| The Doctor's Trial; Weapon X on trial | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 20 2010, 03:14 PM (1,465 Views) | |
| Cat | Apr 20 2010, 03:14 PM Post #1 |
Secret Agent
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Author's Note: I wrote this ages ago, back when Wolverine Origins was just starting out. As a result, it completely ignores Way's canon except for Origins and Endings. Wolverine has his memories back, but they are far from clear. I hope people enjoy it. The Doctor's trial Disclaimer: X-Men and all characters within are property of Marvel, with the exception of Cat who is my own creation and Harry Flashman, who is based on the character created by George Macdonald Fraser. This story is only made for entertainment value. (The percentage of rapes reported to the police is curtsey of Wikipedia. And the quote comes from Aftermath by Siegfried Sassoon (March 1919). This takes place after Secret Invasion, when Marvel will (hopefully) have restored the world to rights. (you can tell how long ago this was written) The Doctor's trial. "You're kidding!" Nick Fury still found it amazing that despite nearly sixty years in America and Canada, when she was excited, Cat's British accent returned with vengeance. "You've caught them?" The lawyer nodded. "A routine raid on a clinic turned up mutant experimentation. We ran the names though the system and they turned up on the Weapon X wanted list." He glanced at Fury. "After all these years." Harry Flashman seemed almost as shocked as his subordinate. Nick didn't blame him. When he'd first got the message, he had to reread it five or six times to make sure he'd understood it correctly. And even then he'd asked Dum Dum to check that it was genuine before he told Cat. The shock was wearing off, as was the joy. Nick could see the tension and wariness creeping back into the mutant's face. She wanted to know why he was telling them this. "What'll happen to them?" The lawyer tensioned. "Unfortunately the experiments at the clinic were conducted on willing subjects." "Mutants seeking a cure." Cat stated the light dying from her eyes. Nick felt sorry for her. "However," the lawyer's face was now beaming. "Owning to the recent changes in the law, we can now prosecute them for Crimes against Humanity." There was a silence in the room, as Nick and Flashman both looked at Cat. Her face was becoming darker and darker, as she realised what they were asking her to do. "If you testify of course." Nick had to hand it to Flashman. The guy was quick. "This has been a great shock to all of us. If you could give us some time to-" "No!" the word burst from Cat's mouth like a bullet. "To discuss it!" Flashman said with equal focus glaring at Cat. "Of course." The lawyer got to his feet and left. "There's nothing to discus Flash!" cat said angrily. "I'm not testifying." "You had a bad shock; you might want to think about it..." "There's nothing to think about. I'm not doing it." "Cat..." "NO! "Cat screamed, jumping up. "I won't. I can't face them." She turned and fled from the room. The lawyer, who had evidently been standing just outside the door, stepped back in. "She said no, didn't she?" The expression on Fury's and Flashman's faces appeared to answer his question, for he swore. "None of them will. I've spoken to Wolverine, Maverick, Jon Wraith. They all refuse to testify, and that kid, Bucky, he'll only testify if she," he jerked his head at the door, "gives him permission." "She will do, if he wants to." Flashman said reassembly. "She's not for them going free; she just doesn't feel she can face them." "Why?" demanded the lawyer frustrated. "You'd think they'd be relieved." "What percentage of rape victims are willing to testify against their rapists?" Fury growled. "Excuse me?" "What percentages of people who've been raped are willing to stand up in court and face their tormentors?" "16 percent are reported to the police." "And what percentage of those goes to court?" The lawyer fell silent. "That's what I thought." Nick replied. ******** It had never ceased to amuse Nick Fury how two mutants with such similar powers could react so different to situations. While both had the instinctive desire to get away from people, they did it very differently. While Logan fled to large open spaces, Cat tended to squeeze herself into as smaller space as she could manage. On the Helicarrier, the usual place for this was the engine room, where an extremely worried, and new, engineer, informed him that Cat had vanished into the room. Nick nodded and entered. The huge engines roared above his head, and the scent of oil and grease penetrated his nostrils. "I'm not testifying." She had followed her usual patterns. The space was hidden behind a set of turning cogs, and was just large enough for her crouched form to fit in. Fury sunk down as close as he could get. "Surprised Stark didn't try and change this." "He's not totally opposed to the smell of oil and grease." Cat replied. The tension was still present in her voice. "You think I should testify don't you?" "Ain't my call." Nick replied, chewing on his unlit cigar. "But you think I should." Nick shrugged. "Do you remember, Jacque