Cable #2
"The Day of the Weapons"
"Damn you!" Marissa yelled in great ire, "I was meant to take Weapon X into battle!"
The lanky man sneered at the obstinate woman. "Marissa, they have given me the assignment and that is final."
"It's my baby. I invented it." Marissa fussed as the man turned his attention to her.
"Yes, with help from the Xenotech. I doubt you could have gotten it to full operational status without it. You should consider yourself lucky that The Five even paid attention to you."
In a burst of anger, she smacked his face, "HOW DARE YOU?"
He grabbed her shoulders as he matched her rage. "I DARE BECAUSE I CAN! You are too young and inexperienced to go up against such a target."
"I've been taught how to defend myself!" She countered his grasp with a wave of her hands for emphasis.
The man shook his head. "I will not be responsible for a death. This discussion ends now."
He turned his back to walk away as Marissa jumped on his back and applied a chokehold on him. He quickly slipped into unconsciousness as she climbed into the high tech Exo-suit.
The Exo-suit's computer hummed to life. "Weapon X: Please state designation."
"Marissa Fairborne." She replied in an equally mechanical fashion.
"Voice Recognition: Confirmed. All systems online and all armaments to capacity."
She typed in the mission coordinates on a small keypad on one gauntlet.
"Suggested Mode for Distance: Helicopter" The Exo-Suit's comp put up a visual display in her helmet.
"No kidding." She snarled in impatient sarcasm. As the suit moved in fluid motion with its human passenger inside, it reconfigured into a small pod-like helicopter and took off into the horizon.
The small squat mentor of Cable cursed in the Askani tongue as he hit yet another dead end.
"This program is running around in Circles Dayspring." Blaquesmith's odd language made Irene look perplexed.
"What? That shouldn't be possible." Cable replied back in English. He quickly came by Blaquesmith's side and observed the computer screen.
Blaquesmith kept trying every tactic known to him. "You see, it's as though this system knew every trick in the book."
"Speak in English so Merryweather knows what is going on." Cable chided Blaquesmith.
"Yeah, ET" Irene spoke coldly.
Blaquesmith stared in anger at the woman. "Even though I look like one of those things on your vaunted Television, I am not an alien. "
Cable shook his head as he took Blaquesmith's place and let the two continue to argue as he worked.
"Well, what the heck are you?" Irene took the opportune moment to be the button pusher.
Blaquesmith grew weary of the woman but he knew that he had to explain his origins or face her unending questioning.
"A man. And to answer the next question, I was changed by the powers of The Askani, powers originally meant only for women."
Irene was taken by Blaquesmith's sudden openness, but her reporter instincts kicked in. "And what powers are those?"
"They are not for discussion child. I have put up with enough..."
"OATH!" Cable ended the feud before it began in earnest.
"What is it?" Irene rushed by Cable's side.
Cable ran through a gambit of computer screens again. "Someone's coming."
Irene looked puzzled at Cable's response. "Why do you say that?"
"Someone has managed to shut down every account that I own and they've been keeping Blaquesmith running around in circles."
"In other words, a distraction to keep you here."
Cable nodded in agreement. "No doubt they have an operative on the way as we speak."
Cable quickly left the terminal and grabbed his Psimatar Lance. "You two stay here while I wait for our friend to show up."
"Be careful Nathan." Irene watched as Cable departed, then turned her attention to Blaquesmith once more.
"Now, you mentioned something about the powers of the Askani?"
Blaquesmith sighed in disgust as he started the argument where he left off.
Cable immediately searched the hideout and then proceeded to go outside.
Oath, someone's already here. Trouble is, I already know whom.
"Show yourself Garrison." Cable shouted outloud as a man came out from the shadows of an alley.
His appearance was rather ragged as his red vest had rips and several small holes.
"Old man you cost me my job. They released me due to my connections to you."
Cable grunted in obvious contempt. "You are gullible Garrison. They wanted you here. You've become expendable and they set you up. Now, stop blaming me for all your troubles and wise up. The new Weapon X will come any moment to take us both out."
"So they sent me to soften you up, that's exactly what I'll do old man. I can show them that I still got it."
Kane internally activated his trademark maneuver. L1: Appendage Disengage
Cable easily dodged the flying hand, which detached from Garrison Kane's left arm. Cable grabbed the thing with his telekinetic power and launched it right back at Kane. Kane gave one last look of impending dread as he was hit square in the jaw with his own hand.
Kane wiped the small line of blood from his chin. "Old man, you just bought a guarantee to an early grave."
Cable shook his head; there was no point in trying to talk Garrison Kane out of fighting him, since Kane was easily swayed by his anger. Cable stood still and silent, a wave of pure concentration feeling his being. Kane had seen this look before when Cable had fought side by side with him.
"Your little Ass Canny ways don't spook me one bit." Kane made a gesture as his hand reattached and clenched in a fist.
Cable didn't reply and only waited for Kane to make his move and his last mistake. It was then that Cable saw a small white dot in the horizon.
