Mutant High Issue 2: A Hard Lesson

[Fangor the Fierce]

**Wilderness**
Logan grinned "I know that, kid. Thats why I haven't give you the slip. I noticed you about a mile back. Stopped cause you're starting to slow down, get sloppy. I figure if we run into something I don't wanna have to babysit. If you're gonna follow me anyways, you might as well get some rest so you can help. Don't worry, I won't leave while you're sleeping, I'd say you've earned the right to do this."
Fangor, if you choose to keep going you'll be Fatigued during the next day (And not the kind you can cure with a hero point.), but if you want to keep going it's your call.

"Your words good enough for me, Logan. I could use a little rest, but do you think that's advisable? Don't you think that they will get away by then? I can rest when I'm dead..." he says, with a grin.

 

[Relique du Madde]

"Technically, I don't think we are really dating since we haven't gone on or planned a second date yet... Or at least, that how my older brother always explained 'dating' to me.." She smiled brightly. "It's sort of a long story, so I'll give you the short version. Pyro and I were attacked in the Danger Room when we went to check on the Professor and I ended up saving his life.."

She paused for a moment as she began to choose her next words so that she wouldn't incriminate Astrid. "Then hours later we then had one of those monologue-ish type of conversations where one person has a revelation about their own relationship to the world and the other person tells a dirty secret that only ends up incriminating him or herself and no one else..." She smiled as she glanced down for a moment, "Then he asked me to dinner,I agreed, we saw you, all chaos broke loose, and here we are today."

 

[Victim]

Serena grinned again. "Well. Seems silly to convince someone who is already sure that the 'man' is out to get her. Not 'xactly logical if you ask me and thinking like that is sorta like a self-fulfilling prophesy." she looked at Temper. "Kinda reminds me of a Pythia prophesy. See this ruler asked the Pythia if he'd be able to conquer another empire. She replied that he would indeed bring the downfall of an empire. When he attacked the other country, he lost. So the empire he brought down was his own." she said, using allegory to make a point.

Temper seems amused. "So, a person makes only a superficial study of the situation because he finds its surface appearance comfortable and pleasant. His lack of insight leads to his undoing. Hmm, I do see how this relates to the world today." She continues, "However, you do have a point since expressing my attitudes does invite attention I'd rather avoid. Individually, the best strategy is most likely keeping one's head down. 'Don't rock the boat.' 'You have to go along to get along.' 'When in Rome...' Game theory and economics can point out a number of ways in which individuals acting in their own short term best interest cause problems."

"So are you going to at least think about my question?" She turns. "Or perhaps Miss Fury (NOT using a mocking tone) will explain honor to me?" she asks, setting a verbal trap.

 

[kirinke]

Temper seems amused. "So, a person makes only a superficial study of the situation because he finds its surface appearance comfortable and pleasant. His lack of insight leads to his undoing. Hmm, I do see how this relates to the world today." She continues, "However, you do have a point since expressing my attitudes does invite attention I'd rather avoid. Individually, the best strategy is most likely keeping one's head down. 'Don't rock the boat.' 'You have to go along to get along.' 'When in Rome...' Game theory and economics can point out a number of ways in which individuals acting in their own short term best interest cause problems."

"So are you going to at least think about my question?" She turns. "Or perhaps Miss Fury (NOT using a mocking tone) will explain honor to me?" she asks, setting a verbal trap.

Serena laughs. "Well, having a healthy distrust for authority is always a good thing, it only gets bad when it becomes a mania." she pats the other girl's arm in a friendly manner and nods to Alisha. "We'll trade stories about our parents some other time okay? I'm sure you've got some dozies. I know I do." she said and moved off, looking for other folks to meet and to get the 'lay of the land' as it twere.

 

[Shayuri]

"Wow," Astrid comments helplessly, not sure what to say to that.

"Just unexpected. But congratulations? What do we want to do now?"

 

[Relique du Madde]

Miranda laughs. "Personally I want to get out of this assembly hall before Temper, Sparky and Nick Fury's kid decide to kill each other for no good reason." She glanced back towards the center of the room for a moment and softly bit her lip.

"Hey, um.. I know you guys are enjoying trading barbs and all, but don't you think we should be doing something other then just standing and arguing about politics? I mean, shouldn't we be trying to find out who Nightcrawler and Quicksilver are working for and why they came after Alchemist?" She frowned. "I know that he was being a total dork, but I don't think it would be too smart for us to only wait around for Alchemist to get attack so that we could ask whoever comes why they are doing it.."

