X-Men Mission: Opera Redux - Pathfinders

[x-dominion.livejournal.com]

Cain, Shiro and Garrison take a moment to pause an assess what's just happened, as they escape deeper into the Iran countryside.



"The explosions have stopped." Garrison Kane paused at the top of the hill, staring back over his shoulder. The reactor site had gone up in a series of massive explosions, as the IDF planted charges reduced the complex to nothing more than a collection of burnt out concrete forms. Secondary explosions had been popping off in the background as they fled over the scrub ground towards the hills for cover. Ororo had demanded a pause to try and assess Clarice's condition, while the rest of them quickly scouted the surrounding area in case any of the Guards patrols might have picked them up.

"I wonder how long it's going to take them to get the fires under control?"

Shiro pulled the tie out of his hair, letting it fall, and brushed a sweaty, greasy strand behind his ear. "Long enough for us to get farther away," he replied hoarsely. "Have you managed to contact Cyclops yet?"

Cain grunted in the negative, shaking his communicator and trying to key it over and over. "Completely fried," he said as he clipped the useless device back over his ear. "On the upside, we ain't being chased far as I can see. Damn shame."

"I can't really say that I like the idea of facing the Iranian army. I mean, I know that Marko is a tank division all by himself, but I'm pretty sure that the Canadian government is going to be pissed at me for helping start a war." Kane shook his head. This wasn't good. None of them spoke the language, and if Clarice was hurt badly, he didn't know how they were going to get out of this fast enough to help her.

"Don't take all the credit." Shiro levitated a few feet up for a better view, but it was the same emptiness in every direction. The power indicator on his glove was half-illuminated, and as he landed, he took a deep breath and tried to regain control over himself. It almost hurt, with his body still weak and crying out for more power. The blazing sun wasn't enough for him anymore, it seemed.

"All I know is that it ain't my fault," Cain droned, concentrating slightly as the dome of his helmet faded into view, casting his eyes into deep shadow. "Best I can figure, we're due south of that wadi out there, about four or five miles. Which way were Dave and Marie going with the kid? I figure if we keep heading that way, they'll double back for us." It was phrased as a statement, but the implied question behind Cain's words hung in the air - the doubt about whether the other X-Men would even be able to return for their stranded comrades.

"I doubt it. Remember that briefing? Sabra said we had a limited window before they pulled out. Why risk explicitly tying this to Israel by coming back. We get picked up, we get the blame." Kane paused. "You think we'll get our paychecks docked if Iran declares war on the school?"

"I am sure we could calm the prime minister by inviting him to see the school. Isn't he the one who takes every opportunity to propagandize?" Shiro took a few steps away from the other two and shut his eyes to focus on extinguishing the fire in his mind.

"Then we best start walking," Cain announced, glancing over to Ororo and Clarice. "Frankly, right now I don't give a damn about anyone's national security or reputations, we got a team to get out of here in one piece."

"We can't go back following the air route. There's a lake and a mountain range in the way." Kane closed his eyes and tried to recall the mission map. It had been on his PDA, which had been fried with the comms. "Angle north? I remember it's mostly hilly terrain. That would give us some places to hide."

Shiro grunted in assent, and bit back a moan as his stomach rumbled. "I will keep to the air when I can. I do not feel well, either."

"Suck it up, soft boy," Cain grunted, reaching out to slap Shiro on the back. "Rally on me, I'll take point. Let boss lady and Clarice know we're moving in five."