Nine
"How's kicks tonight George?" The guard's head shot up as his replacement strode into the building fifteen minutes late as usual-Bob never seemed to sweat things like that-it was like the bastard had a horse shoe shoved so far up his ass…George didn't finish the thought, "The animals behaving?"
Tired of the long stint of guard duty and his co-worker's bull shit George frowned, "Christ in a picnic basket do you always have to be such an ass? They aren't animals…they're people."
Bob shrugged and dropped his lunch pail on the desk, "What about X-1? I know for a fact that no one-not even you is bleeding heart liberal enough to think that's a man."
Both guards took the time to shudder despite the room's warmth-since the arrival of Trask's 'guests' X-1 had been a hot topic amongst the men assigned to the base. Most of them were battle hardened mercenaries ready to make a quick buck and to let Uncle Sam quietly expunge the black records they had acquired over the years. George had first seen action in 'Nam, then again in Panama-he'd even done desert duty in Afghanistan to fight the Russians. To his knowledge Bob had never set foot on a battlefield and it continued to baffle the older man as to what exactly he was doing here.
Shaking the stray thoughts out of his head George picked up his belongings giving Bob one last glare, "He may be an animal-but some one somewhere made him that animal. I don't think he fused the metal to his skeleton all by himself. Try not to fall asleep and stay away from the holding area-neither of us is authorized to poke around there."
The other man didn't answer and George gladly made his way out of the cramped room. It was high time he went home-maybe if he got enough nerve he'd phone his ex-wife and see how their 12 year old son was doing, and if he still insisted he could talk to animals. As the door shut Bob sat down at the desk, kicking his feet up onto it's surface-his eyes flashing golden.
Pacing the confines of his cage X-1 stopped long enough to throw himself at the indestructible glass front to roar his anger at the white coated scum who watched him with passionate disinterest. In his long life the man known as Wolverine had seen too many cages-too many men in white coats willing to do anything to unlock the fabulous secrets of his hidden talents. There had been times when he swallowed the indignity and stored his rage away until he could escape, others he let it consume him but this cage was different. It wasn't the only one in the room.
It had been a stupid mistake of his to allow them to capture him and Wolverine could have lived with that but then the others began arriving and his self control began slipping. Beast, Spyke, Blob and Dazzler were the first-all encased in green gunk-they soon where given cells and numbers X's two through five to be exact. Wolverine had thought that would be his watershed-that things couldn't get worse after that-but his long life should have told him not to hold out hope. Within an hour thirteen more prisoners were wheeled in-most of the X-Men, a girl with dark hair who remained crouched in a corner rocking herself and a tall blonde man with wings. It broke the hardened warrior's heart to see Professor Xavier himself among the captives.
All hope wasn't lost though Wolverine mused beginning to pace once more-Cyclops, Colossus, Shadowcat and Psylocke were still free. Wherever they were the ideals of the X-men were still alive and well.
"Absolutely not," Scott Summers set his jaw and glared down at the slight girl he knew only as Ghost, "X-Men do not kill."
Infuriating him to no end she just shrugged as she checked the wires of the last explosive device that needed planting, "No one asked you to. That's what this is for."
"When those things go off…" He narrowed his eyes under his visor wondering just why it was that he had to explain his moral compunctions to her, "People are going to get hurt."
Wondering why exactly they had been teamed up for the attack she ignored him; continuing to make sure nothing had been jarred loose when Cyclops had dropped it earlier in the cave. Satisfied the Ghost turned on him her features set-it was an expression Scott was beginning to recognise as a hint he had stepped too far, "Do you think they'll have the same concern about you? That they won't cut your friends apart to see what makes them tick because you haven't hurt them? They're humans and they're afraid. The first reaction of a fearful human is to strike out at the thing causing the fear."
"That's pessimistic bullshit," Scott ran one hand through his hair trying not to think about what could be happening to the Professor-or hell, Jean at that moment. "The Professor taught us…"
"And they took him." Ghost held his gaze causing Scott to shiver-it was like she could see through ruby quartz and straight into his eyes, "Scooter I'm not here to argue with you-I'm not your enemy. I want to free your friends as much as you do because it's the right thing to do. But I'm not going to let your squeamishness hamstring me when it comes to doing my job is that clear?"
Scott watched as she slung her package over her shoulder and began to make her way silently through the night. Without speaking he followed her, it was a long walk to their position and Scott knew he was wasting his breath trying to impose his beliefs on the quiet mutant. Catching up to her Scott shortened his stride slightly so that she could stay even with him despite his longer legs. The moonlight glinted on the paleness of her skin; Ghost's eyes were focused far on the horizon her thoughts obviously focused inward.
Taking a risk Scott broke the strained silence, "Some one you loved was killed?"
