X-Men Mission: Attica! Attica!

[x-dominion.livejournal.com]

The X-Men are dismissed from the scene.



"HOLD!" Thor's voice reverberated over the roof top, stopping everyone momentarily. The Thunder God dropped down to the concrete near where Captain America and Hulk were duelling with Dominion and Rogue. He pointed the hammer at Kane.

"I know you, Fed." The odd switch in his voice alerted Kane instantly. He stopped and looked at him.

"Donny?"

"Thor. And Don Blake. In truth, it is complicated. Captain," Thor said, "I know this man. He is an officer of the FBI. I do not believe they are the mutants we were warned about."

"Avengers, stand down." Captain America said into his communicator. "What the hell are you people doing here?"

"We're the X-Men. We caught wind of the attempted breakout and came to stop it."

"Funny, we did the same thing. The difference is that this is our job to respond to these threats. Not yours." "Seems ta me y'all should be happy for the allies," Rogue grumbled, brushing her hair out of her face. "An' not tryin' ta kill them." The ferocity behind Captain America and the Hulk's attacks was disgusting. "The bad guys got away while y'all were showin' us 'our place'."

"That is what happens when you respond to a threat and find three times the people there that you expected." The Captain said, no sympathy or remorse in his voice. "This could have gone far worse, X-Men. Whether you think we're allies or not, SHIELD operations aren't the place for amateur vigilantes."

Jean-Phillipe snorted. It was hard to believe that this officious connard, who was apparently so ramrod-straight because of the enormous stick that seemed surgically implanted in his ass, was the same man that French history books celebrated as a key part of turning the tide in World War II. "Apparently professionals cannot distinguish between people attacking them and people trying to assist them?"

"Son, everyone who we were briefed to be on this roof was a combatant. You want to assist us? Next time, talk to SHIELD if you think you're needed."

"And how well do you think that would go? You know as well as we do why we can't do that," Jean said, holding her side. Her uniform was in tatters, tiny bits of charred skin peeking out from underneath.

"The world has been thrown off balance. I understand that tensions are high. But from what I've read, you yourself have jumped in to try to help in places where you weren't wanted, against orders. Because you knew it was right. So please, Captain, give us the benefit of the doubt that we are trying to make a difference."

"And you put yourself in a lot of danger doing this. You need to understand, Miss, that your team, however well intentioned, isn't needed."

"Captain, I-"

He held up a red glove covered hand. "If you X-Men hadn't have been here, we'd have four mutants in custody right now. I understand that your hearts might be in the right place, but please understand this. You are not needed. You are not wanted. We are the authorities, not you."

Garrison stepped forward, only to be met by the chilly gaze of the Captain. "You know that's not always going to be true."

"Maybe. But is right now. We're going to let you leave and pretend like this never happened. This is the only time you get this deal." He said. "Go home, X-Men. And stay there."