State of Readiness

Summary:
July 11 2014: Hank, Scott, Bobby and Nancy discuss some information he's recently come obtained and what it means for the immediate future.

Hank's Office

The Sanctum Sanctorum of Blue Bespectacled Genius


Characters

NPCs

  • None

Mood Music:
[* None]


Beast sent out a call to those in the X-Men as well as a few others he felt might be interested in this sort of situation. He's opened up his office area with the couch and couple of chairs, and he's even brought over a couple of stools from the lab for others. There is tea prepared for any who might want some, and even though he has a mug in hand, he's pacing as he waits. This is not something he's really ever had to do before and it's a little out of his comfort zone…yet it needs to be spoken about.

*

Bobby had just come back from working and had gotten, well, heard about the call almost the moment he walked in the door, so he rolls up his lab coat under his arm and wanders over to Hank's office. It's not something he'd expected quite so quickly. He gets the feeling this is about something other than catching up.

"Hey Doc.." He greets as he comes in. "Oh. Tea. Hope you don't mind." He's thirsty. Tea would be nice.

*

"Gentlemen." Scott Summers strides in, giving a nod to Hank, and taking a seat quickly. After coming to a rest he gives a couple of nods around the room while settling. He briefly thinks about taking tea, but decides better of it for the moment as he wonders what this is all about.

*

Nancy is pretty sure she knows why she's here. Considering her phone conversations lately… well, she's making assumptions, but they are pretty safe assumptions. She waves as she comes in, sucking on a lolly, which is hardly surprising. She offers Hank a smile and a shrug, then grabs herself a lab stool and puts herself in the corner, as far away from everyone as she can. She takes a deep breath and pulls in her power as best she can. Half way in a month is actually pretty good results, but she is pushing herself for more.

*

"By all means, help yourself. It's why it's there," Hank starts and offers nods of greeting to all those who join him. When Nancy pulls her stool back away from the others, he crooks a finger for her to come join the rest. After all, she'll also be able to offer insight. He does, however, keep his distance, just in case.

There's a quick quaff of tea before he sets the cup down and adjusts his glasses. "Thank you all for coming. I've just received information that I felt needed to be shared." There is a pause as he tries to order his thoughts. "First of all, there has been evidence that a virus has been created that attacks our X-gene. This virus is now in its third incarnation…the third being quite potent and possibly laced with cyanide. I will be working with another doctor to try and come up with an antidote, at the very least, to this."

There's another pause before he speaks again, "Secondly, I've been told that hostages have been held by a Hydra corporation…the ones creating this virus…and that a rescue is being planned. They are expecting violence and while they are not necessarily expecting any help in the initial rescue, they are asking for help in transportation and getting medical and psychiatric attention to these hostages. I wanted to extend this to everyone to see if they might be willing to help." He then looks to Nancy, "Would you like to add more about this? I think you know more details than I.

*

Bobby nods to Scott when he comes in and gives a wide smile to Nancy when she comes in, leaning against the door. Then Hank starts talking and he focuses. "A virus, wait wait… A rescue? Hostages. Um… Doc, what's this about? Nancy's… issue, perhaps?" He guesses as Hank gestures to Nan.

*

"Can you be a little more specific Hank?" interjects Scott as his eyebrow raises and he leans forward with elbows on legs and fingers laced near his chin. "When you speak about evidence, what sort of evidence have you uncovered?"

As Hank gives the floor to Nancy, Scott's eyebrow raises even higher.

*

Nancy sighs as Hank beckons her closer. She knows damn well that he doesn't actually want her any closer. She glances over to Bobby and Scott and comes a little closer. She nods to Hank when he asks her for more details. "My friends outside of here have told me that the facility they are hitting houses the other kids like me, the other N series. They also have hostages that they are using to keep people doing what they want them to. They are going to attack the place and want to get the others like me out of there. They don't know what powers we are dealing with though."

*

Beast lets Nancy talk before he moves over to his desk and offers some handouts of the files that he was sent regarding the viruses. "This is the evidence. Between this and Nancy's background stories, I'm inclined to believe that this is actually being put into play."