"My mother." Her words were clipped allowing no further questions and the two teenaged mutants walked wrapped in stillness.
Despite everything Rogue had to admit she was impressed-one phone call back to New Orleans and fifteen minutes later they had found the 'top secret' facility holding the captive mutants. Mentally, she reminded herself to ask Lapin about fixing that 'D' she got in algebra last year-if he could get through the NSA and CIA a school marks system should be a piece of cake.
Shifting Rogue tried to make herself comfortable; they had given Mickey and Cyclops twenty minutes to obtain their target and set the explosives-all they needed now was Mystique's signal to attack. It wouldn't come a moment too soon she and Gambit were remarkably cramped in a hollow with the big Russian and snotty British X-Men.
As the Goth moved a hand descended on her backside with alarming familiarity; only one person Rogue knew would have the audacity to touch her, "Swamp Rat?" she smiled sweetly as she turned.
Gambit's smile was just as innocent as her own, making Rogue wonder if the sensitive side he had shown her in the Eglise had just been an act, "Oui chère?"
"Get your hand off my ass or I'll mail it back to Bella," She ground out through clenched teeth.
His teeth flashed white in the darkness contrasting with the soft red glow of his eyes, "Gambit would love to chère…mais Monsieur le main…he got different ideas hein. He like his new home."
The faint thunk-ing of a fist connecting with a stomach echoed in the stillness of the night accented lightly by the sounds of the X-Men choking on their laughter. A flash of light from the building caught Gambit's sensitive eyes as he clutched his gut-Rogue's right hook was nothing to sneeze at, "Dat be de signal."
Tensing the teens readied themselves for the attack.
Holding her breath Shadowcat concentrated and phased herself, Boom-Boom and Nightcrawler through the thick wall and into the base. On the other side she took a minute to catch her breath-Kitty had never tried moving two others at the same time-it was probably a good thing they didn't know that. Most people didn't like taking chances when it meant they could end up stuck in a wall, literally.
Unsure as to the next move Shadowcat looked to Nightcrawler; surely Mystique's son would know more about breaking into a military base than the daughter of a banker and housewife. Not one to disappoint the fuzzy blue elf motioned the girls to follow him down the long hallway. He stopped just below the large glass skylight and with a puff of brimstone appeared upside down and hanging from the rafters-three 'ports later the skylight opened.
Kitty didn't know about Tabitha but she felt awed as Nightcrawler 'ported to the ground just in time to catch a heavy black rope that fell from the roof. She watched the boy steady the rope so an equally black figure could slide down it silently. The only thing that kept the move from being totally 'Mission Impossible' was the fact that her team leader Cyclops was clinging to the smaller form of his partner Ghost. In the two years she'd been an X-Man Kitty had been pretty sure Wolverine had trained them well-but she highly doubted she could have repelled with Scott latched onto her back. Whoever the girl was she knew some serious 'kung-fu'.
Once they were on the ground another rope dropped and Ghost grasped it tightly. Kitty's neck got a crick in it watching Rogue and Gambit slide into view. Okay, Kitty was willing to admit her eyes were all for Gambit's spandex covered ass as his trench coat billowed out behind him-after all she was allowed to look. The young man stopped just short of the ground and flipped from the line earning himself a glare and a one finger salute from Rogue.
It took all Kitty's self control not to smile-it was so obvious the Cajun was flirting with the Goth but the girl seemed oblivious. With nearly the same elegance and flare Psylocke descended her rope while Nightcrawler, Rogue, Ghost and Gambit spotted Colossus. This time Kitty didn't bother to hide her smile-her man really was a tank. Once Piotr's large feet were on the ground Ghost jerked the line sharply bringing it down hook and all into her waiting hands while Gambit repeated the action with the second rope.
Ignoring the seething look thrown their way curtsey of Cyclops the two newcomers took the lead, seeming to float down the hallway towards the big metal door that lead to the holding cells. When they reached it Gambit pulled what looked to Kitty like a digital planner from his pocket; he was just removing the casing to the security scanner when a voice halted the group of young mutants, "Stop right there."
Kitty's heart leaped into her throat as a guard approached them with long strides, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Gambit be openin' de door." The boy shrugged as if being caught red handed meant nothing.
The guard smiled at him the way you reserved for bad dogs or particularly slow children, "Then why not use this?" a key-pass twirled between Mystique's blue fingers and Kitty let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding.
Gambit took the pass and waited for Mystique's word to slide it through the door. "Be ready all of you we have no idea what waits on the other side of the door," the shape shifter pressed her com link gently, "Avalanche, Toad are you in position?"
"Ready and waiting boss lady," the sound of Lance's voice was tinny and distant.
