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President McKenna sat at the head of the table in the Situation Room of the White House. Carol Danvers sat to his left side and aout a dozen other officials were seated as well. Another man sat on the opposite end of the table, his name was Dr. Bolivar Trask. He had shaggy brown hair, glasses, and a mustache. A special chair had to given to him because Trask was, for lack of a better term, a midget.
"Mr. President, the mutant population is growing and we need a new weapon for this war," Trask began. "We need something that is capable of capturing dangerous mutants out there, like Magneto."
"We haven't had an incident with Magneto in months," President McKenna reminded him.
"There was an attack in Houston, two weeks ago."
"It was never confirmed that he was the one responsible for it. We have very real enemies out there, ISIS, Al-Qaeda-"
"Allow me to read something to you," Trask then interrupted.
"Please."
Trask took out a piece of paper.
"This was acquired by our friends at the CIA. It's a dissertation written by a mutant at Oxford University, and I quote. 'To Homo Neanderthalensis, his mutant cousin, Homo Sapiens,' which is us, 'was an aberration.' The arrival of the mutated human species, Homo Sapiens, was followed by the immediate extinction of their less evolved kin.' Well, now we are the Neanderthal."
"Speak for yourself, Dr. Trask," spoke an official.
The men in the room all chuckled but Trask smirked.
"You know, when you sent our soldiers to Iraq without the weapons they needed to win the war, you underestimated your enemy. You do that with this enemy, and it won't be some border skirmish somewhere in the Middle East. This time the war will be for our streets, our cities, our homes. And by the time you see the need for my program, it will be too late. And you will have lost two wars in one lifetime."
The men in the room all glanced at each other at being reminded of the bitter loses the country had suffered in the middle east, and just how unpopular those wars had been with the public, along with the rest of the world.
"So what are you suggesting?" The President asked.
Folders were then brought to all the officials at the table that showed pictures and blueprints of giant, thirty-foot tall robots.
"I call them Sentinels, named after the ancient guardians that stood at the gates of the citadel. They have the aeronautic capabilities of a Harrier jet. Armed with guns that can fire off more than two thousand rounds per minute of thermoceramic ammunition. But size, power, speed, you could find that at Lockheeed or Boeing. No, what makes the Sentinels so special is the ability to target the mutant X-gene. A genetic guidance system."
Trask held up a small, white controller.
"It can lock onto a mark a mile away. It won't trigger unless it has identified the target. With this weapon, there will be no more human collateral damage. If I turn it on the system couldn't even activate in here." Trask turned it on and it began beeping. "Unless there's already one in here."
He began moving it until it was in the direction of Carol and began ringing louder. Trask smiled as he was unsurprised. He, along with the others already knew that Carol was a mutant. It was just nice to prove that his technology worked.
"Ah, Ms. Marvel."
Carol smiled with mock-sweetness.
"I see Graydon Creed shared with you his cute little nickname for me."
Trask didn't answer as the officials then muttered to each other briefly before President McKenna spoke up.
"You're telling me our defense against mutants should be these giant metal robots? Magneto would tear them apart."
"The Sentinels are built out of a space-age polymer, not an ounce of metal on them. The problem has always been that most mutants look like us, but my Sentinels can tell the difference. I have twelve prototypes ready to go."
Carol continued to go through the file, quickly taking in all the information she could on these robots.
"Are you suggesting we send giant robots out into the street?" Carol spoke incredulously. "Do you have any idea how the public would react to such a sight?"
"How do you suppose they'll react when Magneto destroys something else?" Trask then asked. "Or if Mystique impersonates another government official? Maybe next time it will be you, Mr. President. And she could order a nuclear strike, if she were in the mood."
The President didn't respond right away, he could only shake his head as he and Carol shared a look.
"We're reviewing all of our defense expenditures, and all the black books are being opened. But we cannot support a weapon that targets our very own citizens. The majority of mutants living among us live peacefully, and go about their own lives."
Trask simply stared at him as the President then made it clear;
"I'm sorry, Dr. Trask. But your Sentinel program, it's not going to fly."
Once the meeting was over President McKenna and Carol stood together. She was relieved that he had turned down the proposition Trask had offered but could only wonder if Graydon Creed would do the same should he become the next President of the United States.
"I'm sure going to miss you when your term is up, Mr. President," Carol sighed.
"Don't worry, Ms. Danvers. Even with me gone, the mutants division will continue on."
