Further Update

[x-avier.livejournal.com]

We now have a full tally of those who went missing yesterday:

Artie Maddicks
Jean-Paul Baubier
Madelyne Pryor
Callie Betto
Layla Miller
Korvus Rook'shir
Garrison Kane
Fred Dukes
Sooraya Qadir
Sarah Vale
Carmilla Black
Angelo Espinosa
Molly Hayes
Megan Gwynn
Matt Murdock
Amara Aquilla
Adrienne Frost
Meggan Szardos
Yvette Petrovic
Laurie Collins
Marius Laverne


It is also now clear that the abduction of our people from the rally was a deliberate act by the Genoshan government, as an act of retaliation for our actions in to assist Phillip Moreau and Jenny Ransome. For my actions. They know there are a number of pro-mutant organizations connected to the Institute, and that we have some degree of support from the government. They also know Magento was one of the founders of the school. And, finally, they know there is some connection between the Institute and the X-Men.

They know far too much and have apparently drawn the conclusion that the Institute is a training facility for Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants. In their eyes, we are all terrorists and what they have done is justifiable in terms of self-defence.

Their terms are simple; if there is any interference in Genoshan affairs that emanates from the school or our allies, those taken will never be seen again. If we cooperate, they will be slowly returned so long as we continue not to interfere.

This situation impacts us all and there will be numerous discussions regarding what our next step should be. This is the first of those discussions. Please, speak your minds - we are, in this case, all together in this.

Charles.

Comments

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

Molly is THIRTEEN. What the actual FUCK.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

They took 21 people from that rally to blackmail each and every one of us into backing down. In terms of leverage, the kids are basically their best bet for succeeding. It sucks, but that's the reality of the situation.

[x-bamf.livejournal.com]

This will not stand. Even if we bow to their demands, they could decide almost anything is interference in their affairs, or simply change their minds.

I will have my sisters and our children back, with all the others, and they will pay.

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

Focusing on revenge is exactly the way to get everyone they took killed. Priority one is getting these people back, regardless of whether or not justice is involved.

I see two options; either we find some kind of leverage that forces Genosha to bargin with us, or we're looking at direct intervention. I can tell you right now, our intel on Genosha is thin enough to almost be non-existant. From an intelligence standpoint, we're all but blind there right now.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

I've got nothing you haven't already got, but I'll keep my feelers out. I'd like to be kept in the loop on whatever goes down, please.

[xp_daytripper]

We'll get them back, Kurt. That's a promise.

[x-legion.livejournal.com]

Sir, I'll do whatever you decide is best to get them back. But I'd like to come by your office to talk for a few minutes, if that's all right.

[x-blink.livejournal.com]

Let's go get the kids back.

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

I know everyone's upset and want their people back. I do as well. But we need to approach this with a clear head. Charging into anything rashly will most certainly make things worse.

If there's anything I can do on the political side of things please let me know, Charles. I know a few people in Washington I can try to talk to. Not to mention I don't think the FBI will take too kindly to one of their agents being taken.

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

And tell them what? We have a secret device that can locate mutants anywhere in the world and that's our only proof that they're in Genosha? We've been accessing cameras around the protest, and none of them show any Genoshans anywhere near our people before or after the disappearance.

Unless we can get proof that the State Department can't ignore, I wouldn't count on any official assistance from the US government.

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

I said "if," Remy. I'm well aware of the delicacy and precariousness of the situation.

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

If we're forced into a direct approach and you've already tied the mansion into trying to instigate against Genosha, that gives them one more weapon. Worse, if they've got contacts in the right places, it could get back to them and they might decide to teach us a lesson for even thinking of going against them.

I say we go dark and give them no idea what we're doing other than what they want until we've got a response we can commit to.

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

You're right. I suppose I'm letting my desire to retrieve the taken cloud my judgment.

Let's try it your way.

[x-siryn.livejournal.com]

You might not have official assistance, but you have everything I can manage.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

They took the kids because they think we're working with Magneto after everything he's put us through? Are they crazy?

[xp_daytripper]

It's not like we've actually been able to point out that we've been Buckethead's number one pain in the arse, tho'. It's the downside of having a secret superhero response team in the basement - it has to be secret. No-one ever knows the good we do, and everyone expects the worst.

Besides, Mags is named as one of the founders of the school. They're about twenty years out of date, but they've done some homework. What bothers me more is they know about the leather brigade. And if they know about the X-Men, who else do they know about?

[x-scarletwitch.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I even doubt if they really care about that. The bottom line is that - somehow - they know about the X-Men and they know that our people stand to be a problem to what their ultimate goals are. The fact that they can connect the school to Magneto gives them the apparent legal and political clout to tie us up in knots. It gave them an excuse to make their move.

