Charles Xavier looked up at his X-Men as they gathered their radio equipment. They had no idea what to expect and wanted to make sure they were prepared. "You must hurry," he said. "I've just received a message from Logan."
Storm and Kurt looked at each other. Logan's dislike of telepathy was well known; he made a point of speaking in front of Charles, sometimes even over-articulating to get his point across. While many of the students took advantage of Charles' ability, often projecting things to him when they were out, Logan always spent a quarter on a phone call. For him to be intentionally reaching out to Charles could only mean one thing: he was in real trouble, and he couldn't get out of it on his own. They rushed to finish prepping the car.
Scott came bounding into the room, followed by Hank, and together they loaded medical supplies into the trunk. Ever since Logan had been kidnapped by Magneto, they'd made it a habit of bringing Hank along on missions, just in case. They finished loading the equipment and Scott was just reaching over to close the hatch when Charles stopped them again. "You'll have to make a quick stop along the way," he said. A small smile graced his features. "It seems young Kitty has managed to get away, but she's gotten herself a little lost."
Kitty banged her hand against the steering wheel in frustration. She had absolutely no idea where she was. She'd been in a panic when she'd left the mall at Logan's bidding, running straight through walls into the parking lot. Her adrenaline had been pumping so much that she'd lost control of her powers for a moment, and she'd had to stand beside the car, frustrated and scared, willing herself to calm down enough so that she could sit down in the driver's seat instead of automatically phasing through it.
Finally, however, she'd regained her balance, gotten in and sped away. Her plan had been to get back to the highway and return immediately to the mansion. Unfortunately, in her haste, she'd chosen a different ramp off the parkade than the one they'd come up on, and ended up on an entirely different street. Not really paying attention, she'd continued as if she was heading in the right direction and now she was completely turned around. Kitty sighed. Great, just great. Logan, Jubilee and Rogue were probably getting killed in the mall, and she had to call on Professor Xavier's telepathic abilities to let him know she'd gotten lost. Kitty allowed herself one more good steering-wheel-pounding before she drew in a deep breath and focused her attention inward, willing her mind to settle so she could reach Xavier.
Um, professor?
Logan was ushered into the truck, and the back hatch was immediately covered again, so he couldn't see where he was being taken, or whether the two girls were being taken to the same place. He concentrated on listening instead, memorizing the sounds around him as they rushed by – train tracks, bumps of concrete slabs, maybe a bridge? A tunnel. Other cars whizzing by at high speed – probably the highway. After a while, the sounds dwindled until all he could hear was the vehicle he was in. A deserted road then, which meant that the other car had gone in a different direction. Logan sighed, turning his attention to his immediate surroundings instead.
His legs were chained to the truck bench, and he had to admit that it was a good piece of work. His arms were chained behind his back, his hands twisted up towards his neck. The chains were so tight that the circulation was being cut off, and his fingers had gone a little numb. Most importantly, if he chose to extend his claws in this position, he'd send six sharp pieces of Adamantium through the base of his skull and into his brain. Logan suspected he could heal even from an injury such as that, but he knew it would take a damn long time.
Across from him, two soldiers sat pointing their weapons directly at his heart – again, good planning on their part. They knew exactly what to do to slow him down. The commander sat up front with the driver, and no one had said a damn thing the entire trip, which had so far lasted the better part of an hour. Logan wished he could catch a glimpse outside, so he could at least figure out which direction they were going. He'd already projected as much information as he had to Charles, but he knew it wasn't enough. That was assuming the other mutant had even received the information; Logan knew that Xavier had a hard time reading him, and not being a telepath, Logan had no way of confirming that the message had gotten through.
He sighed again. He was starting to feel antsy, especially now that he knew the girls weren't with them. Finally, he could take it no more, and spoke up. "So, not exactly a man of his word, your commander, eh?" The soldiers did not respond. "I mean, here he promises that if I come quietly, without protest, he'll let the girls go. And did I protest? Did I resist? Not one whit. So where are the girls? Where's my proof, hmmm? I think your commander's gone and screwed me."
One of the soldiers spared him a dirty look. "Commander Lyons is a good man," he replied shortly.
