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THE FLIGHT & ARRIVAL - FRIDAY
After classes on Friday afternoon, the X-Men gather on the Blackbird and depart for Genosha with Scott Summers and Emma Frost at the helm -- as pilot and co-pilot respectively. Despite some early turbulence through a storm just off the coast, the trip is uneventful and they make good time, nearing the island of Genosha late into the night. As Scott prepares to land, they feel the aircraft being turned and maneuvered by an unseen hand that guides them into a neat landing.It seems the Master of Magnetism wants them to know that he's got his eyes on them.
Once inside the airport, they're greeted by two of Erik Lehnsherr's Acolytes (Allen Marc Yuric, aka Chrome, and Joanna Cargill, aka Frenzy), who welcome them, tell them that Erik has arranged for them to have lunch in a reserved room at Melusine (an upscale restaurant) tomorrow afternoon, and offer to drive them to their hotels or residences.
Welcome to Genosha, X-Men!
AROUND GENOSHA - SATURDAY
Early Saturday morning, Scott Summers and Kitty Pryde head into the sewers for a precautionary investigation. For the most part, they find exactly what one would expect to find in a sewer system, but some footsteps in unexpected places do eventually lead them to the remnants of a large, unmarked crate in a remote utility tunnel. All of the contents of the crate have been removed, save for a peculiar battery, the purpose of which is not immediately clear. It has no familiar markings or labels and is about the size of a cell phone. Searching the area yields no additional information and eventually they depart. On their way out, they find themselves being trailed by a mangy, filthy stray cat that yowls relentlessly. Later that morning, they share their findings with the rest of the team.
Later that morning, the team heads to Melusine to meet with Erik. The restaurant, modern and sleek and new, is right on the beachfront with large windows and a beautiful view of the vast ocean and the bright sky beyond. They're greeted at the door again by Yuric, who escorts them through the restaurant and into a private room where Erik Lehnsherr is waiting with more of his Acolytes. He invites them to join him and asks them to tell him everything. Talking to Erik yields no new information about Charles, though he does express deep sadness for the state of his old friend. While Emma Frost and Manuel de la Rocha are able to confirm that his words and emotions are genuine, an Acolyte seated beside Erik (who introduces herself as Carmella Ursino, aka Stand-off) blocks any further access to Erik's mind with an infuriatingly secure mental barrier. They understand the need for privacy, don't they?
Near the end of the meal, Erik changes the topic of conversation, encouraging them to explore the island and witness the resilience of Genosha's mutant population. He directs them to one particular neighborhood, where many of the survivors have put down roots and established a community together; he's certain they'll be inspired. Before they depart, Erik asks to speak with Kurt Wagner privately. Leader to leader. If he agrees, the man will step out with him onto a balcony and encourage him to consider bringing his people to Genosha permanently. He'll tell him that there's potential here, far more than in any home either of them have had before, and that the decision will eventually fall to him if Charles doesn't recover. Something to think about.
After departing from Melusine, the team sets out to explore the city and does eventually find themselves in the neighborhood Erik had described.
It's mishmash old architecture and new structures, built over and around the area that had once been the Citadel -- the former capitol building and the origin of many of the island's grimmest days. Mutants had been held there, brought to heel by abuse and drugs and mental manipulation before being put to work elsewhere on the island. But the scars of recent years are difficult to find now, even for those that know where to look. Under the bright afternoon sun, with a breeze rolling in off the ocean and streets alive with bustling crowds (many of which have physical mutations or are openly making use of their powers), it feels impossible that such things could've happened here. Everywhere they look, there are signs of a flourishing mutant community from vibrant public spaces to proudly mutant-owned businesses to a visible culture of support. It feels like a very welcoming place.
And, amongst it all, there is an obvious and growing support for Erik Lehnsherr, who has been instrumental in the revitalization of the island. And, of course, for the X-Men.
As they pass through, [Character C] is recognized by a group of kids in the park and is drafted into a game of baseball. They're behind! They need a hero! Or maybe just a ringer. Meanwhile, Kitty Pryde comes across a statue that's dedicated to everyone that died here and to the resilience of the mutant spirit. Around it, there are displays with contact information to get support. It's sobering but not surprising. Many people here have suffered and there's still a lot of recovering to do.
Unfortunately, this peace doesn't last.
Late in the afternoon, the team hears shouting and rushes to investigate, only to find a group of men armed and dressed in the equipment of Genosha's former Magistrates. While some carry normal weapons, firearms and blades, others are armed with strange weapons putting off a trail of black mist. [Character E] is quick to recognize that these weapons are powered by batteries identical to the one found in the sewer that morning. Black projectiles fired from these weapons strike a target and splatter like ink. The substance then spreads over the skin, seeming to inflict considerable pain followed by numbness meant to bring the target down or impair their abilities. Making for an easy kill.
The team immediately jumps into action, facing off with the 'Magistrates' and defending the locals, some of which scatter and some of which try to jump into the fray (for better or worse). They're also joined by Amelia Voght, one of Magneto's Acolytes, who just so happened to be in the area. They're able to turn the direction of the battle quickly, taking down the armed men before more damage can be done or any serious harm can be inflicted. Before the men are taken away by the authorities, Kurt Wagner gets into a heated confrontation with one, during which he admits that the new weapons had been sent to them by an anonymous benefactor. So there are still humans willing and ready to help them purge you freaks! Which is...concerning.
With that, they day goes on...
DEPARTURE - SUNDAY
Sunday is mercifully uneventful, leaving the team with a day to explore Genosha before returning to New York in the evening. What they choose to do with that time is up to them. The day is warm, the mutant neighborhood they visited is back to bustling, and everything seems well...The team returns to the airport in the evening, where they are met by Erik Lehnsherr, who thanks them directly for their assistance. The city is grateful and so is he. They then depart for New York without any interference.
SATURDAY EVENING: Kurt & Manuel
Manuel isn't certain that he believes this, but it's close enough to the truth. He's exhausted emotionally and mentally and physically. He already feels like a fool and failure after everything that's happened. A few unkind words can only grind him so much further into the dirt. And perhaps he deserves them.
But that's...not actually what Kurt wants. Potentially needs. He shakes his head, willing himself to focus on his friend instead of the restless noise of his own thoughts.
"You've been thinking too much," he says, attempting to set the conversation back, "What about?"
SATURDAY EVENING: Kurt & Manuel
"Erik," he admits with a bitter laugh. "He asked me to do something I can't do."
SATURDAY EVENING: Kurt & Manuel
Still, he keeps his tone as neutral as he can, not wanting to put Kurt off of answering him. They have very different relationships with Xavier's one-time paramour.
"...What did he ask?"
SATURDAY EVENING: Kurt & Manuel
"For me to move us," Kurt gestures around, so many of his friends milling about the hotel, "the team, the school, all of it... here. To be based in Genosha, for us to strengthen a mutant led nation."
Kurt doesn't need to tell Manny that he didn't say yes. The answer drips off every word. The whys are sometimes as steely and confident that they'd make Scott proud. Others are anxious and dripping with sentimentality.
SATURDAY EVENING: Kurt & Manuel
He hopes that Kurt told the man to fuck off. But he knows he didn't. So there's only one question to ask now.
"What did you tell him?"