CHAPTER 3. - Lost and Found
"Landing gear up"
"Check"
Storm flicked the switch, engaging the Blackbird's forward thrust, hands settling on the controls guiding them up and away from the schools rain-swept grounds to high above the thick tempestuous cloud cover.
"How's it comin' Professor"
Wolverine, suited up, was leaning over the dash, having unclipped himself from his seat after take-off.
"Head North ... thats all I picked up at first. I'll use Cerebro to get a lock on her now"
"Is that wise ?" Ororo's head turned, her and Logan sharing a look.
"Honestly? I have no idea." face impassive, Xavier wheeled up to the center of the platform; lifting the helmet and placing it over his head, even as he spoke "But, we have to try"
Storm shut off the intercom with a frustrated slap as Charles terminated the feed. Hunched over the controls with a frown, looking as if she was lost somewhere between confusion and anger; banking and skimming the blackbird abruptly through the rainy black clouds, altering their heading. She caught him staring at her, and snapped almost "What ?"
"He'll be fine"
"Yes, I know" scornfully, as if it have never been her thought otherwise, turning her face away "Thats not what's bothering me"
"So what's your problem?"
Storm grasped the controls tighter, clenching the grips as if she could crush the answer out of them; before giving a sigh and dropping her eyes. Quietly, so the others couldnt hear, she spoke
"It reminded me of the Phoenix ... It reminded me of the night we found Jean"
In the dead silence that followed, Storm hesitantly glanced upwards - only to find Logan frozen with a horrified look on his face.
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A sharp beam of light burst through the darkness, penetrating the trees and causing the undergrowth to be blown to and fro by the downdraught. The 'chopper screamed by overhead; the heavy repetitive thud-thud-thud of the rotary blades sending the air coursing through the ferns, the searchlight scanning the area as it passed.
Her body lay prone, unmoving under the scruitiny; as quickly as it appeared the helicopter was gone, the sounds receeding into the distance. Slipping in and out of conciousness, feeling nothing, she barely noticed - eyes sliding closed again as the searchlight faded away leaving her encased in darkness once more.
They are looking for me
Strangely, she was beyond caring. When suddenly, the pressure in her head returned - not the agonizing pain of before, more a gentle pressing that slowly stirred her fogged mind from its suppressed state, taking notice of the new quiet, unfamiliar voice that accompanied it
:where are you:
"What ?" she managed to just croak, with great difficulty from between dry lips.
:you need to help me find you:
Unable to speak now, she thought slowly instead - are you looking for me?
:Yes - I need to know where you are :
you cant. you're just a voice in my head. just a voice ...
: we can help you :
Suddenly amused at her own minds wanderings, she thought - you're not real.
:Where Are You:
The voice asked, with such intensity, the vague sense of mirth left her. Managing to reopen her eyes just a crack, dark colours all seemed to merge into one - I am here.
: where :
I ... I dont know. Here. I ... I am here.
: think through what you can remember. show me. let me see :
Brow furrowed in concentration, she tried to remember anything coherrantly; the pain growing excruitiatingly unbearable again ...
I cant
Xavier winced as he sensed the waves of pain flowing through her, even as Cerebro picked her out from the thousands of others, her surroundings taking substence around the figure as it materialised from the mists. Even as she passed out again, the voice resonated in her mind.
: hold on. we're coming :
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The strained silence in the Blackbird was only broken when Rogue, now the co-pilot, let out a low whistle in appreciation. Logan quickly moved to her side, catching glimpse out of the window of the activity below even as they slid passed, the stealth plane going unnoticed in the low cloud.
"Would ya' look at that"
Beneath them, the scene was a flurry of activity. Floodlights and tents had been set up, the red flares of the improvised landing pad illuminating starkly against the two sleek black non-descript helicopters resting there. Standard OD green military vehicals were pulling up, the trucks depositing even more people - dozens of men in combats appeared to be combing the area meticulously around some twisted blackened metal, others with dogs were working their way up and down river. All in all, the whole valley basin was crawling with soldiers.
At the end of the road, hastily placed road blocks were set up; the barricades denying access to the valley, the armed soldiers with a mixture of M16's and M4's ready to turn away any who ventured forth ; willing or not. A low growl escaped Logan.
