The Uncanny X-Men #8

[fan4]

The Uncanny X-Men #8
New Beginnings

Written by Kyle Jones (Wonderphoenix)
Edited by Aaron Martel (fan4)

“You’re home!” Kitty yelled as she ran toward the Blackbird and immediately hugged both Bobby and Kurt. It didn’t take much for her to realize that Bobby escaped with fewer physical scars than her other teammate.

“Give us time to catch our breaths, why don’t you,” Bobby joked.

“I think young Kitty’s enthusiasm is quite welcomed and represents what we are all feeling,” Ororo added as she too embraced the youngster.

“I haven’t slept. None of us have. We’ve all been waiting and hoping that you would get home safely.” Kitty smiled and looked at each of her new friends. However, the looks on their faces told a different story that what she felt inside. She turned around and looked at the professor. “Why do I get the feeling that things didn’t go as well as I think they did.”

Charles Xavier glanced at his student and shook his head. “No, Katherine, you are right. While it is miraculous that we were able to rescue our friends, I fear for what is to come because of Magneto’s actions.”

“WHAT?!” Kitty exclaimed. “THE BROTHERHOOD WAS THERE?!!”

Jean approached Kitty and placed her hand gently on Kitty’s shoulder. “Come with me, Kitty. Let’s let everyone get to their rooms, get changed, and try to relax. I will try to explain what happened.”

“As for everyone else besides Bobby, Kurt, and Scott, I suggest you do as Jean said,” the professor instructed. “For those three, please come with me to the infirmary to be checked out, just as a precaution.”

[fan4]

Later that day . . .

”Professor,” Ororo said as she entered the professor’s office. “can we talk?” The professor put down the newspaper and motioned for her to enter. Ororo added, “I have asked Jean and Scott to join us.”

“Ororo,” the professor replied, “you know you are always welcome to come see me at any time. My office is open to all students and X-Men.” Jean and Ororo took a seat in the two chairs in front of the professor’s desk and Scott sat quietly on the couch. “I have a feeling I know why you three are here.”

“We must speak about what happened with the three youngsters,” Ororo began. “As you know, you and I began this discussion before leaving for Camp WideAwake. I just think it is time we finished it.”

Jean spoke up. “Professor, we are thankful for everything you have done for us and we all three want you to know that we don’t like questioning your decisions.” She paused and took a deep breath. “Nevertheless, we have questions about why you put the three new kids in harm’s way.”

The professor sat silently for a moment. Then, slowly, he looked at all three in the eye. “I could lie to you. Honestly, I have the power to take these concerns and erase them from your minds.” He paused again and looked at them once more. “I won’t do that. If I did, I would be following Magnus’ path.”

The professor again sat silent as if contemplating what to say next. Finally, after several minutes, he continued. “Simply put, my students, I am human and I made a mistake.” Scott started to speak but the professor stopped him. “You three wanted an answer to your question. Please allow me then, to provide it to you.”

He clicked a few commands on his computer and the picture on the wall above the couch where Scott sat withdrew into the ceiling to reveal a large screen. Pictures of Bobby, Kurt, and Kitty were displayed.

“It was my opinion that these three students were special based on their mutant abilities. Take young Katherine Pryde, for example. She has the ability to phase her body through solid matter. Now, in a combat situation, she is the perfect example of someone who can get in, get the job done, and get out without any harm done to herself.”

“But she is new to her powers,” Scott finally commented. “She can’t yet control them.”

“Can you control your optic blasts?” The professor retorted. Scott shook his head in disagreement. “You are allowed to venture into the field even though mastery of your abilities has not occurred. The same can be said for Kitty.”

“Okay, then, what about the other two?” Jean questioned.

“Kurt Wagner, despite his outward appearance, is very talented with his ability.” The professor clicked another button and a video of the earlier Danger Room session began to play. They watched and saw Kurt disappear and reappear several times. “This boy has the ability to teleport himself when in danger or by his own will. And, before you ask me, Robert Drake – as you already know - has the power over cold. Do you not think that, given a circumstance where his life was in jeopardy, his powers would not freeze whatever was attacking him? At the very least, he could create an ice wall around himself.”

“So,” Ororo added, “this was nothing more than an experiment for you? That is mere speculation as to what Drake’s powers will or will not do. You don’t know that, nor can you make the claim that you do.” She stood in anger. “You deliberately placed these children in these situations to see if their powers would somehow miraculously save them from mortal danger in the event that their lives were threatened?”

