Xavier Institute for higher learning
"Are you ready to begin?" Charles asked as I stood at the center of a large metal training room affectionately called the danger room.
"I've been ready Charles." I said crossing my arms across my chest ready to pull the guns from my undertech holstered shirt.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath readying myself for anything. I opened my eyes to see the room changing before me. I was standing in the middle of a forest surrounded by trees. I still had no idea what to expect so I pulled my pistols from their holsters and began creeping through the forest slowly. It wasn't long before I encountered a man in tactical gear carrying an M4 carbine. He was not yet aware of my presence and I intend to keep it that way. I ducked behind a tree and took short quiet breaths as I heard him getting closer. I tucked one pistol away and pulled a knife from its sheathe on my belt. Just as the man was within range I swung my arm backward and buried the knife into his windpipe. I quickly relieved him of his rifle and proceeded to trek through the trees. I noticed another man 73 yards away and decided I did not feel like sneaking anymore, time to go loud. I dropped to one knee and steadied the rifle at my face. I squeezed the trigger and fired a single round, it hit the target and a blue splatter landed on the side of the man's neck.
"Really Charles, paintballs?" I asked dropping the rifle to the ground angrily.
"This is merely a test Bullet." Charles said as the room changed back to the empty metal room.
"Exactly! You want to test my abilities? Give me a real test. This is not a fight or flight response situation. I thought this was the danger room not the pretend to be in danger room. How am I supposed to take this seriously?" I asked him.
"He's right Charles, he can handle himself lets test his hand to hand abilities against someone who can actually challenge him." I heard Logan say, I should have figured he would be watching he wants to measure my abilities as well.
"Very well." Charles responded before pushing a few buttons and then a large man appearing to be covered in fur That I remember very well appeared in the middle of the room. "No guns Bullet, anything else goes." Charles then said and I smiled before holstering my pistols.
"This is more like it." I said before the huge man leapt directly at me. I sidestepped and kicked my leg up behind me hitting him in the back of the head causing him to stumble forward but not knock him to the ground as I expected. He swung his arm backward and I ducked avoiding the strike. I dipped inside and pulled my knife out again digging it between his ribs and into his left lung. He coughed up some blood and then smirked before punching me. I flew back a few feet and skidded across the ground on my feet. I wiped some blood from my lip and watched the man pull the blade from his chest and toss it across the room. His wound healed and he growled before charging me. He swung a right hand with his claws extended and I narrowly avoided them. I swung a right hand upward and hit him underneath his chin. He stumbled back and I used the opportunity to charge forward and dive at his legs. He fell forward and landed on his face, I leapt back to my feet grabbing his ankle and twisted it hard enough to snap the bones in it. He howled in pain and kicked his good leg at me. I leapt out of the way avoiding his strike and he growled angrily from the ground. I know he will heal but while he is doing it I can not let up. I grabbed a throwing knife from my belt and threw it. The blade rung true and impaled him through his eye. He screamed again and I rushed forward. I kicked the hilt of the knife and drove it directly into his brain. He went limp on the floor and I turned away from him. I walked a few feet before grabbing a grenade and pulling the pin. I tossed it behind me and it landed directly onto the mans chest. I kept walking until I heard the loud explosion behind me. I looked up at the observation room with a smile on my face.
"Good enough for you?" I asked with a smirk on my face.
"You did exceptional Bullet. It was a little graphic but a good job all the same." Charles said and the room then changed back to normal. I walked across the room and grabbed the knife I used to puncture sabretooth's lung. I heard the sliding door hiss open and I made my exit.
"So pass or fail Charles?" I asked as I entered the observation room.
"I do not like the ease you took in killing but as I said when we first met there are casualties in every war. I would like to see more restraint from ending life but other than that you passed." Charles answered.
"And did a damn good job of it. Very few can take sabretooth on level 7" Logan said and I got angry.
"Level 7, that's all you gave me?" I asked in a raised tone of voice.
"Relax Bullet as I said this was a test. In the future you will be pushed harder but we were unaware of your combat expertise or abilities." Charles answered and he has a point, you don't want to put the new guy in a situation you don't know if he can handle.
"Fair enough." I said and began walking out of the danger room.
"Bullet, I would like to speak with you in my office when you have a moment." Charles said and I turned to face him.
"No problem Charles, I am going to get and shower and changed back into my normal clothes." I said before turning and heading back to my house. Logan caught up with me as I stepped onto the elevator.