*

The actual biology of the virus is a bit beyond Bobby. His degree is in physics after all. "Yikes… This look pretty serious Doctor."

"How does this tie into hostages? And… um…"

He looks over to Nancy. "Who are these people? And how can I help?"

*

"What friends? Where is this place? Why are they doing this to these specific mutants, and more generally why? Most importantly, who are they and what do they want?" Apparently Scott doesn't do vague generalities. And just like that, Hank produces. Scott opens the files and begins paging through them as he sits back in his chair.

*

Nancy lets Bobby hand her the file, keeping away from Hank. She flips it open and tries reading it, frowning. "Ummm… is there a version of this for those of use with only basic sciences and no actual knowledge about this sort of thing?"

Nancy smiles wanly over to Scott. "Remember I said that I had a trainer before I came to you? Her and one of her friends. I'm still in contact with them. She's a freedom fighter, or maybe a terrorist. It depends on who you ask. He's being hunted by Hydra, like me. The guy that was on the piano at the bar we first met at." She takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Most likely, they want our help with the other mutants like me that are being held prisoner there. Turns out, that calling me N-13 means that there were at least 12 others before me."

*

"I'm leaving it up to you all to decide if you want to help or not. I won't hold anything for or against you, but I plan on helping at least the hostages find the medical attention they may need." Hank's not a medical doctor, but he can triage and he can reach out to others. "We're not being asked to help in the attack although I feel that we could be useful. But I wanted everyone aware of these viruses that may be out there as well."

*

Bobby is frowning and looking even more concerned as he leafs through the pages, getting the non-technical stuff that he can understand, before he does indeed turn it over to Nancy to look at, not seeming at all bothered by her proximity. "What's the virus supposed to do, Doc? And how bad is it? Are we talking, like, plague bad? Or something else? And why aren't we informing the CDC or something like that?"

*

Scott sits back as he continues to read, folding one leg over the other. "I'd like to help, especially in the capacities that Hank is talking about. Any tactical mission may be too unwieldy given that I'm not likely to trust anyone with our lives, anyone who I don't know." Regardless of whether this person was linked to Nancy in someway, Scott's not sure how much of a ringing endorsement that is.

*

"I've already told my friends that I will be helping with the attack. These people that are holding these other people hostage. They are after me. They want to do to me whatever it is that they are doing to them. And they have answers. Why did they make me? What is the purpose? Hell, they might know more about my power then I do and that would be damned useful."

She looks over to Scott and shrugs her shoulders. "I appreciate that you guys have been keeping me safe, giving me a place that I can practice my gift and my physical training without looking over my shoulder, but I have to do this. If it means I can't come back… I'll understand your need to protect everyone else here. But I have to do this."

A glance given to Bobby and a smile tells him she appreciates his proximity. Being a social pariah when you choose to be is one thing, but having it thrust on you because of a power sorta sucks.

*

"All three of the viruses are lethal to mutants," Hank explains. "They attack the x-gene and essentially melt from the inside-out. The third, newest version, knocks out the gene and then poisons by cyanide. Not a pleasant way to go and not something we want out there, if you ask me." He then looks to Nancy, "No one is telling you not to go. In fact, I'd be surprised if you said you weren't. We'll do our best to make sure you're well-prepared and protected, however, and I expect you to keep in constant contact with us so that we can keep tabs on you," And pull her out if it gets too hairy.

*

Bobby chuckles sadly and sticks his hands in his pockets looking to both Hank and Nancy. "Count me in. Just tell me how I can help. Or, you know, have someone who knows tell me how I can help. This sounds too important to sit out."

*

Scott nods to Nancy as Hank speaks, "We're pretty much all in this boat together-in this war. We either live by the dream or it's just bull. You have to go." Scott's involvement in the mission, however, will a matter of question. There are a lot of variables and trust for people he hasn't built that with to this point.

