(Two)
It was still early morning when word of the battle hit the news. New Yorkers were fond of cameras and mini-cams, there was plenty of food for the newsreels. Someone had actually captured the explosions and the brutal sword fight on the grass, showing the world once and for all how this was the work of mad mutants. In this strange world filled with humans more animal than man, it never occurred to anyone that this was the work of aliens. No, it was the lousy mutants again, mutants so bold and callous that they cared not whose buildings they toppled so long as they won their petty wars.
The usual crew was gathered in Remy's kitchen, chowing down on breakfast when they had a sudden uninvited guest - Bobby Drake burst into the kitchen in a bit of rush. He was a young man, still in his late twenties. He was wearing the standard black uniform suggesting he had just come in from patrol. Wanting to be a little different, he had short cropped blonde hair spiked a little at the top and a little blond fuzz on his chin. He was also known as Iceman for his ability to conjure ice from the ambient moisture in the air around him and bend it to his will. He had come in in a hurry, yelling, "Hey, guys! Check out the news!"
Now Bobby was rather fond of pulling practical jokes so no one took him that seriously at first, but soon enough the blond mutant had them convinced he wasn't playing around this time. The television was finally turned on and they saw film footage of a huge disaster just outside of Central Park. The details weren't clear, but it looked as though someone had caused a massive explosion. At least three major office buildings had been toppled onto others around them, creating a disaster area far worse than Bin Laden's terrorist act that had occurred there only a few short years ago. No one needed to be told the death toll would be ridiculously high.
"Somebody needs to get some new material," Karen joked wryly.
"Get them kids outta here!" Logan ordered gruffly to Kimble. He was Head of Security, but he was also a father. He didn't think such small children should be witnessing this horror, even sanitized as it was for the news. Many people had been killed and others wounded, the footage was filled with pictures of bleeding people and bodies being carried off in black bags. A scrolling banner along the bottom suggested the death toll would likely be in the tens of thousands.
Kimble nodded and obeyed immediately. He generally avoided watching the news anyway and had tuned most of it out as soon as he saw that the news wasn't good. So many deaths had been reported, he would rather not know. He took Carter from his mother and placed him in a Gerry pack, strapping him to his chest. He then started grabbing the plates of their unfinished breakfast and escorted the children outside. He was a member of the family, but not a proper member of the X-men team. He had accepted his place and so didn't argue when things like this happened and he got left out. His responsibility was to the kids and that was just fine with him. He took the kids to a small picnic table under a nearby tree and life went on as usual. Well, except for the tiny black cloud that was now rising far off in the distance. Westchester wasn't so far away that the signs from the disaster couldn't be seen.
"What's going on, daddy?" Angel asked.
"Don' know, kiddo. I'll letcha know soon as I kin finds out."
He saw her concentrate and he growled, scolding her. "Don'tcha be tryin' ta use yer powers now, baby doll. You knows you cain't controls 'em too good. Jus' be patient."
"Yes, daddy."
On top of her slight empathic ability, Angel was also showing some promise as a telepath. For her to be showing signs of it this young, Charles was certain she was going to grow up to be a telepath as powerful as himself if not more so. She had been trying to use her budding power to try and probe the adults back in the quad. Kimble didn't approve, he was a student of Xavier's enough to respect other people's privacy. He didn't want her looking into the minds of others, especially if they were focused on something as violent as what had clearly happened this morning.
Kimble looked over the kids as they finished eating and let them scamper off to a tiny playground close by the house. Charles Xavier was strict on physical discipline and had several playgrounds like this all about the grounds. There was a large jungle gym, a slide and some swings. Kimble stacked the plates but left them, not wanting to go back inside until he was told it was okay. He went to the playground and waited patiently, watching them play. He would have taken the kids out here anyway before taking them to the center so his routine hadn't been disrupted that much by the news. He hugged the baby at his chest, loving the feel of a small child so close. He had missed this when Angel got too big to be handled this way. He was making up for it with Carter, but knew that soon too, even this chubby baby would grow too big for it as well.
Kimble turned and looked behind him when he saw Gambit come limping out of the house. He was still on crutches and was hobbling along as best he could for the now. Kimble was silent, saving his greeting until Gambit had shuffled to a stop beside him. "It's a good day fer it, huh? Playin' outside, I means," Kimble said as if the world wasn't coming apart.
"Logan wants you inside, little brother. Got work for you to do, s'il vous plait."
Kimble snorted. "Like what? This here is my job."
"Not just dis minute. Gambit's gonna take over."
Kimble eyeballed Remy's crutches. "Uh huh, shure. You couldn't keep up with these guys on a good day."
"Angel's gonna 'elp me, eh petite?"
