Author's note: One thing that gets boring in the X-Men movies is that they always somehow incapacitate the Professor before any major conflict. He is always talked about as one of the most powerful mutants on the planet yet he never gets the chance to show it. So I'm not going to have him sit on the sidelines this time, but that doesn't mean Stryker and Magneto will be easy opponents…Stryker's had some time to figure out other ways to defend himself against mutants like Xavier… Review responses at end!
Chapter 1:
Charles Xavier sat quietly in his alloy wheel chair, now locked securely into two specially designed tracks in the jet's floor, listening to the minds of everyone around him. Cyclops and Wolverine sat in the two front pilot seats, silent and focused. Nightcrawler was perched comfortably in the passenger seat to Xavier's left, sporting his X-uniform for the first time outside of the Danger Room, and looking anxious.
Xavier did not need to pass over Kurt's mind to know his worries were about the two companions send back to the mansion, left unconscious by the Sentinel's attack. Wolverine's face was dark and brooding, his eyes scanning the sky outside the jet's front windows, his thoughts on his enemies…and not simply the soldiers following them. Cyclops quickly navigated the controls, short-handed without Storm, his mind free of all concerns except their current mission, follow Magneto, find those taken, get everyone out alive…
With a slow deep breath, Xavier cleared the lingering thoughts of the others from his own. The present X-Men were trained well, and ready for their mission at hand, and he was confident that each was in the right frame of mind for their task.
Xavier closed his eyes and his brow creased with concentration. As the jet moved quickly after Magneto and the Sentinel, Xavier allowed his power to expand beyond those around him and he felt…and listened.
Below their path of flight, the emotions and thoughts of thousands filled his mind like sparks of light in the shadows. Human or mutant, he did not always know. Without the enhancing effects of Cerebro, it was much more difficult to tell the difference. There was just light, and life, and any prejudices existing on the ground were lost in its radiance.
Xavier reached out, seeking one particular mind, one he knew he could not touch, but he also knew the others in Magneto's Brotherhood were not equipped against psychic influence. If he could locate them, focus and communicate through one of the others, he would be able to speak to Erik, find out what he planned to do when he found the Sentinel.
He listened, his mind closing in on his target. Thoughts quickly passed, from the ground, from other aircraft, jumping forward faster and faster towards Magneto's stolen helicopter.
One mind spoke, I have to remember to call him back…
Another mind, This is so boring…I can't wait to get…
Another mind, I hope we're landing soon, my legs are falling asleep…
Another, Oh, God, how am I going to tell my parents I'm a muta…
Another, She always lectures, I wish she would just shut up…
Hundreds of minds…dozens…less and less…closing in…
It's so dark…I can't remember where I put my keys…
I really love those shoes…
I need to get out of here…I can't take it anymore…
Why do they always have to fight…
Stop it, just stop it!
There's been a lot of turbulence on this flight…getting cold so fast…
How long has it been? Damn, I forgot my watch…
Where are we heading…What's happening…How much longer…Can't hear myself think over this racket…I'm so tired…Jeez, I need some Tylenol…I have to catch the stewardess next time she…
Mom…where are you?
Xavier opened his eyes after the last thought. It had been much closer than the rest, and the sorrow he heard there startled him. He was still frowning, listening as the voice he heard spoke again.
I wish Becca were here…We always promised they would never separate us again…What the hell am I going to do…Stuck with these people on this stupid jet…I still have my phone, I should try to call Sebastian…God knows where he is by now…Wonder if we could get contractors out to the house before he comes back…
At this thought, Xavier heard a very quiet and shaky chuckle from the rear passenger seats. He suddenly realized who the thoughts belonged to, why they had seemed so close.
Using the controls at his right hand, Xavier rolled his chair backwards slightly and it clicked free of the floor restraints. Nightcrawler gave him a curious glance as the Professor turned and headed toward the back of the jet. He smiled confidently at the worried blue mutant, who then steepled his three fingers together in silent meditation and stared forward again.
In the last seat along the wall, Sid Malloy sat with his head leaning back against the headrest. His metallic blue eyes stared unblinkingly at the ceiling, as the expressions on his face changed with his thoughts. The stern and angry certainty he had when they first boarded the jet had faded into a blank unemotional stare. Now, his trepidation about his situation made his face looked troubled, and very young.
The holes in his suit and shirt were ringed with blood, the only evidence left of the multiple gunshot wounds he suffered less than a half hour before. In his right hand, his fist closed and relaxed over a spherical piece of glass, which molded itself to the changing pressure of his grip. The sphere was not clear, but discolored and hazy, sign of his concern, a distraction from his powers, as much as his sad thoughts had distracted Xavier.
The Professor approached the young man cautiously. Sid's eyes were scanning the uppermost parts of the jet intently. Suddenly, he smirked and sighed. Xavier listened to his thoughts and smiled again.
This thing is so out of date, Sid thought loudly, I should give them a few tips for improving it after we get out of this…
Sid sighed again, and then noticed Xavier sitting nearby. He swallowed nervously, and looked back toward the ceiling.
"Did you find it yet?" he asked, and Xavier nodded.
"Yes," he replied, "We're tracking the Sentinel west, as well as Magneto's helicopter…"
"So, he really was Erik Lensherr," Sid interrupted quietly, and then turned his head slightly, "I guessed that when he threw my car across the fucking lawn."
"You know about him, then?" Xavier asked curiously.
Sid nodded, "Council sent out a memo after Liberty Island."
The young man laughed and then continued, "Do you believe that? A fucking memo. Way to take an active role in addressing the 'mutant phenomenon,' huh?"
