xp_logs | Crystal and Forge

Forge goes to the infirmary to question the only witness to the students' disappearance. Questions are asked, answers are given, and promises are made.

"I don't care if she's got the creeping death plague," Forge said as he passed through the double doors into the infirmary area, "she was the last person to see those students and the only actual witness to the abduction. If I'm going to develop an appropriate security response, I need as much information as she can give me, unless you'd like to have more students vanish? Get off my back."

Oh, he just knew he was going to pay for that one later, but at least they'd let him in to do his job. Others on the staff were working on trying to track down Kyle, Jennie, and Marius, and the Professor had already been in Cerebro for over an hour. So far, nothing. And so here Forge found himself, standing outside the recovery room. Setting his PDA to record notes, he rapped on the door and glanced in.

"Crystal? It's Forge. I've got some questions."

Crystal wanted to be left alone. She didn't want any visitors. Medusa, however, was her sister and did not want to leave her alone. Crystal wasn't particularly in the mood to talk to Forge. Forge was an idiot. Forge thought he knew everything. She didn't want to have to talk to him, but she also knew he was in charge of security and she had known a staff member would have questions for her.

"You may come in, Forge," Crystal said.

Forge gave a polite nod out of habit, then hooked a rolling stool with his foot and pulled it over to sit at the edge of Crystal's bed. Her leg was already splinted and in a cast, although he hadn't glanced over the medical chart at all. Best to get her perspective on what happened and not to jump to conclusions.

"We got the panic button calls apparently right after you guys got jumped," he said without preamble. "You followed the security procedures to the letter. You didn't do anything wrong. So, can you tell me exactly what happened?"

Crystal proceeded to tell Forge the details of what had happened short hours before, starting with leaving the restaurant and not noticing anything out of the ordinary, then the walk to the car and the feeling that something was off. The initial attack, the physical descriptions and powers of the attackers who had used them, the air-wall and hurricanes and their sudden loss, the students being unable to flee, their attackers ceasing to use their powers, her first kick, the attacks that followed, the slamming and throwing of Marius and Jennie, the devices, Kyle being stomped, her leg being broken, and the sudden disappearance of both the device and everyone else who had been present. "Then I called Pietro, who brought me back to the mansion, where Dr. Voght was eagerly anticipating the next visitor to her torture chamber."

"These devices appear to have been necessary to facilitate the teleportation," Forge mused, making notes. "Since science hasn't advanced enough for mechanical teleportation -yet -that leaves a very specific range of explanations. Given the other individuals, looking for a mutant who needs technological boosting for a teleportation effect should narrow down our search."

He tucked his PDA into a pocket, folding his hands together and leaning forward. "I'm not going to try and be condescending and give you some big 'it'll be all right' pep talk, because I don't know that. You were there, I wasn't. Is there anything you can think of that they would have taken you all for? I mean, if you were the primary target -an important royal - why bother trying to grab the other three? Did they say anything about why you all were targeted?"

"I sincerely doubt that I was the primary target, Forge," Crystal retorted. "They seemed equally interested in everyone and the one they called 'Ramrod' did not seem to invest any extra effort or interest in attaching the teleportation device to my arm. They did not seem to care about how much they hurt any of us. 'George' went for Kyle first and all of them appeared to be surprised by my air-wall and hurricanes, yet they obviously anticipated the fact that we had powers. They did not return for me... either they were unable to or they already had who they wanted or both. Kyle tried to talk to them, one thought that was funny, that Kyle said we were not trying to invade their space and thought he might be able to talk them out of continuing their attack on us."

Forge pondered that. "They came prepared, but not specifically so. That's probably important." He sat for a moment, then punched one fist into his palm in frustration. "Dammit, I wish I knew how to fit this all together. I'll pass this all along - as well as see about researching those devices they tried to use for a teleportation lock. That'll help. And I promise, no matter what anyone else says, I'll keep you in the loop as quickly as possible."

Crystal's eyes met Forge's. "Tried to use? They did use them! Mine disappeared right in front of me, it just was not touching my skin or clothes when it vanished!" She looked at him intently, doing her best to keep herself from frowning. "I... I have heard that before, Forge. From you, last summer, as you may recall. Please do not make another promise you do not intend to keep."

"I wouldn't," Forge replied quietly. "Scott and Ororo are going to keep everyone informed - this isn't just some students prancing off to Europe and staying late. This is an actual threat." He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "Look, I know you're frustrated. I've been where you are - literally. We'll do our best to get them back."

"What happened to Marius and Jennie last summer was an actual threat, only people did not know it at the time," Crystal replied, this time not bothering to hide her frown. "This time we do not have to wonder if someone took them or if they are away by their own choice, but we still do not know where they are, why they were taken, or who took them."

Forge nodded. "Exactly. I'll pass this information on to Scott and Ororo, they'll know best how to proceed. What'd the doctor say about your leg?"

Crystal forced an obviously fake smile his way. "It is broken."

Forge winced. "Yikes. If you need any assistance, I happen to know a bit about getting around on a bad leg. Granted, I also don't have the ability to fly myself back and forth to class."

Forge really hadn't known that? Well then. "I believe I will still keep a pair of crutches handy. I would hate to be unable to fly again and fall to the ground." Plus, she wasn't sure how much flying she'd feel like doing.

"Unable to fly?" Forge arched an eyebrow. "You said 'again'. When were you unable to fly?"

Crystal gave Forge a wide-eyed "are you a complete and utter moron?" look. "Right now, Forge. I am unable to fly right now. Did you miss the part where I explained about the sudden loss of powers? I cannot fly while I am unable to utilize my ability to control the air."

"You'll get better," Forge said plainly as he stood up. "Trust me, I know. When I said I'd been in your position, I meant it. Hospital bed, crippled, powerless. It'll pass."

Great. She was participating in yet another of the fine traditions at Xavier's. Why didn't someone just take over her mind and force her to dive into the lake right now? "I will be fine. I know." Crystal paused as he prepared to leave. "Forge? I know the people at the school will do everything they can to find Jennie, Marius, and Kyle."

"No, you don't," Forge said, looking over his shoulder. "But you believe they will. Maybe that'll be good enough this time."