ax_main | Trowa and Tessa | Backdated to 10/12

During a routine security assessment of the campus grounds, Tessa learns of Trowa's nocturnal visit to the med-lab, and the two discuss the need to further expand their defensive measures, in light of new threats.

They had just completed the first leg of their usual patrol of the school's perimeter; it was mostly a formality, to better acquaint them with the grounds and its most tactically-significant landmarks, but it certainly never hurt to cultivate good habits early. Both Tessa and Trowa had passed that time with their usual, reserved stoicism, yet she could not fail to notice there was something somewhat more ... pensive than usual in his carriage. An undercurrent of discomfort in his surface thoughts. The signs were subtle; even a telepath might have had difficulty discerning them, based on such small signs.

But Tessa enjoyed the advantage of knowing Trowa somewhat better than most. She would not have pretended they were the closest familiars, but she certainly trusted him as far as she was prepared to trust anyone. That familiarity lent a certain insight.

"You seem preoccupied," she noted mildly, though she maintained her watchful posture as they moved through the woods which made up the northern boundary of the academy. "Is something amiss?"

"It's been an eventful week." It was a mild answer, but a warning sign in and of itself. It was not like Trowa to be anything less than direct.

"To put it in the vaguest terms possible, yes," she agreed. "However, it nothing we haven't experienced before--at least, nothing entirely removed from our experience, even if the details are wholly dissimilar. But we are both accustomed to shifting alliances and temporary truces during times of critical urgency. We will adapt our strategy accordingly, and devise additional contingencies." All of which Trowa already knew. Which meant that the question remained between them, and Tessa studied his face expectantly.

"I'm reevaluating recent tactics," Trowa confessed, "and I'm uncertain if my choices were correct." He dropped his voice until it was just barely audible between them. "I attempted to kill Magneto. I should have been more aggressive in fulfilling the mission. And yet I can't convince myself it would have been the correct course."

The olive-skinned girl beside him paused, ever so briefly--a mere flicker of hesitation. It might have passed unnoticed in another, but for one of Tessa's self-control, that moment was comparable to slack-jawed shock. "I understand the logic of such a stratagem," she said carefully. "And, in terms of ending the perceived threat posed by the Brotherhood, it would certainly be the most expedient at our disposal. However, I am inclined to agree with the side of you that doubts. Magneto's death while under care here at the school would have been a sub-optimal outcome."

"In the immediate," Trowa agreed. "In the longer term, it would have left the Brotherhood without resources and kept Magneto from continuing to escalate the conflict between mutants and the rest of the world."

Tessa considered a moment, then said, "I would tell you something in confidence. Something not widely known. Is that acceptable?" She would not presume that Trowa would keep her secrets, though she would trust in him implicitly if he said that he would. His assumptions were not entirely wrong, and yet they were not entirely correct, either. They were based on incomplete data. For them to have a meaningful conversation regarding their evolving strategy, they would have to have access to the same intelligence. Yet she did not want him to infer that intelligence was suitable for general dissemination. Not yet.

Trowa nodded. "Understood. I won't tell anyone."

"For the past month, at least, Magneto's mind has been under the control of a psionic force of unknown identity and motivation," she said. "It might have been a telepath like the Professor, though the trace presence on the astral plane has proven difficult to define conclusively. This suggests that the recent escalation has been at the behest of a third party, as yet undefined. Magneto's death might have forestalled this escalation, but without further information it is impossible to state conclusively how effective it would have been. I would suggest that eliminating pawns is rarely an efficient strategy."

Trowa considered this new information, turning it over in his mind. It didn't stir any regret for the attempt on Magneto's life, but it did make him certain he'd done the right thing in not attempting to go through Simon Tam to finish the job. And it added a new context to the situation.

"Is there any indication this entity will try to get a foothold in Magneto's mind again? He may be a pawn in this instance, but he is a powerful one."

"We can only speculate, at this time; the available facts are few, and lead to no definite conclusion. However, the Professor and Magneto have been developing contingencies against another such intrusion as he recuperates from his injury." Tessa frowned. "Of more imminent concern to me is the chance this being might attempt to overtake the psyche of one or more of the students here. Psionic threats are much more challenging to address than purely physical ones, and many of our peers--while lacking in experience--do not lack for sheer destructive potential."

Trowa nodded. "If we assume this entity's primary goal is to increase hostilities toward mutants, that would be logical. But wouldn't the Brotherhood be at more of a risk? Most of their number have the potential to be extremely powerful, and their link to Magneto would mean most wouldn't even question their behavior."