"Well, just don't stand there and look stupid old man. Let's finish this." Kane charged forward as he was hit with a blast and fell into Cable's arms.
The small white dot had become a helicopter. Cable was perplexed by its size as it stood hovering over him like a vulture awaiting its dinner.
"Well, what are you waiting for..." Cable laid the unconscious Kane down and awaited the strange craft's response.
The small pod like helicopter stopped its blade as it pointed its nose directly in the air, revealing a rather large human-like exo suit. It landed with a thud as the black tint on the cockpit became clear and revealed a woman's face. It almost gave the appearance of a bulky spacesuit that seemed too cumbersome to use in battle. Cable was a bit taken by its fluid movement as the woman approached him.
"You know who I am, don't you." The woman's voice was strong but her voice gave away the echo of no experience in true battle.
"If not, here's a hint." The woman placed the suit's arms in a certain position, and clenched the fists as three blades came out from the forearm gauntlets, the blades reflected in Cable's eyes as a large X.
Cable decided to play psychological warfare first, in hopes of learning a weakness. "The New Weapon X, Department H must be desperate if they send people in suits like that."
"They grew tired of committing to people who went rogue with their materials. This new suit guaranteed that they could get the materials back. But, they had other plans for this suit, ones I didn't like. I was the inventor and knew how to counteract their fail-safes. Talk about irony."
"Why did you shoot Kane if you rebelled?" Cable was still prepared for a battle.
She simply smiled. "It looked like you were in trouble. I only used my laser on stun. He'll be okay in about ten more minutes."
He shook his head. "I have a mission to fulfill. Now, go before there's trouble."
"Well, I don't suppose you have the time to help a damsel in distress. I need a place to hide out." She grinned widely.
"Fine, but don't expect me to help you when Garrison wakes up." Cable heaved Garrison upon his shoulder as the woman followed.
He cursed at his gut feeling that he was doing the wrong thing of letting the woman in, but he had no choice at the moment. Evidently, the suit was built with a psi-dampner and Cable could not fully read her true intentions. All he could surmised is that she wanted to ignore a battle and Department H, he would have to keep an eye on her and Kane as well.
"I don't suppose you could reset my accounts while you're here." Cable requested.
She quickly nodded. "I'll have you up and running in no time."
As the trio came close to the entryway, the sounds of angered voices echoed throughout the safe house.
"More troubles." Cable sighed as he purposely cleared his throat to get the attention of Merryweather and Blaquesmith.
The pair looked up to see a man slumped over Cable's shoulder and a woman in a big spacesuit type apparatus.
"Is that guy from Mars, and she from Venus?" Irene darted a quick spiteful glance at Blaquesmith, to let him know she was still not finished.
"Blaquesmith, watch Kane. Irene, I need to speak with you a moment. Miss Weapon X, please have my accounts freed, as soon as possible."
"The name is Fairborne, Marissa Fairborne." She walked over the computer console and began her work.
Irene came close to Cable. "What is it?"
"Look, I think that woman is going to hack into the system and delete the information." Cable explained.
Irene looked confused. "Why not stop her?"
"I want them to think I've lost everything. I can't afford anymore intrusions like this. My mission is too important to waste time with corrupt government agents."
Irene nodded again. "Wait, she'll make sure you don't have access to your accounts or she'll take the money for herself. That means no paycheck for me!"
Cable pondered for a moment. "What about the Bugle?"
"I suppose. It's what I wanted for a long time. But, I can't support you, Mr. Freakazoid, and me on that kind of salary. "
Cable chuckled. "Despite the electronic accounts, I still have some reserves stashed away for such a contingency. It's enough to get by for as long as I need, but if we want anything extra..."
"Got it. I'll go to the Bugle and ask Jameson. I'm pretty sure he'll be more than happy to get an extra reporter with all that has been happening. And, can I use you as an exclusive?"
Cable grinned. "Only if it gets a big bonus and I get half."
"Consider it done." Irene whimsically smiled in return.
"I'm finished. You have full access once more but it comes at a price." Marissa couldn't help let a small smirk come across her face.
Cable glowered at the statement. "What do you mean?"
"Simple. All information concerning certain parties has been eliminated. You were getting to close to something and someone didn't like it. I hope your mission doesn't come into our path again, or else I may have to truly test my Weapon X suit."
Cable ignored the implied threat, and decided on a different tact. "Look, I'm going after a madman who ruled my timeline with an iron fist. I came back to this time to stop his evil machinations before he can accomplish them. He's suddenly decided I'm no longer a threat, even though it has been foretold I will bring him down. He is the one wanting to cross whatever you and your friends are hiding."
The woman only thought for a moment. "If it helps any, you shouldn't worry about his iron fist anymore. There are going to be a lot bigger iron fists to worry about soon enough. And, if this despot of yours does cross our path, he will suffer his own Apocalypse."
She departed with the Irene and Blaquesmith baffled by her words. For the first time he has come to this timeline, Cable seemed truly haunted by what some unknown has said. With that Weapon X departed from the safe house as Kane started to stir.
