Henry McCoy

Cerebro is fascinating and the plans Charles had are now covered in notes as he enters and beams at Hank,

"This is amazing. I think with my mutation and this technology, a lot should be possible."

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tobenormal

"I certainly hope so," Hank says enthusiastically from behind a panel as he makes some final adjustments. "I thought would could start with a lower power level and work our way up. Wouldn't want any ill effects."

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"Yes, we'll want to keep a close eye on what works. I've done some small scale tests on myself so I have an idea of what should work. I think if we begin with this level,"

He's dressed to work today, no suit just a vest and walks over to be beside Hank and share his notes. The meeting with the Men in Black was short, but Charles did all he could to retain the information he saw and it can be built on. For now, it means that they're not starting at zero.

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tobenormal

"Yes, we'll go with what's comfortable for you," Hank says finishing up. "Did you get to read my notes?"

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"I did and added some of my own. Here, I think this is relevant for the set up,"

Beside Hank's notes, Charles has written in a few of his own and does his best to translate them. When he was younger he created a shorthand for himself to write about his telepathy without getting questions asked.

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tobenormal

"Oh of course," Hank says chagrined not so much for Charles notes or anything but what he sees as his own failing. "I see how that could work and be safer."

He points to the helmet interface and says, "Direct skin to lead contact would be ideal. Could we shave you head?"

Come on Charles, for science!

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"No, my hair is staying where it is. This is very good for not having met a telepath before and I believe it should work. I'll be curious to see what the aftereffects are,"

Some of the notes worried him but he has more power and more control than the other subjects.

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tobenormal

"Okay," Hank says tabling the hair discussion for now. Maybe once they've had some success. "And thank you. I hope the aftereffects aren't to debilitating. Er, I mean uncomfortable. We won't be using any voltage near enough for debilitating."

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"Hank, if it comes to that then we'll have far more work to do,"

Charles hopes it doesn't, because while he's willing to try many at times risky experiments, he likes his brain as it is.

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tobenormal

"No, no. You are perfectly safe from any shocks!" Hank promises coming around the front of the controls in a bit of panic that he's scared away his perfect test subject. "Everything is insulated. Well except for the contacts in the helmet but they are not designed to produce any strong amount of voltage."

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"Good, that's reassuring. So what should I experience when I'm wearing it? Your notes were helpful but I want to hear your take,"

As that will help know exactly what to expect and scientific notes aren't good for that detail.

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tobenormal

"Well normal humans who have tried it describe a sensation as if they are leaving their body. Some suffered from vertigo which is why I installed these bars here. I would put in a chair or couch but the cable for the helmet isn't long enough and I haven't been able to get the right sort of wires to extend it yet.

"There have been reports which match the documented effects of LSD," Hank continues a little nervously. "but without the hallucinogenic illusions."

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"That would make sense. When I've moved into other's minds, there's always a sense of disorientation but I know how to adapt to that. The trick is to always know where you are and you're mind and you become your own anchor. Interesting, I've read some of the write-ups of LSD, but tend to prefer to not alter my mind,"

He's never found a need for it.

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tobenormal

"Just reading about it was enough for me," Hank says with a nervous laugh. He does a few more things with dials and checks a few more gauges. "I think we could try for a small test if you'd like?"

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"Yes, that would be helpful, start with the lowest setting and then we'll try others,"

It all looks rather like something a mad scientist would design but Charles trusts Hank and walks under the helmet.

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tobenormal

"Okay," Hank confirms walking to the main controls. One last check of all the gauges and one quick adjustment and he nods in satisfaction. "Beginning Cerebro test at lowest setting with Subject X in 3...2...1."

He hits the switch and grabs a hand towel just in case Charles goes into a seizure. It only happened once and that agent had a history but Hank prefers to be prepared.

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Charles grips the hand rail as he feels the buzz and the world expands. It doesn't hurt too much and he closes his eyes to better focus outward.

The scope change isn't great just out to the borders of DC but it works and he gestures to Hank to turn it off, "I think this will work."

Then he steps out to take a deep breath and get some water.

Edited Date: 2012-06-27 08:44 pm (UTC)

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Erik had felt the hum of the metal from where he had been trying to sleep (unsuccessfully, as always now) and had wandered towards the installation. By the time he ascends the stairs, he manages to take in the helmet, the wires (so many verdammt wires) and the machines. It is wholly and horribly reminiscent of his past.

"I see one government is alike to all the rest after all," he says coolly.

From:

tobenormal

Hank had been examining the readings from Charles brief test when Erik walked in. He looks up and, despite the flush of embarrassment from the previous encounter, was about to offer a greeting when Erik's words hit him.

"I don't understand what you mean?" He also not sure if he should be offended or not.

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Erik gives Hank an icy look, snorting as he remembers that there are things in the world that men as young as Hank will never have to live through. "You wouldn't understand. You're born too late and you don't strike me as the aware type."

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tobenormal

Erik's words echo another conversation Hank recently had in Milliways; enough so that he rubs his forehead. "It's easy to be superior when you won't share information."

Despite his words he doesn't met Erik's eyes, though he tries.

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Erik casts a weary, almost bored look, in Charles' direction. "I'm not telling him. You inform him or let's be done with this and discuss why you look as if you're about to be tortured," he says with no great attempt to hide his continued disdain.

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tobenormal

Hank does look at Erik now with a passion which is likely surprising.

"He is not being tortured. I would never build a machine to torture someone." He swallows to get a handle on his temper. He refuses to let Erik ruin his success with Cerebro.

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Charles sighs at them both as he adjusts the helmet once more,

"Cerebro can expand my ability and give me a greater range. It can be quite useful. Where's Raven?"