The professor looked at his student. “Sadly, Storm, the answer to your question is yes.” He clicked another command, the screen went blank, and the picture returned to its normal position. “I took a chance in hopes that I would determine the extent of how their powers would protect them. That is why I put them into the Danger Room almost immediately after their arrival. That is why I sent them on a mission with you against the Brotherhood. All of that was done to see how they would react without training. I knew the senior students would question this decision and I am not in the least bit surprised by your questioning me now.”

“Don’t you think that was a little extreme?” Scott questioned. “Professor, you know that I have the highest respect for you. Just like Jean said, we are very thankful to you. It’s just that we can’t believe you would do that.”

The professor began to grow impatient. “Listen to me, each of you. The world is changing every single day, every minute and even every second. I would be lying to you if I didn’t say that I wasn’t trying to do everything I can to ensure the safety of everyone here. My reason for this experiment was to find out what might happen to any mutant who doesn’t find himself or herself lucky enough to come here and train. I wanted to see if those mutants would be able to protect themselves.” He leaned up in his chair. “I am not Magneto and I hope and pray that I never become him. All the same, you three, as senior team members, have to understand that there might be tough decisions to be made in the days and weeks to come. You should understand that after seeing what our own government can do with the creation of the Sentinels.”

“Yes, I know,” Scott said sarcastically. “I was there. I saw my own brother commit murder in an attempt to save my life.”

Jean glanced at Scott as if to offer her support. Their eyes met.

Storm sat back down. Her anger had dissipated. “As we stated before,” she explained, “we mean you no disrespect. We just want you to realize that your actions – however noble – placed these three in direct harm and could have cost the lives of two of them.”

“I appreciate your candidness….all three of you,” The professor responded. “I just need to realize that I have two sets of students here.” He smiled and looked at them. “I have students, and I have X-Men. This is something that I planned to do in the future, but, after this, maybe I should chance to do it sooner rather than later. Perhaps it is time that I start treating the X-Men less like students and more like the team that I am very proud to call my own.”

“What does that mean, Professor?” Scott asked.

“It means, quite frankly, that there is going to be a division of students and X-Men,” the professor answered. “I ultimately agree with all three of you. While the senior students still have things to learn about their powers, you have mastery of them to the point that you can function in a combat situation. The other few students here, in addition to our newest arrivals, are not ready for combat.”

“So, as of now, any student participating in X-Men activities will have to be full-status, senior X-Men. Therefore, from henceforth and for the foreseeable future, the X-Men shall consist of Wolverine, Colossus, Beast, and the three of you. Any new member will have to be either a graduating student who has proven himself or herself ready, or, if an outside mutant comes to us – such as Gambit – then their powers must already be mastered on their own.”

“Who decides if they are X-Men ready?” Jean inquired.

“Obviously, I will have a vote,” the professor answered. “As for the other vote, I will be choosing a field leader soon. Whoever he or she might be, that person will have the other vote.”

“Professor,” Scott protested, “you have always been with us on missions and been our guidance. What will you be doing if not directing our missions telepathically?”

“You have Jean to coordinate with telepathically,” the professor further explained. “I feel that my place – at least for now – is with the students here at the school.”

[fan4]

The War Room, the next morning . . .

The professor called together all X-Men and the three students whose fate was debated the day before. Gambit, in thanks for his assistance, had been asked to join them.

“I appreciate your promptness,” the professor began as Logan just entered the room.

“Be glad I’m here, Chuck,” Logan laughed.

“I would ask that you call me either Professor or Charles. My name is not Chuck.”

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Logan took his seat and the professor began.

“I have asked each of you here today for a reason. First, I would like to say how happy I am to see each of you here in one piece. The attack by the Sentinels did nothing but confirm my worst fears about our own government.” The professor looked at all of his students. Then, he resumed his speech.

“I am going to ask that Jean, Scott, Logan, Hank, Ororo, and Peter stand.” Each one did as requested. “As of today, these six here are the X-Men and will be the only students here allowed on X-Men missions.”

“What about us?” Kitty inquired. “Did we do something wrong?”

“No, child,” Ororo replied, not giving the professor time to respond. “This is not because of something you did. We only wish to ensure that what happened with young Robert and Kurt doesn’t happen to you or any other student.”

“And,” the professor interrupted, “to comment further on what Ororo just said, just because you are not X-Men today does not mean that you won’t become X-Men in the future. You just have much training ahead of you before that time can come to pass.”

