Kurogai paced across the dim interior of his quarters aboard the starcruiser, arms crossed behind his back. He had made up his mind: it was ti to form a scientific research team. But deciding was the easy part. The execution required careful planning.
"A research base, stable funding, a capable team of scientists… nothing short of that will work," he muttered, deep in thought.
Funding wasn't a problem—Kurogai had amassed enough resources through various interstellar endeavors. The base? That too was easy. He didn't need anything flashy, just sowhere secure, hidden from prying eyes. A spaceship would serve perfectly as a mobile lab. He smirked.
"I'll use one of the enemy ships I stored in Kamui Space… it's about ti they served a real purpose."
While drifting through space, he had quietly salvaged several wrecked ships. They were tucked away, waiting for a use like this. He had intended to hand them over to subordinates soday—but now, one would be converted into a lab. It offered both security and mobility. Perfect.
His gaze turned thoughtful again.
"What I need now are scientists…"
One na imdiately ca to mind—Dr. Helen Cho, a geneticist known for her groundbreaking work. She'd helped Stark and the Avengers with the creation of Vision, and later had involvent in Ultron's developntal stages. There were others too. He could recruit more gradually.
Without hesitation, Kurogai opened a portal and disappeared. Tracking down skilled geneticists wasn't hard for soone like him—especially soone who could manipulate minds when needed.
anwhile, at the X-Mansion, Storm and the others had returned. Things had settled for the mont.
Two days later, Professor Charles Xavier stirred from his coma. Magneto hadn't tried to kill him—just silence him for a few days.
"Professor, you're awake," Storm said softly, standing at his side.
He opened his eyes slowly. "Tell everything that happened."
Storm explained everything, from Magneto's betrayal to the intervention of Kurogai. As she spoke, Xavier's eyes darkened slightly—not with anger, but sorrow. Erik had been his friend once. Losing him left a weight behind.
Eventually, Xavier sighed.
"Erik made his choices… but Raven—she's still my sister. I don't want her to die by Kurogai's hand. I want to speak with him."
Though Mystique had long crossed the line, Xavier couldn't just abandon her. He knew negotiating with Kurogai might not yield results, but he had to try.
Just as he voiced that thought, a golden portal shimred open near the doorway, and Jean Grey stepped through, her expression calm.
Her powers had stabilized in the past two days, and she had told Kurogai she needed to return—if only briefly. There were things she had to collect, and goodbyes to be said.
"Jean! Are you okay?" Storm rushed to her, eyes filled with concern. "That… guy said you were just tired, but I didn't know if—"
"I'm fine," Jean interrupted with a reassuring smile. But her cheeks flushed. She knew what that "tired" excuse had really ant. Being alone with Kurogai had… other implications.
Composing herself, she turned to Xavier.
"Professor, I ca back because I need to talk to you… I've decided to leave the academy."
Both Storm and Xavier froze.
Jean's voice was steady, but the declaration still caught them off guard.
Xavier looked at her for a mont before nodding slowly. "I understand, Jean. I won't stop you. I just want you to be happy."
He ant every word. Though he had seen this coming since Kurogai's arrival, it still pained him a little. Still, he wasn't one to hold his students back.
"Jean," he added gently, "when you see Kurogai again… tell him I'd like to speak with him. It's about Mystique."
He couldn't reach Kurogai telepathically—his presence was veiled, invisible even to Cerebro. This was his only way.
Jean gave a simple nod.
Later, after gathering her things, she stepped through a second portal and returned to Kurogai's side.
"Professor Xavier wants to speak with you," she said. "It's about Mystique."
Kurogai looked up from a holographic console. "I figured he would. I'll go see him… after I finish setting up the lab."
He returned his focus to the digital blueprint glowing in front of him.
There was work to do.
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