BN: Thanks to Shadow of Phantom, White Wolf0095, Charon315, crazycatluver and Takame Kiriku for their reveiws, while not all of them said what I had wanted, they are usefull in their own little ways and I have taken them in my stride, hopefully, they will improve my writing skills.
I am expecting more from you lot so read up! I hope that you injoy this chapter!
ALL WE KNOW
CHAPTER TWO
"Mr Gregory was part of an experiment performed 16 years ago. His own father, a close friend of mine, was the successor of Genetix Development in New York. He was the top of his field. His ideas were radical, far too radical for his time.
When he took control over Genetix in 1989, he went what some would call insane.
His idea, the one he proposed to me and I declined, was beyond insanity, it was inhumane, but he had lost touch with what he once believed in.
The theory was that humans could attain animal-like qualities and abilities through genetic remodelling. This idea is not unlike that of other scientists who believe that humans can be cloned and their appearances are altered. The theory is plausible and has worked, but it is the morals behind it that one objects to.
Twenty five unborn subjects who had the X gene were chosen and underwent the surgery. Six were still born. Five years into the experiment and a further four had rejected the DNA and had died from complications.
Now exiled from the scientific community, Doctor Gregory was said to have disposed of the twelve remaining "A-Class" mutants. I am the only person that has knowledge of their whereabouts.
It has come to my attention that they have become not only a danger to themselves but to the public and they must be sought out." Xavier turned off the projector and glanced at his team.
"I believe that Zachariah runs under the alias "Chameleon". Fortunately, when the "A-Class" experiment was aborted, the files became public property and I have studied them many times.
Mr Gregory, as far as was reported, has the ability to change his appearance, but has struggled with his mutation. Whilst Jean monitored him last night, he changed form several times.
A DNA test returned inconclusive as his DNA structure changes on a very regular basis. For a while, both Doctor Grey and I where baffled, but after further tests, and a phone call to our friend Doctor McCoy, we came up with a solution to this peculiar problem.
Mr Gregory possesses the rare ability to acquire others mutations, not unlike Rogue, but he does not need to come into physical contact with the person with the desired mutation and he cannot use the power once he learns to use another and must acquire it again to use it. This was not part of the genetic remodelling he underwent.
Both Jean and I believe that this is his natural mutation surfacing. While he cannot just "borrow" a mutation, his body undergoes a series of changes to let him use each mutation as if it were his own. Sometimes this process can be very painful and the changes necessary do not happen, thus creating strange, uncontrollable powers."
Xavier became quite and let his gaze drift again. Logan, while somewhat aware of what the professor was talking about, and dare he say it, quite interested, was leaning against the window frame, his eyes surveying the expansive grounds bellow, nose and ears twitching as new scents rose and fell on the breeze and noises crackled in the background.
Scott was perched on an armchair, attentive as ever, brown eyes watching the professor contently from behind his red quartz sunglasses. Finally his own eyes came to rest on Ororo who was standing just behind Scott, a hand on his shoulder, a shock of white hair drifted about her shoulders, framing her wise face.
"I have no doubt that Mr Gregory has no wish of staying, and that his eleven counterparts will not wish to come here either, but it is essential that they must. They are scattered about New York, most have found shelter with families or orphanages, but some have not been as fortunate. Tomorrow, we shall extend the offer to them, those that refuse will come the same way Mr Gregory did." The professor moved from his desk and headed for the door, flashing Scott a brief smile. "As for now, I believe we are wanted down in the medi-lab."
Pain drove his every thought, every shallow intake of air.It consumed him, every cell in his body was screaming, refusing to make the changes that his mind was demanding.
Screams echoed in his head, others' thoughts mingled with his. Confused and lost within himself, unsure of who or what he was, he cried out for help but there came no answer.
Then it ended, the pain seeped from his body like blood from a wound, his mind was quite.
Now aware of the horrible throbbing silence, and oddly, the smell of antiseptic, he ached his eyes open and blinked painfully in the hard electric light
"Zachariah"
The word sounded as if it had been screamed in his ear. He cringed, head pounding.
Irregular shapes surrounded him. Noises grew and shimmered over head. One of the shapes reached out and touched his bare skin – "Zachariah?"
He squinted, trying to focus on the blank face above him, dissolving into confused mumbling when the shape became Jean Grey.
He sat upright, fearful eyes darting about the lab frantically. "What the hell?" He breathed, pulling himself away from the woman's gentle touch.
She frowned and reached out for him again.
NO! He screamed in her mind, and she withdrew her hands from him. "Mr Gregory, please calm down, I am just running some very basic tests- "
"What the hell is going on!" He yelled
"Jean, if I may?" Xavier's calm voice sounded as he wheeled in, flanked by two men Zachariah had already come in contact with.The boy sat still under the powerful stares of all three men, a steady glare settling in his features.
"Mr Gregory, I believe you have met both of these men before," He laughed as if sharing a joke with himself, the shorter of the two, Scott Summers, gave an amused smile, his obscure looking sunglasses glinting in the fluorescent glow, the other looked less pleased, Logan's jaw was set and his brow furrowed, his muscular arms folded across his heaving chest, all adding up to a rather unattractive appearance.
"I, on the other hand, have not had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, I am Charles Xavier." He extended a hand and Zach took it reluctantly.
"Do you think you could manage a tour of my school, I assure you, I will explain EVERYTHING in due course."
The boy was on the verge of refusing the offer, and If not for Logan making threatening movements behind the professor's back, he would have. The whole scene was ludicrous, the metal plated medi-lab, the seemingly ageless doctor and the wheelchair bound nutcase, the fact that he had been kidnapped, it was enough send any sane person packing.
He had heard of Xavier, and his school, it had been all over the news for the last few months.
"Mutant training base right here in New York"
"Xavier in league with public enemy number 1"
"Xavier Institute for gifted criminals and monsters"
"Well," Zach began, his eyes cold slits, "since you were kind enough to abduct me, I guess I'll have to say yes." He said, sarcasm dripping from his words.
Up next: An introduction of the A Class mutants
