Back for the fourth time. I would like to tell all of my faithful readers not to worry I am not giving up on rediscovering what was lost in favor of this one. I merely wanted to lay some ground work instead of putting one chapter down and leaving people waiting for weeks or months for another. I will be working on both stories simultaneously. Thank everyone for reading, please review.
Two months later
My new house is finally finished. It took a little longer than I thought but it is well worth it. The contractor looked at me like I was crazy when I began explaining my plans from the retinal scanning locks, the bulletproof windows and then there is the hideaway underground bunker reinforced by 4 inch thick steel. The contractor had to subcontract a lot of the work out as it was too much for one crew to get done quickly. Looking at it one would never expect it is a fort knox. Its looks merely like a three bedroom brick cottage. After going back to Detroit and gathering the rest of my guns and few other personal belongings I now have everything I need to move in. It will be nice to have a place to myself instead of avoiding people. I have only talked to a few select people and I don't think that they trust me very much. Can't say that I blame them, I am practically a shut in. I spent my whole childhood surrounded by the same people for years so when I got away from that environment and began to meet new people it overloaded my mutation and ever since I have preferred to be alone. At times I wish my mutation was something I could turn off and on but every time someone or something new comes along my mind begins to take in every little detail and I have to pace myself. I have learned a little about some of the students but that is more features and mannerisms about the students instead of getting to know them personally.
After getting everything inside I sat down on my leather sofa in front of the fireplace and kicked my feet up on my coffee table. I laid my head back thankful for a moment of peace.
Knock, knock, knock.
Damn it, my first visitor. I looked through the peephole and I perked up slightly.
"Hello Rogue, Kitty." I said happy to see the only two I have spent much time talking to since I got here.
"Hey sug, we know you are in the moving process but we thought we would bring you a housewarming gift." Rogue said presenting me a peach cobbler.
"Well thank you, did you two make this?" I asked as my mouth began to practically water at the sight.
"Rogue did, you wouldn't want to eat anything I made trust me." Kitty said softly. In fact maybe that's not softly for her I think that is the only tone I have ever heard her use.
"Well I appreciate it all the same. Would you like to come in?" I asked as I stepped aside and gestured toward the inside of the house.
"This place is beautiful Sugah." Rogue said taking in the stone fireplace and the cherry wood floors. "It's very homey, a little empty though." She then said and I had to agree.
"I will get that taken care of I just don't have a lot at the moment." I said looking around at all of the empty space. "What do you say we get started on that cobbler? I have more furniture on the way a fridge with it but it will not be here until tomorrow and that looks too good to go to waste." I then said heading to the cabinets in the kitchen and grabbed three plates and silverware.
"Ah'll do the honors." Rogue said cutting into the cobbler and sliding a slice onto one of the plates. "Here you go." She said handing it to me. She then cut a slice for herself and one for kitty.
"This is delicious Rogue, where did you learn to cook?" I asked amazed at the sweetness.
"I am a southern belle I was raised learning to cook." She answered and kitty sat there quietly.
"Not that I am not grateful but what made you decide to bring me a housewarming gift?" I asked curiously.
"To be honest with you Bullet we felt sorry for you." Kitty said and that confused me even more.
"Yeah yah walked around the mansion for two months avoiding eye contact with most people and talkin ta even less." Rogue then spoke up. "Most of the students think you are crazy, Just another basket case for Xavier to try to fix. Ah know what its like to be avoided. Ah have been here for 4 years and they still avoid me. So we just thought we would show a little southern hospitality." She then added and I wanted to laugh.
"I don't mind them avoiding me. It makes me avoiding them that much easier. My mutation causes me extreme stress and terrible headaches when I am around too many people for too long. I promise I am not crazy." I explained with a smirk.
"What is your mutation? Nobody knows anything about you." Kitty then asked.
"My brain operates at 12 times what the normal persons does. It has 9 times the storage capacity. But when I get too much too fast it begins to hurt. Things I learn I never forget. Like I know that last year at this exact time and day it was 28 degrees outside in Detroit, We received 5 centimeters of snowfall by that time of day and the wind was blowing at 4.73 miles per hour." I said and they both stopped eating.
"You can remember those details of an exact day from a year ago?" Kitty asked amazed.
"I can remember exact details from every day I was conscious during. My brain is essentially a supercomputer. And operates as such." I explained and they were both speechless.
"That's so cool." Rogue finally spoke up.
"Not as cool as you might think. There are some things I wish I could forget, whether they be bad memories or useless information I will never use but can recall at a moments notice. Did you know I can speak Latin?" I then asked.
"Bullet, Latin is a dead language, no one speaks Latin." Kitty said.
