When Star awoke, she didn't know where she was, though it smelled like a lab. Se tried to sit up and pain lanced through her skull. She moaned.
"Emily? Do nae try tae move, lass," an unfamiliar voice said soothingly. "Yuir safe here."
"Where ... am I?" she said, frightened and confused. "Who are you?" She struggled to sit up, but gentle hands restrained her.
"She is Dr. MacTaggert, leibshen. I promised to bring you to her, do you remember?" Star focused with difficulty on the speaker. It was the blue furred man from the dock. She stopped struggling.
"Dr. ... MacTaggert?"
"Aye, lass. Yuir on Muir Island, now. Do ye recall how ye came to be here?"
"I tried to call, then there were some men ..." she paused, frowning. "But then he came and brought me here." She glared at Kurt, "That hurt."
"I am sorry. No vun has reported the journey as painful, before."
"Are ye still in pain?" the doctor asked.
"No. Its fading, now."
"How did ye come tae be on the dock?"
"I woke up next to the ocean, and started walking. A truck stopped, and the driver took me to Fashven. That's when I realized I was in Scotland."
"Where were ye before?"
"I don't remember. Doctor," the fear returned to her voice. "Is my baby all right?"
"Aye, lass. Best I can tell wi' the tests I've run."
"He's been so still."
"Babes are often less active in the last few weeks. Ye shouldnae worry."
"Who taught you to fight?" Kurt asked.
"I don't remember." Star shrugged. "I'm not even certain of my name."
"What is the first thing ye can remember?" Star sighed.
"Waking up in the rocks."
"Naught before that?" She shook her head. Dr. MacTaggert looked at the read out display for the scanner. "There's no evidence of any injuries, no physical reason for ye tae ha' lost yuir memories." She looked sharply at Star. "What made ye call here?"
"I remembered your name, and I didn't know what else to do." Dr. MacTaggert exchanged a glance with Kurt. She clearly didn't believe her.
"Well, there's naught else I can do for ye here. Kitty," Shadowcat moved forward from the doorway. "Would ye take her doon stairs and find her something to wear."
"Sure. Hi," she said. "I'm Kitty."
"I'm ... Emily." Star answered.
"C'mon, let's see if we can find you something warmer to wear." The two young women moved toward the door.
"Kitty."
"Yes, Moira?"
"Make sure she doesnae get lost." Kitty nodded.
When they had gone, Kurt turned to Moira.
"You do not believe her."
"No." She began to adjust the dials on the scanner, studying the results carefully. "She cannae remember her own name, yet she knows mine. An' how could a little thing like that take out five grown men?"
"Six."
"What?"
"There vas a man near the phone."
"Could it ha' been staged?"
"It is not likely. Vun of the men vas killed."
"Are ye certain?"
"Ya."
"It still could ha' ..." Moira's voice faded in mid sentence. "Saints preserve us."
"Vhat is wrong?"
"I did a scan of her genetic structure while I was looking for injuries. Take a look."
"Moira, I am not a geneticist. Vhat am I looking at?"
"Here," she pointed at the screen. "And here, do ye see the high lighted areas?"
"Ya, I see them. Vhat are they?"
"Each one indicates an X Factor."
"Each ... Gott en Himmel!"
"Precisely. Every single chromosome has at least one mutation. Some of them have two. Its nothing short of a miracle that she even appears tae be human."
"Do you still doubt her story?"
"Kurt, I do nae know what tae think. Except tae keep a close eye on the lass. And tae call Charles."
"Here, try this." Kitty handed Star a long sleeved flannel shirt. "I think I've got ... yeah, here they are. Sweats with a drawstring waist." Kitty held the pants up triumphantly. "I've got some slipper socks around here someplace. There's no way any of my shoes are gonna fit you," she continued as she dug into a dresser drawer. "Got 'em! Bathroom's through there, and clean towels are in the cabinet. When you're done, we'll get something to eat."
"Thank you," Star said as she took the clothing and went into the bathroom.
"Och, they're no' in," Moira sighed. "I would ha' like for Charles an' Henry tae ha' taken a look at this."
"They'll return your call as soon as they return, Moira," Kurt assured her.
"Aye, I know it." Kurt was studying the screen which displayed Star's genetic structure.
"Vhat of the kinder?"
"The babe?" Moira adjusted the settings on the read out. "I do nae know if it scanned deeply enough tae show the bairn's chromosomes or no'."
Star followed Kitty to the kitchen. They been there for several minutes when a woman with green hair entered the room.
"Hi, Lorna. Coffee's almost ready."
"'Morning, Kitty."
"This is Emily. Moira asked me to take care of her while she's here."
