Chapter 7
Microscope
"People want the illusion of choice without having to make a decision at
all."
* * * * *
I joined Professor Xavier and Kitty in the Control Room to watch the team sequence. Once the initial ten minutes of post-workout adrenaline wore off, I began to feel the after-effects of the previous day's worth of study, exorbitant stress, little sleep, emotional fatigue, and no breakfast. Although watching the team practice was interesting, my eyelids began to droop. I had to pinch myself just to stay awake. Hard.
Through all that, Kitty explained to me various abilities of the Danger Room, and some previous tricks and traps the Professor had used. Kitty hadn't been privy to my sequence, and Professor Xavier hadn't said anything to her; her manner was just as friendly as usual. I had time to wonder whether she'd be as cordial if she'd knew what I'd just done.
Kitty wasn't partaking in a team run, yet. So she mostly watched and tried to glean as much information as possible from the others, so as to be prepared for the time when she could join a full session. They don't look all that great, I thought sarcastically, as a look of longing came into her eyes. But I merely nodded, encouraging her to continue. After the team session ended, and Professor Xavier had powered down the Danger Room, the three of us left.
"They usually debrief after breakfast," Kitty whispered to me as we made our way to the elevator where we rendezvoused with the rest of the X- Men. The infamous team members and I parted company once we reached the ground level of the manse, each heading to our various post Danger Room tasks. I imagined that, like me, the others were going to shower and change. Although, I was the only one looking odd in the bumblebee outfit.
Once I got back to my room, it took me several long moments of intense effort to extricate myself from the costume. At one point, I seriously thought about burning it off - but then reconsidered. If it had already survived my powers during the training session, then it could probably take a fair amount of punishment.Argh! _Why is it that heroes leave out the part about having to undress and bathe during their adventures when you read about them in novels or see them in movies?_ I made up some time by having a short shower, 'drying', dressing, then heading downstairs. I resisted the urge to use my powers to fly through the mansion and instead walked to the dining room; I didn't know how the "public" use of my powers would be received and decided to follow from everyone else's example of nonuse.
Today I arrived on the scene before everyone except Professor Xavier and Ororo. So this time, instead of sitting at the end of the group, I sat next to Professor Xavier, across from Ororo. Warren, Kitty and the rest settled in around us, and breakfast commenced. It was the same animated affair as yesterday except this time I could observe all three conversations going-on at the same time. I believe the Professor and Ororo were discussing strategy about mutant/non-mutant/anti-mutant relations - a topic I sorely wanted to avoid. Warren was giving another financial lesson - this time to Kurt and Kitty. Kurt, however, appeared more interested in Peter and Wolverine's chat about some sort of martial arts fight they'd seen. From the way they were describing certain blows and kicks, it sounded like they had actually been there.
Everyone had seemed at ease with me during the short elevator ride, and sitting at the table before we started eating - the only times we'd been together as a group. I don't know.I guess I expected everyone to recoil in horror at what I'd done. But no one had brought it up, yet. _What would they say?_ _Would they think differently about me now?_ _Maybe no one cared._ I stared into the coffee as if it were a crystal ball, revealing the answers to my questions.
_It's stupid to think they'd treat me any differently, I guess_. Following their exploits on the news - as well as other groups like the Avengers and the FF - I knew they'd probably seen or done much stranger things. But in their own home? Plus being new.I didn't know how well it'd go over to have someone walking around that might or might not be 'unstable'.Especially if that person could literally melt you with a thought. And I'm that person.
"And what might your perspective be, Mr. Darkmoon?" The Professor asked lightly.
"Huh?"
Ororo smiled benignly. "Professor Xavier and I were discussing the ramifications of our current 'reactive' tactics for dealing with mutant- related incidences. Specifically, we are discussing instances where mutants are creating public disturbances, or are directly responsible for large amounts of property damage. Generally, these types of events - which have happened frequently in past years - can increase the fervor of anti- mutant feelings from non-mutants. Perhaps employing a different stratagem would reduce hostilities and anxieties on both sides. Your thoughts?"
Oh. Just something simple to ponder while I slowly swallowed a mouth full of oatmeal. Professor Xavier looked thoughtfully at me, his fingers steepled before him, lips pressed against his two thumbs. I suddenly got the impression that I was still being tested - regardless of the fact that I'd left the Danger Room over 30 minutes ago. "Well -" I began, trying to slowly collect my thoughts. "I guess the alternative would have to be a proactive strategy. Kind of like - 'the best defense is a good offense' rationale, right?" I looked first at Ororo and then back at the Professor. They looked expectantly at me, obviously waiting for me to continue.
_Guess I'm not going to weasel out of this one so easily._ "Then, I guess we - or rather - you all would need a foreknowledge of a potential crime, then you could show up before it happened and stop the criminal.or criminals. I guess all you'd need is some way to predict a crime before it actually took place. Maybe a clairvoyant or something." Here Professor Xavier - whether intentionally or not - gently stroked his brow. ".Or a telepath. And all this telepath would have to do, I guess, is read the mind of the criminal - and then the X-Men - or whomever - would go and stop him before he caused any trouble."
"Do you see any areas where such a strategy might be fallible?" Professor Xavier asked. His eyes bored into me - and I had a fleeting thought that I was back in a classroom at school and the teacher had just asked me a question that was nearly impossible to answer.
I paused to consider, realizing I was probably going to be graded on my next few statements, and there would not be an opportunity for bonus points or make-up exams. "Well." The answer was I didn't really see what the problem was with my idea. It could make crime prevention a whole helluva lot easier. _Maybe that would calm the rising anti-mutant hysteria. Then it'd be safe for mutants everywhere._
"No.I guess not," I began. But even as the words passed my lips, I sensed that I'd given the wrong answer.
The Professor paused momentarily as if collecting himself and I waited, expecting his rebuttal to rain down on me like Zeus hurling bolts of lighting. However, I hadn't needed to worry about god-like wrath - at least not at the breakfast table. "Have you ever tried to extend your powers across the globe, Mr. Darkmoon?" He asked evenly.
"No," I said.
"Then you propose, perhaps a regional sphere of influence?"
"I guess - if that's what could be managed."
"And how would the telepath be able to discern the difference between a fantasy, a whimsical train of thought, and a deed that was truly to be executed?" He asked.
"I don't know," I replied lamely.
"Furthermore, do you think that it is for this clairvoyant or telepath to be the moral and ethical compass for the entire planet? Or rather - as you have proposed - a hemispherical portion of the globe. "
"Well - no - I hadn't thought of that."
"Then you do not believe it is the role of mutants to be the conscience of humanity?"
"Certainly not." was my immediate answer - but was it the right answer? _Or just what he wanted to hear._
"Consider, if you will, that what you are proposing would effectively be removing the ability for someone - anyone - to choose his or her own path, to consciously decide between right and wrong - or between the lesser of two evils - and that this is, in fact, the moral or ethical dilemma that every person is often forced to deal with on their own. The type of choice that, in no small part, defines a person's individuality? And do you agree that this would be the result of such a pre-emptive action?"
"Yes - I guess it would." The words sounded hollow and weak in my ears. _What's he driving at, anyway_, I wondered feeling a little annoyed.
The Professor took a sip of his coffee. "Let's consider a hypothetical situation. For the sake of argument, let's assume that it is wrong to hunt mutants."
I nodded - now believing silence to be the best course of action. Meanwhile, Wolverine and Peter droned on, while I heard Kitty's light laughter above Kurt and Warren's exchange.
"Let us also assume that a team of mutants, one equipped with a telepath, has gained knowledge of a potential new weapon - something that will enhance the ability to hunt, detain, and - for lack of a better word - 'exterminate' mutant kind." Again I nodded mutely. "Let us also say, that for the sake of argument, that this new weapon is in its infancy - more theory than practice, mostly drawings, and the earliest of prototypes. In other words, no actual full scale working designs. Finally, let's assume that there are only a handful of people involved in this project and with no government sanctions or interactions."
I cleared my throat. "Okay."
"Now, the team of mutants, having gained this 'forewarning' of the creation of the new weapon, formulates a plan of attack. Before this new threat can be unleashed on all mutant-kind, they proactively nullify it. It is a simple matter to destroy the laboratory and the relatively small amount of work of a few people.
"But what is to be done about the involved parties? The thoughts and ideas were originated within this small group that could eventually lead to the annihilation of all mutant-kind? Are these scientists to be sentenced to the same fate that they had intended for mutants? They had intended to help bring about the termination of mutant-kind - is not a similar fate being dealt to them a just and fair decree? And if not death - then what is to stop them from merely re-initiating their work?
"Or should they be left alone after their information and work has been destroyed? Would this effectively thwart their plans? For how long? Won't they continue their work with greater ardor than before? Would this now have defeated the purpose of the original objective? Perhaps, you are recommending that the telepath of the group should remove such thoughts and ideas from their minds.?" He looked to me for affirmation.
I tried to come up with a valid counter point, but the Professor arguments staggered me. Mutant moral brigades, selective mind wiping, mutant hunting - all my thoughts seemed jumbled together with nothing intelligent escaping the chaotic mess. I could feel his eyes drilling into me even when I looked away. There was a moment of silence where I was too stupefied to do anything but stare at my empty bowl.
"Perhaps we could examine a broader argument," the Professor continued. I blinked dully.More? I thought. "Instead of a mutant-based hate crime, let us assume something more generalized - a robbery, for example. Or a murder?
