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- NIGHTCRAWLER
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- DOMINO
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- HAVOK
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- MOONSTAR
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- WOLVERINE
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- SCANNER
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- BISHOP
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- ECSTASY
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- SKIN
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- DEATHBIRD
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- DAZZLER
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- PHOENIX
CRADLE ROBBING
Part I: A Friend in Need
By Dino Pollard
Xavier Institute; The Danger Room
Her name is Stacy (or Ecstacy, which is the codename she has chosen for herself). Her uniform consists of leather pants and a leather jacket with a large, yellow X overlapping the front. The jacket is unzipped, revealing a leather bikini top underneath. Her skin can only be described as the skin of a snake. She is one of the newest recruits to the X-Men, formerly serving the Theatre of Pain as a slave.
She somersaults across the technologically advanced Danger Room, avoiding the energy blasts from the gun turrets attached to the walls. Unlike some of her fellow teammates, her mutant abilities are useless in a scenario like this. Ecstacy’s powers are hormonal based. Her skin secretes a phermone that allows her to elicit whatever chemical response in the human body that she desires.
Makes for an interesting party trick, but not much use against automated gun turrets.
For that reason, Stacy relies on physical prowess. She glances around the room and observes the turrets. She runs towards one of them, and the turrets rotate to try and follow her.
Above in the control booth sits three people. Kurt Wagner, also called Nightcrawler, and the woman called Domino – the two who currently share the leadership position of the X-Men’s field squad. Sitting in one of the chairs before the console is Jean Grey-Summers, Phoenix. Former headmistress of the Xavier Institute.
“Ten bucks says she screws up,” says Domino.
“Your abundance of faith in our new recruits is simply mind-boggling, fraulein,” retorts Kurt with a slight grin that displays his white fangs. A stark contrast to the indigo-blue color of the fine layer of fur which covers his body.
“I dunno…” says Domino.
“Relax, Domino,” says Jean. “You can rest assured that your feelings about Stacy’s motives aren’t accurate. She has no ulterior motives.”
“…You know I hate it when you do that, right?” asks Domino.
“Read your mind?” asks Jean.
“Do you have to ask?”
“No,” replies Jean. “And I wasn’t intentionally reading your mind, sometimes I just pick up stray thoughts. Being a telepath makes it hard to have any private time.”
“Dom?” says Kurt.
“What is it?”
“You might want to reconsider that bet…”
Domino and Jean turn their attention to the Danger Room. The gun turret continues to follow Stacy, as she runs by another one. She leaps in front of it, and a stray blast destroys one of the turrets. She repeats the process for the other turrets, until each of them is destroyed.
Domino looks at Kurt, who has a wide grin plastered to his face.
“So she got lucky,” says Domino. “Let’s see if she’s able to maintain her cool like that in the field.”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem…” says Jean, looking at one of the computer monitors.
“Why’s that?” asks Domino.
“Stacy’s vitals are all completely normal,” replies Jean. “Her pulse wasn’t even racing.”
“How’s that possible?” asks Kurt.
“I’ll have to consult Hank to be positive, but I think that Stacy’s powers allow her to control her own hormones to the point where she can remain at a level-headed state. So not only can she control chemical reactions in the bodies of others, but she can do it in her own body as well. If she wanted, she could generate a constant adrenaline boost in her body that could keep her going for hours.”
“Sounds like she’d be fun in bed,” says Domino. Kurt and Jean both look at her with surprise in their eyes. “What? Don’t tell me I was the only one thinking that.”
Alex Summers sits on a couch in the Institute’s lounge, aiming the remote control at the television set and flipping past the various channels. Another young mutant, the former Acolyte Scanner, sits at the other end of the couch. Perched in a reclining chair is Angelo Espinosa, the former student known as Skin.
“I don’t believe this…” he mutters. “Not only do we have premium satellite hookup, but we also get television stations from other galaxies and universes… and there’s still not a damn thing on…”
“Hey, go back man,” says Skin. “Super Friends.”
Scanner rolls her eyes slightly.
“Please tell me you’re joking…”
“What’s wrong with Super Friends?” asks Skin.
“What’s right with it?” asks Alex.
“…I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that,” replies Skin.
A loud doorbell rings throughout the halls of the mansion.
“Dammit… I just got comfortable…” mutters Alex. “Scanner, you mind?”
“Sorry Alex, I’m non-corporeal in my bio-electric form.”
“Angelo?”
The sound of snoring was the only response Alex received from the young Latino mutant.
“Fine… I’ll go,” he says. He gets off the couch with a sigh. Once he leaves the room, Angelo opens one eye.
“He gone yet?”
“Yeah,” replies Scanner. “Man are you lazy.”
“I didn’t see you jumpin’ to get the door, either,” says Skin.
