Regrouping

Posted on Thu Sep 8th, 2022 @ 10:05am by Charles Xavier & Connor Bruin & Iris Walker & Cameron Hood & Tammy Thompson & Levi Rousseau & Ethan Hale

1,993 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 2: Northern X-Posure
Location: X-Mansion | Ground Floor Parlor
Timeline: August 5th, 1990

The night had been long and restless for Professor Xavier, and the morning had been no less exhausting for the contacts he had made. All in all, his X-Men were under fire. It was the time to pull every string and call in every favor he could. Even so, some things were just as unstoppable as his infamous stepbrother. Official channels would take time, which was the one resource that the X-Men had in short supply. Not when their numbers were dropping like flies.

Rather than gather everyone in the War Room as per most X-Men briefings, the Professor decided to keep everyone comfortable on the ground floor. Many of them were categorically exhausted in body and soul.

"Thank you all for coming," Xavier said to the assembled students. "Before I address the great, white elephant in the room, allow me to just reiterate the honor and respect I hold for each and every one of you. Those sentiments will be put to the test as we aspire toward our most solemn hour. The return of our friends and teammates." Looking around at each of them, he choked back other sentiments that were best left for private. "I am happy to say that part of our plan to bait mutant traffickers was successful. Cyclops and Myfanwy are currently in the traffickers' hands. Unfortunately, the location to which Cerebro tracked them is a closed facility which I cannot penetrate remotely. That means another excursion to rescue them and anyone who may be imprisoned with them, along with ascertaining any incriminating evidence to deliver to the authorities."

In some ways, like the rescue operation which freed Levi from Roxxon's awful experimentation, the mission was old hat. But the stakes were higher than before.

Folding his hands together, Xavier lowered his head for a moment. "I regret to say that Leadfoot and Escapade will not be joining the rescue operation," he said into his lap before looking up to meet everyone's eyes again. "Their team suffered an immense setback which ultimately resulted in Katy losing faith in our cause and abandoning the X-Men, and Bliss suffering a prolonged fugue state. Nurse Farwynd is tending to her now and will see to her comfort until her condition improves." With a wan smile, he said to Tammy and Elias, "I commend Surge and Fable for their courageous actions which brought her home."

Before anyone could speak, Xavier indicated Ethan and Iris. "Should Iris make herself known, some of you will recognize her friendly face. It would seem the blast from last month that rendered her incognito to even Cerebro was not permanent, and she returned to us sometime in the night. We also have a new friend, Ethan, who has accepted my offer of sanctuary from the world. Please welcome them."

Tammy was not her usual self. The sight of what was left of those people in the warehouse had shocked her. It was a horrible sight and a lot for a farm girl from Corrales New Mexico to take in.
"Umm yeah thanks, Professor," she nodded. "Welcome, guys," she said quietly.

Ethan had just started to get comfortable in his new surroundings. His room, the highest one left in the mansion was taking some getting used to. He'd spent most of his life in a cage, he'd never really had a room of his own. In fact, other than the time he'd been on the run, which didn't count because the rooms he'd been able to find, were at best, sketchy, he'd slept in a real bed maybe thirty times in his life.

He was a little embarrassed at being called out and wasn't for the moment going to say much. He unfurled his wings and fought the temptation to start flying.

“I’m here,” added Iris happily, waving at everyone. She was still a bit unsure if she would slip again, but hoped to God and all the other higher powers that she wouldn’t.

For all the heaviness that sat in the air with the Professor's announcements, Levi was truly happy to hear of Iris' return and to actually see her now. It was during his rescue mission that she'd been lost and, though he'd never even met her, he'd naturally carried some guilt about that. He was also pleased that Ethan showed up to the meeting. He didn't allow his smile to grow too obvious though, there were too many new problems to figure out.

"I-RIS!" Connor had a rare moment of verbal speech that precipitated a front handspring over the coffee table where he had been seated and onto the spot of floor right in front of her. His hands came up in the signs for, "I did not see you."

Iris had no idea what he had just signed. She was going to have to learn sign language, it appeared. So, she took her best guess. “I missed you, too, Connor,” she said. “But we can talk later. Right now, let’s listen.”

The shrug that Connor gave Iris expressed utter confusion at the suggestion. Wasn't listening what they were already doing? Isn't that why they were gathered together? He let out a nonverbal groan and looked back at the Professor.

For his part, Professor Xavier chuckled at the exuberant outburst. "I think Connor speaks for all of us in our joy to see a friend return to us." His smile faltered ever so much. "My hope is for the safe return for all who are missing from our home here. I am delighted that Ethan has offered to provide such help as he is able. What I have to share next, though, is a game-changer for many of you. We have gone against criminal organizations and corporations before, as well as corrupt government officials who initiated illegal operations under the color of law, but never before have I seen something of this magnitude with the apparent blessing of its government."