"You bet, Uncle Remy!" she chirped from on top of the large wooden jungle gym.
"See? Now give dat baby 'ere."
Kimble reluctantly removed the Gerry Pack and handed over its precious cargo. "This ain't a good idea," he grumbled. Really, it wasn't that he thought Remy wasn't capable, it was just that he didn't want to go up to the house. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what Logan had to say.
Kimble walked into the house, keeping his eyes low. Logan looked at him as he entered and the Siskan paused, uncertain. "What I done now?"
"Sit," Logan ordered, pointing to a chair that faced the television.
Kimble did as he was told, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He was always fearful of Logan's wrath and he could see the man's shine was full of anger and violence being barely held in check. Kimble wasn't sure who Wolverine was mad at, he just prayed it wasn't himself. He couldn't think of anything he had done wrong that morning. He had obeyed Logan's orders and brought the kids outside, that was all.
"Watch the replay," Wolverine growled, showing his teeth in his anger.
Kimble turned to the screen and watched, cringing at the sight of all the carnage. It was difficult for him to watch such violence. It wasn't long before he began to shiver and cry. "Why I gots ta see? I ain't done nuthin' wrong," he whimpered softly, his wings down.
"Somethin' ain't right about this," Wolverine grumbled. "Listen."
Kimble closed his eyes all too eagerly, not wanting to see the frightening images anymore. He listened, though. It was hard to make out all the sounds, especially with so many people screaming, but he soon had an idea of what Logan was getting at. It had been a while since he had been called upon for his expertise in Siskan and Dognan mechanics. While he had been in Fallen's computer, he had served as her chief mechanic and diagnostic technician. All that seemed like a dream from some other time but he possessed a computer driven perfect memory and recall. He was almost flattered that Logan remembered about it. "I hears it. Ships. Dognan ships. Them could be plasma blasts what took the buildin's down. But what would they be doin' here? Are they invadin' us like they done on Fallen's world?"
Long ago, Fallen had lived on an Earth like this one, a parallel world. It didn't have Xavier's or mutants, but it had legends of them, legends that had been spelled out in comic books and movies. She had grown up a fan and it stayed with her, even as her world was ruthlessly invaded and destroyed by the Dognan hordes. She had survived her capture and later her forced conversion into a pilot. In the glum times, she had remembered the legends and told them to Seth and Kimble, saving some small scrap of the world she had grown up in. She had also told the Siskans about the fate of her world. Since the X-men had already been kidnapped by Dognan slavers already, it wasn't out of the question for the Dognan invaders to be coming here to finish off this world like they had Fallen's.
"Those're Dognan ships all right," Logan said, not exactly answering Kimble's question. "Damned if I know why they're here. Gonna send a tape of this down to yer brother. Get a confirmation."
Kimble opened one eye. Was he hearing Logan right? He had been called here for advice? Not to be yelled at for something?
Wolverine grunted at him, giving his shoulder a pat. "Go on back outside. Bring the kids in and get their sleeping gear. I didn't sound the alarm yet, but I'm gonna. Code Yellow. I want them all in the lower level where it's safe. You got ten minutes ta pack them all up and get 'em in the Danger Room."
"Them Dognan guys ain't gonna come here, are they?"
"I ain't gonna chance it. You heard me, boy. Move yer ass!"
Kimble hopped up and left quickly.
The Code Yellow alarm went off and the next hour saw most of the school's occupants scrambling to comply. A Code Yellow meant that everyone was to gather in the lower levels of the school complex, the Danger Room specifically. The Danger Room was a large room, twice the size of the gym and the Institute's shelter. It was located fifty feet under the ground and protected with energy shields no ordinary weapons could penetrate. It was here that the primary X-men members used holograms and sophisticated machines to hone their battle skills. The holograms they used here were not sentient like Kimble and Seth, merely cannon fodder and learning aides.
The members of the school had been drilled on the Codes many times and the evacuation went smoothly. Each resident had a pre-prepared pack of equipment they brought with them which included sleeping gear, a change of clothes, and some food supplies in case they had to be there a while. The lower level had its own separate supplies beyond that, Logan had seen to that. The Institute could be under siege for a month or more before the food and water ran out.
Professor Xavier also owned the adjacent properties to the Institute and the older mutants that had graduated to teams were boarded there. They got the alert as well and converged on the Mansion, offering their expertise and training in keeping the place safe. In the bad times, they all banded together as one, a mutant army ready to defend its home base.
Located in the lower level as well was the War Room. As part of procedure, Charles held a meeting there of his finest team members. Leaders from all the various teams were there as well as their captains and most honored guards. The Professor had called the Mayor of New York City and offered his services in the search and rescue effort. With all of his telekinetics and telepaths, they would be a big help in locating the wounded and getting them out alive.
