First Mutant
By David D. Amaya
Chapter 20
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Food Court Shops at the National Place, F Street, Downtown, 1213 EST Day 21
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"Here's your order," the lady at the Starbucks Coffee stand handed him four large cups. "And when you order frozen drinks this month you get free hologram trading cards of Seattle personalities."
"Thanks ma'am," Cyrus took the tray of drinks to the awaiting X-Men.
"Okay, one Southern Pecan for Rogue," he said handing them their glasses and cards, "an Irish Cream for Sean, a frap for Jubes and lastly, mine."
"What are you drinking, lad?"
"Straight up, Sean. Lotsa sugar, lotsa cream."
"What," asked Jubilee. "No fancy latte?"
"Well, my Uncle Jake was right, the stuff they serve at the White House IS better than what I was used to at home," said the President's son. "Ok, what cards did you guys get?"
Cyrus had a one of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent, catching his 100th career touchdown.
Jubilee's was of Jimi Hendrix playing the national anthem at Woodstock.
Sean received a Bruce Lee shot from "Enter The Dragon."
And Rogue had a card of Ken Griffey, Both Jr. and Sr., from the game they hit back-to-back home runs for the Mariners in 1990.
"I'll trade you my Largent for that Griffey, Rogue," said Cyrus.
"Certainly, sugah, y'all can keep 'em both."
"Thanks," he said as she said handing the card to him, which, unbeknownst to the three non-Seattle residents, is worth over $500 and will undoubtedly become the crowning jewel in the President son's collection.
Cyrus was thanking his good fortune when two mall security officers walked up to their table.
"Sir, would you and your wife and children please come with us."
"He, ain't MY husband!" Rogue responded.
"And we aren't his kids, thank you very much!" Cyrus added.
"None the less," the officer droned on. "You'll have to come with us. Truancy is a major juvenile offense here in the District. Once I cite the adults I will escort you two to your school."
"But the lad and lass do'ne attend school here," Sean explained, hoping to avoid a confrontation.
"Yea," chimed in Jubilee. "We're from the Xavier Academy near Boston. We're here because our teach is here for a meeting."
"Then I'll have to see some IDs."
Jubilee handed one of the officers her Academy ID card, but Cyrus stalled.
His wallet held his White House security pass as well as his Sidwell ID card, either one would blow their cover real quick.
"I don't have my wallet," he said. "I must have left it at the hotel."
"Don't lie to me, son," said the first cop. "I saw you pay for those yuppie coffees."
He then grabbed the President's son by the collar of his Mariners jacket and pulled him roughly out of his seat.
"You let 'em go you cheep excuse for a rent-a-cop!" Jubilee cried out.
The officer then frisked Cyrus and found the wallet in his jacket pocket, right were he left it.
"Well, well, well, lookie at what we have here," she thumbed through the wallet. "A school ID. Let's see where it's from. Oh, look! Sidwell Friends School, and right here in the District, too! Now don't tell me, let me guess. You're from the Boston Branch and the school commutes to Boston Harbor, right? Let's go, Cyrus."
Her partner handcuffed Cyrus' hand behind him. "Now you three come with us, too. This is a $500 fine in DC, you being from Boston and not his parents as you say."
As they were led through a crowd that had formed around the food court for lunch, they saw the look of shock the tourists had on their faces at the treatment of a young man who looked a lot like the President's oldest child.
Although three locals were having a blast at the show, and had cameras at the ready.
"FLEMMING!?" said Cyrus as he realized he'd been set up.
"Say 'jailbait!'" he said as the three snapped photos of the President's son as the two mall guards led the mutants to the first level security office.
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Inside the Secret Service Director's Lexus 400,
Northbound on 14th Street, near the Washington Monument, 1215 EST.
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"Damn this traffic," the Director cursed as they slowly passed Jefferson Drive on their way to the National Place.
"I am going to contact the team," Agent Nichols reached for the car's phone. "Hopefully they can get to Kilowatt faster."
Storm, answered on the first ring.
"Kordel, the Committee is in a recess and we are all aware of the situation," She relayed but could barely be heard over the shouts of the crowd of protesters.
"Can any of you get to the team? We are stuck in traffic at 14th and Jefferson."
"It may take some doing to leave the Capitol, Kordel," Storm explained. "There are many more protesters than anticipated and there is a large police presence. Many skirmishes have already taken place."
"This is the Director of the Secret Service. The President and I are aware of Agent Nichols innocence and that you are indeed helping Kilowatt.
"Find a protester wearing a red baseball cap and Washington Wizards jersey carrying a sign that says 'No way out.' He is an agent that I personally hand-picked and trust. Tell them you are you are on an Alert 7, he will help you leave the Hill without having to disclose who you are."
"Can you trust him Agent Nichols?"
"With my life, Storm?" he assured her. "Do what you can. I will keep in touch so keep the line clear."
"All right, Agent Nichols, we will leave at once."
