the hole. The next bolt of electricity caused my consciousness to dim; my powers flickered briefly, then - like a match threatening to go out. That was when I truly lost it.
I can't really say what happened next - everything went so fast. Looking back, I can say I only remember the next few minutes the way someone remembers a very bad dream.
I felt/heard something breaking - and I wasn't sure at first that it hadn't broken my arm in its iron clad grip. But then I knew it wasn't my arm - and that the something breaking wasn't a bone at all - but someplace in my mind. I stopped struggling in its grasp. A cool calmness settled over me as my power surged from somewhere deep inside. The room was instantly lit with flash of blue-white light. I think I lifted into the air then, pulling the robot with me. I know I somehow broke its hold. There was an exchange of blows, and then we were hurtling through the air.
The next thing I knew I was straddling its chest, punching it in the face. It wasn't long until the head was just a big pulpy mess. But I didn't stop there. I put my hands on its chest and began to pour forth power, melting that too. I think I would've kept going too, except a loud clap of thunder startled me, and a chilling gust of wind tossed me backwards. I landed unceremoniously on the floor, but shifted into a defensive stance, ready to loose my power.
She seemed to hover over me, ethereal. Deadly. Dangerous. The very air seemed to crackle with suppressed power. Her eyes were pure white but even without pupils I could tell she was studying me. "Contain yourself, Tres," she said firmly and confidently. I wanted to lash out hard, a cold wave of fury and vengeance carrying me away, giving me strength. I had completely given in to the feelings a moment ago. But now she was here. And she was trying to pull me back from the brink of oblivion. I blinked, desperate to remember where I was and who she was.
"Ororo." She dipper her head ever so slightly in acknowledgement. It was then that I noticed the Professor and Wolverine behind her. There was a long moment while we sized each other up. Then Storm stepped forward offering me a hand. I took it, and she hauled me easily to my feet. When I looked into her face once more, her eyes had returned to their normal blue. I could've been mistaken but I thought I saw concern and - sadness?
"I'm sorry," I mumbled as the enormity of what had just happened settled in. The Professor's expression was hard to read; he was sitting straight- up in his chair, shoulders squared and jaw clenched tightly. But Wolverine looked at me as I expected the others to - with the keen intensity of a lion set to pounce. He was a predator that was weighing whether or not I - an intruder - was worth bloodying his paws with. I couldn't look at him and so my gaze settled on the floor. I gave a low whistle, finally able to take in my surroundings.
The robot or what was left of it lay on the floor. From about mid-chest and above was a mixture of molten/softened metal. I realized then that it was lying in the foyer - outside of the Danger Room. "I got carried away.I'm sorry. I don't - I'm sorry," I said again. Ororo laid a reassuring hand on one shoulder.
Wolverine harrumphed, folding his arms across his broad chest. He regarded me with one bushy eyebrow raised, a smile threatening to disrupt his streak of constant glowering. "Ya got style, kid," he said in his gravelly deep voice.
"Uh." I began intelligently. Then I closed my gaping mouth. _No need to look like a complete ass today, is there?_
"We will discuss this later during the debriefing," Professor Xavier said simply. "Let's try to resume our normal activities in lieu of this incident." And that was it.At least for the time being.
* * * * *
-End Part 1-
This story © 2003 Sherman Taylor
Clayton "Tres" Darkmoon © 2002 Sherman Taylor
The X-Men, Professor Charles Xavier, and all constituent
characters © 2003 Marvel Comics Group.
This story is not for sale and is not to be distributed without
permission of the author.
Please electronically mail comments to CommanderInChf@aol.com.
All constructive criticism is appreciated.
Microscope "People want the illusion of choice without having to make a decision at
all."
***** Introduction & Chapters 1 - 6 Synopsis
Thus far, we have met Clayton "Tres" Darkmoon III, an undergraduate, teenage mutant. Tres has attracted the attention of the X-Men and, it would appear, some less than savory eyes. The X-Men rescue Tres from a battle with several Sentinels and the entire group returns to the manse. While the group of super-powered mutants extends the hand of friendship, Tres seems hesitant to take it. Hesitation or not, Professor Xavier is interested in Tres' abilities as a mutant and plans for him to attend his first Danger Room session, but Tres seems more interested in returning to his life. As such, he ends up spending most of Saturday in the library; studying for finals or hiding? Regardless, the day passes and now it is time for Tres to enter the Danger Room.