"Exactly, but its self taught. Its something I will be able to remember how to do until I die but the chances of me ever speaking to another person in Latin are slim to none." I said and they both seemed to see my point.
"Wow so you must be extremely smart." Rogue responded after the possibilities that my mutation offer entered her mind.
"I have an I.Q. that can not be measured. My knowledge of many subjects would far exceed many folks who have graduated from their respective fields with masters degrees and some of the knowledge I have found useful from time to time but I also find a lot of it useless." I explained.
"Still its not all bad. At least you don't have poison skin." Rogue said fiddling with her gloves.
"I take it that's your mutation and why people avoid you?" I asked and she nodded. "That must be rough." I said casually after seeing rogues mannerisms I know she is a strong woman and doesn't want anyone to pity her.
"It can be but yah learn to deal with it and ways around it and move forward." She then said and I cant help but admire her.
"I know what you mean it just takes a lot of alcohol for me to deal with mine." I said and she laughed.
"Im surprised you don't get along with Professor Logan better then." Kitty joked.
"What is his deal with me anyway?" I asked confused as to why he hated me.
"Don't take it personally sugah. Logan don't like anybody he doesn't know." Rogue said.
"And after he gets to know them?" I asked.
"He still doesn't like most people." Kitty then laughed again.
"Guess there is little hope for me and him to get along then, oh well no big loss. Look I don't want to be rude but I really should get back to unpacking." I then said looking at the bags on the floor containing my clothes and arsenal of weapons, grenades, ammunition, and tech I still needed to get set up.
"No problem Bullet, it was good seeing you." Kitty said as she got up from the sofa and headed for the door.
"Yeah bye Sug." Rogue said as she followed Kitty out.
"Bye girls thanks for keeping this basket case company. For now could you continue to let people think I am crazy?" I then asked.
"That depends can we come back tomorrow?" Rogue asked me.
"Sure thing bye now girls, I will see you tomorrow." I said and shut the door eager to get everything unpacked so I can relax for the night.
I programmed a few security cameras and placed them at key locations throughout my house and then walked to my security room to program the monitors so that they could live stream to my cell phone. I then walked to my bunker and began loading my weapons into racks on the wall and placing my grenades and ammunition in a lock box that opens with a fingerprint scanner. I then went to my new bedroom and finally unpacked my clothes. After all was said and done I laid down on my new bed and placed my favorite pistol into a voice activated gun safe that is built into my nightstand. Everything is coming along nicely.
Later that night
My alarms started blaring, jarring me from sleep at 3A.M. "figures I cant get one night of peace." I said jumping out of bed. "Open." I then said and my gun safe opened and I grabbed my Sig Sauer. I crept out of my room and headed downstairs. I heard heavy footsteps and my brain registered how far into the hall they were and their exact placement in the room. The invader was heading straight towards me and I knew they would be walking directly into my line of sight. I should kill them but I have a few questions. A large body came into view and I unloaded a round directly into the large shoulder of the man. I ran down the stairs and trained my gun directly onto their forehead.
"Logan? What the fuck are you doing here?" I asked angrily.
"Testing your security. It wasn't very hard to get in." He said as he sat up and the bullet dislodged from his shoulder and fell to the ground.
"I suppose its not for someone with Adamantium claws." I said and glanced over at my shredded door. "Do you have any idea what that will cost to replace. Now I have to call the company it was bought from and see if they can come out to replace it. You better have a damn good reason for being here other than testing my security." I then said tensing up on the trigger ready to shoot him again.
"Been meaning to talk to ya for a while now. Couldn't exactly do it at the mansion. Chuck made sure everyone kept their distance." He said as he got to his feet unwavering at the sight of my gun.
"What do you possibly have to talk to me about, you have been giving me threatening looks, bumping into me and even growling at me?" I asked as I lowered my gun and walked to sit down on my sofa.
"How did you know our names?" He asked as he stood behind me in the entrance of the room keeping a close eye on me. "And very few people even know what adamantium is how did you know what my claws are made out of?" He then asked.
"Just full of questions aren't we? Kind of odd for a man of few words." I replied and placed my gun on the coffee table in front of me.
"Out with it bub." He then demanded.
"Hey you are an unwelcomed guest in my house the least you can do is ask nicely." I said knowing avoiding his questions would get under his skin.
"If you don't tell me what I want to know-" He demanded before I cut him off.
"You'll what?" I said standing and turning to face him. "You don't scare me Wolverine. That act may work with others but I have spent my life surrounded by dangerous men, so if you want any answers you will show some damn respect while in my house. Do I make myself clear?" I asked and he growled as his claws quickly unsheathed. "Do it." I said challenging him. After realizing his threats wee going to get nowhere and his questions would not get answered otherwise he sheathed his claws and dropped his arms back to his sides.