"Hi, Em. Please tell me you're not a morning person." Star just smiled and continued peeling the potato in her hand. Lorna eyed the vegetable warily as she sat down.
"Kitty, what are you makin?"
"Hash browns and kippers."
"Oh, please. Not on an empty stomach," Lorna groaned. Kitty grinned and poured her a cup of coffee.
"Here, this'll help wake you up." She took the proffered cup and sipped cautiously.
"Hey, this is pretty good. Who made it?" Kitty threw a hand towel at her.
"Behave, or I'll put you to work. Just 'cause you're a guest doesn't mean you can sit around and not do anything."
"I can see that. Hand me some of those potatoes, Em." Star rose to get more potatoes for them both. As Lorna, also known as Polaris, extended her powers of magnetism to get a knife from the drawer, Kurt and Moira walked in.
"Emily, after ye've eaten, I'd like tae run some moor tests, if ye don't mind." Star took an involuntary step backwards, into Lorna's magnetic field. The metal-laced bones in her left arm responded to the mutant's unknowing command, throwing Star off balance. Kitty reached out to steady her, but her hand passed through the smaller woman's body.
When Star had been forced from the teleportation field by Matthew, she hadn't, quite, made it back to this plane of existence, which was why her memory was affected. When Kitty, whose power was to phase herself, and others, through solid matter, touched Star, the effect was to bring her forcefully back in sequence with the real world. The results were spectacular. The explosion could have been heard by anyone anywhere on the island. Unfortunately, the other members of Excalibur were away, and the civilian personnel had gone home for the weekend, so there was no one available to hear. Or to help.
Many miles away, far above the stratosphere, one man was aware that something had occurred. He turned his attention to a severe disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. His name was Eric Magnus Lensherr. Magneto. He pinpointed the disturbance to the area of Muir Island. And decided to investigate.
Star woke to darkness, but her memories were crystal clear. She had suffered minor injuries during the explosion, but they were nothing that her healing factor could not take care of in a matter of minutes. She felt a welcome flutter within her swollen abdomen and knew that her child, too, had survived. But what of the others?
The building had partially collapsed during the energy release caused by Star's re-entry into the real world. She crawled carefully through the debris, searching for the people who had taken her in and tried to help her. She found Kurt first. He was breathing, but he did not respond when she touched him. She extended her healing senses into his body, and was relieved to find that he was not badly injured. Just beyond him she found Moira. The older woman's head was bleeding and Star once more extended her healing powers. She could feel the cells respond to her silent urging and the bleeding stopped. She turned away from the doctor and looked back at the rubble-strewn kitchen. She was growing tired and dreaded trying to reach Kitty and Lorna through the tangle. She sat back on her heels, closed her eyes, and concentrated, reaching for the two missing mutants. She found Lorna first and used her powers to stabilize her. When she finally found Kitty, the other girl was so badly injured that Star knew she would be pushing the limit of her abilities just to keep her alive.
As she concentrated, the collapsed ceiling suddenly shifted. She cried out and threw her arm over her head. She was astonished when some of the debris was deflected away from her. The largest portion of the ceiling lifted majestically, and moved slowly to the side. She knew she hadn't the strength to move such a weight, even if her telekinetic powers had been miraculously restored.
The bright morning sun blinded her as the last of the wreckage dropped from view. She blinked in the brightness, most of her attention still focused on Kitty. A figure came into view and Star gasped, for it was none other than the notorious villain Magneto. She was suddenly terrified. The X-Men dreaded battling him, and she was all alone. Her powers were more useful after a battle, anyhow. She looked hopefully toward Kurt, but he showed no sign of rousing.
He landed gently before her and offered her his hand as she struggled to her feet. She hesitated for a moment, then accepted his assistance. He released her hand and turned slightly toward Kurt and Moira. Star shifted so that she remained directly before him. She trembled as he watched her shrewdly, and nearly leaped when he extended his hand once more.
"I do not believe we have met," he said as he bowed over her hand. "I am Eric Lensherr. Magneto."
"I know," she whispered as he straightened once more. He waited, then said,
"And you are?"
"Oh! I'm Star. Uh ... Emily Logan."
"Logan?" he said thoughtfully. "I once knew a man called Logan," he watched her carefully. "He is also known as Wolverine. Would you be related to him?" Star just nodded. "You are, perhaps, his daughter." It was not a question. Star lifted her chin.
"No," she said proudly. "I am his wife." His eyes flickered involuntarily to her swollen abdomen, and she flinched, wondering if she had placed her child in danger. His eyes returned to her face for a moment before he turned away.
"Do your ... companions ... require my assistance?' Star swallowed.
"L .. Lorna and Kitty are buried. I can't move the beams."
