Charles, Logan, and Orror stood far outside the medical bay. The children had been told to remain above the subbasement until deemed acceptable by Hank. Hank moved around quickly, wearing a biohazard suit. He moved from patient to patient, taking blood samples, checking heart rates. Yet no matter how often he checked the children, or their blood samples, nothing made since. How could they become so ill so fast? Hank walked out of the medical bay and removed his headgear.
"We have a serious problem, Charles." Hank said. He pulled off his suit and hung it by the door. "From what I've gathered, the children have contracted an unknown disease that is specifically designed for mutants."
"How is that possible?" Orror asked.
Hank shook his head. "I don't know, Orror, but it happened quickly."
"Is there any risk of spreading it?" Logan asked.
"My preliminary tests show that it is not contagious, however, I would prefer the children do not enter the med bay without a suit." Hank explained.
Charles nodded. "Logan, Orror, gather the student in the briefing room. They must be informed of the situation." Logan and Orror nodded. They turned and headed for the elevator. Charles turned back to Hank. "We must know how they became infected Hank."
Hank nodded. "I completely agree Charles, but until they wake, we may not get that answer."
Charles folded his hands on his knees and leaned his chin on them. From behind the glass walls, he caught a glimpse of movement and psych activity. Charles looked up. "Rogue?"
Hank turned. Rogue was upright in her bed near the door. She looked at them, holding her breathing mask to her face. Hank entered the medical bay without a suit, rushing to Rogue. "Rogue, how are you feeling?"
Rogue looked to Hank. "Do ah haf at answer that?"
Charles pressed the intercom button beside the door. "It would appear that Rogue's mind hasn't been effected, Hank."
"Indeed. Rogue, can you tell us what happened?" Hank asked.
"We were all on the ground when we had a Sentinel attack us." rogue started.
"A Sentinel?" Hank asked.
"you're sure Rogue?" Charles asked.
"Positive. The thang fired a pod an' it exploded." Rogue explained. "Then it just disappeared."
Hank turned to Charles, "It would appear we have our method of infection."
"Indeed." Charles replied. "however, why would Rogue be conscious while the remaining students are not?"
"I do not know. Perhaps further tests are needed." Hank suggested.
"Very well. Please inform me should you discover anything. I must go explain this to the others." Charles replied. He turned his wheelchair toward the elevator.
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The X-Men, minus Rogue, were gathered around the large steel table. Scott, Jean, Kitty, and Evan sat on one side. Kurt, Piotr, Warren, and Laura-X-23, were seat on the other side. Logan stood by the wall with Orror standing near the table behind Evan. The door opened beside Logan as Charles rolled into the room.
Kurt stood up quickly, "Is Rogue alright?"
"What's happening to them?" Jean asked.
"Everyone sit down." Charles replied. He rolled up to the table. "Hank is working as we speak to help them."
"Professor, how did this happen?" Scott asked.
"It would appear that a Sentinel was sent to administer the virus. Rogue, Tabitha, Bobby, and the others, were present at its attack and were therefore, infected. Hank had informed me that the blood test shows that it is not contagious to everyone, however he has placed restriction to your med bay visits." he explained.
"So what happens now?" Evan asked.
Before Charles could answer, the intercom buzzed. Charles pressed the control beside him. "Yes hank."
"Charles, I've made a shocking discovery from Rogue's recent blood tests. I'm sending you the images right now." Hank explained.
Charles turned to Logan, who had already moved toward the computer. Logan brought up the images that Hank had sent. On the screen were two different blood samples' that much was clear. One was a dark red color. The blood cells were shriveled up. Along with them were small black rod bacteria. Beside the image was another batch of blood cells. There were dark red, but not as intense. The rod shapes bacteria were smaller than the first, and grey instead of black.
"Hank, what are we looking at?" Orror asked.
"The image on the right of the screen is Bobby's blood sample. His, Tabitha, Jamie, Jubilee, all the others are the same." Hank explained.
"And the sample on the left?" Logan asked, dreading the response.
