THE XAVIER INSTITUTE OF HIGHER LEARNING

Mission Log #16

>>AT ATTENTION<<
<Shadowcat> @@
<Shadowfox> @@
<Havok> @@
<Rusty> @@
<Voltage> @@
SIM BRIEF> The world that you knew is gone. Last you saw was the Senate Hearings for the Mutant Registration Act. Would they vote to protect the rights of their fellow man, or would they give into the fear and hate mongering brought up by Senator Kelly and his constituents. Unfortunately our elected officials let their fear take over and the Mutant Registration Act was passed.
SIM BRIEF> Professor Xavier started a tour around the nation, trying to appeal to the country, but to no avail. The MRA was passed in the House of Representatives and quickly signed into law by our good friend George W. Bush. Not all has been one sided however. Dissidents from the Republican side and much of the Democratic Party (including Celebrities Janeane Garafalo and Alec Baldwin).
SIM BRIEF> Nationwide our law enforcement agencies have been bolstered. Despite all the precautions.. the "new", more "hostile" mutant race has become a handful for them. Fear on both sides has led to many problems. Several members of our own team have been removed or pulled out. Jean Grey went off to college to live a normal life. One day, Scott went up to check on Ororo and found her gone.
SIM BRIEF> Bobby Drake, Tabitha Smith, Jarrett de Lisle have all been pulled out by their parents, fearing for their safety. Despite the fear inducing Theresa Pryde attempting to take Kitty back home, she actually stood up to her mother and Theresa, dumbstruck returned home. Piotr, sickened by the ignorance of America, believes that he would be better living in Russia with his family.
SIM BRIEF> An independent agency has offered their new mutant police robots to the government. After a very successful test run, the new sentinel robots were mobilized and have been put into use in the bigger cities on either coast, with newer models ready to be released. The X-Men have now taken up the mantle of the protectors of the mutant race.
SIM BRIEF> Using Cerebro they have been taking a more proactive approach to combating the new Sentinel menace. They have been labeled an anti-human mutant terrorist organization, and there are several warrants out for their arrest. To help protect themselves, Professor Xavier and Warren Worthington have pooled their resources to create a new X-Men uniforms: New civilian outfits to help them better blend in, another new field uniform with masks.
SIM BRIEF> Both sets shield the X-Men and allow them to pass as normal human in the scanners of the Sentinels. Despite the New World we live in, and the loss of several members of his team, Xavier will never let his dream on.. We shall fight on. We join our heroes getting ready to help a young mutant who has been on his way East.
<Scott> any questions?
>>SIM START<<
LOCATION> THE BLACKBIRD. SCOTT PILOTING, VOLTAGE CO-PILOTING. THEY GROUP HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON THE PLAN. WE ARE TO GET THE MUTANT OUT SWIFTLY AND WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF ATTENTION AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. YOU TAKE TOO MUCH TIME, YOU ALLOW FOR THE SENTINELS TO ARRIVE AND WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEM.. WE ARE RELYING ON SHADOWFOX TO HELP GET THE MUTANT OUT, USING HIS INVISIBILITY. THE REST OF US ARE PLAYING BACKUP.
<Shadowfox> :::Putting the finishing touches on an infiltration set-up, strapping on a pair of IR goggles:::
<Voltage> So..who's this mutant we're going after anyways, Scott? ::Looks over his instruments::
<Cyclops> ::looks over at Voltage, shakes his head:: ((I never get over the fact at how these kids have surprised me. The others packed up and left.. I can't blame them...and yet these ones stay.))
<Cyclops> He's a younger kid, a pyrokinetic.
<Shadowcat> ::silently fidgeting, trying to keep from humming considering that present company would probably try to hurt her::
<Voltage> ::Nods, slightly:: Hmm. ::Quietly:: Team seems to keep getting younger and younger..
<Cyclops> He lit a bus station on fire and they've cornered him into a building.. it's a standoff.
<Cyclops> ::scratches his head:: I feel bad about that...
