Issue #155
Drug War Part 1
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Professor Charles Xavier formed the X-men to forge peace between humans and mutants. These threats have come in many forms. Some have been mutants like Magneto, driven by anger and bloodlust. Others have been humans like Graydon Creed, driven by hatred and greed. Now the X-men face a very different threat. It comes in the form of a small, reddish liquid called Mutant Growth Hormone, better known as Kick.
It came as a result of a growing divide within the mutant world. When Professor Xavier launched his Mutant Monitoring Initiative, a number of mutants grew concerned that they were losing control over their lives and the X-men were helping in that effort. Taking advantage of this situation, Sebastian Shaw enticed fearful mutants with lucrative jobs and a means of evading detection.
For months, he seemed to help mutants live their lives free of scrutiny. In reality, he was using them to develop Mutant Growth Hormone, a drug capable of enhancing the abilities of any mutant.With help from the granddaughters of Jason Wyngarde, Sebastian Shaw has distributed samples of MGH to mutants everywhere.
It already caused a major incident in Boston. Others like it could threaten the fragile peace that the X-men and the MSA struggle to maintain. Having had their share of missteps in recent times, the X-men must stop this threat before it escalates. To do so, they’ll have to overcome some lingering issues that strike at the very heart of the X-men.
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Pentagon – Two Days Ago
Captain Jack Freeman was used to people not taking him seriously. He was a former lowlife who sold drugs for a living. Most of his limited credibility was essentially borrowed from General Grimshaw. At times, he didn’t make it easy for him, even with his mutant powers. His attitude, along with his less-than-charming personality, made it difficult for him to take charge. So it came as no surprise when his leadership efforts in Scranton failed. With the stakes this high, such failure was unacceptable.
Since that incident, Captain Freeman kept a low profile. He continued training with the X-men, but Professor Xavier and General Grimshaw didn’t send him out on another operation. However, it was only a matter of time before they needed to confront another threat. So when General Grimshaw called Captain Freeman for a private meeting, the Green Beret assumed the worst.
“What’s the situation, sir? How bad is it?” asked Captain Freeman upon entering the General’s office.
“Slow down, Captain. There’s no situation. Not yet anyways,” said General Grimshaw from behind his desk.
“Are you sure? Usually when I get a call after ten, it means something is about to blow up,” he replied.
“Don’t tempt karma. It always has a way of screwing you over. Before it does, I thought I’d pull you aside for a little chat.”
“If it involves the fallout from the Scranton incident, can we make it quick? I’ve already received enough lashings for that and my ass still hasn’t healed.”
“This isn’t about that. Not completely anyways. This is about you, Captain. Or more accurately, it’s about the role you’re bound to play.”
General Grimshaw got up from his seat and walked around to address the mutant soldier more directly. He didn’t carry himself with his usual demeanor. He didn’t look at Jack Freeman as his subordinate. He looked at him as a concerned father looked at a son. Having never known his real father, it put Jack in an awkward position.
“Captain, I know you’re a creature of habit,” the General told him, “Usually when change comes along, you have to be dragged into it kicking, cussing, and screaming. You didn’t want to be associated with mutants when you became a soldier. You didn’t want to work with the X-men when I formed the MSA. You didn’t even want to take a side in the Mutant Monitoring Initiative.
“I know my limits, sir. I’m not smart enough to assess the bigger issues,” said Captain Freeman.
“You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for. I don’t care what your IQ test says,” retorted Grimshaw, “To your credit, you’ve done your part. You’ve obeyed every order, even if it means putting yourself in an uncomfortable position.”
“You’re about to bring up Scranton, aren’t you?”
“It’s still a relevant issue. That was your chance to prove that you were more than just blunt instrument. I gave you a chance to step up and lead. I wouldn’t have given it to you if I didn’t think you were capable of handling it.”
“Sorry I disappointed you,” sighed Captain Freeman.
“You didn’t disappoint, Captain. You underperformed,” said the General, “You had the opportunity, but you didn’t use it. You weren’t willing to take that extra step and trust that skewed judgment of yours. Now I’m not going to give you a lesson in self-confidence. I’m just going to say that you can do better and, for all our sake, you’re gonna have to.”
Captain Freeman held his head low for a moment. There was disappointment in General Grimshaw’s tone, but there was also encouragement. He always seemed to believe that he was more capable than he thought. The Green Beret never liked letting his superior officer down. Sometimes he didn’t have a choice. Yet it sounded like General Grimshaw was giving him one, even if he hadn’t earned it.
“Captain, we both agree that Scranton was unacceptable. I think we can also agree that we need to make some changes before the next major crisis,” said General Grimshaw.
“I won’t argue that, sir. But what kind of changes are we talking about?” asked Captain Freeman warily.
