Chapter 9

Logan, Victor and Kurt made their way to the lower level, only running into three guards patrolling, assuming that the security was minimal this far into the facility because it wasn't anticipated that any intruders would make it that far in.

Vic and Logan dispatched the trio with ease as Kurt "popped" them off somewhere for hiding then returning quickly. Now they were faced with a new problem.

Vic took a quick peek around the corner. "Two guards at the door." He whispered to Logan and Kurt. "I'm betting that's where the children are being held."

"Nightcrawler, can you do like you did before, bring them to us?" Logan muttered.

"It would be my honor." Kurt flashed a fang-filled smile. A few seconds later, Victor and Logan were giving wicked smirks to the shocked men as their fists connected with jawbones.

Logan made quick work of the door, charging in with claws extended, expecting more guards. He stood in shock for a moment when he saw the cages filled with children of various ages. He estimated that the youngest of the group might have been around 8 years old to the oldest being no more than 16 or 17.

Victor was also stunned as he scanned the crowd of what he estimated to be close to 30 children. Some of the younger ones began to cower and sob in corners, fearing that they might be the next to be taken.

He smiled and spoke gently to the children. "It's alright, we're not going to hurt you, we're here to get you out, take you back home where you belong."

Kurt let out a low sigh at the size of the group. "This is going to take longer than we thought."

Just as Kurt went into a puff of black smoke, a teenage girl with long blonde hair and clear ice-blue eyes hollered out. "Wait!" It was too late. Kurt let out a painful howl as he suddenly materialized next to a cage, his body stiff from the electrical jolts surging through him.

When it was over, he slumped down to the floor, trying to catch his breath and regain his strength. "Wh-what was that?" He questioned the girl.

She gave him a mournful look. "Are-are you ok, sir? The cages have some sort of protection around them to prevent us from using our abilities."

Kurt looked up at the girl and gave her a weak smile. His eyes danced at her beauty as he stood. "I am fine, Fräulein, I have endured worse. Danke for your concern."

Victor rolled his eyes and let out a soft moan as Logan chuckled. It wasn't hard for the brothers to pick up on the changing scent of Kurt's pheromones.

"Well, this just presented a new problem." Vic grumbled as he reached for his radio, speaking into it. "Storm, we got a problem down here. The children are locked in cages and there's something blocking Nightcrawler from using his ability to get them out. Can you deactivate the locks from the control center?"

The group could hear the commotion of rifle fire and screaming when Storm responded. "We got our own problems here! You'll have to find some way to get the cages open on your own."

Vic sighed as he pocketed the radio. Logan gave a good look at the cages lined up in neat rows on either side of them. "Ok kids, get back." He barked out as his claws extended.

"What do you plan on-" Victor didn't get the chance to finish asking the question as Logan began running down the path, sparks flying as the locks were cut and the doors popped open.

Victor lifted a brow. Maybe it's just certain abilities blocked? He questioned himself as his claws extended and he reached for one of the cages, jerking his hand back in pain when he got zapped. Shit Jimmy! You're definitely a man possessed right now.

The children started pushing their way out of the cages, eager to follow these men to freedom. Once the last cage was open, Logan quickly made his way back to the blonde girl. "We heard there are younger kids here, babies. Do you know where they are being held?"

The girl pointed to a door at the other end of the room. "The entire time I've been here, I've only seen one baby brought in. They took it that way."

Kurt started to reach for the girl's face, then quickly pulled his hand back. "How long have you been here?"

"A little over 6 months, some have been here over a year." She replied as a slight blush tinted her cheeks.

Logan nodded. "Ok guys, you know what to do, I'll catch up to you." He turned and started to the door the girl pointed to.

Kurt reached for 4 of the younger children. "I'll be right back." He smirked as he and the children left in a puff of smoke. Victor looked towards Logan in concern, silently praying that next time he saw his brother, he'd have his nephew with him.

"Alright kids, let's blow this popsicle stand." Vic chuckled as he began to lead the children out.

