Beyond Evolution

Just as suddenly as it all had begun, it was over. The assault on the city, the attack on the school, the disaster in the Danger Room: all came to a screeching halt as those who had been under the influence of the cure, and more specifically under the influence of Vanessa, were released. It was a sudden, jarring change as the choking tendrils of control that had been caging them within their own minds suddenly retreated, like a tide rushing back out to sea and leaving debris in its wake. They would remember all their actions, as well as what happened before then. Memories that, for some, included being captured and held, subjected to the various versions of the ‘cure’ as Essex perfected his formula. Which meant they had all the information to lead a path straight back to him and his cohorts.

Of the three on Muir who were watching it all unfold, it was Essex that was filled with the highest sense of urgency at the turnaround. Vanessa was still giddily reeling from having so many minds under her control, powers heightened beyond what they had even been before, and even the small path of blood trickling from her nose was almost unacknowledged. Once it was realized her long fingers wiped it away in one smooth gesture, examining the remnants on her hand with a huge grin, as if enthralled by the sight of her own blood. Despite Essex’s warning she had pushed too hard and lost her hold on all of them. But then, Vanessa wasn’t exactly one to err on the side of caution whenever it was useful for her to do so. There was an almost detached calm to Mystique, for her the plan unraveling simply meant a preemptive retreat could soon be in order. After all, she who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.

Now that the fighting was at a tentative standstill it granted the opportunity for explanation, for reasons and details to get to the right ears, and additional decisions to be made. It also gave the opportunity for those who were lucky enough to be still standing to tend to the wounded and survey the damage done. And for a select few, fueled by the determination of having nearly or completely lost someone dear to them, to pile into the blackbird and head for Muir island at top speed. Good thing some of those new additions to the lab were upgrades on the defense grid.


[ooc: Scott, Aurora, Remy, Lorna, and Jo are on their way to Muir. All other X-teamers who are good in enough shape should be helping with damage control and getting the wounded back to Xavier’s so no one dies, kthx]

Considering it’s occupants, Muir island had never exactly been a place void of defenses to possible attacks, or contingency plans should an attack occur. That precaution was exactly why anyone had managed to escape when the Brotherhood descended months ago. There were parts of this facility that didn’t show up on any map or scan, ones that only Dr. McTaggert herself knew about. These adjunct labs and quarters were always fully stocked and equipped just in case something unfortunate should happen. Some might have said such preparations were paranoid, but they had allowed Moira, along with Jubilee and her baby, to evade capture. Obviously Bobby and Morgan had not been so lucky.

In Mystique’s opinion, the perimeter defenses left something to be desired, especially with the firepower some of the X-Men had on their own. That was one reason why it was always good to have lackeys. Several members of the Brotherhood set up residence when she did, making regular patrols of the perimeter and the halls just to help avoid any unseen problems that might pop up. Essex, the coward, had already turned tail and run, but Mystique was never one to back down from a fight unless absolutely necessary. Nor was Vanessa, for that matter, though in her case it was possibly more the result of instability than any personal rule.

They were all well aware of the X-Men’s imminent approach and were on alert, geared up with extra ammunition as well as their own abilities. It had been a while since the X-Men and the Brotherhood had a good rumble. But that was about to change.

[ooc: Open to Scott, Aurora, Remy, Lorna and Jo! All the guards are npc red shirts, so feel free to have as much fun as you want with them!]