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Security Office, the National Place, Downtown, 1220 EST
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"Now you just stay right there," the mall guard as she handcuffed Cyrus to a desk. "I'll call your school, and they'll notify your parents. I bet they'll be disappointed in you."
Cyrus could see Sean, Rogue and Jubilee in the next office, arguing with another mall cop as the first one called Sidwell.
"Yes Sidwell Friends School? This is the National Place Security Office calling, we caught one of your students cutting classes here. Could you notify his parents? … Yes, I have his Student ID card here. It's Student Number 541873, Name is Parkman, Cyrus J. … No, this is not a joke, it is the face in the picture… You must be joking? …Are you serious? … HOLY SHIT!! Jack, do you know WHO we just collared!?"
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United States Secret Service, Field office of the District of Columbia
Connecticut Ave. 1223 EST.
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"Good afternoon, Secret Service … Are you certain it is him officer? … Yes, sir, keep the other persons detained, we will send some agents to pick him up and arrest the perpetrators. Good work Officer."
After he replaced the receiver he used a non-official two-way radio.
"Witch Doctor to Voodoo One, come in. Over."
"Voodoo One loud and clear Witch Doctor. Over."
"Voodoo One, Parasite has been located, repeat Parasite has been located. Proceed with Operation: GrandSlam. Over."
"Roger. Witch Doctor. Operation: GrandSlam under way. Over and Out."
"Um, Mr. Parkman, sir?" the mall guard stammered reply as her partner uncuffed Cyrus. "We didn't know who you were back there. We're real sorry."
"With what I've been through in the last three days, your lame apologies and pathetic butt-kissing are the last two things I'm concerned with," The President's Son replied as he rubbed his wrists."What about my bodyguards and my friend? We were awaiting other undercover agents to arrive until you twits showed up."
"Oh, don't worry, Mr. Parkman. We already called the Secret Service. They are on there way now."
"YOU WHAT!?"
"Yes, sir," she said with a big stupid-looking grin on her face. "They are sending some agents to come and get you right now."
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU JUST DID!?"
"Yes, sir. They might give me a medal!"
"Hot lead is more like it!" he dashed to the room the X-Men were in. "Rogue, Sean get us outta here! The rent-a-cop's just called the MiBs!"
Rogue overturned a desk as Jubilee shot sparks at the officers as the four mutants ran out of the office."
"Stop or I'll shoot!" one of the officers shouted as he leveled his Smith and Wesson at the fleeing mutants.
Cyrus then spun around as he ran and threw the Steve Largent card at the guard, exploding on impact with his weapon.
"Nice throw, 'Watt!"
"Thanks, Jubes," Cyrus replied as Sean carried him and flew off as well. "I guess Gambit's a better teacher than he thought."
"Where to now, lad?"
"Freedom Plaza. I need to think."
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Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Ave., Downtown 1231 EST.
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The block long plaza, were the mutants stopped running was intended to a witty creation, but the plan was compromised and for whatever reason, the plaza was left to be nothing more than a broad, over-sized concrete sidewalk devoid of any trees or statues.
On this day however a concert was being held so the three X-Men and the President's son were able to blend in with the crowd.
"Like, now what do we do, 'Watt?"
"I don't know, Jubes. There wasn't a 'Plan C,'" Cyrus replied. "Look around for a pay phone, guys. Those rent-a-cop's took Lariat's cell. I'm gonna call Storm and tell 'em where we are."
"Ah see one," Rogue pointed towards the District Building.
As they crossed E Street to the phone booth, they didn't notice the nondescript white van parked near Pursing Park slowly move towards them.
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Outside the Rayburn House Office Building, Capital Hill 1233 EST.
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The Hearings resumed inside as the protesters continued outside at the District police had set up extra barricades to help control the crowd in excess of 10,000 strong, including the Friends of Humanity and various Skinhead groups.
The 'protester' the Director had described to Storm, handed Cyclops the keys to a black van and told where they could find it without question when told of the 'Alert 7' code.
Cyclops, Gambit and Wolverine left to pick up the quartet at the Nation Place while Storm and Bishop stayed outside the Capital. They had only left a few moments ago when Kordel's phone rang.
"Agent Nichols?"
"No, it's Cyrus, Storm," said the young voice on the other end. "Our cover got blown BIG TIME at the mall and we had to blast out way out. The Secret Service knows that I'm back in DC now. We're at Freedom Plaza."
"Goddess, Wolverine, Gambit and Cyclops just left to get you!"
"Don't worry, Storm. Any one coming up Penn Ave will pass here. They'll see us. Where's Lariat?"
"He called a few minutes ago. The Director of the Secret Service is with him. He said he was stuck in traffic on 14th Street."
"That's great, Storm. 14th crosses here, too. We'll just sit tight until …"
"Until, what Cyrus? … Cyrus? … CYRUS!"
End of Chapter twenty
© David D. Amaya 2007