[x-tarot.livejournal.com]

Apparent being the important modifier here. Recall that they have a half dozen teenagers, which regardless of their clout is unacceptable.

[x-scarletwitch.livejournal.com]

My brain refuses to let me forget that, no matter how I try to occupy myself.

Their clout might have given us a stumbling block but none of that matters - we will find a way to bring them home and God help whoever tries to prevent that. Genosha thinks they have the upper hand but they have underestimated us.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

You two are right, I'm not thinking straight at the moment.

We can't know the extent of their knowledge unless we can determine their source. But I'm inclined to assume a worst case scenario, at least that way we can plan for the worst and be surprised.

[xp_daytripper]

They've hit us where we live. They want us to react without thinking. Which means these fuckers are smarter than the usual villain.

[x-blink.livejournal.com]

this also means that it's not personal.

which is very, very worrisome.

[xp_daytripper]

They've got us by the short and curlies, that's for fucking sure. We're going to have to be bloody careful about how we go in.

[x-blink.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

I wish we could just 'port in, get the kids and 'port out and THEN deal with the rest of the mess. Life is never that simple.

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

I'm with LeBeau, leverage is preferable but unlikely. Direct intervention needs to be quiet and off radar. We need to get in silently, get our people in a blitz attack so they can't prepare and get out before they really have a chance to mobilize. But we still have next to nothing on Genosha so every plan is problematic to impossible to implement.

Genosha isn't exactly at or participating in wars or coups so I doubt I know anyone who has ever been there unless it was for holiday, which is not exactly useful. It's just not my territory. I'll make calls anyhow and if I can be of any use for anything let me know. Lucas and I are both in to help go get our people.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

CF's sold some wares there, but he's got nothing solid.

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, see, even that surprises me. Genosha strikes me as sort the sort of Iron Fist government when it comes to crime, though that is entirely unfounded. I think my best bet is to go through people who do wetwork. They strike me as the only ones who may have ever worked in the country, and we both know working a place gives you a pretty damn good handle on a place. At least if the person's any good at what he does.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Never said getting the wares in was easy. But apparently that iron fist you mentioned drives up the prices so the risk's worth it. Doesn't change the fact he's got nothing. Got contacts elsewhere, but the few I've tapped are on jobs elsewhere. Won't be of any use.

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

It'd be nice if I could rely on their news sources to report on attempted assassinations or murders but I doubt they would. Controlling information seems to be their forte, much to our disadvantage. I'm making my calls now, despite the fact that it's likely an ungodly hour where most of these people are. I'm not optimistic that I'll find anything of use either.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my bet's on them censoring everything and monitoring all information that leaves the country. I've got maybe one guy who might have some intel, but he's an old contact and I haven't been able to reach him on any of his old burners. I got a guy at an old hangout that might have some info on him. We'll see.

Doesn't help that none of my stashes are anywhere near that Godforsaken little island.

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

Your stash wouldn't be any good unless we can get a lay of the land, intel on where everyone's being kept, get in and get to them. Islands are fun strategic points for making that sort of thing difficult. It's easier to smuggle weapons into a country that is at least partially landlocked. The smaller the coastline the easier it is to monitor and Genosha isn't very big.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Some kids carry around security blankets. I have security stashes. It's my method, buttercup.

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

I welcome you to the moment when your pacifier gets ripped away and you have to learn to go on without it. It's okay, if it gets hard for you I'm sure Marie-Ange will oblige us all with smacking you and telling you how stupid you're being. :)

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

It's worked for thirty odd years - it's not all stupid.

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

I didn't actually say it was stupid, but rather implied whining about it being hard without it was.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Semantics. My kids and my friends are missing. I've got better things to do than dicker over implications.

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

Amazingly enough, you aren't the only one who has people missing. We all have people missing. And we are all doing what we can to figure out information to get them back. And none of us are much help right now. But do not act like or imply you are the one who gives a shit the most.

For most of us this isn't the first time. At least they didn't leave body parts behind like someone else did once before.

[x-firestar.livejournal.com]

So if everyone just shuts up and plays nice they'll give back everybody they kidnapped?

And....we're supposed to believe that?

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Definitely not.

[x-blink.livejournal.com]

If you do, I have some LOVELY beach-front property in Arizona to sell you. And a bridge. It's Golden.

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Skittles, be nice to my Benevolent Overlord in Training or I won't give you the latest thing I bought for you.

[x-blink.livejournal.com]

is it sharp and shiny and can I stab people with it?

[x-deadpool.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[x-blink.livejournal.com]

you know the way to my evil, little stabbity heart.

alright.

[x-polarisstar.livejournal.com]

I cannot even sleep I am so angry over this. We help out two kids and they kidnap 21?