Weapon X
A/N: Welcome back True Believers! I know it's been a awhile since I updated this one. It happens though… Now here's where it starts to get wibbly-wobbly as far as the plot goes for the movie. Some things will be like they were in the movie and there will be some different twists. I just hope ya'll enjoy the read and that it was worth the wait! :)
The helicopter ride takes a few hours but Logan doesn't mind. He just focuses on why he is doing this… Kayla. She is dead and gone… murdered by Victor simply because he was so upset at Logan leaving him years ago. Simply because she knew him and Victor could use that fact against him. Kayla is dead because of him… and Victor WILL pay for what he's done.
They land on the heli-pad and enter the base which is set-up near a lake with a large hydro-electric dam close by for power. The base seems small… until they go below ground that is… and Logan gets a feel for the immense size of the place. It doesn't surprise him that it's secret considering how Stryker has always had a penchant for secrecy.
They enter a large concrete room with columns and a large squared glass tub in the center filled with water. Lots of equipment is scattered around it… tubes are attached to long thin drills and a vat that's suspended overhead. It's hot in here and Logan is asked to get undressed. He does so and isn't embarrassed to have the many military men and a few women look at his unclad form. The only thing he leaves on, his new dog tags. Logan notices all the general types and other various military leaders standing in a control room separated high up overlooking this large room.
Stryker soon appears up there with a beautiful blonde woman wearing all white following him closely. Logan has never seen her before and as he studies her curiously, her bright blue eyes are blank as she looks down at him. He wonders who she is and why she is here since she looks so out of place around all these military men. Logan doesn't have time to dwell on it though as a female doctor applies monitoring sensors to his head and chest. She then instructs him to lay down.
"Whatever the reason is that you are doing this… hold on to that… because this pain is going to be like nothing you've ever experienced before." The female doctor says as she gives Logan a sad look. Logan then recalls something Stryker said to him earlier… 'If you really want to beat Victor, you have to become the animal.'
"I can take it." Logan replies as he lays down and is secured by straps to a metal gurney. A breathing mask is placed over his mouth then and he is slowly lowered into the glass tub. Now Logan starts to think of how it reminds him of a coffin. As he waits for the show to start, he can hear Stryker talking to the other military men up in the control room. The water muffles the sound, but is unmistakable none the less.
"Greetings, gentlemen. You are about to witness history as he take this man and coat his bones with a rare metal known as adamantium. It is unbreakable and therefore, will make his bones unbreakable." Stryker starts as he greets his superiors.
"This better be worth it, Colonel Stryker." General Munson says sternly.
"That's what we are about to see… now if you will direct your attention to the subject below…" Stryker says and gestures to Logan in the glass container. He then turns to the control operators and nods his head as he says, "Commence Project Weapon X."
"X?" General Munson then asks curiously.
"X as in the Roman numeral for ten." Stryker replies with a friendly smile to the group of military men. The long thin drills start to whirl and the high pitched electric hum can be heard by all. "Keep a close eye on his vitals." Stryker then says as the drills descend. They enter the water as they heat up to a glowing red and hover barely a half an inch from Logan's body… they shoot forward and pierce his skin. Some even come up from the bottom of the tank and Logan's body jolts from the sudden searing pain. Every bone is penetrated and soon the molten metal is pouring through the tubes and into his bones. This pain makes the drills seem like a pin-prick. It is deep and immediate as the metal flows into the cell structure of his bones… changing them, altering them into something different, something metallic. Logan wants to scream and thrash and escape this torture, but he knows he needs to be stronger to kill Victor and avenge the death of Kayla… his Moon.
"Heart rate has increased to over one hundred and sixty bpms. Blood Pressure is at 212 over 142 and climbing." The female doctor says as she watches the monitor up in the control booth.
"Hang in there, Logan… you can do this." Stryker whispers as he watches Logan intently.
"Shouldn't he be unconscious for this?" Another of the generals asks as they all watch the horrifying process taking place below.
"His unique ability allows him to heal rapidly, so anesthetics won't affect him… hence why he had to volunteer willingly for this procedure." Stryker answers as he continues to eye Logan. The woman in white looks dazed and draws her hands up to her head.
