The X-Men: Darkness Surrounding - Part 6

Author:  AeLonwyne

Disclaimer:  Rogue and the X-Men are the property of Marvel

"On second thought perhaps you should stay here Rogue." The Beast suggested. "Uh uh. No way. If Ah can't be on the main rescue team, than I'm at least coming. Ah am a part o' this." Rogue declared vehemently. Beast looked over at Jean with a look that told her he wanted to speak to her without being overheard.

"Yes Hank?" "Me thinks 't would be in our Southern Belles best interest if she stayed behind." "I have to agree with you Hank. But we cant leave her here either." "True, it would not be wise to leave her here, after the mansion was already ransacked once today. Hmmm but what to do? Ahh, our friend with the sonic scream could take care of her." "That would work." Jean said with the telepathic equivalent of a smile. "Now the question I pose for you dear Phoenix is this. How do we get her there without a fight?" "Leave that to me Hank. I can use a telepathic forcebolt about the equivalent of a blow to the head, strong enough to render her unconscious, for awhile without leaving permanent damage." "Very well my dear, the stage is yours."

Their conversation took only seconds, and Rogue was now standing, and arguing most ardently with her other teammates. "Rogue we don't want you hurt." Kitty explained. "Ah know that! But Ah don't wanna be sittin' back
coolin' mah heels while ya all go off an' save the day."

Jean quickly telegraphed their plan to the others. ~Bobby if you would?~
Bobby who was standing the closest to Rogue silently stepped closer to her.
Jean then turned her attention on Rogue ~My apologies Rogue~ "H." Rogue felt only the briefest flash of pain , as Jean employed one of her psychic force bolts, before the world went black and silent.

Bobby swiftly caught her as she fell, before she could hit the floor. "Well then, let us be off my friends. Bad guys wait for no mutant." Hank said leading the way to the hangar bay. The X-Men silently boarded their specially modified SR-71 stealth jet, and took off for Generation X's headquarters, in Snow Valley Mass.

The Blackbird, as the jet was often called, sped over the shadowed landscape of early dusk. After some odd number of minutes, probably three-quarters of an hour, they arrived at Xaviers School for Gifted Youngsters. Hank tapped in a code, which opened a hanger, to which he lowered the Blackbird, via the VTOL1 system. And gently set the jet down.
The hangar doors slid smoothly into place above, as the Blackbirds engines, almost inaudibly whined down.

Bobby lowered the foot ramp, and the X-Men descended. They were met by Sean Cassidy, often called Banshee, and two of his students. Paige Guthrie, and Jubilation Lee, former X-Gal herself.

"To what do we owe this visit?" Sean asked. "Sorry to drop in un-announced." The Beast replied over Jubilee's shouts. "Wolvie!" "Hey kid how ya doin'?" Wolverine responded, and gave her a small hug, as she rushed him.

"We have a small request to ask of you." Hank told Sean. "And what might that be old friend?" Hank stepped off to the side a bit, and Sean followed. "Well we are on a bit of a rescue mission, for Storm and Nightcrawler. They were abducted from the mansion several hours ago. But all the evidence seems to suggest that they are merely bait, in order to get Rogue."

"Is the lass alright?" She asked nodding at Rogue's inert form in Colossus' arms. "Yes she is quite well, though I can't say the same for her mood, when she wakes up." Sean nodded. "Jean knock her out for ye?" It was Hanks turn to nod. "So ye was wonderin' if we would keep Rogue safe for ye?" "Exactly." Hank replied with a smile.

"Ye needn't have even asked." Sean told him. "Many thanks, my friend." Hank replied as they walked back to the group. "We will be havin' Rogue stay with us for a bit. Paige would ye an' Jubilee go and prepare a guest room for her please?" "Well she can stay in my room," Jubilee told him. "It doesn'e matter. I will be up shortly."

Dismissed the two girls ran out of the room. Sean carefully took Rogue in his arms so as not to touch skin to skin. "Thanks again my friend." Hank said. "Thank you Sean, we'll be back as soon as we can." Jean added. "Be careful, keep someone with her at all times, and be on alert. These guys don't know the meaning of private property." Bobby called from the blackbirds ramp. "Thank ye for the warning, Bobby."

The X-Men solemnly boarded their jet once more. Sean stepped back as the engines whirred into life, and the hangar doors slid back once more. The Blackbird silently lifted up into the dark sky, and took off into the night.