First Mutant
By David D. Amaya
Chapter 8
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Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, Westchester County, New York, 0945 EST. Day 18
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Set atop a picture perfect setting in Southeastern New York State, Agent Kordel Nichols admired the mansion that housed the Xavier Institute his taxi pulled into.
This reminds me of my childhood at the Vineyard, Agent Nichols thought as he pressed the speaker's button at the main gate.
"Hello?" asked the young voice on the speaker.
"Hello yourself young lady, I am special Agent Kordel Nichols, United States Secret Service. I am here to speak with Dr. Charles Xavier."
"Nichols, huh. Haven't I heard that name, like, on the TV?"
"I would doubt it Miss, but you probably seen the family name on five-cent pieces around the country."
"Weird sense of humor. I like that," She said as the gates suddenly opened in front of Agent Nichols' cab. "Come on in."
"Agent Nichols, it is so glad to meet with you," said the man wearing red-colored glasses. "I'm Scott Summers, and this is my wife, Jean, whom you have already met on the phone."
"I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Summers," Agent Nichols extended his hand. "and it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Mrs. Summers. It is always good to put a face to the voice."
"Thank you, Agent Nichols," Jean shook his hand after her husband. "How's Cyrus?"
"He is doing very well. He asked me to say 'hello.' I would also like to thank you for your helping with his needs. We really appreciate it."
"It was my pleasure, Agent Nichols."
"Please, call me Kordel."
"Sure, Kordel," said Jean. "We'd like you to meet with some of the others who will be making the trip to Washington," she said as she and Scott led then to the rec room to meet the rest of the X-Men, unbeknownst to the Secret Service agent.
"This is Ororo Monroe …"
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kordel."
"The pleasure is all mine."
"This is Sean Cassidy, he is the Headmaster of our sister school in Massachusetts…"
"Glad to be meetin' ye, Lad."
"Likewise, Sean."
"… Jubilation Lee…"
"I meet the young lady already, on the speaker."
"Ya know, you look a lot taller in person than on the tube."
"Jubilee."
"And you sounded much older on the speaker, young lady."
"Touché, Secret Agent, Dude."
"We'd also like you to meet Rogue."
"Nice to meet ya, sugah, but Ah got one question. Why ya'll go around callin' ya'selfs the 'Secret Service' if everyone knows who ya'll are?"
"I would like to answer that one ma'am, but that is the secret part. " he replied with a grin
" … And Remy LeBeau…"
"Je vous souhaite le bonjar," said the man in the long trenchcoat.
"Je vous adresse mes reercieaents les plus sincers, Remy," he replied. "LeBeau, that's Cajun, if I am not mistaken? Are you related to Jean-Francois LeBeau, the chef?" asked Kordel.
"Non, don't ring de bells, he from Jackson Square?"
"No, Foggy Bottom, he is the new executive chef at a popular restraint called 'Cities' in Adams-Morgan," explained Agent Nichols.
" 'De Gambit wasn't plannin' on a trip to DC, but ya talked me into it, Scott," said the Cajun, already looking forward to sampling the cuisine of the Nation's Capital. "So, Mr. Secret Agent Man, see ya into 'de good eatin', non?"
"Actually, I am a vegetarian" said Kordel. "I learned where veil was derived from at a young age and decided meat was no longer appetizing for me."
"And lastly, but certainly not least, Dr. Henry McCoy."
Dr. McCoy for a change, had no fur covering his body, instead he was wearing a blue pinstripe suit and his fur was replaced by normal brown hair, complements to his image inducer.
"Indeed it is a pleasure to meet one who is charged with the difficult duty of protection of our democratically-elected, civilian commander-in-chief."
"Thank you, Dr. McCoy. You know, we also safeguard the President of the United States." He replied with a joking grin.
I'll say this for him, Jean. He does know how to make a first impression.
I told you so, Scott. Not all federal agents are as uptight as Nick Fury!
"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you all. Is Dr. Xavier available now?" asked Agent Nichols. "I would like to get started with your itinerary and any special security measures we will need to undertake in Washington."
"Well, the professor is preoccupied at the moment," Jean replied. " Perhaps you would like to make yourself at home for a few minutes."
"That would be nice, thank you, Jean"
"I will have to ask for your sidearm, Agent Nichols," said the large muscled man with a scar over his eye. "I will not allow any weapons here."
