Chapter 8 Factory
After cleaning up the aftermath of the robot attack, there was a meeting between the adults on what to do. I was not invited because Logan has beef with me.
While they were talking, Jones, a kid with technopathy, had looked online and on TV to learn of Trask, his anti-mutant agenda, and his robots. He also located his base: Black Hills, North Dakota.
After telling the adults, a team was assembled: Angel, Cyclops, Jean, Iceman, Wolverine, Colossus, and Havok. Then the teens: Magma, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Xorn, Jubilee, Cannonball, Cypher, and myself.
And we were off. On another exciting and dangerous adventure.
{Black Hills, South Dakota}
The Black Hills of South Dakota is a rugged and picturesque mountainous region located in the northwestern part of the state of South Dakota, United States. It's renowned for its stunning natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural and historical significance.
The Black Hills are characterized by a series of low, forested mountains and hills, with elevations ranging from around 3,000 to over 7,000 feet above sea level. The landscape is marked by deep canyons, towering rock formations, sparkling streams, and dense pine forests. The Black Hills are considered an isolated island of trees in a sea of grass, standing out from the surrounding prairie.
The region is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Pine forests dominate the landscape, including ponderosa pine, spruce, and fir trees. Wildlife in the Black Hills includes deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and a rich variety of bird species.
The Black Hills hold great cultural and spiritual significance for several Native American tribes, notably the Lakota Sioux. The area is considered sacred and plays a central role in their spiritual and cultural practices.
Perhaps the most famous attraction in the Black Hills is Mount Rushmore, a massive sculpture carved into the granite face of a mountain. It features the faces of four U.S. presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—and is a symbol of American history and democracy.
But what is not seen or heard about is a secret base inside the Hills away from Mount Rushmore. A secret base that was funded and run mostly by Trask Industries for their Sentinel project. With some investors so private that their faces and names are completely obscured.
Under the cover of darkness, we approached the base, adrenaline pumping in anticipation of the mission ahead. As the resident shapeshifter, I assumed the identity of a maintenance worker, easily gaining access through a side entrance. Everyone else (except Angel, who's guarding the plane) waits for my go ahead.
After I hypnotized a guard with the Force to tell us where the comms room was, I made my way there being mindful to not give away my guise.
Once inside, I knocked out everyone and turned the cameras off. Then I radioed the rest of the team to make their way towards me.
Now here, Cypher quietly infiltrated the base's communication network, intercepting messages and disabling alarms temporarily. This provided a critical advantage, allowing the team to maneuver undetected through the maze-like structure.
Upon reaching the central control room, Cypher once again showed his skill bypassing the security measures and gaining access to the base's mainframe.
But he and Havok noticed there were separate systems for another secret project, a manufacturing area for the Sentinels, and the leader was currently on base. So, we split up into three teams. Havok, Iceman, Cypher and Jubilee would go to the secret project room. Myself, Wolverine, Colossus, Magma, Xorn, and Cannonball would take on the Sentinels. Then finally Jean, Cyclops, Shadowcat, and Nightcrawler would find Trask.
Going ahead with the plan, I lead the way to the manufacturing area.
The air is thick with tension as we stand at the entrance of a massive Sentinel factory. The hum of machinery and the clanking of metal fill the air. I ignite my blue lightsaber, casting an azure glow around me.
Wolverine unsheathes his claws, Colossus bangs a fist into his hand, Magma reaches very high temperatures, Xorn takes off his mask and unveils his glowing skull-like head, and Cannonball smiles.
Before us, a battalion of hundreds of sleek, menacing robots stands ready, their crimson eyes piercing through the darkness.
With a swift motion, I charge forward, along with the others.
I flip through the air, dodging and deflecting bolts back at the attackers. Every move is guided by the Force, making it seem like I'm a whirlwind of light and energy.
The Sentinels, though numerous, are no match for my Jedi prowess. With precise strikes, I slice through their metallic bodies, sending sparks flying. The force of my blows is devastating, causing some to shatter into pieces upon impact.
As the battle rages on, my connection to the Force becomes stronger. I leap high into the air, performing a somersault, and land with a powerful shockwave that sends several droids crashing to the ground.
But they keep coming. Suddenly, one of the robots lunges at me from behind. Sensing the attack, I swiftly turned and chopped off the assailant's hands.
The remaining robots are becoming desperate, their red eyes glowing brighter in anger. I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a moment, centering myself. When I open them again, they radiate with an intense determination.
With newfound focus, I unleash a powerful Force push, sending a shockwave rippling through the factory. The robots are sent sprawling in all directions, crashing into walls and each other.
As the dust settles, only a few robots remain operational. Momentarily drained, I let the others dispatch them one by one until silence fills the factory once more. Victorious amidst a field of broken robot parts and scorched metal, I stand tall.
I deactivated my lightsaber, the blue blade fading into nothingness. Looking around at the wreckage, a sense of accomplishment and determination welled up inside me.
With the threat neutralized and the base secured, we retreated, leaving no trace of our presence. Or so we thought.
===
"...Jean neutralized Trask, Cypher erased the Mastermold program, and we all made it out," Scott finished saying to Professor X.
"Good. I'm glad everything worked out fine," Charles said.
"Chuck," Logan said gruffly.
"I know, I know," Charles turned to me, "Won't you come with me for a bit?"
"Yeah, sure," I said nonchalantly.
We made our way to the Headmaster's office. He rolled up behind his desk. I sat in the chair in front of it.
"So," he began, "Do you have anything you wish to tell me?"
'What are you? My father?'
"No." I replied simply.
"No?" he asked, smiling.
"Correct." I nod.
He doesn't respond, letting the silence overtake the room.
'He's probably trying to probe me, but luckily the Force is able to protect me along with my metamorphic psychic defenses.'
He frowns and sighs. "What are you doing here, Roland?"
"I assume you mean why am I here at your institute?" He nods. "I am here for sanctuary and safe-keeping."
"Sanctuary?" He tries the word like a new flavor of gum.
"There are a great many threats out there that I am afraid of. I would like to be kept safe here until such time that I feel confident in my ability to defend myself alone."
"I understand. You even participated in a dangerous mission yourself. But tell me, as your caretaker, should I not be allowed knowledge of your capabilities so as to better keep you and the other residents safe?"
"I would agree with you, and in fact I do, but as it is my secret and I know the dangers of it getting out, I think I'll keep it to myself."
"Do you not trust me?" he asked, with a sense of frailty.
"It's not about trust, sir. 'Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.' As Benjamin Franklin once wrote."
"Quite morbid."
"Indeed."
"..."
"..."
"Well, how about you scurry on down to bed? I assume you're quite tired."
"Yes, thank you, sir."
I head back to my room, not knowing what Xavier's next play will be.
Laying on my bed, I can't help but sigh.
But I know there's a silver lining to this.
'Cee, what's the template at?'
[Template: 99%
Memory: The Last Jedi available. Do you wish to proceed?]
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=This chapter was also helped by ChatGPT. Tell me your thoughts.=