X-Factor Annual 2010

"Eye for an Eye"

Mumbai

The office building was relatively new and didn't have many rooms rented out. The ones that were belonged to a Weapon X front organization known as Nova Security Holdings. It was to one of these offices that Lady Deathstrike and her team were heading to. They were in an elevator heading p to the 57th floor. Junta rocked back and forth on his heels like an eager child.

"What do you think Adrienne wants?" he asked. In his opinion anyone sleeping with Dark Beast had to be batshit crazy so what she wanted was anyone's guess. Despite that obvious flaw, she was Nova's Assistant Director thereby garnering her instant respect.

Lady Deathstrike didn't try to hide her distaste. "I just hope she makes it quick."

"Don't feel like watching her cough up a furball huh?" Junta asked prompting laughs from everyone but Yuriko.

Gryphon was the first to speak in the awkward silence that followed. "Doesn't it seem like too much of a coincidence that Frost is in India right after we complete a mission?"

"I seriously doubt it is a coincidence," Deathstrike said.

Alaris was curious. "So what then?"

"Nova probably sent her here to monitor our progress. I think the Genecide fiasco is still fresh in her mind."

Mr. X looked up and saw that they were passing the 49th floor. "That whole operation was a bust from the start. The Director had us interfering in biz that had nothing to do with us."

Junta whistled. "Might not want to say that too loud."

Alaris tapped his temple. "She might be in here."

Kimura was turned on at the thought of psychic intervention. It was the pain that she could actually fee. "If she was then I would know."

The elevator dinged and the door opened. Lady Deathstrike stepped through and scanned the area for threats. Even thought they were in friendly territory, one could never be sure what surprises waited around the corner for you. "We're clear people."

"So which one of these is Frost's office?" Mr. X asked.

That question was answered when Adrienne stepped out of one of them. She was dressed in a tight fitting pink dress that revealed a large amount of cleavage. A scar ran down the center of her chest that Kimura couldn't help but to stare at. She would never know such markings. Pain and injury would forever elude her. Most saw that as a blessing, but the mutant felt like she was missing out on a key ingredient of life.

"All of you come inside. I have some people I want you to meet," Adrienne said as she waved the mutants into her office. Yuriko didn't care for how friendly the woman was being because it smacked of deception. Frost was usually a Grade A bitch, but Yuriko expected that. This demeanor was a ruse.

Junta was the first in the office and saw the two people Adrienne intended to introduce them to. He was already familiar with both of them. "Whoa! Where did you find these two at?"

One of two was a Vietnamese man clad in an outfit right out of a ninja video game. He wore a black face cloak that only revealed his eyes. His muscular arms were completely exposed except for the black bands wrapping around his biceps. A ruby katana was strapped to his back and throwing stars of the same color dangled from his belt. In the center of his chest was an intricate drawing of a ruby dragon.

The other person for introduction was a tall Chinese woman with a bodybuilder's frame. She wore a red bodysuit that exposed one arm up to her shoulder. A tattoo of a bear's claw was on the top of it. Both of her black gloves had metal spikes on the knuckles. In her eyes was a tremendous intensity.

Adrienne laughed at Junta's comment. "Really? Is that any way to greet your new squad members?"

Lady Deathstrike narrowed her eyes at the Assistant Director. "I don't need more squad members."

Frost picked up a manila folder and pushed it into Oyama's chest. "Nova says you do. This is their credentials and your specs for the Genosha op."

"We're moving against them early?" Alaris asked.

"The Little Rock situation has provided us with too ripe an opportunity to pass up. Nova has decided that now is the time to strike," Adrienne explained. She turned from the Weapon X agents and looked out at the Mumbai night skyline. "Given that she lacks full confidence in your team, she requested me to find two suitable additions. You'll find Ruby Dragon and Red Claw are sufficient."

Lady Deathstrike stared at her two new soldiers. "You will follow my orders without question."

Ruby Dragon nodded without fear. "Of course."

"Likewise," Red Claw said.

Frost smiled, but didn't look back. "I've arranged your team transport into Genosha. Complete your objectives and regain Nova's favor. She is quite forgiving when she wants to be."

=X=

London

Lorna Dane and Amelia Voght were just two political figures among many in The Global Conference for African Military and Diplomatic Intervention. Representatives from every member nation of NATO were present in the auditorium along with diplomats from China, Russia, and a few scattered African nations such as Nigeria and South Africa. Pietro had sent the two women because they were his most trusted Cabinet members, but also to show the progression of Genosha. He had sent two women to talk about defense issues amongst a sea of men.

The conference had been organized to address the growing amount of unrest on the African continent and how military intervention from the world's major powers might help to alleviate that. Speaking to the audience at the moment was China's delegate. "Africa will only suffer if we send our armies marching in. The continent must be allowed to determine their own fate and work through their own problems."