"Now as far as the adamantium goes, perhaps you should take a look at that bullet that came out of your shoulder." I said and he looked at me for a second before walking back to pick up the bullet.
"You can manipulate adamantium?" He then questioned.
"A little thing I picked up over the years. It is very difficult to melt down and mold without the proper equipment however I designed a chemical mixture that is able to do the trick." I answered.
"Adamantium is a dense metal how are you able to use the bullets without a huge bullet drop?" He asked
"That was the difficult part. They were not much use at first. I now use another chemical mixture instead of gunpowder in the casings. It is a much hotter and faster burning propellant. That caused more problems at first, it destroyed a few barrels until I hacked into a man named Dr. Henry Pym's records. He is one of the few men alive able to manipulate vibranium. Vibranium is a metal that absorbs vibration and I found making shell casings out of it helps to contain the increased pressure in my gun barrels." I explained and he listened closely.
"That's how you were able to penetrate Tony Stark's armor." He then said and I nodded.
"As far as your names go I did a search before coming here. I am able to find out just about anything I want given my knowledge." I answered and he looked at me with a dark glare.
"Your lying." He growled.
"What makes you think I am lying?" I asked although I already know the answer.
"I can smell it." He said angry that I lied.
"Ah yes the feral senses. You are good Logan." I replied.
"Stop dancing around the question and answer it." He said reverting to his demanding ways.
"Very well. I cant hide it from you any longer. I was trained to be an assassin and the people that trained me want you dead." I explained and his claws unsheathed. "Relax Wolverine, I did not come here to infiltrate the mansion to get a clear shot at you. I could have done that without building a house and it would have taken me much less time than two months. Use your senses you know I am telling the truth." I said and he unsheathed his claws.
"Who wants me dead?" He then asked confused.
"The people that made you what you are." I answered and he grabbed me by my shirt. lifting me off the ground.
"You work for the people that did this to me?" He shouted but before he could do anything else I kneed him just below his left rib and he fell to the ground releasing me.
"Not anymore." I said smoothing out my shirt and sitting back down "Have not worked for them in years. If it makes you feel any better I think they want me dead as well." I then said as he made his way to his feet slowly.
"Who did this to me?" He growled angrily and I could see the animal in him coming to the surface.
"A Program known as the weapons plus program, the same program that created Captain America, or a branch of the original anyway. It took a much darker turn Once a man named William Stryker took it over. It became about creating the perfect weapon instead of the perfect soldier. He uses mutants in an attempt to create the perfect weapon and he succeeded with you and none after you until I came along. Yea there are differences, you were created to be the perfect weapon and I was born with a knack for learning how to be the perfect weapon, you were Weapon X and I am Weapon XIX or 19." I explained and he softened up a little.
"Why did you leave?" He then asked.
"The things they wanted me to do. The things I did. The people I killed, men, women, children It was all I knew it was all I had ever done. He brainwashed me the same as he did you the only difference was, the stronger my mutation became the more I was able to resist. I eventually broke free and fought my way out. You were the lucky one." I then said hanging my head.
"You call this lucky? I cant remember anything past twenty years ago." He roared angrily again.
"Exactly. I remember everything, the faces, the pleas not hurt them or their children, the crying the blood, the limp lifeless bodies. I remember every fucking second of it!" I yelled kicking over the coffee table shattering the glass top in the process. "You should be glad you cant remember that. You think your bad now? You should be grateful you don't remember how bad you were. One day I will find William Stryker and I will make him atone for the things he made me do. He will answer for everyone he made me kill mutant or human." I said and tears began to stream down my face in anger.
"Why haven't you done it yet? Where is Stryker?" He asked and I could see the wheels turning in his head.
"I do not know. I have been trying to locate him for 4 years now, every time I start to get close the trail goes cold." I said wiping the tears from my face and calming myself down.
"When you find him, I'm going with you." Logan said and whether he remembers it or not he was wronged by Stryker as well and he could prove to be a useful ally in taking on an army.
"You got it. Now Logan get the hell out of my house." I said and he chuckled before placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Your alright kid." He said and turned to walk back out of the now gaping hole where my door used to be."
The next day
I awoke early and made a phone call to the company that made my door. It looks like any ordinary door but is made out of a rare wood found only in certain parts of the world it is much harder than other woods and can stand up to small arms fire just not razor sharp adamantium claws apparently. The company brought over a new door and installed it quickly after I told them I would give them a bonus if they could do it today. After that was taken care of I made my way to the institute at Charles' request.
"Charles." I greeted walking into his office and taking a seat across from his desk.
