First Mutant
By David D. Amaya
Chapter 25
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Outside the Rayburn Building, Independence Ave SW, Capital Hill, 1425 EDT. Day 21
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While the crowd shouted obscenity-laced anti-mutant slogans, Jean Grey, Hank McCoy, and Professor Xavier were in the thick of the pro and anti-mutant protesters.
Special Agents Frank, Block and McKey were trying to clear a path for the professor's wheelchair across the lawn to the Capitol Building, with little success.
The group found themselves penned in alongside the Longworth Building, at the tip of New Jersey Ave.
"Candlestick, this is Sheepskin," Agent Block called into his Comm-unit. "Be advised, we are unable to evac principal to Punch Bowl. Repeat, unable to evac principal to Punch Bowl. Are now outside Sandstone. Over."
Roger, Sheepskin. Maintain your current position and await orders from Blackboard. Repeat, maintain current position and await orders. Over
"Affirmative Candlestick," he replied. "Maintaining position. Sheepskin Out. You know Frankie, of all my years in the Service," Agent Block commented, "this has to be the only time I wished that this would just go down fast, just to get it over and done with."
"I must agree," Agent McKey chimed in. "I almost regret transferring from Fiddler. At least I could defuse a bomb."
"That's IF it is a bomb," added Agent Frank. "Charlie, What's our status?"
"They're still scouring Pincushion, Frankie. Candlestick says to keep Professor Xavier and his staff here until the all-clear from Blackboard, so I guess we just have to ride out Hurricane Stupidity until it gets downgraded to a Moronic Depression."
"Very eloquently put, Agent Block," quipped Dr. McCoy, who was along side the professor. "Is sarcastic retorts a prerequisite Federal Service?"
"Not really, Doctor, but it was either that and SWAT tactics, or Home Economics and knitting."
"So I take it you took the easy way out then." Jean added as she pushed the Professor's wheelchair.
Before the Agent could reply, a loud reply could be heard directed at their group, even above the already boisterous 10,000 protesters;
"KILL THOSE DAMN MUTIE LOVERS!!"
Suddenly a faction of the FOH began a fight with a group of representing the Rainbow Collation as Capital Hill Police quelled the uprising quickly.
"At least the locals are handling things here for now," said Block. "but we're too far drawn out if things break down."
Then Agent Block concentrated and sent a thought to Jean and Professor Xavier. Can the two of you … sense … if there may be an attempt on your group?
There are too many people who have thoughts about attempting unlawful acts, Agent Block. Jean sent back. It's too difficult to tell who may actually commit a crime.
What about the rest of the X-Men?
They shall be here momentarily, said the professor. Rogue is shaken up from their entanglement, but they are otherwise uninjured.
That's good, replied Agent Block. 'Cause every time I've ever felt this much anticipation, I've taken a few for the good guys.
"Warlock element leader calling Witch Doctor, come in, over."
"Witch Doctor reading 5 x 5, over."
"Breach team in position. Repeat, breach team in position, over."
"Warlock, report in when Viper in place, over."
"Roger, Witch Doctor. Warlock standing by, Over."
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Exhibit Hall A, Washington Convention Center, Downtown, 1429 EDT.
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"May I see your pass, sir?"
"Of course," Agent Nichols replied under his new guise of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Sargent Adam Yaeger, and handing the Marine guard his latest badge.
"Are these your children, Sargent?"
"No, Sargent Major," came the disguised Secret Service agent's response. "This is my oldest brothers daughter, C.J. Lee, and my sisters youngest, J.L. Parkman."
"I see the family resemblance" the Marine remarked as he ran a check on their newly fashioned IDs to allow them access to the President's speech. "Your passes check out. Do you have any weapons on your person Sargent Yeager?"
"No, it is department policy not to carry a firearm out of our jurisdiction."
"Very well, now if you will please step through this scanner and you will be shown in."
As tested the SHIELD ED-FG orbs kept Agent Nichols weapons and other items that Cyrus and Jubilee were carrying in their jackets.
"All right, Sargent, you and your niece and nephew may enter the reception hall."
Mingling with the large law enforcement crowd to hear President Parkman's speech about his pending crime bill, the two youngsters prepared to reunite Cyrus with his father.
"If the Director did what he had to, there well be SHIELD escorts with him," Kordel told the young mutants. "We have to get his attention before he gets takes the podium.
"Remember most of this crowd harbors bad feeling against mutants, so DO NOT use your powers. Even if it you get stopped by the Horsepower team. They're trained experts on closed quarters tactics. The LAST thing we need is to get in a firefight here."
"Chill, Lariat," Cyrus implored Nichols. "We're in the home stretch. What can go wrong?"
"Don't ask questions you don't want to hear the answers for, 'Watt." Jubilee shot back.
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Back Stage Area, Washington Convention Center, Downtown, 1433 EDT.
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"Mr. President, mission complete," Lt. Dugan reported with a smart salute. "Your target is in Col. Bridge's quarters and have placed the subject under heavy guard as ordered, Sir."
"Good work, Timmy," replied the Commander-in-Chief. "Now what about my family."
"Mr. President, Kaleidoscope is being escorted to Castle..."
"In English, if you please, Agent Burke?"
"Of course, Mr. President. Your wife is on her way back to the White House as we speak, Your daughter is already there. Col. Fury and Agent Carter have personally taken charge. The Secretary of State has already been escorted out of the building and she is also en route to the White House."
"Excellent Agent Burke, are we ready to go here Jon?"
"Yes, Mr. President," Mr. Roth consulted his PDA. "Of course as you wish to treat this as business-as-usual, so as not to panic anyone with the news of the past half hour's developments, we've cut your speech short.
"You will be escorted by Lt. Dugan and Agent Burke's team. As soon as you finish your address you will be taken back to the White House under heavy SHIELD air support. Agent Burke, please alert your men."
"Yes, Mr. Roth."
"All agents, Knight approaching deck. Repeat, Knight approaching deck. All sectors report in."
"POTUS is on his way," Kordel informed Cyrus and Jubilee as he listened in on his 'borrowed' Comm-unit. "The elevator will be closed off, Jubilee get as close to the hallway as you can get and hold out Cyrus' jacket. The name on the back should tip him off. Cyrus, put on Jubilee's coat and try to keep away from the Redwoods."
"Lariat," the President's son inquired. "How do you suppose I'm to keep a low profile looking like a giant Auburn-haired Banana?"
"Watch the way you talk about the coat, 'Watt!" the Gen-X student grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "Me and my trench have logged some mondo-rad miles together.
"Besides how do YOU think I look in this THING!? Even I can't make asparagus cool!"
"Warlock calling Zombie Over."
"Zombie responding, over."
"Zombie, is Viper set, over."
"Affirmative, Warlock, Viper set, over."
"Roger, Zombie, paint target Amoebae, repeat paint target Amoebae, over."
"10-4. Viper reports target painted. Awaiting green light."
"Roger, Zombie, stand by, Warlock Over and out."
End of Chapter twenty-five
© David D. Amaya 2007