Email to Alison and Scott

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

To: [MightyLeaders1&3]
From: [NightshiftDoc]

Working all night gives one a lot of time to think... I had a little chat to Madelyn before she went to bed, and we discussed the fact that she's been feeling a little underappreciated and underutilized of late (and she mentioned that she's already talked to you, Alison, so I don't think I'm breaking confidence here), and I can certainly see her point. She and I both have extensive training quite apart from that in medicine, and I can hardly fault her for feeling a little resentful of being excluded.

With that in mind, I have a question... is there any particular reason why Madelyn is not officially an X-Man? She's certainly been one in all but name for some time.

Comments

Reply to Hank

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

Alison and I have both talked to Madelyn about this, Hank, and yeah, we haven't been utilizing her other skills particularly well. That's been acknowledged, and is in the process of being addressed.

As for why she's not an X-Man... Hank, think about this for a second. She has not, as a matter of fact, been an X-Man in all but name. Her training is in law enforcement; ours may incorporate elements of that, but there's a lot more to it. To be officially an X-Man, she'd have to undergo the full training as well, first of all. That wouldn't necessarily be the best thing, for her or for us; she has unique skills that can complement what the rest of us lack. Why try and squeeze her into a new and very specific mold? Not to mention that there are some situations where we simply could not justify having her on a team. Offensively and defensively, she would be at a serious disadvantage on a lot of missions.

I'd prefer to think of her as someone like Pete - no one is going to question how valuable he is to the team, even if he isn't officially an X-Man. Besides, where she can be most valuable to us is intelligence-wise and for her contacts, or in a field role as an auxiliary.

Scott

Re: Reply to Hank

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

I have thought about it, for some time. And I think she'd be a valuable asset to the team.

Yes, her training is in law enforcement... that, in itself, is an asset, one that the rest of us do not have. She knows the jargon, has contacts, could talk a group in and out of some potentially very sticky situations. I see no reason why she could not undergo full training... especially not if, as is my own current regimen, hers focused on emergency medical and retrieval scenarios. She has the skills, but they could be improved. I will assume that you are not going to be so hypocritical as to think her lack of powers makes her incapable of contributing.

Perhaps she could be made a reserve member? Not necessarily a full member of the team, expected to go on every mission, but she has earned our respect and acceptance. Giving her a nice leather suit and *status* to go with her responsibilities is only her due. It is not fair to her to exclude her so thoroughly from a major aspect of life at the Mansion.

Subject: I beg your pardon?

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

I am not going to even touch the implication of hypocrisy, Hank. That is so far below the belt that it's not even funny.

I am strictly focused on the practicalities, here. Yes, Madelyn is well-trained. Yes, she has defended herself well in crisis situations, even against mutants. Does that mean we should be putting her in a position where we're taking her into combat situations where she's instinctively at a disadvantage? She cannot do everything an active X-Man can. Does she even want to, Hank? Have you asked her whether she'd like to undergo the sort of training we do, whether that's even something she's thought about? She let me know she was under-utilized, not that she wanted to be an X-Man.

If you have questions about why we don't automatically recruit non-mutants, talk to Charles. I don't make policy. And if you don't trust me to fix the problem, now that you've rubbed my nose in it, fine. That's got nothing to do with Madelyn, after all.

Scott

Re: Subject: I beg your pardon?

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

Scott... I'm sorry. I phrased that very badly, and I don't blame you for being angry. Please stay put, I'm coming up to explain myself and apologize properly.

Reply to Hank, CCing Scott

[x-dazzler.livejournal.com]

To: [Beast]
CC: [Cyclops]
From: [Dazzler]
Subject: Madelyn...

Actually...

There is a hell of a difference between putting someone's talents and skills as an auxiliary to the best possible use, particularly in a field the team lacks and would not explore by the very nature of what we do, and putting someone in danger and a high probability of being killed by trying to warp what they can do into something else which is already amply covered by others and which they've given no sign of wanting to do in the first place...

In short - assuming team status is the be all and end all of things is criminally shortchanging what Madelyn can do for us. Madelyn already spoke to me on this issue and we're working with her on the matter. Never once did team membership come up or was an issue. Until she decides to bring it up with me herself, or with Scott or Ororo, I see no reason to consider the matter at all, really. It's not like being team is a pretty reward or a nifty status thing, after all - well, I don't think of it like that, anyway.

So you know, I'm going to keep working with Madelyn on her file and put her in contact with Pete. Madelyn was clear on stating to us what she wanted. If she wants what you have brought up in particular, she can have this discussion with us herself. She's been pretty clear on what she did want so far, after all and I'm perfectly happy to work with her on that.

Alison

Re: Reply to Hank, CCing Scott

[x-beast.livejournal.com]

I... probably have not been phrasing this well. Let me try again.

Madelyn does, essentially, more or less exactly what I do. She is a doctor, and has training in other non-combat areas which are also useful. Although I did originally function as a fighter, I am now far outclassed by most other members of the team, and very rarely need or wish to use that aspect of my training.

Yet I am a member of the team, and she is not.

That does not seem fair to me. She should at least be offered the choice... unless merely being a doctor, and helpful in lab or intelligence, is not enough to qualify one for team membership. In which case, I would like to know why I still have my own uniform. I have contributed considerably less, in recent months, than she has.