*

"So, they have a project to kill us, and a project to create us. Those jerks are wanting to control who has the powers, getting rid of the ones of us that aren't in their control." Nancy shakes her head, clearly not happy with this. "I'm sure Friends of Humanity would just *love* this," she says, rolling her eyes as her voice drips with sarcasm.

Waving her left wrist to Hank to show that she's still wearing the biometer. "I promise not to take this off. You and Jean can keep tabs on all my lovely little life signs." She then leans over to steal Bobby's cup of tea and then hands it back after a sip. "You never put enough sugar in your tea." Scott gets a smile and a nod. "Thank you," she offers. Woah. She said thanks? Mark the date on a calendar.

*

Beast nods to the others, "As I said…I'll be there to help the hostages once they're rescued." He's also not comfortable with the attack for a number of reasons. A slight smile is given to Nancy as she shows her biometer, "Good. Keep it on. We want you…and the others…to be safe."

*

"You never put enough tea in your sugar." Bobby teases with a wide grin. "So… who do we contact about all this? Do you know, Doc? Or I guess… since they're your friends Nancy you probably already know too right? How much time do we have to prepare?"

The younger man watches Scott more to try to get a sense of him than anything else. He's only seen him the one time after all.

*

Scott remains relatively stoic, hiding his emotions behind his glasses—as is his trademark. His question was taken by Bobby, so instead he remains quiet while giving Nancy a nod for her thanks.

*

"I would like permission by, well, whoever it is that's in charge… I've been respecting this place's privacy, not going out unless taken out, but I would like permission to have a little more freedom to come and go. I won't do anything stupid. I'm not gonna go visiting PolyGlobal Inc and saying Hi there, I just think I will be more useful to Partisan and Jericho if I don't have to wait for Illyana to play taxi."

*

Beast glances to Scott at that request. "I'm not the one making the rules here. We could try to run it by Ch…the Professor." Looking back to Nancy and noting the exchange between her and Bobby, eyebrows lift, but he continues in the same vein for the moment. "I think our concern is not that you won't go anywhere to get in trouble…but that they'll find -you-."

*

Bobby has similar concerns but he's a big proponent of 'the people here that are adults should be able to make adult decisions.' He stands near Nancy, hands in pockets. He nods in agreement with Beast. "Still, if her friends are around plus whomever else wants to help out…" He includes himself in that number. "Should be safe-ish, right?"

*

Scott looks up, or seems to anyways, from his paperwork and shakes his head. "Personally I don't have an issue with it. I think Nancy understands the discretion and the importance of secrecy for our school. The Professor should really be consulted.:

*

Nancy nods her head. "Okay, I'll wait for permission from this Professor guy. And I've gone through two hair changes and a whole paperwork ID change, so I should be a little safe. And I'll be going with them into the heart of the beast as it were. I think they'll find me. The problem is, when they find me, I'm gonna be borrowing some of Lunair's toys." She starts to grin at Bobby, waggling her brows. "Remember the Loogey gun?"

*

Beast doesn't look amused at the talk of carrying weapons. "I think we should definitely hear from the Professor. Hair changes and ID changes aside, if you're caught carrying illegal weapons, I can assure you that it will -not- go well for you." He glances then at Bobby, "Think carefully about that idea of having those weapons when you go out."

*

Bobby laughs. "I don't think it's even been decided how I'm going to help. Just that I'm going to because really, if this isn't worth the effort then what is? Well, to me anyway. I won't extend that trust to you." Then again, he won't be told what to do either. He's only at the moment tangentally affiliated with the school to begin with so, yeah… No need to belabor that point though and his smile isn't anything but the usual Bobby.

*

"Hank is right, Nancy. I know you're going to go and do whatever you want to, but it might be prudent for you to lay as low as you can. That being said," Scott says with a tilt of the head, "I don't think the Professor is really the type of guy to keep you locked up here if leaving is something you really would like to do."

*

Nancy gives Hank a puzzled look. "I don't think the police are going to arrest me for a snot launcher. They may be a little curious as to *why*, but it's totally non-lethal. I will never kill a person *ever* again. *Ever*. But, okay. I'll not ask for Lunair to make me a non-lethal toy."

