Subject: [OTL]: (Lightwind Arc; New Mutants 4) Rolling Calls Chapter 3/? (PG-13) Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 13:58:39 -0700 (PDT) From: Phil Hartman will1@earthling.net Rolling Calls Chapter 3 by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: The kids are mine. Their parents belong to their creators. Etc. -------------------------------------------------------- 9/2/2023: X-Mansion: 08:30 hrs EDT: -------------------------------------------------------- He was ... tall. #And broad-shouldered. Kind of like an action hero,# Maya thought, trying to close her mouth after the initial shock of seeing the visitor at the door to her dorm room. "I've been called a lot of things, Maya, but 'action hero' is a new one," Nathan Summers chuckled dryly. The 32-year-old commandant of the XSE nodded politely at his daughter's roommate, then hugged Morgan. "Just as long as it isn't 'Ecksie tyrant,' I can forgive just about anything anybody calls you," Morgan said, smiling. "Payne was in the Danger Room. I think he's getting cleaned up." "Good. I have a lot to talk about with him. Your mom's talking with Rachel - Maya, good to see you. How are your folks ?" Nathan asked as he and Morgan began to leave. "Er - fine - later," Maya said, mentally cursing herself for her mindshield's transparency. #But hey, it was Nathan Summers ...# she thought, blushing profusely. At 6'8 and 275 pounds - with nary a trace of fat - Nathan was an imposing figure even without his aura of legend. At age 15, he'd been the youngest original member of the XSE. His crewcut, prematurely-white hair and blazing-gold left eye had set him apart from many of the older, less disciplined XSE founders. But it was his service record that made Nathan truly a notable figure in the XSE's history. #Age 18, he became the youngest lieutenant to date. Age 19, he led the Charge of Tulsa to end the Second Genarch Revolt. Age 21, he became the Commandant of the XSE. Age 23, he single-handedly defeated the Genarchist Kolya Rhine at Sheboygan,# Maya remembered. #That's a lot for Morgan and Payne to live up to ...# -------------------------------------------------------- "This was a bad idea." "Hmm ?" Rachel asked her sister-in-law. The psi set down her cup of tea, then looked at Domino intently. "Ray ... I love Nate. We fell hard for each other during the first Genarch Revolt, and we married at 18 - you know all this. But he's always been devoted to his job, too," Domino sighed. The chalk-skinned, purple-eyed woman ran a hand through her short black hair and continued, leaning back against the couch in the headmaster's office. "Morgan and Nate have a close bond. Maybe it's closer than my bond with Morgan, maybe not," Domino said. "But Payne and Nate haven't been close for a long time. I'm glad Nate is trying to bridge that gap, but ... I know Payne, too. He doesn't want any part of the XSE, and he's always pushed Nate away. Coming here might just make Payne angrier." "Not always. Something happened between them around the time the twins' powers manifested. Payne and Morgan were 5, and they both were close to Nate before that," Rachel said. "I know Nate tried to help Payne with his powers, but - it's like something went wrong. Payne backed away from Nate after that. He'll do his chores and his homework, he treats Morgan and I with respect, but Payne wants almost nothing to do with his father," Domino replied. Rachel took another long sip, then squeezed Domino's shoulder. "Maybe this time will be different. You said Nate's not going to bug Payne about joining the XSE any more, right ?" she asked. "Nate knows better than to even try," Domino replied. "And he never wanted to make Payne into a younger version of himself -" "Mom ?" The women looked up to see the door open and admit Payne. Domino tried not to gasp at the sight of her son's face, but failed as she took in his blackened right eye and split lip. "Aunt Ray, if you want to toss me out, go ahead. I used the Danger Room without a spotter and disabled the safety interlocks for my training scenario," Payne - now dressed in a T-shirt and jeans - mumbled. He flopped into a chair and gave a resigned sigh. "God, Payne, you know better than that ! Let me look at you - what in the hell were you fighting in there !?" Domino demanded as she rose to examine her son. "And what tore your shields to pieces ?" Rachel insisted, rising as well. She locked eyes with Payne, and said, more intently, "I don't want to dig in your head, Payne. But if you're hiding something important, I will do what I need to." Payne began to speak, then went pale for an instant at the arrival of his father and sister. "It's too late," the boy muttered, getting to his feet. "Dad," Payne began, hanging his head, "If you still want me to join the XSE ... go ahead and do what you want with my mind. I couldn't beat a holographic version of you. It's only right that I do what you want." "You - FOUGHT - Dad - or a sim of him - in the Danger Room !?" Morgan gasped, horrified. "Payne, he's our dad ! Why would you even think he'd brainwash us !?" "He didn't have to brainwash you. You wanted to join the XSE, and that's cool," Payne said, more gently, to his sister. His face fell as he turned back to Nathan and added, "When we were 5, and he