XAVIER'S INSTITUTE FOR HIGHER LEARNING, read the sign. Alex drove up the driveway slowly and stopped at the large iron gate blocking the driveway. He rolled down the driver side window to face the security intercom. The screen crackled, and the image of a black man with an "M" shaped scar over his right eye appeared.
"What do you want?"
"Um, we have an appointment? Two o'clock?"
"Your name?"
"Alex Drachman."
"One moment." The image disappeared.
Nic leaned forward from the back seat. "Did you see the gun he had? Alex, this is weird. What kind of school has a guy like that guarding the gates?"
"It wasn't a gun. The screen's not that clear and you're imagining things that aren't there. Sit back, relax, and don't fuck around."
"I didn't see a gun, Nic," Sara interjected.
"But Alex-" The screen came on again.
"Yes, your name is here." The man sounded disappointed. "And the names of your passengers?"
"Sara Merrell and Nic Grisham." Alex replied. A fist-sized gadget rose out of the ground next to the security console. A blue beam of light swept across the car - Nic flinched as it passed - and back, then the device sunk back into the ground.
"Clear." The gates began to open.
Alex, forget this, don't go in! Nic sent as the car pulled forward. Alex, don't- Shit! The gates closed behind them. Nic grabbed the door handle and opened it. Alex slammed the brakes and jumped out just as Nic got out of the back. Alex grabbed Nic by the arm.
"What the fuck is your problem, Nic?"
I can't feel them! I can't feel any minds at this place. This guard has a huge gun, they've got security technology that would make the White House jealous, yet it's supposed to be a school? It's got to be a trap. Nic was shivering.
Sara was out of the car by now, and she wrapped her arm around Nic's waist. He was really scared, and it was starting to rub off on her.
"Nic," she began, forcing herself to remain calm, hoping he'd feel it. "They teach mutants here. They must have other telepaths. They've probably got someway of keeping everyone's thoughts from spilling out. And they have to protect the students somehow, so they've got good security precautions. They must have a lot of money," she gestured at the large estate around them, "so they have the best stuff. C'mon," she opened the car door, and pushed him, gently, towards it. He climbed in, still shaking. She sat next to him, holding his hand. Alex rolled his eyes and got into the car.
"What about the gun?" Nic asked, looking for reassurance.
"He didn't have a gun!" Alex replied. He pulled the car up to the huge red brick mansion and parked the car next to the hedge that lined the driveway, near the front. They got out and walked slowly to the door. Nic and Sara sill held hands. She wasn't sure who was reassuring who. Alex led the way, but he kept adjusting his shirt. Their clothes were clean, but they only had jeans and T-shirts, nothing impressive.
The door opened just as they reached it. A man with brown hair and red glasses greeted them.
"Hello. Come on in. My name is Scott Summers, and this is my wife Jean." Alex introduced them as they entered the house. Jean was a beautiful woman with long red hair. She smiled as they entered.
"I hope Bishop didn't scare you too much. He's not good with public relations." she said.
"You could say that again," muttered Scott. The couple led them to an small room. It was lined with bookshelves, and had a number of comfortable chairs.
"This is our reading room," Jean said. "Professor Xavier will be with you in a little bit, but we're here to tell you a little about the school and answer your questions."
"Jean and I were two of the Professor's first students." Scott geastured towards a framed photograph on the wall. It showed five teenagers, four boys and a red-haired girl, in blue and yellow outfits around a man in a wheelchair. At least two were mutants, because one had huge feathered wings, and another looked like he was covered in snow. They seemed to be having fun, making faces at the camera. Nic relaxed a little. He let go of Sara's hand and ran his fingers through his hair. Sara walked over to the picture.
"This is you?" she asked Jean, pointing to the redhead.
"Yes," she replied. "That's Scott next to me, on my right. Warren's on my left." That was the one with the wings. "Bobby's the snow man -Iceman, we call him- and that's Hank, in front of Warren."
"So the bald guy's Xavier?" Nic dropped into one of the chairs and stuck out his legs, crossing his ankles. Alex glared at him.
"Yes, that's *Professor* Xavier," Scott replied, frowning at Nic. Nic crossed his arms and looked him straight in the face.
"So where are the others now?" Sara asked hastily.
"Actually, they've all returned here, to work at the school," Jean replied. Fortunately she seemed to be slightly amused by Nic's behavior and Scott's reaction.
"So - what does the school do?" Alex asked, anxious to avoid trouble.
Scott stopped glaring at Nic and looked at Alex. "We provide a safe place for mutants to come and learn about their powers. We also try to encourage a positive public image of mutants."
"Why? What do you get out of it?" asked Nic.
"All of us here at the school are mutants ourselves," replied Jean. "We all know what it's like to encounter hatred, and fear. We try to provide a positive enviornment for young mutants so they'll have a place to go. We help mutants to control their powers so that hopefully one day, others will have no reason to hate and fear us."
"So this is just out of the goodness of your heart, then?" Nic asked sardonicly.
"Nic-" Alex began.
You could say that. A mental voice spoke into all their minds. Nic sat up straight, startled. His hands clenched the arms of the chair. A bald man in a wheelchair rolled into the room. Have you never encountered another telepath, Nic? Yes, I know why you are here. Your thoughts leak quite a bit. But you have no reason to fear us. We really are here to help. I can teach you to control your talent, so you will never have to know anyone else's thoughts or feelings unless you choose to. I also teach all my students basic telepathic defenses. That is why you are not picking up their thoughts.
"Hello. I am Professor Charles Xavier. You must be Nicoli Grisham, Sara Merrell, and Alexander Drachman." He nodded at each of them as he spoke their names.
"Nicoli?" Alex smiled.
"Shut up, Alexander," Nic retorted.
"You are all invited to join the school as students. I will personally work with Nic. Sara, you will work with Jean, and ocasionally with Ororo Monroe, as their gifts are similar to yours. Alex," he frowned for a moment, "I think I shall have you work with Dr. Hank McCoy for a while. He is most likely to be able to help you understand your physiology. You will all also be expected to complete a full schedule of regular college classes, starting at whatever level you have currently attained. Room and board is provided here at the mansion. However, you will have to sign a non-disclosure statement because some of the work we do here is confidential. You will be given a security level one clearance at the start. That means there will be much of the mansion which is off-limits." He looked directly at Nic. "If you cannot comply with that you will be expelled. Your security clearance may be changed according to your behavior and our needs."
"What if we don't want to join the school?" Nic asked.
"Then you are welcome to leave. If you choose to stay then Jean and Scott will show you to your rooms, and explain the house rules." He began to turn his wheelchair to leave.
"Wait!" Sara said. The Professor turned to look at her. She looked at Alex. He shrugged. She faced the Professor. "We... we don't have any money. We can't pay tuition."
"The school has a great deal of funds set aside for scholarships. As long as you show that you are working at your studies, your tuition will be provided for. If you cannot, you will be asked to leave. You will be expected to help around the house, but that is expected of all residents as we do not employ much outside help. For security reasons." He turned the wheelchair and left the room.