“I never said that I was going to make them. These are changes you have to make,” said Captain Freeman, “We’ve got another problem brewing with this MGH crap. I have a feeling that at some point, the X-men will have to step in. And I still want you to lead them.”
“Again? After what happened last time?” said the Green Beret in bewilderment.
“That was last time. Mistakes were made. I trust that you learned from them. Now I’m encouraging you to take something from that and do better. Prove to me that you can be the leader I know you can be. But more importantly, prove it to the X-men. Show them that you’re willing to do what’s necessary to earn their trust.”
“How do I even begin to go about that?”
“Nothing has blown up yet. You have time to figure it out. Consider that your next mission. I’m confident that you’ll do what you do best and adapt as needed. Dismissed.”
With a confident poise, General Grimshaw saluted his loyal subordinate. Captain Freeman instinctively did the same, regardless of his uncertainties.
The General didn’t stick around to give specifics. He left his office and Captain Freeman behind. This new mission would be daunting. However, he didn’t intend to let General Grimshaw down. He had to think of a way to earn the trust of the X-men and he had to think of it fast. If MGH was as bad as everyone claimed, then another Scranton-like incident would be the least of their worries.
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Xavier Institute – Present
“Alright Jack, let’s get this over with,” said a restless Betsy Braddock, “We’re here, we’re in uniform, and we’re trying not to make a big deal out of this randomly announced training sessions.”
“Speak for yourself, Bets,” muttered Rogue with a tired yawn.
“I hope this doesn’t imply that something hasn’t gone horribly wrong,” said Ororo.
“Not yet, Ororo. Although you never know in this business,” said Captain Freeman, “Try and relax. I think you’ll like this.”
“Remy will believe that when crocs go vegan,” said Remy.
The bitterness surrounding the Scranton affair still hadn’t worn off. Remy, Ororo, Rogue, Betsy, and Piotr had plenty of reasons to resent the mutant soldier. Captain Freeman certainly couldn’t blame them. They had been training together since the incident, but lingering animosity was hard to overcome. General Grimshaw wanted him to do more and this was his way of delivering.
Everything was set up in the Danger Room. No scenario was running. Hank and Jean were supposed to be present, but they were caught up in other affairs. Hank had been visiting District X and Jean was still in Boston for reasons she didn’t disclose. Rogue returned the previous night saying they had some promising new leads on Sebastian Shaw. This meant the team could be called into action at any moment. It gave Jack all the more reason to get this out of the way.
“I know you guys are cynical when it comes to my brand of training. I can’t say I blame you. I haven’t given you a lot of reasons to enjoy my company,” he said as he started pacing in front of the five X-men.
“That’s an unusually polite way of putting it,” said Betsy dryly.
“We understand our situation, comrade Freeman. Please understand that we are trying our best,” said Piotr in a friendlier tone.
“I don’t doubt that you are. But your best isn’t enough,” said Jack, “Now before you roll your eyes, I’ll come out and take the blame. General Grimshaw tasked me with being your field leader and I think it’s safe to say that I’ve done a pretty lousy job so far.”
“That be a surefire bet if ever there was one,” commented Remy.
“Which is why I propose a different kind of training today,” he said as he stopped pacing, “I understand now that to get the job done, I need more than my authority as a Captain and a Green Beret. More than anything else, I need your respect. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn it.”
The X-men grew more curious. They watched as Jack paused for a moment and removed part of his uniform. He took off his distinct Green Beret hat and removed the top part of his uniform. He casually threw it aside so that he stood before the X-men looking less like a soldier and more like a low-level grunt. He then cracked his neck a bit and took a deep breath before addressing them again.
“Today’s exercise in teamwork is simple. You guys are going to strike me with everything you’ve got,” he told them.
“Excuse meh? What do you mean by strike you?” said Rogue in confusion.
“I mean exactly what I said,” replied the Green Beret, “I want you guys to hit me with everything you’ve got. Use your powers. Use your fists. Don’t worry about hurting me. I can take it. My body can adapt.”
“And the point of this is…” said Ororo, still confused.
“It’s my way of showing you the kind of punishment I’m willing to take for the mission. I’m a soldier. You guys are X-men. There is a difference between us. I’m prepared to make those extra sacrifices because as a soldier and your field leader, the responsibility falls on my shoulders. So with that in mind, let me prove to you how far I’m willing to go. Strike me. Let me show you what I’m willing to endure.”
Rogue, Remy, Ororo, Betsy, and Piotr looked at this man strangely. He sounded dead serious. It sounded like an utterly ridiculous way to show leadership and earn trust. Yet on some twisted level, it said a lot about this man.
He wasn’t just willing to bark orders and expect the X-men to fall in line. He was serious about working with them and earning their trust as a field leader. Once again, they were hesitant to follow his orders, but for entirely new reasons.
