CHAPTER 3:

CHOOSE ME; PICK ME

Concealed in the darkness of the night, a cutting-edge creation of Forge and Hank, designed for crucial missions, floated above a cargo ship. Knowing the mission's urgency, Bishop positioned himself at the rear of the silent, platinum helicopter, a feature tailored for mutants with metal manipulation abilities.

A 3-D model of the cargo ship, a crucial part of the team's meticulous preparation, was projected on the screen as they made their final adjustments to the X-uniform. Forge and Hank, in their commitment to individuality, had yet to finalize the unique uniforms. Respecting the students' input, Storm aimed to capture their distinct personalities.

"Allow me to outline the mission parameters," Bishop began, his tone reflecting the gravity of the situation as he comprehensively explained the dire circumstances.

"As of 1500 hours, we received a distress beacon from an unmarked cargo ship getting underway from Morehead City, North Carolina." Steven leaned into his chair, the urgency of the situation palpable. He reached for a folder handed to him by a SHIELD agent, his steel blue eyes not once looking away from Ororo. "The beacon went dead a few hours ago."

Ororo moved the conversation from her computer to the TV on the wall near the window, designed to help her wind down from teaching. Emma pulled up a chair beside her.

"I don't understand what this has to do with the X-Men," Ororo stated plainly.

Steve nodded his head, "Yes, intel suggests there are mutants on that ship. Some illegal refugees are running from their home country."

America isn't the safest place for mutants, but it's better than most.

"They're being transported to Canada. A base a day outside of Alberta."

Alberta.

The home place of her dearest husband. Both in birth and becoming the Wolverine.

"Are we suggesting, Captain," Emma hummed into the conversation, "Weapon X is behind the kidnapping?"

Weapon X is a sub-organization under HYDRA. A military force believes war is freedom. People can't know what's wrong or right, and therefore, HYDRA decides for them. Weapon X's primary mission is to create stronger soldiers to help change history in their favor. Examples are Wolverine, Sabertooth, and X-23, who later went to enslaved person away for HYDRA.

Steve rubbed his eyes, sighing deeper into his chair. She heard it cry for help. "Yes, I fear this has Weapon X written all over it. I hoped Logan would accompany this meeting to help us stop them."

"The short stack is currently on a walkabout. We don't know his exact location. But my question," Emma said.

Ororo bit her tongue, nervous for the blunt question to which Emma already knew the answer.

"Why are you asking us to take on this request? Isn't it the sole mission of Captain America to take on HYRDA?"

Steve blinked in disbelief. "It is one of many."

"Then why us? Why now? After you have done nothing to aid us in the war against humanity?"

Ororo had to agree. The Avengers were nowhere to be found. They can blame the registration act on all heroes, but they all know what the world was doing was wrong. Spiderman and the Fantastic Four were the only ones to lend a hand once in a while. Wouldn't the optics of mutants change if the world saw Captain America, Iron Man, and Captain Marvel reach down from their thrones in heaven to lend mutandom a helping hand? But they chose to stay hidden, away from lowly peasants. Well, that's how Emma sees it.

"Because you all are experts—heroes in their eyes—you can do more for them than I can."

He's right.

"Very well, I am assuming you have the coordinates?"

He nods, "It has been sent to Dr. McCoy. The cargo ship is slowly moving up toward the Canadian border. Once it hits, it will no longer be in the US jurisdiction."

Ororo nodded and went to end the call, not before he said, "I am glad you all are back in action. The world needs the X-Men."

She smiled politely in response before hanging up.

Emma rolled her eyes, "That man is annoying."

Ororo snickered, "Have Bishop prep the team."

"No instructors?"

She shook her head, "No. I want to see how the children who want to lead work together in the field without interference."

"Are you going to give them the no-killing speech?"

"No."

SOUNDTRACK: Battle for the Hill of the Ash-Trevor Morris

"The mutants are caged aft of the ship," Bishop enhances the ship, pointing at the hull far aft. "Above deck, there are about 20 mercenaries. And another 20 on the third deck where the mutants are held." He points toward the ship's sides, "Two of you need to take out the mercs on the top deck to give the others room to land safely without any hiccups." The visual aid of the ship went away as he focused on each of his students, "you need four people to stand watch outside, four to go after the hostages, and 2 to cut off the engines before the ship crosses into Canadian waters." He paused, "any questions before you deploy?"