"It hurts… it hurts so much… too much. Kayla. Kayla." She starts to say and Stryker looks at her then moves to comfort her.
"It's alright, Emma. Here. I'll give you something for the pain." Stryker says as he tilts her head forward, brushes her long loose blonde hair away then pulls out a vial with dropper and drops a single liquid drop at the nape of her neck below her hair line. Her nervous jitters subside and she becomes very relaxed.
"Is something wrong with Ms. Frost?" General Munson asks in suspicion.
"Nothing to be concerned about." Stryker says to the gathered men. He then looks at Emma and whispers, "Don't focus on Logan… just focus on these military men and let them see this project going smoothly." Emma's blue eyes look blankly at Stryker then turn to regard the military men in the room. Soon pleased looks and hopeful nods are visible amid their faces. Then suddenly the monitors start beeping as Logan flat-lines and Emma's concentration is broken.
"I thought you said he could survive this?" General Munson says sternly as Stryker looks down at Logan more than a bit perplexed. He then sighs.
"Perhaps it was more than he could take." Stryker says with a sigh and then straightens. "Very well then… collect tissues samples. I want a full mark up of his DNA." Stryker says to one of his medical staff. He then turns to the military men. "Gentleman, fear not, there is another just like Patient X. In fact, they are brothers… if you'll all wait patiently… we can restart the Weapon X program with him."
Logan's heart may not be beating… but that doesn't mean he is dead and the moment he hears those words leave Stryker's mouth, he realizes that he has been played. His submerged body jerks and his fists clench… then his new metal claws slide out with a slow 'shink' sound. The heart monitor starts back up and everyone turns to regard the tub down below.
"Sir… I think he heard you." Agent Zero says as he steps forward drawing his gun. Logan bursts out of the water with a savage primal scream. A bullet takes him in the head and slides against the metal skull underneath. It hits like a fist. The slash heals quickly and Logan turns his rage filled eyes to the cool agent up in the observation booth. Zero then continues to fire. Logan jumps out of the tub and gets hit by gunfire from the response team that started pouring into the large room.
He slashes savagely at them. Cutting through their guns, flesh, and bones like water. His claws hit some of the columns as he runs past. He just wants to get out, so Logan rushes down the corridor. He has the presence of mind to look for exit signs and so follows them. He doesn't recognize this part of the base. He feels he is going higher, then… there is a large blast door just big enough for a squad of soldiers to walk through. Logan tries the handle but it's locked. He screams and slashes with his right hand in a downward diagonal. He then slashes at the same angle from the opposite side of the door with his left hand cutting an 'x' into the door. He then kicks it open and rushes outside.
The sunlight blinds him and he puts his hands up. He notices the glint of his new metal claws. So he stops and stares at his blood covered hands and the shiny claws. The heartache, the pain, the sense of betrayal… it all comes crashing down upon Logan at once, so he screams in agony and rage. He then goes still as he curls in on himself and determination wells up within him. Stryker will pay… but first, Victor and he have a debt to settle. Logan then looks at the edge of the cliff. He is on the mountain and he can see the lake below, so he runs and jumps. The sense of falling seems to last forever and it feels quite freeing… then the water rushes up and he impacts. Pain. Nothing breaks but it does knock the wind out of him for a moment and Logan swims away as soon as he recovers.
Logan runs through the valleys between the mountains for hours until he finds himself out in the rolling foothills. Even though the sun is shining brightly above, though it is starting to dip lower to the mountains, it is a bit cool out… and Logan counters that by moving. He runs and scurries through the forest then out onto the wavy grasses and wildflowers.
The activity keeps him warm and Logan stops near the crest of a hill. That's when he smells it… smoke… from a woodstove. He's downwind maybe ten miles at the most, so Logan hurries and follows his nose.
He stops at a farmhouse with the name 'Hudson' on the mail box after nearly an hour passes and hurries across the gravel road. That's when he hears the engine of a truck and he panics, dashing for the barn hopefully before he is seen… but the truck pulls up to the farm house. Logan's heart hammers away inside his chest. He hides in the barn but focuses his ears on the truck. It shuts off and he hears both doors open and close. Two people.
