Chapter 12: Ready, Aim, Fire Part 3: A Father's Son
The gang reconvened at the truck that Ororo and Moira were setting up.
"How's the evacuation going?" Moira asked.
"Mission accomplished." Hank said with a smile. "We're the only ones left."
"Hank, you and Ororo take the kids to the exit point." Charles said calmly. "Scott and I will get the other truck ready and meet you back at the mansion."
The kids all headed in with help from Moira and Ororo.
"Now go easy on her, Hank." Scott said. "She's been acting a bit fidgety when you accelerate the gas."
"You don't need to tell me about driving, Scott!" Hank said angrily. "My father was a master driver."
"He drove tanks, Hank." Ororo pointed out. She really didn't like how snippy Hank was being. It just didn't seem like him. "This is a truck full of children."
"Don't worry, Ororo." Hank said. "I've got it under control."
Hank then drove off.
()()()()()
"We've righted the catapult sir." One of Essex's men said.
"If there are any more mistakes, the next projectile launched will be you." Essex said as he lifted the guard up. He had enough of the various malfunctions with the catapult.
()()()()()
Jean sat scared in the back of the truck as she turned to Moira.
"Moira, how can Nur be so cruel?" Jean asked.
"It's his way of punishing us because we don't always do what he tells us to." Moira explained.
"Why don't we?" Alex asked.
"Because sometimes you have to do what's right." Moira explained. "Even if it gets you into trouble. You know, one time, when Jesus was in the Synagogue, there was a man there with a paralyzed hand. It was the Sabbath. The day Jews are supposed to do no work. A group of Pharisees and members of King Hared's court were watching to see if Jesus would dare to heal this man on the Sabbath.
"'Stand up for everyone to see you.' Jesus told the man, and he then turned to the Pharisees.
"'What is the right thing to do on the Holy Day? Good or evil? To make someone better or let him die?'
"Jesus was angry because the religious leaders were so strict and obstinate. Jesus then told the man to stretch his hand out, and he did so, much to everyone's amazement. Although they admired his powers, many Pharisees were furious that Jesus had broken their law. Jesus knew this would get him into trouble, and he was right. The Pharisees were so angry, that they joined with the friends of King Hared to plot against Jesus. Much like Nur plots against Christians today."
()()()()()
Back at the catapult, Essex prepared to launch after checking and rechecking the catapult personally.
"FIRE!" Essex called out.
They fired two boulders into the district as Gambit tried to think of something to do.
()()()()()
As Hank was driving the truck, he got frustrated with their lack of progress.
"Come on you bucket of bolts, faster!" Hank said as he pushed down on the accelerator.
"Hank, Scott said to go easy on the truck." Ororo said calmly.
"Yeah, but I can have us out of here in no time." Hank said as he pressed onwards.
"Hank-" Ororo tried to warn him when suddenly, a huge boulder blocked their path, and Hank had to turn completely around, and as he tried to slow down to get his barrings, the brakes wouldn't work.
"Oh no." Hank groaned as Kurt popped his head up.
"Um, shouldn't ve be going ze other vay?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah, but we got blocked, and the stupid truck's brakes gave out!" Hank said angrily, though he was angrier with himself. Scott had told him to go easy on the truck, but as usual, Hank's big stupid ego got in the way.
()()()()()
As Charles and Scott got their truck ready, they saw the other truck fly right past them.
"What in the world?" Charles asked.
"I can't stop it!" Hank called out.
"They're heading right into the fire!" Scott pointed out as everyone called for help.
()()()()()
From his palace, Nur watched Bayville burn as he played a harp.
Fire burn bright.
Fire burn strong.
Soon I will build
My pantheon.
Nur then chuckled evilly.
()()()()()
Meanwhile, Charles' truck had caught up to Hank's.
"Hold on kids!" Charles called out.
"Ve're trying!" Kurt called back.
"You're gonna have to jump!" Charles called out.
Moira comforted the children as they braced themselves.
"Alex, don't look down!" Scott called out.
"On zree." Kurt said calmly. "Vone, two, ZREE!"
The three children jumped off and landed in the other truck, with Jean landing right on top of Scott.
"Sorry." Jean said.