Jason stepped forward, "Yeah, who's in charge?"

Alex, in the cockpit, smirked toward Bishop. "Figure it out amongst yourselves."

Ruby, throwing on her white cloak, Her mother suggesting the design to offset the all-black, rolled her eyes.

"Can you choose? We don't have time to argue right now."

It didn't matter. An argument broke out. Bishop checked his watch while Alex pulled out a book he meant to read.

Lyla spoke above the cursing and yelling, trying to restore some order. "Ruby and Leo will descend first to take out the mercs up top. Those staying on the main deck, Megan, to keep telepathic communication. Jethro, because of your flight. Pavel and Leo. Hostages, Mali, Jason, Ruby. And Noriko."

"Umm…my powers aren't good below deck," Noriko stated obviously.

Lyla rolled her eyes with a huff. " Fine, Pavel, and you will switch. Nephew and I got the engine room. Just wait for us to be in position before your assault to find the hostages," she said to Mali.

Malakai nodded.

Lyla'a powers matched Jethro's wings, "Any questions?"

No one objected.

Megan sighed and said through everyone's mind, "We all linked up?"

"Just so you know, Colossus (Pavel) and I aren't goin' to communicate with you all due to our powers, so…"

"Good thing you will be with someone with the link," Lyla sarcastically muttered.

LEO:

Ruby's fascinating.

I thought it would sink when her body turned into its ruby-red organic form. But who was I to doubt my sister? Ruby moved through the water without issues, except maybe the cape her mother forced her to wear. She reached the aft end of the ship before me.

Now, for the tricky part: how on earth will we get on board?

Megan, reading my mind, levitated abroad. Ruby went portside, and I starboard.

The high masts of the ship kept us hidden in the shadows. Ruby gave me a competitive smile and took off. Not backing down from a challenge, I took off. With the muscle mass building in my body and the speed meshing into the tissues of my legs, I surprised the mercenaries. The forces sent them into the water or an awkward position, causing them to break a few bones. One guy broke his neck.

Oops, but they didn't say no to killing.

Before making it to the focsle (forward), a knife lurched me forward. How exciting it is to get to go toe-to-toe with someone tonight. A grin formed on my lips as I slowly turned to greet my attacker.

Fear formed on his face. He began to slowly back away. Too late, I was faster. I ripped the knife from my back and launched with so much force it lodged itself into his skull. He fell onto his back, lifeless—poor guy.

When I made it forward, The others were already landing in their respective spots. Jethro stayed in the air while Pavel stayed forward with Megan, so he knew what was happening.

I gave my sister a slight nod before she and Ruby ran off together to find the engine rooms.

LYLA'S POV:

"So, why do you and Winters hate each other?"

For someone who doesn't know how to shut up, we passed through the mercenaries quickly. They aren't hard to kill or take out. Ruby flicked a finger, and the guard dropped to the floor. But, we're on a timetable, and her constant yappin' began to get under my skin. If I indulge her, maybe she will shut the fuck up.

"Why?"

"She and Skylar try to kill you every chance they get." She said plainly.

She stepped before me to open the door. Her organic ruby body protected me, which fascinated me. My science brain ogled her skin. I snapped myself out of the daze and pressed past her.

My relationship with the Winters and McCade's is…complicated. Years long of receipts. We were kids thinking we were like our parents. Thinking we knew how to play the game of life ruined us. War tends to destroy families.

I didn't answer her right away as we entered a metal room. The engine room. Enginemen roamed around their equipment under our feet while guards with guns roamed the top floor. Rolling my neck in excitement, I tell Ruby to go and check the other two engines aft. She glanced at me, wanting to stay, but I think she understood where my mindset was. It's been too long since I let loose, and our higher-ups said nothing against killing.

Once she was out of sight, I grabbed a wrench on the floor beside me. Not safe. And I swung on the nearest guard. His teeth and some blood blinded the man beside him. Unable to see, he fell over the railing awkwardly, snapping his neck.

