New Mission Briefing

[ECKS]

. . .

ECKS: "Well from what I know only one of us has even seen these kids, so where the hell is Gambit?"

(ECKS looks around the room, waiting for suggestions.)

ECKS: "Don't tell me the cajun's gone missin', too."

. . .

[Starr]

(Ana catches something out of the corner of her eye. The mansion's security camera has picked up someone entering the mansion. After getting a closer look she somewhat recognizes the person at the door from some of the many files she read during her time with Weapon X. She looks over at ECKS to tell him.)

Ana: "I don't know but someone's at the front door. I think I recognize them but I'm not sure. I'm gonna go and check it out for myself if that's ok."

. . .

[ECKS]

(ECKS takes a look at the screen, he too recognizes the girl.)

ECKS: "It's Kitty, Kitty Pryde. She's an old friend of mine from the X-Men. Yeah, please go let her in. She's more than welcome here."

(Without another thought Ana goes to greet Kitty.)

[Shadowcat]

(Kitty and Ana phase through the ceiling. Kitty lets go of Ana's hand and faces everyone.)

Shadowcat: Hey everyone.

[Starr]

. . .

Ana: "That was just a little weird, but it's fun, too. I could get used to that."

(She looks around the room.)

Ana: "Everyone, this is Kitty. Kitty, everyone. And that big brooding guy in the brown leather jacket who looks like he needs to shave is Chris, the fiance I was telling you about. He's pretty much the reason we all came here. He got this place started again after the Professor... well you know."

. . .

[Shadowcat]

(Kitty looks around and sees some familar faces and some new ones. She smiles and nods her head as friendly gesture. She turns her attention on Chris, who appears to have taken charge of the X-Men.)

Shadowcat: Okay... so what's the plan? What have I missed?

[ECKS]

. . .

ECKS: "So far as we can tell they have our friends in some kind of building. We don't know what kind of security they might have, and we need a way in that won't trip any alarms. Since you're here now, I guess you can be the one to help us with that part."

(ECKS turns to Kitty and raises an eyebrow.)

ECKS: "You still have your suit right?"

. . .

[Shadowcat]

Shadowcat: Of course. I'll go grab it.

(Kitty exits the room to grab her uniform.)

[Gambit]

(gambit looks at ECKS)

gambit:"gambit here dont worry he wont let some kids take him."

[Shadowcat]

(Kitty once again phases through the ceiling, changed into her uniform.)

Shadowcat: Okay I'm back... with an extra friend who followed me home.

(She looks at her dragon, Lockheed, who sits on her shoulder. Lockheed simply looks around at everyone in the room.)

[Gambit]

gambit:"where chere get a dragon from?"

[Shadowcat]

Shadowcat: From another planet in outer space.

(She sees Gambit's bewilderment.)

Shadowcat: Long story, but now's not the time. I'll tell you later.

[ECKS]

. . .

ECKS: "Alright then. The plan as it stands right now is gonna require three of you workin' together to get inside and to get the rest of us in. Ana and Gambit, you're the trained thieves in this bunch so you two are goin' in first. Kitty you're gonna use your power to phase the three of you through the outer wall and through any other doors that may be locked or have some kind of security. Once inside it's all about bein' quiet and careful, that's where my two thieves come in. You two know all about stealth, Kitty you follow their lead. The next part..."

(ECKS points to a simple schematic of the building he got from satellite photos taken of the place where he found Sonima.)

ECKS: "... is this. This is where the main breaker box is, far as I can figure anyway. Our best shot of gettin' in together is to cut the wires for the security system here, if need be destroy the box and cut all the power, but that's a last resort. We do that, the lights go out and that's gonna alert Sinister and his 'kids.' Ana you know wirin' so that will be up to you, whether or not to take out the box completely."

(ECKS looks back up from the schematic to the group.)

ECKS: "You call us on the headsets when you've disabled security and that should allow the rest of us to enter. You three stay put and stay down 'till we get there. Once we're all inside and together we'll find where they're keepin' Sonima and Liz."

(ECKS looks back to the map and points to a different area.)

ECKS: "This is where the signal was when we first found it, she's moved around several times but each time the signal comes back to this room, where's she most likely bein' kept. But even if she's not there when we get there, I'll be able to pick up her scent and use it to follow her to wherever they've moved her to."

(Done with the map, he quickly folds it up and places it back on the table.)

ECKS: "Now we know that she's not alone, these 'kids' that Gambit had an encounter with are most likely to be there and possibly even Sinister himself, though I doubt he'd risk the exposure. So I'm not gonna say that this will be easy, but it's what we have to do. It's all we have right now. You've all been trained well and I'd expect you to follow that trainin' and rely on your own instincts if we have to fight our way out. Everyone needs to grab a headset before we leave the jet so that we can keep constant communication with each other. Now I want Liz and Sonima back as much as all of you, but if I give the order to abort, we abort. No questions asked. But remember, these are our friends, so abortin' is the last option."

(He looks around the room for a second, then down at the floor. He wipes his forehead then looks back up.)

ECKS: "One last thing, Liz is our main goal here. We bring her back, there's no other option. But if Sonima is... if they've turned her to their side then we can't risk bringin' her back. I know you care for her Nox, but if she's not herself anymore, if they finish whatever it is they're doin' with her, then it'll be too late to save her. Much as I hate to say this, before this is over, Sonima may well become the enemy before this is over. Anyone here that might have a problem leavin' her if she's turned or acceptin' that she's not herself anymore, you're stayin' here. I can't have your personal feelin's gettin' in the way of savin' Liz and possibly the rest of the world. I'll understand if you decide not to go."

(ECKS looks right at Nox during the last part of his speech.)

ECKS: "Everyone else, get suited up and head to the jet, we're leavin' within the hour."

(Feeling bad about the fact that they may just be too late to save Sonima ECKS turns away from the group and finishes folding the map. He then packs it away in a folder to take with them on the trip. He puts both hands on the table and just stares down at the folder. Ana walks over and tries to comfort him, putting her arm around his waist and her head on his shoulder.)

[8-ball]

8-ball:"all right then"

(then heads out the room)

[Shadowcat]

Shadowcat: "Got it."

(exits the briefing room)