Collectively the team took a deep breath; Cyclops' hand went to his visor, Psylocke's hands glowed purple, Colossus armoured up, a pack of cards appeared in Gambit's other hand while Ghost pulled a kitana sword from behind her back while dropping her hood over her face. "I don't even want to know where you had that." Rogue's tone was mild as Gambit slid the card through the reader and the light turned green.
Something was up and Wolverine didn't need his heightened senses to tell him that. So far the night was too still-too uneventful-for it to be real. It was the same feeling that would come over him before any battle; Wolverine had lived too long with his instincts to ignore them long. Through the glass he could hear the faint click of the doors beginning to open and Wolverine turned to glare at whatever scientist had come back to visit the impromptu zoo.
He nearly choked on his growl as a familiar blue face surrounded by blood red hair met his gaze. Mystique's golden eyes met his and Wolverine knew she was smirking at him and him alone. Movement caught his eye and a surge of pride rushed through the old man as he noticed his X-Men pulling up the rear behind two newbies and Mystique, it took one second to recognise the equally blue son of the shape shifter. A pair of bright green eyes flanked by white streaks caused the mighty Wolverine's stomach to plummet-she was here. He shook his head berating himself for his stupidity; of course Mystique would bring both of her children, it was an opportunity for them to show off their training.
No one but Mystique herself would know why seeing Rogue dressed for battle would stab in Wolverine's chest like a dull spoon. And Wolverine knew the blue bitch was enjoying every second of it too. All his murderous thoughts were cut off as Shadowcat phased through the glass and into his cage, "We're like here to save you…"
"Good work Half-Pint," Wolverine growled softly not wanting to scare the girl; it wasn't her fault Mystique had brought the whole gang out.
Taking the tiny brunette's hand he walked with her through the barrier, shivering slightly; how the kid got used to passing through solid objects was beyond him. Beggars couldn't be choosers though and Wolverine was just happy to be free once more-he'd save his chat with Mystique for later-much later. "Get Chuck and the others and let's get the hell out of here."
Nightcrawler and Shadowcat complied phasing or porting into the cells to release the occupants and bring them into the main chamber. As they set to work Wolverine turned to the only other adult, "I suppose I should thank you for this."
Her blue lips twitched-Wolverine hadn't changed much in the last eighteen years, "Why don't we put it on account?"
"Funny," he snarled under his breath, "I thought we were even a long time ago…like when you joined Magneto."
If it hadn't been Mystique he was talking about Wolverine would have sworn he saw a hint of regret in her yellow eyes as they shifted to the slight shape of her daughter-who was busily 'porting into cells after borrowing her brother's power. "Perhaps, but we can't change the past can we now."
"We've got every one," a dry feminine voice interrupted the conversation; Wolverine turned and recognised her uniform now that it was up close.
He turned to Mystique anger vibrating through his body, "You brought an Assassin?"
"And a t'eif too," A tall boy with red and black eyes stepped beside the hooded girl drawing Wolverine's ire, "But we all mutants so who cares hein?"
Growling he shook his head wondering just what Mystique had gotten herself and her children involved with this time. The girl pulled a small remote from her pocket and handed it to the blue woman, "It's all set-press the button whenever you're ready."
This time a genuine smile lit Mystique's blue face, "Excellent Ghost. Now I suggest we get moving," she turned to Xavier nestled in Colossus' arms, "We've wired enough C-5 around to level this place-can't have any evidence left lying around can we."
"C-5?" Wolverine's eyebrows shot up in confusion, "There's no such thing."
Again the Cajun spoke up playing idly with a pack of playing cards, "Shows what you know. Dat be Fantôme's special recipe."
The mask hid the girl's expression from Wolverine as he turned to her, "Everyone's got a hobby."
All conversation ended as they made their way through the halls and towards freedom where Avalanche and Toad had been left with a 'borrowed' jet to aid the escape. Despite the drowsiness from the drugs they had given him Xavier sent out the impression of a fire alarm to all the humans in the building. There was no need for anyone to be hurt needlessly-even if they wouldn't have had the same concern if the positions were reversed.
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Teehee…so they rescued the X-Men…and look Ma…no bloodshed. I bet Scooter's a happy boy. He got to save the day and keep his pet stick. But ooooh…mysterious Logan angst??? Muhahahaha. Stay tuned or you'll never know what evil plans I have roller-skating through my brain. But for now I'm off to scrub my bathroom…cause I think things are growing in the tub.
Wow though guys…134 reviews…I'm shocked…I didn't think anyone would like this stuff…but you've proven me wrong.
