High Voltage- Part 5
Voltage looked around the room skeptically, then back at Jean, who fidgeted slightly. ÒSo now IÕll take you to meet Hank-- Dr. McCoy.Ó The girl nodded crisply, her brown curls bobbing. She lfollowed Jean silently through the halls of the mansion and down several flights of stairs.
Jean stopped at a door-- a metal door, Voltage noted with some curiosity-- and rapped on it twice.
ÒCome in,Ó called a pleasant-sounding voice. Jean heaved open the door and motioned for Voltage to step through. She stopped and stared in amazement.
ÒAh. You would be my new lab assistant?Ó asked a large, blue, furry man hanging from the ceiling from his feet.
ÒI am if youÕre Dr. McCoy,Ó Voltage said, tearing her eyes from him and gazing around the lab in open admiration.
ÒYes, Hank, she is. This is Voltage; Voltage, meet Dr. Henry McCoy.Ó said Jean with a smile. ÒIÕll leave you two toget acquainted,Ó she said and ducked out the door. //Hank will adore her,// she thought with satisfaction.
Hank dropped from the ceiling and extended a huge hand. ÒPleased to meet you,Ó he said as Voltage cautiously shook it.
ÒLikewwise,Ó she murmured.
He grinned at her. ÒWell, I guess weÕll get started now.Ó Hank said briskly, rubbing his hands together.
ÒStarted with what, Dr. McCoy?Ó
ÒWithorienting you to my lab. And please, call me Hank, or Henry at least. Only call me ÔDoctorÕ when youÕre my patient. Now, IÕve been working on...Ó
Several hours later, Voltage had seen every inch of the slightly cluttered lab and had had virtually everything explained to her. She could give the name, function, and workings or every piece of equiptment in the lab, terrestrial or otherwise in origin.
ÒShall we move on to the infirmary?Ó Dr. McCoy asked, gesturing o the door leading to the adjoining room.
ÒEr... could I have a few moments? I need to digest all this...Ó she replied, looking overwhelmed-- but just a tad.
ÒOh, of course, my dear. IÕm sorry, IÕm so used to all this-Ó he waved a hand at the lab around him Ò-that I forget it can be somewhat disorienting. WeÕll cover the infirmary tomorrow; now, speaking of digestion, itÕs nearly time for dinner. IÕm famished, wat aobut you?Ó Hank asked. He was unawareof how much he talked, when given the chance.
ÒYes, I am getting a bit hungry... Ah!Ó The good doctor took her by the hand and led her to the dining hall, chattering nonstop about his latest experiments.
Voltage halted abruptly as she entered the dining hall, and Beast almost pulled her off her feet. ÒGracious...Ó she whispered. It was huge, and already ahlf-full with people, mostly students VoltageÕs age and Younger. There wre a dozen tables, and one more at the front fo the room for the faculty and the resident X-Men.
ÒYouÕll be sitting with me-- wouldnÕt wan tto lose you in the crowd, my dear-- and IÕll introduce you to the others. Tomorrow morning you have your first Danger Room session at six, for evaluation.Ó Hank said softly, leading her to hte front table. Jean, Xavier, and a tall man wearing red sunglasses were already sitting there.