"That's the thing, will it? If Graydon gets elected?"
"Secretary Creed is more than aware of the favorability of this program. You, along with Hank have done a great job."
Carol smiled as she thought of Henry McCoy. She still missed him terribly and wondered each day since his death if she was living up to his name, doing as well as the Secretary of Mutant Affairs as he had done.
Meanwhile, it was three-thirty in the afternoon of the following day when Charles Xavier called the mansion. Jean answered and began speaking with him as she used her powers to clean up the study, fixing the damage to the wall and the broken glass doors.
After the function at the Hellfire Club tonight, I should be home by nine tomorrow morning," Xavier informed her.
"The sooner the better," Jean responded. "That way we can be rid of Emma."
"Is something wrong?"
"I really don't like her."
Jean's eyes then burned orange.
"Well, hang in there. It won't be too much longer."
Meanwhile, in the office of the Professor, most of the X-Men had gathered. Emma was looking over the books on the shelves while Pitor and Kitty were sitting on the couch, watching a advertisement for Graydon Creed for President. Shaking his head, Pitor picked up the remote and shut the television off.
"I can't believe that prick could be the next President."
"If he's elected he'll try to undo everything Dr. McCoy did," Kitty sadly pointed out.
Just then Jean walked into the room, so Emma went for the exit.
"You don't have to leave," Scott said to her in a quiet voice as she passed by him.
"Yes I do."
Jean then watched as Emma reached out and touched Scott's hand for a moment before leaving. Scott then cleared his throat and got the attention of the room.
"Alright. So, we need to decide on what we're going to do with John."
"I think we should let him rejoin us," Bobby immediately said.
"You can't be serious," Pitor almost snapped. "He joined Magneto, then he joined Sinister. He killed humans. He tried to kill you, he tried to kill me. He's a freakin' terrorist now. So drop him off at the nearest prison and let the authorities deal with his ass."
"Maybe he just needs help," Alex suggested. "People can change if they're given the chance. I'm proof of that."
"You're situation and John's are completely different. He was a student here for years, we tried to help him," Scott pointed out.
Logan sighed. His situation and John's were more similar.
"Look, as much as I want that kid to wake up and skip on over to our side, we all know that's not the way it works. This isn't some damn Hollywood movie and if anything that kid is going to be more pissed off than ever. He isn't going to see this as us trying to help him. He's going to see it as defeat and capture and this whole place is going to burn if we don't get him out here."
"He can't do anything as long as he has the mutant-inhibitor collar on," Ororo pointed out.
Jean shook her head.
"We can't keep it on him forever."
"Just let him room with me again," Bobby spoke. "I'll look after him-"
"That isn't going to work. He's even more powerful then before."
"If we kick him out, what's going to stop him from coming back to burn the school down for revenge?" Kitty asked. "He's dangerous and-"
"No, we couldn't just let him walk away," Scott assured. "We'd have to turn him over to the authorities."
"You've gotta be kidding me." Bobby's pleading eyes then lowered as he shook his head. Ororo looked to him and frowned heavily as she could feel his sadness. He had been her student for years, has had John. It was a shame that their once close friendship had gone the way of Charles Xavier and Magneto. But she didn't know the real truth about them, none of them did. Only Rogue knew.
"Maybe we should try just talking with him rationally. If we let him feel like he's home and part of the family again, maybe when we take the collar off he won't be a threat anymore." Ororo said.
Logan looked over at her and much to Ororo's surprise, he actually looked a little sad as he then responded;
"You have to take everything into account. He was with us, then he joined Magneto, then he joined Sinister. He has no loyalty to anyone. He'll probably just say whatever it is he thinks we want to hear until we take the collar off and all hell breaks loose."
They were all silent for a few moments. Bobby didn't raise any further objections, he knew there was no point.
"Then it's settled..." Scott finally spoke. "I'll get in touch with Carol and have her pick him up in the morning."
Everyone in the room was now looking to Bobby. He was the one who fought to bring John back here, and as much as Scott didn't want John to just be tossed away, he wasn't naïve enough to think he'd be a changed person after all this. One by one, everyone went to leave the room, but Scott stopped Bobby.
"I'd think it'd be best if you didn't visit him again."
Bobby blinked in surprise.
"I can't even say goodbye to him?"
"You're too emotionally involved. This is hard enough as it is, and we've-"
"It's okay. You don't have to worry about me causing trouble." He assured.
Scott smiled and patted him on the arm.
"We never do."