Xavier did not look surprised, "The Council…have never been activists, of any sort. How do you know of them?"
Sid finally turned his head to look at the Professor and his eyes grew very dark.
"Don't you mean why do they know of us?" he replied with bitter sarcasm, "They watch. They've watched us for years…keep waiting for one of us to do something interesting, I guess. I disappoint them more often than not…"
Sid laughed again, as if sharing a joke with someone who was not there. Xavier thought his words felt hallow, lacking of something, a voice without an echo.
"But, your sister does not disappoint?" Xavier asked, "She shares your mother's gifts…"
"What the hell do you know about my mother?" Sid shot viciously at him, meeting the Professor's eyes with a sharp gaze.
Xavier imagined the young man's hard stare could have intimidated many opponents, however, the Professor was not one of his friends in the business world or some pampered high class investor who never faced a challenger like Sid. Xavier had worked with angry, hateful adolescents for too many years to be unsettled by Sid's biting words.
"I know more of her than about her," Xavier admitted, his voice never losing its calm, even tone, "Although I did meet her…once, on the Council's request. Myself…and Erik Lensherr…many years ago."
Sid's expression lost some of its bitter edge as Xavier spoke, and he began to listen more attentively.
"In fact," Xavier said with a quiet smile, "It was about twenty-three years ago…give or take…"
Shifting uncomfortably, Sid acknowledged the Professor's meaning. It was right around the time he and Becca were born.
"What…" Sid began, and then cleared his throat before continuing, "What did you find her for?"
"Simply to meet her…to learn her story…to let her know she wasn't alone," Xavier said.
"To let her know there were other mutants out there," Sid said softly, "That she didn't need to run…"
Xavier regarded him quietly for a moment. He saw much of Charlene McGee in the young man's face, the long sad years etched too early in his eyes. And now he sat alone, without his sister, without his mother, flying blindly toward an unknown enemy among strangers.
The Professor wheeled a little closer to him and spoke confidently.
"And we're not running now," he said and Sid glanced at him again, "The others with me, we have faced threats to mutant kind before. Since the 'attacks' eight months ago, we had been anticipating some kind of backlash towards mutants. More than the Friends of Humanity or some other group partaking in acts of random violent, but a real threat to the safety of all of our kind. We will help you find the one you've lost, and hopefully learn how to defend others against this strange new danger."
Sid gave a final tired laugh, "Not so strange…"
Xavier regarded him curiously again, until thoughts of vampires and other Council priorities rang through his mind. Sid smirked, almost as if he knew Xavier could sense what he was thinking.
"The cheerleading undead…that's a challenge. One giant glass robot, I can handle," Sid said.
"Glass? Is that why you tried to stop it?" Xavier asked.
Sid nodded again, "That's my thing…glass. My gift…"
"Indeed," Xavier said, "The others, we also have gifts which may be useful in the next few hours. Kurt…whom we call Nightcrawler…is adept at teleportation. Logan…also known as Wolverine…is a military trained fighter with extra defense mechanisms. Scott…called Cyclops…can project energy blasts from his eyes…"
Sid blinked in surprise and grinned with amusement, "Laser eye beams? Thought that was just a myth…"
"Most people think the Watcher's Council, and its interests, are myths as well," Xavier replied, "I assume you're aware of my telepathy…"
Sid nodded, "Oh, yeah. We got a memo on you, too, Professor."
Xavier smiled, "I think I may have a few things to write back to the Council after tonight."
"I think so, too," Sid agreed, but the smile had faded from his face. Reminiscing about the Council was not what he wanted to focus on, and Xavier recognized his continuing fears about the fate of his twin.
"Professor?" Cyclops's voice called from the pilot's seat. Xavier gave Sid one more reassuring nod before returning to the front of the jet.
He returned to his locked position behind the co-pilot's seat and Cyclops glanced back at him.
"We're approaching Magneto, Professor," he said, "Do you want me to close in?"
"No," Xavier said, "But maintain a constant distance behind them…I will try to find out just what he plans to do."
The Professor once again closed his eyes and focused on finding the minds in the helicopter beyond them. There were three, aside from Magneto; Sabertooth, Mystique…and Pyro. He carefully focused on their thoughts, one at a time, not interfering and not allowing his presence to be known. He listened, and waited for a chance to speak…
***
Author's note: Shoot me for leaving it at that…I'm used to it by now. It's very late…I'm sure it's probably the middle of the day somewhere else that's not PA but oh well I'm here.
Thank you for reviews. May be a little while in between updates now until after the holidays. Very busy…can't wait until January.
To WolfKyr: Thanks for keeping up with the books. :-) Stryker was a colonel in X2 and is a general now (which is eight months after X2). I don't know why he was promoted (mystery lost in a plot hole) but let's just be glad his career is going in the right direction. :-)
To amber eyed wolf: More Cajuns and Toad-age soon. They're still out cold for now. :-)
To Brynnmissy: Thanks for review! Yuriko Oyama is Deathstrike's real name. Since being freed from Stryker's influence (see Prologue), I would think she's searching for her identity again, however, the Lady Deathstrike side of her is much more useful to the Brotherhood, so she's having some issues right now. :-)
To Arain Rowan: Ooo…the 'it' is not who you think 'it' is…ahem, yet. :-) Baddie is from movie Storm of the Century…though that certain person who may or may not be around somewhere…may or may not be around somewhere. :-) Maybe later…
To The Fire Dancer: Don't worry, the holidays are slowing me down. :-) Deathstrike is definitely a little pissed right now, but Toad and Remy are really out cold. Damn Sentinel interrupting everything…