"Lorna," he said as he began to shift the debris from the two women. "That would explain the disturbance in the magnetic field." As he moved the last of the rubble, Lorna moaned and sat up, one hand to her head. As Star helped her to her feet, Magneto bent over Kitty's still form.
"She lives, though I do not see how. The beams should have crushed her."
"What ...?" Lorna said, looking around in puzzlement.
"They did," Star replied, seating the disoriented Lorna near Kurt and Moira. "I could not allow her to die." Magneto looked at the tiny woman before him with interest, as he magnetically lifted Kitty and moved her to where the others lay. Star stepped forward and took Kitty's hand as he lowered her battered body to the floor.
"It is easier with physical contact," Star said, focusing her energies on Kitty once more. Kitty stirred and opened her eyes.
"Em ... Emily?"
"Rest, Kitty. I haven't the strength to completely restore you."
"What happened?" she asked, sitting up. "Magneto!" she gasped as she saw him.
The sound of her long time enemy's name galvanized Lorna. She snapped her head up and, without saying a word, hurled a bolt of magnetic energy at him.
"Lorna, no!" Star shouted, stepping between the two mutants whose powers were so similar. She cried out as her body intercepted the energy meant for Magneto. He caught her as she fell, throwing a powerful magnetic shield around them both.
"Emily!" Kitty cried, trying to rise. Lorna stood shakily, testing Magneto's shield with her powers.
"I did not come here to fight you, Polaris," Magnet said angrily, Star's body limp against him.
"Then why are you here?" Lorna demanded.
"Oddly enough, I sought to offer my assistance," he replied coolly. "It was not I who destroyed your establishment, nor did I cause this child's injury."
"Why," Star said quietly, her overtaxed healing factor beginning to repair her own injuries. "Does everyone insist on calling me a child?" Magneto eased her to her feet, but continued to support her, and she leaned on him gratefully.
"Perhaps it is your size," Magneto answered her seriously, continuing to watch warily as Kurt, and then Moira, began to stir behind Lorna and Kitty. Lorna cautiously reigned in her powers, and turned to help them. Kitty got painfully to her feet, and inclined her head toward Magneto.
"Your assistance is appreciated," she said. "But do you know what happened?"
"I believe I am the cause," Star said, at last able to stand on her own. "I was not quite synchronized to this plane of existence when I came here. When you touched me, a great deal of energy was released. Lorna was caught in the shock wave while using her powers. The result ... you can see around you."
"You and your companions no longer require my assistance, I can see. I will go now." Magneto said into the silence that followed Star's statement. He looked at her for a moment, then added "If you ever need a sanctuary, you will find yourself welcome in my home." Then, using his powers, he lifted himself effortlessly into the air, and was quickly out of sight.
"Vas that Magneto?" Kurt asked, still groggy from the explosion.
"Yes," Star answered. "Without his help, Kitty would have died. Why do you all hate him so?"
"It is not an easy thing to explain, leibshen," Kurt said, turning to offer his hand to Moira. "Ve haf been enemies for a very long time."
"You could call it a basic difference in philosophy," Moira put it. Star just shook her head.
"But he came here to help you."
"Did he now?" the doctor continued. "If ye hadnae been here tae see, what do ye think he'd ha' done while we were helpless?"
"If he had wanted to harm you, do you think I could have stopped him?"
"Aye, lass. After lookin' at yuir genetic structure, I believe you could ha'." Star shook her head.
"Most of my powers have been destroyed. The only thing I have now is a healing factor."
"'Most of'?" Kurt asked. "Yust who are you?"
"I am Emily Logan, as I told you," she paused. "You may know of me as Star."
"Star?!? Kurt said, startled. "The X-Men haf been looking for you for months, leibshen!"
"I imagined as much. I was taken by a man who called himself Mr. Sinister. He ... persuaded me to train a young mutant with a metabolism similar to my own," she unconsciously placed a hand on her swollen abdomen, leaving no doubt in the other's minds as to the form of the persuasion.
"Yesterday, Matthew did something to my mind. He accidentally ... shut me off. I guess it was yesterday. I don't know how long I was out, but he restored me somehow. Later that day, the alarms went off, and I managed to get out of my room. Sinister was teleporting Matthew away and I tried to stop him. But Matthew pushed me out of the field, and I woke up in Scotland," she paused. "Matthew is a very dangerous young man, right now. I don't think Sinister knows just how dangerous. I've got to find him."
"Moira left a message for the X-Men. They vill probably be here soon." Star looked away, and when she looked back Kurt was surprised to see tears in her eyes.
"I can't wait for them. And I can't ... I can't face Logan."
"Nonsense, girl," Moira interrupted. "The mon's worried half ta death o'er ye."
"Then you must tell him I'm all right."