“I have no problem learning how to use my powers,” Bobby stated. “I know I have a lot to learn.” Kurt, however, said nothing.

Gambit stood and stretched. “Well, mon ami,” Gambit said, “I tink it be time for ol’ Gambit to be gettin’ up out of here and back to Orleans. I really ‘preciate de hospitality but it be about time to get up on out of here. Got things t’do and things t’see.”

“You are welcome to stay on here,” the professor offered. “Your assistance in bringing our missing friends home is very much appreciated.”

“Look, Professor,” Gambit responded, “it ain’t that Gambit don’t ‘preciate the offer. You got a nice ol’ place here. It just ain’t for Gambit. His heart belongs to a chere’ back in Orleans and I know she’s waitin’ for me to get back down dere t’her.” He looked at the X-Men. “Besides, you done said y’urself that you done chose de X-Men. Ain’t no place for me and Gambit ain’t got no want to be no student. I said I stay long enough for the tin man to get back on ‘is feet. He done that, it look like.”

“Regardless,” Scott said as he approached the man in the long duster and looked him in the eyes, “you helped rescue me. I am in your debt.”

“Be careful of debts, mon ami,” Gambit replied. “You never know when it be time to pay de ol’ piper.”

Suddenly, the door opened and a tall lanky teenager entered the room.

“Sorry to interrupt, Professor,” he apologized. “Me and Roberto were watching CNN and they said that when the commercial was over the president would be addressing the nation. I thought you might want to see it. It’s some kinda special report.”

“Thank you, Samuel,” the professor responded. “You may stay and watch with us, if you would like.”

Samuel looked intimidated by the gathering and began to turn around. He smiled a simple farm boy smile before saying, “No, sir, I’m fine. I just wanted you to know.” He left as Hank turned on the TV and tuned it to CNN.

President Graydon Creed stood in the Rose Garden at the White House and was just about to speak to the reporters. The X-Men watched intently.

[fan4]

“I value each of you for being here today and I am sure you will all have questions. Please, I ask that you let me complete my speech and then you will be allowed to ask those questions.” The president cleared his throat, adjusted his tie, and smiled before speaking.

“As I said, I value your being here today. And, do understand, it is with a heavy heart that I come before you and the nation to tell you about the failed Sentinel Project.” The audience began to whisper amongst themselves but quickly became quiet once again in hopes not to miss anything that was about to be said.

“I come to you today as a president…..no, as a man….asking for the forgiveness of the American people.” Again, there was a whisper within the crowd. The president held up a picture of Bolivar Trask. “This man, Bolivar Trask, used his influence in the government to manipulate high ranking officials and, ultimately, the president himself into believing his hate-filled propaganda about how mutants would be the death of us all.” The president shook his head and looked to be at a loss for words.

“It was because of my own blindness to the truth that I allowed Trask to resurrect an abandoned government facility. I allowed him to begin building killer robots designed to do nothing more than exterminate mutants.” The president shook his head once more and appeared to lose composure for a minute. Then, composure regained, he continued.

“I was wrong for allowing myself to be manipulated by this man and I want to ensure all Americans – both human and mutant – that the Sentinel Project has been halted. All Sentinels already produced are being disassembled even as we speak. There will be, I assure you for as long as I remain in office, no more attacks on any mutant unless a mutant engages in criminal activities. If that is the case, the mutant will be treated just as any other American who breaks a law. Also, there will be no Mutant Registration Act. This is America, and not a police state.” The president paused again.

“Many of you are probably wondering what is going to happen to Trask. It would be my deepest pleasure to see this man brought to justice, have him appear before a jury of his peers, and have him pay for his crimes against the mutant race. “

The president smiled a smile that was almost unnoticeable to the cameras or the reporters in attendance. “Unfortunately, fate has already played judge, jury, and executioner to Mr. Trask. I am happy to say that Mr. Trask, an example of homegrown terror, perished in an explosion at his Sentinel facility. While I cherish no man’s death, I do find solace in knowing that Bolivar Trask will not be able to hurt anyone ever again.”

This time, the president smiled so that each person could see. “This is a time when we need to start healing. We need to start building bridges between ourselves and our mutant brethren. We simply need to start over. We need a new beginning.” Some members of the audience clapped while others cheered.

“And, with that in mind, I offer an olive branch to the island nation of Genosha.” The crowd’s cheers quickly changed to mumbles of disbelief. “I know that this must sound rather strange to each of you. However, to heal, we must start at the source. And, to do that, the best way I know how is to offer that olive branch to the leader of the mutant nation of Genosha……..Magneto.” There were more whispers.

