xp_logs | Shadow King: Strange Solutions

Following the chaos of the previous day, X-Force's Occult Research Division brainstorm solutions.

"What the hell is going on?" Illyana demanded, as she pushed through the conference room door, taking in the piles of books and laptops currently in use. Her eyes narrowed, focusing on Dr. Strange, before she settled her gaze between Amanda and Wanda. "I just got the stupidest call about the astral plane, of all things."

"Nice of you to join us," Amanda said, unruffled. At least unruffled by Illyana's demands - with the psis down, there were plenty of things to worry about. "Sorry to interrupt whatever it was you were doing, skinning puppies or whatever, but we've got a crisis. Something's attacking the psis, and Strange thinks it's on the astral plane."

Wanda popped up from behind a rather intimidating stack of papers, one hand cradling a book and the other a coffee. "Which, by the way, means you should probably keep clear of any psi you come across. Including Betsy." She scowled, worried not only about Betsy but for all of her friends. "Oh hell, has anyone gotten in touch with Marie-Ange? She's not a psionic but her powers have the weirdest reactions to them. Sit, Illyana, we need your brain."

"I'll call Doug," Amanda said, already grabbing her phone and moving slightly away from the table. "You guys have my stuff, for what it's worth. I'll catch up in a sec."

For his part, Strange had been sitting silent, observing the three and their interaction. "Thank you, Miss Rasputin, for getting here so quickly," he said at last. "We could do with another perspective, especially one as unique as yours."

Illyana's expression was nothing less than venomous. Time, it seemed, had not faded her dislike for Strange. "And you're here, what? For moral support?" Emphasis on the moral. Deciding it was easier to ignore him, she turned her attention rather pointedly to Wanda. "So what's going on?"

Wanda, for her part, ignored the exchange -- Illyana could like or dislike anyone she chose to, as long as it didn't impact the job at hand. "From what we know, which is precious little actually, is that there is something on the astral plane that is attacking the psionics." She shook her head, expression pinched and drawn. "But it has a specific target at Xavier's, as well. Cain Marko."

"And if it manages that, it will have access into the mind of everyone in the planet. Including yourself." Strange glanced at Wanda, concern flashing briefly in his expression. "I imagine you wouldn't want that to happen."

Illyana's face was a study in disbelief. "If it's strong enough to beat Mr. Marko, I don't actually know what we think we can do about it." Funny how well she remembered that furious battle in Limbo, even though she hadn't been there; it had resonated in her for days, all fragments of pictures and sounds and ground-memory. "Where are we at?" she asked finally, taking a seat and flipping through a pile of papers.

Wanda held up a hand. "Just keep in mind it has not bested Cain as of yet," she told to everyone in the room. "Yes, it is very strong but I will be damned if it wins on our watch. Our first objective is trying to figure out what this thing is, exactly. Is it magical or psionic in essence? Could it potentially be a combination of the two? The problem with the unknown is that we have no information on how to beat it. Find me what it is and that will lead us to it's weaknesses."

Whatever those might be.

Amanda finished her call and came back, to catch Wanda's last. "Angie's fine, and Betsy's been taken care of. Emma's fine, but that's 'cause of that secondary power that knocks out her telepathy, so she's sticking with the diamond look for now. And so far we know two things. Bugger and All," she said, sliding into a seat. "Well, apart from the fact it scared the shite out of Strange." Strange gave her a Look, and she shrugged. "And the books haven't been terribly useful - we don't have anything even close to this sort of thing. Which means we need another way of getting information on this beastie."

"Well, has anyone gone to take a look?" Illyana muttered under her breath, obviously sarcastic.

Strange shook his head. "I can't go back, it knows my signature..." he began but then Wanda interrupted him.

"No, you're right, we need you to keep your astral behind back down on our level," she said, tapping her chin. "But what about sending someone else? Because right now, it's them 1, us nothing."

"Good luck finding someone who can get to the astral plane without getting caught," Illyana said, leaning on one hand. "You'd need someone who's immune to . . . " She trailed off, looking appalled at herself; whether because she'd just identified herself, or because she hadn't thought of it before, was unclear.

"Immune to what?" Amanda looked puzzled.

"Immune to psionics," Strange supplied, sitting up. "Someone who doesn't register to telepaths, who doesn't have any kind of psionic or magical signature..." Wanda stirred and he shook his head. "Not you. The Chthon trace would be like walking around the astral plane with a spotlight on you, and if this thing is after Cyttorak's energy, you'd be a perfect substitute."

"And I'm Jane Ordinary as far as psionics go," Amanda said. "The only reason I've got any resistance at all is 'cause of Strange's training."

"Which leaves me," Illyana said. "Because as far as psionics go, I'm unreadable. And as far as magic goes, well. But I can't get to the astral plane, before we all get too excited." Her tone implied, And I don't really want to go, either, so don't go getting any ideas.

"I could..." Strange began, but shook his head. "No, it's preposterous, to think of sending a child in my place. We'll think of something else, some way of hiding myself..."

Looking over at him, Wanda's expression softened for a second before hardening. "Not much of a choice, I'm afraid," she said, putting her hands flat on the table. "Stephen, Illyana might be young but the reason she's here is she has skills and resources our team needs. We put you on back on the astral plane and I bet my life on the fact that you get sniffed out under a minute, no matter how good your shielding is."

Turning back to Illyana, she continued, "Looks like you really are the only one we can send in. We use Stephen to get you up there -- you work fast but carefully. If you do not think you can do this, tell me. But if you can, we have no other recourse right now."

Illyana, who had gone pale with offense upon being called a child, stuck her chin out, forgetting any reluctance in the face of her umbrage. "Of course I can do it; at least I'm not old. So let's get it over with." Never one for obsessing over process, Illyana looked ready to go right then and there, without further preparation or discussion.

There was a flicker of expression across Strange's face, and then he held up a hand. "Very well, we'll try it. But there's some preparation needed - I'll try and be as quick as I can, but we won't be able to do anything until I'm finished." He glanced at Amanda. "If you will assist me...?"

His former student nodded. "Sure, Doc," she replied, with a slight shrug. "Once a sorcerer's apprentice, blah, blah, blah."

In return, Wanda gave Stephen a look that clearly said 'We'll talk later'. "We're settled then. You three go prepare to do your magical voodoo head thing and I will keep hitting the books." There was a pause and a moment of red in the room. "And keep doing that, though I doubt it is doing anything but protecting myself," she said, sounding tired. It was wishful thinking for it to expand and they had better things to do than sit around and wish. She glanced back to Illyana and smiled. "Better come back in one piece, my dear, or you and I will have words."