I didn't get to watch my work with a smile, for guards rushed me. Dipping to a knee, my boot cracked against someone's shin. They feel on their chin, shattering a jaw. Teeth spilling along the deck. Indisposed, I grabbed the pistol on his hip and began to shoot all the targets staring back at me. Blood stained my boots, annoyingly, but I jumped the rail to meet with the workers. The muzzle of the gun pointed at the skull of an engineer, "Turn off the engine, or I blow your brains out. Your choice."

Shaking, the engineman did as I asked. I grinned, then sighed, "Thank you." He returned my smile when I put a bullet in his head. The engineers huddled together on their knees, begging for me to spare their lives. The gun pointed toward them. I pulled the trigger and then laughed.

"Looks like you're all safe."

I sobered, "But if I find out you tell anyone about this and continue to work for Weapon X, I will hunt you down myself." My eyes studied each of them. "Do we understand one another?"

They nodded wildly.

Perfect.

I returned to the main hall, where Ruby leaned against the wall. Her wide smile made me roll my eyes. "So," she sang, "Why do Malakai and Skylar want to kill you so much?"

"Killed their sister." I shrug, "And Rosie worked for me."

In step behind me, Ruby asked, "During or after?"

"During."

She went to ask another question when I turned around. Our lips nearly met: "Are you done, or will we continue playing 20 questions?"

Ruby didn't say a word after.

Thanking God mentally, I tell Megan, "Engines are off."

"Copy."

OLIVER POV:

I am not a petty thief like my father. And yet, I am on this team because everyone assumes he trained me like him. He did. That's not the point. I am not my father. He betrayed my family. My mother, working for sinister. And no one bats an eye. Why? Because he was the great Gambit? Yeah, I am not proud of him like Rebecca is.

I crouch in front of the door leading to the prisoners. It has a simple key lock, which is easy to pick. As I pat myself down, I realize I don't have it. Again, I don't want to be a thief like my father. I kept it at home because I didn't think I needed it. Yet, here we are. I squatted in front of the lock, and everyone waited for me.

"Is there a problem?" Malakai said from behind me.

Norkio huffed behind me, "Are you truly Gambit's son."

I snapped, looking over my shoulder, "No! Rebecca was his favorite."

Malakai shoved me out of the way and removed a pick-lock tool kit. She said nothing, probably in no mood to argue, which is fine; we don't have the time.

Jason came from my right, ready to push the door with his shoulder.

Malakai removed the pistol strapped to her thigh, pointing it at the door. With a quick nod, Jason slammed open the door, and she was inside. Her frame disappeared in the darkroom. Jason squeezed in behind her. She was leaving Noriko outside as looks out. Looks like I am to play negotiator.

"Good evening, everyone; I am here on behalf of the X-Men. We are here to help you out of here. If you stay patient, we will do just that." One by one, I moved through the crowd of scared mutants and removed their restraints. Jason moved from his position along the wall to help while Mali joined Noriko, letting Megan know we were on our way.

The mental conversation distracted me when a familiar voice—one I thought was dead—said, "If it isn't, baby Gambit."

My crimson-on-black eyes found Greycrow, one of Sinister's lackeys, staring back at me. A smug smile tugged at the corner of his lips. His native pressed hair wasn't there. Instead, it was gone. Buzzed. His pornstache–shaved—a shell of the horrific man. And my father called him a friend. Disgusting.

"No sister," He clucked his tongue in thought, "what was her name again? Rebecca?"

"Careful," I warn.

Restraints free, he rubbed his chaffed wrists, "Thank you."

I stared at him when Malakai said, "Oliver, take the rear. Chaos," an idiotic name, in my opinion, for Jason. I will stay in the middle with Surge. I have the front." Her dark blue eyes narrowed on the mutants, "Single file."

Before I moved to the back, Greycrow whispered in my ear, "Your parents ain't dead, kid. Rogue and Gambit. Yeah, they're out in Flordia living their best lives."

I know he's lying.

But why does my gut tell me otherwise?

Are Rogue and Gambit alive?