"Again - for the sake of the hypothetical situation, assume that one person intends to kill another. The individual possessing psionic abilities of the mutant crime-stopping team predicts this with a certainty of 90%. Also - for the sake of argument - assume that the team decides to apprehend the criminal long before the act is to be committed - approximately 48 hours.
"The team, therefore, arrives at the home of the would-be criminal, and in some manner blunts the murderous rage and intentions. What are the options to do so? Does the mutant team mete out their own brand of justice? An eye for an eye, perhaps? Or does the team employ some form of scare tactics? Surely removing all weapons from the soon-to-be criminal would not be sufficient? Simply put - what could be done to keep the crime from actually taking place?"
Again - I struggled to follow his whirlwind of logic. _Suppose the X-Men did show up before the murder? What then? Take away the gun and give the guy a slap on the wrist? Would that work? Fat lot of good it would do.He could always go out and get another gun. You could take away the instrument - but not the intent._
"I believe there would be graver consequences to such an action, Professor," Ororo interrupted for the first time. Maybe she could sense my frustration. "If the team were to intercede on behalf of the intended victim.it could lead to a transference of aggression. The hostilities of the 'criminal' would instead be redirected at mutants, increasing the fervor of anti-mutant sentiments. This outcome would then be counterproductive to the existence of the X-Men. Furthermore, since there would be only proof in the word of the single mutant that predicted the crime, it would not be possible to initiate an arrest. Therefore, the criminal would now be free."
Allowing him or her to add to the anti-mutant feelings, I added silently. "Well, there must be other options," I blurted out. "Other than waiting for it to happen - better ways to be prepared." I was no dummy; I'd watched the news pretty closely in the last four years and followed anti- mutant reports. It'd been pretty hard to miss, actually. Watching the news always left a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach because the newscasters were usually blatantly feeding their own anti-mutant feelings to the public.
"Please feel free to propose a new course of action at any time," Professor Xavier said evenly. "A new perspective is always welcome."
_I think I'll keep my ideas to myself_. Debating with the Professor was like wrestling with a rabid lion. Not something I had any desire to do again. But all I said was "Okay." As I started to get up, the Professor added one final comment.
"Ororo and I will meet with you at 11 am to discuss your Danger Room sequence. In my office, if you please." It wasn't a question. I could feel several pairs of eyes on me, and the blood rushed to my cheeks as I recalled the earlier. 'incident'.
"Uh sure," I said, before picking up my breakfast dishes and retreating into the kitchen. I turned on the water in the sink and began to rinse out my bowl of oatmeal and coffee cup, then paused leaning heavily on the counter. I closed my eyes and forced myself to breathe evenly and slowly. It wasn't even 9:30 and I already felt like I was ready for bed. Well at least my mental and physically training were done for the day - at least I hoped so. Now I just had to make it through the next 14 hours without having any more episodes - or getting any more Meaningful Looks from the others.
I was startled when the door opened unexpectedly. I hurried to finish cleaning my dishes and put them in the dishwasher, pointedly ignoring whoever came in. I kept my back to the person, so I wouldn't encourage conversation - especially if it were Professor Xavier. In my haste, I hadn't even scanned to see whom it was, consciously holding my powers in check. I wasn't even sure who had come into the kitchen until I turned away from the dishwasher to leave.
Warren was washing out his own dishes in the sink. He was half- turned, regarding me with a grave expression. I don't know how long he'd been standing there like that. I paused - then mentally kicked myself; once again, I wasn't heading for the door when I should have been. Warren cleared his throat and said in a soft voice, "I was only kidding about the code name 'Overpower'." He gave me a slightly reproachful look at the same time. It spoke volumes.
My jaw dropped in shock. I felt my gut twist and my throat constrict. _I guess that answers my earlier question._ _Oh well - it was nice having other mutant friends while it lasted._ There was a moment of protracted silence while Warren studied my open-mouthed expression. Then he broke into a broad jovial grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He began to chuckle. Loudly. I was torn between wanting to punch him and wanting to laugh out loud.
Eventually the latter desire won out and soon I was laughing so hard I had to sit down at the small table in the corner of the kitchen. Ever had a really stressful day? One where you're emotionally and physically exhausted, and something semi-funny starts you giggling? Well, soon you're roaring hysterically, practically forgetting what it was that you were laughing about to begin with... Well, this was one of those times. I think it's therapeutic - maybe laughter is the best medicine sometimes; you expunge yourself of all the angst. It certainly worked for me right now. "That wasn't funny," I managed to gasp eventually. This only made Warren laugh harder. "Remind me to kick your butt later."
Warren stopped laughing, his eyebrows bunching together in a concerned scowl. "Moi?" He said with the perfect amount of feigned innocence. By then I was howling, tears streaming down my face in relief.
"You jerk," I swore at him. Just then, Kitty and Peter walked in. I knew they didn't know what to make of the two of us, uncontrollably laughing in the kitchen. From the looks they gave us, they probably thought we were crazy. Oh well. It was the best laugh I'd had in a long time. And I felt much better, knowing that I was on good terms with at least one of the X-Men.
* * * * *
At 10:55 I realized I was lost in the mansion. I thought I'd gone the right way towards the Professor's office, but somehow I'd gotten turned around. I didn't even know if I were on the right floor.and now that I think about it.the correct wing.
I hated being late - even if I were dreading this particular engagement.I still had five minutes. _Okay._ _I can figure this out._ _All I have to do is scan the mansion and get myself turned around the right way._ I began to push my powers out, 'seeing' various other rooms.the X-Men going about their daily activities. I'd have to search room by room, and since the place was huge, that might take up all my buffer time. I had only a couple seconds to myself before an alien thought interrupted the process.
[Follow me, I will show you the way to my office], Professor Xavier's voice came clearly into my mind.
"Okay," I said aloud and mentally. I was only a little surprised.telepathic communication wasn't entirely new to me.I just wasn't used to his voice in my head. Then I realized that the Professor had probably heard what I was just thinking and instead focused on his telepathic instructions.
I arrived to his office in short order, having been on the wrong floor. "Thanks," I said to him, before sliding into the chair in front of his desk. Ororo was also there, sitting quietly and serenely next to me.
Professor Xavier barely touched on the pleasantries and then cut right to business. "Ororo and I have had a chance to study the tape from your Danger Room session earlier this morning." I nodded, the breakfast debate still looming on my mind. "We would like to review this with you and discuss opportunities where we can work with you to increase your performance."
"Okay." The Professor picked up a strange looking remote and pointed it at what looked like a computer monitor on his desk. It had been turned so that all three of us could look at the screen. Instead of a computer monitor, it appeared to be some sort of fancy TV/VCR combo that now showed me standing in the corner of the Danger Room as I had this morning. I watched myself wave, but my eyes were more drawn to the horrible gold-and- black spandex I had been forced to wear. _It's even uglier than I thought._
"First, I will give you a brief appraisal of your performance," Professor Xavier said matter-of-factly. "You were successful, given that you were able to exit the Danger Room. Given your abilities, I had estimated that you would have required less time to complete this sequence. Along the same lines, I had believed that you would have had less difficulty surmounting the challenges set before you. Ororo kindly reminded me that you have rarely actively utilized your abilities for quite some time, and are perhaps - in the common vernacular - a 'bit rusty'. I believe that with proper guidance and regular training sessions, you could greatly improve the manner in which you employ your powers." While he spoke, the monitor displayed my encounter with the jet engine. Professor Xavier paused the tape.
"I certainly feel it would be best to help you refine your level of control and discipline. Your power is quite remarkable in its versatility and depth. We must certainly determine your upper limits and then develop non-lethal methods by which you can dissuade foes."
I almost snorted at the last. There's at least one 'foe' I knew of who deserved to feel the full brunt of my power. "Okay," was all I said.
Professor Xavier proposed a series of objectives for me to achieve in the future: Creating a personal bodyshield that would protect me from physical attacks; developing the ability to handle multiple attacks and counters concurrently; working on my airborne agility; bio- molecular/nuclear transfiguration - whatever that meant; developing the ability to scan and use my active powers simultaneously - this was an ability he especially wanted to focus on. Most importantly, he emphasized the ability to be able to think clearly in a 'crisis' situation. He hastened to add that, "Perfect practice makes perfect. You would do well to employ your abilities on a day-to-day basis, even during normal household activities. This would increase your comfort level with respect to your powers."
"I counsel you to use your powers during your daily regime, inside the mansion and without - of course, within limitation. Please, use your own best judgment. Nevertheless, utilizing your powers to complete ordinary jobs will heighten your control, and allow them to serve you as easily as any normal reflex action."
I nodded slowly in understanding.
"Now - to cite the specific references of your first Danger Room sequence - let's review this video. The initial portion of this sequence was designed with the dual purpose of gauging your ability to think under duress and also help determine the parameters involving your airborne abilities - maximum velocity, maneuverability, etc." Here he clicked a button, which created a small chart in the corner. "This chart depicts the force created by the engine. Effectively it is pulling you in one direction - and your powers push you away from it."
"A wind tunnel, sort of." I piped in.
"Precisely. Now, on this chart, you can see the drag you overcame before incapacitating the equipment."
I frowned as the number steadily increased to a peak on the small chart. "That can't be right."
Professor shook his head once to dispel my arguments. "Merely because you find it difficult to believe, does not make it so. Had you continued to hold your position, I imagine that you could even exceed this velocity. Two hundred miles per hour will be your benchmark. We will determine what level you can achieve above this standard in your next session."
