Almalthia

X-Men: The New Era

Uná O’Brian; Tabitha North “Professor North” & Nikolai “Demo” Markov

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Location: Danger Room

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Interaction: Professor North; Nikolai @webboysurf

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Mentions: NA

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Uná wiped off the sweat off her forehead as she strained to keep the fight between Luke and Vader going on in detail a practically perfect replica of the movie. The light sabers looked a little flat to her but she'd work on that.

“Pause here Uná. Let's go to something that you're working on. Not that the scene from Star Wars was bad but I think if you pulled something out of yourself then you could get a better feel for it.” Professor North's voice came over the loudspeaker in the Danger Room.

The Star Wars scene faded as Uná let go of it. Breathing deeply in then out. Then slowly the sunsets and stars come out. Smiling Uná reached up and seemed to pull the stars from the night sky and smooths them on in the form of a dress much like the ones that Debbie Reynolds wore in Singing In The Rain. Giggling she started the number "Good Morning"

Nik stood back, his arms folded. He wore a simple tank top and pair of athletic shorts, both black in color. He seemed to mutter under his breath, shaking his head when Una made a mistake in the fight’s progression. As Professor North’s voice filled the room, Nik gave a slight nod, taking a seat on the ground and pulling out a metal marble. He tossed it in the air, tossing it up and catching it without looking.

The sight of the stars were an interesting sight. He wasn’t at all surprised Una would make that move, choosing to keep her head in the stars. Her switch to Singing in the Rain was a bold choice, though not unappreciated. He gave a smile as she started the song, keeping his distance for now to let her focus.

Uná whirled as she dropped the song and fell back without fear as a cloud caught her. She sat up and smirking tossed a metal marble at Nikolai. "Catch Nikolai."

Nik tossed his own marble into the air, lifting his right hand to catch the new marble from Una while his left lifted up to catch his falling marble. He didn’t skip a beat, and he gave a somewhat boyish smile in amusement at his own reflexes. ”Nice trick, Red.”

Uná grinned. She just thought of a great idea. "So want to try something out Nikolai?" She had the cloud float down to Nikolai with her on it. She hopped off and stalked around him grinning.

Nik raised an eyebrow, sliding the marbles into his pocket as he slowly rose to his feet. He gave a grin as Una stalked around him. ”What do you have in mind?”

Uná stood in front of him and looked up at him still grinning. "Great. Do you know the game 'cups'?"

Nik shrugged, tilting his head slightly. "Uhhh... I don't think so. Unless it's a drinking game."

"Nope not a drinking game. So it's a game where you try to guess which cup a ball is under. Normally it's played with three cups. You place a bet and if you win you get double your money. But let's make this interesting and IF you win you can get one wish. When...sorry if I win I get a wish. Now it has to be something that the other one can fulfill." Uná holds out her hand grinning. "Agreed? Or do you have conditions?"

Nik gave a small smile, nodding his head. "Ahhh, the shuffling game? Sure, why not." In his mind, at that moment, he was confident. A little too confident. Years of baseball taught him to have a sharp eye and notice the slightest shifts in motion, especially as a pitcher. A simple game of figuring out which ball a cup was under... that wasn't difficult in his mind.

Uná grinned and walked behind Nikolai. She then walked from behind him. Then another Uná and suddenly there were three of her in the room all dressed the same. "So which one is the real Uná?" They all asked at once.

Nik gave a defeated grin, his tongue pressing against his upper molars before releasing a deep sigh. He looked them all over before his eyes narrowed slightly, stepping out and circling to examine the three a little more closely. It was, in a small effect, a ruse. He was breathing in the air, trying to determine where he could detect the faint smell of vanilla and jasmine that often signified her presence. He kept circling until he finally stopped in front of one of the figures, taking a long step forward to place both hands on her shoulders and move his lips towards her ear to softly whisper three words. "Again, nice try."

Uná shivered lightly and tried to cover it by setting her hands on Nikolai's hands and laughing. It came out a little breathless. "Alright what gave me away? So what is this wish of yours?"

He shrugged his shoulders, backing off as her hands rested upon his. He spun around, his back to her. "I don't know, I guess I'm just that good." Without surprise, his playful response reeked of overconfidence as he did his best to not laugh.