Logan nodded, satisfied. Having gotten a name out of the man, he decided to test a theory he was working on. "Ah, Leeson," he replied, leaning over so he could read the dog tags sticking out of the other man's shirt. "That the same commander who served under William Stryker? And what about you? Were you also at Alkali Lake?" Logan had no idea who Commander Lyons was, but he figured that if it involved soldiers and people who didn't like mutants, then it was probably connected to Stryker's little experiments somewhere down the line.
The soldier nodded. "Yes. That's how we knew how to take you," he sounded proud.
"Shut up," his compatriot hissed. "You're giving away information." The other soldier reddened, embarrassed, and glared at Logan.
Logan shrugged, smiling. "Can't blame a guy for trying," he commented lightly. At least he had an idea of what he was up against. He leaned his head back against the wall of the truck and relaxed his muscles as much as he was able. His arms were beginning to ache, and he really couldn't feel his fingers anymore. Sighing for a third time, Logan closed his eyes and focused on the road again. He hoped, at least, that the trip wouldn't be much longer.
About fifteen minutes into their trip, Jubilee had snuck her hand into Rogue's gloved one, squeezing hard. The Asian girl's face was pale and her eyes were wide and frightened. Rogue squeezed back, suddenly realizing that she was the experienced one in this situation. After the Alkali Lake incident, Bobby and Rogue had both begun training for combat, while their friends remained just students at the school. Ordinarily she didn't think about the difference in their statuses too much, but now it seemed particularly relevant. She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to concentrate. What could she do now?
Mentally, she ran through her list of options. She had already tried to contact the Professor, but she didn't feel that whisper against her consciousness that suggested he had heard her. That meant they were probably out of range – Xavier could usually communicate with the students while they were in New York, but beyond the city, things got a little bit fuzzy. He had definitely picked up on their fright in the mall, so at least he knew that there was something going on. Okay, that meant there would be people looking for them. That was good.
The back of the jeep was completely covered, so she hadn't been able to track where they were going. She had managed a glance out the window as they pulled out of the parkade, and knew that they had started off going west. They had around so many curves since then, however, that she really had no idea where they were going. So much for being able to track their movements.
Her thoughts turned to the possibility of immobilizing their captors. Obviously, the soldiers didn't consider two teenage girls a big threat; they hadn't been restrained in any way. Rogue let her eyes wander around the jeep, strategizing. There were two men in the back with them, and two were riding up front. Jubilee's fireworks packed quite a punch, and could definitely knock out the two guys in front of her. That might give them enough time to jump out the back...
Rogue sighed. It was a good idea, except that the car was going more than 50 miles an hour, and there was nothing to prevent the other two men from turning around and shooting them both. Besides, who knew what consequences her actions might have for Logan?
Just then, the jeep whipped around a corner, slowed, and lurched to a stop. The passenger jumped out, and Rogue could hear his boots crunching in the gravel as he came around the vehicle to open the back flap. "Get out," he commanded, and the two girls were pushed roughly out of the jeep, landing hard on the dirt road.
Rogue blinked in the surprisingly bright afternoon sun, taking in the sight before her. It looked like an old warehouse, but she recognized some very hi-tech security cameras gracing its entrance. With a grunt, the soldiers indicated that they should walk forward. Rogue noticed that the one walking closest to her had the keys to the jeep dangling from his hand. Suddenly, she saw her chance.
Subtly, she knocked Jubilee to the ground. "Hey!" the other girl started to protest, but Rogue shushed her. Under the pretense of helping the other girl back to her feet, she leaned in close to Jubilee's ear.
"I need you to create some sparks, take out those three guards," she whispered, moving her eyes toward the ones flanking them on the left side. "Don't ask, just do, okay?" Jubilee nodded, accepting Rogue's gloved hand to help her up.
They stood and started walking again. Rogue was relieved to see that none of the soldiers looked suspicious. Good, she thought. Let them think we're just scared little girls. She waited until the one with the keys was right next to her, then pulled off her glove and reached for his bare arm, shouting to Jubilee, "now!"