Next session, I thought mutely. What have I gotten myself into, I wondered for the umpteenth time. I glanced from Professor Xavier to Ororo - who smiled supportively - then turned back to the screen.
Professor Xavier made that chart go away with another button click, at the same time making a short ruler appear in the bottom right-hand corner. Instead of numbers, though, this ruler had two-letter abbreviations spaced evenly throughout. As the video played, the ruler began to look more like the read-out from an EKG; it showed different peaks and spikes at various levels - rising and falling with no discernible pattern.
"These markings are telemetry readings," he indicated the ruler in the corner, "they depict the various wavelengths of radiation along the electromagnetic spectrum." He pushed another button on his high-tech remote. "This is a typical spectrum," he said indicating a second ruler, which appeared above the first; it showed a large peak over the area denoted by 'VL'. "You could think of this as a baseline," he explained. I leaned in closer, concentrating.
"All right."
"Now, keeping this in mind, notice the changes on the initial read- out." He indicated the first ruler, where spikes were appearing and disappearing irregularly. Comparing the two, I could see that the first was vastly different from the second - which didn't change at all.
"Okay." Then. "What's causing that?"
"You are. Notice how the peaks and valleys fluctuate as you actively use your powers. The radiation field surrounding you alters when you use your mutant abilities." My body shield visibly grew and thickened as I fought through the various hazards of the Danger Room. Xavier tapped a third button creating a small window in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Words scrolled in and out of sight like a teleprompter. "This window indicates your emotional status during the activity that is displayed on the screen."
"Okay - so, here's me," I said pointing to myself. "And these blue- white colors around me and extending from me are my powers." Professor Xavier nodded. "And this is the baseline scale for."
"Electromagnetic radiation," Ororo supplied.
"I see. And then this is my power on a sort of electromagnetic scale. And here is what I was feeling at the time I was using my powers." It was a lot to try and digest. Unfortunately it was just the beginning. "Does that cover the gist of it?" The older man nodded.
Professor Xavier then sped up the tape to the part where I was caught in the crossfire of two lasers. "Please observe closely," he advised. On the video, I stood, unmoved and unharmed by the amplified light.
"You felt no adverse effect from these two beams?" Ororo indicated the lasers.
"None at all," I replied. "It actually felt good."
"I registered that here," Professor Xavier said, tapped the portion of the computer screen that held the 'teleprompter of emotions'. He paused the screen. "You absorbed the energy?" It was more a statement than a question.
"I guess. It didn't burn me. I wasn't hurt, or anything. I can't really be sure. It's not like people point lasers at me on a daily basis," I said, with only a medium amount of sarcasm.
"Then, I would hypothesize that you most likely absorbed the power," he indicated the spheres. "There was a slight energy drain from the power systems related to that particular Danger Room system."
"So you're saying I was feeding on the lasers?"
He gave me a small smile. "I don't know if 'feeding' is the most appropriate term, but the analogy will suffice for now."
"Well - where does the power go?" Being a chemical engineer I was sensitive to matters of mass and energy balances. _You can neither create nor destroy either one._ That was just a fundamental law - Introductory Engineering 101.
"A small portion is re-distributed to the visual portion of the spectrum which we register as this display of color - your standard energy signature."
"And the rest of the energy.?" I said.
"Probably held in reserve until it is required," he explained. "You are constantly pulling various forms of energy from the electromagnetic spectrum in your immediate environment. It is most likely a completely unconscious use of your ability, since I believe this is a phenomenon you were not aware of previously."
"Nope," I said eyeing the screen. "Had no idea." It was amazing to think that this was going on sight-unseen. You could never tell that I was doing all that just by looking at me - it had required Xavier's special equipment to determine this particular aspect of my mutant nature.
"Here - when you encountered the flamethrowers," Xavier plowed on. "You are also immune to flame?"
"No," I said. "I just don't get burned if I concentrate. I mean - fire can't touch me through my heat shield," I tried to explain.
He paused for a moment in thought. "That would be logical. The heat produced by a normal chemical fire is less than that created by radiation." He began revving the video to the next scenario. "This is also interesting," the Professor said. "In your final conflict with the automaton, you began to wield extraordinary levels of energy." I watched the bottom ruler register large spikes in all areas of the electromagnetic scale. The peaks grew high, then stopped; the Professor had paused the tape. "Notice the area around your hands, and eyes. And how the thickness of your body-field has increased markedly?" I nodded. "This would be better with the color-coded display." The Professor said more to himself than either Ororo or me. He studied the controller for a moment then tapped a few buttons. Soon the overall picture had faded to a dull black- and-white contrast. The ruler, however, now displayed each section in colors. GR was magenta, XR was orange, UV was gold, VL was dull gray, IR was green, MR was cobalt, and RW was deep purple.
It was like he had inverted the color - the Danger Room, and everything in it - were mostly drab shades of gray. Conversely, my powers and I had changed dramatically. I - my body - now looked completely black - like a being made of pure darkness. My powers, in contrast, were vivid prismatic hues; the area around my hands and eyes as well as the stream of energy pouring from my body was a mixture of all the colors. Bands of energy continued to saturate my 'dark' form. They were tinged with the same ambient energy forms that made up the color scheme of the Danger Room. These were also the same colors present in the baseline scale for EM radiation. _Irregardless of what the Professor said, it did in fact look like I was 'feeding' off energy in the room._
"Now based on this display, I theorize that your body has become a conduit for metabolizing and manipulating massive quantities of EM radiation."
"That would explain the black color," I said.
"Exactly. Now note the similarity in colors between 1) the colored energy bands from which you are drawing power and 2) the baseline electromagnetic spectrum ruler, here, Mr. Darkmoon. Now notice the change in the array of colors in your power field. Each color represents a different energy form in the Electromagnetic spectrum. Gamma Rays are red, X-Rays are orange, Ultraviolet is yellow, light in the Visual range is gray, Infared is green, Microwaves are blue, and Radiowaves are violet."
"Okay.and?" Then I paused. The colors in the baseline - the energy forms, I corrected myself -were in the visual range, also consisting of small amounts of some other types. But the energy pouring out of my hands and around the edges of my eyes was tinged with gamma radiation, x-rays, and microwaves. _Where's it all coming from?_ I don't know if I spoke out loud or just projected the thought. Nevertheless, Professor Xavier answered.
"The simplest explanation we can put forth is that you are unconsciously converting one form of electromagnetic radiation to another as you need it. In this particular setting, the need for sufficient power to overcome your adversary manifested itself in the higher energy forms, gamma rays, and X-Rays being the higher energy forms of radiation."
"All right. So what you're saying is - is that I can draw on different wavelengths of light from my environment and convert it to whatever form of EM radiation I need. Without thinking about it. And that I can store this energy away, somewhere, until it's needed."
"It would appear so. Yes," he said.
"I needed more power, so I drew upon the light around me to give me enough to beat up the robot. I know I've never done that before."
"Perhaps not with a conscious will.but you have done it nonetheless. You did it all throughout your Danger Room session today. I believe you also employed your powers in this manner during the confrontation in Pittsburgh."
_Hmmmmmm._ "Some of those forms of radiation are dangerous," I said after a moment.
"Yes, they are. But only if allowed to run unchecked; you have demonstrated the capability of gowerning your powers in both controlled and uncontrolled environments. It will require more time on my part to study stellar phenomenon and physics, to gain a further understanding as to how your powers operate. But I believe this initial assessment will suffice?"
"Yes," I agreed, quickly. I was definitely not in the mood for a lesson from the mutant Mr. Science-and-Technology.
"Good. Now, let's analyze these particular instances," he said, reversing the tape to show me various times when I had dodged or been hit by a physical object. He switched the color-coded display back now that he'd given me the introductory speech about the physics of my mutant powers. "With your abilities, you should have easily avoided physical contact," he stated. "Your ability allows you to view physical objects in large context, does it not?"
I nodded.
"Then you should be able to counter or dodge without having to physically turn to face an attack."
"Yeah." He said nothing, which meant - to me - that I'd have to work harder at using scanning sense. Prove to him that I could do better with my power. *Sigh*
He let the tape play forward to the climatic ending. I watched the outsider's perspective on my freak-out with a clenched jaw. I couldn't peel my eyes away from the scene. There I was - punching, kicking, fighting and then - I stopped as if resigned to my fate. A second later, a strange transformation took place.
There was a flash of light from the monitor that made Ororo and the Professor squint slightly, but it was gone quickly. "What the . . ." I murmured. The robot, which had previously lifted me in its grasp, now seemed to be holding a man-shaped light-blob. It looked like one of those energy-creatures from the movie 'Cocoon' - except it was composed of blue- white light, and there was nothing soothing or benevolent about this being. _About me_, I corrected myself.
"Can you replay that?" I asked suddenly, leaning in closer.
"Of course," Professor Xavier replied, re-winding the tape. I watched the metamorphosis once more, this time my eyes glued to the electromagnetic scale in the bottom corner. At the precise moment of my - change - the energy spiked off the scale in every category. I let a low breath escape.
The tape continued to play.
_This was when I sort of . . . detached myself_, I recalled. I watched - now getting a play-by-play view of what I'd actually done. And, since I couldn't remember clearly what happened, this tape filled in the foggy details. Whether or not this was a good thing, I still wonder about to this day.