Rather than continue any incriminating information aloud, the Professor lowered his head and broadcast the next revelation with his thoughts into the minds of everyone present.

~As it turns out, the Canadian government has a clandestine agency known only as Department H to which has been given official sanction to utilize mutants in any way deemed necessary to advance national interests. This is different from the Federal Council on Mutant Activities and its successor Mutant Response Division within the United States because those organizations had to at least arrest mutants on suspicion of wrongdoing. This Department H appears to be the buyer for the Maggia's mutant trafficking operations. It is very likely that every mutant who has disappeared in North America in the past few months has been a victim of this operation~

Images of the original First Class of X-Men were projected. Beast. Iceman. Jean Grey. Angel. Havok. Polaris. Even Cyclops who had only recently been taken along with Myfanwy as part of the plan to root out the perpetrators.

~This is the first solid lead I have had since the awful day of my first class's disappearance. It is my fervent hope that we blow this operation wide open. Unfortunately, my contacts with the State Department and the FBI are not so hopeful. It could take weeks for federal commissions to invoke extradition treaties and execute search warrants on behalf of the captive mutants. In that time, Department H will simply vacate the premises and relocate to a new base of operations. We must make our move now while we know where they are or there is no telling what may happen to the captive mutants~

Raising his head, the Professor took a breath and allowed everyone a moment to process the psychic info dump he had laid on them.

"Does everyone understand the situation?"

Nose wrinkled in disgust, Iris nodded, then remembered that once people weren’t paying attention to her, she became invisible again. “I understand,” she offered quietly. The fact that any government would encourage slavery was absolutely repulsive. She was all for blowing up Department H headquarters at once, but she supposed that would not only kill all the mutants in their possession but also sour the world against mutants. Still, it might almost be worth the latter, but definitely not the former.

Connor scowled, grunted, stamped his foot, and thumped his chest twice. This was wrong on multiple levels but he would sort that out later. He knew the Professor was right--now was the time for action.

"This is disturbing news, Prof." Tammy shook her head. "I'll never understand why people hate us and hunt us. I mean I'm still Tammy Dolly Thompson. Same girl who grew up in Corrales, New Mexico. Not that people like this Department H care. I admit I was pretty shaken up by what Bliss did but this really makes me mad! Scott can be a real jerk sometimes but he's still one of us! Same with Myfanwy! She's one of us and the Canadians can't have her! She is one of the families here and we won't let her be taken!"

"This isn't only about Myfanwy and Cyclops. We don't know how many other mutants are in there." Cameron had stood behind the Professor's chair but now took a step forward to be next to their leader. "We're getting all of them out of there. But that isn't our only objective. We need intelligence on Department H. Where are their other holding facilities, not just here but in Canada too? Who did they take? Who do they employ? Every bit of information we can grab during this raid will help us with the next raid. It can also help our Government allies in the... more legal fights."

As dire as the situation was, the Professor was pleased to hear that everyone had a solid grasp of the situation. "What compounds the situation is that Magneto is active in the area. It is possible that he is planning some sort of attack. Whatever his intentions, he clearly does not want any X-Men presence. That means the Blackbird cannot get near enough for him to detect it electromagnetically or we will find ourselves pinned between two battlefronts. Stealth and discretion will win us the day, and unfortunately, that may require a long hike."

Ethan let out a long and stood a little straighter. Slowly, subconsciously, He extended his talons. "I think we understand what's going on Professor," he said in an angry tone, a tone not aimed at Xavier or any of his new companions, but at the outside world. It shouldn't be surprising. But, we can't just let it happen."

"I'm ready to go take them on. And bring our people back."

Levi's eyes settled on Ethan, a new friend he had only just met a day or so previous. He knew more of Ethan's backstory than most of the team and so it was in that context that he clarified, "They've already proven they are capable of capturing one or two mutants at a time. We have to strike together. We have to have a solid plan, as a team." He shrugged and added almost under his breath, "Just don't ask me what that is...."

"Thanks to our efforts, misguided though some of them were, at least two channels in their trafficking system have been taken down," the Professor said, choosing his words carefully. He did not condone the wanton violence performed by two of his students, but neither did he want to withdraw his support for them when in the field. "The Nefaria crime family and the Purple Man won't be kidnapping anybody after today. To the matter of strategy, allow me time to consider our options. Be ready to mobilize by tomorrow." Try as he might, he could not muster a smile, so he kept his face stoic while nodding. "That will be all. Go and try to enjoy yourselves until then."

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