“Whatever,” says Scanner.
“Hey…”
“Yeah?”
“What’s ‘non-corporeal’ mean?”
Scanner sighs and extends her legs across the couch.
Alex approaches the front door of the mansion and opens it.
“Yeah?” he asks, a bit agitated at having to move during his day to lay about. His demeanor quickly changes once he sees who is at the door.
“Alex?” asks the woman in the doorway. She is a very attractive young woman, with blue eyes and long, strawberry blonde hair that extends just a little past her shoulders.
“Ali!” he exclaims. He throws his arms around her instantly. “Wow, this is a surprise! Come on in, how are you?”
“Not too good,” replies Alison Blaire, the former Dazzler. “That’s actually why I’m here.”
“What’s going on?” asks Alex.
“It seems so… odd being back here.”
Those were words spoken by Bishop. He was a peace-keeping officer of sorts in the future, and came here to pursue some escaped criminals. He was stranded in this era and joined the X-Men. Until recently, he was lost in space.
“Imagine it’s nice being home.”
That statement comes from the mouth of Logan, also called Wolverine. Without a doubt, currently the oldest occupant of the Xavier Institute. Possibly over a century old, possibly older. And his age is beginning to show.
He’s dying. He knows it, and he’s made peace with himself.
“In a way it is,” says Bishop. “Yet this place doesn’t necessarily feel like home to me.”
“Why’s that?” asks Logan.
“I’ve always felt slightly out of place,” replies Bishop. “And with what you’ve told me of the recent changes around here, I wonder how well I will fit into the grand scheme.”
“Thing I’m interested in is Deathbird,” says Logan. “Seems like the two of you are pretty cozy.”
“She is… intriguing,” says Bishop. “To say the least.”
“She tried to kill us,” says Logan.
“So did I, if you recall,” says Bishop. “The X-Men have always been about redemption.”
“Times are different, Bish, the rules have changed,” replies Logan. “The team has changed to adapt to those rules, an’ it seems like these ex-villains we’re takin’ in are changing our ways, not the other way around.”
“You don’t know Deathbird like I do, Logan,” says Bishop. “She’s not the same woman you used to know. She has cha-”
“Absolutely NOT!”
A nearby door opens, and out from it storms an agitated Deathbird, with Danielle Moonstar standing behind her. In Deathbird’s hand, she holds a leather jacket with the giant, overlapping yellow X. She throws it on the ground at Bishop’s feet.
“Look at it,” she says. “Just look at it!”
“It’s the new uniform dress, Deathbird,” says Bishop.
“I am not simply some soldier!” exclaims Deathbird. “I should be draped in a garb worthy of my royalty! I am the Viceroy of the Shi’ar Empire, and I demand to be treated with the respect I rightfully deserve!”
“Shut up,” says Logan.
“I beg your pardon, terran?”
“Ya heard me,” replies Logan. “The only reason we haven’t shipped yer ass back to Lil is because Bishop vouched for you. It’s not because you demanded to stay with the X-Men, it’s because o’ this man. But even Bishop’s word can only go so far, and unless you change yer attitude, I’ll make sure Lilandra has a transport here within a matter of days. You’re part of a unit, birdy, so it’s best you get with the program.”
“How dare you…” says Deathbird.
“Don’t push yer luck, kid,” says Logan. “Be glad I’m in a good mood today. You’re part of this team, so that means you wear a uniform, got it?”
“I’ll work with Deathbird to try and find an acceptable alternative,” says Danielle.
“It works for me,” says Logan. “You okay with that, yer majesty?”
“Just peachy…” mutters Deathbird.
“Good to hear,” says Logan.
Deathbird walks back into the room with Danielle, and Logan turns his attention back to Bishop.
“You were saying, bub?”
Alison Blaire sits on a couch in the lounge, with Jean sitting by her side. Alex, Kurt, Domino, Scanner, Stacy, and Skin are also sitting nearby. They watch as Alison holds a cup of coffee between her fingers, a cup that begins to shake slightly. Jean reaches out with her telekinesis to steady the cup.
“Thanks,” says Alison, feeling the sudden invisible grip on the cup.
“What happened?” asks Jean.
“You’re the psychic,” replies Alison. “You tell me.”
“I’d rather hear it from you,” says Jean.
“It’s Becca…” says Alison.
“Who’s Becca?” asks Stacy.
“Her daughter,” replies Jean. “Go on, Alison.”
“She’s been kidnapped,” says Alison.
“By who?” asks Alex.
“I wish I knew,” says Alison. “But I haven’t the first clue. We had moved to Pasadena, and that day, I left Becca with a babysitter while I went to speak with a record producer my agent had told me to contact. When I came back, I found the sitter dead, and Becca was gone.”