Lorna leaned back and whispered to Voght. "And while they work through these problems; China will rob them blind of their natural resources."

"China can always be expected to look out for China."

Lorna agreed. "They could at least attempt to disguise it."

Voght laughed at how quickly all of them were becoming acclimated to the complex global political setting. Once the Chinese delegate was through addressing his global peers, Lorna and Amelia stood up. They walked with all the poise of a Southern belle and belayed the tenacity of a general in their faces. It was to be understood that they weren't going to be taken lightly and Genosha would be accepted on the world stage.

Approaching the mic, Lorna smiled momentarily and then said, "Good evening delegates. I hope all of us understand the seriousness of this conference. Genosha understands all too well the plight facing the African continent and while progress has been made too little is being done. I will be quite frank, all the countries present here hold some responsibility for the state of Africa."

She saw the delegate from the United States visibly tense up. "We cannot assume that the problems of Africa sprang up only a few decades ago. The continent is still reeling from the abuses of colonialism. NATO has focused far too much on The Middle East instead of cleaning up the mess their ancestors made of Africa. The people of Darfur should not have to cry out for aid because NATO should have long ago doused the fires of civil war in Sudan."

The German delegate leaned over to whisper in the ear of the Belgium one. Lorna continued onward. "And this conference itself is not employing the aid of all those willing to assist. Where is Wakanda? Why wasn't Atlantis extended an invitation? And of what Latveria? Doom has expressed many times his anger at the situation in Africa."

"I hope something of effect comes from this conference, but I am not inspired with confidence. I have been sent by my President to give Africa an assurance. Genosha will rise to the occasion where others have failed. We will bring about real, substantive change in Africa."

The two women walked off of the stage knowing they had pissed off almost every delegate in the room. Amelia could only imagine the calls she was going to have to field in the next few days from angry ministers of state.

Good. About time someone stirred their shit, Amelia thought.

=X=

Genosha

Pietro twirled the Alfredo drenched noodles around his fork and slowly put the food in his mouth. Normally, he was able to cut though a meal and most other activities in a matter of minutes, but tonight he was having dinner with his wife. That was an activity he intended to savor for as long as he possibly could given how infrequently they got to enjoy it. His duties as President and hers as a Genosha's Ambassador to the U.N kept them apart of long stretches of time. Recently, they had enjoyed a spate of time together while trying to solidify The Genosha Compact.

Tapping the corners of his mouth with a fresh napkin, Pietro said, "I am glad to have this peace and quiet."

Crystal looked concerned. "What of The High Evolutionary? Do you think his threat legitimate?"

"The High Evolutionary does not joke, but I wouldn't be too concerned. Yet. He is not normally a man for provocative attacks. I think I will be able to speak reason to him."

Crystal laughed. "You not wanting to run in and punch him first? What has happened to my husband?"

"He has become a statesman and besides, The Genosha Compact is a force unlike any ever seen on this planet. The High Evolutionary, despite his power, won't readily challenge it."

Crystal remembered the warning of Reed Richards, but what the renowned scientist failed to realize was that The Genosha Compact was a force for stabilization and not discourse. How many dictators would be stopped dead in their tracks if they knew The Genosha Compact did not approve of them? Her husband and the others would prove Richards wrong. The Genosha Compact would bring balance.

"What do you think is motivating The High Evolutionary to be so hostile?" Crystal asked a she cut into her chicken.

"I don't know honestly."

"Do you think he knows about the machine we procured from that strange Hulk?"

Pietro coughed. "If he did then he would not have warned us. He would have simply attacked."

"The machine is that powerful?"

"It has allowed us to create an army of mutants in a matter of weeks. What other force on earth can do that?"

Crystal dipped her bread into a tiny dish of olive oil. "I would be lying if I said that machine didn't make me uncomfortable. Having such blatant control over the creation of others stirs memories of The Kree."

"You can rest assured that I'm not like them."

"I would never think that Pietro. I trust you too much for that, but we should be very careful in how we go about handling its use."

Pietro heard his wife's concerns, but all he saw was potential in the machine. It had quickly bolstered the defenses of Genosha and would only allow the island to grow in strength. But the concerns of his wife and sister made him wonder if he was missing something? Could this machine really bring that much calamity?

"We'll be careful as possible, but this gift must be used. Genosha needs it."

Crystal put a hand on Pietro's. "Just know to destroy it when we don't."

"Lorna says The Genosha Compact will bring us to war. The mutant we captured from the machine told her so."

"The real question is if it's a war we will win," Crystal said prompting a wide-eyed response from her husband. "There isn't a nation in history that hasn't had to face war. It only makes sense that the cup would be passed to us one day."

Pietro trapped the corners of his mouth with the napkin. "That's one way of looking at it. When did you become such a pragmatist?"

