Scott and Ororo, Thursday afternoon

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

Scott stops by Ororo's office to relate a proposition they've received. Turns out it will involve some travel in the next few days.


The expression Scott was wearing as he appeared at the door of Ororo's office was more than just merely thoughtful - it was something closer to 'intrigued', and the smile he gave her as she looked up at him was oddly speculative. "So I was in with Charles when he got a phone call," he said, coming in and sitting down in the chair across from her desk. "Apparently the Prime Minister of Hungary wants to 'borrow' us for the coming week."

"Borrow, hm?" Ororo asked, her eyebrows raising just a bit. "As the implications are that we will be returned in a condition equal to that upon our departure, I'd say that sounds doable." She rested one elbow on her desk, and put her chin on her hand, regarding Scott openly. "Did he say what he would be 'borrowing' us for?"

"Our expertise," Scott said, slouching in his chair. It had been an intriguing request, really. "They're looking to adapt the X-Men model for Hungary. Makes sense, given that they've been attracting a lot of mutant immigration what with their social policies." The need was there, Nimrod's initial psychotic rampage being a prime example. "I don't know precisely who this new team would be answering to," he went on. "Charles was vague on that in a way that suggests that Barath was vague on it. Which would make sense, if they're going to set this up while sounding out what would be acceptable to their neighbors."

Hungary's military, since the beginning of the country's genetic integration cultural experiment, had practiced a discreet sort of 'don't ask, don't tell, don't blow anything up' policy when it came to mutants enlisting in the armed forces. As bold as Hungary's actions on the mutant question had been domestically, its government was markedly more cautious on the foreign stage. Not surprising, given its history and various lingering tensions in that part of Europe. Even if this new team was only to be used internally, which Scott was assuming was the plan, it could attract some negative attention if it wasn't very carefully... marketed.

"In any case, our consulting services are being requested. I know it's short notice, but I get the sense that Charles would really, really like us to say yes."

Nodding slowly, Ororo sat back, mulling over the repercussions to a decision like this. She admired Prime Minister Barath and the things he was accomplishing for mutants; there was really no reason to say no to a request from him. "Well then, I hope you told him 'of course'," she said with a grin, knowing that Scott wouldn't have given an answer without consulting with her first.

Scott was perfectly straight-faced as he answered. "Well, no, I told Charles I'd need to talk you into it. Budapest in January? I gather 'gray and dreary' doesn't really cover it."

This earned him a smirk. "Well, I don't mind a little cold... but I understand if your delicate constitution cannot handle it."

"Consultants get requests, don't they? I should ask for a sunlamp," Scott said, but only after sticking his tongue out at her. "I think what they want is training methods," he said more seriously. "Bring copies of our tac review files, maybe?" The basic ones, at least, the ones that weren't specifically modeled after past missions.

"Mm, yes... though depending on how far along they are in their construction for facilities, we could potentially provide them with much more valuable information," Ororo mused.

"Charles wants to be a little cautious, I think. Stick to the basics, until we see how this develops - Barath's running the country these days, so we don't know who this particular project's been delegated to." And it went without saying that there were certain types of information that would Not Be Mentioned, let alone shared. "It's an interesting opportunity, though. Kind of like the mountain going to Mohammed, as opposed to us hosting a Hungarian liaison officer..." He paused, giving her a speculative look. "Think we should ask anyone else to come? Forge, maybe? He might be good for technical advice, plus he's had the experience of training from the other side..."

"Yes, that is what I thought. Someone who has had experience with the technical side of things - there are certain precautions that would be disastrous to overlook, and Forge is nothing if not thorough." She nodded, and pressed her fingers together in a tenting motion. "This is really quite exciting, when you think about it. Barath has made great leaps in the time he has been in office."

"It might be nice to see Budapest when it doesn't involve getting my ass kicked, too." Scott grinned suddenly at her. "And we get away from the school for a bit, too. What do you think - leave Kurt in charge of the team?"

"I think that would be a wise decision," Ororo said with a nod. "I am positive he can handle things if we are away for a bit. And a vacation would be nice, even if we are technically still working."

"Kurt in charge of the team, Charles back to the day-to-day running of the school... I wonder if we'll recognize the place when we get back?" Scott grinned even wider as he found himself wondering if that would be such a bad thing.