Now is not the moment to deal with Hank's uncertainties and Erik's anger and pain.

Edited Date: 2012-06-29 10:32 pm (UTC)

From:

andproud

"Here."

She's standing at the edge, still trying to really process everything she's seeing right now, more machines and computers than anything in Hank's lab, even.

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Erik glances over at Raven, displeasure cast across his face to find her still wearing that insipid mask that she's elected to hide behind. He crosses his arms over his torso, regarding the others as calmly as he can, ensuring that his displeasure is marked.

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Hank catches Erik's look and grinds his teeth in frustration but since Erik didn't say anything, Hank can't. He does notice a warning light on his instrument panels though and turns thankful for the distraction; a faulty lead on the helmet.

"Let me check the helmet Charles, I think we may have a loose wire," he says coming around to Charles at the center of the room. He pulls the helmet off Charles and makes a few adjustments before carefully placing the helmet back on. "Okay, that's fixed and we're good to go. Are you sure we can't shave your hair? It would increase the efficiency of the contacts."

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"Don't touch the hair,"

He adjusts the helmet once more and smiles at Raven to try and reassure her. This is a point he needs to focus and later he'll figure out how to get them agreeing.

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Erik regards Charles' hair for a moment, a fleeting thought racing through his mind as to what that head would feel like devoid of a single strand and he spares a moment to think that it might be rather lovely, actually. As quickly as the thought comes, he sheds it, staring up at the wires as he begins to feel the hum, as heady as alcohol through his veins.

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Hank does his best to ignore Erik and moves back to the control panel. "Now the helmet will light up and he may have a spasm. That is normal and safe," he says for Raven's benefit. "This machine will basically work like a radio antennae for his telepathy. Remember Charles, the hand rails are right there if you need them. How strong do you want to try it this time?"

At Charles request, he turns Cerebro to full power and begins a countdown, "3...2...1..." before hitting the switch. He keeps a close eye on Charles and his hand on the emergency shut off.

Edited Date: 2012-07-10 02:09 am (UTC)

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Charles truly hadn't meant to scream, but his head was suddenly full of so many minds. The closest experience he's had was the first time he went to New York City as a little boy and was overwhelmed by all the people.

It takes him a long moment to find himself again and he clutches the hand rails as he orients himself.

He can feel the world and the pinpoints of each mind though focusing on just one is tricky.

Edited Date: 2012-07-10 02:15 am (UTC)

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Erik's not sure he likes it, not at all, but he stares in wonderment and pain as he imagines what that great wired contraption must do to Charles. Quickly, he shuts off that caring, reminding himself that he cannot afford to be this weak.

From:

andproud

She jumps visibly at the scream, immediately nearing him out of reflex, worry apparent on her features - emotions are something that aren't as easy to mask where Charles is concerned.

"Are you alright?"

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Hank jumps as well as while he was half expecting a dramatic response, he had hoped it wouldn't happen with Charles. He double checks every dial and reading, making sure nothing is out of sorts before holding his hand over the kill switch.

"Charles, should I turn it off?"

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He's aware of the concern and manages to wave his hand, he can do this a little longer.

As he's starting to get better control and he doesn't want to lose all these connections yet.

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"Turn it off, can't you see that he's being harmed!" Erik growls sharply, stepping forward and giving Hank a warning look that implies if he doesn't do it voluntarily, then Erik will put his abilities to good use and pry the wires and the helmet off.

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"Please be calm," Hank say, half beseeching and half exasperated. "I'm turning down the intensity to ease him out. He's not in any danger and he's not being harmed but if I just cut him off, he might be."

Despite his assurances, he is turning down the dials as quickly as he can while still easing Charles back. "Raven, can you help Charles in case he swoons?"

From:

andproud

She's there to support him almost instantly, her hands hovering in the air near him, reluctant to actually touch him while the machine is still on.

She can hear the sound begin to lower in volume as Hank adjusts the dials, her eyes searching Charles's expression for any sign of pain.

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At first, he's still far away, trying to hold onto all those minds as the connection drifts away. He takes the helmet off while still seeing and feeling more of the world and smiling. This is what he's hoped to do, reach out and connect.

Then the pain comes as his mind readjusts and the strain hits him.

He ends up leaning partly on Raven and the hand rail, "Hell, Hank, that's amazing."

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Erik's displeasure is written sharply on his face. He lingers away from the rest of them, his arms folded over his chest as he regards their seeming pleasure in such little foibles. "If you're done playing like lab mice, I'm going back to my quarters," he informs them, curtly.

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Hank offers Charles a glass of water and turns to Erik, "Oh I think we're quite done. But feel free to be superior wherever you wish."

The words are out before he can stop himself and he nearly finches at them. He does flush in embarrassment but forces himself to ignore Erik in favor of Charles and Raven.

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"Stop it, both of you. Erik, I chose this and it's not perfect but I am an active participant. Hank, this isn't the time. You're both just feeling too loudly. I'm going to go upstairs, sit in a dark room and not think for a time. Then I'll write up how this all felt and another day, we will improve this. Raven, stay with me,"

As he's talked, he's moved from the handrail to rest more on Raven. He doesn't actually look up to speak with either Erik or Hank as that motion hurts and he debates closing his eyes.

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andproud

She slides an arm around his to link them in closer, frowning at him in concern before her gaze redirects from Charles' face to Hank's, hovering over his shoulder.

She doesn't say a word, but instead moves to help Charles walk, leaning into him for added support.

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Whether she meant it as admonishment or not, it hits Hank harder than Charles' words and he mouths a sorry but she's already lowered her gaze away from him. Unsure what to do, he goes to clear the doorstop so they don't trip over it on their way out.

Charles will be alright with some rest he tell himself and he's pretty sure he's right.

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