Christian?" "The concentration camp survivor who watched his lover torn apart by German shepherds Course I do." "Do you remember what you said to him, when he said he couldn't testify at Nuremberg?" "That by refusing to testify, he condemned his lover to a second death. That of forgetting." Nick nodded. She had come out a little of the hole. "There ain't all that many of you left." He said softly. "You've gotta protect the next ones." She had come out of the gap now, but she made no move to come near him. Instead she wandered over to the porthole and stood gazing out of the window. " "Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you'll never forget."" She whispered quietly. She nodded softly. "I'll do it." "I let them know-" "NO!" the word was said in the same way as early, but with less force. "I want to talk to the others first." Nick smiled. "That's good." He said. "'cos there's an ex-Russian Assassin creating havoc on the command deck." With what might have been a smile, Cat followed him out. ********* The forest looked peaceful, as Nightcrawler teleported in. The sun was slipping though the trees, dying the whole ground green. The light also fell on the mutant crouched by the lake, who looked anything but peaceful. "Get lost Elf! I'm fine." "That is evidently a lie my friend." Kurt said, slowly making his way over. He paused uncertain of how to brooch the subject. "Doc Samson called." He said slowly, "and told us what happened?" He looked at the mutant for a response, but got none. "It must have been a shock." "Never thought it'd happen. Never thought I'd be needed either." "You are needed," Nightcrawler agreed, nodding, "but do you want to?" "No!" the answer was quick and full of the pain and terror that Kurt had only heard in his voice after a nightmare. "But I think I have to. Those people. They shouldn't be free to ..." His voice trailed off. Kurt nodded. "So, I guess I'll do it." Kurt nodded. "There was another call after Doc. Samson. Fräulein Cat. She asked you to meet her. Said you'd know where." TBC |
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| Gorvar | Apr 20 2010, 03:32 PM Post #2 |
Self claimed fanfic critic.
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Holy shit a Marvel Court Drama?! Slap me like a donkey and call me Biscuits (?) i'm hooked! |
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| Cat | Apr 21 2010, 01:28 AM Post #3 |
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Secret Agent
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Errrm, O.K. Biscuits. There will be more later. |
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| Gorvar | Apr 21 2010, 04:15 AM Post #4 |
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Self claimed fanfic critic.
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Yeah sorry, when i get tired i go nutso. Seriously though I love this kind of story (Court drama's) being set in a universe filled with superhumans and secret agents. It gives us a other look at how Wolverine will react in that situiation. |
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| LoganActor | Apr 21 2010, 12:18 PM Post #5 |
Plays Logan on TV!
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The question now, of course, is what exactly will Logan say to the Judge who tells him he can't smoke in the court? |
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| Gorvar | Apr 21 2010, 03:00 PM Post #6 |
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Self claimed fanfic critic.
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One word SNIKT. |
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| Cat | Apr 24 2010, 03:30 PM Post #7 |
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Secret Agent
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Chapter 2 “I’m going to testify.” Logan had to give Cat credit; she’d been patient, allowing them all to get their orders, before bursting out. Her fingers were wrapped, tightly around James Buchan Barnes hand, and as she looked at the faces of her former teammates, they dug in tighter. “I’m not asking the rest of you to, and believe me I don’t want. But I think I have to.” She gazed down into the coffee cup, that she had ordered, despite the fact that she never drank the stuff. “For the ones who didn’t make it out.” She looked up, gazing at the faces who sat opposite her. Wolverine, Maverick, Jon Wraith. She knew she didn’t need their approval, but she couldn’t help hoping that. “I’m testifying as well.” Wraith voice was calm, but his hands shook. “The project has come back too many times. With the new leglistration we have to shut it down.” “Always saw you as a good soldier Wraith.” Maverick voice was heavy. “Never thought you’d go against the government.” “We’ve all changed.” Wraith said. Logan broke in before the discussion could get more heated. “I’ll be speaking too.” All three turned to face him. Wraith and Maverick’s faces were shocked, but Cat’s held relief. James merely took a sip of coffee. “How ‘bout you North?” he asked quietly, hoping they wouldn’t press him on his reasons. “Unite the team?” Maverick shook his head. “Nien.” He said softly. “I am sorry, but it is not my fight anymore. I have my own battles.” There was silence as the mutants regarded their teammate, and then nodded. They all understood where he was coming from. With a flourish Maverick produced some bills from his pocket. “I wish you every success.” He said, laying the money down to cover his share. “But it is not a part of my world anymore. And the sooner I accept that the better.” He turned and walked away. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Marie Curie was not the lawyer who had brought them news of weapon X capture. She was however the lawyer who would bring them to trial. Or at least that was what she told them as they sat in the office. Her accent was New Orleans and as thick as gumbo. She began the usual preamble about the trial, when Cat interrupted. “How long?” “The date for the trial is on the paper’s I sent you Cherie; it’s two weeks from today-” “No. I don’t mean that.” Cat asked, “I mean how long it is till it’s over? How long is the trial going to last?” “Why you want to know that?” Marie asked, “Because,” Cat said forcible. “I want to know how long till this is over. Till I can resume my own life.” Her voice sounded vaguely hysterical, causing both Wolverine and Wraith to look at her strangely. Her hands gripped James’s tightly. “To put it bluntly, Ms Curie, I’ll be grateful if I never ever hear the words Weapon X in my life.” She said calmer. “I think that goes for all of us.” Wraith said softly. “Yeah.” Logan said. “But I’m not an optimist.” Cat nodded. “So,” Cat continued, taking a deep breath. “I’d personally be grateful, if you skip the preamble, and just tell us what we need to do. Cos I just want to get this over with.” Her face seemed to convince Marie as she nodded. “O.K. Cherie.” She made her way and sat down behind her desk and withdrew a pile of papers. “The trial is fixed for the 16th of this month, as I told you. There are four scientists, against whom you’ll be testifying. Beside Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes, they’re also charged with the murder of Gerard Pitts -” “Who?” asked James “Mastodon.” Cat said shortly. “He died when the age suppression factor given to him by the project when haywire.” “They should be on trial for other’s deaths.” Wolverine growled “there covered in the crimes against humanity, “Marie began, but Cat interrupted her. “That’s not what he meant.” She said. Turning to face wolverine she continued. “That would strike too close to the truth. We have to make the most of what we can get. Relish in the small victories.” She leant over, and placed a hand on his shoulder “We didn’t think we’d get this much.” She said softly. “Let’s not screw this up. He nodded and Marie continued to run through protocol. Chapter 3 “You got everything?” Cat asked, looking up at Logan, as she stood nervously in the doorway. Logan grabbed a small black duffle bag and nodded. Nick had arranged for them to stay in a SHIELD safe house during the duration of the trial, despite protests from the X-Men. Logan hadn’t protested. If this thing drove him over the edge, the last thing he wanted was to be here, where innocents could get hurt. The X-Men on the other hand, had. Indeed the entire team was standing in the doorway. Flashman turned to look at the two, standing uncomfortably together. “Get in the car!” he had no power to order them, but in a miracle both obeyed. As soon as they were out of the house, Flashman faced the X-Men. “You know how many trials have been brought for Mutant Experimentation?” he asked calmly. “Three.” The reply came from the Africa American woman introduced as Storm. “Including this one.” Flashman nodded. “First one fell through due to lack of evidence. Second one fell through because...” she fell silent. “Second fell through because Some SHIELD telepaths got lose on the victims in an attempt to help. Lawyers argued that it couldn’t be proven what they done while they mess around.” Flashman finished. He gazed back at them. “No offence meant, but I mean to lick these Bastards. And I don’t intend to let anything stand in the way.” He gazed especially at Charles Xavier and Emma Frost, “with the X-Men record, if he stays here we’ve got no chance.” “And supposing he goes bezerker?” demanded Emma, stepping forward. “Attacks them in open court? What then?” Flashman’s brown eyes flew a warning at her blue ones. “Don’t worry. We’ve got it covered.” He turned and walked out the door. “You’ll have your “little killing machine” back in a couple of months, physically unharmed.” “And what about mentally?” Kitty Pryde asked. Flashman froze for a moment, framed in the door. “I never make promises I can’t keep my dear.” He replied. Xxxxxxxxx It gave Cat a small amount of satisfaction to see that Wraith was nervous. Admittedly she was too, but she credited her self that she was doing a better job of hiding it. Wraith’s skin was the color of white coffee, and Marie had already asked him five times if he’s sure about this. Cat could have given her the answer to that. None of them were sure about this. None of them wanted to do this. They were here, because if they were, it would keep happening. Governments would keep