Issue 1A: Helicarrier Down

[dakota]

" Thank you for the lift, Remy." Piotr Rasputin said as he climbed out of the jeep. The big man hadn't quite been himself since Kitty had not made it back from the mission she had taken for SHIELD. For the past three days, the big Russian had driven the professor crazy, so much so that when Remy had gotten back home from his own solo adventure, Cyclops had left Piotr behind as the rest of the X-Men had gone off to deal with Magneto's latest scheme.
Though he didn't come right out and say it, but Professor Xavier had seemed more than happy to have someone to dump Colossus off onto, especially as punishment for Remy being overdue.

He still wasn't being overly rational as the big russian headed inside the SHIELD office, forcing Gambit to hurry to keep up.

* * * * *

" Thank you for coming so quickly, Steve." The Black Widow said, rising from sitting uncomfortably behind the huge desk. " I wish it could be under better circumstances. We have a situation. Four hours ago, we lost contact with both Colonel Fury and the helicarrier he was on. Even their emergency beacon has shut off. All I have is this brief transmission from Dr. Banner he was in the middle of sending to Hank Pym." she was about to start the recording when a commotion outside the office interrupted.

" Where's Colonel Fury?" Demanded a Russian accent voice harshly
" Sir, you can't go in there." Replied the colonels secretary.
" I need to speak with him."
" but the Colonel isn't.."

" Colonel where is Ki....." The door was pushed open and in barged Piotr Rasputin, the concern in his face fading as it was replaced with embarrassment. " Captain? Black Widow? I am sorry, I was looking for Colonel Fury."

Behind him, the secretary stood in the doorway. " I'm sorry. He wouldn't listen to me."

Widow waved it off. " It is allright, Corporal. I will handle this."

[Renekin Skywalker]

Gambit was happy to get Collosus off Xavier's hand. Better that than another episode of Why Gambling's Wrong, starring the moral health of the students.

Besides, he wanted to not be there when Xavier found out about the gambling being a job to route out a psychic who was pilfering his Guild.

"I'm sure she's fine, mon ami." Gambit said, trying to sooth him. "Jumpin to conclusions will only get her hurt... A lady likes to be missed, not lorded over."

Though, noticing it wasn't having much of an effect, he let the Russian plow through to the Colonel's office.

After the secretary apologizes, Gambit strode past with a soothing "I'm wit' him cherie." With a wink he slipped into the office as she closed the door. And he leaned against the wall unless called upon.

[doc]

Steve Rogers sits in his full uniform, mask on, as he listens to the briefing. "I understand Natasha, and I'll do what I can to help." With a speed and smoothness that defies his build, he stood up and turned as the Russian X-man rushed in. "Easy there, big fella." He turns to look at Gambit. "What can we do for Xavier's students today?"

[Renekin Skywalker]

Gambit waves their attention back to Colussus. "I'm just the driver. Colossus is de one you want to parler with."

[dakota]

" I am sorry to barge in. " Piotr apologized. " I was hoping the Colonel could tell me what had happened to Kitty. She had gone to help him with something, but is overdue returning."

Black Widow shook her head slightly, " Shadowcat was on her way back with Fury the last I spoke to him, but there's been an incident. I was just about to ask the Captain to go and check things out. I..."

Colossus cut her off, " When do we leave?" He turned back to Gambit. " I am sorry, my friend, but if Kitty is in trouble, I have to help."

Natasha smirked at Cap," It looks as though you have the start of a team. Most of the Avengers are away thanks to some plot of Loki's that Hawkeye stumbled acrossed so we're a little short handed at the moment."

[Renekin Skywalker]

Gambit smild. "Anytin' for a lady, eh?" He says, chuckling, idly shuffling cards in his hands.

[doc]

"All right, Widow. I'm in. If you have any idea as to their last location, and some air-transport fueled and ready, and I'm sure you have otherwise you wouldn't even have called me, then upload that last transmission to the air-transport and we'll be off. Any additional resources would be appreciated as well." Rogers turns to the large Russian. "But, I need to make one thing clear; you come with me, you'll have to keep your enthusiasm in check and keep it cool. We have the possibility of running into the Hulk, among whatever else is out there waiting for us, and I'll need level heads or not at all. Is that acceptable?" Cap eyes Colussus down.

[Renekin Skywalker]

Don't ask me to describe it, but Gambit shuffles the cards back into the pocket whence they came. "Someone'll have to let the Professor know we're doin' dis." Gambit says to Black Widow. "Before Cerebro tells him we're off on our own again."

Stepping closer to her, he adds, "An' will you be joinin' us on this one?" He asks, applying the Cajun's velvet voice in full force. "We'ld hate it if you were left here, bored managing SHIELD, Cherie."

[dakota]

" LeBeau, I have no idea how lines like that work on poor Rogue." Black Widow replied shaking her head, then toying with gambit, she added," Besides, you couldn't handle me. There's a reason I'm called Black Widow." She turned her attention to Cap," I want to come too, but with the Colonel missing in action, and Bridge in South America working some leads he won't elaborate on, I'm stuck here. I'll contact Xavier to let him know what is going on. He might be able to free up some help too. Your ride is waiting in the hangar. I assume you won't need a pilot?"

Colossus waited until BW had finish. " Of course, Captain. You are in charge. I only want to help." He replied, sounding more like himself.

[doc]

Cap tries his best to hide a smile at Natasha's response to Gambit. Better men than you have tried and failed...

"I never doubted that." He slaps Colussus on the shoulder before turning to Widow. "Nick couldn't have left SHIELD in better hands, Widow. You'll do just fine. I should be able to fly out whatever transport you have for us. However, if you can spare a pilot though for back-up or in case of any other contigencies, I won't turn down any additional resources you can send my way."

[Renekin Skywalker]

"Oh, now." Gambit says, taking a step or two closer. If he felt shot down, he didn't show it. In a much lower voice, he says. "I have no doubt of where you get your name, Black Widow. But, I suspect when its someone you want around, dis isn't the name that matters, hmm?"

With a chuckle, he heads out, following Captain and Colossus. "But, I guess we'll never know, eh Cherie?"

[dakota]

" I'll send you who ever I can dig up, and there should be a pilot waiting for you. Up to you whether you use him or not. Good luck." BW said as she returned to the desk with a sigh. she called after Gambit," Cajun, I hate to tell you this, but I'd break you."


In the hangar sat a pair of SHIELD's Quinjets. In front of one of them stood a young field agent. When he saw the trio advaning, he snapped a salute.

[doc]

Steve returns the salute. "At ease, soldier. Time is working against us, so no need to stand on formality. Let's get airborne, and once there, we'll begin with the intel and trackdown." Cap hops aboard and settles into one of the pilot seats. "Hmm..Mark V, latest SI Variable Thrust system. Think you can handle it, soldier?" He smiles to the young agent.

[Renekin Skywalker]

"After you, mon ami." Says Gambit to Colossus, taking a minute to admire the craft.

Once aboard, he'll take the pilot seat. "Is there anyway of knowing where to look?" He asks. "You an' Black Widow looked like you were in the midst of this already."

[dakota]

" Yes sir, no problems with that." The pilot replied proudly. As they boarded, the pilot tapped Gambit on the shoulder," You're in my seat, sir."

Piotr shook his head as he took a seat, " Remy, get back here out of the way. So what is the plan, Captain?"