*****
"Don't be nervous," Warren advised me. He clapped me on the shoulder good-naturedly. "On second thought - be nervous. It's normal to be nervous the first time. Everyone was." We were in the holding area near the Danger Room. I had gotten up early in anticipation of the session and dressed in my room. Warren - Angel, when he was in costume - had escorted me downstairs and now remained behind to give me some friendly advice.
"Did everyone survive their first time, though?"
"Well - if you don't - we have a special place back by the lake."
My eyes widened. "WHAT?!?"
"Just kidding, Tres," he said with a laugh. I exhaled slowly and evenly. "Speaking of which, we should think about getting you a code name." My eyes grew even wider, while he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Overpower, or Night Light, maybe Starburst."
"Warren," I groaned, "- give me a break. Please!" Warren just laughed harder.
"I'm just trying to help you relax. You can't do your best if you're tense."
I considered his words. "Thanks, 'Coach'. Soooo.do know you what they have planned for me?"
Warren shook his head. "Not at all. Just that you have to cross the room and get to the exit. Standard first Danger Room sequence."
I nodded solemnly. "Okay."
"Don't worry, Tres. It's not like the room will try to kill you. Well - it may seem like that at the time. Remember - it's a 'test of your powers and your ability to know how to best to use them'.When you're ready - just let the Professor know via the intercom." Warren stood, his wings rustling slightly behind him as he left the room. "Good luck," he called back over his shoulder.
"Thanks.Angel," I replied before the door swooshed shut behind him. I sat for a moment longer on the low bench in the waiting room before walking towards the large metal door. Next to it was the intercom. I pressed the 'Talk' button. "I'm ready down here, Professor."
"Please enter, Mr. Darkmoon," Professor Xavier's voice came in, after I released the button. The doorway slid open and I stepped just inside. After what Kitty had told me yesterday - I think I was still hung up on the idea that the Danger Room was some kind of "gym". As it turned out - I was pretty far off the mark.
"Wow." First - it was much, much bigger than I'd imagined. No wooden floors and balance beams - that's for sure. The ceiling, floor, and walls were made out of some kind of metal that shined with a strange life- like quality. The floor was composed of small squares - kind of like a monochromatic chessboard. There was a large bay window that overlooked the entire room; it was in the same wall as the door, high above me and to the left. I stared around trying to take it all in, but the Professor snapped me from my reverie.
"Please take up a position in the far corner of the room." A spotlight indicated the correct location at the opposite side of the Danger Room. I jogged over and continued to study the room, while awaiting instructions. From this new vantage point, I could see into the large bay window where Professor Xavier, Storm, and the rest were. I waved and Ororo returned the gesture. I tried not to dwell on the fact that I had a world-renowned audience to impress. "The objective of this exercise is simple: exit the room. In order to exit, you must to lay your palm on the panel to the left of the door," the Professor informed me. The specified panel lit up with a green light that faded to red. "Your session will commence.now."
"Commencing sequence C D Three Gamma One," a cool computer voice intoned. There was a split second of silence after it stopped talking and then I heard the whirring sound of mechanical devices coming to life. On the other side of the room, directly across from me, a section of the floor slid open and something that looked like an enormous jet engine began to rise up. In retrospect, I kicked myself for not reacting faster; here I was, standing in open-mouthed wonder, when I should've been making a run for it.
_What the hell...?_ I had time to wonder before the engine was turned on. It suddenly occurred to me that being directly in the path of any engine was Not A Good Place To Be, and I stepped towards the door a second too late. The whirling blades reached full speed in that moment of indecisiveness, and a sudden tornado-like wind hurled me against the wall; I was pinned in next-to-no-time. I squirmed ineffectively for a few seconds, before I began to use my head.
I wasn't able to move forward, but I could probably move upward. I concentrated, pulling power to me and prepared to "throw" myself out of the jet stream. But just as I came up with a plan, the engine reversed power. I dropped heavily onto the ground, too bewildered to do anything but gasp for air. And in the next instant, I was sucked helplessly into the engine.
