Chapter 4 Fear
The next day, Charles discovered a method of finding other mutants. I listened in on the conversation from a distance, utilizing my link with Charles. I sat cross legged on the bed like the previous night as the agent carefully described a transmission machine, likely able to amplify Charles' ability.
What do you think? his voice sounded in my head.
I hesitated. I don't know. Experimenting with our mutations is always risky. I paused. But it's always so much fun!
Charles returned his attention to the agent. "So we'll be able to locate other mutants and bring them back here?"
"Essentially, yes."
A new voice entered the conversation. "What if they don't want to be found by you?"
"Arik! You decided to stay!"
I nearly fell from the bed in shock.
You said he left!
Charles ignored my thought, watching Arik. As the image of Arik surfaced in my mind, courtesy of my twin brother, I hurriedly cut off our connection, blushing furiously. Only moments later, Charles pushed his way back into my mind.
Get Raven and meet us at the sphere outside.
Charles' excitement was leaking through in truckloads. I quickly grabbed Raven, and we hurried across the facility to the building he mentally led us to. Together, we climbed up the ladder into a round room full of flashing lights and loud beeping. Hank was racing around the small space, adjusting settings and turning lights off and on. Arik hovered by the entrance, watching silently. Charles stepped into the center of the room, lowering a wired half dome to cover his head. I approached, curiosity driving my movement.
"What an adorable lab rat, you make, Charles," Arik teased.
"Don't spoil this for me, Arik."
"I've been a lab rat," he chuckled, pointing at himself. "I know one when I see one."
I found myself quivering with excitement, a kooky grin on my face.
"Dang it, Charles!" I shouted in exasperation.
He glanced down at me and laughed. "Pull up your wards!"
"They are up!"
He merely continued laughing as Hank stepped up to him, adjusting the helmet-like device.
"Are you sure we can't shave your head?"
"Don't touch my hair," he said quickly.
Now it was my turn to laugh. "Oh please do it, Hank! It could be a signature look for you!"
He glowered, but I could do nothing by grin. As Hank slowly pulled a lever, I quickly cleared my mind. Our twin connection was often unpredictable, especially when it came to utilizing our mutations. By clearing my mind, I was able to produce a minor amount of control, which was essential when experimenting with our abilities. He had been forced to learn to seal off his emotions years ago, just as I had learned to clear my mind. An electrical pulse shot through the contraption on my brother's head. He grimaced in pain, and his arms shot out to stiffly grab the rails beside him. I took a step towards him in worry, but before I could reach him, he stated laughing in excitement.
"It's working!" he yelled ecstatically. "I can see them!"
Images flashed across my mind, blurred echoes of what Charles saw, and even that was magnificent. I pressed my hand to my forehead, brow furrowed from the dull ache behind my eyes. A hand rested on my shoulder, followed by Arik's soft voice.
"You alright?"
I glanced up and smiled reassuringly. "Fine. Just a twin thing, well...a mutant twin thing."
My head swerved around at the sound of loud clickings. A machine behind Charles started spewing out numbers, locations. Again, uneasiness filled me.
Arik's words echoed in my mind...identification, that's how it starts.
But as much as I feared mutants being tracked down, seeing the images flashing through my mind left me in wonder at this hidden world.
/ / / *** \ \ \
Charles and Arik took off almost at once to track down our fellow mutants. Raven and I were left at the compound to greet the newcomers and help them settle in. The two men would generally travel during the day and return to the facility in the evening, where the four of us would discuss plans for stopping Shaw. In the rare moments of free time, Arik had begun teaching me to fight. Though I could feel Charles' disapproval, even he could not deny the practicality of my lessons. If we were to go forward with this, I had to learn how to defend myself. It took nearly a week to recruit even a handful of young men and women, and I quickly realized the few mutants willing to come were young, closer to Raven's age than mine and Charles'.
After introducing the fifth new recruit, I left them to mingle and get to know one another. Charles, Arik, and I wandered outside.
"They're so young," I commented gravely. "How can we expect them to fight a war against Shaw?"
Moira strode briskly up to us before either of them could respond.
"It's just been cleared for you to accompany us to Russia after Shaw."