“Now, whether or not he accepts this token of friendship, I do not know. That is up to him to decide. But, if he does accept the offer, Magneto will be welcomed here as a diplomat and will be treated as my guest.” The president stopped for a moment to allow the weight of his words to sink into the minds of those listening. “I also offer an olive branch to the mysterious band of outlaw mutants, the X-Men. They are welcomed to contact me or my people at any time.

“Like I said, this is to be a time of healing. And, I say, let the healing begin TODAY!” The president looked at the reporters and saw that each of them was almost leaping out of their seats just wanting to ask their questions. Silly fools. If you only knew.

[fan4]

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Hank commented as he turned off the television. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

“I don’t understand, Professor,” Kitty added. “I thought that the president was a big supporter of the Sentinel Project and the Registration Act.”

“He is….was,” the professor responded. “I am as bewildered as each of you. I just don’t see how his allegiance could shift so quickly. Like Hank said, it simply doesn’t make any sense.”

“Could it be mind control?” Jean asked. “I don’t see how someone could get to the president, but that is a possibility.”

“You’re right, Jean,” the professor answered, “but I don’t think that is the case.”

“Maybe we are being too skeptical here,” Peter said. “Maybe he did see the error of his ways. Is that too much to hope for?”

“Peter may be right,” Ororo stated in agreement. “Or, perhaps this is simply a political move. This is only his first term and I am quite sure he will want to be reelected. Doesn’t history have a habit of people separating themselves from former allies to ensure their own survival? Could this not be what is happening here?”

“Perhaps you are right, Ororo,” Hank added. “I really do hope you ARE right. It is just that there is something fishy here.”

“Well, you know what dey say, mon ami,” Gambit interjected. “Where dere is fish, dere is sometimes stink. If it smells fishy……maybe it is.”

[fan4]

The next morning …

Gambit walked out the front door and stood under the patio waiting for the cab Jean had called for earlier. Scott and Logan joined him.

“So, Cajun, you don’t think you can hang with the big boys, eh?” Logan asked.

“It not ‘bout hangin wit’ de big boys,” Gambit replied. “De big boys can’t be hanging with Gambit.”

Logan lit a cigar and laughed. “You’re all right, gumbo.”

The professor wheeled his chair out on to the porch and joined the three men. He looked up at Gambit. “I would like to thank you again, Gambit. If you ever need the X-Men, do not hesitate to contact us.”

“Gambit 'preciates dat,” he replied.

Someone else joined them on the porch and they turned around to see Kurt standing there with his belongings in a bag draped across his shoulder.

“Kurt?” the professor questioned.

“I am sorry, herr Professor,” Kurt answered as he looked at Gambit. “I thank you for what you tried to do for me. This just is not the place for me to be.”

“Kurt,” the professor continued to question, “I must ask that you reconsider. I know that this first experience hasn’t been a good one for you, but I assure you that things will only get better.”

“Can you really assure me of that?” Kurt responded. “I know you mean well, but I think I would be better off in a city where people won’t be so quick to judge me. I don’t look like Bobby or the others. I can’t pass as normal.”

“'Sides,” Gambit added, “Gambit be ready to give ol’ Kurt a home down in Orleans. ‘Sides, dis teleport ting might be a handy thing t’ have. It ain’t been no fun being down dere after K’trina been dere. Wish Stormy had been dere den t’maybe save de city.”

The cab arrived and Kurt pulled down his baseball cap and turned his jacket collar upward. He looked back at Logan, Scott, and the professor. “Thank you again for trying. I just don’t think this is for me. At least, not right now.”

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Bobby and Kitty?” Scott asked.

“I left them e-mails,” Kurt replied as Gambit put his bag in the trunk. “Don’t worry about me. I might be back someday.”

“Hey, life don’ get much better dan dis,” Gambit said as he and Kurt got in the cab. The three men watched the cab drive off into the distance.

Scott looked down at the professor. “Don’t let it bother you, sir. You tried to help him.”

The professor shook his head. “I tried and I failed him.” The professor turned his chair and began to go back inside. It was stupid of me to place these youngsters in danger like that. From now on, any new mutant will be trained, no matter what.

“He’s a grown boy, Chuck,” Logan added. “Boy has to become a man sometime. Maybe this is his time to become one. Maybe this is a new beginning for him.”

The professor stopped, looked back, and addressed Logan. “I hope you’re right. Maybe it is a new beginning for all of us.”



The beginning