Talons
Chapter 8
Storm knelt in front of Xavier and waited for his reply. Sometimes it took a few seconds when he was in such a deep state of concentration. Xavier calmly stared straight ahead for several more seconds, unblinking.
"They both understand," the Professor murmured. "Go."
"I do not like leaving the professor this way," Colossus whispered. "There should always be one of us with him."
Storm lowered the Blackbird's ramp with the flick of a switch. "We don't have that luxury right now, Colossus, and we've got our orders."
She jogged quickly down the ramp before it had touched down. Colossus followed reluctantly, glancing back over his metallic shoulder as the ramp automatically retracted into the jet. Storm kept her eyes straight ahead. Until they had Kurt back, she could allow nothing else to distract her.
The barn was like so many others that randomly dotted the countryside. It had long since been abandoned, but the owners of the property had seen fit to leave it for some odd aesthetic appeal. Whatever paint had been on it had long since flaked away, and the bare, silvered wood continued to deteriorate year after year. She reached the heavy double doors first, but waited for Colossus before opening them. Xavier may be sure of their "guest's" intentions, but she wasn't.
Colossus opened the door carefully, lest he rip it from its rusty hinges. When nothing leapt out, Storm opened the other door and stood beside him. It was pitch black inside, but they could hear Kurt's voice, wavering with stress and pain, mumbling in German somewhere within.
"Du bist gebenedeit unter den Frauen und gebenedeit ist die Frucht deines Leibes, Jesus...."
They switched on their flashlights, and found Kurt immediately. He was a small, huddled mass on the ground, a combination of black uniform and indigo skin. He clutched his head, hands over his ears, and grimaced in agony as he prayed. However, he was also just in front of something from out of Storm's worst nightmares. The thing, the huge, disembodied claw, was waiting behind Kurt, looming over him even as it sat with its legs tucked under its body.
Storm gasped. Her right hand went slack, the flashlight dangling in her loose grip. The beam shone directly in Kurt's face. Even though his eyes were closed, he cried out in pain and tried to turn away from the glare. Storm hastily turned the light off and hooked it to her belt.
"That is the 'he' the professor spoke of?" Colossus asked, staring at the creature.
"For its sake, Kurt had better be all right," Storm threatened, advancing on both Kurt and the claw. "Because if it hurt him, I'm going to quick fry it to a crackly crunch."
Kurt opened his eyes and looked up at her. "Storm?"
Storm threw all caution to her favored winds and bolted to Kurt's side. There was something wrong with his eyes, but she couldn't place it right then. She lifted him up to a sitting position, which he plainly could not keep without her help. He kept swaying to one side. Now that she was so close, she could see what was off about his eyes. They kept jerking to one side, back and forth, as if he was trying to follow a single slat in a picket fence from the seat of a speeding car. He didn't seem able to focus on her. She pulled his hands from his ears. They came away bloody.
"The talon didn't do this to me," Kurt whispered, his voice slightly slurred. "Don't hurt it. It didn't do this. We're trying to talk." He looked down at his hands, stunned. "Lieber Gott, I can't hear myself talk...."
Throughout Ororo and Kurt's exchange, the creature behind them remained still. Ororo gave it a nervous glance, then helped Kurt to his feet. She tried to pull his arm around her shoulder, but he shuddered, bowed his head, and covered his bleeding ears again, leaning heavily into her. His tail shook and swung to only one side, pulling him further off-balance. Something had badly damaged his ears. They had to get him to Hank, fast. She grabbed him with both arms and started to walk him to the door.
:
Kotoko watched as two natives opened the door and stepped in. Xavier's patient, calm voice spoke to him as they slowly approached.
The large metal one on the right is named Piotr, he explained. He is a male, as is Kurt. The smaller one on the left is Ororo. She is female. I realize that you're seeing rather extreme and unusual examples of humanity, but can you see the similarities and differences between our sexes?
Ororo ran to Kurt's side, directly in front of Kotoko. He had a very good vantage point for comparison.
I think so, Kotoko replied. Females alone have the two symmetrical projections? I don't see these so pronounced on the two males.
That is one of the more obvious differences, yes.
She is concerned. Is Kurt her mate?
Kotoko felt some amusement come through from Xavier's side. Not to my knowledge, though to be truthful I have not asked. They are comrades. We are like family.
I will remain still for her. I don't want to stress her further. The other one, is he employing a hardsuit?
No. He can alter his molecular structure. The steel you see is his own skin.
He can *alter* his own molecules? How is that possible?
The process is not well understood, but it is useful. If need be, he is strong enough to carry you into our ship.
I would think so....
The female, Ororo, helped Kurt up and held him close as she guided him out. The remaining male, Piotr, stood where he was. Kotoko started to uncurl, then bit his mouths against outcry. The pain from his burns had magnified during his inactivity.
I'm sorry, teacher, but I don't think... I can uncurl, he thought. But I can't leave my battle armor here to be found.
Rest, Kotoko. We'll take care of everything for now.
:
Colossus stood his ground as Ororo brought Kurt outside, but it didn't look like his caution was necessary. The monster didn't move once. He stared at it in amazement, wondering what it was thinking, what its skin felt like, wondering all sorts of things. After Ororo left, the creature began to uncurl from its position. Dozens of little "barnacles" opened up and hissed all over its body, as if they were venting invisible steam. The creature curled back up, in obvious pain. Colossus moved forward, shining his light over the creature's body. There were several large, nasty-looking burns on the knobby, orangish- brown skin, and cobalt blue blood oozed from one particularly bad one.
Piotr, Xavier's voice called softly.
Yes, sir? he asked back.
Our new guest will need help to get to the Blackbird. As you can see, he is too wounded to move on his own. There should also be a pile of equipment nearby that would be what's left of his battlesuit. If you could, please bring that onboard as well.
Understood, sir. He moved closer to the creature. Should I lift "him" up by anything in particular?
Xavier did not answer right away. When he did reply, his thoughts were tinged with bemusement.
He says to just turn him on his side...and *roll* him....
To be continued….