“Okay, anyone else wanna list the many ways this is fucked up?” said Rogue.
“I’m not even going to try,” muttered Betsy, shaking her head in bemusement.
“Captain, I think we should talk about this,” said Ororo.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” said Captain Freeman, “You guys heard my proposal. Hit me.”
The five X-men exchanged glances, still not sure what to make of this. The only one who didn’t seem inclined to debate was Piotr. He studied the Green Beret’s face for a moment. It was not unlike the face of the men from Spetsnaz that trained him. It was tough, determined, and strong. In his eyes, that was as reasonable as it needed to be.
“If that is your order, Captain…so be it,” said Piotr as he shifted into his metal skin.
Then to the shock of the others, the Russian mutant stepped forth and laid out the Green Beret with a right cross that could have decapitated a sentinel. It struck Captain Freeman right on the jaw, sending him tumbling to the floor a good ten feet.
“Whoa! Seriously homme?” exclaimed Remy in disbelief.
“Peter, was that really necessary?” said Ororo with a harsh scold.
“He gave an order. I obeyed,” said Piotr unapologetically.
“That doesn’t make it any less foolish!” yelled Betsy.
While the others were chastising Piotr, Captain Freeman picked himself up from the floor. The Russian hit pretty hard, but he adapted his body just enough to take it. Even though it hurt like hell, it was still a good start.
“Ease up on him, guys. He did good,” said Captain Freeman, his voice slightly slurred from the blow.
“Captain, are you…” began Ororo as she rushed over towards him.
“Don’t come to my aid. I told you guys, I can take it!” he said in a more determined tone, “Follow Peter’s example. Take your best shot!”
“And if it doesn’t work?” said Rogue with a raised eyebrow.
“You still get to kick my ass. Just think of it as bonus,” shrugged the Green Beret.
Rogue, Remy, Ororo, and Betsy exchanged glances again. Captain Freeman wasn’t going to change his mind. For reasons that only made a partial bit of sense, he was prepared to let them vent their frustrations out on him. Rather than argue with him any further, they set aside their reservations and prepared their attack.
“Well, he did say he could take it,” shrugged Remy.
“For the record, it’s still bullocks,” said Betsy.
“Could be worse,” said Rogue as she clenched her firsts, “If this is our training for the morning, so be it.”
Rogue flew out ahead of Remy, Betsy, and Ororo at full speed. Narrowing her gaze on the mutant soldier, she struck him head on just as Colossus had. She hit him like a flying ram, striking him right in the chest. Captain Freeman braced himself and grunted as he took the blow. He wasn’t sent flying across the room this time. He just took it and all the discomfort that came with it. His body now adapted to that of a slab of iron, he prepared for more punishment.
Since Rogue set the tone, the others followed. Remy and Betsy were next. Betsy struck at him hard with two psionic blades, cutting him across the chest and face. She even stabbed into his leg at one point. Remy soon followed with a fresh deck of cards and a full-blown bombardment. He charged them so each card exploded around him, engulfing the mutant soldier in a series of penetrating shockwaves.
This caused him to fall to his knees. That was when Piotr came in and slugged him again with an uppercut. The pain was apparent, but the wounds were superficial thanks to his durable form.
“Ungh! Fuck, that sings!” grunted Captain Freeman.
“Perhaps we should stop?” suggested Piotr.
“Listen to him, Captain! You’re taking this too far!” said Ororo.
“Hell no! Come on, X-men! Picture that kid in Scranton if you have to! Let me show you I can handle it!” urged Captain Freeman.
Ororo remained the most reluctant, but hearing that burning intent in his tone was hard to argue with. He was like a warrior trying to prove his worth. Even though it made her very uncomfortable, she summoned a series of clouds above them. From these clouds, she unleashed a barrage of lighting that struck the mutant soldier head on. Even with his durable form, it left a punishing sting. Yet Captain Freeman endured it.
For the next five minutes or so, he took more punishment. He took everything Piotr, Betsy, Rogue, Remy, and Ororo could throw at him. He took psionic blades, lighting, hail stones, bow staffs to the groin, and any number of super-powered punches. It got to a point where the five X-men began feeling uncomfortable, striking their field leader like this.
Even though he kept urging them to do so, a certain level of guilt did emerge. Perhaps that was the point. Perhaps feeling this sort of thing was a way to show that this man mattered to them as a leader. At one point, they started to slow down. After Rogue decked him in a way that sent him flying ten feet into the air, they had to stop.
“Alright, that was fun and all, but this is goin’ too far,” said Rogue, now rubbing her fist.
“No! Keep going,” grunted Captain Freeman, who looked like he just walked through a mine-field.
“Enough with the macho gimmick already,” said Remy, “There be playing tough and playing stupid. Right now, you flirtin’ with both!”