xp_logs | Telephone from the White House

Takes place after this log but before this one. President McKenna telephones Charles for help resolving the Austin hostage crisis, and they make plans to speak in person on Friday.

The low roar of the Blackbird’s engines had hardly died away before the phone at Charles' elbow rang again, an outside line.

"Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Professor Xavier speaking."

A young, female, and only slightly self-important voice answered. "Please hold for the President of the United States."

Charles barely had time to raise an eyebrow before there was a click on the other end of the line. "Dr. Xavier? John McKenna. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No, of course not, Mr. President. How may I help you?"

A sigh from the other end of the line. "I'll cut to the chase. A group calling itself the Mutant Liberation Front has taken a radio station hostage in Austin. They're in a standoff with the police, and negotiation doesn't seem to be working. I . . . hesitate to characterize this as a ‘mutant problem,' but it is a delicate matter, and I'm calling to ask for your help." The President paused briefly. "Julianne Donaldson is an intern there."

"Andrew Donaldson's daughter, yes, I know." Charles didn't need to cast his mind toward the nation's capital to hear the shock in the silence on the other end of the line. "You're twenty minutes behind Trish Tilby, Mr. President; I have a team on their way to Austin as we speak, and I expect they will land in slightly over half an hour."

"I . . . thank you. Dr. Xavier, although I have to admit that . . . wasn't the help I was thinking of. Would I recognize any of them?"

Charles chuckled. "A few, yes. They have my full confidence." He paused thoughtfully. "However, it's fortunate you called, Mr. President; if you have a moment, in the next few days, I would very much like to speak with you in person."

"Today and tomorrow are ironclad, I'm afraid, but I can open something up on Friday." The President's tone turned dry. "Thank you for calling ahead."

"I do like to observe the niceties when the situation allows."

"I'll have my assistant contact you with the schedule. And I may have a proposal for you by then, as well, depending on how this incident resolves."

"Then I look forward to seeing you on Friday, Mr. President."

"And I you. Goodbye, Dr. Xavier."

"Thank you, Mr. President. Goodbye."