Uná banished the others with a wave and marched over to stand in front of him. She had a stubborn set to her mouth which he'd seen over the past month a few times. Her eyes blazed blue fire as she poked him in the chest. "Nikolai Markov you are not that good if you don't know how you did it! If that's so you can prove it again!!"

Nik shrugged his shoulders. "Double or nothing, Red." He had the cocky grin of a man who knew he couldn't be beat, running a hand along the top of his stiffly-gelled hair.

Uná narrowed her eyes at him. "You're on." Uná stalked off past Nikolai ticked as hell and threw up a wall for a second then waved a hand to make it vanish. Once again there was three of her to chose from. All of them had their arms crossed and looked miffed. "Done." All three of them said in the same tone.

Nik followed the same method, walking past each figure twice as he used his nose to determine which one it was. He walked in front of one of the illusions, as if to signify that was the correct one, before spinning on his heels and point at the one he determined to be the real one by scent in his last walk-around. "Una, I presume?"

Uná waved the other two away and growled in frustration. She stalked over to Nikolai. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes. Technically they're all me. Alright what gives? What was it? What am I missing?" She looked at him seriously still a little pissed but more at herself now than at him.

Nik gave a deep breath as she neared, before finally tapping the bridge of his nose. "If you're going to try and trick someone, you need to know yourself better than anyone else. That means knowing everything about how you look, how you act, how you move, how you stand... and how you smell. Vanilla and jasmine?" He seemed uncharacteristically analytical in that moment, before finally reverting back to his playful teasing.

Uná looked stunned. "Vanilla and jasmine...but I don't wear perfume..." Uná looked up at Nikolai and blushed. He just described her shampoo and conditioner. She stuttered and was utterly flustered. "You can...that's my...shampoo and conditioner." She could feel more heat creeping up her neck. She turned around and pulled her hair out of the bun it was in so that she could hide behind it. There was an audible swish and she cleared her throat. "So what is your double or nothing wish Nikki, er Nikolai?" She tossed the comment over her shoulder casually. Much more casually than she felt. She hadn't meant to call him that it just kinda slipped out. I am going to really embarrass myself if I don't quit making assumptions. Just a friend. I am just a friend....

Nik gave a small smile, shrugging his shoulders even if she couldn't see it. He knew she was acting more strange than usual, most likely just from the embarrassment and teasing. Regardless, he had one final card to play. "You'll find out later. You never said I had to request either of them now."

Uná spun around her waist length hair fanning out prettily. She gaped at Nikolai. "Not sportsmanlike at all!! Come on! I don't want to find out just before we have to turn in our term papers that I have to do yours as well as mine. At least give me some warning."
Uná looked at him as she braided her hair slowly. "You're not the greatest in Lit..."

Nik shrugged, giving a devious smile. "The only specification is that it had to be something you can do. But don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to help me cheat. I have other things in mind." At the last line, Nik wiggled his eyebrows to ruin the effect before spinning on his heels and calling out. "Was that a good lesson, Professor?"

Uná tugged on her braid and tossed it over her shoulder and grinned at Nikolai. She let the illusion fade away as Nikolai asked if it was a good lesson.

There was a chuckle and Professor North came back over the speaker. "She almost had you Nik. But yes good lesson."

X-Men: The New Era

@PrinceAlexusamazingly enough we are even. So it doesn't matter.

Yes I counted everyone...and I have my reasons for saying what I did.

X-Men: The New Era

@PrinceAlexusI love that you are interested but I have all spots filled at this time. I will keep you in mind if we lose someone. Thank you Prince!!!

X-Men: The New Era

@Silver CarrotYou can move her on over. Welcome to the institute.

X-Men: The New Era

Is this still open?

@Silver Carrot

Yes

SOL CITY - Modern Slice of Life - Chapter 2 - Completed & archived. 2/2

@PrinceAlexus@Lemons Looks good to me.

X-Men: The New Era

One month skip...

Whom did you forge a deeper bond with?
Did your powers grow? How?
Did you have problems with other students?

Everyone had weekly sessions in the Danger Room under the guidance of the staff. Which grew a bit over the month.

Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

X-Men: The New Era

One month skip...

Whom did you forge a deeper bond with?
Did your powers grow? How?
Did you have problems with other students?

Everyone had weekly sessions in the Danger Room under the guidance of the staff. Which grew a bit over the month.

Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

X-Men: The New Era

Uná O’Brian

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Location: Ashford’s Office; Pool

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Interaction: Ashford @ShieldsOfWar & Sally @BoyMom69035

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Uná watched Elijah shut the door softly as she turned to put her bag down. She was still in her workout outfit and had it actually sunk into her head that she was in the Headmaster’s office. “My apologies sir had I known I’d be here I’d have taken the time to change.” It was lame she knew but the silence was getting to her.

Dr. Ashford’s back was to Uná as he stood in front of the bay window. His head turned to her slightly as she spoke to him, then it turned back to the view. He remained silent for another moment before turning towards her fully and approaching with a calm smile. His hair was disheveled, and 5 o’clock shadow prominent on his face.

“Ah. No need to worry about any of that O’Brian. I promise not to take up too much of your time. I just wanted to discuss something with you that I have been working on. Something that I believe you may find interesting.”. He walks over to his desk and motions for Uná to have a seat.

Uná sits as indicated her curiosity piqued. “That sounds ominous. But I'll bite.” She tries to stay still, and makes a good show of it for about a full minute then she lightly taps her fingers on her thigh.

Ashford sits in his oversized leather chair, one leg crossed over the other. His eyebrows raise as he looks at the young lady with anticipation. A smile actually creeps up on his normally stoic face. “So. I have been working on something for mutants like you Ms. O’Brian. Something that can potentially change your lives.” He smile grows as a childlike wonder takes over his eyes. You haven’t seen this side of him before, until now he has always been reserved and withdrawn. “It is a medication that I have nicknamed Vivify. It can help you take your dormant abilities and bring them alive.”

Uná bit her lip in thought. She had to admit she was intrigued. But… there was always a but… she also didn’t want to rely on drugs. She wasn’t sure about this. What if she was just broken? Wait? What? That made as much sense as staying on the beach when the waves were sick. “That sounds too good to be true. What if I find out that I have more than just manipulation of illusions? Is this even safe? Will I have to take them forever? I know I want control of this. It feels like an ocean inside me that I have to fight every minute of everyday. Making it more would be like melting the ice caps and raising the level of the ocean. I’m not sure I could handle that.”

Ashford leans back in his chair with understanding, albeit a little deflated. He had expected her to want to unlock the full potential of her abilities...to bask in the greatness of her X-Gene. Sometime he forgot that not everyone was as ecstatic about their gifts. He smiled warmly. “Your concerns are fair. It would be reckless for you not to question things. I assure you though, that we are equipped to help you control the oceans within you. I assure you that your safety is my number one concern and I would not do anything that I didn’t absolutely believe was best for mutant kind.” He leans forward again and pulls the bottle of pills from his jacket pocket. “Vivify is not addictive. You will not have to take them forever. It is meant to work with your body and mind to unlock your X-Gene and hand control over to you. Eventually you will be able to do this without the pills. They are only a tool to get you there.”

Uná debated. I do want control and if this helps it’s a step in the right direction to achieve it… Uná looked Ashford in the eyes and smiled. “I’m in. I trust you and I want the same things. Besides I want to be able to look at my... gifts as something to be used not pushed aside. Afterall if I don’t see it that way how can others? Love yourself then others. So how long does it take to affect me?”

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Uná had been out late last night running and had seen Sally’s door shut well after curfew. She wondered what Sally had been doing. Uná looked across the pool and spotted Sally. She waived and went to say hello. Uná lived in SPF a million and she was willing to bet that since Sally was a redhead she did too. She didn’t have all the freckles that Uná had but; what can ya say? Seeing Sally was great she needed to talk to someone before she burst. Uná was headed over to her. Sally looked really good in a black bikini. Uná did more swimming in the ocean and surfing you either wore a wet suit or you wore something that wasn’t going to come off. It was limiting and looking down at her multicolored suit in neon colors she shrugged.

“Hey Sally!!! How’s the water?”