"When I became part of two royal families," Crystal said as her thoughts turned to her other sister-in-law. "So how are Wanda and the baby?"

"Fine last I heard from her. It's hard to imagine her as a mother. I wonder how Luna will feel not having all her Aunt's affections?"

Crystal laughed. "She still ha as Lorna that she can woo."

"This will be her first cousin on the Maximoff side of the family."

"Hopefully she'll be close with this one," Crystal sighed. "Ahura can be terribly aloof."

"He's heir to the Inhumans. That kind of responsibility can be crushing to someone his age. He doesn't get to be a child."

"And Luna does?"

Pietro sat back in his chair and was silent for a moment. "I suppose she doesn't. What have we done to our child?"

=X=

Hammer Bay

It was through Hammer Bay that most of Genosha's international cargo was received. Jumbles of metal barges and wooden boxes were scattered throughout the bay. Kindness of a deceptive sort had prompted some of Genosha's trading partners to send more than what was asked of them. They hoped to gain Genosha's favor with such acts because any diplomat with half a brain saw the potential in the tiny island. Every one of its citizens was potentially a living, breathing natural resource. Opportunity like that was too bright to pass up on, but fortunately President Maximoff was too stubborn to be easily bribed by such gestures.

The responsibility of guarding this cargo fell to The Press Gang. Shola was missing one member as Wind Dancer had been assigned to Lorna and Amelia's UK security detail. Given how quiet things generally were, he doubted one member being absent would throw off his nightly patrols. With his tactile telekinesis, he was easily able to run telekinetic sweeps across the bay that let him know every minute detail of it. If something was out of place then he would know about it.

"How long do you think this can last?" Postman asked as he looked up to the stars.

"What do you mean?" Shola said.

Postman paid attention to some of the flags plastered on the barges and boxes. He saw China, Russia, India, and Iran among others. "They're trying to bribe us with milk and honey right now. How long until they decide to just take what they want?"

Spyke saw Postman's line of thinking. "They'd have a hell of a fight on their hands if they went that route."

Shola chimed in with Spyke. "Besides that, we have The Genosha Compact now. Even the United States would think twice before stepping to us."

Postman bit his lower lip and decided to confess what he knew. "I overheard Minister Dane talking to one of the X-Men. A precog told her that The Genosha Compact is going to bring us nothing but trouble."

Shola's face darkened. "My friend, be careful the conversations you decide to eavesdrop on."

"It doesn't change what I heard."

Spyke shrugged. "Let it come then."

Postman shook his head. "You're too eager to fight."

"We have people on this island that could single-handedly rip apart battlecruisers," Spyke said, his chest unconsciously puffing up with pride. "I'm not eager, but certainly not scared. We're the top of the food chain."

A three-headed dragon carrying Wicked and Electric Eve flew over the three men and landed a short distance away. The women hopped off its back as it morphed back into the relatively innocent form of Freakshow. His blond, blue-eyed, boyish looks hid the amount of physical power laying at the teen's fingertips. Some had questioned Shola about including someone so young in The Press Gang, but he saw enormous potential in Kevin that couldn't be ignored.

"Anything out there?" Shola asked.

"The spirits saw nothing," Wicked replied.

Electric Even shook her head. 'No electrical disturbances."

"Just a typical night," Freakshow said with a hint of disappointment lining his voice. He often felt like his powers were being squandered, but it was better than being exploited. His Dad had wanted to ship him off to The Marines. No telling what they would have tried to do to him.

Shola did another telekinetic sweep that went across Hammer Bay like sonar. He stiffened up and said, "Trouble! Form up now!"

Nine Weapon X agents fell out of the sky and surrounded The Press Gang. Ruby Dragon stabbed Shola through the shoulder and jewel colored flames surrounded his body, but did no damage to his skin. Ruby Dragon pulled out his sword and Shola crumpled to the ground. There was a stream of blood coming from his shoulders and his eyes had taken on a ruby hue.

Wicked raised her hands into the air and said, "The spirits must come!"

Mr. X leaped off Gryphon's shoulders as she charged at Freakshow, sailed through the air, landed in front of Wicked, and in one fluid motion cut off her hands. As the young woman pulled back stumps, he smiled and kicked her in the chest. Wicked flew back and skidded along the ground spraying blood the entire time. He heard the revving of a motorcycle and looked behind him to see Electric Eve escaping. She was moving too fast for him to catch her on foot.

"One of the little bastards is getting away!"

Lady Deathstrike deflected a bone spike from Evan Daniels and said, "Don't worry about her! Finish the others!"

She flipped backwards and kicked Spyke across the side of his face. Evan fell backwards, but launched off three bone daggers from between his knuckles as he did. One of the daggers found its mark and struck Lady Deathstrike in the elbow. She yelped as circuitry was fried and an uncomfortable electrical shock coursed through her arm. Clenching her jaw, she ripped the dagger out and tossed it to the ground.