Jubilee's hands went off like...well, firecrackers. Blinded and burnt, the three soldiers went down. Rogue, in the meantime, had gotten a firm grip on the soldier beside her with one hand, and was pulling the keys away from him with the other. Over the last year at the Xavier Institute, she'd learned a lot about controlling her powers, and she was able to drain the soldier to the point of making him pass out without letting things get out of control. Once he was disabled, the two girls high-tailed it back to the jeep.
Rogue jumped in the driver's seat and turned the engine over as Jubilee slammed the passenger door. Soldiers were beginning to pour out of the compound now, but they were too late – Rogue hit the gas and they peeled out of there, racing back down the road. Beside her, Jubilee let out a whoop of joy. "Oh my god!" she shouted. "We were amazing!" Rogue nodded in reply. She was pleased with their escape, of course, but she couldn't help wondering, what was happening to Logan?
Logan got his wish, because less than ten minutes after he'd gotten the soldier to talk, the truck pulled to a stop. "Are we there yet?" he asked jokingly. The soldiers glared at him in response.
"One wrong move and the girls get it," one growled at him, holding up a portable radio. Logan rustled his chains, indicating with a disparaging look that he wasn't going anywhere, regardless. The soldier glared back, leaning forward to undo the chains around Logan's ankles. "Get up," he replied.
Logan stood, relishing the chance to stretch his legs, wishing they would undo his arms as well. At the soldier's prodding, he allowed himself to be led outside. The sun was very bright, just starting to sink in the sky behind him. He turned slowly, taking in his surroundings and trying to orient himself. They appeared to be in the middle of nowhere, out in the country. All Logan could see was a series of rolling hills. "Move," a voice behind him commanded, and a push from a gun barrel reinforced the command. Logan bit back a growl and started walking.
Storm pulled up neatly behind Kitty, who had parallel-parked her car the minute she'd realized she had no idea where she was. The young woman, seeing the X-Men behind her, immediately got out and rushed over in relief. "It's all over the news!" she exclaimed by way of greeting. "They're calling Logan a dangerous criminal!" Storm looked at her, not understanding. With an impatient sigh, Kitty just reached around her, leaning into the car and turning the radio on.
It buzzed to life in the middle of a recap. "Once again, today's breaking news: three suspects were apprehended at Hillside Mall today. Officials said the three suspects were wanted in connection to a terrorist attack against a military base in Canada eight months ago, and were considered dangerous. Witnesses have confirmed the rumor that at least one of the terrorists in custody was a mutant, and others say a fourth suspect, also a mutant, evaded capture, apparently by running through the building's walls. National Security forces are searching for the fourth suspect, described as a Caucasian woman, eighteen to twenty years old, approximately 5 foot 4 inches tall, with short brown hair. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is warned not to approach her, but to notify police immediately..." Storm flicked the radio off.
"Get back in the car, Kitty. Drive back to the Institute, and don't break any laws. In fact..." she turned to the others. "I better take her. That way she can keep her head down if she has to. The last thing we want is someone calling the police." Scott nodded, moving up to the driver's seat.
"Be safe," he told her. "We'll get the others back."
Storm and Kitty walked back to the other car as the X-Men sped away.
Logan figured he'd walked over a mile before the first building came in sight. It was a squat, ugly looking thing, a square cement block surrounded by razor wire fence. For something that didn't look like much, though, it certainly had some pretty sophisticated security. As they approached, Logan took in the multi-angle cameras, the electric gates and the guard towers. Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to make this place impenetrable.
They led him inside and the smell of blood and dirt assaulted him immediately. There were so many different people in the building that he couldn't distinguish between them. There was no way he could tell if Rogue and Jubilee were there, for example. He did smell fear though, and the stench of pain. They marched him passed a number of closed doors, which he quickly realized were cells. One of them reeked of death. He paused beside it for a moment, sniffing, trying to figure out if the occupant was still alive. One of his captors prodded him forward, and Logan couldn't contain the growl of anger that welled up within him in response.
"Shut up, dog," the armed man muttered, pushing him inside one of the rooms. Instantly he was assaulted by a very familiar animal smell. Despite the guard's warning, Logan could not contain another deep growl, his eyes blazing with fury. The noise was met by a growl in response, and Logan raised his head to see the room's other occupant.
Sabretooth was staring at him from the corner of the room, where he was chained to the wall.