She nods to both Hank and Scott, "So, we are going to help them? Will we be bringing them here? Afterwards?"

*

Beast glances again to Scott, "We'll be helping them, but I don't know that we'll be bringing them here." That's another discussion with the Professor. "We'll make certain they're safe, however. That they receive the medical and psychiatric care that they may need." He's not going to address the idea of a 'snot gun'.

*

The idea of a snot gun makes Bobby chuckle mostly because of the three men in the room, he's the only one who has seen it in action.

"Okay. So I guess that's decided. I know you've got my number if you need it Hank. And Nancy does too. Did you want it Scott?" He offers, trying to size up the quiet man.

*

"We'll set up a safe house. Something rural, something safe. Hank and I can get to work on that right away." What Scott doesn't mention is that while he wants the best for these mutants, there's the issue of safety here at the Mansion as well.

Scott nods to Bobby and readies his phone.

*

Nancy looks to Scott and seems to approve of the idea of a rural safe house. "Somewhere out of the way. These people… they'll all be around my age, I'm guessing. Who knows how long they have had them in that place. What they are doing to them. I might actually go there with them. My power might be more useful there for a while. And… well… I'm one of them. If you need me here though, for the kids that have control issues, I could stay."

*

"I'll be speaking with some other doctors that we can have at the safe house…trusted doctors to help them." Hank nods to Scott and moves over towards one of his computers, "We'll have that in place. I hope to also have some sort of antidote or neutralizing agent as well by then." Just in case. There's a slight smile given to Nancy at her offer, "I think that you being there might be an excellent idea. Maybe to help with powers, but also to help reassure them. Help them to trust the help we want to give them."

He has both their numbers, so doesn't really comment on that.

*

Bobby rattles off his number from memory. He's only used the same one for the last two years of college, so it's not too bad at all. "Great. Let me know if there's anything I can help with on my end. I don't really have contacts or such, just a physics degree and really cold hands." He grins broadly. "But if there's anything you need me to do before this kicks off then, I'm at your disposal."

*

Scott nods to Nancy, willing to take her number as well. "To be honest, I'm not really sure yet. We'll probably have to play it by ear and see how it goes, reacting to the situation in front of us." He types Bobby's number into his phone and saves it, all with one hand.

*

Nancy can't help but smirk over at Hank's approval of her moving to the safehouse. It means she can't flirt with him anymore either. Two birds, one stone. She chuckles and shakes her head, spinning her lolly in her mouth. "And I'm all yours if you need a little deadzone in your life. You know, keeping jerks like Creed and Trask safe in my bubble of nothing."

*

"If I hear anything, I'll pass it along. I hope that you do the same, Nancy…we're all here to help. If you do go out, please do be safe and be aware of your surroundings. Just because you can nullify powers doensn't mean that the virus wouldn't affect you. You still have the gene." Golden eyes glance over to Bobby, "Look out for her."

*

Bobby nods. "Promise." He says with a glance and smile for Nancy. "No worries about that, Doc." He would anyway, to be honest. He may claim to be just an ice nerd… and be largely correct, but that doesn't mean he can't lay some serious chill down when he has to.

*

Scott folds the paperwork close and moves to get to his feet. He slides his phone back into his pocket and puts the folder upon Hank's desk. "Yes," Scott adds to Nancy, "Don't take any unneeded risks."

*

Taking a deep breath, Nancy nods. Being allowed out on her own recognizance will be great, but there is a threat out there. "I promise that I won't go doing anything stupid. Well, intentionally stupid. I can't prevent accidental stupidity." She gives Bobby a playful shove and rolls her eyes at him, but grows serious again for Scott. "I won't. I'll even wear a mask when we attack the place with the other N kids, so they won't know it's me."

*

All of that seems to be fine by Hank because he waves a hand, "All right, all of you. Shoo. I have to get all this ready by the time this all goes into play." He does look back at the three of them, "Thank you. I think that we can do some real good here."


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