Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, except for Aurora, Granite and Serpentine, and the weapons I gave to Orion, plus her name. But the character itself remains Marvel's. Plot is mine though.

Throughout story: " " = Speech ' ' = Thoughts ^ ^ = Telepath

Chapter 18

On the top level of a glass building, surrounded in falling snow, that towered and shone majestically with evening sun amongst it's neighbours contained a collection of minds plotting against the mutants. Inside, sat at a long table were a group of humans, each discussing together the problem of mutants, and how they would over come it.

"I say we need proof of the mutants being violent." Came a familiar voice from Senator Brooks.

"How can we do that? They'd probably kill us anyway." Came a low voice of a male from the right.

"Doubt they'd kill us. They don't want the Registration Act. They are unlikely to start attacking us." Came another voice.

A general hubbub of conversations mulled through the sleepy room of the office. The sun, drooping towards a lit horizon was content on sweeping into darkness. Senator Brooks dropped down into her seat and cast a glance round the table then out of the large windows.

"Senator. I feel we should follow up on evidence from the deceased William Stryker." A female's voice then came atop all the murmurings.

"What's that?" Replied Senator Brooks, her attention turning to the voice.

Across the table pushed a folder containing the aerial photographs of Xavier's school that William Stryker had acquired so long ago. Senator Brooks lifted then in her hands, "And we know for sure that mutants reside here?"

The female who had the folder nodded, "Most certainly. I can confirm that from William Stryker's reports. Over a hundred there."

Senator Brooks looked up, and cast a dangerous glare over the small audience, "Then I say we pay them a visit and get our proof." Her head turned to a male sat beside her, "Bronse."

The male replied with a firm, "Ma'am?" He was dressed quite differently from the others, he sported military gear, casual, but it could be seen from his wearied face and alert eyes that he was capable of large-scale missions.

"Round up your men. Get us a S-7J9 helicopter. I want us at this school before the new year you hear me? Get a plan ready. You have a week."

"Yes Ma'am."

Senator Brooks cast a look round her table, "Once we have gained our evidence, it will be screened to the United States, and to our President. The Registration Act will be upon us!"

After a general cheer of support from round the table, brief cases were lifted and staff began to tread off down the lifts and into the snow- covered streets to home.

*** To view pictures and detailed profiles of my created characters, visit: (www.freewebs.com/xwotw)

I know it's short.. I know. But it needed to be in so you'd know what's happening with her. ): I hope no one feels Christmas was sprung upon him or her too early in this fic. This part of the story had been decided on when I first began. It was early winter when Logan returned to the mansion anyway. :P