THE XAVIER INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING

Mission Log #15

<Scott> >>AT ATTENTION<<
<Warren> @@
<Piotr> @@
<Jean> @@
<Alex> @@
<Sydney> @@
<Scott> Last time... The group was split. Scott and Jean took a detour on their trip to go pick up Storm, shaken after her break up with Colossus. Meanwhile, Professor Xavier took most of the other students with him to Washington for the Senate Hearings on the Mutant Registration Act.
<Scott> Any questions?
<Jean> nope
<Piotr> nope
<Alex> none here, squinty
<Warren> What kind of a stupid nickname is squinty? His eyes are perpetually covered.
<Sydney> Am I the only one back at home?
<Alex> I'm back at my home..
<Sydney> I mean at the manison...
<Jean> you're at the mansion?
<Scott> You got dragged along with the others.
<Sydney> I don't know. That's why I'm asking.
<Scott> I say most of the other students because I can just fit people in if they didn't show up last time or this time...
<Scott> any other questions?
<Scott> Okay I'll assume no..
>>(PROPROLOGUE)EARLIER THAT DAY...<<
SCENE> Senator Kelly's office. Kelly has just finished meeting with his advisors for a last minute session before the Senate hearings.
<Kelly> Thank you for all your help. But I'd like to be alone to clear my head before I speak
<Gyrich> Of course sir. ::closes the door after all the advisors leave, follows them::
<Kelly> ::eyes follow the group as they leave, waits ::
ACTION> THE PHONE RINGS A FEW TIMES BEFORE A MAN PICKS UP ON THE OPPOSITE END
<?> Good morning, Senator.
<Kelly> ::looks a bit perplexed:: ((how did he know it was me?)) Hello... how's everything going?
<?> Everything is going according to schedule. We should be ready to go on time.
<Kelly> Be sure that you are. This is very important. Our mission against them depends on it. 
ACTION> ONE OF KELLY'S ATTENDANTS ENTERS
<Guard> It is time to go, sir.
<Kelly> ::looks up at the guard, nods:: I must go.
<?> Of course, good luck, Senator.
>>END PROPROLOGUE<<
>>PROLOGUE<<
SCENE> SCOTT SUMMERS AND JEAN GREY ARE FLYING CROSS COUNTRY TO GO VISIT SCOTT'S BROTHER ALEX. ORORO IS IN ONE OF THE SEATS IN THE BACK, SLEEPING AFTER HER TRYING ORDEAL. THERE HAS BEEN A LONG PERIOD OF SILENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.. AS IF ONE IS WAITING FOR THE OTHER TO SPEAK FIRST.
<Scott> ::looks over at Jean for a second.. then back to the console::
<Jean> ::sitting by the window. She looks out with her head resting on her hand, biting her lip::
<Jean> ::She sits in the co-pilot seat. She notes scott's glance and bites her lip:: ((She's in the back now..and asleep. It probably would be a good time..))
<Scott> ((..spit it out)) How long have you known?
<Jean> ::blinks and looks towards him. She then shifts in her seat so she's angled to where she can look at him. She picks at the arm of the seat for a second before looking back up at him:: Uhm.. I actually just found out today. ((He doesn't look happy for me..))
<Scott> Ahh.. ::forces a smile:: Like I said.. I'm really happy for you. Colombia.. that's great.
<Jean> Oh you really sound it ::shrugs and goes back to looking at the arm of the chair and picking at it::
<Scott> Honestly, Jean I am.. but you know.
<Jean> ::Rolls her eyes and puts her hand down on the arm of the seat, with a bit of angry force:: Know what? That it's goign to be really hard leaving. Damnit Scott I know that. And yeah I nkow part of you is happy for me, but would it kill you to show that? Sometimes you guys feel more like my family than my real one does and now I have to leave it. That's really hard on me. But this is an amazing opportunity I never really thought I'd get to do.
<Scott> ::furrows his brow:: I know this Jean.. and it doesn't make it any easier. It's going to be hard on all of us too. You're so much a part of us.
<Jean> ::shakes her head and turns in her seat to just face the front again:: Oh please I contribute so much. And it's not like I'm really that gone. I'm just going to a different part of New York, not another country.
<Scott> It's not going to be the same..
<Jean> Yeah things change Scott...it happens all the time. I know why you don't want me to leave..we're close friends and you've wrapped yourself up in me and you haven't really bonded with anyone else outside of me. So if you look at it me going is kinda better for this team. With me not here you can actually get to know your teammates better. ::looks over to him::
<Scott> ..::stares at Jean for a second...looks back out at the sky::
>>END PROLOGUE<<
>>SIM START<<
SCENE> THE SENATE CHAMBERS. SENATOR KELLY HAS ALREADY STARTED TALKING AND HAS BEEN DOING FOR FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MINUTES. HE HAS GONE OVER THE DANGERS OF MUTANTS, A FEW FALSE STATISTICS, THE USUAL MUTANT-BASHING PROPOGANDA.
