In this cynical and modern world where everything is at the mercy of the publicists and spin doctors. Where you can be condemned by gossip rags and politicians, the children of the atom have appeared. And as with any minority they have been met with fear and prejudice. They have become fodder for politicians and the news alike. This is the type of world where naivety can't be afforded. A lone dreamer and idealist seeks to rise beyond the prejudice and forge a place for his people. By any means necessary.

Ultimate X-Men Genesis #7 "All in the name"

Central Spire, Genshoa...

Domino had made it to the base of the installation which lie about half mile from Hammer Bay. Standing in front of the access port to the upper levels she saw an over weight pug nosed soldier leaned against the wall with a RPG slung over his shoulder. His partner -- a tall and lanky Indian man stood not far from him keeping an eye out for trouble. Domino quietly pulled out her tranquilizer gun and shot the look out in the neck, and then the overweight man as she came out of her hiding spot.

Good job.

"I've been doing this for nearly ten years," said Domino over the headset. "I figure I deserve more than a simple good job."

Well, I've been doing this since I was fifteen. And I have been on more dangerous missions than this.

"Oh, do tell." A smile played at Domino lips as she hoped the mysterious Cyclops would at least divulge a little about himself.

I think not. Maybe some other time.

"All right then. Have it your way," said Domino.

Domino grabbed the key card from one the guards and opened the door using the pin number that Doug had gave her. Then raced inside.

---

Colossus caught the large piece of debris as his body had instantly shifted into organic steel. He then tossed it back in Avalanche's direction hoping that it would meet its mark. But with a simple gesture the geomorph destroyed the debris as if it was nothing to him. And used said debris to create a shield of particles around him that he could mold into whatever he needed.

"Is that the best you can do? As you mutant you should be far more capable than that!"

"What is with this man? Is he mad?" asked Colossus.

"No, just stupid."

Of course, Beast's reply was as brief as his contact with Avalanche's face. When he flipped off the armored mutant's face. He landed palms first and back flipped all the way back to his teammates.

Avalanche stumbled back before regaining his footing. His lip was cut and a dribble of blood was running down his chin. He put a hand to his tender lip and dabbed his fingers against the cut. When he brought his fingers in front of his face he saw the bloody smear.

"Not bad. But not quite what I am looking for," said Avalanche. "C'mon show me the evil in ya!"

"Let me take care of this," said Rahne as she charged toward him.

A rock took shape from the field of particles that swirled around Avalanche and flew toward Rahne on Avalanche's mental command. But she swerved in time to avoid it. As she came closer a larger chunk of the particles began to take humanoid shape and swatted her aside leaving her at the feet of Beast. Who picked her up and jumped out of the way of the next incoming blow with her in tow.

"Any bright ideas my bestest of friends?" said Beast.

"I'm thinking," said Jean.

Colossus started toward Avalanche -- his metallic skin heavily shadowed by the setting sun which gave him an almost demonic appearance as he walked forward with purpose.

"Hit me with everything you have tovarish. I am not AFRAID!"

"You have got some balls on ya Russkie. I will give you that. But let's see if you can take what I can dish out."

Colossus narrowed his eyes, but continued his path toward Avalanche who was busy preparing his opening salvo.

---

Back at the mansion and in a secure room Tessa looked over the medical files that Cecilia had compiled on Wolverine. His healing factor was at the highest class. Factor seven. Which meant he was an omega. But as Cecilia said like any other Omega his body had its limits. Using her computer analyzing abilities she broke down his genetic code and compared it to the entire planetary database to find a match for his specific markers. She must have found seven thousand similar markers in over twelve different countries. Which made her realize either this Wolverine had a lot of still living family or he got around a lot.

It was of no matter. She would eventually track down more information on him. It was just going to take time.

---

Anna ran her hand across Bobby's face as he rested on her lap. After dispensing with the hoodlums she got Bobby aboard a bus toward the safer parts of town. Always suspicious of her surroundings she looked around and made sure that no threats were poised to them. In New York you never know what you trouble you are going to run into. Especially with the world close to an unknown cultural shift.

Bobby's potential as an omega made him a valuable weapon in changing the course of history to benefit mutant-kind. And though Anna held little doubt that her leader Magneto would make every use of the boy's potential. She began to wonder for the first time in a long time if her actions were the correct one. Or if she was dooming another child to a life of torment like her own boy.

---

He ran his nails across the steel door as he walked inside of the Director's room. And when the Director looked up at him he noticed that his pawn known as Victor Creed alias Sabertooth had parted his long blonde hair.

"Have you fully recovered from your injuries?"

"Yes."

"Good. I want you to track down Wolverine and take Rogue with you."

"Why do I need her for?" Creed growled.

"Because her powers will come in handy bringing him down."

"You don't think I can handle him myself?" said Creed as he made a fist. "I don't need that girl's help."

"If y'all didn't need mah help then why did you get your ass kicked by the Wolverine."

"Shut up Mississippi brat!"

"You shut up!"

"Enough!" yelled the Director over both of them. "I am tired of this bickering. Do as your told or I will make sure that the both of you end up in my culling pens."

Sabertooth gave a nod of his head and brush past the young southern girl on his way out. The Director then cast his red eyes at Rogue and motioned for her to go. She lowered her frightened eyes away from him and went to catch up with her partner.