"Vhy not tell him yourself?" The tears ran down her cheeks as she looked up at Nightcrawler.
"The baby isn't his, Kurt." She drew a deep breath and made an effort to stem the flow of her tears. "Logan is not the father."
Kitty stared at her from her seat on the rubble that was once their kitchen.
"You cheated on Wolverine?"
"Kitty!" Moira said sharply, but Shadowcat ignored her.
"Cheated? I don't understand."
"You slept with someone ... all right, had sex with someone other than your husband. How could you do that to him?"
Star straightened her shoulders, her eyes suddenly dry and her face expressionless.
"I must find Matthew," she said, turning once more to Nightcrawler.
"Why?" Kitty demanded, "is he the father?" Star looked at her and Kitty was startled by the intensity of the smaller woman's eyes.
"Katherine Pryde, that'll be quite enough out o' ye," Moira interrupted. "Ye cannae just flit off again, Star. How would ye find the lad, anyhow?"
"I will find him," Star answered. "I must." Before he hurts anyone, she said to herself. She half bowed to Moira. "I thank you for your assistance, and I regret the damage done to your people and to your home because of me. If I am able, I will make reparations." She faced Kitty, "I will return your clothing as soon as I am able."
"Keep 'em," Kitty replied, still fuming.
"Kurt, I thank you for befriending me, as well as for the very instructional trip to your island."
"Instructional, leibshen?" Before Star could answer, there was a flash of brilliant white light, and a clap of thunder so loud that the ruins of the building shifted. An image appeared, larger than life.
Nightcrawler and the others saw a young man standing over them, a cruel smirk on his face. Star recognized him as Matthew, though he appeared several years older than when she had last seen him just the day before.
"Hello, 'Mama'," he snarled at her.
"Matthew," she replied softly, instinctively reaching for him with one hand. "Are you all right?"
"Stop playing games with me, Mother. I know you don't care about me. You are no better than Sinister. You both wanted nothing more than a weapon. In fact, you are by far the worst. When I was a helpless infant, you let me die, even though it was within your power to save me." Star stared at him, as she realized the truth. Matthew was indeed her son. She shook her head.
"That is not true, Matthew. My powers have evolved gradually. I gained the ability to heal long after you were born."
"I don't care! You should have done something!" He glared down at her, ignoring Nightcrawler and the others.
"I could not."
"Very well," he said, his voice quiet once more. "Then you shall not save this child either!" He reached toward her, his hand closing into a fist. Star cried out and staggered as if she had been struck. Nightcrawler caught her before she could fall. The image of the young man reached for them both, but Nightcrawler teleported them a short distance away.
"No!" Matthew thundered. "I will not be denied!" His image rapidly grew in size until the building itself was dwarfed by him. He fisted both hands and slammed them down upon the ruins, further smashing the building. Kitty grabbed Moira and Lorna and all three women phased so that the rubble passed harmlessly through them. Nightcrawler teleported Star to safety outside the building.
"Your shields are stronger than they were, Mother. But I shall win." He lowered his hands to his sides. "You see, I have something you want." The image expanded to reveal Wolverine, trapped within a force field bubble. He was unconscious.
"Logan," Star whispered.
"Yes, Mama. I have your precious 'husband'. My soon to be unlamented father." He grinned maliciously. "Which will you save, Mama? The man you profess to love? Or the child, the thing put in you by a man who only wanted to hurt you? Decide, Mama. And come to me." The image faded and was gone.
Nightcrawler released Star when he was sure she could stand on her own. Shadowcat phased back in and Moira immediately moved to check on Star. Lorna looked like she wanted to punch somebody, if only she could figure out what was going on. Her powers had been useless in this fight.
"Are ye all right, girl?" Moira asked.
"Yes. He didn't attack me, he attacked the baby."
"Ye blocked his strike?"
"No. She defended herself." Moira looked thoughtful.
"What now, leibshen?"
"I'm going after them."
"Ve vill come vith you." Nightcrawler said.
"No." She turned away from them and her form began to shimmer slightly. Nightcrawler leaped forward and put both arms around her as her figure faded from view. He disappeared as well, but not before Moira heard him say,
"Ya!"
"What is going on?" Lorna demanded. "That kid looked just like Logan, only not as hairy."
"If what they said is to be believed, he is Star's son. And Logan's."
"But I thought their baby died."
"It did, but the little corpse was stolen. Matthew is probably a clone."
"Oh, man, another clone?"
"T'would appear so."
"Moira, Star said the baby defended itself. What did she mean?"
"I do nae know, lass. If we ha'e any power to the phones, or to the lab computer, ye'd best be f'r contactin' the X-Men, while I look at the bairn's chromosomes again."