Age of Apocalypse: Escaping Under Fire

[x-eidolon.livejournal.com]

The next morning, the team is forced to escape Muir as Apocalypse’s forces take the island, destroying it behind them.



Gunfire and explosions hailed the start to the day – the worse possible way to be awoken, with few exceptions. Chaos reigned the island as the last of their military personnel scrambled for the remaining flights out. The defence posts were unmanned, with mere token ground resistance offered against the airstrike being carried out, buying precious seconds for them to work with.

A side of the hangar walls were blasted open as Rachel threw her powers at it, clearing another path for people to head through. Four figures disappeared into the rear of the Blackbird as she doubled back from the building she had come from.

She barrelled through the air, dropping her shield only when she was seconds from the last stragglers of her group. Without landing or hesitation, she grabbed Molly’s hand and pulled the invulnerable teenager into the air with her.

“David. Jello. Grab Prof. Betsy’s got the rest. We have to go. Now.”

Still in her clothes from the day she got there, Molly was barely able to let out a groggy yelp of surprise when Rachel grabbed her hand. She was not expecting to fly this morning. Luckily she resisted the urge to squish first and ask questions later because that would've been not good at all.
The tiny people on the ground were really blurry and running and yelling and as she and Rachel flew really fast toward the airplane hangar and landed in front of a big black airplane.

"Where are we going?"

"Dr. Essex!" Jim called as the two girls disappeared towards the hangar. Everything was chaos; so many people were running past them. What sounded like a mortar struck the building not far away; he switched instinctively, throwing up a telekinetic shield as he did.

"Skin, you see Essex?" the alter called out to one of the remaining members of their party. "Telepathy can't peg-"

Above them a weathered helicopter, civilian in make and used for short runs to and from the mainland, screeched as something hit the primary propeller. Unable to sustain its altitude, the craft careened into the rocky shore. The telekinetic just barely managed to contain the ensuing shrapnel.

"Stealth capabilities, great," Jack snarled as he sent the shrapnel whipping at the enemy gunship responsible. "With all this around what are the odds we even get into the sky?"

"We don't." Remy aimed carefully, and flung a card. It impacted through the open hatch of the gunship's missile payload. The sequence of explosions tore the gunship apart. "Dere's too much air cover. 'Ro could have given us cover to get away, but-"

"Hold your skirts, ladies." Betsy approached with Essex, hand in hand. Her other hand held onto a semi-automatic handgun. "The calvary's arrived." She eyed the gathering, disdain apparent on her face before leaning in and kissing Essex. Explosions, screams, and people dying all around them, yet she made time for this. Betsy pulled back, refrained from looking at the others before distancing herself from her husband. "Time for you go, love. I'll make sure to cover your exit."

"You were supposed to be on the last flight, Elisabeth." Essex said. "There's only the runabout left."

"And here I was hoping your powers of observation were otherwise occupied." Betsy forced a tight smile. "It is my job to do everything possible to ensure this mission's success. I can't do that from the transport, now can I?"

"They are going to need you on the-"

"We don't have time for dis." Remy broke in. "Is de plane prepped?"

"Should be, I think that's what Chis took Molly to check on", Angelo said grimly, then looked hard at Betsy. "A little respect from you would be nice, we didn't ask to be here and we're trying to help."

Jim looked at Betsy. The determination was writ on her face and those unfamiliar blue eyes. She would do what needed to be done. That was a quality this world had not changed. Essex knew it, too. He could see that understanding just as clearly on the man's face, and the baldness of that emotion was more disconcerting than the kiss.

"We need to get Dr. Essex to the plane," said the X-Man, pulling his gaze away from the couple to face Remy. "If you and Skin can keep the path clear, I'll cover us from the air."

"Angelo, help Essex to de plane." Remy said quietly, understanding just what was happening. "Haller, you're our covering fire. Remy catch up wit' you in a moment."

"Elizabeth, you need to reach the runabout now." Essex urged her, even as he was being led away. Remy waited until he'd covered part of the distance before turning back to Betsy.

"Pretty sure dat explosion a few minutes ago was de runabout. Haller might be able to give us our window on his own. You sure you want to do dis?"

"I will, Nathan," she called out to her husband. "I'll be right behind you." Betsy turned back to the Cajun, firm. "Yes, I am." She still managed a reassuring smile. "I'd rather not trust all your lives on that scrambled bag. I trusted David… not whoever that is. Just go. Oh, and Remy, do mind the gap."