Chapter 3
It had been almost 2 days since Rogue had been captured. She felt gross, tired, hungry, and a little scared, but she was determined to get out.
Rogue sat down on her cot and tried to think of ways to get them to fight one another. If they got into conflict, then maybe the damage could help her escape, she thought. …oooor burn the place down with her trapped inside. Before she could finish that thought she heard someone else enter the room with another woman over his shoulder. She had never seen this man before. He walked over to the cell next to hers and placed the woman down on her own cot. Rogue saw that she also had the same device around her neck and wondered what her abilities were.
“That one put up quite a fight.” The new man said. “Was almost enough to call in for backup!” He gestured behind him and in walked another person Rogue had never seen before. A woman. She strode in and came to a stop next to the strange man.
“That’s no fun.” She pouted “I wanted to take down the little brat.”
“When do you think big boss will be ready t—hu–bruah” Pyro wobbled and looked like he was about to puke. The woman had gestured in a way that suggested that she was using her powers.
“Not. In front. Of the captives.” She was clearly irritated. “We don’t need them getting any ideas.” She turned to look at Rogue. Rogue instinctively turned her head away and looked elsewhere. She wondered who the girl was next to her, and wondered how much longer before something worse happens.”
She turned her attention back to the blonde woman sprawled on her own cot. She felt sympathy for this woman but she was also thankful she wasn’t alone anymore. Maybe between the two of them they could escape.
—---------------------------------------
Kurt sat on his bed and listened to the phone ring and ring. “The voicemail box for this–” click. Kurt sighed. This was the fourth time he had tried to reach Rogue and each time it had gone unanswered. He started to wonder if maybe he had done something wrong to make her angry. He tried to remind himself that she just liked her space and would likely be home for Thanksgiving like she promised over summer break.
Kurt teleported down into the kitchen where Logan and Storm were drinking their morning coffee. Logan was reading the newspaper who’s cover story was about the missing women. . “Good morning Kurt.” Storm greeted him warmly. “How are you this morning?”
Kurt sighed. “Rogue still hasn’t answered any of my calls, or returned my texts.” Storm reached a hand out across the counter as a gesture of comfort.
“I’m sure she will respond soon, Kurt. She must be busy with exams.”
Logan looked up from his paper with a raised eyebrow. “How long has it been since you heard from her?”
“About a week now.” Kurt said. “We usually text pretty often but she just went silent and I assumed she was busy and would get back to me later.” Logan shifted his attention to the outside and pondered for a moment.
“I have to check on something.” And without further elaboration he left the kitchen.
As Logan was leaving, Bobby ran into the Kitchen. “Has anyone seen Kitty? She was supposed to catch a ride with us to school.”
“Perhaps she is sick today. Have you checked her room?” Storm replied.
“I did.” Bobby said. “And every bathroom, and even the courtyard. And she’s not answering her phone or texts.”
“That is indeed interesting.” Storm pondered. “When was the last time you saw her?”
“Yesterday after school.” Bobby said.
“And you?” She turned to Kurt.
“Last night before bed. She told me her and Lance were fighting again so maybe she’s over with him?”
Storm rose from her seat. “Go ahead and leave for school Bobby. Perhaps she is already there.” Bobby nodded and left.
“Do you really think she is already at school?” Kurt asked.
“I am not sure, but it is a possibility that cannot be ruled out. We mustn’t assume the worst. However, it wouldn’t hurt just to make sure. I will search the grounds. Perhaps she is in the med bay.”
“I’ll check with Lance.” Kurt insisted.
“Alright Kurt, but you must promise to stay calm and not get ahead of yourself. We must not make any assumptions or we risk making a bigger deal out of nothing.”
Logan, having heard the conversation, decided that he should do some looking himself.
—-------------------------------------
Lance was still in bed, having snoozed his alarm 3 times. It was his day off work and he didn’t want to do anything but rest. He heard the TV which was turned up way too loud downstairs and thought to himself how he would kill Toad if he could.
Before Lance could fall back asleep he heard what sounded like that noise when-- Of course it was. He thought.
“Kurt! Boundaries!” Lance shouted.
“Sorry, I just wanted to know if you’ve seen Kitty.” This peeked Lance’s interest.
“Why? Isn’t she at school?” Kurt remembered what Storm said.
“M-Maybe.” Kurt said. “But I wanted to check with you anyway.” Kurt teleported away without another word.