"No problem." Scott replied. "Professor, they're in."
"You're turn, Moira." Charles said.
"Can you get any closer?" Moira asked.
"Moira, if I was any closer, I'd be driving your truck." Charles replied.
"We'll jump with her, come on, Hank." Ororo said as Hank abandoned the front seat and took one of Moira's arms while Ororo took the other. "One, two, three!"
The three jumped to the truck as the other one crashed into a building and as consumed by the flames.
()()()()()
Back at the catapult, Gambit was watching the horror with Essex.
"Funny." Essex said with a smirk. "From here, they look just like ants."
"They look like people to me." Gambit said angrily.
()()()()()
At the market, everyone looked around. They were surrounded by fire, and the flames were too high for Ororo to fly out without having the children suffer from the smoke. She also couldn't use rain as the fire was eating up all the moisture in the air, so she couldn't conjure a cloud.
()()()()()
Back at the catapult, Essex gazed at the center of the district.
"Target that statue!" Essex called out.
()()()()()
Everyone arrived at a glorified statue of Nur, unsure of what to do.
"There must be some way out of here." Scott said, trying to be hopeful, but coming off more panicked.
Unfortunately, every way was blocked by fire and debris.
"Ve're trapped." Kurt gulped.
It was all Hank's fault, so he figured he'd go with a clean conscious.
"Ororo, I'm sorry." Hank said plainly. "This whole thing is my fault."
"Chin up, Henry." Ororo said cheerfully. "I've been in worse scraps. I can't think of any, but I'm sure I have been."
"I just wanted to impress you." Hank sighed.
"Impress me?" Ororo said in shock. "Is that why you've been acting so odd?"
"Yes." Hank said. "I don't even deserve to wear my dad's medal."
"Bull plop!" Ororo said firmly. "Hank, your father wasn't born a great leader! He became one over time, and you will too."
"Really?" Hank asked.
"Yes, once you learn to think a little before leaping into action." Ororo said.
"Here comes another one!" Scott called out as one landed very near where they all were.
"I can hardly breathe." Kurt gasped.
"Any more boulders, and we're done for!" Scott called out.
"Any ideas, Ororo?" Charles asked.
"Nope." Ororo responded.
"Father, I've let everyone down." Hank sighed. "What should I do?"
Just then, he noticed the statue and the aqueduct, and he got an idea.
"Kurt, do you think you can teleport to the top of that statue?" Hank asked.
"Sure." Kurt said. "But vhy?"
"I've got an idea." Hank replied. "It's a long shot, but it just might work. Jean, Scott, I'm gonna need your help too."
Hank then grabbed some stray rope that thankfully wasn't burned.
()()()()()
As the catapult got loaded again, Gambit got one more idea.
"Essex, why don't you double the load?" Gambit asked. "It'll speed things up."
"I'm in charge of this operation, Remy!" Essex said angrily. "I'll give the orders! Double the load!"
()()()()()
Jean and Scott climbed up the base of the statue to a waiting Kurt with the rope as they unwound it.
"Good, now tie off the rope!" Hank said calmly.
"Be careful!" Moira called out too.
They did so, tying the rope to Nur's two hands as Hank grabbed a bust of Nur.
"Quickly!" Charles called out. "We don't have much time."
()()()()()
"Prepare to fire!" Essex called out after the second boulder had been added.
"But sir, I don't think we should." A guard said.
"You're not here to think, now fire the catapult." Essex said darkly.
"But sir-"
"I SAID FIRE!"
The catapult was fired, but it collapsed under the load and caught fire itself.
"Give me that bucket!" Essex said quickly as a soldier handed it to him.
"But sir, that's oil!" The guard said, but it was too late. Essex flung it on the fire, and it only got worse, and that was the end of the catapult.
()()()()()
Hank aimed the bust at the aqueduct as he got it centered but began to get nervous.
"What if I miss again?" Hank asked himself aloud.
"Then I was proud just to know you." Ororo stated. "Now do your best. That's all you can do."
Hank nodded and fired. It hit the aqueduct, spraying water all over the fire and putting it out as everyone cheered.
"Now that's a shot even your father would've been proud of." Ororo said kindly as she and Hank hugged.
Wow! That was a close one, huh?