<Rogue> ::arms crossed, is staring out the window with her usual reticence::
<Voltage> On purpose, or accidental? And I'm guessing we're talking local police, or..? ::Shrugs:: And in a way, they're almost safer with the X-Men, then they are on their own, anyways, I guess..
<Shadowfox> Hey Cy, mind if I adopt a different codename for this mission?
<Cyclops> ::nods at Voltage:: ..As long as it's not like any of the others you've pitched at me.
<Shadowfox> :::Rolls his eyes::: You just have no appreciation for the wonders of first person shooters.
<Cyclops> I do, but I just don't feel right running around and calling out "Wolfenstein, watch your back!"
<Cyclops> What is it?
<Shadowfox> Was gonna ask 'bout Solid Snake...:::Pulls the goggles over his eyes:::...but I guess that's outta the question?
<Cyclops> ::snickers:: We gotta unplug your PS2 when we get back home.
<Voltage> ::Shakes his head at Shadowfox::
<Shadowcat> ::softly giggles at overhearing that::
<Shadowfox> Anyway, the hero in Wolfenstein was named Berkowitz. :::Checks his watch::: How much longer?
<Cyclops> Soon.
<Rogue> ::leans back in her seat, abandoning her window-watching to lace her fingers together in her lap and frown at them idly::
<Cyclops> You guys ready back there?
<Shadowfox> Well how soon is soon? I mean, should I go ahead and jump?
<Shadowcat> ::glances at the others, then speaks up:: We're ready!.. ((I think.))
<Cyclops> ::engages stealth mode:: Good.
<Cyclops> Voltage, alright.. let's see if all those simulator sessions paid off.. Start landing procedures and land in that clearing ::points to the clearing on a view screen::
<Voltage> ::Nods, looking up from his instruments briefly:: You've got it..::Moves to guide the plane towards the clearing, starting the procedures to prep the landing, such as lowering the landing gear and prepping the VTOL::
<Cyclops> ::watches:: Good... good.
<Shadowfox> :::Checks the watch on his wrist again, then makes sure he got everything he needs::: Anybody seen my chewing gum?
<Voltage> ::Switches from standard thrust engine to the VTOL, as he gets directly above the clearing, moving to gently lower them down::
ACTION> THE BLACKBIRD LANDS, A LITTLE SHAKILY IN THE CLEARING.
<Cyclops> Very good for your first time out, Voltage. You should be proud of yourself.
<Voltage> ;:nods, slightly:: Thanks..I'll just be happy if this mission goes off without any complications, though..
<Shadowfox> :::Looks at the others with the IR goggles on::: Dude, this is cool. You should see yourselves through these.
<Cyclops> ::unbuckles himself and stands:: Don't be too worried. But take this seriously. That could be the difference between loss of life and a successful mission.
<Cyclops> Once we step outside, this isn't a game. Be careful. ::moves to open the hatch::
<Cyclops> ::opens the hatch:: Everyone out.
<Voltage> ::Nods, grimly, standing after finishing the landing and moving towards the hatch::
<Rogue> ::reluctantly gets to her feet, adjusting her gloves before walking to the hatch and outside::
<Shadowfox> :::Gives a half-hearted salute::: Whatever you say, leader.
<Shadowcat> ::simply phases through her seat belt, turning solid again before moving out the hatch behind the others::
<Angel> ::trails behind the others, looks to scott as though he's about to say something, but doesn't as he steps out of the jet::
<Rogue> ::rubs at her mask for a moment:: ((...hate this thing... too hot..))
<Voltage> ::Exits the jet, looking around cautiously, at the others::
<Cyclops> ::raises an eyebrow:: ((Hmm?)) ::exits behind the others and pushes the remote to close the hatch::
<Shadowfox> :::Exits the jet, taking a few casual glances::: Lovely place. Must come here more often.
>>SCENE CHANGE<<
LOCATION> AN ABANDONED BUILDING IN OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY.
