She Cuts the Bullshit

“I’m not here to fuck around and pretend we both don’t know what’s going on,” Rachel says. “So I’m just going to put this out there. Everybody knows that there’s a channel that we’re using to mentally communicate to each other with, and although I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t tap into it anymore, I can’t really do too much about it. But the agreement doesn’t say anything about Phoenix – and trust me, she’s almost as good as me, and will make you regret it.”

“I know,” you say. “So I’ll cut the crap too. All of you here know the agreement that Rachel and I came to. In the interest of preserving the possibility of working with the X-Men now and in the future, and because I’m not a complete shitbag of a human being, I’ve decided to give you all a bit more freedom. That means I’ll unlock doors for most of the day and that I’ll no longer touch any of you. I’m not going to lord over you girls anymore.”

Not strictly true, you think to yourself, but it’s close enough that it’ll pass. You gauge the reactions of the girls, and from the way that they nod, it’s clear that they got what they hoped for, but not much more.

“But more importantly,” you continue, “I’m going to need your help. Summers has pointed out the threat that HYDRA poses, and my recent investigations have revealed some concerns that warrant further investigation.”

“So you are doing what I suggested,” Rachel says. “Have you made any overtures with them?”

“I’m working my way in,” you say, not revealing the nature of arrangement with the Technician. It could be a crucial advantage to be abused at the right time for maximal effect. “It’s gotten me in touch with some of the higher ups, and the full extent of their plans with soon be revealed to me.”

“Good,” Rachel says.

“I thought I would warn you, Apotheosis,” Jean says, “that we worked together to send out a beacon back to the X-Men home base. They’re sending some a hero or two over to monitor and support as needed. Unfortunately, that means that we’re no longer your prisoners to toy with.”

Perhaps, with a little charm, you might be able to make the best out of this souring situation. You had not counted on them making contact with home base so quickly, and this turns the tables against you. Either you’ll have to relocate now, and somehow find a way to prevent them from making outside contact again (which would be nearly impossible), or you’ll have to roll with it. As such, the decision to make is obvious.

“I gathered as much,” you say. “From the moment Rachel Summers made an appearance on the plane, all hope of going into hiding was lost. We might as well make the best out of the situation, however, and I hope you are all amenable to working together as teammates, as we were meant to be. Together, we can take down the threat that HYDRA poses.”

“I would be willing,” the Invisible Woman says. She gives you a sympathetic smile. It seems like she never lost her desire for you, the spark that you fanned from the very beginning of your training process.

The White Queen, still barely dressed, speaks up: “Teammates? Oh, you wish. But for now, I’ll follow along. This is getting interesting.”

The others slowly give their assent, until they’ve nearly all agreed. Last to speak is X-23.

“I just joined the X-Men,” she says, looking around nervously. “I don’t know what I should do. I was locked up for fucking things up, because I always screw up, and then they have to waste so much time controlling me. Maybe I’ll sit this one out. I’m too dangerous.”

“I have a means of keeping you in check,” you say. “Remember the pheromones?”

“It doesn’t technically count as you touching her,” Rachel concedes. “It would probably still work.”

“Are you sure?” X-23 asks, nervously. “What if I go crazy anyways, and kill somebody?”

“That’s on me,” you say. “Trust me on this.”

She looks hard at you, and then shakes her head. “I can’t trust you. Not after what you’ve done, not so soon. But I will join you, because I trust Rachel.”

“Great,” you say, wrapping the matter up. “Well, I’ll leave you all out here, as there’s business for me to manage back in the plane.”

With that, you head back into the plane. What do you have to do in there?