Ryder seemed to gloss over the idea that it could be dangerous [i]for her[/i] to get close to these guys again if there was something about what was in her brain even she didn't know about. It seemed to Cyclops that "vulnerability" wasn't even a word in Ryder's vocabulary when it came to herself, though he got what he needed from her answer all the same - "That's not how it works", meaning Ryder probably had as intimate of knowledge of the cerebral device as she did of anything else of Umbra's, which had been proven to be more than her captors ever gave her credit for.

So there went the easy excuse to keep Ryder back from the action.

The X-Men would really be working with two threats at once, and the biggest was "on" their side. . .

[hr]
When Beast and Storm returned from Moira's, they relayed what they'd learned. It wasn't much.

Yes, Moira had heard of Umbra and even had exchanges with them [i]in the past[/i]. Nothing she could provide was of any value to their present endeavour, to hear Beast say it. But there was a subtle something to that statement that didn't go completely unnoticed.

Before they headed out, while Xavier was establishing the psychic link with Ryder, Cyclops approached Beast about it.

[color=#4169E1][b]"There [i]is[/i] something else Moira knows. She's certain it wouldn't aid use presently, though it seemed deeply personal. A point of regret, if I were to suppose, and something to do with Ryder."[/b][/color]

[color=#0096FF]"What?"[/color]

[color=#4169E1][b]"I don't know. Moira didn't know anything of her existence, and I don't know what it is she's carrying as it was in that moment I suggested she not unburden herself at this juncture. I figured heading into a situation such as we are, it would be prudent not to have any kindling in our minds which could serve to further stoke a psychic's fire, if you will. What we don't have, one can't read."[/b][/color]

[color=#0096FF]"I see your point. Something for when we're on the other side of this."[/color]

[color=#4169E1][b]"I'm looking most forward to seeing us all there,"[/b][/color] Beast concluded with a sense of uneasy hope. 
Something felt [b]not[/b] for the first time before the undertaking of an X-Men mission.

To ensure they could coordinate something between themselves should they need to -in other words, should they need to counter Ryder- Jean would be opening up her and Cyclops' private channel to the rest of the X-Men for the duration of the mission. Between the intimacy of theirs, and the link with Xavier that would be occupying Ryder's mind, they felt adequately secured about it.

And Jean, even with the state of her telepathy lately, felt confident she wouldn't accidentally psychic-jolt anyone through it.
In fact, Cyclops noted she seemed suddenly steadier despite the details surrounding this mission. 

[color=#DAA06D]"I can't explain it. . .Maybe I'm just leading with how I'd [b]like[/b] to feel."[/color]

[color=#0096FF]"I [b]will[/b] come back to you. Both of you."[/color]

[color=#DAA06D]". . .you know that kind of promise isn't really in our control. Feels even less so than usual. . ."[/color] 
She managed a small smile on looking up into his silenced face, [color=#DAA06D]"I'll still hold you to it,"[/color] tenderly laying a hand aside it as they shared a parting kiss. [color=#DAA06D]"Stay safe."[/color]

[color=#0096FF]"You too."[/color] 
Even though she wouldn't be joining them physically, psychic participation still came with its risks.

And that was that.
Just another departure to just another work day.
[hr]Then they were here.

Beast was co-piloting.

Storm was ready to conduct a calculated condensation of the air a.k.a. lay down a fog to cover their landing.

Wolverine was ready to let loose.

Cyclops presently acknowledged Ryder with as much of a glance as he could, given their positioning in relation to each other. 
He knew she was concentrating on doing something and just hoped it was on-plan.

[color=#0096FF]"Lemme' know when we've got the advantage,"[/color] was all he said. When she had control of the tech, in other words.
Ensuring their smooth entry into the facility. . .