tried to help me, I could hear his thoughts as he tried to reinforce my mindshield - how strong I was, what a good XSE officer I'd make. I know Dad won't let me choose anything else." Domino and Morgan started, but Nathan held up a hand and looked at them imploringly. "I'd be a monster if I programmed you into joining the XSE," Nathan said, his face softening. "Payne, if I ever hurt you, I'm sorry. I didn't open up to you like I should have. I can be cold and distant, I know. After I receovered from being brainwashed by Sinister, I walled myself off for a long time -" "WHAT !?" Morgan squeaked, going ashen. "Sinister BRAINWASHED you !? You never told us that !" Payne exclaimed. "Well, I ... I all but let him. I was very young, and was terrified that Apocalypse was going to kill your grandparents if I didn't get strong enough to defeat him," Nathan sighed. "So, I let Sinister genetically amplify my powers, and he took advantage of me. Your aunts woke me up to the truth in time to stop me from becoming Sinister's slave permanently. I would never brainwash you, Payne, especially because I've been there." Domino hugged Nathan as Morgan buried her face in her father's chest. Rachel was hugging herself, and looked at Payne. The boy had gone white as a sheet, and was radiating a whirlwind of emotions. "Payne, you're leaking badly," Rachel began, gently. "I -" She stopped, as Payne looked at Nathan with a lost expression. The boy whispered, tearing up as he said, "I'm - I'm sorry. I never knew -" Nathan reached out for Payne as the boy hung his head, and said, "You're not to blame. I just want to try and start over." Payne just shook his head. "I - need some space," he whispered, before disappearing. "PAYNE !?" Morgan cried, looking around. "He can't teleport - at least, I didn't think he could teleport -" "You're fraternal twins. It's possible you each have seperate mutations beyond your shared psi-talents," Rachel sighed, concentrating. "I'm trying to find him - Frank, can you hear me ?" ~Yeah. We have a real mess, huh ?~ Frank psi-called. One of his dream-selves materialized in the headmaster's chair, and the blond man's image "sighed." "I've got complete awareness of the campus at the quantum level. Payne's not here," Frank said. "That's not possible. Unless his teleport went bad," Nathan said, fearful for a moment. "I meant he's not in the school. That spatial ripple felt like a first-time 'port, which means that Payne's not likely to have gone far," Frank said. He closed his eyes, then said, "He's in the woods. I could bring him back ..." "No. I'm not sure who we should send to get him, though," Rachel sighed. "If Nate or Dom go, Payne might feel trapped." "I'M going. And you'd better have Dr. Mahn ready, because I'm going to kick his ass for this melodramatic crap he's put us all through," Morgan snarled as she wiped her eyes. "That's another reason why you shouldn't go either, Mor, at least until you calm down," Rachel insisted. "Unless -" She raised an eyebrow, then smiled faintly and said, "Relax. There's someone already out there who Payne might feel more comfortable with ..." -------------------------------------------------------- "Payne ?" Payne opened his eyes, only partially grateful to be alive after his blind teleport, and looked around. He was standing precariously on a large rock, amidst a circle of trees deep in the woods of the Xavier Estate. "AAUGH !" "Whoa ! Dude, it's me," Aidan said, catching Payne in a telekinetic grip. The red-haired boy set his cousin down, and they sat on the rock while Aidan looked at Payne intently. "Thanks," Payne mumbled. He looked at Aidan, then sent, ~I've really been a total asshole.~ ~What - crap, Payne, what happened ?~ Aidan asked. He flinched as Payne replayed the past few minutes telepathically, and the brown-haired boy buried his face in his hands. "Hey, c'mon. It's your dad, Payne. He's not gonna shoot you or anything. And he admitted he screwed up, too," Aidan said, trying to be comforting. "Hold still for a minute - lemme fix your shields." ~Thanks,~ Payne replied, wiping his eyes while Aidan repaired the damage Nathan's simulacrum had done. The boys severed their psi-link, and Aidan gingerly put an arm around Payne's shoulders. "Look, I don't want to seem - weird - or anything, but if you want to talk ... you're like another brother to me," Aidan said in an embarassed voice. "Thanks. And don't be embarassed," Payne said gratefully. Aidan relaxed, but did move his arm as they chuckled. "I just don't know what I'm going to do. I hurt him, Aid. I feel like a real creep," Payne said. "We all screw up, man. All you can do is just talk to him. I've always been able to go to my dad with anything, and we've handled a lot of stuff," Aidan suggested. "... Thanks, cous," Payne said, standing. The boys clasped wrists, and Payne half-smiled. "I can teleport now," he said, grinning briefly. "Yeah, whatever. Can you control it, is the question," Aidan grinned back. "I'll get there. Hey ... could you 'path me the way back to the mansion ?" Payne asked with an embarassed smile. ~Anytime, bro,~ Aidan sent, transmitting the information to his cousin. Payne radiated gratitude, then vanished, leaving Aidan alone in the forest. Well, almost alone - ~Aid?WasthatPayne?IsheOK?