"That, is Rogue's blood sample, taken the same time. I am unsure how, but it would appear that Rogue has been infected long before the others were." Hank explained.
"Does Rogue know about zhis?" Kurt asked.
Hanks face appeared in front of the blood cells. Rogue stood behind him, holding the mask to her face. Her face seemed paler than normal. Her green eyes had lost its color, leaving her with grey hallow iris's. "Yeah, Ah know, Kurt."
"Do you have any idea how this might've happened, Rogue?" Charles asked.
Rogue nodded slowly. "Ah gotta clue. During our mission, I felt something scrape mah arm while Gambit an' ah were escaping'."
"Hank, check Rogue's lead. If she's been infected, there's a chance Gambit has been as well. Logan, take Scott and Kurt down to Louisiana and bring Gambit to the Institute." Charles ordered.
Logan smirked darkly, "With pleasure. Cyke, elf, we're leavin' in five."
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Gambit opened his apartment door. He flipped on the light switch and slowly entered. He dropped his bag on the floor and closed the door behind him. He hated to travel. Usually planes. He had no problem taking his bike on a quick job, but cross-country, flights were terrible.
Gambit sighed and looked to the table in front of him. He eyes fell on the glass of half filled of New Orleans Pilsner. He frowned and leaned forward, examining the glass closer. Gambit looked around the room for the imposter. He stood from the couch slowly. He pulled out his staff and a card.
"Come on out 'fore I make y'." Gambit warned.
There was no answer, but that didn't make Gambit feel any better. He charged the card and looked around.
Suddenly a strong force threw Gambit back against the wall. His ear picked up a familiar metallic unsheathing sound and he found himself pinned to the wall. Gambit looked up into the wild eyes of Wolverine.
"Wolverine. Ta what do Gambit owe dis unseen visit? Deh fille no' come back?" gambit asked.
Logan brought his second claw to Gambits face. "Oh no, she came back alright, bub. And so are you."
"Gambit no' goin' anywhere wid y'." Gambit explained. He dropped his charged card and let it explode. At the sudden discharge, Logan released Gambit. Gambit made a break for the window. He climbed out into the cool air.
"Hello." Gambit looked up. He found the blue teleported hanging upside down from the building. Cyclops was above him on the roof.
"Need a hand?" Cyclops asked.
"No tanks." Gambit replied.
"Das ok. I'm sure Logan vouldn't mind help you." Nightcrawler said.
Gambit looked back into his apartment. Wolverine was making his way to the window. Gambit looked back up, knowing he couldn't win this fight. "A'rihg'. Y'talk Gambit into it."
Nightcrawler grabbed Gambit's hand and teleported him to the roof next to Cyclops.
"Gambit, we need to get you to the Institute. It's very urgent." Cyclops said.
"Whad fo'?" Gambit asked.
"Zhe students are sick. Zhey have been infected by…by zome kind of virus." Nightcrawler explained.
Gambit's eyes narrowed. "Whad happen to 'em?"
"A Sentinel attacked them and infected them with a virus. We need to take you to the institute so we can make sure you're not infected as well." Cyclops explained.
"Pleaze, you have to come. Zhey all need you." Nightcrawler explained.
Gambit nodded. He watched Wolverine climbed up to the roof. "Gambit go wit y'on one condition. Wolverine keeps his distance from Gambit."
Cyclops looked back to Logan. "Deal."
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The Blackbird landed in the hanger of the Institute. Gambit Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine all unbuckled their flight restraints. Nightcrawler lowered the ramble for the others and teleported off the jet. Cyclops walked off first, followed by Gambit and Logan. Professor Xavier was waiting for them, along with Orror and Hank.
"Gambit, thank you for coming." Charles said.
"Y'team mentioned a virus. An' somtin' about Rogue." Gambit replied.
Charles looked to Hank. "Come with me, Gambit. I need to run some test on your blood before everything's explained.
Gambit nodded and followed Hank toward the medical lab.
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ok, so a lot squeezed into one chapter, hope you don't mind.
i own nothing!