Spyke stood to his feet and threw two long daggers at Lady Deathstrike that she easily deflected. Even with one arm injured, she ducked and dodged his attacks with grace reserved for a ballerina. Frankly, Spyke could have hurled a hundred projectiles and ten might have landed true. So it was no surprise that she quickly covered the gap between the two of them.

With her injured arm, she drove three of her fingers through Spyke's chest and out of his back. Blood quickly filled his left lung as she pulled them back and Spyke crashed into the concrete. Yuriko looked at him emotionless as she wiped his blood on her uniform. "There is no shame in your death young one. You fought well."

Evan could not talk as Lady Deathstrike walked away from him. He knew he wasn't going to let it end like this. Trying to push himself up, pain overtook him and he collapsed to the ground. The last thing he saw before blacking out was Postman's arm being snapped by a shirtless man who looked like Namor with silver hair. As the darkness surrounded him, he struggled to maintain a grip on his conscious state. His friends were counting on him.

Freakshow knew he was the only one of his teammates left standing, but he'd be dammed before he let that deter him. He had already transformed into a gargantuan bar that had metal strips for hair and teeth capable of biting through concrete. Standing on his hind legs, he knocked back Gryphon and Red Claw with his claws. Then he charged forward on all fours and kicked Kimura and Alaris aside like bowling pens. He let loose an angry roar as he tried to swat aside Junta.

Using his control over his personal gravity, Junta was weasel able to dodge Freakshow's attack. Hanging in the air, Junta let loose a barrage of bullets that bounced harmlessly off Freakshow's form. He cursed under his breath and said, "Maybe I need a different approach."

Ruby Dragon jumped on top of Freakshow and drove his sword down into the mutant's neck. The same flames that had engulfed Shola now covered Kevin. The metal bear fell to the ground and changed back into the meek form of Kevin Ellsworth. His eyes were the same color as his leader's. Ruby Dragon turned the boy over to look for what should have been a fatal wound, but there was none to be found.

"He must heal between transformations," Gryphon said.

"Doesn't matter. They're taken care of," Mr. X replied.

Lady Deathstrike contemplated killing the boy, but decided against it. There would be no honor in it and enough time had been wasted. "We move on to the other objectives and this time try to be less sloppy."

Junta nudged Mr. X in the ribs. "Shouldn't be too hard to catch some kids."

"Wanna rub it in some more?" Mr. X asked.

"Somebody had to get the short end of the mission stick," Junta said as he reloaded his guns.

"Shouldn't have been me. I should be there taking out Pietro. I deserve the big kills."

"You'd get every bone broken in your body. You're fast X, but not that fast."

Mr. X went red in the face. "Are you trying to call me weak?"

"Don't get your thong up your ass," Kimura said as she walked between the two men. "He's just pointing out facts."

=X=

Polaris watched the news footage surrounding the conference with detached interest. Her comments were causing a firestorm on the media circuit. That didn't bother her because that was exactly what Pietro had wanted her to do. He wanted NATO and therefore the Western world to understand that Genosha would not be bit players on the world stage. She just couldn't muster the amount of excitement about the tongue sticking as Amelia had. The prophecies of Lorraine were fresh in her mind. Danger was around the corner for Genosha and she just couldn't ignore it.

Amelia walked around from the hotel room's kitchen with two champagne glasses in hand. "I could watch that all day. Pietro ought to give us a parade when we get back."

Voght sat down next to Lorna and saw the worry on her face. "What's wrong Lorna? Not getting cold feet are you? We needed to stir these guys up."

"That's not it. I have something else on my mind is all."

"Care to talk about it?" Voght asked as she passed Lorna a glass.

"You remember that mutant we captured from the machine?"

"The one that was a Wolverine/Destiny hybrid? Yea I remember. What about her?"

Lorna reached for the remote and lowered the TV's volume. She had already magnetically scanned the room and found all the intelligence service planted bugs so she wasn't worried about anyone eavesdropping. "I went and talked to her. She told me some pretty disturbing things and I can't stop thinking about them."

"She told you about the future I'm assuming."

"The Genosha Compact is going to end up causing us more trouble than it's worth."

Amelia sighed. "Yea I kind of already had that feeling. Did you tell Pietro?"

"He doesn't believe her. Says she could be lying."

"That is a possibility," Amelia said, but with a smile added, "I've never known you to be easily fooled though so if you believe her then I do too."

"I just don't want all of our hard work to go up in smoke."

"It's very likely we're already changing things jut by having this conversation. And even though Pietro doesn't believe he'll be more cautious regardless."

Polaris pulled her knees up to her chest. "I hope so."

"I promise that I will not let Genosha fall."