Ishy – For some reason I keep writing uber long chapters…don't count on two updates tonight but I'll try and have the next part of 'Guilt' complete with ROMY fluff all done this week. Just for you. And I mentioned your man after a long absence of Lapin-ness. BTW…The flaming asteroids are on they're way…they just got held up in customs. Since you loved the Scooter mocking so much I gave you more…awww…I think he and Mickey could be such great friends. She SCOFFED at him for you. Yeah, Remy, Rogue and Mickey really are the 'cool kids' aren't they…oh man…how'd that happen. Yeah, I liked the whole idea of 'Things to do"…study for test, paint nails, break into top secret military base to release prisoners, wash hair. I love it when our superhero teens are blasé about it. I hated high school too. Yep, Tabby and Bets are fun to write together…as I said earlier I really like the idea of a 'Bitch Royale' featuring them, Mystique, Frosty, Rogue, Wanda, and Mickey…oh it'd be fun. Once I get everyone back to the Big Easy it'll be cameo time…I swear…besides…I gave you Remy groping Rogue.
Star of Chaos – Nyquil…love that f-ing Q. giggle Maybe I'm the only one who got that. Yep, Petey's a bright boy…but I don't know who'd win…I mean Tabs does fight dirty. Yep, Frosty's their great leader…who…runs as fast as she can when things turn to shit. As I told Ishy…Rogue never had a crush on Scooter…they didn't really have much contact except that one fight…she does have a history with someone here to give Remy some jealousy…but he's in the Brotherhood. Yeha…chocolate covered Remy would be nice right now…hell anytime…where can I get me some and do they have a Johnny Depp version? No problem about the advice…it's nice to release plot bunnies to others for safe keeping. And I lurve the Prodigals…oh my yes…
Pomegranate Queen – Thanks…
Yumiko – Come on…not only am I the Fanfic Mistress…I am the Goddess of Snark.
Kaitland – Hey thanks for reviewing…I love seeing new names up…no need to be shy here…no one bites…except Ishy and I think you might be safe as long as you don't have Remy in your pocket. Oh there's a chance for them…but I like to draw things out a bit…make them earn it…I'm evil that way jus task anyone who reads my Cypher Arc.
Peace215 – Hold on don't go into the light I need all the reviews I can get! Yeah I had fun playing with the teams and who to bring in from Marvel Cannon…I can't wait for the Rogue/Dazzler scenes…if you thought Tabs and Bets were fun…watch out. Yeah, I think Brian needs some one like Tabby to prevent him from being a British version of Scooter…and we couldn't have that one is enough. Glad you liked the snark…it's my speciality. Yep the whole chocolate thing seemed to be everyone's favourite line…I giggled writing it. You know…I always wondered if Toad and Kurt would be friends if they weren't set up to be rivals…they kind of work together like Kurt and Emil.
UndyingImmortal - Blushing Thanks…I've really been trying to keep things fresh and new…and I have to admit that line was a stroke of genius. And you maybe a calm Immortal…but Duncan thought so too…and he killed my Ritchie…bastard. So I'll keep my sword handy just in case.
Spectra2 – Thanks again…yay…I love interaction…stay tuned for more back story.
RoguesHeart – Do you know how hard it is to get brain matter out of fabric? Do you? Then don't let your head explode and I'll give you more updates.
Kitrazzle Fayn – Gee…did you like that? I think I heard your squeal of joy all the way up here in Canada. Yeah. That Mickey is one practical girl…hoped you enjoyed her bonding with Scooter…I'm surprised he got away with out a few stab wounds. Yes the infamous 'chocolate covered Swamp Rat'…I got your email…I'm just working on figuring out how to employ any of them…if so I'll let you know…they might work as a part of Fagan's Mob.
Tyria Bell – Two hours? Wow…maybe I should go back and read it…time myself…I didn't realize how long this was getting and I'm nowhere near done. Darn…this is going to end up as a mega fic like Black Queen's I can feel it. But I'm glad you liked it…but tell me…you took a bathroom break right…right?
SickMindedSucker – The same reason I do many things…it's fun. That's why I make you suffer. I like enslavement too…it's something that speaks to the inner dominatrix in all of us. Soon enough…a little patience grasshopper. The plot will reveal itself soon…I hope. And sorry like I told Ishy…Mickey will marry Julien…I'm set on this…and he will be whole on the wedding night. I'm pretty sure Mickey would kill Scott if Mystique didn't. I'd definitely lick Remy clean…he wouldn't even need to be chocolate covered. Yeah…Scooter's even more inept with women in my world…Teehee. And I think I'll give my darling Colossus a chair and a whip…that's what you fight lions with right?
Melancholic – Yay …. Thanks on all counts from pairing to punctuation. I'm waiting until I pubish a real work of fiction then I'm going back and waving a copy under her failed novelist nose…And I plan to autograph it 'Thanks for nothing'. Yes I'm bitter. I was bitter then too…maybe that's why I played on her fear of birds…Muahahahahaha! I tossed another Romy moment your way…hope you enjoyed it.