Legal issues: Kia Jaeger(codename Bast) is an original character and belongs to me. All other characters and core X-men concepts are copyright Marvel, Stan Lee, and other creators. I do not own any of them, nor do I profit from them in any way.
Author Note: This story is based upon the story and setup in the comics and takes place at no particular point in them, but is instead treated as it's own events separate from many of the large happenings in the comics. Also, I am not fully aware of every significant event that has happened in the X-men's long history, so the information presented in this story and the information in the comics may not always 100% add up. Some characters who might even be dead as of the current X-men issues may be alive in this story.
***
Kia woke just after 2 A.M. several nights later. Her eyes fluttered about for a moment before she realized the noise that had woken her was the Mansion alarm. She sat up quickly, swinging her legs over the edge of her bed. Her heart pounded anxiously. She hoped the alarm was simply due to a very foolish burglar, but something in her gut told her that wasn't the case.
As in response to her thought, Charles voice abruptly filled her head.
Attention all students and staff. Please proceed to the nearest safety zone as quickly as possible. Those of you who are Seniors and experienced, lead your younger friends and associates to safety. X-men, assemble at the basement's main elevator. We have intruders in the Mansion. Everyone be careful, and do not attempt to confront any intruders on your own.
Kia paused for a moment, considering where she fit in this mess. Well, either way she would have to put some clothes on, that was obvious. She pulled on a pair of underwear and a well-supporting bra, then the pants and blue t-shirt she'd worn that day. By the time she finished dressing, her mind was made up.
Kia opened the door and stepped into the halls. The alarm was louder here, screeching out its warning. The hall lights overhead blinked on and off in time to the alarm's wailing. Several teachers went rushing past, paying her little mind as they attempted to shepherd several of the younger students in front of them. Down the hall, Rogue exited her room and glanced around, dressed in the same hasty manner as she was. The X-woman spotted her and jogged quickly to her.
"Ya oughta get to safety," Rogue stated.
"I'm coming with you," Kia stated. "I could be useful."
"Ah ain't gonna argue with ya, but don't go blamin' me if the Professor ain't happy," Rogue nodded.
The two women ran down the halls, stopping for a moment to direct a group of students toward the hidden compartments leading to shelters below the Mansion. The only sounds were the alarm buzzing incessantly and the occasional scrambling student coming down the hall. There was no sign of the intruders, no sounds of violence or struggle. Kia felt her palms growing sweaty as she became more and more tense.
They found most of the team assembled at the main elevator with the exception of Hank, Betsy, Bobby and Peter. Everyone was in various states of dress, having thrown on clothes as quickly as possible.
Scott didn't notice Kia as he began to brief them on the situation, which suited her just fine "The Professor just notified me that the intruders have somehow advanced into the sub-levels. We aren't sure how that happened yet, but they're advancing in the direction of Hank's labs. They're tearing stuff up along the way, so we can definitely bet on them having hostile intentions."
"Hank's labs? No!" Ororo cried.
"We'll help Hank fix his stuff up later, Sugah," Rogue assured her.
"No!" Ororo said firmly. "Hank found some old science journals that he was interested in browsing through today. Last I heard from him, he was still reading them down there!"
Scott cursed under his breath and shook his head. "Dammit. Fine then. Kurt, 'port Logan into the sublevel and get to Hank. Rogue, you fly on ahead and get down there as soon as possible."
The team rushed to follow his instructions, Rogue quickly descending as Kurt teleported away with Logan in a puff of smoke and muffled 'bamf'.
"Ororo, you, Jean, and..."
Scott finally seemed to notice Kia as his eyes fell on her. "You're
not
a member of the team. Got to a shelter, now."
"You already know I'm not going to listen to you," Kia pointed out. "So you may as well let me do something useful."
"Look, I don't care what kind of attitude you've got, Kia. I swear to god if you don't..."
"Scott, we don't have time for this!" Jean pointed out. "Hank could be hurt down there, or worse!"
Scott glared coldly at Kia, making it clear just what he thought of her notions of helping. "Stay with Jean. Stay out of the fighting, both of you, and let us handle this!"
Kia shook her head, completely disgusted with the man. Even though she and Jean didn't really know each other well, even she knew that Jean was one of the most powerful and able members of the Team. That Scott was telling her to stay out of the fray was a practically a direct insult.
Jean looked equally as unhappy, but her attention was more focused on what was going on below. "Fine, we'll watch your backs. But we need to