=X=

Presidential Bedroom

Pietro stepped out of the shower naked and ripping. In a matter of seconds he dried himself down, slipped into a pair of white pajamas and was snuggle din the bed next to his wife. He kissed her on the cheek and said, "After all this diplomacy we might need a vacation."

"The thought sounds nice, but we have too much work to do. Genosha is still frail."

Kissing his wife on the cheek, Pietro said, "I think this island is making you into too much of a politician."

"The skills have always been there. I just never had much of a place to put them to use."

Cupping her face, he said, "Can we put those skills away for tonight and pull out another set?"

Crystal giggled. "You would ravish me before I leave?"

Pietro started to kiss her gently down her neck. "Again and again and again if I could."

Quicksilver and Crystal had never had a perfect marriage, but they had perfect moments. This was one of them. He was so in love with her that he could hardly explain it. And the way she looked at him confirmed that her feelings were the same.

The large window looking out over the balcony let the moonlight in and created a sweet romantic mood. It was like something out of a movie that was ruined when three women unexpectedly crashed through the glass. Lady Deathstrike was in the center with Kimura and Red Claw to her left and right. Most people would have been frozen at the sight of the imposing women, but not Genosha's First Couple. They had years of experience between them that they quickly utilized.

Crystal raised her hands up and created a whirlwind that slammed into the three women. Hurricane force winds nearly sent them clear across the balcony. Lady Deathstrike struck her fingers through the floor tile for an anchor while Red Claw did a similar act with the spikes on her knculkes. Fortunately for Pietro and Crystal, Kimura was unable to find a grip on anything and was blown clear off the balcony. She laughed like an adrenaline junkie as she soared through the Genoshan night.

Angry at the intrusion, Quicksilver rushed forward and delivered a dozen blows across Lady Deathstrike before she had time to dig her fingers out. He punched her twice in the face, kicked her repeatedly in her elbow, and sent his knee crashing against her back in rapid succession. The cyborg was knocked across the floor and in front of Pietro's bed. He ran over to her, grabbed her by her ankles, and used the momentum created by his speed to send her crashing through the door.

Pietro stopped over her seemingly lifeless body and grabbed her by the collar of her shirt. "You are under arrest for—

"Ahh!" Lady Deathstrike screamed in rage as she quickly lifted one of her hands and slashed Pietro across the face. One of her claws connected directly with the President's eye and gouged it right out.

"Shit!" Pietro yelled as he fell backwards from the attack and quickly put his hands over his eye socket.

Deathstrike was unable to indulge in her victory because Pietro's attacks had rendered her inert and Crystal was unable to check on her husband because Red Claw was right on top of her. The Chinese mercenary slammed Crystal down onto the bed, gripping her arms tight enough to break both of her wrists. The Inhuman screamed as the pain flew up her arms and through her body. Turning the fire that was raging in her nerves into an intense focus, Crystal glared at Red Claw and fire erupted from her eyes. The attack struck Red Claw in the face and rolled her off the bed.

Crystal pushed herself up with her back and looked like she had jumped right out of an exorcism. "You made a mistake coming here tonight."

Red Claw felt her skin flush and tried to rise to her feet, but was too delirious to stand straight. Crystal shook her head at her. "I command the elements. And you happen to be seventy percent one."

Crystal had every intention of boiling the woman from the inside out, but her concentration was disrupted by the arrival of Genoshan guards who quickly surrounded Lady Deathstrike and attended to the President. They were garbed in red and purple uniforms that bore some similarities to Magneto's attire, but the emblem of Genosha was emblazoned in white on their chest. The first guard to get to Pietro shouted, "The President is injured!"

Red Claw used the momentary distraction to get to her feet and jump clear out of the broken window. Crystal cursed herself for losing focus, but she knew that she couldn't follow. The pain of her injuries was no longer being disguised by her anger. A guard approached her and said, "My Lady, are you hurt?"

"My wrists. Broken I think," Crystal said as the guard carefully cradled her in his arms.

Evelyn Sando shoved past the guards in a red night gown and got to Crystal. "What the hell happened here?"

"I wish I knew. I think it was an assassination attempt on both of us."

Genosha's Head Geneticist bit her bottom lip. "Damn it. I knew someone might try something like this, but not this soon."

"Jealousy waits for no man," Crystal said as she finally closed her eyes and tried to get away from her pain.

"Take them to the infirmary immediately!" Dr. Sando ordered.

One of the guards nodded. "I can borrow powers. I'll use the President's—

"Fine! Just do it!" Evelyn said as she started to examine the damage inflicted on the room. She was only five rooms down from the First Couple and had heard none of the carnage. If she had made they would have more answers as to the source of this assault. Either way, she prayed neither one was injured too gravely. Otherwise, the world would have to deal with a vengeful Genosha.