SCENE CONTINUED> THOSE MEMBERS OF THE X-MEN WHO CAME WITH THE PROFESSOR ARE STANDING IN THE VIEWING AREA
<Piotr> ::frowns and keeps his eyes on Kelly as he speaks:: ((This man is perhaps one of the most ignorant people I have ever heard... I don't know what makes me think that I, or any of these X-men would be able to change the opinnion of such a biggot...))
<Sydney> ::Frowns tightly.:: Does he honestly think we enjoy being different? 
<Kelly> Right here I hold incident reports dealing with these "mutants" causing property damage, injuring, and even killing people. Our law enforcement agencies are already being pushed to the limits trying to deal with these people.
<Kelly> Just recently the Golden Gate Bridge, one of our countries precious landmarks, was attacked by a terrorist organization known as the Fallen Angels. Do we want more of this to go on? Should we allow them continue to pose a threat to us, to our children? No. Under the mutant registration act, every mutant will have to report to the government what they can do, for our safety, as well as their own.
<Piotr> ((That is bull shit! This man has no idea what he is speaking of! Those kids were all under mind control!!)) ::growls under his breath::
<Sydney> ((Professor... they'll take me back to the insitution... I know it... if I tell them the truth.))
<Xavier> ::smiles up at Sydney:: {{Do not worry about it, Sydney, nothing will happen to you, I promise you that.}}
<Piotr> ((I think I am going to be sick... Such hatred.... He is not the only one, I am sure of it...))
<Kelly> My fellow Senators, the time to protect ourselves is now.
<Sydney> ::Slight smile, but she still looks obiviously worried.::
<Cheney> Now at this time, we shall be opening the floor to comments from the other members of the Senate, as well as invited guests.
<Warren> ::stands silently, arms folded across his chest, staring vacantly ahead as though his mind were elsewhere:: 
<Xavier> ::wheels over to a speaker podium::
<Xavier> ::looks up to those in the balcony:: {{Be on alert, children.}}
<Announcer> Charles Xavier, Ph.D. He is the leading authority on Genetic mutation.
<Piotr> ::looks as Xavier takes the podium:: ((I wonder if anyone will actually listen...)) ::thinking to himself, not to the professor::
<Sydney> ::Squeezes her hands together, watching and listing.::
<Bobby> ::eyes the crowd, waiting for the professor to begin speaking, then looks over at Syd for a second::
<Xavier> Senator Kelly, you continually shed a bad light on mutants. They can do so much to help. They would be an invaluable assets to our public safety, health, helping our environment, all around make life more hospitable.
<Kelly> On the flip side, they can also make it worse. Just as the so-called Brotherhood of Mutants, which has on numerous occasions tried to destroy all the things you have just outlined.
<Xavier> One group is hardly an entire population. Every race, gender, etc. has exceptions and bad cases. We cannot bundle in all the good with the bad. Look at the X-Men, they have on numerous occasions helped the nonmutant population, despite being met with hostility. 
<Kelly> Who's to say that these so-called X-Men will always be there for us?
<Kelly> What if one day they just suddenly decide to switch their colors and join up with the Brotherhood?
<Xavier> You're dealing in hypothetical situations.
<Sydney> Wouldn't doing this sort of thing make us want to join the brotherhood?
<Sydney> ::Whispers to Bobby.::
<Kelly> But we must in these cases.. in cases of national security. We cannot rely on these people to protect us. We must take a stand.
<Kelly> We must protect ourselves...which is why I urge all of you to pass this bill.
<Bobby> ::frowns, whispering back:: Doesn't make me feel any more sympathetic to people like him. But not everyone's like him... I hope, anyway. ::thinks of his father, then takes Sydney's hand in his::
<<make your last comments::
<Sydney> I don't... I don't want this to be 1933...
>>INTERLUDE 1 START<<
SCENE> THE MENDOZA HOUSE. IS A NORMAL DAY. ALEX MENDOZA SITS IN HIS ROOM, HAVING CONVINCED HIS PARENTS TO ALLOW HIM TO STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE HE'S "SICK". THEY ARE OFF AT WORK
TIME> 10 AM Pacific
<Alex> ::sits on the edge of his bed and yawns, having just woken up from going back to bed and considers his options:: ((Everybody else's in school.. I could go there and rub in that I'm not.. nah, I'll revel in my slackerdom for a litttle bit more before figuring out what to do..)) ::stands and heads to the kitchen in a t-shirt and pajama shorts::
<Alex> ::heads into the kitchen, idely scratching at the few remnants of a scab over his tattoo by his navel before remembering he shouldn't do that:: ..I should've planned ahead with the others before I skipped school.. ::sighs::
<Alex> ::reaches into a cupboard and pulls out a bowl then walks to the fridge and pulls out what's left of a half-gallon of milk and sets them on the table before heading to another cupboard and getting a half filled bag of generic brand cocoa puffs::
<Scott> ACTION> THE DOORBELL RINGS
<Scott> ::looks at Jean.. standing at the door... look nervous as all hell::
<Jean> ::having changed into a pair of cargo kahkis and a grey baby tee to look at least presentable she half smiles at Scott. She shakes her head and links arms with him to steady him some:: {{Calm down or he'll think you're here to hurt him or something}}
<Scott> ((.. Not if I pass out first..))