That's because Bobby never caused trouble. No one expected him to. What they didn't seem to realize is that there is always a first time for everything.
XXXXXXXXXX
Night fell on Las Vegas and just like any other night the strip was lit up with bright lights that could seen from miles away. Sebastian Shaw had just finished changing into his black suit when a member of his security knocked on the open door of his penthouse bedroom.
"Mr. Shaw? Someone is here with what they say is an urgent message. He's referring to himself as 'The Grey King,'" he said as his brows furrowed.
Shaw smirked.
"Let him in. And give Pierce a call, let him know I will be a few minutes late."
"Yes, sir."
While Shaw took the time to meet with his guest, a limousine had picked Charles Xavier up from his hotel room and brought him to his destination. Xavier tried not to be awed by the sight before him but it was hard. The Hellfire Club was bigger and grander than any club he had ever seen. Multiple strobe lights lit up the roof. The windows were long and the building itself was painted a majestic red. There was a horde of people waiting to get in as paparazzi was snapping off pictures. Once the driver opened the door for him, Xavier stepped out and a man who looked to be in his late forties with a tan suit walked up to him.
"Good evening Professor Xavier," the man greeted as he extended a gloved hand to shake. Interesting enough, his other hand was bare. "My name is Donald Pierce, I am Sebastian Shaw's running mate."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Pierce."
"Mr. Shaw got caught up in a last minute meeting, he should be arriving here shortly."
Xavier nodded as Pierce motioned to follow him inside.
Once they walked through the set of doors they immediately entered a massive ballroom of excess with chevron floors, a massive marble bar, and black leather booths. Big windows were placed along the first floor, showing off large rooms decorated with expensive carpets, a large fountain in the center and a crystal chandelier hung overhead. The curtains were of red velvet, and hung heavy held up by carefully ornamented gold hangers.
"Well, what do you think?" Pierce asked, smiling.
"Honestly, it's a bit overwhelming," Xavier admitted. "I'm not use to being in this kind of settling."
"Our benefactors are some of the richest people in the world, Professor Xavier. Believe me, the people in here probably insist on a black tie at breakfast."
There was a stage at the end of the room and Xavier saw that television cameras were being set up by every major news network in the country. Pierce noticed where the Professor's attention had gone and informed him;
"The broadcast will start once Sebastian arrives. Then after he speaks I will reveal that I am a mutant as well."
"Coming out like this in front of the world's press is such a bold move."
"Merely time to take a stand, Charles."
A waiter then came up to them.
"Champagne, gentleman?" He asked.
Xavier eyed the alcoholic beverage.
"Well, normally I don't but seeing as this is a special occasion..."
He took a glass for himself as did Pierce.
"To the future, Professor. And all the surprises it may have in stores for all of us."
They clinked their glasses together.
"Ah, I see the Prime Minister of Canada is here."
As Pierce took Xavier over to introduce him, Shinobi Shaw, the son of Sebastian was standing with his wife, Selena, watched them from afar.
"Poor Xavier. Look at him walking around and smiling at everyone," Shinobi sneered. "He really doesn't have a clue, does he?"
"Are you sure he doesn't know what we're up to?" Selena asked. "I mean, he's suppose to be the world's strongest telepath, right?"
"You just leave the thinking to my father, Selena. He shouldn't be much longer."
XXXXXXXXXX
Bobby's mind was racing a million miles per hour as he was rapidly packing. He had shoved some clothes and other personal possessions into a bag before going over to what was John's side of the room. Grabbing another bag, he packed some clothes that his roommate had left behind, including his brown leather jacket, and some composition notebooks from under his bed that contained short stories John had written over the years for English class.
The last thing he took was the shark zippo lighter which he placed in his front pocket.
Now sitting on the bench in front of the massive fountain he had once iced over and skated on with Rogue, Bobby took a deep breath, still not believing what he was about to do. He had all ready thrown the bags into a car in the garage and knew time was of the essence but he really just needed a few minutes. Bobby looked up when he saw the door to the patio open and Rogue step out. Once she saw him, Rogue began to walk over to the bench.
"Hey."
Bobby nodded back a greeting as Rogue sat down next to him. The two of them had been over, romantically at least, if they had truly ever began. Neither of them had said it, but since Rogue already knew the truth about him there was really no point in having the 'break up' conversation.
"Logan told me that they're going to turn John in." Again, Bobby didn't respond. "You're going to help him escape aren't you?"