=X=

United Kingdom

Slipstream slipped into a blue A-shirt and then threw a white button-up on top of it, but he kept the shirt open. "You must not want to go out tonight?"

Quentin leaned back in one of the fancy hotel chairs and flicked through the channels on the television. "We're supposed to be guarding Lorna and Amelia remember?"

"Songbird and Wind Dancer said they got it covered. They went out last night and now we can."

Quentin didn't look at Davis and kept channel surfing. "Not that I'm not glad to be back home bloke, but I doubt we'd be into the same scene."

Slipstream looked crushed. "So you know huh?"

Turning off the TV, Quentin hopped out of his chair and said, "Ok I don't think we're talking the same thing here."

Davis sighed. "I haven't been exactly honest with you guys."

Quentin shrugged. "Eh who isn't a bit economical with the truth now and again bloke. But what the hell does this have to do with us going out tonight?"

"I'm gay."

"Yikes!"

Davis sat down on the bed. "Knew I should have kept my mouth shut."

"No it's not that bloke. I just feel like a bit of an arse now. That's not what I meant by same scene. I just figured you were a bit more preppy and I'm a bit more goth."

Davis laughed. "So you're going to tell everyone else?"

"Why? None of their damn business unless you want it to be. I'm sure our illustrious team members have plenty of secrets on their own."

"That's why I get so damn nervous around Neal all the time."

Quentin smiled. "You got a crush on the bloke huh? Well some gak will help you get right over that."

"Gak?"

"Powder? White stuff? Cocaine?"

Davis shook his head. "Look I don't judge man but I can't—

Quentin grabbed his teammate by the arm and lifted him off the bed. "C'mon. I know a dealer that doesn't cut his shite. We'll have fun. You need to loosen up. All that sexual tension has you tight as a shitter. No offense."

Despite himself, Davis laughed. "None taken. Ok, we can go. But I swear if I end up an addict I'm kicking your ass."

"Ahh it's not that bad. Trust me."

=X=

Academy of Tomorrow

Mr. X had killed the guards protecting this school and infiltrated the building within minutes and without breaking a drop of sweat. It was that kind of skill that he felt made him qualify to take out the President. He deserved the big kill more than anyone else on his squad. None of them had worked as hard at the art of killing as he had. Learning the ways that a human could be killed had been his sustenance for years.

It was utterly ridiculous for him to be reduced to this menial labor and he only grew more agitated with every bratty picture he saw hanging from the walls. Who had the patience for children? He knew without any doubt that he had one. Children were annoying little pus marks, but Nova had an interest in two of them living here. He couldn't imagine why. Even powerful children were an unnecessary hassle. He could only hope she intended to hand them over to Dark Beast. Hearing the little bastards squeal would be the only fringe benefit of this job.

Mr. X tapped the small radio device in his ear and connected himself to Junta. "Who are these little bastards I'm supposed to be nabbing again?"

"You should have been paying attention the first time X. Their names are Trevor Chase and Paco Perez. Find them or that's your ass man."

He didn't take Junta's threat seriously as all. X did not think a single one of his teammates could beat him in a one-on-one fight. Heck, he figured he could take on two or three at the same time if he wanted. The only person in all of Weapon X that he feared was Director Nova and that was because she could fry him without ever lifting a finger. Deep down, he hated people with powers that didn't involve physicality. It was life at its most unfair, but with technology he could overcome those obstacles and still find a way to win.

"These little punks better be worth me wasting my time. I'm missing out on the main action."

A new voice entered into the conversation. "Then turn around and leave."

Mr. X quickly unsheathed his swords and turned just in time to avoid a black heel crashing into his neck. The woman's leg sailed past him as did the rest of her body. He watched her land gracefully and charge at him again. He dodged her kick at his knee and swung his sword to decapitate her. She threw her head back, caught his arm at the wrist and flipped him over her shoulder. His body crashed into the picture of a student and glass cut him across his back.

He couldn't help but to admire the cold precision of the woman. She moved without emotion. There were no grunts or any other physical indicators of her exerting herself. It wasn't that she wasn't using effort, but she was just too disciplined to let it show. X smiled as he picked himself up off the ground. He was going to have a real fight. Whoever this pale woman in black leather and red sunglasses was, Mr. X couldn't help but to be thankful for her arrival.

There was barely time for him to get to his feet before he was punched across the jaw and an uppercut sent him back into the wall. He pushed his leg out and connected with the woman's stomach. She was knocked back a few feet and Mr. X moved to cut her across the top of her head as she struggled to stand up straight. Swinging his sword at her proved ineffective because instead of standing up, she ducked and drove her shoulder into Mr. X's solar plexus. He felt the wind knocked out of him as he was lifted into the air and tossed over the woman's shoulder.