"Nice work back there kid. You made taking out Sabretooth look easy." Logan grunted impressed.
"Odds were in my favor, I have met the man before, seen him in action. Stryker uses him for jobs from time to time." I shrugged.
"Was that Shotokan I saw back there?" He asked me.
"Yea I knew you were watching and assessing my capabilities yourself. I also know of the time you spent in Japan learning Bushido, I thought you would appreciate something familiar." I said and he looked on surprised. "I know many forms of martial arts Logan, from Tai Chi to Krav Maga and everything in between. Again I was raised learning to be the perfect weapon." I said and he nodded.
"Speaking of which, have you found anything more on Stryker?" He then asked and I sighed heavily.
"Logan, It has been twelve hours since you broke into my house and learned of Stryker. I have been searching for him for 4 years." I answered him.
"So you are saying we might as well be searching for bigfoot?" He then asked.
"No not at all." I laughed. "Bigfoot exists in a sense, you have fought them alongside the Hulk."
"The Wendigo, Not exactly bigfoot." He chuckled.
"What is bigfoot, A large hairy ape like creature that no one knows for sure exists. Who is to say bigfoot is not a wendigo?" I asked.
"Good point." He responded.
"I do have an idea of how to locate Stryker. I have known for years but doing it even for me is practically suicide. But I think partnering with someone unkillable betters my odds." I explained and he hit the stop elevator button.
"I'm in, what's the idea?" He asked and I started the elevator again.
"There is a government facility that keeps records of every government installation to ever exist. I am fairly certain they have records of the Weapon plus program including current location." I explained quietly as the elevator door opened and I did not wish for other students to hear me.
"Where is this place?" He asked excited that he may finally get to discover some of his past.
"Nevada." I answered.
He thought about it for a few minutes and then realization dawned on him. "Your not serious."
"I am." I replied as I walked out of the back door and towards my cottage in the woods.
"Your fucking crazy kid." He responded and I have to agree with him.
"I don't see another way." I shrugged as I approached my new front door.
He then shot me a toothy grin. "Lets do it."
Charles Xavier's office
"So what's the deal Charles." I asked as I took my seat across from him at his desk.
"I have a mission for you." He said cheerfully.
"My first official mission, its about time." I said and sat forward in my chair awaiting details.
"Do not get too excited Bullet, it is only a recruitment mission." He explained and my excitement quickly became disappointment.
"Why me, there are plenty of more friendly people, why not Storm or Jean?" I asked confused.
Storm is taking time off to visit friends from her past in Kenya and Jean is taking over her classes, along with her own she has a full plate. Seeing as how you do not teach here I would like you to attempt this mission." Charles said and an Idea formed in my head.
"Ok who is my target and have you nailed down a location?" I asked.
"Yes, her name is Alison Blaire. She is actually quite famous or was. She was outed as a mutant and many people stopped buying her albums and concert tickets. Her band broke up and I believe she is at a high risk of being targeted by hate groups because of who she is." Charles answered and I already know a lot about her. Its hard not to when you turn on a television and can not go 5 minutes without hearing her name. "I believe you are a pilot, I do not know however how much experience you have with stealth fighters. I can have Hank give you a run through on the blackbird. With your abilities it shouldn't take any time at all until you are able to handle flying it. Alison's last known location is a hotel in California. I will update you via a communicator once you arrive." He then said and I shook my head.
"I will take this mission Charles but I will not be flying. I would prefer to drive, Also I would like Logan to accompany me if that is ok." I said and Charles looked at me shocked.
"Have the two of you mended fences since the break in?" He asked and I shrugged.
"Not completely mended them which is why I think some time on the road would be good. I would prefer if I was able to get along with the X-men and work together with them when we go on missions and the way I see it is if I can win Logan over the others should be easy." I answered and it wasn't a lie just not the only reason I wanted him to join me.
"I see, very well I will ask Logan if he could accompany you." He said and I nodded before getting to my feet.
"Thank you Charles we will leave tomorrow morning." I said before walking out of his office.
I walked down the hall and headed down the stairs to the first floor. I headed toward the back door to get back to my house when a familiar southern voice rang out.
"Well hey there Sugah." Rogue said and I turned into the rec room instead of walking past it to greet her.
"Hello Rogue." I said as I walked into the rec room and was met by students who looked away and refused to make eye contact with the crazy guy.