I twisted around midair, feet towards the engine and pushed away from it, my powers overcoming the draw. The engine pulled, and I pushed back, and I managed not to get chopped up into little pieces. I had a moment's breathing space to consider what I was going to do, while the drag steadily increased; it forced me to use more and more power just to maintain position. _That's it!_ _Of course!_ This time, I suited thought to action immediately; I stopped fighting the vacuum-like pull of the engine, hurtling suddenly backwards, strengthening my heat shields in the split second it took to traverse the short distance. A moment later, I was through.and the engine was out of commission.
It may have seemed like a ballsy move, but I knew I couldn't really be hurt; my power protected me. I just had to remember to think first - then act. This was a test of my powers and my ability to know how to best use them, Angel's words came back to me. I smiled, congratulating myself on my own ingenuity and mentally thanking Warren for the tip. It was a little premature, also in retrospect. Something snaked around my right ankle and my left arm and jerked me off the ground.
I strained against the metallic tentacles that had silently reached out of the wall and ensnared me. At the end of each tentacle was a four-pronged "hand" with a small opening in the palm. I could only guess at what each hand could do. Meanwhile, I was being hauled upward to the open maw of the "octopus" - a large opening in the wall. I didn't have any idea what would happen if I were pulled into that crevice and I wasn't about to find out. Focusing my power for a second, I superheated the tentacles around my forearm and leg, melting through them. I threw myself backwards in the air, as more arms came in to re-capture me.
I hurled an energy ball as an afterthought, but the mechanical arms disappeared into the wall, and a force field protected it from my power. I took a moment to get my bearings, righted myself in the air, and headed straight for the door. I heard a compartment opening in the wall above me, but continued onward, ignoring the sound. When the net unfurled above me, I moved a second too late and it caught me in the side. A twin net was propelled out of a similar panel in the wall to my right.
Soon I was ensnared in both nets and some sort of force - probably magnetic - dragged me out of the air, to the ground. Landlocked, I thrashed around in vain. Each movement brought a jolt of electricity, not painful, but not pleasant either. _Work smarter_, I reminded myself. I concentrated again, strengthening the thin layer of radiation around my body, thickening it and making it hotter. The nets virtually disintegrated around me and I was once more free.
By now, I had worked myself into the center of the room. I was far from out of the woods, and hesitated wondering what the next threat might be, and where it would come from. I "felt" the pinprick of a laser on my forehead, and looked in its the direction. I didn't even blink as the high- energy ray connected solidly with my chest. I felt a surge of adrenaline as I absorbed the power from the beam. I felt another laser on my back and an identical power boost. The more power that was poured into the lasers, the stronger I got. And so I paused, feeling a slight tingle as the intensity increased then lifted myself up and away from the crossfire. I should have been more careful.paid more attention. Instead, I hurled myself blindly, and directly, into the next danger.
I slammed headfirst into a padded piston that was rapidly descending from the ceiling. The impact knocked the wind out of me, and ramming my skull against the semi-hard stuffing disoriented me. Stunned, I began to descend; the piston pushed me to the ground, adding momentum to my fall. I was suddenly in danger of being pinioned against the floor. A few feet before I could be crushed, I rolled to the side. The piston connected loudly with the ground, but I wasn't trapped between the not-so-proverbial- rock-and-the-hard-place. I was up, and hovering above the floor, trying to shake off the close-call feelings I had. _I could have really been hurt under that thing._ I turned from studying the now-quiescent ram to look pointedly at the Control Room window. _How real was this test supposed to be, anyway?_
The moment's sudden annoyance turned to surprise; another battering ram came at me from the side. Using my radar sense, I dodged right and lifted up into the air, simultaneously. I oriented on the door and again tried to make a break for the exit.
The obstacles came hard and fast, then.
A wall rising up from the floor only slowed me a few seconds; I melted through it. Then a set of pistons, one on each side - and these two weren't cushioned - tried to sandwich me between them. I rose smoothly above them and flew onward, ignoring the fire of several wall-mounted flamethrowers; after all, I couldn't be hurt by fire - surrounded, as I was, by thermal shielding. I felt lasers sighting me again, but dismissed them. After all, lasers wouldn't stop me either.
Xavier was quite resourceful and quick-minded. I learned the hard way that he wouldn't use the same failed trap on me twice. I "saw" a series of small missiles coming towards me from the left. I did a barrel roll, twisting away then dropping vertically to let the projectiles pass harmlessly overhead. I turned momentarily away from the door, to face the launchers. Pointing my hands at them, I let loose with a fresh volley of blue-white energy balls. I was too slow, however; the launchers had pulled back inside the wall, and my powers bounced harmlessly off the Danger Room shields.