“My God…” mutters Jean.
“They only took Becca, though,” says Alison. “Jewelery, money, the television, everything was still there. They just wanted Becca. How could they have known about her, though? Aside from the sitter and you guys, no one even knew I had a child. They came for my baby, Jean.”
“We’ll help you get her back,” says Alex as he stands from her seat. “Jean, I know this isn’t our usual job, but we’ve gotta help.”
“I agree,” says Jean. “Kurt? Domino?”
“I’m fielding this one, Fuzzy,” replies Domino. “I’ve got a feeling there’s more to this than just a simple kidnapping.”
“I’m in, too,” says Alex.
“Don’t think your powers are really suited for this kind of op,” says Domino.
“Ask me if I care,” replies Alex. “I’m not sitting on the sidelines when a friend needs my help.”
“Fair enough,” says Domino. “Stacy, it’s time you saw some action, so get ready. That goes for you too, Scanner.”
“Fine with me,” says Stacy.
“Moonstar’s powers will be really helpful, too,” says Domino. “And so will Wolverine’s senses.”
“I’m coming,” says Alison.
“Listen, I understand this is personal,” says Domino. “Let us handle the investigation, and you’ll stay here.”
“The hell I will,” says Alison. “They took my daughter, lady. I’m going after those bastards.”
Domino notices the look in Alison’s eyes, the look of a angry mother protecting her child. And Domino knows that a woman with that look in her eye is extremely dangerous.
“Fine,” says Domino. “Jean, could you let Wolverine and Moonstar know the situation?”
“They’ve been mentally linked to this conversation the moment you mentioned their names,” replies Jean.
“Okay then…” says Domino. “Everyone suit up, we’ve got a kid to save.”
Pasadena, CA; Alison Blaire’s apartment
Wolverine leans close to the ground, taking a couple light sniffs.
“This is where the sitter died,” he says. “I can still smell the blood.”
He stands up and begins walking through the apartment. He finds his way to the baby’s room, and looks at the crib. His eyes look around the room, and then he walks back to the living room, where the other X-Men stand.
“What’s the verdict?” asks Havok.
“There were other people in here, but I can’t zero in on a single scent,” replies Wolverine. “They might’ve been wearing sterile suits of some sort.”
“Take a look at this,” says Domino. Wolverine walks over to her position by the front entrance. “There’s been no damage done to the door. The lock is in perfect condition, so they didn’t break in. Which means either the sitter let them in, or they got in another way.”
“All the windows are locked and undamaged,” says Ecstacy.
“Was everything the way you left it when you came back?” asks Domino.
“Yeah,” replies Dazzler. “The windows were locked, and everything was in order. Didn’t even look like there was a struggle.”
“Moonstar,” says Domino. “Do your thing.”
Moonstar closes her eyes and concentrates. Images begin to form before the X-Men, and one of the forms is that of young Rebecca Blaire’s babysitter. A young woman, home from college and helping with a small job. The X-Men watch as the image plays out. The sitter sits on a chair, reading a book, when three masked figures materialize out of thin air. The sitter is shocked and stands, but before she can do anything, one of them places a bullet in her head. Moonstar flinches as this happens, and then, the image fades.
Moonstar begins to fall to the ground. Havok catches her before she hits, and Domino looks at her.
“You okay?”
“Yeah…” replies Moonstar, her hand gripping her head. “When I make the moment of a person’s death tangible, I feel what they feel. One of the drawbacks to my powers.”
“Okay people, let’s hear some thoughts,” says Domino.
“They just appeared out of nowhere,” says Scanner.
“Seemed like they were in uniform,” says Dazzler.
“So that means that they were probably foot soldiers,” says Domino. “And the way they materialized suggests teleporters, which means their bosses have access to some serious tech.”
“What do you make of it?” asks Havok.
“Some sort of black ops unit,” replies Domino. “I don’t want to go as far as to say they’re government, but I don’t want to rule out that possibility, either.”
“There is far more to this than you realize.”
The X-Men all jump to defensive positions at the sound of a voice alien to them.
“Show yourself,” orders Domino, holding a gun in her hand.
“As you wish.”
A man dressed from head to toe in white, complete with a trench coat, steps out of the shadows. His hands are raised as well.
“Where’s my baby?” asks Dazzler, her fingers beginning to build with light energy.
“I don’t know,” replies the man. “In fact, that’s why I’m here.”
“Just who are you anyway?” asks Havok.
“My name is unimportant,” he replies. “But you may call me Fantomex. And I’m here to help you find the people who kidnapped Miss Blaire’s daughter.”
Continued in X-Men #20.
But now things are finally in order (or at least to a point where I can manage them), so expect issues to come out on a more regular basis (or at least I hope).
-Dino
06/04/03
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