Chapter 13
"Stop here," Storm commanded.
All three huddled behind a rock formation, hidden from the top of the bluff they thought the attack came from.
"I'm going to float up to see what's there."
"Storm, no. I forbid it." The determination in Charles' voice cut like a knife. "Whoever's up there has already shot at two of our planes, what make you think they won't shoot you?"
He looked up, "I'm sure they are located at the top of that. So I think our best bet is to come after them from the ground. I can handle that grade."
The trio slunk their way over to the hill and began the climb. Although not difficult they went slowly and carefully looking for booby-traps or alarms. Storm was the first to reach the top gingerly peering over.
Charles could see a veil of confusion envelop her face. "What is it Storm?"
"I'm not sure Professor." And she climbed boldly onto the flat surface. Jubilee and Xavier followed immediately behind.
Jubilee tilted her head, just as perplexed, "What is this Professor?"
"I think I know, but I want to get a closer look."
Charles started to head over when Stormed grabbed him by the sleeve. "Do you think it's wise to go over there?"
"I'm almost sure it's safe. They have been programmed to shoot objects in the sky."
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"We should get all the children involved to help search for Scott."
"Um, maybe we should limit it to just the older kids, Jean. Due to his, uh, condition."
She looked at Beast with a questioning glare, "Why? I know the kids may be a little traumatized seeing one of their instructors injured, but I don't understand your concern."
"He is without clothing."
She cocked her head at Hank.
"Naked. Unless before he left he found something to dress in. But the gown is still on the table where we threw it during his last heart attack. His clothes hang in the closet in the corner. You know he didn't have bottoms on because of the location of his wound and the broken leg. I think the younger set may not be so traumatized by his injuries as by his lack of clothing."
Jean just stood there, mouth agape. Gesturing, she finally uttered, "Ok…we still have several boys here that are over the age of 14. How did he get out of here with a broken leg? And without setting off the monitor?"
"I believe the sheets are to blame. They seemed to have struck the switch turning off the alarms. That's just pure bad luck for us. And although I was able to do a partial set of the bones with the osteo-regenerator just after his surgery, he really shouldn't have been able to walk on it.
I was afraid to heal his leg completely since it uses the same body energy needed to heal all wounds and fight infection. His leg is only about 50 percent mended. The thin supported cast I put on him would have secured the bones for the needed last two weeks of recover. It really wasn't meant to walk on. But it still seems to have been enough for him."
Jean looked around the lab, "What would he go after that wasn't in here? Why would he leave? Do you think he could have gone to the hangar? Oh God, Hank. Would he take one of the planes and fly back out to New Mexico?"
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"Hey, Gumbo, back so soon?"
Gambit turned around as he exited his car to see Logan hopping off of Cyc's motorcycle.
"Oui, and you too, non?"
"Yeah. Can't wait to tell Xavier what I found. What 'bout you?"
"Yeah, Remy has a good story to tell."
As they headed towards the house, Logan stopped and sniffed the air, "Somethin's not right. I can't place it, but I think we need to get inside now."
As the two X-Men barreled through the door, they narrowly missed Beast.
"Hank. What's going on?"
"Scott's missing. I'm heading to the hangar. I fear he may be thinking of taking one of the planes and heading back out to the crash site. I believe his thinking is still a bit muddled."
"C'mon, let's go!" Logan cried as he headed off in that direction.
Before they followed, Beast looked to Gambit, "Remy, go back to the lab and help Jean. Logan and I have the hangar covered."
"I'm gone, mon ami."
As Hank and Logan reached their destination they slowed down. Beast looked to his friend, "Are you getting anything?"
"He's not here."
"Are you sure?"
Logan glared at Beast, "You questioning me?"
"Sorry Wolverine. I didn't mean to doubt your senses. I'm just worried."
Logan didn't respond right away. He held his head up, sniffing the air. "Hank, somethin' was bothering me when I came in. I'm still not sure what it was, but it was outside. Could Cyc have gone outside?"
"He could have gone anywhere, my friend. I suggest we search there. Jean and Gambit can handle inside."
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Jean turned around startled, hoping that it was Scott who had just walked in. "Gambit. Scott's missing…"
"I know, Chere. Remy and Wolverine just 'bout ran Beast down coming in. They's went lookin' for Cyclops in t'hangar. Have you searched anyplace here, yet?"
"No. I was just about to call some of the older children to help."
"Just call out on the intercom. Ask all the petites to look."
"I can't Remy. Scott's…he's not wearing anything."
"So t'eres a problem wit' dat?"
"Gambit!"
The Cajun just shrugged as a smile cracked the corners of his mouth. "Ok, Jean. You call in da troops, while Remy start the search. Have any idea which way he went?"
"I came from the direction of the library and didn't see him. It doesn't mean he didn't go that way, but I would try looking there first." She said as she pointed down the corridor to the right.
LeBeau headed down the hallway and stopped to study the small passage to the right. He could see the door to the outside from where he stood. He looked straight ahead, then back at the door.
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As Rogue stepped out of the hangar, she was alerted to a commotion by the sound of several running feet. She didn't know where to head first, the War Room or the Sick Room. But she got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach when she heard:
"They found him!"