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What was it about swimming that was so calming? Or was it just her? Plus, the fact that there was no one out there, made it easier to calm down, rather than had there been others there. Had there been, she would have been rowdy and loud, full of jokes and pushing people in. But this, this was just as fine as well. She finished the lap she had been on before slowly coming up out of the water. She took a deep breath and planted her feet on the floor of the shallow end of the pool, standing up. Bringing her hands up, she wiped the excess water from her face just as she heard someone calling her name.

Her hands dropped and she looked around wide eyed in search of said person. She grinned and waved when she saw who it was. It was that spunky, crazy, sweet Uná. Sally giggled and extended her arms, letting her hands float atop the water.

”Hey,” she called back as she took several slow steps forward. ”It's perfect, come in.” Sally brought her arm up and waved the other red head in, noticing that she had her swimsuit on.

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Uná smiled and dove into the deep end. Quickly popping up beside Sally. She was treading water beside her. “Uh...I need some girl talk. Think we can scare up Khloe after I explain this to you?”

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Sally had ducked down under the water just far enough that she could pull some of the water into her mouth, then stood back up. As soon as Unà popped up next to her, she playfully spit the water at the other redhead, like a fountain. She giggled, but her face quickly changed into a more serious mask when she mentioned she needed some girl talk. ”Yeah sure, what's on your mind?”

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Unà looked away. “Boys…” Unà looks back at Sally and smiled weakly. Sally was fun to be around and was naturally upbeat. Unà was comfortable around her and she needed to talk about Nathan and...Nikolai...err...Nik.

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Sally couldn't help but grin at Uná’s single word. She wanted to talk to her about boys? Hell, Sally had only ever had a few boyfriends, and only one was serious. In all honesty, she wasn't sure if she'd be any help, but she would definitely try. ”Nathan and Nik,” she asked, putting emphasis on the word ‘and’. Of course, she couldn’t be one to judge. With a chuckle, Sally nodded her head and turned her body to face Uná. ”I'll do my best. Fire away.”

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Uná looked stunned. “Am I really that transparent? Oh fates if you see it then they definitely do.” Uná got a little upset and it showed as she treaded water more vigorously. “I’m really not good at this mystery female crap. I’m not experienced and I just had my first kiss and I liked it and now I’m confused. I feel like a horrible person. I liked the kiss then thought about the other one after it. I think I like both of them and I hate myself for it.” She glared at the couple of girls who looked up from the lawn chairs that were suntanning and now listening closer. “Mind your own business or I’ll tell Temperance you were talking shit about her. Repeat anything and I’ll set her on you. Scram.” Uná swam over to the edge of the pool and pointed back to the school forcefully.

The girls look wearily at Uná and move away from the pool. Uná looks at Sally again. “I wouldn’t really but I still don’t want to deal with the rumors. I have no idea what I’m doing here. I feel like a quimby who’s caught inside a gnarly bomb headed for a wipe out.”

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Sally remained still, giving Uná all of her attention, listening to everything She decide to tell her. And although she had heard of similar circumstances, she had never been in one quite like that before. Before she could say anything though, Uná suddenly threatened a couple of other girls who had decided they wanted in on the juicy topic at hand. Sally couldn't help it. She put her hand over her mouth, snickering as she listened to Uná as she threatened to get Temperance on them if they said anything. Once Uná turned back around, Sally straightened up, clearing her throat.

”Well,” Sally began as she thought for a moment. ”I have honestly never been in a situation like that, so all I can really do is make suggestions here.” She tapped her bottom lip with her finger and looked down at the water in thought. ”Ok… this probably isn't what you wanna hear, but this is the best thing I can come up with right now. What does your heart want?” Yeah, it was cheesey as hell, she knew that, but it worked. Sally held her hand out, palm up. ”Do you want Nik? Bit of an attitude. Really really cute. Has a sweet side… and loves explosives.” Sally grinned and chuckled at her last bit, then put her other hand up in the same manner. ”Or, do you want Nathan? Sweet. Shy. Kinda mysterious. Also kinda cute.”