Logan shifted uncomfortably in his seat at Professor Xavier's offer. He was one of the highest ranking officers here, but he hadn't been consulted about this. They had helped out in the search and rescue efforts during 9/11, but this time was different, this time the atrocity had supposedly been committed by mutants, not an Islamic terrorist. He was outraged by the whole episode, despising the attackers for playing their stupid game in the middle of a City where so many people lived. He always got riled up at a useless expenditure of innocent lives. The news was reporting as many as ten thousand people were dead or missing. Those left standing around were sure to be just a wee bit upset. There were already some reports of innocent mutants being rounded up and beaten in retaliation for a crime they hadn't committed. There was always a fine line of tension between humans and mutants at any given time, something like this upset that fragile balance and unfortunately it usually tipped against those with the mutant gene. It was going to be ugly out there for a while.
"Is that wise?" Logan grunted to his mentor. "If this ain't an outright invasion - which I think it ain't, it's too small - Jael probably did this. We could go out there an' get shot just fer bein' mutants 'cause of him."
Logan was quite convinced this was Jael, actually. He had watched the replay of the sword fight numerous times that morning and thought he recognized the Dognan terrorist himself. They had met once and the experience had been unpleasant enough for Logan never to forget it. The only good thing to come of it was that he'd had his memory restored, but he was less than grateful for that, some things had been better off forgotten.
Charles nodded, respecting his opinion, but offered, "The Mayor's warned the police and security teams out at the site and has promised us safe conduct. I want all the telekinetics and psychics to go."
"They're gonna need guards and folks keepin' them safe from crowds."
"That is why I'm sending you along. I want Scott here to watch over the Institute."
Scott Summers, Cyclops, the Professor's Second in command, rose to his feet. "With all due respect, sir. Logan isn't...Perhaps he isn't the best choice to negotiate with the Mayor, sir."
Wolverine sat in his chair, unmoving except for the deepening of his sneer of contempt.
These two were the polar opposites of each other, had been from day one. Logan was gruff and impetuous, coarse and unforgiving in his manner. Scott was the picture of control, the master of nuance and politics. His complaint had merit.
The Professor raised a hand in understanding. "I need Logan to go, Scott. His tracking skills and healing factor will be the middle ground here. He needs to be out there finding victims and helping with the rescue. He can go where others cannot. I need you here in his place. You will be better served here. I'm sure Jean will see to it Logan is on his best behavior," he finished, looking in her direction.
Jean sat in her chair, smiling now with amusement. "You can count on me, sir."
"Logan?"
"Whatever ya say, Chuck," Logan replied, the choice of moniker a deliberate but respectful snub. He did not approve of the Professor's joke.
"Good. You will depart in ten minutes. Fallen is preparing her ship as we speak."
(break)
Teams were assembled for the search and rescue efforts and were waiting to depart. Fallen was an X-man by default, she had brought Seth here to the Institute and he had been an invaluable member of the team. But there were times like this when she herself showed some real value. The Lucky Dragon was a vessel she had designed and built from her knowledge of Dognan craft. It had been built for transport. The Dragon was swift and sure, almost silent and fully cloaked when he needed to be. Today, Fallen and her Dragon would be flying out the teams to the damage site to work on the rescues.
"So when are we going?" Seth asked, looking over the first wave of alphas to go. Maylee was there with her fiance Max. Max was a winged telekinetic and one of Logan's personal favorites. The two were never far apart and Logan was grooming him as a security specialist. They both worked out a lot together and Max was two hundred and fifty pounds of hulking muscle, a far cry from the scrawny kid he used to be. He was blonde and shining like a god, but best of all, he had a good heart. Fallen couldn't be happier with Maylee's choice. Maylee herself was going on this trip, Henry would be staying behind in case he was needed here.
"We aren't going anywhere, love," Fallen replied to Seth sternly. "You're staying here."
"But we always go places together."
"Not on a Code Red we don't."
"Code Yellow."
"It's Code Yellow at the house, but it's a Code Red out there. Besides, this isn't just a drop off. I might have to stay and help find victims."
"I'll stay in the ship. You know I won't go anywhere."
Fallen cleared her throat and raised her chin, establishing her dominance. They were close like any other married couple but there were subtle differences. Fallen would always be in charge, she was the one who decided things. Her word was law and he would obey. She was his Mistress now as she said, "No. You are going to stay here and that's final. It's not safe and I won't put you at risk. Kimble will need help with the kids. Now run along and do as I say."
"Fallen, please. I don't want you to go without me. What if something happens to you?" he asked, trying to be pushy although his eyes were submissive to her. "I couldn't bear it if you were gone."