She then glances at Alisha Fury. "So um... Alisha was it? I know you didn't come all the way out here just to argue about the merits of what your dad's work, so could you at least tell us what SHIELD knows so that we wouldn't have to sneak aboard a Helicarrier to find out..."

 

[Jemal]

Alisha nods to Sparky, then looks over at Miranda "Dad doesn't actually break code and tell me all of SHIELDS secrets like you may expect.. well, usually. Cyclops probably knows more than me, I haven't had a chance to speak with my father for over a month." She then looks back to Temper, about to say something, when an adult voice, both strong and soft, like the wind, speaks out.

"And Miranda has an excellent point. There is no sense squabbling amongst ourselves when there's a common enemy that seems to mean ill to us all." Storm walks over, obviouly having overheard the exchange. "While intelectual and political debates can serve a purpose, they are overly divisive in a time when we must all function together. I realize you may not all like each other, but for the good of us all, can you tolerate each other?" Her gaze settles on Temper and Fury. (Apt names....) Fury glances between Temper and Storm, then nods.

Meanwhile, Pyro's anger seems to have been calmed by Miranda's sudden 'confession' about their date in front of Astrid. He is, however, unable to form a response in the sudden crossfire that erupts, and ends up just standing there watching.

When it sems like the situation has calmed somewhat, Cyclops clears his throat and calls everyones attention "If everybody has signed up, then I'll be breaking this little gathering up for now. There will be a notice for each of you when to report to the danger room so we can gauge how you will be able to help, and who's abilities will best compliment each others. Until then, have a good day and TRY not to kill anyone."

Kitty Pryde re-enters at this last statement and stops near Miranda's group "Oookay.. what did I miss?"

 

[Relique du Madde]

Miranda glances at Kitty and smiles mischievously. "Cyclops said he was going to pair us up for some mating experiment which he is holding in the Danger Room and that we're free to go until he calls us." She paused for a moment. "Oh and he doesn't want anyone to kill each other while he's gone.."

Miranda frowned for a moment. "I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to stand around doing nothing while I wait to be called, so if anyone has an idea of what to do until then, go for it." Of course, she had an idea, but wasn't sure what Cyclops or Alisha would say if she announced that she wanted to spy on any SHIELD agents that might still be on the campus.

 

[Victim]

"Hey, um.. I know you guys are enjoying trading barbs and all, but don't you think we should be doing something other then just standing and arguing about politics? I mean, shouldn't we be trying to find out who Nightcrawler and Quicksilver are working for and why they came after Alchemist?" She frowned. "I know that he was being a total dork, but I don't think it would be too smart for us to only wait around for Alchemist to get attack so that we could ask whoever comes why they are doing it.."

She then glances at Alisha Fury. "So um... Alisha was it? I know you didn't come all the way out here just to argue about the merits of what your dad's work, so could you at least tell us what SHIELD knows so that we wouldn't have to sneak aboard a Helicarrier to find out..."

"Based on what I've heard, this institute likely has more information regarding the attackers. No need to go far out of our way before seeing what's at hand." I really doubt she has extensive access to classified information - she might be able to pick up a few things from conversation or activities, but not what you want. And there should be better ways to get the information than breaking into a HeliCarrier.

"Alchemist?" Uh oh. "If he can change one substance into another, then what couldn't he be used for? He could provide wealth and materials for an organization, work to disrupt commodities markets, or make weapons. Supplying fissionable materials already at a weapons grade would make constructing an atomic weapon rather simple, all things considered. Chemical weapons would be easy too." Unless the teleporter was here to do something else first, in which case Alchemist might not be their primary objective.

Storm walks over, obviouly having overheard the exchange. "While intelectual and political debates can serve a purpose, they are overly divisive in a time when we must all function together. I realize you may not all like each other, but for the good of us all, can you tolerate each other?" Her gaze settles on Temper and Fury. (Apt names....) Fury glances between Temper and Storm, then nods.

Temper shrugs at Storm.. "It's natural for people to disagree. I can accept that. But what good comes of illusory unity?"

 

[Shayuri]

"It's not -illusory-," Astrid suddenly blurts to Temper. She blushes at her own outburst, and tones her volume down a bit.

"The point is that we're all in this together, and that disagreements like what you're talking about are minor...little...distractions from that. So just...stop it for now."

She shrugs uncomfortably, and starts to head for the Danger Room.