My radar sense tracked another set of missiles coming at me from behind. I whirled to face the new threat, blasting each rocket out of the sky. Too easy, I thought smugly. Just like shooting fish in a - THWACK
I grunted, as the 'paddles' of some windmill-like device slapped me in the side. I tumbled wildly through the air before slamming shoulder-first into the wall. I slid to the ground and lay in a crumpled heap, resting, panting, and my heart pounding in my ears. I desperately needed a time- out, but I didn't have a few seconds to spare. I "saw" another set of objects hurtling towards me. I groaned before forcing myself to move again - springing into the air just in time to avoid being pummeled to death. Five heavy medicine balls rebounded off the wall where I had been only seconds ago. They careened off, bouncing around the room while I turned back to the door.
However, instead of taking a direct course to the door, I tried to use a strategy to throw off any pursuit. I zigzagged through the air, in a seemingly erratic manner, but moving unerringly towards the egress. I dodged a rapid succession of spiked cannonballs that could have been very painful; the last one nearly caught me in the side as I tried to zip forward the last few yards to the door. I landed to avoid it, coming to rest in a half-crouch on the ground. Standing up fully, I was prepared to walk triumphantly onward, ending my first Danger Room sequence successfully. Again, I had naively underestimated Professor Xavier.
As I confidently strutted the last few feet to the door, I heard a panel opening behind me. I ignored the over-sized portal in favor of the door, continuing to walk onward. I brought my left foot down and was rewarded with a powerful jolt of electricity a mere three feet from the exit. I jumped backwards and lifted into the air, slightly out of sorts. _Of all the dirty rotten tricks._
But that wasn't the last of them - not by a long shot. A hand - large and cold, grabbed my ankle. Thinking it was another of the mechanical octopi, I simply tried to melt through it. I received another nasty ZAP of electricity and was rewarded by the powerful grip tightening around my ankle and hauling me down out of the air. The static shock mixed with the pain startled me - and very nearly disrupted my control over my powers; _I shouldn't be able to be touched,_ I thought dimly. I tried to twist around to see what had me, but was held fast in a vice-like grip. Once my head cleared, I understood what had happened, but by that time, my captor had thrown/pushed me hard into a wall. I slid to the ground again, still slightly dazed from the electrified floor as well as the jolt I had gotten from whatever had grabbed me.
The doorway I had previously ignored had produced a 10-foot-tall vaguely man-shaped robot with large blocky arms and legs, and a helmet-like head. It was this robot that had tossed me into the wall and was now standing over me, reaching towards me with its voltage-filled grip. I rolled to the side, leaping to my feet.
While the robot looked ungainly, it was unexpectedly quick. It had turned, taking a step towards me, studying me through its visor. But I didn't intend to let it ogle me long or move any closer. At a distance of three feet, it was close enough. Pointing one hand at it, I summoned forth my power, bathing it in cascade of blue-white energy that should have left it so much slag on the floor. But it didn't even slow, walking forward through my power as if I were hurling flowers instead.
I don't know what surprised me more - the fact that it could shrug off my abilities, or the hand that suddenly reached down to grab my right bicep. Instinct took over then as I threw a jab into its 'face'. My balled up fist bounced off its head; again, it hadn't even blinked - or whatever. I think that hurt my pride more than my hand - although my left hand was already starting to smart. I stared dumbly at my captor while it grabbed my other arm and began to lift me into the air. I felt twin stabs of electricity as it released another debilitating shock. It was like being stung by a joy buzzer many times over - irritating and very disorienting.
The pain only made me fight all that much harder. My naïveté towards my powers showed itself then. I am sure I could have calmly and rationally dealt with this final test, but I . . . well - overreacted. That's probably putting it mildly. 'Freaked out' probably best describes the next few moments.
I began throwing off waves of power first, twisting and writhing around trying to break its grasp. Initially, I directed it at my robotic captor, but then as I remained imprisoned, I began to throw a little more wildly. Frantically.
"Let go," I said through gritted teeth, starting to break out in a cold sweat. I could feel the voltage climbing steadily as it continued to shock me every few seconds. Pulling back, I aimed a kick at its face, but my legs weren't as long as its arms and I missed badly.