SCENE> RUSTY COLLINS IS IN THE BACK OF THE BUILDING, A BARRIER OF FIRE BLOCKING ANYONE FROM GETTING IN. HE IS FRANTIC AND SCARED... TRAPPED
<Rusty> ::stands with his back to a wall, turning his head erratically to look as things move in the distance:: stay back.. go away! just leave me alone!
ACTION> THE CROWD OUTSIDE STARTS TO TURN VIOLENT; BOTTLES AND SUCH ARE THROWN THROUGH THE BARRIER, HOPING TO HIT THE YOUNG COLLINS. CRIES OF "MUTIE" CAN BARELY BE MADE OUT OVER THE ROAR OF THE FLAMES.
<Rusty> ::kneels down, on the floor against the wall, trying to avoid getting hit:: just go away.. I don't want to hurt anyone! ::gets even more worked up over the thrown objects:: stop that!
ACTION> THE MOB BEGINS TO GET LARGER AND LARGER. CYCLOPS HAVOK AND ANGEL WALK UP TOGETHER. VOLTAGE AND ROGUE.. SHADOWCAT AND SHADOWFOX.
<Rusty> ::causes the flames to get hotter:: ... ((why don't they listen?! I can't control this anymore!)) ::scoots along the wall::
<Cyclops> ::holds his watch to his mouth, pushes a button:: +com+ Cat, Fox move around towards the north and retrieve "it". We'll keep the folks content.
<Mobber> ::turns back and looks at the man speaking into his watch:: ((..weirdo.. No wonder people say Kentucky is going down the tubes.))
<Shadowfox> ((Fire bad! Fire bad!)) +com+ Roger that. And Cy, after this is over, you got some 'splainin' to do. :::Begins moving towards the north, shifting into invis:::
<Voltage> ::Raises an eyebrow, glancing to Rogue:: I'm just wondering how
he intends for us to do that.
<Rogue> ::glancing rather nervously toward the smoke billowing out of the building and chewing on her lip:: ...huh? ::glances back to Ethan::
<Shadowcat> +com+ You know, calling him an 'it' isn't very.. ::as Shadowfox moves away:: ..Hey! Wait up! ::phases and walks after him, at least where she saw him going::
<Cyclops> +com+ Rogue, Volt, make some noise, like we planned.
<Havok> ::eyes the crowd:: Keep them content? And you expect us to pull that off how.. with a puppet show?
<Shadowfox> :::Pulls off the goggles, stuffing them in a pocket, then wipes his brow::: ((Damned heat's gonna end up killin' me.)) +com+ These things are fireproof, right?
<Rusty> ::backs himself into a corner, ducking a bottle:: why won't you
just leave me alone!
<Rogue> ::swallows and mutters under her breath:: Ah'm not much of an actor... hope you got some ideas.
<Voltage> Some. ::Nods slightly, then looks towards the building, clearing his throat and pointing frantically:: Holy shit! The fucking building's starting to give way!
<Rogue> ... Ah think it's gonna come down! ::vaguely embarrassed look, terribly bad acting::
<Rusty> ((it is? what have I done?)) ::looks up at the ceiling::
<Cyclops> ::nods to Angel:: You too. ::to Havok:: Keep 'em safe, Bro.
<Shadowfox> :::Catches Cat by the shoulder, shifting vis for a sec::: You sure you can get us in and out?
<Shadowcat> ::gives a bit of a start, then nods:: Sure can! As long as you hold on to my hand and, like, don't wander off anywhere.
ACTION> THE MOB STARTS TO PUSH AND MOVE, SCRAMBLING AWAY FROM THE COLLAPSING BUILDING.. SOME LOOK AROUND CONFUSED, SEEING NOTHING WRONG... CYCLOPS MOVES AWAY AND BLASTS AWAY SMALL CHUNKS FROM THE BUILDING TO HELP AID THE CHARADE.
<Shadowfox> :::Holds out his hand, smirking::: Alrighty, as long as you don't make too much noise when we get in there.