"I am a federal law enforcement officer, and as such I am supposed to carry my service pistol while I am on duty. I have been instructed in carrying and handling of weapons in a safe manner. Just think that you are safer with it around."
Jubilee, Remy, and Rouge couldn't help but snicker.
"But anyway, come on Bish, hun. Ain't no bad guys here," said Rouge.
"It doesn't make a difference, I'll have to ask for your weapon, Agent Nichols."
"United States Code; 'Under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, officers and agents of the Secret Service are authorized to carry firearms' I am to carry my sidearm at all times and am not to relinquish it under any circumstances,'" replied Agent Nichols.
"I'll ask one last time," Bishop said extending his hand. "YOUR WEAPON Agent Nichols."
"Bishop!"
"No, Mr. Summers, I can handle this. Mr. Bishop, are you not aware of the training Secret Service Agents receive in just the handling of weapons? I shall allow you to store my service pistol while I am a guest here, but you must prove you are competent in retaining my sidearm."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Please stand over here," Nichols said, motioning him to stand in front of him. "Now make a fist with your right hand and place it about eight inches in front of you."
Bishop placed his huge fist in front of his face.
"Now I will administer a filed test to determine if you can safely possess my weapon. Now I will try to pull your fist to 12 inches away from your body, your job will be to keep it at eight inches, with all your might. You succeed I shall allow you possession my weapon.
"Are you ready, Mr. Bishop?"
"Ready."
"Go."
///BANG\\\
Bishop hit himself in the nose so hard he staggered back several feet.
"Mr. Bishop you passed the brute strength test, but I am afraid you failed all three intelligence tests." Agent Nichols reported. "I will retain possession of my sidearm."
Remy, Jubilee, Sean, and Rouge burst into laughter, and a grin crept on Scott's face as well.
"I see you have met the rest of my staff, Agent Nichols," said Professor Xavier as he entered the room on a standard wheelchair. "I trust you had a pleasant journey from Washington?"
"I see you have never taken a taxi cab from DuPont Circle, Dr. Xavier, but yes I had an enjoyable trip."
"I would assume you have many questions about our itinerary during the Senate Hearings?"
"Yes, then we have something far more important to discuss." Said Kordel.
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Sidwell Friends School, Lunch period, 1203 EST.
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"That's the 11th apple you checked out, Cyrus. Isn't there one that could pass your finicky eye?"
"Hey, I'm from Washington State, apples are a big thing to us Agent Williams," said the President's son in defense of his inspection methods.
"I wants to be going on the outsides and eatin,'" said Cyrus.
"I want to go outside and eat," corrected Agent Williams.
"Well, since we are in agreement, let's go and enjoy the weather, Agent Will."
"Okay Agent Willie, this is how it works," said Cyrus. "I sit on the bench, you sit on the table. And if you spot an enemy spy named Flemming, set phasers to spank ray."
"Gee, how does Nichols keep from killing you, Mr. Parkman," he mumbled a bit too loudly.
"Two words Agent Bill; 'Pro Zak,'" he replied as he gulped some milk.
Man, this milk tastes sour, he thought.
Then a few moments latter it was the last thought he would have before losing consciousness.
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Office of Professor Charles Xavier, Xavier Institute, 1555 EST.
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"The Massachusetts Academy?" asked Agent Nichols. "Do you mean the one located in Snow Valley? My mother attended there when it was an all-girls school. I was under the impression it was owned by Frost International the past five years."
"Actually, Lad, the school was founded about two years ago under it's current charter," said Sean. "and Emma Frost is still it's Headmistress. Not only do we help the students to control their gifts, but we also have an exemplary academic curriculum."
"You see, Agent Nichols, we do not wish the existence of the school to be known publicly," Professor Xavier added. "It is only known as a highly exclusive private academy for gifted youngsters."
"Of course, Dr. Xavier." Agent Nichols replied. "Though I can not speak for the President and Mrs. Parkman, I have discussed many possible options with Cyrus and he gave me his permission to speak on his behalf.
"He is more than willing to transfer to another school, especially one outside of Washington, but he expressly wishes to know what he will be getting into, and I do not mean a private boarding school, or having other young mutants as classmates.
"He just started at Sidwell only a few weeks ago and he does not have any friends. That is the biggest thing he is concerned with, other than controlling his mutant abilities, is interacting with the other students, being a normal child, but that will be tough, mutant abilities aside.
