Jamie and X coming to Eureka.

[smart_house]

It may be awkward for X-23 and Jamie, transitioning from Milliways to Eureka. SARAH herself does not notice much of anything when she moves back and forth, but she advised her two guests to sit down on the living room couch before they left the bar.

"Exterior sensors have resumed function," SARAH announces. "Welcome to Eureka."

Comments

[walksthebounds]

Jamie glances at her and then slides on through the door, light-footing his way up the staircase.

Once they reach the top, the door that leads to the outside is only a few feet away. Jamie lets X go forward to listen. Her hearing, he knows, is a lot better than his.

[eureka_npcs]

Nathan Stark can practically hear his teeth grinding.

He's standing on the sidewalk outside Eureka Gardens, watching the chaos. No one seems to know exactly who called for the soldiers in the first place, but just as they're determined to carry out their orders, he's determined to see to it that nothing else goes wrong.

(He'll deal with Nickerson later.)

Carter's nowhere to be found, which leaves him free to deal with this situation without the other man's questions or interference. It's a small thing, but at least it's something.

When the lance corporal hurries up to report, Stark anticipates him.

"Well?"

[eureka_npcs]

I really would not have a problem with being back at the base in the Aleutian Islands right about now...

"Dr. Stark," the underling reports, sounding as official as humanly possible. "We've gotten through to the subbasement hallways, but the doors have almost been...ripped apart. There is something on the loose."

A moment later, adding, "We are still proceeding down toward the central relay station for the building."

[eureka_npcs]

"Ripped apart."

It's amazing how absolutely level two words can be.

"I expect you to keep me informed of every detail as you proceed, Corporal."

[cutting_edgex23]

X has gone very still beside Jamie, body crouched low to the ground.

Her attention appears fixed on Stark and his hapless underling.

She is probably waiting for them to move away.

If they don't, well--

She'll handle them.

[walksthebounds]

Jamie looks at X, remembering their various conversations, and places a light hand on her arm.


They did what they came to do. They can wait.

(Besides, it's good to hear what's being said about them.)

[eureka_npcs]

"Of course, Doctor Stark."

It's easy to hide an exhalation of 'Whew, at least that is over' under a helmet, especially when being dismissed.

[eureka_npcs]

Dismissed, and to all appearances forgotten.

Stark's already turning away as he snaps open his cell phone and activates autodial.

"Fargo."

[cutting_edgex23]

They have been using Fargo as a cover story.

This could get messy very quickly.

X casts a quick sideways look at Jamie, then sqaures her shoulders and steps away from the shadow of the building.

"Jamie. Hurry up! I think it's gone."

[walksthebounds]

"Well, it didn't eat him," Jamie says, picking up on her lead, and points to Stark. Helpfully.

[eureka_npcs]

He notices the kids out of the corner of his eye, but he's got more important things to deal with right now.

One ring.

Two.

[walksthebounds]

"Unless," Jamie pursues - loudly - "it turned into him. Like a werewolf or something. He's even kind of furry."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Why are you so stupid!"

X starts moving toward Stark, face set in a very sulky teenager expression.

She can't do scared very well.

"He's just a guy!"

[eureka_npcs]

He lowers the phone from his ear as it starts to rings a third time and cancels the call, cutting off the breathless "Hello? Dr. Stark?" on the other end.

"If you wouldn't mind--"

Stark's tone is impatient as he turns to face the kids.

"--perhaps you could have your conversation elsewhere."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Why?"

She's still moving toward him.

"Do you think we're scared?"

[walksthebounds]

. . . they don't have to get that close.

Jamie tags after her, and hits her in the arm, lightly. "I'm not scared anyways. I'm hardly a baby, Laura. I thought it was excellent!"

[eureka_npcs]

"Laura?"

He looks back and forth between them with a slight frown.

"I don't think I know you two."

[cutting_edgex23]

"No."

She stops two or three feet away from him, green eyes level and clear.

"We are new here. Mom's thinking about relocating."

Beat.

"He called you Mr. Stark. Didn't she call you?"

[eureka_npcs]

"Dr. Stark," he corrects, studying her.

It's possible Alison could be recruiting someone without having mentioned it, but--

"And no, she didn't."

[walksthebounds]

Jamie rolls his eyes. Hard.

"Laura just wants to pick your brains about something scientific," he says, to Stark, in extremely long-suffering tones. "I swear, she's more into moving here than Mom is. Come on," he adds, to Laura, and with absolutely no more emphasis than necessary for a bored preteen. "This is getting really dull again."

[cutting_edgex23]

X shoots Jamie a Look.

Then she looks back at Stark.

"Sorry, Dr. Stark. He's kind of a brat."

Beat.

"And Mom's kind of a flake. I left her a post-it, but I guess she forgot."

Now she's just waiting for the right moment.

Posture is key.

[eureka_npcs]

"It's all right." Stark offers a professional smile, adding, "Have your mom call me tomorrow morning."

He's already spent more time than he should on this. He nods to the girl and her brother and starts to lift the phone again as he turns back toward Eureka Gardens.

[walksthebounds]

Jamie wants to leave. Now.

He grabs for X's elbow -

[cutting_edgex23]

X moves the instant Stark turns away.

It's not hard to take down a man who isn't expecting it and who isn't combat-trained.

She keeps her claws sheathed, though.

Jamie should be pleased.

[eureka_npcs]

Wh--

One second he's conscious, and the next he's not.

The phone cracks loudly against the pavement as Nathan Stark collapses.