<Rogue> ::eyes widen when people get too close, and she backs up several steps, gaze darting nervously back to the building:: ..
<Rusty> ::quickly looks for a window or door he can get to:: ((shit, I didn't realize it was that hot in here yet))
<Shadowcat> ::agreeably:: Quiet as a mouse. ::grabs his hand, then phases and runs through the outer wall::
<Angel> ::sideways glance, very dryly and unconvincingly:: Oh my god, they're right. Let's get out of here. ::flails his arms::
<Shadowfox> :::Shifts both of them invis, muttering some prayer to whatever higher being there may be:::
<Havok> ::sends a look after Cyke:: ((Keep them safe? Who's the them refer to?)) ..Oh.. dear god, the mutie's bringing the building down with his powers! Lookout! ::rushes forward to push people:: Quickly, before anyone's hurt.. or worse!
<Rusty> its not me! I didn't do it! ::runs towards the nearest door::
<Shadowfox> :::Pulls Cat over towards Rusty, clamping a hand on his shoulder::: Not so fast there, partner. 
ACTION> LARGE SHADOWS CAN BE SEEN APPROACHING THE BUILDING
<Shadowcat> ::..unphases them both, grabbing at Rusty's other shoulder:: ..Oh, so *you* get to talk but I haveta stay quiet?
<Rusty> unf.. let go! ::starts to flame up again::
<Shadowfox> I was goin' for subtlety, hon. :::Looks to Rusty::: We're here to help. If you want to live, then come with us.
<Voltage> ::Hisses slightly, as he sees the shadows:: Damnit..+Com+ Cyke..I think we're about to have company..They better hurry up in there..
<Rogue> ::still staring at the building, edgily::
<Rusty> who are you? why should I listen to you? ::turns around:: hello? where'd you go?
<Cyclops> ::looks up:: ...shit +com+ Cat, Fox, hurry your asses up, we got sentinels approaching!
<Mobber> Whoo! Finally the Terminators are here to get that fucking mutie!
<Shadowcat> ::eyeroll, then yelps softly at hearing the conn, phasing them all:: Exit, stage left! ::pulls them along behind her as she runs through the wall to back outside::
ACTION> THE FORMERLY FREAKED OUT MOB STOP RUNNING AWAY AND TURNS THEIR EYES TO THE SKY
<Rusty> hey! what the hell is this? oh shit.. wall.. hey! stop... ::goes through:: ... ((...am I dead?))
<Shadowfox> Jesus H. Christ! :::Tries to keep his balance at the sudden pulling::: +com+ Roger that. We're on our way...I think.
<Rogue> .. huh? ::looks upward, herself::
<Cyclops> +com+ Voltage I need you up in the air, greet our friends. Angel, Rogue, meet Fox and Cat and help them to the Blackbird. Havok you
<Rusty> oh great.. I'm dead.. and now I'm being pulled away.. where are you taking me? ::reaches out to figure out what has him::
<Havok> <<..I what?>>
<Rogue> ((..Meet them? where?))
<Voltage> ::Nods, scowling:: +Com+ You got it. I'll buy you some time.
Good luck. ::Sends a brief glance towards Rogue and nods, before taking to
the air:: ((I knew I had a bad feeling about this..))
<Cyclops> You're with me ::hands over the blackbird remote controller over
to Angel and moves to help Voltage out and blast Sentinels down::
<Shadowcat> ::stops shortly after getting outside, unphasing:: You're not dead.. we're taking you somewhere safe. Uhm, once we get outta here, anyway.
<Rusty> ((it sounds like a dude talking to Jesus.. this is rather bizarre,
I would have never suspected heaven used vocal communications))
ACTION> THE TWO SENTINEL ROBOTS STOP AS THEY SEE THE MUTANT TAKING TO THE SKY.. THEY START TO OPEN FIRE ON HIM
<Angel> ::stashes the remote on his person and sprints around the building to where kitty et al should be emerging:: ((I hate Sentinels.))
<Rusty> ::eyes go wide seeing Angel:: ...what is this?