~ooOoo~

After breaking open a few doors, finding only what looked like empty hospital rooms, Logan found himself at the last door in the area. He kicked the door open, rushing through.

He stopped in shock of how different this room was compared to the others. There was plush wall-to-wall carpet, a small twin size bed to one side, a couch and coffee table to the other. One corner housed a baby's changing table and next to that a rocking chair, then he spotted the crib with a mobile of bright colored stars and moons hanging over it.

He glared at the woman sitting on the couch, holding a magazine as she put a finger to her lips. "Shhh. Luke is sleeping."

"What the fuck?" Logan gasped in shock. "Doctor Krause? What the hell is going on here?"

She gave Logan a smirk. "Mr. Howlett, do you think it was an accident that you and your wife were able to find an obstetrician that "specializes" in mutant births in Colorado? It was really surprising how easy it was to plant my information into the search engine when Marie was looking for an OB/GYN, and how gullible both of you were to set up an appointment so quickly."

Logan's jaw dropped. "You...you mean...this has been planned from the beginning? How? Why?"

She gently set the magazine down as she stood. "You remember Scott? You and that bitch ex-wife of his did a lot of damage to the Summers family, and to the families invested in Summers Chemicals. When he heard through the grapevine that Marie was pregnant with a mutie bastard, myself and the FOH was more than happy to help him get his paybacks."

"You stupid bitch!" Logan hissed out between clenched teeth. "Scooter was screwing other women and was abusive to Marie. The best thing she ever did was to dump his sorry ass."

"What goes on behind closed doors between husband and wife is none of my concern. What does concern me is that she embarrassed the family of my best friend, financially ruined them, bringing my family down as well...all for a disgusting mutie!"

"So, all this, just so Scooter can have his revenge? That fucker is more twisted than I thought! Y'know, if y'all hate mutants so much, why abduct children trying to make an army of mutants then?"

Dr. Krause threw her head back and let out a soft "HA" so as not to disturb the sleeping baby. "You think that's what's going on? We had a feeling there was a spy...now we know who she is. Thank you for that. No, we're trying to find a way to vaccinate the mutant gene. Think about it, Logan, wouldn't your life be so much easier if you didn't have to hide, fearing someone would find out about you, people like you? You'd have a normal life, and Luke could have a normal life as well."

Logan huffed. "And if you can't "vaccinate" us? What then? One way or another, you're just going to have to learn to live with us."

She smirked. "If we can't vaccinate you...we'll just simply eradicate you."

Logan's face fell into a horrified shock. "You're talking about genocide! How could you, a doctor of all people, even entertain a thought like that?"

"Simple. You freaks aren't human. You all need to be sterilized like the germs you are. It's no more than destroying cancer cells or exterminating roaches. Your kind breed with normal humans to create more of your disease, spreading your pandemic all over the world. Diseases like you, and Luke, need to be stopped at all costs."

A low growl vibrated in Logan's chest as his eyes flashed a bright amber. "I'm going to actually enjoy this." Before Dr. Krause could react, Wolverine's claws ran through her chest, smirking as he heard the gasping for air. "Physician, try to heal thy self after that one, bitch."

He heard a small whimper coming from the crib, sheathing his claws, he turned his attention to the baby, smiling as he watched the little boy with sandy-brown hair, chubby cheeks and a small birthmark under his eye, pulling himself to a stand.

Luke reached his arms out, laughing in excitement seeing his father. "Da da! Da da!"

Logan gasped, reaching down to pick up the babe. Nuzzling his face to him as the tears of joy filled his eyes. "That's right! Da da is here. You're safe now. Da da is here."

Luke smiled, cooed and gurgled. "Da da! Da da! Brrbbbppp da da."

Logan wiped the tear from his eye, bouncing Luke on his hip. "Ready to go see ma ma now? Huh? Wanna go see ma ma?"

"M-m- Ma ma! Brrbbbppp Ma ma! Da da!"