On January 27th, 1973 in Paris,
At Hôtel Majestic, Avenue Kléber in the 16th arrondissement,
Trask took out the cigar from his mouth and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
He looked down from the balcony he stood on and saw numerous police, officials, and security forces running around on the ground.
Some were issuing orders while some were following them.
His gaze wandered to the hundreds of journalists who were busy capturing photos while some of them were reporting on today's monumental decision.
Suddenly, someone arrived behind him and stopped at a distance away from him.
He turned around and saw a man in a suit.
He noticed the man's nervous expression and calmly asked, "What's the matter, Vincent? Why do you look so nervous?"
"U-U-Umm..", Vincent stammered and after a deep breath, he said, "The board members are getting anxious."
"Why?", Trask furrowed his brows and asked.
Vincent gulped and said, "B-Because L-Lawrence Industries are getting even more aggressive."
"Bah!", Trask dismissively waved his hand and said, "I don't care about that."
"Who's company is that, by the way?", he asked.
"Jennifer Lawrence.", Vincent replied.
Trask took a drag of his cigar and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
He glanced at Vincent and disdainfully said, "What can a little girl with little dreams do to me? Because after what I've done today..."
His eyes glanced at the suitcase on the nearby table upon which a file, titled - Project Sentinel was placed on top of it and he smiled widely and continued, "Nobody would be able to stop me!"
. . .
A few buildings away from Hôtel Majestic,
In an normal hotel room,
Val adjusted the fake French National Police uniform and put on his fake beard and a hat.
He nodded as he looked at himself in the mirror while thinking, 'Perfect!'
Behind him, Havok was dressed in a similar uniform but unlike Val, he was nervous.
Mystique was standing in front of a table which had several different weapons placed on it.
She turned around and noticed Havok's nervous expression and said, "Don't be nervous, Alex. Everything's going to be fine."
"Really?", Havok asked, "Because I don't think so. I was chilling in my room when you three burst inside, picked me up like a sack of potatoes and the next thing I know, is I'm going to kidnap some evil guy during the most heavily guarded event. So, of course! I am nervous."
Val turned around and calmly said, "Relax, Havok. You're doing the world a favor here. Think it like that. Also, trust me, trust Mystique and trust...", he pointed at Charles and said, "your Professor."
Charles who was in a wheelchair looking outside the window turned around and said to Val, "Let me ask one last time! Are we really going to kidnap Trask?"
Val groaned and replied, "How many times do I have to say yes? We are going to kidnap Trask."
"Oh!", Val exclaimed and asked, "I almost forgot! Where is Hank?"
Mystique clenched her fists in irritation and replied, "He must be... late. He's been busy."
Val stared at her and curiously said, "I am... sensing some kind of... tension here."
"No!", Mystique glared at him and said, "You aren't sensing anything. At all."
Val backed off and said, "Okay..."
He asked Charles, <Hey! Didn't she like Hank? What happened between them?>
Charles replied, <I wouldn't call it - 'like'. It was more of a momentary passion for each other. It was fleeting.>
Then Val asked Havok, "You ready?"
Havok took a deep breath and calmed himself.
He looked at Val and nodded while replying, "I am ready!"
"Good!", Val said and turned to Charles and ordered, "Do your thing, Charles!"
Charles sighed and closed his eyes as he concentrated his telepathic power.
He invaded every person's mind and looked through their memories.
His goal was to find where Trask was located in the hotel and how much security he had.
He continued doing so until he finally got what he wanted.
He opened his eyes and said to Val, "I found him! Trask is in the eastern part of the hotel at the 3rd floor."
"What about security?", Val asked.
Charles replied with a surprised expression on his face, "There isn't any."
"What?", Mystique shouted.
Charles nodded and said, "He is alone. There isn't any bodyguard with him."
Val stroked his chin and said, "This means that either he thinks nobody would be foolish enough to do anything to him today or.... it could be a trap."
Charles and Mystique nodded as they murmured, "Hmm... it could be a trap."
"But.. that doesn't stop us from our mission.", Val said.
He walked toward the door and turned around, "Meet us in the hotel. We would bring him in the hotel room assigned to Jennifer Lawrence."
Mystique flashed him a thumbs up and said, "Good luck!"
Val smiled at her and said, "Good luck to you too."
Then, both Val and Havok walked out of the door.
After Val and Havok exited the room, Mystique turned to Charles and said, "We should also get ready."
Then, she changed her appearance to that of her human self wearing a beautiful blue dress.
While, Charles put on a fake beard and sunglasses and said, "Let's go!"
=================
Check out my Patr-éon if you want to read ahead.
www.patr-éon.com/aidenusmani