<Shadowfox> Welcome to Wonderland, Alice. :::Smirks, then looks to Cat::: If you tell Cy I just said that, I'm strapping you to the top of the Bird on the way back.
<Sentinel1> ::fires energy blasts from its hand at Voltage::
<Havok> ::sighs then hurries over to Scott and moves away from the crowd, concentrating and raising his arms toward the Sentinel closest to the fliers and lets a plasma blast at them::
<Shadowcat> ::blinks, then grins:: Heheh.. your secret's safe with me!
<Voltage> ::Grits his teeth, moving to try and take evasive manuevers to dodge the blasts, moving to return fire at one of the Sentinels::
<Rogue> ::startled:: Oh my god... ::blinks at Voltage and the sentinels for a moment, then moves toward the building, looking for some sign of Cat, Fox, etc::
<Rusty> I see it.. the angel of death.. iits coming for me ::points:: ::fidgets:: this doesn't look like wonderland!
<Angel> Can you get Shadowfox back to the jet? ::to shadowcat:: You, shut up. ::to rusty::
<Sentinel2> Unexpected mission parameters... New threat. No mutant signature, but exhibits mutant electrical powers.. Reacting accordingly
<Rusty> ((they use jets? they've really gotten high tech..)) fine... ::looks up:: um.. ?
<Shadowfox> Let us be off quickly. Fear Factor's on soon and I don't want
to miss it. :::Dons the IR goggles again:::
<Shadowcat> ::nods, then grabs Shadowfox's hand again, phasing and pulling
him towards where the jet is parked::
<Voltage> Yeah, I'll bet you are, you fucking hunk of bolts..Namely, getting blown straight to hell.. ::Tries firing off a rapid barrage of blasts, aimed at various points on one of the Sentinels::
<Angel> ::moves to throw rusty over his shoulder::
ACTION> SENTINEL 2'S RIGHT HAND, USED FOR BLASTING IS SLAGGED CLOSED.. SENTINEL 2 TRIES TO FIRE OUT OF IT AGAIN.. CAUSING THE ENERGY TO BUILD UP AND CAUSE IT'S LOWER RIGHT ARM TO EXPLODE
<Rogue> ::skirts around the crowd, still looking for the others, but unwilling to go very close to the building, and jumping every time the fire inside crackles a little:: ..
<Rusty> I do have working legs... ::gets carried along:: ((shutting up.. until someone tells me what the hell this is all about.. at least they're not throwing bottles))
<Havok> ::tries to aim his blast at a foot of Sentinel 2, as they seem to hold the engines to keep them in the air:: ((I'm your brother, he says.. come to our school, he says.. ..fight some giant robots, he says..)) ::shakes his head to himself, smirking a bit::
<Sentinel 1> ::jerks back with every electrical blast, sends a tendril at Volt to try and subdue him::
<Angel> ::spreads his wings and takes to the air towards the jet::
<Cyclops> ::moves closer to the sentinel 1, sends an optic blast at the tendril, to cut it in mid air, then blast its chest::
<Rusty> ((I feel sick...)) where are you taking me?
ACTION> SENTINEL 2'S FOOT IS PLASMA BLASTED.
<Angel> Away from them. ((He talks too much.))
<Voltage> ::Nods as the Sentinel's tendril gets cut, mumbling slightly:: Nice save..::Moves to fly in closer to Sentinel 2, aiming a blast straight in at its face::
<Shadowcat> ::unphases as soon as they make it to the jet::
<Sentinel 2> Left primary propulsion unit damaged.. ::starts to fall back to the:: Returning to ground.. ::lands and moves to squash the two threats on the ground::
<Shadowfox> So, uhm, tell me Cat....how do we get in? :::Looks at the jet with some doubt:::
<Cyclops> Watch out! ::runs over towards Havok, pushes him out of the way and optic blasts the foot coming down on him::
<Shadowcat> I could get us in.. buuut.. it might ruin something internally and we might not be able to take off. ::nods::
<Rogue> ((Doesn't look like they're still in there... ...Ah hope...)) ::squints at a window::
ACTION> SENTINEL 2 IS KNOCKED OFF BALANCE BY THE OPTIC BLAST AND BLASTED IN THE FACE, IT SMASHES DOWN TO THE GROUND
<Angel> ::uses the remote controller to open the jet::
<Shadowfox> :::Scratches his head, then hits his com::: +com+ We are at
the jet. Time to pull back, guys.