~ Bryce sent, jogging through the trees with a worried expression. "He'll be OK - and you're slurring your psi-speech again. Slow down, squirt," Aidan chuckled as he teked his little brother onto the rock beside him. Bryce took a deep breath, then smiled up at Aidan. "I wish I had a crewcut like you," the first-grader said. "You look frost." "Thanks. Maybe Mom'll let me give you one," Aidan said, ruffling Bryce's red locks. "I need to practice before the swim team season gets here - gimme a mirror and an electric razor, and I can get streamlined without wasting 12 bucks at the Clip 'n' Curl." ~I'll think about letting you help Bryce change his hairstyle. I do owe you that much after what you did for Payne,~ Rachel sent to Aidan. ~Well, Payne's my best friend,~ Aidan replied, returning his mother's telepathic hug. ~And it's not like Bryce'd look weird with a crewcut. He just wants to fit in.~ ~A lesson on conformity after your cousin fought so hard to be an individualist ? And people think we Summerses are all identical,~ Rachel psi-laughed. ~Appearance is one thing. You know I'm not a conformist inside,~ Aidan sent back with a smile. His empathic tone shifted, and he added, ~Have you seen Ace ? I thought I heard her crying, but I was busy with Bryce and then Payne ...~ -------------------------------------------------------- She found Aislinn sitting in her dorm room, knees under her chin, with puffy eyes. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I was refereeing between your uncle and Payne - what happened ?" Rachel said, sitting on Aislinn's bed beside the girl. "I was talking with Dan, and - God, Mom, I totally embarassed myself," Aislinn sniffled. "I might - have a crush - on him, but I don't know - and I blabbed something about - I sounded so STUPID." "There's a lot of self-perceived stupidity going around today," Rachel deadpanned. Aislinn looked at her in momentary anger until Rachel added, "That doesn't mean you're stupid, or that you're being ridiculous. Just try to understand that it's not the end of the world, OK ?" "You had your true love fall into your lap," Aislinn huffed. "I'm a precog. I should know the right thing to say." "Ace, when it comes to the heart, words rarely work out. Besides, when it came to your dad and I, we had an advantage - two telepaths can cut through all the preamble and get right to the heart of the matter," Rachel said gently. "So I shouldn't date Dan," Aislinn asked without asking. "I never said that. And you're both too young to go steady. But that doesn't mean that you can't pursue him - in a non-physical fashion," Rachel added, raising an eyebrow. "Mother, I'm not some overhormonal nitwit. Marriage first," Aislinn insisted, finally relaxing. "Good to hear it. I knew you had common sense. Sometimes you just need to calm down a bit before it resurfaces. It happens with your father and I all the time, even today," Rachel pondered. "Now, we need to get ready for orientation ..." -------------------------------------------------------- He found Payne sitting in the kitchen, levitating a spoon. "Interesting practice," Nathan said, sitting across the table from his son. Payne moved to his father's left-hand side and set the spoon down. "I - maybe you could - I mean -" the boy began, shaking his head. "I just - I mean -" Nathan hugged Payne tightly, and the boy returned the hug. After a long moment, they released each other. "Thanks," Payne said. "For - what you did do for me. I know you care, and you tried to help me. I just never listened, and I'm sorry about hurting you." "You never hurt me, not intentionally. Let's move on, OK ? I'm sure we'll find plenty of things to fight about if we want to," Nathan tried to laugh. The worry in Payne's eyes made him stop. "I meant what I said. If you still want me to join the XSE, I will," Payne said. "Only if you want to," Nathan said, squeezing Payne's shoulder. Payne closed his eyes, then looked at the table and mumbled, "I just don't think I could do it. I know you don't mean it, but you're this huge legend, and I'll never live up to it." "So don't. Be Payne Summers, not Nathan Summers Jr.," Nathan insisted. Payne looked at his father, then finally smiled. "Could you show me power stuff ?" the boy asked. "I mean, nothing secret or anything -" ~I decide what's confidential at the XSE. Which means that I can decide who to divulge secrets to,~ Nathan sent, a dangerous grin splitting his face. Payne echoed his father's grin, and reached out telepathically. They laughed together as they forged a psi-link, and stood. "Anytime you need me, call," Nathan said. "I will. Maybe we could - I don't know - play ball sometime ?" Payne asked, shrugging. "I have 20-odd years of vacation time built up. Maybe we can get some camping in before the weather turns," Nathan suggested as they walked out. "Just you and me. There are parts of the old New York woods that could use some telekinetic clearing - TK accidents wouldn't be a problem ..." "You're a lot cooler than I thought." "Just don't let your mother know I said that." -------------------------------------------------------- NEXT: A crash course in the Mansion, Morgan's return to being herself, and what exactly makes a Genarch ... --------------------------------------------------------