I lifted into the air. Since the robot was still holding on to me, it got pulled up, too. Professor Xavier explained that the robot had a system of specialized magnets in its feet that had been designed to prevent such an action. Airborne, I somehow managed to force the arms of the robot off me - it happened so fast I couldn't even tell; though, I was too entranced to ask for the tape to be rewound again. It dropped the few feet back to the metal floor, only slightly staggered by the fall. I flew at it then, wrapping my hands around the head, shoving it bodily back into the wall behind us. The robot countered my attack by backhanding me away. The blow stopped me for only a second.
I - the 'me' on the screen - charged forward again, dipping my shoulder at the last second, tackling the robot like a linebacker. We slammed into a wall and I began to pummel it with my fists. At least my form wasn't too bad, I thought bemusedly. _My kickboxing trainer would've been pleased._ But then the robot pushed me off it once more, this time starting to look a little worse for wear; it had strange mercurial depressions in its torso and one big one on the side of its face. The mechanical equivalent of bruised and bloody?
Shaking my head to dispel the errant thought, I watched my energy-signature swirl even more brightly as the oversized Go-Bot came around to face me again. I barreled into it once more, both of us careening forward. At this point, we flew out of the bottom of the screen. That must have been when I crashed through the Danger Room door into the anteroom. I'm no football player; at 6'1" and 175 pounds, the robot must have outweighed me many times over. Physics would probably say that I should have bounced right off that thing. _How had I managed to even make it stumble?_ The Professor stopped the tape then.
He leveled a frank stare at me. I began to pick at the nails on my left hand, trying hard not to look at him. "I registered your emotional state as panicked," he said evenly. _I bet you did, you._ "I had no idea that the pre-determined sequence would have such a deleterious effect on your emotional well-being. Had I known, I would have terminated it sooner. As it were, we concluded it as quickly as possible."
_He had the power to stop it and he let it play out anyway?_ My head snapped up. "Why didn't you stop it sooner?" My eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"We reacted swiftly - as fast as was humanly possible," Xavier admitted. "You may not be effected by light, but the rest of us are." I could feel my temper soaring higher. Professor Xavier's brow suddenly furrowed in consternation. "Please contain yourself, Mr. Darkmoon," he advised me.
I studied him curiously. "What?"
"You are glowing," Ororo said by way of explanation. I looked down at my hands and saw the soft blue-white light flickering around my fingertips. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence while I struggled to suppress my powers. I took a long calming breath. The light around my hands flickered and went out.
"As to what I was saying earlier." Professor Xavier began.
"We were momentarily blinded after you transformed," Ororo said. The Professor nodded.
"When our vision cleared, we saw you pushing the robot ahead of you out of the Danger Room. I terminated the exercise then. Storm went first to intercept you," he said. _In case I had really gotten out of hand?_
I slouched back in my chair. "I see."
"From a purely practical standpoint, we need to examine this portion of the tape with you in detail," Professor Xavier said. He rewound the video, freezing it at the instant right before I had gone nuclear - literally. "It is of paramount importance for you to understand what happened - if you are to ever have true control over your power. And if we are to assist in your training, then we need to understand it as well."
"I have control," I said snippily.
The Professor arched an eyebrow at me, but didn't refute the statement.
I took another deep breath and released it slowly, trying not to let the frustration and anger show. At least not much more. In a much more steady voice, I said, "Why?"
"What you lack is practical use of your abilities in combat," Professor Xavier stated. "That is something that you could learn however, should you remain here at the school to further your training in your powers. As to the 'why'? I would think that it would be obvious. If you were to find yourself in a similar situation as last Friday, or even today, what will you do? How many innocent people will suffer because you overreact? How much havoc will you wreak? Does that help you understand why it is so important for us to understand your actions during intense situations like these?"
I opened my mouth - then slammed it shut. _Yes - it made sense._ But that didn't make it any easier to agree with him.
"Would you care to explain your response in this particular instance?" he asked bluntly.
"No." I said sharply. He didn't need any more information than he'd already gleaned from my stray surface thoughts. And I wasn't ready to divulge any secrets to the guy. Not after this morning's session. And breakfast. And the last fifteen minutes.
He leveled his gaze at me. Once again I felt his will like a palpable force. I don't think he was actually doing anything more than looking hard at me, but it still felt that way. The guy's a telepath; I know what it feels like when someone's going through your mind. Even if it's a friend. Which he wasn't. My fingers curled into tight angry fists. I think we would have stared at each other indefinitely, had not Ororo stepped in.
"Tres - even without knowing the precise details of your previous experience, we can understand that there.That you have suffered a very traumatic ordeal. When you are ready to share particulars of those events, if ever, we offer to listen," she said softly. I had a strong urge to resist her gentle words and imploring tone. This vied with the desire to talk to someone who would understand; to tell anyone something. Then I caught Professor Xavier's stern gaze out of the corner my eye. That squashed any feelings of goodwill I'd had in a heartbeat.
"I'll think it over," was all I said. "Thanks," I murmured looking away from both of them to study an interesting corner of the office. There was a moment of silence, disrupted only by the crackle of the flames from the fireplace.
Finally, Professor Xavier spoke in an even, clipped tone. Whatever warmth he'd had before had diminished. All this talk of working with my powers made me uneasy. He was never going to let me leave, I thought dejectedly. _I'm trapped!_ I felt a familiar surge of fear, but tried to push it aside. I nodded and half-heartedly agreed that all the things he'd suggested were good ideas. _At least, he could help me improve my powers._ _Maybe I'd get better at using them or at least stronger._
There was a pause, which I thought signaled the end of the debriefing. It was, however, the Professor gathering his thoughts. "This concludes our discussion of your Danger Room performance. However, this does bring us to the heart of a matter I think of utmost importance, Mr. Darkmoon." I felt another oppressive weight settling upon me. _What now?_ _Would the inquisition never end?_
"I understand you have finals this week,". The Professor cleared his throat. "I will not stand in the way of your education and more importantly your right to live your life the way you choose. You are, as such, free to leave the mansion at any time. However, if you like, you are welcome to continue to stay in my home."
Oh. "I.Thank you for your offer," I managed to get out of a throat that had suddenly gone dry. The last thing I'd expected was an invitation to come back.
"What I am proposing - asking - is that you return to West Chester in five days time. This is assuming you would not require more rest from your academic trials. We could commence further testing of your powers, then."
_Ah ha!_ _There's a catch!_
"Of course, you would have whatever time you'd feel was necessary to come to a decision," Xavier added, as almost an afterthought. "But if you were to return, I would recommend several additional training sessions. If you would be amenable to that?"
_Is he challenging me?_ I lifted my chin a little higher in defiance. _I'm not gonna let you find any weakness in me, damnit!_ I started to reply, but Ororo spoke first.
"We still feel it is very important to discern the nature of your assailants," Ororo spoke now, interposing herself, and a convenient subject change, between the two of us. "As that information has not been forthcoming, yet, we recommend that you proceed cautiously. With the identity of your attackers still a mystery, another assault could come at any time." Ororo sounded completely sincere; I couldn't sense anything from her other than concern for my well-being. "Of course, should you choose to accept our offer and return, the facilities of the mansion would be at your disposal. The library, the computers, and the Danger Room to be specific," Ororo added. "As well as the seclusion of the grounds of the estate. This would allow you time to exercise your powers in an arena that is well-suited to such activities." I nodded too off-balance to process any of it for a moment.
I said a silent prayer - to any God, Goddess, or Spirit that would hear me - profusely thankful that Ororo was here. Xavier's will, whether he meant it to be or not, was almost a tangible thing; I could feel it pressing on me and that made me only want to resist - do the opposite of what he suggested. If I didn't know better, I would've sworn the man was a TK and not a TP. But Ororo's presence provided a buffer - of sorts. At least she gave me a handy escape route. "Thanks," I mumbled.
"It is my understanding that your first examination is tomorrow. I would, of course, like to extend another offer to transport you back to Pittsburgh. We can make arrangements for you to return to West Chester and communicate them to you later on in the week. If you choose to come back that is," Professor Xavier threw this part in at the end.
"I . . ." You'd think I'd be done stumbling over my own words by now. I didn't know what to say. And the debate must have been plain on my face. Xavier's blue eyes stared searchingly at me. I clamped down on my current train of thought. "I - I can't think about that now. I really need to study. After the exam tomorrow, can I tell you what I think then?"
Xavier sat back a little in his chair - I hadn't realized he'd been bending forward - but his expression was unreadable; I couldn't tell if he were frustrated or disappointed by my obvious delay tactic. "Of course, Tres," Ororo said, placing a hand gently on my forearm. "You need time to consider your options. We would not expect you to come to such a decision so rapidly."
"But, please let us know when you'd like to return to Pittsburgh," Professor Xavier said.
I'd already made up my mind. "Actually - I was wondering if I could go back in the morning. My final's not until 1. If I get back around 8, then I'd have time to get re-adjusted, get in more study time, etc." I looked first at Xavier, then at Ororo. "If that wouldn't be too much trouble."
"I will see to the necessary accommodations; it will not be a problem at all," Ororo assured me.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Darkmoon." His tone was cordial, but lacked affection. There was no denying when Xavier had dismissed you.
I nodded, not quite sure what to say, and stood. Ororo also rose, but Professor Xavier made a gesture that I only caught out of the corner of my eye, as I turned towards the door.
"We will rejoin you at lunch," Ororo said, returning to her seat.
"Until then." I said, trying to smile. But the knot of anxiety in my stomach that had been there since the start of the interview began to grow. And it wasn't pre-test jitters.