<Alex> Eh? ::glances toward the door:: ((..if I ignore them, they'll go away.. mom and dad never get deliveries or anything, anyways..)) ::pours a bowl of cocoa puffs::
<Jean> ::shakes her head:: {{Wuss}} ::she rings the doorbell for him this time and knocks a couple of times::
<Scott> ::fidgets a little bit.. rubs his hands together:: ((What do I say?))
<Alex> ::eyes the door, having successfully poured milk into the bowl before realizing he needs a spoon, signs and gets up, eyeing the door before he walks over to a drawer and gets a spoon before returning to the table and sitting back down::
<Jean> ((just like his brother..thinks if he ignores it it'll go the hell away. Well I have news for this Summers..)) ::looks over to Scott again for a second out of the corner of her eye before knocking again:: You say Hello, that might be a good start
<Jean> Hello? ::saying loudly to get it through the door, ringing the doorbell again before speaking once more:: Mr. and Ms. Mendoza? Alex? I know it's an odd time to come, but it's rather important
<Alex> ::sighs:: Fine, fine.. hold on, I'm coming.. ::plops his spoon in the bowl and walks toward the door, taking it with him then opens the door and squints against the bright light, eating a spoonful of cereal, milk dribbling down the side of his lip:: What?
<Jean> ::blinks and still having her arm hooked with Scott's she uses her strength and her TK to drag him forward towards Scott and to where he blocks the sun. She then nudges him before giving Alex a small smile::
<Scott> Uh.. Hi... Alex.. I'm.. uhm.. ::scratches the back of his head::
<Jean> ((Come on Scott..you can do it)) ::looks up at him::
<Jean> ::Nudges Scott again::
<Scott> I'm.. Scott Summers.. your..
<Jean> ::nudges him harder:: 
<Scott> ..brother.
<Alex> ::stares at Scott before setting the bowl down and cleaning up his lip:: ..did the Lopez brothers set you up to this? Because it's really not funny.
<Jean> ::nods, giving his arm a squeeze and smiling reassuringly at him::
<Jean> ::looks towards Alex:: Alex, he's not. I'm Jean Grey by the way. Scott's been looking for you for awhile now.
<Jean> ::extends her hand towards Alex, letting go of Scott's arm::
<Scott> ::shakes his head::
<Alex> ..Well, good for him. Go tell the Lopez's that it wasn't funny the last time, and this time it's really annoying. ::eyes narrow then slams the door in their faces::
<Scott> ...::clenches his jaw, knocks on the door again:: 
<Jean> ::takes her backpack off and opens it up to get the papers Xavier gave them for proof:: Alex, I promise you it's not a joke. 
<Jean> ::takes the folder out before putting her backpack back on:: I have Scott's birth certificate and a copy of yours along with other evidence used to find you ::saying it loudly through the door again::
<Alex> Go away! I'm tired of being mocked because I don't know who my family was. ::grits his teeth, clenching his fists:: Just leave me alone!
<Jean> ::sends a look towards Scott:: You could say something
<Scott> Listen to me.. I've been looking for you for 8 freaking years now.. and would appreciate if you would stop acting like a little jerk and just listen for a second.
<Jean> ::Sighs and rubs her forehead:: ((Oh yeah..they're brothers))
<Alex> ::sighs and takes a deep breath, searching for a calming thought to focus on and center himself, continuing once he's not so pissed anymore:: Alright, go ahead. Talk. But I've reached enough dead ends over time that I don't want to deal with them face to face on my.. day off.
<Jean> Thank you..could you open the door, then, so I can show you the papers and Scott can talk to you? 
<Scott> Alex, look. I'm not trying to mess with you.. as soon as I found out that you were.. alive I came here..
<Alex> ::glances toward the door:: ((..I should make them send things through the mail slot..)) ::sighs and opens the door, eyeing the two of them:: Alright..
<Jean> ::nods and hands him the folder:: Like I said birth certificates and adoption records ::Looks at him seriously::
<Scott> Thank you.
>>INTERLUDE END<<
>>Epilogue START<<
SCENE> AN ABANDONED WAREHOUSE, LOCATION UNKNOWN. A MAN STANDS IN FRONT OF A CONSOLE, WHILE PEOPLE AROUND HIM FRANTICALLY WORK AT THE MANY STATIONS IN THE WAREHOUSE. HE LOOKS A BIT ANXIOUS, AS IF HE'S WAITING FOR SOMETHING.
<ConsoleWorker> ::turns around to face the man:: Mr. Trask?
<Trask> ::has gone into a little trance.. snaps out of it as he hears his name:: Hmm?
<ConsoleWorker> You have a phone call, on the private line.
<Trask> Ok. ::moves into his office, closes the door:: Hello?
<?> Prep the new prototype, it is soon time for the first field test of the Sentinel.
<Trask> Yes, sir.
>>EPILOGUE 2 END<<
>>END SIM<<