Landing flat on his face, Mr. X felt his nose break, but he ignored the searing pain. He quickly rolled onto his back and kicked his attacker's feet out from under her. She hit the ground hard and was momentarily dazed. Mr. X took advantage of his first real opening by straddling the woman and shoving his swords into her shoulders. She grit her teeth but let out no scream. He wondered if the eyes behind those sunglasses exhibited any pain. Who had trained this woman?

"I could have killed you just then," Mr. X said as he twisted the swords just a little. "But I'm impressed and I'd like to know your name."

"You should be focusing on the fight."

X laughed. "I'm good at inflicting pain without killing. Don't make me give you a demonstration."

"Sage."

"Well that's not a very apt name considering you were stupid enough to try and fight me."

A trembling Trevor Chase came out of an adjacent hallway. He was wearing star sprinkled pajamas and came at the two mutants with a slow, methodical walk. "Leave her alone!"

Before he could react, X's swords were turned to dust and a bolt of white lightning struck him in the chest. He flew off of Sage as the air around them was charged and her hair stood on end. The lightning bolt was continuous and pinned X against the wall. His skin was beginning to char and his body flailed wildly as the electricity coursed through him. Sage stood to her feet and saw the source of the lightning was Trevor's eyes.

"Stop Trevor!" Sage commanded.

The bolt came to an end and Mr. X fell to the ground smoking and unconscious. Sage crawled over to him and despite the pain in her arms, hit enough pressure points to make sure X would be rendered unable to fight for a few hours at least. She had learned to make pain submit to her a long time ago. Standing to her feet, she walked over to Trevor who was still trembling. But now tears were coming down his eyes.

"That was stupid Trevor. You should have stayed in your room."

"I saw what they wanted to do to me and Paco. I saw…" Trevor said as he collapsed to his knees and buried his face in his hands. "They're monsters Ms. Sage."

Sage knelt down to Trevor's level and put a hand on his head. "Monsters that you stopped Trevor. I owe you my life. There's no use crying over something that won't happen. You're under my protection and I take my vows quite seriously."

Trevor leaped out and hugged Sage. "You mean it?"

"Lying is one of my many talents, but not in this instance."

=X=

Electric Eve's motorcycle pulled up to the warehouse where she knew X-Factor was performing an inspection of an arms shipment that Genosha had received from China. Frantically, she hopped off of her bike and ran up to the sheet metal doors of the flimsy warehouse. It didn't take much for her to push the doors open. She was relieved to see Washout, Thunderbird, Strong Guy, and Speedball. Proto-Goblin was someone she could have went either way on.

"Guys! We got—AHH!"

Eve fell to the ground as a loud crack tore through the air and a bullet hit her in the shoulder. The source of it was Junta's pistol. He looked at the group of shocked mutants and said, "The target isn't here."

"Do we still engage?" Ruby Dragon.

"I just shot one of them so that would be a big hell yea," Junta said as pulled out another gun and opened fire on X-Factor.

Gryphon moved beside Junta like a jungle cat ready to pounce. "Anyone tell you that if you changed just one letter in your name you'd be—

"Save it. Just do your job."

Grayznova didn't appreciate the rebuke, but she knew to listen. Junta was Lady Deathstrike's second-in-command and she didn't feel like getting an earful from her. Yuriko tolerated insubordination like Bastion and look where that had landed her. If someone had told her at the beginning of her career she'd be in an organization like Weapon X, she would have laughed and walked away.

Alaris covered the space between him and X-Factor with blinding quickness. His enhanced speed made the action easy. When he was right in Washout's face, he backhanded the mutant with the full force of his super strength. John was lifted off his feet, flew through the air, and crashed into an empty wooden crate like a sack of potatoes. Dust and wood splinters plumed into the air.

A cocky grin crossed the Inhuman's face that was swiftly knocked off by a swipe of Proto-Goblin's claws. Alaris felt the claws dig into his flesh and draw blood. The crimson liquid had splashed into his eyes and was blinding him to his surroundings. He batted at the air in an attempt to hit something and completely missed Proto-Goblin. Van Adder took advantage of Alaris' impairment and dug his teeth into his bare shoulder. Alaris screamed as Proto-Goblin's jaw clenched down.

Junta adjusted his personal gravity s he jumped into the air, allowing him to get to Alaris in one leap. Just as he was about to land, he adjusted his gravity again and landed on top of Proto-Goblin with a hundred times his weight. The impact forced him to release Alaris, who fell to the ground a bloody mess. Junta wasn't worried about it because he had seen Alaris take worse.

"You're one ugly SOB," Junta said as he pulled out an Uzi from inside his jacket. He wasted no time unloading his weapon into Proto-Goblin because he had no intention of being lunch. There was no guilt on Junta's part as the bullets tore into Van Adder. Something about this man struck him as being more animal than human.