"Where have you been today? Kitty and I stopped by your house but you were not home." She asked and I completely forgot that they intended to come over.
"I had furniture delivered and then a danger room session then a shower and then Charles needed to speak to me. Now the rest of my day is free and I have not eaten much today. I was planning on cooking but I have not stocked my refrigerator yet. What do you say we go out and get some food?" I asked and her eyes got big.
"That sounds amazing, It gets so crowded here and we don't get out much." She beamed and I smiled at her.
"Great, I just need to change my shirt." I responded.
"What's wrong with the one you have on? Logan goes out much worse than that." She then asked while eyeing the plain black thermal and blue jeans I was wearing.
"I prefer to look as little out of place as possible, When I go out not dressed for an occasion I feel people staring at me. My mutation kicks in and starts to register facial expressions and with my psych knowledge it starts reading their expressions and interpreting what they are most likely thinking and its a whole process I like to avoid if possible." I answered.
"Ah am never going to get over everything your mutation does." She sighed and walked with me out of the back door.
"I will only be a few minutes, you could have waited back at the mansion." I said, not that I mind her with me she is nice to talk to.
"Yea but every time ah get seen talking to you people ask me all kinds of questions about you. Ah understand it ah just don't feel up for answering them right now." I laughed at the thought and the kind of questions she must get asked.
I walked inside and gestured for Rogue to take a seat. "This is much more cozy now that its not so empty." She said walking around taking in the new furnishings.
"I am glad you like it, Now if you will excuse me I will go change." I said walking up the stairs to my bedroom. I walked back down a few minutes later wearing a button up long sleeved shirt and I felt much more comfortable for a restaurant.
"Well, well, don't you clean up nice." She said and I extended my arm to her. She took it in hers and we walked back toward the mansion. We eventually reached the garage after receiving a few odd looks from some of the students and I struggled to keep from noticing the facial expressions. We walked into the garage and she looked around. "Ah am guessing the Cadillac is yours?" She asked pointing to an all black Cadillac CTS with the darkest tint I could legally get on the windows.
"How did you know that?" I asked as we approached the vehicle.
"It is the only car in here I have not seen before." She answered.
"Well, your chariot awaits." I said opening the door for her. I then walked back around the car and climbed into the driver side. "You are much more familiar with New York than I am what do you recommend?" I then asked.
"There is a diner about a mile from here that makes the best Burgers in New York." She said and I started the car.
We arrived at the diner a few minutes later and it was a quaint small establishment that gave off a fifties vibe, I liked it. We walked in and took a seat at a quiet booth in the corner.
"Hello, my name is Jane and I will be taking your order this evening can I get the two of you drinks to get you started?" A red head waitress asked.
"Just a water for me, thanks." I responded and looked to Rogue.
"Sweet tea will be just fine for meh?" She said and the waitress nodded and left us alone. "Bullet there is something ah want to ask you, feel free to tell meh its none of my business but what happened to you before you came to the mansion?" She then asked me.
"What do you mean?" I asked confused.
"Its nothing to be ashamed of everyone has a sad story at the mansion. Mostly anyway. I put my first and only boyfriend in a coma with just a kiss." She responded.
"I have really only been in one relationship, it ended badly but nothing like that. I think I have had a pretty normal experience." I said and she shook her head.
"No sug, I actually meant your back." She said and now I knew what she was talking about.
"You saw that huh?" I asked a little self conscious about it.
"Well yah started taking off your shirt on your way up the stairs back at your house, I wont lie and say I turned my head." She responded as her face turned a little red.
"I wont lie to you, you have been kind to me since I got here and you deserve better. I was raised in a government run facility. From what I have been told I spoke my first words at 6 week old and was speaking in full sentences by 10 weeks. I never knew my mother, Occasionally I can remember a face but just barely. I can only assume that she abandoned me or I was taken from her because of my mutation. Anyway as I grew older the man that ran the government facility began teaching me different languages and as I picked up on those as quickly as I did they began giving me martial arts training. As soon as I was old enough to hold a gun I began marksman training. When I did not use my mutation as well as they wanted or I didn't focus and perform perfectly I was beaten. The scars you saw on my back were a result of the beatings." I answered calmly before picking up my menu.
"My god that's terrible. How old were you when this was taking place?" She asked horrified.
"I got beaten for my first time at four years old. And for the last time at 12 years old when I snapped and beat a guard to within an inch of his life. By that point I had a grip on my mutation and I was getting beaten less anyway, I uess they felt they shouldn't risk their lives by beating me any longer." I said and put the menu down.