"Bullet, I heard your alarms going off last night. Are their problems with the security system you installed?" He asked me.
"No of course not, I installed most of the security measures and oversaw the ones I did not install. Everything is working perfectly." I said and he looked confused.
"So last night was a test then? I understand your need to test your security but from now on could you not do it a 3 A.M.?" He asked and I nodded.
"Of course, you have under age students that need their sleep but it was not a test Charles. I had a late night visitor that chose not to knock." I said and his gaze turned serious. "Nothing to worry about Charles problem was taken care of and nobody got hurt." I explained calmly.
"How is that possible? The institutes security was not set off." He said and I just chuckled.
"Inside job." I said and his eyes narrowed.
"Logan, I will have a talk with him about respecting your boundaries." He said and I waved the gesture off.
"No need Charles a bullet did that. Afterwards we came to an understanding, I don't think Logan will be a problem anymore." I replied and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I would like to apologize to you on Logan's behalf as I am sure he did not." He said.
"No need Charles, as I said no one was hurt and there was only the matter of a door being replaced which I already had taken care of. I appreciate you allowing me to bring non members of the institute onto the grounds." I then said and he nodded.
"You are very thorough Bullet, if I for one second though that you had not looked into the company before hand I would not have allowed it." He said and I understand exactly where he is coming from he has a whole school full of mutants to look out for.
"Full background checks on all employees, company service records and I personally checked every person as they came in for weapons or anything else that may pose a threat. I have some furniture being delivered in an hour and anything else I need after that I will be able to pick up myself so there will be no more visitors." I then explained and he nodded. "Is there anything else you wished to speak to me about Charles?" I then asked.
"In fact there is, I would like to have you participate in a danger room session to test your capabilities, your strengths and weaknesses so we know how to best utilize you on missions." He said and to be honest I have heard stories but I have yet to step foot in the danger room and I am a little anxious to see if what I have heard is true.
"Sure thing Charles, After the delivery guys leave I will grab a few items I use the most often in the field and I will come find you." I responded and he seemed pleased.
"That is all I have, you may continue on with your day now." He said and I got to my feet and left the office.
I made my way through the mansion unsure of a particular direction until my stomach started rumbling. Now that everything with my house is nearly done my stress levels have dropped drastically and I am able to walk through the place without becoming overwhelmed at the wealth of information I was absorbing.
I entered the cafeteria and began to raid the fridge when I heard a soft sound and the smell of sulfur filled my nostrils. I turned around with lettuce and tomatoes I grabbed from the refridgerator. I washed my hands and proceed to peel the lettuce and then diced some tomato making myself a salad.
"Hello Kurt." I said after I turned with the salad and sat down at a table a few feet away from the Indigo colored mutant.
"You know my name?" He questioned.
"Heard Kitty address you by it 19 days ago." I said and he nodded.
"Oh well Guten morgen, Bullet." He said a little uneasily.
"Du meinen namen?" I asked in return.
(you know my name)
"Sie sprechen deutsch?" He asked as he lit up like a Christmas tree.
(You speak German?)
"Ja zusammen mit siebzhen anderen sprachen." I answered him and He looked shocked.
(Yes along with seventeen other languages.)
"Zhat is amazing, How did you learn all of zhat? You don't look any older than mid twenties." He asked.
"I never forget anything I learn. Some was taught to me and others I learned through various other ways like watching movies with sub titles." I explained and he looked on amazed. "I am able to speak English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Czech, Greek, Hindi, Korean, Romanian, Ukrainian, Swedish and Thai." I then informed him before taking another bite of my salad.
"Vy skazali, chto vy govorite na russkom yazyke?" A large man said as he walked into the cafeteria.
(You said you speak Russian)
"Da i kak tebya zovut Bol'shoy paren'." I answered back.
(Yes and what is your name big fella?)
"Piotr Rasputin." He anwered and sat down. "Bullet right?" He then questioned.
"How does everyone know me?" I asked confused.
"Zhings do not stay secret here very long people are talking about you. They say you are..." Kurt began before stopping and looking down at the table.
"Ah yes the crazy guy, right? Listen don't worry about it Kurt I don't." I said and he looked back up at me.
"Are you?" Piotr asked me.
"Am I what crazy? Isn't everybody? Its just to what extent are we crazy. I am not going to snap and murder everyone in their sleep if that's what your asking." I said and they both seemed relieved. "Let people say what they want, they will get to know me soon enough and then they can make a real opinion. Enjoy your day guys, I have some furniture that should be delivered soon and I have to check the men as they enter." I informed them as I got up and placed my empty salad bowl in the dish washer and left the cafeteria. It is beginning to be a good day.