* * * * *
-End Part 2-
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."
* * * * *
I joined Professor Xavier and Kitty in the Control Room to watch the team sequence. Once the initial ten minutes of post-workout adrenaline wore off, I began to feel the after-effects of the previous day's worth of study, exorbitant stress, little sleep, emotional fatigue, and no breakfast. Although watching the team practice was interesting, my eyelids began to droop. I had to pinch myself just to stay awake. Hard.
Through all that, Kitty explained to me various abilities of the Danger Room, and some previous tricks and traps the Professor had used. Kitty hadn't been privy to my sequence, and Professor Xavier hadn't said anything to her; her manner was just as friendly as usual. I had time to wonder whether she'd be as cordial if she'd knew what I'd just done.
Kitty wasn't partaking in a team run, yet. So she mostly watched and tried to glean as much information as possible from the others, so as to be prepared for the time when she could join a full session. They don't look all that great, I thought sarcastically, as a look of longing came into her eyes. But I merely nodded, encouraging her to continue. After the team session ended, and Professor Xavier had powered down the Danger Room, the three of us left.
"They usually debrief after breakfast," Kitty whispered to me as we made our way to the elevator where we rendezvoused with the rest of the X- Men. The infamous team members and I parted company once we reached the ground level of the manse, each heading to our various post Danger Room tasks. I imagined that, like me, the others were going to shower and change. Although, I was the only one looking odd in the bumblebee outfit.
Once I got back to my room, it took me several long moments of intense effort to extricate myself from the costume. At one point, I seriously thought about burning it off - but then reconsidered. If it had already survived my powers during the training session, then it could probably take a fair amount of punishment.Argh! _Why is it that heroes leave out the part about having to undress and bathe during their adventures when you read about them in novels or see them in movies?_ I made up some time by having a short shower, 'drying', dressing, then heading downstairs. I resisted the urge to use my powers to fly through the mansion and instead walked to the dining room; I didn't know how the "public" use of my powers would be received and decided to follow from everyone else's example of nonuse.
Today I arrived on the scene before everyone except Professor Xavier and Ororo. So this time, instead of sitting at the end of the group, I sat next to Professor Xavier, across from Ororo. Warren, Kitty and the rest settled in around us, and breakfast commenced. It was the same animated affair as yesterday except this time I could observe all three conversations going-on at the same time. I believe the Professor and Ororo were discussing strategy about mutant/non-mutant/anti-mutant relations - a topic I sorely wanted to avoid. Warren was giving another financial lesson - this time to Kurt and Kitty. Kurt, however, appeared more interested in Peter and Wolverine's chat about some sort of martial arts fight they'd seen. From the way they were describing certain blows and kicks, it sounded like they had actually been there.
Everyone had seemed at ease with me during the short elevator ride, and sitting at the table before we started eating - the only times we'd been together as a group. I don't know.I guess I expected everyone to recoil in horror at what I'd done. But no one had brought it up, yet. _What would they say?_ _Would they think differently about me now?_ _Maybe no one cared._ I stared into the coffee as if it were a crystal ball, revealing the answers to my questions.
_It's stupid to think they'd treat me any differently, I guess_. Following their exploits on the news - as well as other groups like the Avengers and the FF - I knew they'd probably seen or done much stranger things. But in their own home? Plus being new.I didn't know how well it'd go over to have someone walking around that might or might not be 'unstable'.Especially if that person could literally melt you with a thought. And I'm that person.
"And what might your perspective be, Mr. Darkmoon?" The Professor asked lightly.
"Huh?"
Ororo smiled benignly. "Professor Xavier and I were discussing the ramifications of our current 'reactive' tactics for dealing with mutant- related incidences. Specifically, we are discussing instances where mutants are creating public disturbances, or are directly responsible for large amounts of property damage. Generally, these types of events - which have happened frequently in past years - can increase the fervor of anti- mutant feelings from non-mutants. Perhaps employing a different stratagem would reduce hostilities and anxieties on both sides. Your thoughts?"
Oh. Just something simple to ponder while I slowly swallowed a mouth full of oatmeal. Professor Xavier looked thoughtfully at me, his fingers steepled before him, lips pressed against his two thumbs. I suddenly got the impression that I was still being tested - regardless of the fact that I'd left the Danger Room over 30 minutes ago. "Well -" I began, trying to slowly collect my thoughts. "I guess the alternative would have to be a proactive strategy. Kind of like - 'the best defense is a good offense' rationale, right?" I looked first at Ororo and then back at the Professor. They looked expectantly at me, obviously waiting for me to continue.
_Guess I'm not going to weasel out of this one so easily._ "Then, I guess we - or rather - you all would need a foreknowledge of a potential crime, then you could show up before it happened and stop the criminal.or criminals. I guess all you'd need is some way to predict a crime before it actually took place. Maybe a clairvoyant or something." Here Professor Xavier - whether intentionally or not - gently stroked his brow. ".Or a telepath. And all this telepath would have to do, I guess, is read the mind of the criminal - and then the X-Men - or whomever - would go and stop him before he caused any trouble."
"Do you see any areas where such a strategy might be fallible?" Professor Xavier asked. His eyes bored into me - and I had a fleeting thought that I was back in a classroom at school and the teacher had just asked me a question that was nearly impossible to answer.
I paused to consider, realizing I was probably going to be graded on my next few statements, and there would not be an opportunity for bonus points or make-up exams. "Well." The answer was I didn't really see what the problem was with my idea. It could make crime prevention a whole helluva lot easier. _Maybe that would calm the rising anti-mutant hysteria. Then it'd be safe for mutants everywhere._
"No.I guess not," I began. But even as the words passed my lips, I sensed that I'd given the wrong answer.
The Professor paused momentarily as if collecting himself and I waited, expecting his rebuttal to rain down on me like Zeus hurling bolts of lighting. However, I hadn't needed to worry about god-like wrath - at least not at the breakfast table. "Have you ever tried to extend your powers across the globe, Mr. Darkmoon?" He asked evenly.
"No," I said.
"Then you propose, perhaps a regional sphere of influence?"
"I guess - if that's what could be managed."
"And how would the telepath be able to discern the difference between a fantasy, a whimsical train of thought, and a deed that was truly to be executed?" He asked.
"I don't know," I replied lamely.
"Furthermore, do you think that it is for this clairvoyant or telepath to be the moral and ethical compass for the entire planet? Or rather - as you have proposed - a hemispherical portion of the globe. "
"Well - no - I hadn't thought of that."
"Then you do not believe it is the role of mutants to be the conscience of humanity?"
"Certainly not." was my immediate answer - but was it the right answer? _Or just what he wanted to hear._
"Consider, if you will, that what you are proposing would effectively be removing the ability for someone - anyone - to choose his or her own path, to consciously decide between right and wrong - or between the lesser of two evils - and that this is, in fact, the moral or ethical dilemma that every person is often forced to deal with on their own. The type of choice that, in no small part, defines a person's individuality? And do you agree that this would be the result of such a pre-emptive action?"
"Yes - I guess it would." The words sounded hollow and weak in my ears. _What's he driving at, anyway_, I wondered feeling a little annoyed.
The Professor took a sip of his coffee. "Let's consider a hypothetical situation. For the sake of argument, let's assume that it is wrong to hunt mutants."
I nodded - now believing silence to be the best course of action. Meanwhile, Wolverine and Peter droned on, while I heard Kitty's light laughter above Kurt and Warren's exchange.
"Let us also assume that a team of mutants, one equipped with a telepath, has gained knowledge of a potential new weapon - something that will enhance the ability to hunt, detain, and - for lack of a better word - 'exterminate' mutant kind." Again I nodded mutely. "Let us also say, that for the sake of argument, that this new weapon is in its infancy - more theory than practice, mostly drawings, and the earliest of prototypes. In other words, no actual full scale working designs. Finally, let's assume that there are only a handful of people involved in this project and with no government sanctions or interactions."
I cleared my throat. "Okay."
"Now, the team of mutants, having gained this 'forewarning' of the creation of the new weapon, formulates a plan of attack. Before this new threat can be unleashed on all mutant-kind, they proactively nullify it. It is a simple matter to destroy the laboratory and the relatively small amount of work of a few people.
"But what is to be done about the involved parties? The thoughts and ideas were originated within this small group that could eventually lead to the annihilation of all mutant-kind? Are these scientists to be sentenced to the same fate that they had intended for mutants? They had intended to help bring about the termination of mutant-kind - is not a similar fate being dealt to them a just and fair decree? And if not death - then what is to stop them from merely re-initiating their work?
"Or should they be left alone after their information and work has been destroyed? Would this effectively thwart their plans? For how long? Won't they continue their work with greater ardor than before? Would this now have defeated the purpose of the original objective? Perhaps, you are recommending that the telepath of the group should remove such thoughts and ideas from their minds.?" He looked to me for affirmation.
I tried to come up with a valid counter point, but the Professor arguments staggered me. Mutant moral brigades, selective mind wiping, mutant hunting - all my thoughts seemed jumbled together with nothing intelligent escaping the chaotic mess. I could feel his eyes drilling into me even when I looked away. There was a moment of silence where I was too stupefied to do anything but stare at my empty bowl.
"Perhaps we could examine a broader argument," the Professor continued. I blinked dully.More? I thought. "Instead of a mutant-based hate crime, let us assume something more generalized - a robbery, for example. Or a murder?