"Ah am so sorry Bullet." Rogue said as a tear ran down her face. "No one should have to go through anything like that."
"Like you said yesterday at my house. You get over it and move on. I got older and made my escape from the facility and I been on my own ever since. Its been 6 long mostly happy years." I said and she was still stunned by what I told her. Thankfully the awkward silence was soon broken.
"Here is your tea miss, and your water. Now have you two decided on what you want?" The waitress asked as she pulled a pen and pad of paper from her apron.
"Ah will take a cheeseburger medium and some home fries." Rogue said and the waitress jotted down her order.
"And for you sir?" She then asked.
"I will take the grilled chicken sandwich." I responded.
"No he wont he will have the same thing ah am having." Rogue said while the waitress began writing my order down.
"Rogue. Cheeseburgers are too fatty and greasy and do not offer the protein I like to perform at peak conditions." I argued but she wouldn't hear it.
"Just bring us two cheeseburgers and fries." Rogue then told the waitress who stopped and looked back and forth between us.
"Rogue!" I responded trying to get her to listen to me.
"No ah said this place makes the best burgers in New York and yah are eating a burger." She said and the waitress looked at me confused.
"Fine." I said and the waitress just shook her head and walked away.
"Yah can go back to being Mr. Perfect tomorrow, just go a little stricter on your workout. Yah said it yourself, 6 long happy years trust me this burger will make yah happy." She said and I just laughed.
"You win Rogue, I will eat your sloppy greasy burger but when get sick to my stomach from all of the grease you will be the one taking care of me." I said and she laughed back.
"So Bullet, Why aint there a Mrs. Bullet? I mean yah a good enough lookin guy and yah don't seem as crazy as most people think?" Rogue then asked and I don't quite know how to respond to that.
"Like I said I have been in one relationship and it ended badly. I got over it fairly quickly I just haven't found anyone since who makes me want to give it a shot. Why isn't there a Mr. Poison Skin?" I then asked and Rogue nearly choked on her tea.
"That's just wrong Bullet." She then said before laughing herself.
"Is there no way to not hurt people when you touch them?" I asked her and she looked at me like I am stupid.
"Don't Yah think I would do it if I could?" She asked hypothetically.
"Good point, I am sure there is something. I am pretty familiar with Mutant powers and what makes them tick, I want to try to help you if you wouldn't mind." I then replied and she gave me a yea right look.
"Noone is more familiar with mutations than Professor Xavier, If he cant help meh What makes yah think you can?" She asked.
"I don't think I can but a maybe is better than not trying right? All it will take is a little time." I then said and she shrugged.
"Ah guess ah might as well give it a try." She said.
"That's the spirit." I said as our food made its way to the table.
We ate our food and continued to talk and laugh at each other it has been a long time since I have actually had fun. My life is normally so serious and all about perfection it feels good to enjoy myself for once.
"You were right Rogue, That burger was delicious, I think I gained ten pounds but it was definitely worth it." I said wiping mouth on my napkin and finishing off my water.
"Ah told yah it would be. Now aint yah glad you didn't get the chicken." She said and she is right I am glad she made me go with the burger.
"I sure am, thanks." I replied.
"No problem sugah, Its getting kind of late though what do you say we head back?" She asked and that sounds good to me. I still need to confirm that Logan will be taking a trip with me tomorrow.
"Sounds good to me but your driving." I said sliding my keys across the table.
"Ah don't think so Ah have nevah driven a car which means ah don't have a license." She then said sliding my keys back to me.
"Its getting late there are not many other drivers out, seems like the best time to learn to me." I said sliding them back once again.
"What if ah wreck?" She asked as she took the keys.
"It can be fixed." I replied with a smile.
We walked out to my car and she unlocked the doors before getting into the driver side nervously. I showed her how to move the seat forward to adjust to our height differences and helped her adjust the mirrors so she could see. She buckled her seat belt and placed the key in the ignition.
"What do Ah do now?" She asked and I chuckled.