"Guess they're the welcoming party, huh?"
Ororo's eyes were wide, her words catching his attention. He pointed over her, in the opposite attention, and snarled "Set us down"
Quietly, concealed in some trees near the edge of the cliffs, Storm landed the jet; once on the ground the small team quickly assembled, Rogue deftly assuming the controls should they need to leave in a hurry. Stepping over to the edge, the three X-men surveyed from their vantage point over the valley - the soldiers so far below they appeared like ants to their unseen onlookers. Storm spoke, with authority.
"Come. We dont have much time"
Wolverine was sniffing the air, lowered his head, eyes narrowed.
"This way"
He led off, not waiting to see if they followed him or not. The three of them left the cliff edge, moving through the sparse trees, stepping out on to a dusty strip of road. Colossus spotted the van doors first : the twisted metal jutting out from the ditch at the roadside. Storm, reaching down to retrieve a shattered 'bike helmet, now smeared in mud. All could just make out the tyre tracks in the dust, leading off the cliff edge ahead, on the tight corner.
Logan scouted around ahead, keen nostrils inhaling the scents of the night, the sharp metallic tang of blood carrying on the air. He followed the scent as it grew stronger, turning to look at his companions before unsheathing his claws and venturing out of sight into the dark, wet pines.
Stumbling and crashing over the underlying plants and rotting wood, after awhile Colossus paused for a second, catching his breath. The air was thick and humid, drawing cool clammy fingers over his skin. Cursing under his breath, he leaned against a tree trying to gain his bearings in the dark. ""Storm ?"
"Over here"
Straining to see, he could just make out her shadowy sillouete when she moved - etheral hair gleaming slightly in the low light; neatly sidestepping the crisscrossing undergrowth, moving quietly and surefootedly. Beyond her still, the Wolverine was struggling to contain his anger. He snorted loud enough for them both to hear
"You wanna make any more noise, bub ? "
"Look, I can't see a ..."
"QUIET !"
They froze, the Wolverine's body twisted around, clawed hand still held motionless in the air - paused in the act of cutting Piotr's complaints off. He cocked his head to the side, listening intently. There.
The noise was slight, but he stalked towards it anyway, body tensed and ready to spring. Finding himself to be at the top of a slope, loose dirt sliding away from under his boots, he glanced around, taking in the slight clearing at the foot of the drop, bathed in the improved light coming in through the gap in the trees. The scent in his nostrils confirmed what he already knew - his quarry was nearby. Storm, already at his back, asked
"Down there ?"
As if in confirmation, Logan started down the steep short slope, finding footing against the twisted trees struggling to grow on the incline; Storm and Colossus following suit behind their tracker; the three almost colliding when Logan suddenly stopped abruptly without warning. Annoyed now, Storm shoved by him, intent on giving him a piece of her mind until she followed his gaze and saw what he was looking at - partly concealed by the thick foilage, the still body of a woman lay prone on her back, face turned away from them; long dark hair obscuring her features, chest rising and falling slowly.
Wolverine stepped towards her cautiously, coming within striking distance of her. Reaching out, tapped the side of her foot with his own; recieving no response, he knelt next to her in the soft earth, claws sliding back into his hands. Clearly unconcious, his eyes slid over her body, taking in the rips and scuffs in the bike leathers, blood drying on the wounds he could see. Gently her brushed her hair aside, frowning at the discolourations on her throat, seemingly stemming from a metallic silver band twisted away from there. About to investigate further, he flinched when she stirred slightly under his touch suddenly making a low, painful keening noise like a wounded animal.
As gently as he could muster, he slid his arms under her, bracing himself and over-cautiously lifting her from the ground. Realising she didnt weigh much, he curled her into his chest, trying not to jolt her as much as possible. As he turned, he could hear Storm already radioing back, instructing Rogue to get things ready. Wolverine met Storms gaze, adding gruffly as he pushed past
"Let's GO"
She nodded, and aside quietly to Rogue "We're on our way"
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Third chapter up, peeps! should be updatin' real soon. Cheers for the reviews guys, keep 'em comin !