"It is a strong possibility," Tessa acknowledged. "Perhaps the Professor can prevail upon them to accept our assistance in building up their psychic defenses while they are lodged here. Still, however damaging it would be to have a member of an external organization aggravating present relations between humans and mutants, consider this: how much worse would it be, if a student here were to make a similar public declaration, simultaneously revealing the school and branding it a threat equal, if not greater, to that posed by the Brotherhood?"

"We would have to become the Brotherhood," Trowa said bluntly. "A few students might be able to be secreted back to their families, but most would have nowhere to go."

"Precisely," she nodded. "The Professor and Ms. Frost provide some level of defense from such threats, but it is not an absolute protection. I think more aggressive measures are warranted, but," Tessa's fists clenched at her side, the only obvious indicator of her frustration, "I do not think I possess the power to undertake them on my own. Not in this case. I can defend myself on the psychic plane readily enough, but I do not think I could subdue such an entity without support."

"You need a partner skilled in psychic combat." Trowa pondered the situation. "Your options are extremely limited. I assume you've weighed the advantages and disadvantages of your few potential candidates."

"There is only one realistic option," Tessa acknowledged. "Her skills are still a work in progress, but she is powerful. Between us, I project the probability of our successfully engaging another significant presence on the astral as vastly greater than my attempting as much alone. And, were it to come to the worst, I believe she could protect herself--long enough, at least, to return to the material plane."

"Do you think it would be an effective partnership? She seems very sheltered."

"Yes," Tessa nodded. "That would be one of several factors working against us. We are also not very well acquainted at this time, which must necessarily limit our effectiveness working in tandem. Ideally, we would have had some time to train for an investigation like this beforehand. However, I know she has been studying with the Professor extensively since her arrival. And every hour we delay is more time for the psionic trail to get lost in the background thought of the astral plane. I do not presently see a better alternative."

"Why not Xavier himself?" Trowa asked. "He has experience, power, and a certain level of pragmatism that would be of use."

"True," the cyberpath conceded. "My preference for Jean, however, is twofold. First, the Professor is of greatest possible use in the material world, overseeing the normal operation of the school; it is much more difficult to spread one's consciousness between the day-to-day world and the astral plane than it is to keep the bulk of one's attention focused on one or the other. Second, Jean would benefit from the experience. I have observed that she treats her gifts with a certain wariness. It is possible increased familiarity will ease that discomfort, somewhat." Tessa shrugged. "Still, it will be her decision, to accept or decline."

"Your reasoning seems sound," Trowa agreed. "Now all that's left is to talk to Jean."

"Thank you," she acknowledged with a grateful nod; Trowa's assessment was always useful in deciding upon the most strategically-advantageous course of action--there were not many of whom she would have asserted the same. "However, there is a way in which you could assist, too, if you would be amenable. It is a precautionary measure only, but I would be most appreciative."

"If it involves not killing any more of Xavier's guests, I've already let Simon know it's not what I would consider a first measure. Aside from that, I'm willing to listen."

She smiled faintly; given that Tessa was hardly one to take any option, no matter how final, off the table, either, she could appreciate his qualification. "I do not anticipate any difficulty, but the unanticipated can be a factor of considerable note in an enterprise such as this. While our psyches are focused on the psionic realm, Ms. Grey's body and my own will be largely unaware of events and circumstances around us. I think it advisable that someone I trust keep watch in the event of unforeseen complications."

Trowa's brows actually rose in surprise. "You expect you might be targeted while your consciousness is occupied?"

"Expect, no," she shook her head. "But I believe in adequate contingency planning, and cannot dismiss the possibility altogether. Moreover, if Jean or I come under psionic attack of greater than normal significance, it would be useful to have assistance readily at hand."

"And if you appear to have been possessed?"

"Then I would recommend disabling me as quickly as possible, then summoning either the Professor or Ms. Frost for additional intervention," she said. "Naturally, I would prefer not to endure a long recuperation, but I trust you to do what is necessary. However, if it is Jean who appears to be compromised when she emerges, I suggest an immediate retreat, ideally toward Professor Xavier's office. I would not take anything for granted until more facts are available, but this entity appeared fully capable of utilizing all of Magneto's power shortly after overtaking his psyche. Ms. Grey is potentially even more dangerous."

Trowa considered that. "My observations don't match that assessment, but I'm not a psi, and I've seen very little of her." Jean took more advanced classes than he did and they only had Scott in common so far as friends went. "I will trust to your judgment. And, of course, I will watch your back whenever you need me."

The psion's features relaxed minutely, communicating her relief readily enough to one as watchful as Trowa. "Your cooperation is appreciated," she said. "This will be a new experience for both Jean Grey and me; there are too many variables to calculate the outcome with any credible accuracy. I am confident, however, that between us we will be capable of managing any obstacles which may arise."