She moved her hands up and down in a weighing motion, raising an eyebrow at Uná. ”You Just gotta figure out what it is you want, and are willing to stick with. Don't feel bad about liking two different guys, that's happened to every girl.” Ok so… remember when she said that she hadn't been in that situation? Sure, Sally thought Professor Pierce was hot, and so was Nik. Ruben was cute as hell. A lot of the guys at the school were good looking. In the end though, it had been Drake that caught her attention. He had that bad boy look to him, gorgeous eyes, tattoos, but he wasn't an ass. At least not that she had seen. Sally definitely had a thing for him, even though it had only been a couple days. Not that she'd let that be known just yet. Or had she already? Besides, she didn't know if he liked her anyways so. Them hooking up for one night didn't constitute as him liking her… even though he had said he did. That was probably the alcohol talking.

Sally shook her head, pulling herself out of her thoughts. ”Anyways, you just need to figure out which one you're willing to put up with for a while. And of course, they gotta feel the same way, or nothing works.” Sally really hoped she was helping. She he never really been good at this sort of thing.

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Uná looked away and stared off into space for a minute. Looking back she grinned. “So I saw your door open and shut last night and I thought I saw you sneaking back into your room. So what’s his name? And if you say Nik or Nathan I will drown you.” Uná’s eyes blazed blue fire on that last sentence.

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At first, when Uná looked away, Sally raised her eyebrows, hopeful that she had helped, even more so when she gave Sally the grin. But… that was short lived. As soon as she he mentioned her door being open, Sally's jaw dropped, though she couldn't help the smile she fought back. Sally drew her lips in a thin line and quickly glanced away. She debated heavily on telling her, and in the end, decided to. Uná had come to her for help about something kinda personal so, she felt like she could share hers.

”Drake,” she said as she caught Uná’s eyes, a blush creeping up her neck. ”It started out so innocent. I found him in the girls dorm hall and he had been drinking. What He he was doing there, I have no idea. So, I told him I'd walk him back to his room, just to make sure he got there all right.” Sally glanced off again, the events from that coming back full force. She grinned, biting her lip. ”And then he kissed me. One thing kinda lead to another…” Sally had trailed off, looking off into the distance, before slowly bringing her eyes back to Uná. She quickly shrugged and chuckled nervously. ”It was just a heat of the moment kind of thing that just… happened. Just a couple of people enjoying each other's company.”

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Uná stopped treading water and almost drowned. “Shut up!!!!! I honestly thought you were out running like me. I was just teasing but now you have to tell me everything!!!!” Uná started treading water again as she laughed quickly. “What's it like? And Drake...meow. Nicely done.”

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Sally couldn't help but laugh out loud at Uná’s enthusiastic reaction. Aww hell! I've opened Pandora’s Box she thought as she ducked down a bit and leaned back, walking backwards in the water. ”What was it like?” Sally thought for a moment, images of the night flashing through her memory. She suddenly stopped moving and stood up straight, the water coming up to her waist. ”It was like… it was like the triple x rated Red Riding Hood and Big Bad Wolf.” Sally laughed and looked at the other redhead. She felt a little ridiculous, and blushed a bit. ”Let's just say, that I may have a bit of an addiction problem now.” Although it was clearly meant as a joke, there was a hint of seriousness in her voice.

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X-Men: The New Era

Kaylee Everose; Adam Pierce & Tabitha North

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Location: Kaylee - School Conerence Room; Main Ground Floor; Front Gate//Adam - School Hallways; Elevator; Danger Room; Nurses Office//Tabby - School Hallways; Elevator; Danger Room Control Center; Nurses Office

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Interaction: Kaylee - Coleman St John; Adam - Gunnar @RumikoOhara

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Mentions: Tabby - Ashford @ShieldsOfWar

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Kaylee

Kaylee’s phone rang and she silenced the communicator to pick up the phone. “Ah Mr. St John right on time. I will be out in just a minute. Thank you.” Kaylee collected the papers and arranged them on the desk in the conference room. She then turned and headed out to the front gate calmly.