Bobby chuckled to himself.
"Not just that. I'm going with him."
Rogue stared at him for a moment.
"Where will you go?" She asked.
"I'm not sure. But if he can't stay here, then I won't be here either." They sat in silence for about a minute before Bobby looked at Rogue. "The truth is, I haven't been happy since John left. It was like sorta like losing a part of myself. Ever since I've met him, we've balanced each other out so well..." Bobby trailed off as he began to play with a small stone of ice in his hand which he skipped into the fountain water.
"This is crazy. After everything that's happened between us-"
"Some love is unconditional," Rogue smiled. "We all have our other half out there somewhere. You were lucky enough to find yours."
"I just need to get the controller for the collar out of the Professor's office."
"I'm already ahead of you." Rogue then pulled the controller out from her pocket and handed it to him. She smiled at the surprised look on his face. "I guess the part of you in my head told me what you were going to do."
He took it from her and then gave her a sad smile.
"I hope you don't hate me."
Rogue's brows furrowed.
"Why would I hate you?"
"I guess...for pretending to be something I'm not."
"That doesn't matter to me. I needed someone like you at that time. You helped me adjust to life as a mutant and I'll never forget that. I'll always be your friend, Bobby."
"Same here," he smiled.
Rogue gave Bobby a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Goodbye."
He reached out and took her gloved hand as he got to his feet.
"So long."
Rogue then watched as Bobby let go of her hand and heading back inside of the mansion.
Pyro was lying on the floor of the cell with his eyes closed. He had been told that authorities were coming to collect him in the morning so he didn't have that long to figure out a way to get out of here. Then the sudden drop in temperature alerted him to Bobby's presence. He opened his eyes and turned his head to see him standing in front of the cell.
"Summers said you weren't going to visit again."
"I'm not supposed to."
"They're going to turn me in."
"No there're not."
BEEP!
Bobby pressed the button on the remote which released the collar. Pyro gasped when he felt it open up. He reached up and roughly pulled it from around his neck. Bobby watched as Pyro got to his feet and formed a fireball in each hand. Pyro looked down at his hands for a moment, feeling the power he hadn't used in a month before sending them straight at the bars of the cell door. He heated up the flame as they began to melt the steel like butter until it was enough for him to get out. Pyro roughly pushed the door open and was now face to face with Bobby.
Bobby put his hand on the back of Pyro's neck, tugged him the few inches closer and kissed him. They meshed together well as Pyro's breath was warm just as Bobby's was cold as a feeling of ecstasy went through them both. Pyro slumped against him after Bobby pulled away; Bobby then took the shark lighter out of his pocket and placed it in Pyro's hand.
Looking down to see what it was, Pyro raised an eyebrow.
"You kept this?"
"It was too sentimental to just get rid of."
"Thanks. I've missed it."
Bobby rested his forehead against Pyro's.
"What about me?"
Pyro smiled. Not his usual cocky grin, but a genuine smile. The one that usually only Bobby ever got to see.
"Yeah. I missed you too."
The two of them ran through the same passageway they used the last time they were running the halls together when Stryker's men attacked the mansion. They reached the trap door that led up to the garage. Bobby hit the button that lifted up the garage door before getting into the Dodge Charger. Pyro got into the passenger seat and glanced at the back to see several bags on the seats. Before Bobby could start the car, Pyro reached out and grabbed the steering wheel. Bobby looked over at him, slightly taken aback.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Pyro asked.
Bobby nodded.
"You can't always do what you're told. A friend told me that once."
"They'll look for us. Both of us. You're helping a known fugitive escape. There's no turning back from this."
"They won't find us. Not without Cerebro. And even if they do, we won't let them turn us in."
Pyro smirked.
"No. We won't."
Starting up the Dodge, Bobby then hit the gas and drove at a steady pace out of the garage and away from the school, heading to wherever it was the road took them. It was over an hour before anyone realized what had happened. Ororo went down to the basement to see the bars melted and John gone, as was Bobby. She held the mutant-inhibitor collar in her hands as she turned her head to see Logan approaching her.
"I can't believe it." She stated. "I never would have expected something like this from Bobby."
"I checked the garage, the Dodge is gone too." Logan informed her.
"What should we do? Should we report it stolen?"
He shook his head.
"I'd say just let em' go. We're going to have bigger problems to deal with soon."
Ororo's brows furrowed.
"What makes you say that?"
Logan shrugged a shoulder.
"Just a hunch."