"I'll go check the barn, Hun. You go inside and get supper started." Sounds the gruff voice of an old man.
"Yes, Dear… and be careful. He looked really scared." The old woman says with sympathy and Logan relaxes somewhat. These people are just simple, kind country folk and have nothing to do with Stryker. Stryker… that manipulative son of a-
"What are you doing here?" The old man says snapping Logan from his thoughts.
"I was cold." Logan replies as he crouches there naked.
"Well, you've got no clothes on." The old man says pointedly. "You're not on drugs are you?" The old man then asks as he gives Logan a curious look. Logan can see the old man holds a rifle under his arm.
"No… nothing like that." Logan replies with a shake of his head.
"Rough night then huh?" The man says and lowers the gun.
"Yeah, you say that." Logan says with a slight huff.
"It's warmer in the house." The old man says with warmth and it surprises Logan. "First though… you better cover up. Don't need ya giving the old lady a heart attack." The old man adds with a smile as he walks up and holds a blanket out to Logan. His weary hazel eyes look at the old man sadly before he accepts the offered piece of cloth.
"Thanks." Logan says and stands. He wraps the blanket around his shoulders and waist making sure he is covered.
"I'm Travis by the way." The old man says as he offers his hand out to the now covered Logan.
"Logan." They shake hands and share a friendly smile before they start walking to the farmhouse.
"You can spend the night if you need to and we can probably find you some better fitting clothes in my son's old things." Travis says as he walks besides Logan.
"You're too kind." Logan then says to the old man.
"It is written in the Letters of Paul that 'We must be all things to all men'." Travis says with a smile and nod of his head. Logan smiles. He knows the Bible well… many have spoken to him about it and he actually sat down and read it once from cover to cover. It all seemed like a bunch of BS to him but there were some good points in it.
"I'm glad you are a follower of 'The Golden Rule'." Logan then says with a smile.
"Yes, 'Do onto others as you would have them do onto you'. It's the best advice to live by if you want to 'Love your neighbor'." Travis says with a nod as they approach the backdoor of the farmhouse.
"Not many people are so loving in this world, Travis… and I'd hate to see someone take advantage of you and your wife, so I'll leave when the sun comes up." Logan then says.
"At least stay long enough for breakfast then." Travis says as he gives Logan a kind look.
"You talked me into it." Logan says with a nod of his head. "Mind if I get a shower?" Logan then asks as Travis opens the door.
"Down the hall, first door on the left." Travis says and leads Logan inside. "First though let me introduce you to my wife…" Travis adds as they enter the kitchen and the elderly woman turns to regard the two men as she prepares supper.
"This is the love of my life, Heather." Travis says as he kisses her on the cheek and she blushes.
"You've always been a sweet talker." She says with a smile and looks at Logan.
"Honey, this is Logan. He's had a hard time so he'll be spending the night with us." Travis then says introducing his wife to the strange man who just ran naked across their lawn not that long ago.
"Ma'ma." Logan says and gently shakes her hand.
"You're welcome under our roof and at our dinner table." Heather then says to Logan. "As long as you wear some clothes of course." She adds with a smile and both men chuckle at that statement.
"I can accept that." Logan says still smiling then excuses himself from the kitchen. He finds the bathroom easily enough and sets the blanket aside. He showers and lets the hot water flow over his muscled form yet it does nothing to relax him. The last twenty-four hours have been the hardest Logan has ever lived through. He sighs deeply then turns the water off. He dries himself and dresses in some new clothes that Travis had placed inside the door while he showered, but he can't help to just stand there before the sink and mirror for a moment longer.
Logan pops his claws out on his right hand and looks at the metal blades. He runs the thumb of his left hand up the bottom edge of one claw. He then traces his index finger along the top edge feeling where the sharp edge blunts closer to his knuckles. He then pops the claws on his left hand and admires both sets. He nods as he thinks about how he'd like to see Victor break these.
Then he clangs the two sets of claws together and the edges rub. Sparks result and Logan is surprised. He brings them together and slides the edges smoothly across each other drawing up more sparks. Logan smiles at this and starts to get bold in making sparks. Then there is a knock on the bathroom door. Logan is taken by surprise so his left hand swings down quickly and slashes at the sink which cuts a corner off instantly. There is little resistance.