After every bullet had been spent, Junta put the weapon back in his jacket. He spotted a bright spot out of the corner of his eye and dodged the plasma stream of Thunderbird with only singed neck hair to show for it. Junta tripped over the bloodied body of Proto-Goblin and fell flat on his back.

Thunderbird wanted to fire off another shot, but he was too busy trying to nail Ruby Dragon. The mercenary ducked and whizzed by every heated blast. Neal yelled in frustration and then decided to let loose one continuous stream from each of his hands like two fire horses. He swung his arms around hoping to nail Ruby Dragon, but the change in strategy proved unsuccessful.

Ruby Dragon had put away his word and instead had a Sai in each hand. Thunderbird's change in attack had allowed him to move in close range. He drove both Sais into Neal's stomach and lifted the mutant off his feet. The same flame that had enveloped Shola and Freakshow now covered Thunderbird and it resulted in the same effect. Pulling out his Sais, Ruby Dragon fell to his knees and let Neal drop to the ground.

Junta was at the mercenary's side and asked, "You ok?"

"Yes. Doing that too many times wears me down."

Helping him to his feet, Junta said, "Then why do it?"

"Because we're dealing with powerful mutants and need to neutralize them as quickly as possible."

Junta couldn't argue with that and even if he wanted to it would have been muted by Gryphon flying over their heads courtesy of Strong Guy. Her body smacked into Electric Eve's motorcycle and the two objects rolled across the ground together for a moment. She quickly got to her feet and saw Junta smirking at her.

"You need some help?" he asked.

Gryphon lifted the motorcycle into her arms and said, "Just get the hell out of my way!"

She ran across the warehouse right at Strong Guy and swung the motorcycle at him like a battering ram. The metal twisted and buckled as it struck Strong Guy in the chest. He was knocked back by the force of the blow, but was still standing. Gryphon maintained a tight grip on the damaged motorcycle. Angry that Strong Guy was still on his feet, she swung the bike again and struck him across the head.

Strong Guy was knocked on his side and Gryphon threw the bike on top of him. She raised her arms up in triumph, but was smacked head-on by Speedball. His kinetic field sent her careening through the air and to the feet of Junta. He looked down at her and said, "You sure you don't need that help?"

Junta's radio buzzed in his ear and Adrienne Frost's voice came through. "You have a retreat order Junta. Scrap the mission."

He helped Gryphon to her feet and said, "Take Ruby Dragon back to the sub. We have a retreat order."

"What about Alaris?"

"I got him. Go!"

Guido and Robbie watched Junta scoop Alaris into his arms. Strong Guy said, "Stop him Robbie!"

"Let him go. We have too many injured we need to get help for."

Guido wasn't hearing it. His head was still ringing and he wanted to know why. "How are we going to—

"I think we'll find out soon enough," Robbie said as he grunted and helped Guido to his feet. "We need to worry about our guys right now."

Strong Guy nodded. He didn't like it, but Speedball was right. Whoever had ambushed them would have to answer for it soon enough.

=X=

United Kingdom

There was a terrible rapping at Polaris' door that woke her up from a nice dream. She yawned, slipped on a robe, surrounded herself in a magnetic field, and floated to the door. Lorna couldn't imagine who was at the door, but if it was a reporter she was going to drop them off in the Atlantic.

"This had better be good," Lorna said as she opened the door and saw a distressed Songbird. "What is it?"

"There's been an attack on Genosha and the President has been hurt."

"Critically?" Lorna asked trying to keep her mind from racing at the possibilities of who could be responsible. If Pietro died then Amelia and her would be in charge of Genosha, but she didn't want to think like that.

"Sando didn't give me a lot of details."

Lorna nodded. "Ok. Get everyone together as fast as you can. We're going home."

=X=

Mumbai

Adrienne tapped her pen impatiently on her desk until the astral image of Cassandra Nova appeared. She tucked the pen away and said, "Our Genosha team is extracting as we speak."

They failed in all mission objectives.

"I know," Adrienne said. "Perhaps we need to tweak that squad."

No. We knew the Genosha mission would be a tough one for the sweeties. They have rattled the country and that's good enough.

"What about Lady Deathstrike and Mr. X?"

Let them pay for their failures. I don't have the resources for a rescue mission right now.

"Of course Director. Will we still go after the children?"

In due time. I think your future students will make that much easier.

NEXT ISSUE: Genosha takes stock of their damage and try to figure out what Weapon X wanted. And why is Hank Pym testifying before the UN and what does it have to do with Genosha?

Adrienne Frost

Cassandra Nova

Junta

Lady Deathstrike

Gryphon

Alaris

Mr. X

Sage

Trevor Chase

Kimura

Crystal

Quicksilver

Shola Inkosi

Postman

Spyke

Electric Eve

Polaris

Songbird

Speedball

Strong Guy

Thunderbird

Omega

Proto-Goblin

Amelia Voght

Washout

Slipstream