She walked over to Coleman who had stepped out of his Explorer and was waiting on the other side of the gate. She just about stumbled as a riot of powder blue, electric blue, neon red, lemon yellow, gold and a blinding white light swirled around this man. She’d never seen anything so...strange and yet beautiful in a mutant’s aura. It seemed to sink back into him and was gone within seconds. She almost couldn’t believe she saw that happen. It was as if his aura could tell that she saw it and hid itself. She recovered quickly and got to the gate. “Gravel and heels no matter how small don’t mix well.” She smiled and opened the gate with a series of numbers on a keypad. Letting the gate open she stepped out and motioned to the Explorer. “A tour of the grounds and a little history of the Institute before the interview. One should always know what one is getting into before they take the job.” She wanted to keep St John out of the school till Adam came back and they could tour the inside. Plus St John would need Adam’s approval as well as her own.

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Adam

Tabitha

Adam was running like he was being chased by a pack of hellhounds. He dodged kids and adults alike just managing not to run into anyone. The near miss came when he ran through the lounge area. He hit the elevator just as Tabby swung around the corner. “About damned time you showed up Tabs.” He managed to not pull open the false wall as it slid open and the elevator doors as they opened at what felt like hours, but was really only meer seconds after calling for the elevator.

Tabby’s transformation had started and as usual it was extremities that turned first. She had pulled her aide out of near slumber and told him to take the class over as she had kicked off her loafers and bolted. Those shoes were 20 £ and I am not going kitty in them. Claws will ruin them. Tabby grinned at Adam flashing her fangs as she cleared her throat and with a slight purr in her English accent she directed the elevator where to go. “Danger Room Ellie.” “Confirmed.Tabby Cat. Destination Danger Room confirmed.” “Now Adam you know I had a class and had to get the aide to take over.’

Adam grinned and flicked an ear that was swiveling his way. Tabby hissed at him and he hold up his hands in mock wounded fashion then the doors opened and they saw flashes of stun bolts and a crash as things sounded like a bunch of metal broke. They looked at each other and Tabby headed for the control room and Adam the door.

Adam pressed the pad to let him into the room as more stun bolts were heard. “Training Sequence in progress. Access Denied.” Adam tapped his communicator. “Tabs we have real serious issues here. The fucking computer won’t let me in.” Looking through the window he saw Gunnar Grimson about to tear the bots a new one but they started learning how to deal with his gravity shifting powers.

Tabby had just gotten into the control room as Adam said that. “You know I find it frightfully dull when you lower yourself to swear at me. Honestly it’s a mark of-”

Adam interrupted her gritting his teeth as he watched one of the bots turn on Gunnar and he knew that if he didn’t get in there soon then things were not going to be looking up for Gunnar. “Tabitha not-”

Tabby slid over to the controls. “Right now. Yes yes I know. I am not Winona Ryder so you can stop interrupting this girl.” Her nails clacked over the keys as she stopped the program a little too late. She had just finished the code and unlocked the door as she saw Gunnar fall to the other bots who stunned him. She winced in sympathy. “Oh he’ll have a wicked headache when he comes ‘round, he will.” She checked the logs. Adam had accessed the Danger Room early this morning but had turned it off as soon as he left. Someone else had come along and fiddled with the controls minutes before Gunnar had shown up. She checked again. Not possible. No bloody way… She pulled out her cell phone and dialed. “Yeah Forge? Tabby Cat. Lock everyone not on staff out or yourself out of the system here in LA... Yeah no one but the teachers. Possible tampering... No not the Brotherhood but something like it here in LA. I’ll keep you posted of course... Yeah keep an eye on it just incase... I know a technokenetic will be able to slide right by the stuff but lay a few pieces of flypaper out and see if we get some prints… Right. Later.” She hung up and met Adam at the door to the Danger Room just as he hefted Gunnar on his shoulder in a fireman carry.

“Man this kid looks little but he’s dense. Did I leave it running?” Adam looked concerned he saw the bots take down Gunnar and was kicking the shit out of himself mentally for it.

Tabby looked up at Adam and shook her head. “No. Someone came behind you minutes before Gunnar accessed the Danger Room and tampered with it...possibly. We need to talk to Ashford. All of us. I called Forge and locked it up. Hopefully it stays that way. Come on. Might take the rest of the week off of studies and focus on abilities and defending themselves and each other. At least that’s my suggestion.”

Adam frowned at that but carried Gunnar to the Nurses Office.