Chapter Seventeen

Scott touched a couple buttons on the console, and the communications center of the Blackbird sprang to life. Scott smiled faintly as the image of Dr. Henry McCoy, otherwise known as Beast flickered on the screen.

"My Stars! I am glad to hear from you Scott. I am glad that you still appear to be in one piece." Beast exclaimed.

"With the exception of a really bad headache, I am fine. Have you heard from the rest of the team?"

"They are all here, Scott. I am afraid that both Jean and Jubilation are in really bad shape. I have done all I could for the both of them. Jubilee has been stabilized, but is not out of the woods yet. Jean is resting, but I cannot repair the mental damage that has been done. Chuck is returning from Washington as we speak to see what he can do."

"Thanks, Beast. It appears that Wolverine was badly injured. He survived, but at a cost. He has lost his hold on humanity, and is now doing his best wolf man impersonation in the Nevada desert."

"We will send another team to retrieve Logan. However, it is important that you return promptly to be here for Jean. She is needing all the help she can get."

"Don't worry Hank, we are on our way."

Scott pressed a button, and the screen went dead. "OK, Storm. We have one more thing we have to take care of. We gotta take Weapon X with us."

"You cannot be serious. What for?"

"We can't leave that kind of technology lying around, can we? Sinister may have lost this round, but he is still out there. We can't let him have that thing back, even if it is dead."

"You are right, of course. Let's just get it over quickly."

Scott and Ororo exited back out of the Blackbird. They walked quickly back to the still smoldering body of Weapon X.

Scott crinkled his nose. "Ugh, that smell. Sorry to make you do this Storm."

"Just remember that when we get back to the mansion." Storm smiled. "I will keep this in mind next time I need some help with the yardwork."

Scott groaned, and grabbed the hands of Weapon X. Storm followed his lead and grabbed his legs. They struggled off back in the direction of the Blackbird.

"Jeez, this guy weighs a ton!" Scott could see that Storm was struggling to keep her end aloft.

"Why don't we try dragging him?" Scott suggested. Storm readily agreed, and dropped his legs to the ground. She came over and took one of his arms from Scott, and they both started dragging the body toward their destination.

Finally getting aboard the sleek black aircraft, they strapped the body of Weapon X down in the cargo hold. Scott and Storm returned to the control area of the craft, and prepared for takeoff.

Flipping switches, Scott turned to the seated Storm. "By the way, thank you. If it wasn't for you, that guy would have turned my head into hamburger."

"Just doing my job, Scott. Don't forget, he was attempting the same attack on me."

"Yeah, well, thanks anyway." Scott started flipping switches on the panels, and the twin engines roared to life.

"Anytime, Scott."

The Blackbird swung into the darkening sky, and the form of Logan emerged from the rubble. He watched the plane depart through bloodshot eyes, thankful that the danger had passed. Logan raised his hands above his head and roared at the departing sound of the Blackbird's engines. Scanning the area around him to assure of no further threats, he dropped to the asphalt beneath him, and loped along toward the sunset.

End of Part 1

Pride – Part 2 coming soon!

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