"Again - for the sake of the hypothetical situation, assume that one person intends to kill another. The individual possessing psionic abilities of the mutant crime-stopping team predicts this with a certainty of 90%. Also - for the sake of argument - assume that the team decides to apprehend the criminal long before the act is to be committed - approximately 48 hours.
"The team, therefore, arrives at the home of the would-be criminal, and in some manner blunts the murderous rage and intentions. What are the options to do so? Does the mutant team mete out their own brand of justice? An eye for an eye, perhaps? Or does the team employ some form of scare tactics? Surely removing all weapons from the soon-to-be criminal would not be sufficient? Simply put - what could be done to keep the crime from actually taking place?"
Again - I struggled to follow his whirlwind of logic. _Suppose the X-Men did show up before the murder? What then? Take away the gun and give the guy a slap on the wrist? Would that work? Fat lot of good it would do.He could always go out and get another gun. You could take away the instrument - but not the intent._
"I believe there would be graver consequences to such an action, Professor," Ororo interrupted for the first time. Maybe she could sense my frustration. "If the team were to intercede on behalf of the intended victim.it could lead to a transference of aggression. The hostilities of the 'criminal' would instead be redirected at mutants, increasing the fervor of anti-mutant sentiments. This outcome would then be counterproductive to the existence of the X-Men. Furthermore, since there would be only proof in the word of the single mutant that predicted the crime, it would not be possible to initiate an arrest. Therefore, the criminal would now be free."
Allowing him or her to add to the anti-mutant feelings, I added silently. "Well, there must be other options," I blurted out. "Other than waiting for it to happen - better ways to be prepared." I was no dummy; I'd watched the news pretty closely in the last four years and followed anti- mutant reports. It'd been pretty hard to miss, actually. Watching the news always left a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach because the newscasters were usually blatantly feeding their own anti-mutant feelings to the public.
"Please feel free to propose a new course of action at any time," Professor Xavier said evenly. "A new perspective is always welcome."
_I think I'll keep my ideas to myself_. Debating with the Professor was like wrestling with a rabid lion. Not something I had any desire to do again. But all I said was "Okay." As I started to get up, the Professor added one final comment.
"Ororo and I will meet with you at 11 am to discuss your Danger Room sequence. In my office, if you please." It wasn't a question. I could feel several pairs of eyes on me, and the blood rushed to my cheeks as I recalled the earlier. 'incident'.
"Uh sure," I said, before picking up my breakfast dishes and retreating into the kitchen. I turned on the water in the sink and began to rinse out my bowl of oatmeal and coffee cup, then paused leaning heavily on the counter. I closed my eyes and forced myself to breathe evenly and slowly. It wasn't even 9:30 and I already felt like I was ready for bed. Well at least my mental and physically training were done for the day - at least I hoped so. Now I just had to make it through the next 14 hours without having any more episodes - or getting any more Meaningful Looks from the others.
I was startled when the door opened unexpectedly. I hurried to finish cleaning my dishes and put them in the dishwasher, pointedly ignoring whoever came in. I kept my back to the person, so I wouldn't encourage conversation - especially if it were Professor Xavier. In my haste, I hadn't even scanned to see whom it was, consciously holding my powers in check. I wasn't even sure who had come into the kitchen until I turned away from the dishwasher to leave.
Warren was washing out his own dishes in the sink. He was half- turned, regarding me with a grave expression. I don't know how long he'd been standing there like that. I paused - then mentally kicked myself; once again, I wasn't heading for the door when I should have been. Warren cleared his throat and said in a soft voice, "I was only kidding about the code name 'Overpower'." He gave me a slightly reproachful look at the same time. It spoke volumes.
My jaw dropped in shock. I felt my gut twist and my throat constrict. _I guess that answers my earlier question._ _Oh well - it was nice having other mutant friends while it lasted._ There was a moment of protracted silence while Warren studied my open-mouthed expression. Then he broke into a broad jovial grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He began to chuckle. Loudly. I was torn between wanting to punch him and wanting to laugh out loud.
Eventually the latter desire won out and soon I was laughing so hard I had to sit down at the small table in the corner of the kitchen. Ever had a really stressful day? One where you're emotionally and physically exhausted, and something semi-funny starts you giggling? Well, soon you're roaring hysterically, practically forgetting what it was that you were laughing about to begin with... Well, this was one of those times. I think it's therapeutic - maybe laughter is the best medicine sometimes; you expunge yourself of all the angst. It certainly worked for me right now. "That wasn't funny," I managed to gasp eventually. This only made Warren laugh harder. "Remind me to kick your butt later."
Warren stopped laughing, his eyebrows bunching together in a concerned scowl. "Moi?" He said with the perfect amount of feigned innocence. By then I was howling, tears streaming down my face in relief.
"You jerk," I swore at him. Just then, Kitty and Peter walked in. I knew they didn't know what to make of the two of us, uncontrollably laughing in the kitchen. From the looks they gave us, they probably thought we were crazy. Oh well. It was the best laugh I'd had in a long time. And I felt much better, knowing that I was on good terms with at least one of the X-Men.
* * * * *
At 10:55 I realized I was lost in the mansion. I thought I'd gone the right way towards the Professor's office, but somehow I'd gotten turned around. I didn't even know if I were on the right floor.and now that I think about it.the correct wing.
I hated being late - even if I were dreading this particular engagement.I still had five minutes. _Okay._ _I can figure this out._ _All I have to do is scan the mansion and get myself turned around the right way._ I began to push my powers out, 'seeing' various other rooms.the X-Men going about their daily activities. I'd have to search room by room, and since the place was huge, that might take up all my buffer time. I had only a couple seconds to myself before an alien thought interrupted the process.
[Follow me, I will show you the way to my office], Professor Xavier's voice came clearly into my mind.
"Okay," I said aloud and mentally. I was only a little surprised.telepathic communication wasn't entirely new to me.I just wasn't used to his voice in my head. Then I realized that the Professor had probably heard what I was just thinking and instead focused on his telepathic instructions.
I arrived to his office in short order, having been on the wrong floor. "Thanks," I said to him, before sliding into the chair in front of his desk. Ororo was also there, sitting quietly and serenely next to me.
Professor Xavier barely touched on the pleasantries and then cut right to business. "Ororo and I have had a chance to study the tape from your Danger Room session earlier this morning." I nodded, the breakfast debate still looming on my mind. "We would like to review this with you and discuss opportunities where we can work with you to increase your performance."
"Okay." The Professor picked up a strange looking remote and pointed it at what looked like a computer monitor on his desk. It had been turned so that all three of us could look at the screen. Instead of a computer monitor, it appeared to be some sort of fancy TV/VCR combo that now showed me standing in the corner of the Danger Room as I had this morning. I watched myself wave, but my eyes were more drawn to the horrible gold-and- black spandex I had been forced to wear. _It's even uglier than I thought._
"First, I will give you a brief appraisal of your performance," Professor Xavier said matter-of-factly. "You were successful, given that you were able to exit the Danger Room. Given your abilities, I had estimated that you would have required less time to complete this sequence. Along the same lines, I had believed that you would have had less difficulty surmounting the challenges set before you. Ororo kindly reminded me that you have rarely actively utilized your abilities for quite some time, and are perhaps - in the common vernacular - a 'bit rusty'. I believe that with proper guidance and regular training sessions, you could greatly improve the manner in which you employ your powers." While he spoke, the monitor displayed my encounter with the jet engine. Professor Xavier paused the tape.
"I certainly feel it would be best to help you refine your level of control and discipline. Your power is quite remarkable in its versatility and depth. We must certainly determine your upper limits and then develop non-lethal methods by which you can dissuade foes."
I almost snorted at the last. There's at least one 'foe' I knew of who deserved to feel the full brunt of my power. "Okay," was all I said.
Professor Xavier proposed a series of objectives for me to achieve in the future: Creating a personal bodyshield that would protect me from physical attacks; developing the ability to handle multiple attacks and counters concurrently; working on my airborne agility; bio- molecular/nuclear transfiguration - whatever that meant; developing the ability to scan and use my active powers simultaneously - this was an ability he especially wanted to focus on. Most importantly, he emphasized the ability to be able to think clearly in a 'crisis' situation. He hastened to add that, "Perfect practice makes perfect. You would do well to employ your abilities on a day-to-day basis, even during normal household activities. This would increase your comfort level with respect to your powers."
"I counsel you to use your powers during your daily regime, inside the mansion and without - of course, within limitation. Please, use your own best judgment. Nevertheless, utilizing your powers to complete ordinary jobs will heighten your control, and allow them to serve you as easily as any normal reflex action."
I nodded slowly in understanding.
"Now - to cite the specific references of your first Danger Room sequence - let's review this video. The initial portion of this sequence was designed with the dual purpose of gauging your ability to think under duress and also help determine the parameters involving your airborne abilities - maximum velocity, maneuverability, etc." Here he clicked a button, which created a small chart in the corner. "This chart depicts the force created by the engine. Effectively it is pulling you in one direction - and your powers push you away from it."
"A wind tunnel, sort of." I piped in.
"Precisely. Now, on this chart, you can see the drag you overcame before incapacitating the equipment."
I frowned as the number steadily increased to a peak on the small chart. "That can't be right."
Professor shook his head once to dispel my arguments. "Merely because you find it difficult to believe, does not make it so. Had you continued to hold your position, I imagine that you could even exceed this velocity. Two hundred miles per hour will be your benchmark. We will determine what level you can achieve above this standard in your next session."
