In Fear of Three Little Words

Chapter 11


Logan strode down the hall, wanting nothing more than to go back to the infirmary, to Kurt. But he forced his mind away from thoughts of the boy’s body next to his, lips locked with his. He shook the memories off with a growl sending Amara running from his path. Bobby backed away also without a smart ass word.

That’s it, kiddies. Get away while you can. Your buddy, Kurt wasn’t so lucky.

He stomped to the elevator, but before he could hit the button for the garage, Charles was summoning him to his office. Logan let out a groan and turned on his heels, hit the stairs and made his way to the office.

Charles was waiting for him, looking grim.

“Yeah, Charles, what is it? I’ve got an appoint to see a man about some information.”

“I’ve just finished talking with my contacts in the government. They say they know nothing of this facility of Trasks. When I told them I wanted to file a formal protest, they said they’d have to get back to me.”

“You believe ‘em? Or are they just covering their own asses?”

“I sensed they were telling the truth. This place may very well only be known by those close to its creation.”

“Man, I just love shadow government shit.”

Charles leaned forward, giving Logan a scrutinizing gaze.

“You’ve been to see Kurt?”

“Yeah, like you didn’t know it. We had a little talk.”

“Yes, I know. Both of you were broadcasting images that were difficult to block out. Luckily, Jean is out on an errand.”

“She’s not by herself, is she?”

“No, Scott’s with her. I think they’ll be safe together.”

“I would have thought the same with me and the elf, but it didn’t work out that way.”

“Everyone is on high alert. The younger students have been ordered to stay on grounds today and tomorrow. We’ll see what Monday brings.”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

The Professor’s expression was pensive as if wanting to say something, but not knowing how to broach the subject.

“Just spit it out, Charles. You got something to say, say it.”

“All right. The drug, you’re still feeling the effects of it.”

Logan looked away and crossed his arms against his chest. “Yeah, maybe...I don’t know. It quiets down some whem nom not around the elf.”

“So it seems your focus of interest is totally on Kurt.”

“Oh, I see where this is goin’.” Logan felt a pang of betrayal shoot through him. “You’re afraid I’ll start attackin’ the kids. Maybe I should just stay away a while longer till this thing gets out of my system.”

“No, Logan. I have no fear of you hurting the students. Truly. I’m just trying to understand the perimeters of this problem.”

“Yeah, well when you get it figured out, let me in on it, so we both know.”

“I hope you know what an important member of this team you are. The same goes for Kurt. I need you two to be able to work together, with the others.”

“Don’t worry, Charles. Me and the kid are gonna work this out. We’re gonna make it work, one way or another.”

Charles raised a single eyebrow as if unsure if he understood the meaning of Logan’s words.

Leave ‘em guessin’, Logan mused silently. He headed towards the door.

“Good luck, my friend,” Charles called after.

Logan turned, hand on the doorknob. He nodded and said. “I’ll keep in contact and let you know when I find something out.”

*****************

Logan waited with his senses on full alert. He sniffed the air, searching for unseen assailants. He had left his bike hidden a few miles away, heading on foot to the meeting place he and Nick Fury had agreed upon. Logan trusted Fury...mostly, but he didn’t trust those Fury worked for, thus his caution.

He hid twenty feet up in a good strong oak, hunkering down to wait. He sniffed the air again and smelled Fury’s distinctive scent. No other scents were on the wind, no one else was near. Logan watched Fury check his watch, look around then finally look up.

“It wouldn’t be like you to be late, Logan. So I’m supposing you’re up a tree somewhere watching me.”

Logan waited another full minute then swung down and landed a few feet away. He scanned the woods and sniffed once more just to be sure they were alone.

“Nobody followed me,” Fury stated with confidence.

“So you say,” Logan replied. “Excuse me, if I make sure myself.”

Fury watch him scan the woods one more time, listening, sniffing. Nothing. No one.

“Touchier than usual, Logan. Relax a little or you’re going to give yourself a heart attack.”

“Easy for you to say, Fury. You’re not a mutant.”

“Lucky me. Your message sounded urgent. What’s going on?”

Logan stepped closer, searching for signs of fear or deceit. “What do you know about Bolivar Trask’s little research facility?”

Fury gave him a suspicious look. “How do you know about that place? They don’t even let me in there. I have no idea what he’s doing with that facility though I can guess it has something to do with mutants.”

“Damned straight it does,” Logan snarled. His claws snicked out and he made a slashing motion. “It’s all about mutants, controlling mutants, torturing mutants, dissecting mutants all in the name of science.”

“Seems you know more about the place than I do. How’s that?”

“Let’s just say, I have first hand experience. Who’s sanctioned the place? What government officials know about it? Military? CIA? FBI? Maybe SHIELD? What part of our great government knows what that perverted bastard, Trask is doin’ there?”

Fury shook his head. “I can’t answer those questions, Logan.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“I don’tw. w. You know, since the Apocalypse situation that sympathy for mutants has taken a nose dive. People are afraid.”

Logan got up into Fury’s face. “I’ll tell you who’s afraid. An eighteen year old kid who’s done nothin’ to deserve what he got in there.”

“God,” Fury sighed. “Which one did Trask get?”

“Nightcrawler.”

“The blue one with the pointed ears and tail. Yeah, Trask would enjoy that.”

“Trask’s people put him through hell. The kid’s not gonna recover from that trauma any time soon.”

Fury raised his eyebrows. “What about you, Logan? You going to recover anytime ?”
?”

“Never mind about me. We need to know who’s backin’ Trask. Where’s his funding comin’ from? No matter what the feelings are about mutants out there, I can’t see the legislature signin’ off on this kind of thing. Not what they did to us. Can you get me the information I need, Fury...or are us mutants on our own finally?”

Fury’s fingers tapped his gun, his eyes elsewhere, distant. “I’ll see what I can come up with, but this is a top secret, high security facility.”

“It won’t be for long if I have my way about it. Trask is goin’ down. Either the government can put him down or I’ll be happy to do it for them. You can tell Trask that for me. Tell him I’m comin’ for him and he’s gonna pay.”

Fury smiled. “I’ll be happy to tell him that.”