ACTION> THE HATCH OPENS TO LET EVERYONE IN.
<Voltage> Now..about his little buddy..::Turns back towards Sentinel 1, starting to fire another blast at it::\
<Havok> Oof! ::gets pushed and rolls, slowly coming to his feet:: Thanks.. bro.. ::eyes narrow and sends a blast at the downed Sentinel's side, just to be safe::
<Shadowcat> ..Or someone could open the door. ::shrugs and walks inside::
<Shadowfox> :::Looks to Angel::: You know how to fly this thing...right?
<Sentinel 2> Sentinel Unit Number S-1029 Primary systems failing.. shut down eminent..
<Rogue> ((Oh... good..)) ::hurries away from the building::
<Cyclops> ::blasts at Sentinel 1's neck joint::
<Angel> ::lands and drops rusty to the floor of the jet uncerimoniously:: I'll point out the irony of that question later. ::starts the pre take off protocols and what not::
<Sentinel 1> ::'s head is severed from the rest of the body by the optic blast and flies off by Voltage's blast causing it's body to jerk::
<Rusty> omph.. ::remains on the floor, glancing around:: ((what have they done, if I loose it in here... it'll be like an oven!)) who are you people? why won't you tell me?
<Shadowfox> :::Looks to Cat, pulling the goggles up his face, before grinning evilly::: Should we put him on the rack first or flay his skin?
<Cyclops> +com+ Let's go, folks! ::Starts back towards the clearing:: +com+ Get the bird ready Angel, we're comin' back!
<Angel> ((I wonder if there're any sedatives in the medkit.))
<Havok> ::hurries over the jet after Scott::
<Shadowcat> ::makes a face at 'Fox:: Don't scare him! ::turns to Rusty, subconciously striking a pose:: We are.. the X-Men!
<Rogue> ::jogs back towards the jet::
<Voltage> ::Turns in mid flight away from the Headless Sentinel, moving to fly back towards the Jet::
<Rusty> y-you're that terrorist group on the news.. what... why did you save me?
<Shadowfox> :::Now gives Cat a wry look, smacking the back of her head::: One step at a time. :::Bad imitation of Cat::: "Don't scare him!"
<Shadowcat> Oww! Hey! ::now gives 'Fox a look before turning back to Rusty again:: We're not *really* terrorists. They just say that 'cause we're mutants.. you know, like you are.
<Angel> ((That's a good question.))
<Cyclops> ::stops as he reaches the blackbird, waits for the others to get in:: ((Shit.. that didn't do all that good.))
<Voltage> ::Moves to fly back into the Blackbird, looking around briefly to see if everyone else is in::
<Rusty> ::turns around:: more of you?
<Rogue> ::looks around as she approaches the jet, then enters the hatch::
<Shadowcat> ::sits in one of the seats, putting on the seat belt:: Uh-huh. You'd better sit down, we're going to be leaving soon..
<Shadowfox> :::Kneels down next to Rusty, his best friendly smirk::: It's gonna be alright, buddy. As scared as I'm sure you are, you'll at least agree it's better being with us than an angry mob, right?
<Havok> ::moves into the BB and quickly takes a seat, nodding to Rusty::
<Rusty> ::sees Rogue enter:: yeah.. this is better... ::takes a seat::
<Cyclops> ::enters the Blackbird:: Alright, let's get back home.. ::closes the hatch behind him and takes a seat in one of the pilots seats..::
<Rogue> ::glances at Rusty as she passes to take her own seat:: ((So that's the new kid...))
>>SIM END<<