Next session, I thought mutely. What have I gotten myself into, I wondered for the umpteenth time. I glanced from Professor Xavier to Ororo - who smiled supportively - then turned back to the screen.
Professor Xavier made that chart go away with another button click, at the same time making a short ruler appear in the bottom right-hand corner. Instead of numbers, though, this ruler had two-letter abbreviations spaced evenly throughout. As the video played, the ruler began to look more like the read-out from an EKG; it showed different peaks and spikes at various levels - rising and falling with no discernible pattern.
"These markings are telemetry readings," he indicated the ruler in the corner, "they depict the various wavelengths of radiation along the electromagnetic spectrum." He pushed another button on his high-tech remote. "This is a typical spectrum," he said indicating a second ruler, which appeared above the first; it showed a large peak over the area denoted by 'VL'. "You could think of this as a baseline," he explained. I leaned in closer, concentrating.
"All right."
"Now, keeping this in mind, notice the changes on the initial read- out." He indicated the first ruler, where spikes were appearing and disappearing irregularly. Comparing the two, I could see that the first was vastly different from the second - which didn't change at all.
"Okay." Then. "What's causing that?"
"You are. Notice how the peaks and valleys fluctuate as you actively use your powers. The radiation field surrounding you alters when you use your mutant abilities." My body shield visibly grew and thickened as I fought through the various hazards of the Danger Room. Xavier tapped a third button creating a small window in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Words scrolled in and out of sight like a teleprompter. "This window indicates your emotional status during the activity that is displayed on the screen."
"Okay - so, here's me," I said pointing to myself. "And these blue- white colors around me and extending from me are my powers." Professor Xavier nodded. "And this is the baseline scale for."
"Electromagnetic radiation," Ororo supplied.
"I see. And then this is my power on a sort of electromagnetic scale. And here is what I was feeling at the time I was using my powers." It was a lot to try and digest. Unfortunately it was just the beginning. "Does that cover the gist of it?" The older man nodded.
Professor Xavier then sped up the tape to the part where I was caught in the crossfire of two lasers. "Please observe closely," he advised. On the video, I stood, unmoved and unharmed by the amplified light.
"You felt no adverse effect from these two beams?" Ororo indicated the lasers.
"None at all," I replied. "It actually felt good."
"I registered that here," Professor Xavier said, tapped the portion of the computer screen that held the 'teleprompter of emotions'. He paused the screen. "You absorbed the energy?" It was more a statement than a question.
"I guess. It didn't burn me. I wasn't hurt, or anything. I can't really be sure. It's not like people point lasers at me on a daily basis," I said, with only a medium amount of sarcasm.
"Then, I would hypothesize that you most likely absorbed the power," he indicated the spheres. "There was a slight energy drain from the power systems related to that particular Danger Room system."
"So you're saying I was feeding on the lasers?"
He gave me a small smile. "I don't know if 'feeding' is the most appropriate term, but the analogy will suffice for now."
"Well - where does the power go?" Being a chemical engineer I was sensitive to matters of mass and energy balances. _You can neither create nor destroy either one._ That was just a fundamental law - Introductory Engineering 101.
"A small portion is re-distributed to the visual portion of the spectrum which we register as this display of color - your standard energy signature."
"And the rest of the energy.?" I said.
"Probably held in reserve until it is required," he explained. "You are constantly pulling various forms of energy from the electromagnetic spectrum in your immediate environment. It is most likely a completely unconscious use of your ability, since I believe this is a phenomenon you were not aware of previously."
"Nope," I said eyeing the screen. "Had no idea." It was amazing to think that this was going on sight-unseen. You could never tell that I was doing all that just by looking at me - it had required Xavier's special equipment to determine this particular aspect of my mutant nature.
"Here - when you encountered the flamethrowers," Xavier plowed on. "You are also immune to flame?"
"No," I said. "I just don't get burned if I concentrate. I mean - fire can't touch me through my heat shield," I tried to explain.
He paused for a moment in thought. "That would be logical. The heat produced by a normal chemical fire is less than that created by radiation." He began revving the video to the next scenario. "This is also interesting," the Professor said. "In your final conflict with the automaton, you began to wield extraordinary levels of energy." I watched the bottom ruler register large spikes in all areas of the electromagnetic scale. The peaks grew high, then stopped; the Professor had paused the tape. "Notice the area around your hands, and eyes. And how the thickness of your body-field has increased markedly?" I nodded. "This would be better with the color-coded display." The Professor said more to himself than either Ororo or me. He studied the controller for a moment then tapped a few buttons. Soon the overall picture had faded to a dull black- and-white contrast. The ruler, however, now displayed each section in colors. GR was magenta, XR was orange, UV was gold, VL was dull gray, IR was green, MR was cobalt, and RW was deep purple.
It was like he had inverted the color - the Danger Room, and everything in it - were mostly drab shades of gray. Conversely, my powers and I had changed dramatically. I - my body - now looked completely black - like a being made of pure darkness. My powers, in contrast, were vivid prismatic hues; the area around my hands and eyes as well as the stream of energy pouring from my body was a mixture of all the colors. Bands of energy continued to saturate my 'dark' form. They were tinged with the same ambient energy forms that made up the color scheme of the Danger Room. These were also the same colors present in the baseline scale for EM radiation. _Irregardless of what the Professor said, it did in fact look like I was 'feeding' off energy in the room._
"Now based on this display, I theorize that your body has become a conduit for metabolizing and manipulating massive quantities of EM radiation."
"That would explain the black color," I said.
"Exactly. Now note the similarity in colors between 1) the colored energy bands from which you are drawing power and 2) the baseline electromagnetic spectrum ruler, here, Mr. Darkmoon. Now notice the change in the array of colors in your power field. Each color represents a different energy form in the Electromagnetic spectrum. Gamma Rays are red, X-Rays are orange, Ultraviolet is yellow, light in the Visual range is gray, Infared is green, Microwaves are blue, and Radiowaves are violet."
"Okay.and?" Then I paused. The colors in the baseline - the energy forms, I corrected myself -were in the visual range, also consisting of small amounts of some other types. But the energy pouring out of my hands and around the edges of my eyes was tinged with gamma radiation, x-rays, and microwaves. _Where's it all coming from?_ I don't know if I spoke out loud or just projected the thought. Nevertheless, Professor Xavier answered.
"The simplest explanation we can put forth is that you are unconsciously converting one form of electromagnetic radiation to another as you need it. In this particular setting, the need for sufficient power to overcome your adversary manifested itself in the higher energy forms, gamma rays, and X-Rays being the higher energy forms of radiation."
"All right. So what you're saying is - is that I can draw on different wavelengths of light from my environment and convert it to whatever form of EM radiation I need. Without thinking about it. And that I can store this energy away, somewhere, until it's needed."
"It would appear so. Yes," he said.
"I needed more power, so I drew upon the light around me to give me enough to beat up the robot. I know I've never done that before."
"Perhaps not with a conscious will.but you have done it nonetheless. You did it all throughout your Danger Room session today. I believe you also employed your powers in this manner during the confrontation in Pittsburgh."
_Hmmmmmm._ "Some of those forms of radiation are dangerous," I said after a moment.
"Yes, they are. But only if allowed to run unchecked; you have demonstrated the capability of gowerning your powers in both controlled and uncontrolled environments. It will require more time on my part to study stellar phenomenon and physics, to gain a further understanding as to how your powers operate. But I believe this initial assessment will suffice?"
"Yes," I agreed, quickly. I was definitely not in the mood for a lesson from the mutant Mr. Science-and-Technology.
"Good. Now, let's analyze these particular instances," he said, reversing the tape to show me various times when I had dodged or been hit by a physical object. He switched the color-coded display back now that he'd given me the introductory speech about the physics of my mutant powers. "With your abilities, you should have easily avoided physical contact," he stated. "Your ability allows you to view physical objects in large context, does it not?"
I nodded.
"Then you should be able to counter or dodge without having to physically turn to face an attack."
"Yeah." He said nothing, which meant - to me - that I'd have to work harder at using scanning sense. Prove to him that I could do better with my power. *Sigh*
He let the tape play forward to the climatic ending. I watched the outsider's perspective on my freak-out with a clenched jaw. I couldn't peel my eyes away from the scene. There I was - punching, kicking, fighting and then - I stopped as if resigned to my fate. A second later, a strange transformation took place.
There was a flash of light from the monitor that made Ororo and the Professor squint slightly, but it was gone quickly. "What the . . ." I murmured. The robot, which had previously lifted me in its grasp, now seemed to be holding a man-shaped light-blob. It looked like one of those energy-creatures from the movie 'Cocoon' - except it was composed of blue- white light, and there was nothing soothing or benevolent about this being. _About me_, I corrected myself.
"Can you replay that?" I asked suddenly, leaning in closer.
"Of course," Professor Xavier replied, re-winding the tape. I watched the metamorphosis once more, this time my eyes glued to the electromagnetic scale in the bottom corner. At the precise moment of my - change - the energy spiked off the scale in every category. I let a low breath escape.
The tape continued to play.
_This was when I sort of . . . detached myself_, I recalled. I watched - now getting a play-by-play view of what I'd actually done. And, since I couldn't remember clearly what happened, this tape filled in the foggy details. Whether or not this was a good thing, I still wonder about to this day.