“Wait!” Lance called after him, but it was too late. He rubbed his eyes and tossed the covers off of him. He grabbed some simi clean clothes and wondered where Kitty would be if not home or at school at this hour. He attempted to call Kitty but there was no answer. He shot her a text as he brushed his teeth. The woman had her phone glued to her hand so he thought it odd when she didn’t answer. His mind flashed back to the reports on missing women and tried to push the thought out of his mind. She was likely fine.
Walking downstairs the sound from the TV was making it hard to think. He figured he’d grab a quick bite to eat and then he would go for a drive to collect his thoughts.
—-------------------------------------
It had been several hours since the other woman had been placed in her cell and she had started to stir. Rogue pressed herself against the bars that separated them and in a hushed yet urgent tone tried to get her attention. “Hey! Hey, wake up!” The woman attempted to sit up but she seemed to struggle. “Mah name’s Rogue. What’s yours?” Attempting to help calm the girl who would inevitably freakout.
“Where am I?!” She shot up and looked around, a look of panic on her face. Rogue saw the same device on her neck as well.
“Ahm not sure, but wherever we are, we won’t be able to use our power.” She tapped the collar on her neck for emphasis. The woman’s hands shot to her own neck and felt the same collar. “Like I said, Mah name’s Rogue. What’s yours?”
“Carol.” She replied. “I suppose you are also an enhanced human?” Her tone seemed more irritated than scared now. She rubbed her temples signifying a headache.
“Ahm a mutant. I’m one of the X-Men.” It felt weird to say considering she’d be away for almost 2 years. “The headache hasn’t gone away for me yet. At first I thought it was what they used to knock me out, but Ahm startin’ to think it’s these collars.” Just then the girls heard footsteps coming down the hallway and voices. Carol slumped back down, pretending to be asleep. Rogue was not able to act fast enough without being suspicious so she continued to watch as a familiar figure came into view.
“Emma!?” Rogue said with plenty of mirth in her voice. She should have known that trusting someone would get her in this predicament.
“It’s nothing personal dear.” She said with the same aloof tone as their sessions. “You just happen to be one of the pieces that are needed for a new and exciting advancement for mutant kind.” Rogue wanted nothing more than to burst from the cage and rush her in her rage. “Now now.” Emma said. “There is no need for such violence. I understand that you are mad but with time you will understand what we are trying to accomplish.” she mused.
“So you’re a telepath too?” Rogue scoffed.
“What better skill set for a therapist to have, my dear?” The hurt in Rogue threatened to boil over. Once again someone had used her. Everyone else seemed to view her powers as useful except her.
“Figures.”
Emma walked over to the series of computers and monitors and began working. Rogue saw as files were being brought up for review. She saw her own profile with a flag that marked her as detained, as well as Carol. She then saw new files brought up for Tabitha, Kitty, and Laura, Logan’s clone. Rogue looked over at Carol who was still pretending to be asleep and wondered what they would want with this odd collection of women. Rogue couldn’t identify a connection. Soon after, a new man Rogue had not seen before walked in with Tabitha over his shoulder. He tossed her into the third cell.
“Great work Sunfire.” Emma said. I will inform our benefactor of our progress and we can move to the next phase.” Emma and Sunfire left the room and Carol sat up.
“What do you think their plan is?” Carol asked. “And who is that?”
“Tabitha, and Ahm not sure what it is they want with us.” Rogue inspecting the computer from her cell. “But whatever it is, there are going to be more of us soon.”
Emma walked down a dimly lit hallway towards a solid steel door at the end. The door was sealed with a biometric lock that Emma pressed a hand to and the door chirped an authorized sample and opened.
“Ms Frost, I assume you have good news to report?” said a figure in the shadows.
“Yes sir, we have three captives total, Rogue is of course among them, as well as 4 more on the way.”
“Good.” Which subjects are currently in our possession?”
“We have Rogue, Miss Danvers, and Miss Smith.” Emma listed.
“What of Miss Maximoff?” The voice inquired.
“She evaded us.” Emma said sternly. “As did Miss Blaire. But I am pleased to inform you that we have captured Miss Pryde, and Miss Qadir. They should be arriving in a few hours."
“We will make do with what we have then. The lab is almost prepared for the procedure. I have a few last minute adjustments to make to ensure everything goes as planned. We should be ready for our first set of patients tomorrow. Please ensure that the first two subjects are ready by then.”
“Understood sir.” Emma took the cue that her presence was no longer desired and so she retreated.