"Put your foot on the brake and put it in reverse." I said and she did. "Now slowly let your foot off the brake the car will start to back up. Use your side mirrors to check for anything behind you, you can even turn your head to look back if you need to. Good." I said as she backed the car out of the parking space without hitting anything. "Now with your foot on the brake put the car in drive." I said and she did. "Now turn your wheel to the left and straighten the car out. Now just let the car roll to the end of the parking lot and stop before you get to the street. Your a natural Rogue, Now are there any cars coming from your left?" I asked and she shook her head after looking out the driver window. "Ok then turn right onto the street." I said and she slowly rolled out onto the street after turning a little too hard and the back wheel dropped off of the curb.
"Sorry Bullet." Rogue said nervously and I just smiled.
"Don't worry about it rogue the steering is a little stiff. The car has some added weight to it. I had bulletproof tires panels and windows installed. The way I see it if you can learn to drive this then you will be able to pretty much drive anything. Don't worry about crashing and getting us hurt this car can withstand small arms fire." I said and she seemed a little more confident now but only slightly.
We made it a few hundred yards down the street and Rogue refused to go any faster than 13 miles per hour. Another car pulled up behind us and after a few seconds began honking their horn for us to speed up.
"Don't worry about it rogue just keep a pace you feel comfortable with." I said as I rolled my window down and waved for the driver to go around us. They did not go around and instead began laying on their horn continuously. "Rogue stop the car and stay inside of it." I said and she slowly eased into the brake. I opened the door and got out. I angrily walked to the car and gestured for the guy to roll down his window.
"Listen chief, I have a young lady learning to drive for the first time. She is a little nervous understandably." I said calmly to the guy I really wanted to punch for being an ass with his horn.
"Did you explain to her that the gas is on the right? I can walk faster than this." He said and I scoffed.
"I find that hard to believe." I said looking at the large man.
"Just tell your bitch to get a move on I have places to be." He said and now I was mad.
"Hey watch your mouth I wont warn you again." I said before taking a deep breath and holding in my anger.
"Oh yea and what if I get out and kick your ass!" He said bravely and that's the end of the line.
"You wont make it out of the car." I said before reaching over and putting his car in park and yanking his keys from the ignition with one hand while the other dove to his throat and pressed down on his windpipe until he began choking. The man passed out a few seconds later and I leaned back out of the car and walked back to my own.
"Your good rogue you can start driving again." I said as I took my seat and closed the door.
"Is everything ok?" She asked as she began driving slowly again.
"Everything is completely fine, I nicely explained you are a new driver and he understood, he will not be honking his horn or tailgating you again." I said and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank god He was making me a nervous wreck." She said and we continued back to the mansion.
We arrived a 10 minutes later and I made her pull into the garage instead of taking over and doing it for her like she requested. She was a little crooked in the garage but overall did a good job. We walked into the mansion and Rogue yawned so I walked her to her room.
"You did great Rogue goodnight." I said as she stopped at her door.
"Thank you Bullet for everything. Dinnah the drivin lesson and the conversation, Your a good friend." She said and she smiled up at me.
"No problem Rogue, your a pretty good friend yourself and for me those are not easy to come by. Now get some sleep. I will be gone for a couple days, Charles wants me to recruit a mutant in California but when I get back we will get to work on getting a handle on your powers." I said before leaning in to give her a hug. She flinched but I didn't let her pull back. "Relax Rogue I didn't touch your skin. See I am perfectly fine." I said and she leaped forward and wrapped her arms around me burying her face in my shirt.
"Goodnight Bullet." She said and I opened her door for her.
She walked inside and closed the door. I turned and walked back toward the stairs to go back down. Most of the people that are awake are down there so if I am going to find Logan that's where I will look.
"So you and Rogue huh?" Logan asked as I rounded a corner and came face to face with the man I was looking for.
"You spying on me?" I asked and walked past him.
"Nah just smelled ya come in. She's a good kid don't hurt her or ill be forced to gut ya, whether I need you to find Stryker or not." Logan said and I just shrugged the threat off.
"You have nothing to worry about she is just a friend. She needed to get out for a while and I was hungry. After dinner I gave her a driving lesson and here we are." I said and he looked at me shocked.
"You gave her a driving lesson? You are brave, that makes Nevada seem like we are walking into an amusement park." He said and I laughed.
"So does that mean you are coming to California?" I asked.
"Yeah didn't take me long to figure out why you wanted me to come along." He said and I walked away.
"Goodnight Logan." I said as I walked down the stairs and towards the back door.
I walked outside into the crisp night air again and made my way along the path I had cut through the trees to my house. I scanned my eye to unlock the front door and walked inside eager to get some rest for the journey that lay before us.