"Under Title 18 section 2749 of the United States Code; the President's immediate family are authorized protection of the Secret Service throughout the President's tenure and for the minor children of former Presidents, until they reach the age of 16. Even if the President is not reelected, that will mean he would have to be federally protected for the next four to five years. It has been hard on him at Sidwell, so you could imagine what going to a small private school with a federal agent might do to his social skills.
"I have been trying to give his some space so he can make friends, but having me around him like a 'bad haircut,' I believe he refers to it, is still intimidating to the other students.
"And I doubt that you would be willing to allow even a small Secret Service presence at the academy. I know from my days working with mutant-family support groups back in Boston that mutants fear the government, and for good reasons especially in this political environment.
"But this whole conversation may be moot anyway. Cyrus has yet to explain that he has developed mutant abilities to his parents. But he did tell me that he was planning to this evening when the President and First Lady return from their campaign trip. Thanks in part to the polite prodding by Jean, here."
"We of course understand the young Cyrus' concerns, but we could work something out with the lad's parents," said Sean.
"No, Mr. Cassidy, even if they give their approval, it still presents major security problems," said Agent Nichols. "You do not understand the delicate nature of the Secret Service.
"The President, his immediate family, and all those in direct line of secession CAN NOT refuse protection by the Secret Service.
"Once the chairman of the national committee visited the White House to discuss some pending legislative strategy with the sitting President. As he was leaving for Union Station, the President offered to give him a ride in the Presidential Limousine.
"You see it had been raining all that week in Washington, and the President was supposed to go golfing with Tiger Woods that day, so he had cabin fever. He told his agents to swing the car around front that he wanted to go out, but his agents restrained him."
"Restrained the President?" asked Jean.
"Yes, you see when ever the President leaves the White House, we must have total security at all times. In that case we had to know exactly where they were going, to set up a travel route. Secure the place were he would visit, secure the travel route itself through Washington, and we had to contact the local hospital to make sure there was enough of the President's blood type available, just in case.
"That would have taken the better half of three hours, and all the President wanted to do was to take a joyride to the train station with a friend. A 20-minuet drive at the most for the rest of the world."
"Couldn't he say 'I'm the President, do as I tell you?'" said Scott.
Agent Nichols laughed. "I am sorry Scott, but that's the paradox of the Service. Any 15-year-old can tell you that the office of the presidency is much bigger that one man, but he is that man, and we will protect that man. And that goes for his family as well."
///Buzz.\\\
"Yes, Ororo?"
"Professor there is a telephone call for Agent Nichols, an Agent Owens, he said it was urgent."
"Thank you, Ororo. Agent Nichols you may use the cordless phone in the recreation room if you wish to speak privately."
"Thank you," Kordel rose from his chair. "Will you excuse me?"
"Restrained the President of the United States?!" Sean exclaimed after Agent Nichols closed the door. "And I just thought Secret Service agents were only that fanatical in the cinema."
"It might not be all that bad," said Jean. "I read that when Chelsea Clinton and the Bush twins were excepted to their colleges, the Secret Service installed bulletproof glass everywhere that they had classes, and even agents in her dorm room's.
"It might not be that bad, Sean, as long as we…" Suddenly her face changed to a look of dread.
"What is it Jean?" asked her husband.
"Something terrible has happened, Scott." Said the professor.
"Agent Nichols," he said in the phone.
"Nichols, this is Nick Owens from Horsepower. we had an AOP at Sandlot."
"Was it that little jerk Flemming again, well…"
"No it's Kilowatt, he's been kidnapped."
"IF THIS IS YOUR IDEA OF A JOKE, I AM NOT LAUGHING!"
"No, turn on CNN, The story just broke."
Nichols then grabbed the remote from Jubilee's hand and turned to the Cable News Network.
"Hey, I was watching that!" cried out the young pyrotechnic.
"Once again for those of you just tuning in, we have a breaking story from Washington. We have an unconfirmed report that Cyrus J Parkman the 12-year old son of President Anthony Parkman, was kidnapped sometime during the lunch hour break at Sidwell Friends School, where he and his sister Andromeda attend.
CNN has not received confirmation on this event, but a press conference has been called for within the next hour…"
End of Chapter Eight
© David D. Amaya 2007