Merry Christmas.
"Your mission, X-Men-" said grimly with austere blue eyes surveying apprehensive looks concentrated upon her- "should you choose to accept it."
"The target." A jerky hand motioning toward the photograph and dossier currently being passed around the group during this impromptu briefing.
"A fierce and formidable villain. Deviously cunning and ruthless should you make the mistake of underestimating him. He is smart. He had defeated us before. Do. Not. Underestimate. Him." She levels a look that could rival the infamous scowl of a pissed off Nicholas Fury lambasting an entire contingent of rookie SHIELD operatives. But it works to convey how important this mission succeeds and her team furiously nods to show they're paying attention. Their looks of concentration grow fiercer at the thought of the intimidating mutant eluding their capture, some murmuring quietly to each other.
" -do you thing we can catch him-"
"-I heard he took out nearly half the team the last time the X-Men tried to-"
"-what... what if the other one is with him? If so, we don't have a snowball's chance in-"
"-we can do this. C'mon, don't be such a wuss-"
She cuts through the mumbling. "That's enough. If you do not think you have what it takes for the mission, say so now. But I say you are X-Men. You have trained for this scenario. Use your wits, use your powers, and above all trust each other. That is the only way you shall succeed."
They gather close as she unrolls the map. "These are his last known whereabouts. Most recent sighting in the easter quadrant of the woods. He is more than likely armed, but do not forget: he has weaknesses too. He can be brought down, by force if necessary. I shall remain at base to monitor your situation. Fall in, two teams."
Feet scramble into formation, awaiting her final orders. She addresses them now by their codenames.
"Ball Blitzer, Keebler Commando, Cookie-Queen of Angmar. You will be the first line of assault. Surprise the target with sniper snowball fire and drive him toward the arranged meeting point. The villain is well accustomed to guerilla tactics, he will try to pick you off one by one."
"Second team. Nutcracker, Jolly Blogger, Ferally Delicious. Recon and proceed to the second rendezvous point. Set the trap, both teams will spring it. Keep an open path for escape contingencies should retreat be necessary. Beware the presence of the target's possible accomplice. Do not engage the second target alone. He is far more lethal than the primary."
One final look at the faces tilted up at her, the ferocity of battle alighting within their eyes.
"Any last questions?"
One small hand raises.
"Umm... Miss Storm? Can I do it now, pleeeease? For team morale and all..."
A long suffering sigh.
"Yes, Andrea- excuse me. Affirmative, Nutcracker.
One large gulp of air.
"WOLVERINES!!!!"
The battlecry rings through the cold air joined by other rambunctious voices. It's followed by the pounding of feet running into the snowy woods surrounding the massive grounds of the Xavier Institute. She watches them disappear, serenely sipping from her steaming mug of mint-chocolatey cocoa. The mischevous light in her eye conveys a different story.
Snowball tactics and pranksters. She'd promised vengeance against last year's reigning champions of Xavier's annual Snowball Fight. The gloating smiles of Henry McCoy and Bobby Drake searing into her memory prompted the thirst for a rematch on the level Xavier's has never witness before. She had felt no shame recruiting for allies. Cookies and milk were the only bribe necessary.
Divide and conquer.
A loud howl of surprise and another male's sputtered shouting. Childish laughter ensuing as lazy snow begins to fall once again from the skies.
For the X-Men, Christmas comes early this year.
((points to any who explain what the acronym stands for.))
"The target." A jerky hand motioning toward the photograph and dossier currently being passed around the group during this impromptu briefing.
"A fierce and formidable villain. Deviously cunning and ruthless should you make the mistake of underestimating him. He is smart. He had defeated us before. Do. Not. Underestimate. Him." She levels a look that could rival the infamous scowl of a pissed off Nicholas Fury lambasting an entire contingent of rookie SHIELD operatives. But it works to convey how important this mission succeeds and her team furiously nods to show they're paying attention. Their looks of concentration grow fiercer at the thought of the intimidating mutant eluding their capture, some murmuring quietly to each other.
" -do you thing we can catch him-"
"-I heard he took out nearly half the team the last time the X-Men tried to-"
"-what... what if the other one is with him? If so, we don't have a snowball's chance in-"
"-we can do this. C'mon, don't be such a wuss-"
She cuts through the mumbling. "That's enough. If you do not think you have what it takes for the mission, say so now. But I say you are X-Men. You have trained for this scenario. Use your wits, use your powers, and above all trust each other. That is the only way you shall succeed."
They gather close as she unrolls the map. "These are his last known whereabouts. Most recent sighting in the easter quadrant of the woods. He is more than likely armed, but do not forget: he has weaknesses too. He can be brought down, by force if necessary. I shall remain at base to monitor your situation. Fall in, two teams."
Feet scramble into formation, awaiting her final orders. She addresses them now by their codenames.
"Ball Blitzer, Keebler Commando, Cookie-Queen of Angmar. You will be the first line of assault. Surprise the target with sniper snowball fire and drive him toward the arranged meeting point. The villain is well accustomed to guerilla tactics, he will try to pick you off one by one."
"Second team. Nutcracker, Jolly Blogger, Ferally Delicious. Recon and proceed to the second rendezvous point. Set the trap, both teams will spring it. Keep an open path for escape contingencies should retreat be necessary. Beware the presence of the target's possible accomplice. Do not engage the second target alone. He is far more lethal than the primary."
One final look at the faces tilted up at her, the ferocity of battle alighting within their eyes.
"Any last questions?"
One small hand raises.
"Umm... Miss Storm? Can I do it now, pleeeease? For team morale and all..."
A long suffering sigh.
"Yes, Andrea- excuse me. Affirmative, Nutcracker.
One large gulp of air.
"WOLVERINES!!!!"
The battlecry rings through the cold air joined by other rambunctious voices. It's followed by the pounding of feet running into the snowy woods surrounding the massive grounds of the Xavier Institute. She watches them disappear, serenely sipping from her steaming mug of mint-chocolatey cocoa. The mischevous light in her eye conveys a different story.
Snowball tactics and pranksters. She'd promised vengeance against last year's reigning champions of Xavier's annual Snowball Fight. The gloating smiles of Henry McCoy and Bobby Drake searing into her memory prompted the thirst for a rematch on the level Xavier's has never witness before. She had felt no shame recruiting for allies. Cookies and milk were the only bribe necessary.
Divide and conquer.
A loud howl of surprise and another male's sputtered shouting. Childish laughter ensuing as lazy snow begins to fall once again from the skies.
For the X-Men, Christmas comes early this year.
((points to any who explain what the acronym stands for.))