I lifted into the air. Since the robot was still holding on to me, it got pulled up, too. Professor Xavier explained that the robot had a system of specialized magnets in its feet that had been designed to prevent such an action. Airborne, I somehow managed to force the arms of the robot off me - it happened so fast I couldn't even tell; though, I was too entranced to ask for the tape to be rewound again. It dropped the few feet back to the metal floor, only slightly staggered by the fall. I flew at it then, wrapping my hands around the head, shoving it bodily back into the wall behind us. The robot countered my attack by backhanding me away. The blow stopped me for only a second.
I - the 'me' on the screen - charged forward again, dipping my shoulder at the last second, tackling the robot like a linebacker. We slammed into a wall and I began to pummel it with my fists. At least my form wasn't too bad, I thought bemusedly. _My kickboxing trainer would've been pleased._ But then the robot pushed me off it once more, this time starting to look a little worse for wear; it had strange mercurial depressions in its torso and one big one on the side of its face. The mechanical equivalent of bruised and bloody?
Shaking my head to dispel the errant thought, I watched my energy-signature swirl even more brightly as the oversized Go-Bot came around to face me again. I barreled into it once more, both of us careening forward. At this point, we flew out of the bottom of the screen. That must have been when I crashed through the Danger Room door into the anteroom. I'm no football player; at 6'1" and 175 pounds, the robot must have outweighed me many times over. Physics would probably say that I should have bounced right off that thing. _How had I managed to even make it stumble?_ The Professor stopped the tape then.
He leveled a frank stare at me. I began to pick at the nails on my left hand, trying hard not to look at him. "I registered your emotional state as panicked," he said evenly. _I bet you did, you._ "I had no idea that the pre-determined sequence would have such a deleterious effect on your emotional well-being. Had I known, I would have terminated it sooner. As it were, we concluded it as quickly as possible."
_He had the power to stop it and he let it play out anyway?_ My head snapped up. "Why didn't you stop it sooner?" My eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"We reacted swiftly - as fast as was humanly possible," Xavier admitted. "You may not be effected by light, but the rest of us are." I could feel my temper soaring higher. Professor Xavier's brow suddenly furrowed in consternation. "Please contain yourself, Mr. Darkmoon," he advised me.
I studied him curiously. "What?"
"You are glowing," Ororo said by way of explanation. I looked down at my hands and saw the soft blue-white light flickering around my fingertips. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence while I struggled to suppress my powers. I took a long calming breath. The light around my hands flickered and went out.
"As to what I was saying earlier." Professor Xavier began.
"We were momentarily blinded after you transformed," Ororo said. The Professor nodded.
"When our vision cleared, we saw you pushing the robot ahead of you out of the Danger Room. I terminated the exercise then. Storm went first to intercept you," he said. _In case I had really gotten out of hand?_
I slouched back in my chair. "I see."
"From a purely practical standpoint, we need to examine this portion of the tape with you in detail," Professor Xavier said. He rewound the video, freezing it at the instant right before I had gone nuclear - literally. "It is of paramount importance for you to understand what happened - if you are to ever have true control over your power. And if we are to assist in your training, then we need to understand it as well."
"I have control," I said snippily.
The Professor arched an eyebrow at me, but didn't refute the statement.
I took another deep breath and released it slowly, trying not to let the frustration and anger show. At least not much more. In a much more steady voice, I said, "Why?"
"What you lack is practical use of your abilities in combat," Professor Xavier stated. "That is something that you could learn however, should you remain here at the school to further your training in your powers. As to the 'why'? I would think that it would be obvious. If you were to find yourself in a similar situation as last Friday, or even today, what will you do? How many innocent people will suffer because you overreact? How much havoc will you wreak? Does that help you understand why it is so important for us to understand your actions during intense situations like these?"
I opened my mouth - then slammed it shut. _Yes - it made sense._ But that didn't make it any easier to agree with him.
"Would you care to explain your response in this particular instance?" he asked bluntly.
"No." I said sharply. He didn't need any more information than he'd already gleaned from my stray surface thoughts. And I wasn't ready to divulge any secrets to the guy. Not after this morning's session. And breakfast. And the last fifteen minutes.
He leveled his gaze at me. Once again I felt his will like a palpable force. I don't think he was actually doing anything more than looking hard at me, but it still felt that way. The guy's a telepath; I know what it feels like when someone's going through your mind. Even if it's a friend. Which he wasn't. My fingers curled into tight angry fists. I think we would have stared at each other indefinitely, had not Ororo stepped in.
"Tres - even without knowing the precise details of your previous experience, we can understand that there.That you have suffered a very traumatic ordeal. When you are ready to share particulars of those events, if ever, we offer to listen," she said softly. I had a strong urge to resist her gentle words and imploring tone. This vied with the desire to talk to someone who would understand; to tell anyone something. Then I caught Professor Xavier's stern gaze out of the corner my eye. That squashed any feelings of goodwill I'd had in a heartbeat.
"I'll think it over," was all I said. "Thanks," I murmured looking away from both of them to study an interesting corner of the office. There was a moment of silence, disrupted only by the crackle of the flames from the fireplace.
Finally, Professor Xavier spoke in an even, clipped tone. Whatever warmth he'd had before had diminished. All this talk of working with my powers made me uneasy. He was never going to let me leave, I thought dejectedly. _I'm trapped!_ I felt a familiar surge of fear, but tried to push it aside. I nodded and half-heartedly agreed that all the things he'd suggested were good ideas. _At least, he could help me improve my powers._ _Maybe I'd get better at using them or at least stronger._
There was a pause, which I thought signaled the end of the debriefing. It was, however, the Professor gathering his thoughts. "This concludes our discussion of your Danger Room performance. However, this does bring us to the heart of a matter I think of utmost importance, Mr. Darkmoon." I felt another oppressive weight settling upon me. _What now?_ _Would the inquisition never end?_
"I understand you have finals this week,". The Professor cleared his throat. "I will not stand in the way of your education and more importantly your right to live your life the way you choose. You are, as such, free to leave the mansion at any time. However, if you like, you are welcome to continue to stay in my home."
Oh. "I.Thank you for your offer," I managed to get out of a throat that had suddenly gone dry. The last thing I'd expected was an invitation to come back.
"What I am proposing - asking - is that you return to West Chester in five days time. This is assuming you would not require more rest from your academic trials. We could commence further testing of your powers, then."
_Ah ha!_ _There's a catch!_
"Of course, you would have whatever time you'd feel was necessary to come to a decision," Xavier added, as almost an afterthought. "But if you were to return, I would recommend several additional training sessions. If you would be amenable to that?"
_Is he challenging me?_ I lifted my chin a little higher in defiance. _I'm not gonna let you find any weakness in me, damnit!_ I started to reply, but Ororo spoke first.
"We still feel it is very important to discern the nature of your assailants," Ororo spoke now, interposing herself, and a convenient subject change, between the two of us. "As that information has not been forthcoming, yet, we recommend that you proceed cautiously. With the identity of your attackers still a mystery, another assault could come at any time." Ororo sounded completely sincere; I couldn't sense anything from her other than concern for my well-being. "Of course, should you choose to accept our offer and return, the facilities of the mansion would be at your disposal. The library, the computers, and the Danger Room to be specific," Ororo added. "As well as the seclusion of the grounds of the estate. This would allow you time to exercise your powers in an arena that is well-suited to such activities." I nodded too off-balance to process any of it for a moment.
I said a silent prayer - to any God, Goddess, or Spirit that would hear me - profusely thankful that Ororo was here. Xavier's will, whether he meant it to be or not, was almost a tangible thing; I could feel it pressing on me and that made me only want to resist - do the opposite of what he suggested. If I didn't know better, I would've sworn the man was a TK and not a TP. But Ororo's presence provided a buffer - of sorts. At least she gave me a handy escape route. "Thanks," I mumbled.
"It is my understanding that your first examination is tomorrow. I would, of course, like to extend another offer to transport you back to Pittsburgh. We can make arrangements for you to return to West Chester and communicate them to you later on in the week. If you choose to come back that is," Professor Xavier threw this part in at the end.
"I . . ." You'd think I'd be done stumbling over my own words by now. I didn't know what to say. And the debate must have been plain on my face. Xavier's blue eyes stared searchingly at me. I clamped down on my current train of thought. "I - I can't think about that now. I really need to study. After the exam tomorrow, can I tell you what I think then?"
Xavier sat back a little in his chair - I hadn't realized he'd been bending forward - but his expression was unreadable; I couldn't tell if he were frustrated or disappointed by my obvious delay tactic. "Of course, Tres," Ororo said, placing a hand gently on my forearm. "You need time to consider your options. We would not expect you to come to such a decision so rapidly."
"But, please let us know when you'd like to return to Pittsburgh," Professor Xavier said.
I'd already made up my mind. "Actually - I was wondering if I could go back in the morning. My final's not until 1. If I get back around 8, then I'd have time to get re-adjusted, get in more study time, etc." I looked first at Xavier, then at Ororo. "If that wouldn't be too much trouble."
"I will see to the necessary accommodations; it will not be a problem at all," Ororo assured me.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Darkmoon." His tone was cordial, but lacked affection. There was no denying when Xavier had dismissed you.
I nodded, not quite sure what to say, and stood. Ororo also rose, but Professor Xavier made a gesture that I only caught out of the corner of my eye, as I turned towards the door.
"We will rejoin you at lunch," Ororo said, returning to her seat.
"Until then." I said, trying to smile. But the knot of anxiety in my stomach that had been there since the start of the interview began to grow. And it wasn't pre-test jitters.
* * * * *
-End Part 2-
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.