"Shit." Logan mutters and reaches for the sink only to slash at the faucet. He takes out one of the knobs and the pipe it is connected to and water starts pouring out. Logan panics and reaches for a towel that is drying on a radiator next to the sink… but he winds up slashing it and the wall as well.
"Are you all right in there?" Comes Travis' voice through the door.
"Yeah. I'll just be another minute." Logan says with a frown.
"Alright, supper is ready." Travis says then Logan can hear him walk away.
"Dammit all." Logan then mumbles grumpily as he retracts his claws and starts to shut the sink's water line off by turning the control knob under it. The spray ceases and Logan sighs as he uses his towel from earlier to mop up the floor.
"I'm sorry." Logan says as he places the loose half of the sink on the kitchen countertop. Travis and Heather give each other a worried look before returning their attention to Logan. "I'll fix it. I swear. I have money to buy a new sink for you and I know how to do repairs around the house."
"It's fine, Logan." Travis says calmly with a small smile to put Logan at ease. The situation has become awkward so Logan sighs as Heather kindly tells him to sit at the table. He seats himself and Heather places an empty plate before him. The woman then starts placing a large bowl of mashed potatoes before Logan, a basket of rolls, another big bowl of green beans, and finally a plate with fried chicken pieces on it. Travis and Heather hold hands… Heather leaves her left hand out for Logan to take. He does so hesitantly and watches them bow their heads as Travis says grace. Logan feels guilty for intruding on their peaceful life in this moment… but he is grateful for what they have done for him.
"Listen, I just wanted to say thanks… for everything." Logan says with a slight smile to the elderly couple as they start to place food upon their plates.
"It just didn't seem right to leave you outside in the cold." Travis says warmly.
"It was the decent thing to do." Heather says with a motherly smile and Logan can't help but smile sadly at her.
"Decent?" He says in a near whisper as a forlorn look fills his hazel eyes.
"What was that?" Heather asks as she turns her eyes to him once more.
"It's just that I don't have much experience with decency." Logan then says and the old couple give him looks of sympathy for his unspoken plight.
"I seen that old chopper you've got out there in the barn." Logan starts to change the mood that has fallen over the table. The light in Travis's eyes sparks anew.
"You're into motorcycles?" Travis asks with a small excited smile.
"Oh Lord, here we go." Heather says with a knowing chuckle as she finishes placing the food on the table.
"My favorite is the '48 Pan Head… I bought one new off the line." Logan says with a grin then realizes too late what he has said.
"I think that's a little before your time, Son." Travis says as he gives Logan a curious look. Logan doesn't say a word about it. They eat for awhile in silence.
"You get a good night's rest." Heather starts with a warm smile.
"Out in the barn. There's nothing out there for you to break." The old man says with a smile.
"Much appreciated." Logan says and they finish eating in silence. After supper, Logan heads out to the barn with Travis. They carry some quilts and a pillow. Travis points out an old cot they have in the back area which Logan dusts off and puts one quilt down then the pillow. The other two are laid at the foot of the bed for Logan to keep warm with and Travis leaves him alone after saying goodnight. Once more Logan is left to his troubled thoughts.
"Where is he?" Stryker asks calmly of the dazed blonde woman. His eyes are hard upon her as his patience is tested. Her bright blues eyes dart about scanning… searching for something not found within the room they stand in.
"I see a barn. An elderly couple. Hudson is on the mailbox. Travis… Travis Hudson and his wife Heather. Logan is in the barn." The blonde says flatly as her eyes focus. She then sees Logan's thoughts… they are of his lost Moon… Kayla. Her eyes mist and tears threaten. Stryker immediately leans her head forward and pulls out a vial with a dropper. He puts a drop on her neck just below her hairline. She instantly calms and becomes emotionless once more.
"Very good, Emma. Very good indeed." Stryker says warmly to the lovely blonde. He then stands and walks away from her to where Agent Zero stands at the ready. "Get that address and kill him… as well as anyone who gets in your way." Stryker then says coldly to the calm Asian man.
"Yes, sir." Agent Zero says simply with a nod of his head and walks off. He is determined to bring this rabid animal down.