"Let go," I repeated with a little more authority. I tried to elbow my way out of its hands but instead I banged both my funny bones against its metal forearms. The robot - completely oblivious and uncaring of my efforts to free myself, turned and carried me towards a dark, foreboding cavity nearby. It looked like it meant to put me inside. The raw pain from my joints coupled with the electro-shock "therapy" and the haunting, mysterious door triggered a set of memories from a long time ago. _No._ _Not again._ _Please._
"LET GO!" I roared in pure frustration, the first hint of an icy fear creeping into my mind. Desperate to get away, I even tried to lift us both into the air. But I remained firmly in its hands, and we continued towards the hole. The next bolt of electricity caused my consciousness to dim; my powers flickered briefly, then - like a match threatening to go out. That was when I truly lost it.
I can't really say what happened next - everything went so fast. Looking back, I can say I only remember the next few minutes the way someone remembers a very bad dream.
I felt/heard something breaking - and I wasn't sure at first that it hadn't broken my arm in its iron clad grip. But then I knew it wasn't my arm - and that the something breaking wasn't a bone at all - but someplace in my mind. I stopped struggling in its grasp. A cool calmness settled over me as my power surged from somewhere deep inside. The room was instantly lit with flash of blue-white light. I think I lifted into the air then, pulling the robot with me. I know I somehow broke its hold. There was an exchange of blows, and then we were hurtling through the air.
The next thing I knew I was straddling its chest, punching it in the face. It wasn't long until the head was just a big pulpy mess. But I didn't stop there. I put my hands on its chest and began to pour forth power, melting that too. I think I would've kept going too, except a loud clap of thunder startled me, and a chilling gust of wind tossed me backwards. I landed unceremoniously on the floor, but shifted into a defensive stance, ready to loose my power.
She seemed to hover over me, ethereal. Deadly. Dangerous. The very air seemed to crackle with suppressed power. Her eyes were pure white but even without pupils I could tell she was studying me. "Contain yourself, Tres," she said firmly and confidently. I wanted to lash out hard, a cold wave of fury and vengeance carrying me away, giving me strength. I had completely given in to the feelings a moment ago. But now she was here. And she was trying to pull me back from the brink of oblivion. I blinked, desperate to remember where I was and who she was.
"Ororo." She dipper her head ever so slightly in acknowledgement. It was then that I noticed the Professor and Wolverine behind her. There was a long moment while we sized each other up. Then Storm stepped forward offering me a hand. I took it, and she hauled me easily to my feet. When I looked into her face once more, her eyes had returned to their normal blue. I could've been mistaken but I thought I saw concern and - sadness?
"I'm sorry," I mumbled as the enormity of what had just happened settled in. The Professor's expression was hard to read; he was sitting straight- up in his chair, shoulders squared and jaw clenched tightly. But Wolverine looked at me as I expected the others to - with the keen intensity of a lion set to pounce. He was a predator that was weighing whether or not I - an intruder - was worth bloodying his paws with. I couldn't look at him and so my gaze settled on the floor. I gave a low whistle, finally able to take in my surroundings.
The robot or what was left of it lay on the floor. From about mid-chest and above was a mixture of molten/softened metal. I realized then that it was lying in the foyer - outside of the Danger Room. "I got carried away.I'm sorry. I don't - I'm sorry," I said again. Ororo laid a reassuring hand on one shoulder.
Wolverine harrumphed, folding his arms across his broad chest. He regarded me with one bushy eyebrow raised, a smile threatening to disrupt his streak of constant glowering. "Ya got style, kid," he said in his gravelly deep voice.
"Uh." I began intelligently. Then I closed my gaping mouth. _No need to look like a complete ass today, is there?_
"We will discuss this later during the debriefing," Professor Xavier said simply. "Let's try to resume our normal activities in lieu of this incident." And that was it.At least for the time being.
* * * * *
-End Part 1-
This story © 2003 Sherman Taylor
Clayton "Tres" Darkmoon © 2002 Sherman Taylor
The X-Men, Professor Charles Xavier, and all constituent
characters © 2003 Marvel Comics Group.
This story is not for sale and is not to be distributed without
permission of the author.
Please electronically mail comments to CommanderInChf@aol.com.
All constructive criticism is appreciated.