doing this. If they got these guys, maybe the governments would be able to find fewer guys willing to ignore their humanity. But she’d lived too long to believe that. This is important, to stop the experimentation that goes on illegally. The sad fact was that legally or illegally, they were the only survivors in a fit state to testify. Fury searched, even going so far as to forgive Stark to get a few more eyes and ears out. Nothing. Or to be more exact no one who could give evidence. She lifted, as the sounds of some familiar footsteps came towards them, and stared. “Nicolas Joseph Fury. What, in heaven’s name, are you wearing?” The British accent in her voice was laughably strong, and it was that which made the others turn their heads and stare. Nick Fury stood dressed in a smart suit, and what possibly was more surprising, without a cigar clamped between his teeth. Behind him stood Doc Samson, his green hair pulled back in a pony tail, but none of them even noticed him. “Never expected to see you out of that uniform before your retirement, Nicolas.” The joke was appalling, but they all laughed, mainly to try and relieve their nerves. Luckily Fury, an intelligence agent, like themselves, understood and shared their nerves. “Ah well, after everything that’s happened, had to send it to the cleaners.” Fury looked incredibly uncomfortable, and he wasn’t the only one. The Jury consultant, that Marie had hired, had advised that Logan should wear a suit to make himself appear more trustworthy. Logan had disagreed, arguing that he never trusted anyone wearing suit. The consultant, who was wearing a grey Louis Voton suit, had seemed offended that this, but Wraith had backed her up. Cat had suggested that as Logan was a retired Captain in the Canadian Military, he could wear formal uniform. Logan had rejected this even more out of hand, so he now stood looking thoroughly uncomfortably in a monkey suit. “Advantage of still been active.” Cat said, grinning, “I just wear formal uniform.” “Give us a twirl.” Fury growled. “Bin a while since I saw you in a skirt.” Cat shrugged, spinning on the spot. “Tradition. Won’t let girls wear trousers.” “Well,” Wraith said, glancing at the other three, trying to gauge how far he could push it. “I got to say I prefer your ordinary uniform, Cat.” ”Really?” Cat said, grinning knowingly. “Why?” “Better view!” he ducked as James threw a punch, deliberately designed (he hoped) to miss at him. Doc Samson stood next to Marie and her team, regarding the scene with amazement. “It surprises you, doctor?” he hadn’t heard Flashman’s footsteps, but suddenly the man was standing at his elbow. He turned to look at him. Henry Flashman was tall, over six foot, with silver hair and eyes that revealed nothing. His tone was warm and amused, but neither of those emotions were on his face. He nodded. Flashman raised an eyebrow. “Really doctor? I had heard you had done work for SHIELD. Did you never while there observe the gallows’ humor before a mission?” “Of course. But this isn’t a mission.” Flashman’s brown eyes flicked over him. “Says who?” He then turned his attention to Marie and her team. “A big day today.” He observed, casually and vaguely warmly. “A career making trial one might say.” “That suppose to mean something to me Cher?” Marie attempted to look tough, but it was obvious that the emotionless eyes were intimidating her. “Yes.” Flashman’s eyes were blazing and his voice had dropped. “This trial is probably going to come closer than anyone ever has to destroying them. Logan is my friend. Cat is my friend. James is my friend. Hurt them more than is absolutely necessary, treat them like some…” he struggled for words. “Circus freak, do anything to make this experience anymore unbearable for them, and I will kill you.” Marie Curie had received a lot of death threats in her time. This was the first time she believed it. As Flashman straightened up, she dared to ask, “What about Wraith?” Flashman’s face creased. “I couldn’t’ give a dam about Wraith.” He walked away from her and gently touched Cat’s shoulder. “They’re coming.” Cat remembered reading that at Numberg many had been disappointed, by the ordinariness of those on Trial. She had no idea why. A life time in the field had taught her that the worst of evil was in the ordinary and, that the true monsters had the face of angels. This was true in this case. There were four of them, accompanied by their solicitors, three men and one woman. All were dressed smartly, proving (Cat thought) Wolverine’s views on those in suits. The woman’s hair was dyed with a blue rinse. One of the men no longer had any hair and the other two boasted locks of silver. She heard, as though from a great distance, Wrath grabbing Marie and protesting that there is some mistake, that these couldn’t be the same people. Heard Flashman’s voice from similar distance, calmly reminding him of the age suppression factor. Could see, but dimly, Marie and Samson confusion, but Nick’s Clarity. He understood. The monsters were always the same age in your nightmares. But more than that, more overwhelming, was their scents. No longer mixed with blood and chemicals and fear, but there and somehow more powerful than it had ever seemed, more powerful than she had expected. She suddenly turned and ran. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx “Shhh. Shhhh. It’s alright. It’s o.k.” the voice was male, clearly American with just a hint of a Russian accent, and infinitely welcome. She rolled back, letting the cold of the pottery calm her. A clean well folded handkerchief was handed to her, and she dabbed at her mouth. “Shite.” “No.” James Buchan Barnes said, massacring the small of her back with one hand. “Sick.” She smiled weakly at the joke. “I feel like such an idiot.” “Why?” She lifted her eyes and looked at him with complete and utter incredulous expression on her face. “I threw up!” “Very neatly.” He said, glancing at the basin of the toilet. At her expression, his face fell. “Look. You’re facing your nightmares. Most people never have the courage to do that.” He hugged her. “You’re not invincible you know. No one is.” “You weren’t this affected when you fought Luskin. You knick his ass.” “And got it handed right back to me.” He replied. “Look, this is totally different.” “How?” “Well, for one I was extremely mad.” She nodded slightly conceding the point. “For another I was fighting him. Not facing him in open court. And for a third…” He paused uncertain. “Luskin didn’t create me. Karpov or Zemo did, and they’re both beyond my reach. Had it been them…” he trailed off. “I don’t know what I would have done.” She shifted up and snuggled into him. “That’s the first honest thing you’ve said.” He shrugged. “Think you can face them.” She nodded and muttered something. “What did you say?” “Just remembering what a Commandant told me, the first time I was taken around a concentration Camp. After about 10 minutes, you don’t smell anything at all.” Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Nick knew Logan well enough to let the silence remain. The mutant had stormed off, at almost the exact same second that Cat had run for the bathroom. The kid had gone after her, while he had followed Logan. They sat on a bench in the warm September air, while Logan sat rubbing his face with his hands. Surprisingly it was Logan who broke the silence. “I’m sorry.” “For what?” “Back there.” Baffled the Director of SHIELD turned to look at him. “You didn’t do anything.” The feral man stared at him for a moment, probably testing his honesty. He paused. “You’re sure?” Nick nodded. “Those lousy bastards entered, Wraith started protesting. Cat ran to be sick and you stormed off. That’s all.” He nodded. Nick sighed, suddenly wishing he knew what to say. He couldn’t say it would be alright, because they both knew it was a lie. He couldn’t ask how the mutant was feeling, as he was fairly sure he knew the answer. Instead he reached into his jacket. “Cigar?” Logan shook his head. They sat in silence, Nick running through reassuring phrases, each sounding more worthless than the last in his head, before a young bailiff came looking for them. “Excuse me sirs.” Two pairs of blue eyes rested on him, making him look like he wanted to wet himself. “They’re waiting for you.” Nick got to his feet, and adjusted his tie. Logan did the same, as they headed for the glass door. “Sorry Sir… but it’s illegal to smoke in any public building in this state.” Fury drew himself up to his full height, so that he towered over the young officer, who by some miracle managed not to cower under the fierce eyes, as he deliberately took another drag on the cigar. He opened his mouth to give the kid hell, then he saw Logan. The mutant wasn’t slumped, or even seeming bothered by the experience. The mask was back on. But there was something, nothing definite, but something that both an ex boxer and a secret agent recognized. The slight stiffness and the tension of a man preparing to take a blow, knowing it would hurt and expecting it to knock him out. Slowly and deliberately, Fury dropped the cigar, and ground the stub under his heel, his eyes never leaving the bailiff’s face. The Kid gulped. “ Thank you. sir.” As he stepped up to join Logan, Fury shook his head. Jesus. This must be affecting him worse than he thought. |
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| Gorvar | Apr 25 2010, 04:02 AM Post #8 |
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Self claimed fanfic critic.
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Interesting note, Marie Currie along with her husband discoverd radioactivity  Sorry, couldn't resist. I liked this chapter, you added a very human aspect to the marvel cc's and Cat, espicially when she had to throw up because of the nerves. Kudos. |
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| LoganActor | Apr 25 2010, 07:59 AM Post #9 |
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Plays Logan on TV!
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Oh, fantastic write. Absolutely smashing. |
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| sniktsnakt | Apr 25 2010, 11:51 PM Post #10 |
Mononoke
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Wow. This is great stuff. I can't wait to get the next part! |
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