Issue 1 Downtime

Terra had lined up an appointment with the Headmistress and arrived a few minutes early, just to make sure she could find the place. She waited patiently outside, a folder under one arm.

"You can come in, Doctor Miller."

"Miss McManus," Terra said in greeting as she shut the door behind her. "Feeling like things are getting back to normal yet?"

"Much as they ever do. What can I help you with?"

"I'm interested in extending my research out beyond my own capabilities and looking into the physics, or "lack thereof" as some of my previous colleagues would say, in some other mutants, particularly superheroes. To do that though, I need access to some data that might be considered sensitive such as very specific performance measurements. I wanted you to sign off on it before I proceeded." She offered the folder to Sam. Inside was a list of various individuals, all mutant. Some were famous, some infamous, and some relatively obscure.

"And what do you intend to prove here?"

"I intend to explore where physics, as we currently understand it, applies and where it doesn't and work to fill in those gaps. I know it may seem obvious and I'm sure weightier minds than mine have already considered some of these individuals, but I think a fresh look couldn't hurt. Part of the initial assessment is going to be finding those gaps in knowledge and working to fill them in."

"I assume, should you publish, a certain amount of confidentiality could be assured for these individuals?"

"I would handle it in the same manner as medical information as much as possible. Of course, only so much anonymity can be guaranteed when you are talking about mutant abilities, especially with famous mutants, but publishing is a secondary concern for me."

"Then aye, there will be some forms for you to sign, but I'll have them drawn up."

"Thank you. I also wanted to make sure that I understood what I'm supposed to be doing here. As I understand it, I'll be teaching the university-level physics courses and working with the secondary school students in physics and some math. Is there anything else that I should be doing? Or more importantly, is there anything else you need me to do?"

"Well I can understand how daunting it might be given our usual hiring policies. We've got more than a few Xavier's alumni, but it's not as if we expect you to put on a uniform."

"Obviously, I'm not opposed to defending the school itself if that becomes necessary, but I don't foresee myself putting on a suit. Not unless I had a lot more training from a physical standpoint."

"Mostly I just don't want you to feel as if you're second class because you've never felt the need to do that. You're a full member of this faculty, no question. You're not even the first faculty member to come from a civilian background."

"No one's done anything to make me feel second class yet. On the contrary, Dr. Quinn has been very kind in helping me find my way around."