Chapter 34

The Longest Haul

Part 4

Disclaimer: Random twinges of pain in your mouth is not pleasant.

A Long While Later

The sight of the convoy as it finally made its way into Eureka, Oregon was an interesting sight to behold thanks to how wrecked all the vehicles looked thanks in part to the attacks it'd dealt with during the trip to get there. Three of which included three separate attempts by Cobra in an effort to steal Dr. Epper's device and showing that they did have some brains after all. Naturally, each attack had failed and Todd would definitely be on KP Duty once they got back to the Pit for practically jinxing them with that bet of his! "Well, nice of you all to finally get here." Declared current Director of Eureka's Global Dynamics company, Warren King, as the convoy reached the loading docks of the company in the back.

"Warren." Reprimanded a dark skinned woman by the name of Allison Blake, the current Department of Defense Liaison between the DOD and Eureka.

He scowled at her, not liking that but also not saying anything as it wouldn't do him any good. That, and there was company in front of them. Company that was also scowling at them as a dark skinned figure in a brown auto mechanics outfit showed up. "Well, looks like you guys certainly had quite the journey to get here."

This man is Henry Deacon, who is essentially a Jack of All Trades in Eureka. "Here's to hoping next time we can actually make use of teleportation to avoid trips like this." Eden said as he climbed out of the truck.

"According to the Treaty, all forms of teleportation is banned!" Squeaked out a mousy looking young man by the name of Douglas Fargo.

This made the new arrivals look at one another. "News to us but no need to put up a fuss as I doubt that included Mutant Powers." Roadblock told him.

Not seeing the need to mention the Mass Device and not even allowed to do so to begin with as it is. "Well… No, I guess not." Doug told him.

His eyes then widened at the sight of Xi. "Holy Frak!"

He wasn't the only one surprised as Warren, Allison, and even Henry were surprised at the sight of the lab created Mutant. Sure, seeing him on television thanks to the Battle of Northbrook and its aftermath was one thing but in person? Definitely another thing entirely! "Doug, why don't you take the kids to Vincent's as I'm sure they're hungry while we and the Joes get Dr. Epper and her device to a lab?" Suggested Allison.

"Are you sure this is wise? My appearance may startle those living here." Xi told her concernedly.

"It might but if anything, they'll be more curious than anything else given the nature of this town."

"Can… Can I stick around? The fact I'm in what's practically a Heaven for Geniuses has me seriously happy!" Arcade asked and Allison looked towards Warren.

Who sighed unhappily but gave the okay. "Fine, but don't go where you aren't supposed too. And don't touch anything!"

Arcade practically let out a happy squeak as the others grinned in amusement. "Pity Beast and Forge couldn't be here, they'd probably be just as happy." Lance remarked.

"My sisters too." Althea added seconds later with a small shudder.

One that the Eureka residents even shared since the stories of Trinity were known even to them! "I think we can all agree that those three not being here is a good thing." Warren told her with a pale face.

A Little Bit Later

The fact that the Misfits hadn't had to deal with much in the way of persecution because most of them aside from Sarah since Arcade was back at GD were Mutants was rather nice. Sure, there was the curious looks and mutterings but aside from that, the place had proven to be decent so far. Vincent, the man who runs the best diner in town was practically besides himself thanks to Fred's challenging appetite. "This is the best day ever!" Squealed the man as it wasn't often he was challenged by those in the town where his cooking talents and his incredibly spacious freezer was concerned.

"Never thought I'd hear something like that in my life, yo." Remarked Todd in surprise.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later though." Althea told him.

"So the Treaty of the ban on Teleportation, Miniaturization, and Invisibility was created after 9/11?" Asked Eden to Fargo from nearby.

"Oh yeah, done that way since they thought it was for the best since no one wants another situation like that happening."

"Makes sense." Murmured Xi with a frown on his face.

"Obviously there was no way to foresee Mutant powers into the mix where that treaty's concerned."

Fargo nodded. "Which means we obviously can't do any research into replicating your powers."

Sarah, from her spot, spoke up. "Probably for the best in the long run."

As no telling who would try to take that advantage of that to cause problems!

A Short Time Later

"Well, its that time for us to get home, but we thank you for letting us have some respite in yours." Roadblock told Allison and the others a little while later.

The DOD Liaison smiled at him and the others. "I wouldn't mind learning more from Henry to be honest." Lance spoke up from his jeep.

Which that, along with the other vehicles had been fixed up as best they could be at Henry's garage. A place Lance and Betsy had spent most of their time at while the others had been at Vince's or elsewhere in town exploring after previously having signed some NDAs. Henry chuckled at the enthusiasm from the younger man. "I certainly wouldn't have an issue with that as its always great to meet and shape minds like yours."

"I know I can't wait to try some of Vince's recipes back home!" Declared Fred happily as Vince himself bounced a bit in his own happiness.

He and Vince were officially best friends at that point and had exchanged contact information so that they could keep in touch for a variety of reasons. Everyone's attention was soon drawn to Eden as he stepped past the barrier that surrounded the town and opened a portal up back to the Pit. Done so since no one was sure how his powers and the barrier would interact with one another. "Whoa!" Came the sole response from Kevin Blake, Allison Blake's Autistic son.

Surprising her in the process as it was rare to hear her son speak! "That is definitely AWESOME!" Fargo said in awe while Warren said nothing.

Though inside he was practically going nuts over the whole thing! Seconds later the convoy was on its way through the portal and soon after that, the portal closed with their return to the Pit. "Well… Back to work everyone." Decided Warren shortly after that.

Allison rolled her eyes and wondered to herself on how difficult it would be to get approval for the Joes and the Misfits to have regular access to Eureka given the Mutant status of some of them. Of course, as long as the X-Men were kept away, the penchant for chaos and fighting would likely be lessened and that might make getting the approval more of a likely thing since it was well known by this point how the two teams could get at times. The fact those kids had been willing to hang around with Kevin despite his condition had definitely gotten them on her good side. I will definitely be trying.

Webber Torque himself also had a great amount of potential that could be molded there in Eureka and it'd be a crime to let that go to waste!

Author's Notes: And that concludes this story arc!