---

Domino pulled a smoke pellet from her belt as she eyed two guards rounding the hall. She tossed it at them and hid in the elevator as the two guards became puzzled by the smoke arising in their path. When the smoke was high enough that it obscured their line of sight. She opened fire tranquilizing both of them before they could try to get clear of it.

"Two more down. You wanna tell me about your personal score?" said Domino.

No. This isn't a contest.

"Are you being modest or are you embarrassed about your performance?"

I think my performance is just fine thank you. And let's not even go into my sex life because that is none of your business.

"Aw, can't a girl have fun?"

Keep your mind on the task, Domino. We need to know what this Byron Agency is doing and if they are directly tied to the kidnappings like we think they are.

"You're the boss," said Domino as she rounded the hall and headed toward the digital library.

---

Avalon, the multi-national processing company of an Irish super metal known as mythril. A unique mimetic metal that can absorb any form of energy. The company is owned by Thomas Aindreus Cassiday. The cousin of former Interpol agent and current S.T.R.I.K.E. director Sean Sorley Cassiday. As Thomas or Black Tom as they call him watched his adopted daughter Petra Kirsten Cassiday use her geomorphing powers to sort the batches of mineral that had to be processed into refined mythril. Theresa walked up behind him wearing her indecent clothing and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Uncle Tom. Have you seen Dane?"

"No, I haven't girl. Why do you ask?"

"No reason in particular..."

Thomas rubbed his temple with the fingertips of his index and middle finger.

"Honey, I know how hard it is controlling your libido, but you really should stop actively seeking men out to have sex with them."

"What's the problem with me havin' sex?"

"You're FIFTEEN years old! That's why!" yelled Thomas. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Theresa had pouting look on her face. So his shoulders slumped.

"When me and your da was your age. Sex was all we could think about. But my mutantcy ended up curtailing that pursuit for a while. Because of that I grew up and learned how to have a stable relationship with my partner. Sean, however, was constantly partying and sleeping around with what ever woman that would have him. That is not the type of life one such as you should have."

"My da is not perfect Uncle Tom. And neither am I. It's no use trying to make me so."

"Maybe not, but at least I can prevent you from making the same mistakes he did," said Thomas. "Now go back to your room."

"Fine," said Theresa as she shook her head and then left.

---

One by one Avalanche sent boulders of varying sizes at Colossus, the steel titan simply walked through the storm only slowed by the increased rate at which the geomorph sent them on the next turn and the turn after.

"How's Rahne Hank?" asked Storm as she walked over worried about the Scottish mutant.

"I'm no doctor. But by the dilated look of her pupils I think she has a concussion."

Storm kneeled beside her and then looked at Avalanche. Her eyes turning white as her hair. Jean could feel the psionic energy build up as Storm sought to manipulate the weather and dispense with their foe. Realizing that she had to act quick Jean entered Storm's mind and guided her in the precise manipulation of the weather pattern as well as using her power to soothe Storm's anger so that she wouldn't lose control of the storm she was creating.

Follow my lead Ororo. We must be accurate or we could hurt Piotr as well.

I-I understand.

Summoning the power that is hers to command Storm brought down a lightening bolt that struck Avalanche. For a moment the geomorph stood staring at Colossus who was outside the path of the blast. But he then slumped over and crashed into the ground unconscious.

Colossus walked over to Avalanche and put his flesh hand over the man's nose and he could feel that the man was breathing. His armor had protected him from the brunt of the high voltage. Jean collapsed to the ground after such a taxing effort and Ororo crumpled to her knees spent. She had never performed such a strenuous feat before. Piotr carried Avalanche to where the others where and Beast picked up Rahne. While Ororo helped Jean to the X-Jet which landed nearby. Once all of them entered the plane the X-Jet took off to nurse their injured and tend to their prisoner.

---

Thomas Cassidy sat in his office alone and visibly frustrated. He had taken in Sean's daughter because of the death of his wife, Theresa's mother. But also because Sean felt he wasn't fit to raise her because of his past. That was back then before he became a member and eventual leader of S.T.R.I.K.E.

Then out of blue an explosion rocked the processing plant and the floating island with which it rested on. Thomas was thrown from his seat by the aftershocks and when he got back up he looked at the monitor which showed intruders in the ore processing lab where Petra was doing an inspection. Grabbing his cane. Tom raced down there after pressing the alert signal which called the Black Knight to service.

---

Domino made it to the central data library and placed a data jack into the back of the computer. With a few simple key commands the Byron Agency's entire network came up on Cypher's advanced computer system and he began hacking their files.

"So, how long will it take?" Domino asked.

Give my guy ten minutes. Then get out of there.

"Gotcha," said Domino. "By the way do you have a girl friend?"

Domino heard Cyclops go silent and then the line went dead.

"Hello? Cyclops?" said Domino as she tried to raise him again.

But when she felt something against her back she stopped and raised her hands up.

"Your friend will not be very helpful I'm afraid Miss. In fact I don't think he will be helpful to anyone ever again."

X-Files: Lo and behold a new issue arrives. I know I am probably somewhere between two to three months late. But generally the months of November, December, and sometimes October are not too productive for me. However, hopefully this new issue will bring the slowed down momentum of this series back to a quicker pace.

-Mick Edwards