"So, it's pretty much an Apocalypse," Andie said to the Professor

the next morning. "Dobson and Trask are planning on wiping out mutant

kind. First, they're going to take us down, then, they're going after

everyone else."

"Tell us some thing we don't know," Scott said rubbing the back of

his head.

"Dobson has Stryker's formula and he going to turn us against each

other, the Morlocks, Storm," Andie said. "He's going to make it look like

we all killed each other off. He's not dumb enough to use the Sentinels

again. And he's going to use the Power-8 on those of us he somehow

fails to capture."

"Well, that's good news," Max said.

Ryan shook his head. "We have to stop him," Scott said. "We need

to act now." "And do what?" Hope asked. "Storm the castle? Take

Stryker and Dobson down? Make us look like murders to the public?

That would look real good." The Professor rubbed his chin, but remained

silent. "Hope's right we can't just dive in without a plan," Ryan said.

"Thanks captain obvious," Max said. For a moment everyone sat in the

silence. Through the window a pink sun splashed onto the tile floor and

the smell of fresh coffee hung above their heads, along with the

impending doom. Andie's hand shot in the air and the Professor

laughed. "Andie, we're not in school, you don't need to raise your hand."

Andie blushed. "This may not be a popular suggestion, but I think we

should team up with The Brotherhood," she said. "Are you sadistic?"

Scott asked. "We can't trust them, they're-" "Mutants like us," Ryan cut in.

"I think Andie's right, there's strength in numbers." "Yeah, and her brother

has like...awesome powers," Max said. Scott shook his head. "Okay, if

you want to play house with unwashed masses that's fine, but personally

I'd rather take them out now and get it over and done with." "Scott, now is

not the time for rash action, that's how we lost Storm," the Professor

said. "I don't think I'm being rash, I think I'm being smart, get them before

they get us." "Hold up Fearless Leader, I know you want to get your optic

blast on, but I think you need to spend a little more time prioritizing,"

Andie said holding her hand up. "I've thought it through and I'm going,"

Scott said. "The only question is, who's going with me?" The sound of

birds chirping replied. "All right, if that's the way you want it, you feel free

to sit here and wait to die." The swinging door scraped the wall. The

Professor rolled after him, in a vain attempt to change Scott's mind.