Fallen didn't answer, she didn't have time. She reached for Seth's power cubes and gave them to Max who was standing by doing nothing just yet. "Give these to Remy, would you please?"
"Sure thing, Fallen," Max replied and left, a knowing smile on his face.
Where Kimble used plasma energy gathered from the sun to survive, Seth still required Ristle from his Mistress. She powered up the cubes that Seth fed off of. Without the cubes, Seth was essentially trapped. He had to stay where they were. The cubes would be given to Remy because his bio-kinetic energy was similar to Fallen's Ristle. It wasn't as strong, but it could keep Seth alive until her return.
"Fallen, wait! You can't!" Seth protested, his eyes growing shiny with frustration.
"I just did, now go. I'll be back when I can." She gave him a quick kiss and walked up the ramp of the Lucky Dragon, never looking back.
Seth stood there, forlorn. He was furious now and threatening tears. Like Kimble he was still very much a child, but he was growing stronger every day. He had vowed long ago to find a way to break his dependance on the cubes. It hadn't happened yet and it was times like these he felt real anger and frustration that he had no leg to stand on when it came to enforcing his desires. This wasn't the first time he had been forced to stay behind like this and he resented it.
Seth put his head down with a soft snarl of frustration and walked off towards the Danger Room. He had his pack of stuff as everyone else did, but he also had his laptop computer and some books. He was mentally very active and had to keep busy or he would just go nuts. Unlike Kimble who slept much as a normal human did, Seth only required two hours or so a day, it took a lot to keep him occupied. The Danger Room door was open and he shuffled inside. Someone had thoughtfully set up a grid program on the floor so that all the parking places were marked, creating isles to walk down. Seth saw Kimble and Remy all the way to the back and made his way there.
This really was one of the safest rooms in the Institute. On top of the room's natural defenses, the lower level itself was heavily protected with security measures. Not just anyone from the house could hop down here. The path from the upstairs to here was lined with powerful alpha mutants making sure that everything was as it should be.
Seth dumped his pack down next to Remy and sat with a pout.
"She leave you behind, pet?" Of course Gambit already knew the answers to this. The Ristle cubes were in his lap and he was already giving them a slow charge.
"Yeah. This sucks."
"Well, don' feel bad, Molly dumped me, too. Guess we'll 'ave to make do. Look it 'ere, I was going to save dis fo' later, but mebbe you want dis now, eh?"
Seth turned to see what Remy had offered and his face broke out in a huge grin. Gambit was mindful of Seth's special needs and had bought him a new computer game. Seth had an aversion to violence as did all Siskans, but he played roleplaying strategy games without a problem. He knew it wasn't real and those tiny little computer armies reaping havoc didn't bother him. Remy had just given him Warcraft3, the newest and shiniest version of that popular series. It was still wrapped in cellophane, a bright shining virgin just waiting to have its cherry popped.
"Oh, thanks!" Seth said, his face beaming now. He gave Remy a squeeze and started to unpack his stuff, eager to try it out.
Gambit grunted a laugh and peeked over his shoulder at Kimble. Seth's brother had watched the whole thing with wry amusement. "If only you was so easy," Remy teased.
Kimble liked games and books as well, but his emotional turbulence shortened his attention span. He was better suited to physical labor, building and fixing things. It was why he was always redecorating the children's center or the apartment. He had overseen the construction of most of the playgrounds for the children on the grounds. This year Remy had Kimble plant a large garden outside and it was doing well, thriving under the Siskan's loving hands.
At the moment, Kimble was organizing books for the small ring of children camped out beside them. He was merely watching over them until their parents came by to collect them. He'd had them singing songs earlier, but then it got too noisy as the room began to fill up. He grinned up at Remy, but made no reply to the dig. The truth was it was getting too quiet in here despite the noise, he was down to four kids. Soon it would be just him and Angel. As long as he was busy he didn't have to think about what was going on. He kept telling himself this was no big deal...but that wasn't true.
In all of his time here, there had never been a Code Yellow for real. Not like this. Not with all the whispers of death and destruction. Not with the pale faces of the adults vibrating such concern and fear. Some of the girls in the front were crying, horrified by the day's events. Jael's name had come up more than once. Not everyone here believed this was a Dognan thing, well..not a whole army of Dognan thing anyway. The vibrations of the folks around him seeped into his skin and it was hard. He felt their excitement and in some cases, their panic.
"You okay, little brother?" Remy was asking.
"Shure," Kimble replied this time with a smile he didn't feel. It was hard to hide his emotions from his perceptive friend, but he did his best. He didn't want Remy to worry about him. He had caused enough suffering already these past few days. He returned to his books and waited word from the team on the outside just like everyone else.