I frowned at the light that sparked to life in Arik's face. The eagerness he fostered toward finding Shaw was extremely disturbing and quite disconcerting. Charles looked thoughtfully toward the room of youths. Panic that was wholly my own shot through me.
"No, no, no, no."
They all turned to stare at me curious.
My eyes bore into each of them in turn as I pleaded, "They're so young! They're barely accepting their abilities! How can you expect them to use them effectively?"
Moira also looked unsure but Charles interjected, "I think they're gonna surprise you. I am confident this is an exceptional group of young people."
A loud crash echoed from the direction of the room in which we had left these 'exceptional' young people. I lowered my wards slightly, exploring the area. Arik's anger burned hot as ever, but a wave of guilt and awe washed over me as I extended my awareness.
"They're fine," Charles and I chorused.
The other two raised their eyebrows.
"We should still go over there about now," Charles added.
We found the group using their mutations for recreation. Alex was beating Darwin's shelled torso with a large rod. Hank hung from the ceiling, and Angel flitted around the room. I could feel anger and frustration quickly building within Moira. Her hands on her hips, she stormed to the center of the shattered window.
With all the authority within her, she shouted, "What is going on here?!"
Six pairs of guilty eyes stared out at them.
Flustered, she demanded, "Who destroyed the statue?" sounding very much like a mother scolding unruly children.
"It was Alex!" Darwin immediately caved.
They all burst into laughter, their youth more evident than ever.
"No! No!" Raven laughed, stepping forward. "We have to call him Havoc. His name's Havoc now! And we were thinking...You," she pointed at Charles. "Should be Professor X, and you should be Magneto. And you are Compassion," she finished, pointing at myself.
"Exceptional," Arik grumbled sarcastically.
I fought to keep from laughing. The names were so ridiculous, yet fitting. But that seemed to be the last straw for Moira. She threw her hands in the air and stormed off, followed by Arik.
As I turned to follow, I heard Charles say to Raven, "I expect more from you."
The disappointment in his voice sparked so much hurt in Raven's heart, I had to clutch my own in an instinctive attempt to stop the pain. Moira slumped into a chair in the nearest conference room, her hand pressed to her forehead. I held back my 'I told you so' s—it wouldn't help anything.
"What do we do?" Moira sighed.
"We'll have to go without them," Arik stated matter-of-factly.
"Right," I scoffed. "And how exactly do you propose we take down four mutants whose abilities are yet unclear and bypass the Russian military without starting another World War?!"
They sat in silence, lost in thought. My eyes scanned each face, arms crossed. Charles stared into the distance, mind obviously searching his store of knowledge. Moira's head was buried in her hands as she stared wordlessly at the table. Arik stood in a corner, arms crossed and eyes narrowed, Anger radiated from him, swelling with each heartbeat. He looked up, his eyes locking with mine. I returned the stare with equal intensity. Charles' voice eventually broke the silence.
"The soldiers won't be a problem. But we'll have to determine a plan of action for the other mutants. What do you know of them, Arik?"
I listened in silence as he quickly described the little he remembered. It wasn't much. After several more hours of debate and discussion, a basic plan of action was hashed out, and they separated to prepare. Charles, Arik and I headed out together.
A few minutes out, Charles stopped abruptly and stated emotionlessly, "Jenny, you should stay here."
Now it was my turn to stop. My mouth dropped open to gape at him.
"You're not serious."
"Quite."
I mouthed wordlessly before sputtering, "What in that big head of yours makes you think I would ever stay behind?"
"Nothing," he stated simply. "But someone needs to start training them and helping them come to terms with who they are and what they're capable of. And who better than an empath?"
"But what if something happens in Russia?" I burst out.
He stared back at me solemnly. "Exactly. One of us needs to remain to ensure Shaw is stopped, and these kids are protected."
My breath stopped, and I whispered, "That's not bloody funny."
His face was as grave as I had ever seen. I returned his gaze, mind racing. He was right, and I knew it. But I most certainly didn't like it. I nodded slowly in acquiescence.
"Very well. I will do what you ask of me, only because it is you who asks."
Arik suddenly laughed mockingly and clapped his hands together. "Great! We have a babysitter!"
Irritation filled me, and I glared daggers at him.
"Careful, Arik," I said with mock sweetness. "Or you'll find yourself crying like a spoiled two year old."
He grinned boyishly despite my threat.
