Panic at Home

[astonishing_xmods]

WHO: Those left behind: Viti, Melinda, Guardian Dragons, X-Force, Team 3, Martha, Emma
WHAT: Defend McCoy’s lab, aid McCoy in any way possible
WHERE: District X
WHEN: Shortly after the recovery team’s departure; early evening
WARNING(S): Violence, mentions of medical procedures

"...confirmed reports of uncontrollable fires, electrical surges, and other instances of apparent uncontrolled mutant powers coming from District X, the largest concentration of the afflicted in the city..."

"...a tragic event where a busy intersection collapsed into a massive sinkhole, swallowing dozens of cars. A known mutant was spotted near the scene; we will keep you updated as the situation unfolds..."

It was barely hours since the Blackbird had left, hours, and in came thundering the next crisis. A critically ill mutant’s power had not only hastened the illness, but raged out of control—killing innocent bystanders in the process.

Protesters had sprouted up since the virus had been found—human and mutant, sometimes even both in the same crowd, demanding that the infected be shipped out, sent away, put anywhere but here. Now, they were quickly galvanizing into riots, and worse...

Get to the District. Secure McCoy’s lab, protect the sick there. Control the damage.

And see if the reports of Sinister’s soldiers in the crowds are true.

Comments

[soccerwhisperer]

"A package? That sounds important."

Far, far more important than coffee and sandwiches. Tenma sprang to the balls of his feet, hopping along a bit.

"Alright! Let's go get it!"

He was halfway through the motion of running when he suddenly jerked to a stop, stumbling for a moment.

"Eh heh... The lady didn't happen to give you directions to the post office, did she?"

[stophamatime]

"I know it's not too far...five blocks? Six? Kind of to the east, but -"

But exact directions...well.

He reaches into his pocket, digging around for his phone. "We can figure it out."

[soccerwhisperer]

"I guess we'll know we're there when we see it." He cheerfully added. There was a little bit of a spring in his step. He had to hold himself from just running off while Ken pulled up whatever he needed on his phone. Directions and such?

[stophamatime]

Directions for sure. How did their ancestors survive without the convenience of Google Maps?

"Okay, so we'll take a left when we're out the front door, for five blocks, then two north, and it'll be on the right."

[soccerwhisperer]

"Five... two... R--right..." Tenma parroted back quietly, trying his best to memorize the directions. It was an endeavor rendered useless by the marvels of modern technology, only a sign that he was listening than anything else.

"Okay, let's get going." He immediately said, louder than he intended.

[stophamatime]

"Right!" Ken shoved his phone back into his jacket pocket and headed for the stairs down to the main entrance, jumping them two at a time.

He definitely didn't have this level of enthusiasm for coffee runs.

[soccerwhisperer]

Tenma couldn't help but chuckle a little at the renewed bounce in Ken's step. While he had it himself, there was something oddly endearing about watching your junior get excited. It was an odd thought, but he supposed he had to become someone's senpai someday.

"I know we should get it fast, but be careful!" He called out, not a single actual note of seriousness in his voice.

[stophamatime]

He landed at the bottom, a little harder than intended...and stuck it like a gymnast.

"Who's not being careful?"

[soccerwhisperer]

Tenma laughs at the little dramatics, doing his own little circle around to walk backwards in front of Ken.

"I'm just looking out for my team members."

[stophamatime]

"I know how to look out for myself, too."

That is, probably, the most relaxed he's ever managed to sound about that, though - for all that not needing to be hovered over is a bit of a sore point for him, it's entirely different coming from someone like Tenma than it is from every adult in his life who's ever felt the need to make a thing out of it.