xp_logs | Genosha: For Free Trade: The Naked Truth

The attendees of the rally come to to determine where they are.

The blue haze gave way to a black oblivion; a nightmarish sense of falling, speeding down faster and faster as gravity pulled taut. Explosions of light punctuated the darkness, nonsensical flares that do nothing but blind and disorient, like speeding over a waterfall trapped in a pitch black barrel. The fall was a second or an hour or an eternity. It was impossible to tell, simply trapped in the cacophonous disorientation until suddenly it was gone, and reality reasserted itself with a mighty grip. Like a switch turned on and then flipped off again, there was ground under their feet, and as a group, they collapsed to the cold concrete floor, too dazed to do much of anything.

“Security lockdown!” A high, professional sounding voice cut through the fugue, and around them, the noises of men moving and weapons coming ready was apparent. Another heartbeat washed away some of the disorientation, and their surroundings finally came into focus. It was a high ceiling room, like a massive warehouse, all made from concrete and steel. They lay on a featureless concrete pad the size of a baseball infield, and surrounding them were armed soldiers, in green and brown fatigues, weapons at ready. A tall, severe looking woman, wearing what could only be a command version of the uniform, seemed to be in charge. “Are we clear?”

“Pipeline is clear, General Anderson. That’s the whole group.”

“Good. Start the suppression protocols.”

If there was one big advantage to Kane’s abilities, it was being able to shake off unpleasant effects of anything quickly. They had been at the rally, now they were surrounded by armed men, and seeing the others clearly for the first time, suddenly naked. He didn’t recognize the patches or emblems on the uniforms, but he wasn’t about to waste time guessing. With explosive speed he was suddenly on his feet and a rifle bearing soldier found himself knocked flying fifty metres as the Canadian bullrushed and disarmed him before he could react.

In the commotion of Garrison attacking one of the guards, Adrienne came suddenly and completely awake, lying on her side on the concrete pad. She’d been drowsing in a state of stubborn confusion and disbelief, basically assuming that this had to be some sort of nightmare. It would explain the nakedness, right? But the disarmament of the guard snapped her out of her daze. Act now, figure out what the fuck was going on later. It was perhaps a testament to how much living at the mansion had changed her when instead of hanging back and trying to get answers by shooting her mouth off, her immediate thought was to figure out what was going on by using her powers. All she had to do was stick a hand palm-down on the pad and horrifying images filled her mind in an instant. She ripped her hand away and fought the queasiness in her stomach, letting out a strangled “Oh, God,” before something inside her had her staggering to her feet in a weak attempt to help Garrison take out more of the guards.

Her powers already heightened from the bomb attack, Yvette crouched for a moment as she shook her head to regain her balance, her hands, feet and hair little more than long spikes, her skin dull red and impenetrable. The lack of clothing barely registered - in this form she was as featureless as a porcelain doll. Now, following Garrison’s lead, she launched herself at one of the armed guards, intent on destroying his weapon before he could use it on one of her students.

For a few moments she was completely dazed. But then two things registered: one, she was nude... And second: once more she had been kidnapped. Sooraya only took one glance around to take in the situation before she dissolved in her sand form, rushing at the closest group of soldiers. She might not be able to take really take them down, she could keep them back. Long tendrils of sand lashed out like whips, stinging the guards where they had bare skin. Pretty soon though she wondered if she could even do much good here... Spying one of the vents, she disappeared quickly.

Amara had, on occasion, found herself in need of clothes due to a flare up of her powers. That was one thing. This was another. The noise of the others attacking the guards had stirred her from her half-consciousness, and the cold she felt immediately triggered her fire form, Amara on her feet in seconds. A wild blast of fire singed the uniforms and hair of guards she barely missed.

The girl’s blast was close enough to ruffle his hair, but Marius paid it no mind. The question of what had happened didn't even occur; few stimulants were more effective than the sight of firearms. A quick scythe of his feet struck a uniformed man across the ankles, bringing him to the floor. Barely pausing for breath, the X-Man twisted round and grabbed for the weapon. His adrenaline was pumping so hard he didn’t notice the man’s comrade had come up behind him until the butt of a gun cracked against his skull.

The only thing that freaked Cammie out was the sudden loss of her bandages. Clothes didn’t matter to her aside from being a fashion statement that kept her warm when it was too damn cold to be outside doing anything. But the bandages, those were a safety net, and a literal one. Without them on her left arm, she could feel toxins speeding down her left arm. It was an unmistakable sensation. At least there were people here to aim it at - she didn’t need a weapon. As long as she touched someone she was the weapon.

“Fuck this,” she said, jumping into the fray.

Jean-Paul knelt on the ground, one hand braced against the platform. He kept his head down for a moment, watching the others to see how they were responding - and then he took a breath, oriented himself, and stood. Locating the door, he checked to see who he was standing near and then did the only thing he thought might actually succeed given the circumstances in which they found themselves.

Grabbing Artie around the middle, Jean-Paul moved almost too fast for the people around them to see them clearly. One twist of a carefully placed hand snapped a guard’s neck - the second man’s nose became intimately acquainted with the Quebecois’ elbow. And then they were out the door and into the hallway.

Artie held on as the room they'd appeared in (the room they'd appeared in! What the hell?) vanished behind them as Mr Beaubier pulled them out. When they eventually slowed he struggled free, abruptly aware of the fact that he was being hauled naked around who knows where. "What the hell, man? Where the fuck are we and where the fuck are my clothes?" he asked, signing furiously, not caring if the other man could understand.

“Oh. My. Ga-.” Maddie closed her mouth quickly, looking around furiously to make sure none of their captors heard her. She couldn’t believe it! That little fink. Artie and that French Canadian dude had escaped. And the next time she saw them, she was totally going to tease Artie about seeing his naked butt. The thought was enough to give her hope that she was going to make it out of this alive.