"Whatever hit me is going to get it." Kane sat up and came face to face with Blaquesmith.
"You are quite outnumbered, I suggest you do not move." Blaquesmith communicated with a stern voice.
"Beat it Igor, I'm only after Frankenstein." Kane unceremoniously shoved Blaquesmith aside as he looked around for Cable.
"If you call me the bride buddy, you're in real trouble." Irene stood in Kane's path of reaching Cable.
"Move, or be moved." Kane clutched his hands in preparation.
Irene still stood her ground. "Go for it."
"ENOUGH!" Cable's yell caught the attention of all. "This is extremely pointless to argue and it is wasting time. Garrison if you want to find out who replaced you she just left."
"SHE! I'll come back to square things off with you old man, once I take care of the lady." Kane quickly exited in search of the other Weapon X.
Cable shook his head. "So much for those two, they should take care of each other. Now, before we were so rudely interrupted. Irene, I would like you to still go and work for the Bugle. We could use as much information as possible on this thing, this time without drawing specific attention to us."
"Right, and since your target is after the new players on the block, you'll hopefully get more information on him as well." Irene surmised.
Cable responded with a silent stoic face.
"Don't give me that look, mister. You're just lucky your little agenda happens to coincide with mine." Irene spouted off in ire as she poked Cable hard on the chest with her finger.
"By the Bright Lady!" Blaquesmith had been checking the computer systems for any sign of tampering as the two carried on. His exclamation aroused attention to this fact.
"What did she do?" Cable inquired with sudden worry.
"She did eliminate some curious information I gathered, but she also left something." Blaquesmith pointed to the screen as he brought up the information.
"OATH!" Cable exclaimed in great surprise.
It displayed a name of an expert mechanic and blacksmith, Nestor Forbes. His location and one obvious connection about a rare chemical that turned metal blue.
Kane had seen the rather bulky still outside, obviously communicating the success of her mission to her commanders.
"Lady, a have a bone to pick with you." Kane prepared to shoot his hand once more.
"Look, I don't have time to play games. You got fired because you're the old model. It's was high time for something new to replace you." She turned to face him as she once again unsheathed the metal claws.
"Borrow bits and pieces from older Weapon X program members did we? Here, let me give a burnt face to help keep that thought." Kane activated his shoulder cannon. R2 Shoulder Plasma Cannon engaged.
The laser hit her protective helmet. She reeled back from the blow as the exo-suit slammed to the ground with a loud clanking noise.
"So much for the new and improved." Kane boasted as he prepared to finish the job with the laser cannon.
The woman rolled over and folded the exo-suits arms beneath it as Kane was confounded by the move. Four tires came out, two from the forearms and two from the lower half of the legs. Kane rolled his eyes as the exo-suit raced out of his way.
"You have to be kidding me. What next? You're going to pop a wheelie?"
The exo-suit swerved and raced at Kane who was caught off guard by its actual speed and the sheer oddity of it being used in such a manner.
"No, just your head!" The exo-suit flipped up as the woman practically smashed Kane's face in with the first blow.
The pounding fist stunned Kane as he clasped at his jaw. "Lady, you just bought yourself a death warrant." Kane spat at a tooth and some blood at the exo-suit. FULL ARSENAL ENGAGED.
The woman made the exo-suit dodge each volley of blasts gracefully as Kane yelled on in a battle cry.
"I've had ENOUGH!" The woman eventually dodged all the blasts and edged herself closer to Kane. She came within a few feet as she brought down the metal claws on Kane as they severed his cybernetic arms from him. He yelled in agony as he went unconscious from the shock. She picked up the arms and placed them in a specific pattern on his body.
"X marks the spot." She targeted Kane as another blast hit her dead center.
"That's quite enough." Cable jumped out from the shadows as he wielded his glowing Psimatar Lance.
"I did you a favor and you sent that piece of cyborg junk after me. Haven't you heard the line about a woman scorned?" The suit's internal repair systems already kicked in to fix the damage
"He went after you on his own accord, but that's no reason to kill the man. Now, back off." Cable kept the Psimatar pointed at Weapon X.
"Mister, I back off from no one!" She went full charge at Cable, who released another burst of stored telekinetic energy from the Psimatar. She easily dodged it and swiped the spear right from Cable's hand. Before he could react, the woman split the Lance in half on her knee. She was knocked back by the released energy from the broken weapon.
Cable ducked then felt an overwhelming sensation of rage. She had managed to destroy the one thing that represented something meaningful. A symbol of his hope for a better future, it was meant to be the weapon that would bring Apocalypse down, but now that has changed. Cable knew of no way to create such a weapon in this timeline.
He did not speak as he walked over to the smoldering Weapon X exo-suit. At this point of time, he wanted revenge for a weapon lost. He could think of retribution in one manner. He noticed a small crack in the clear helmet, enough to search the woman's mind for specific information. Then, Cable proceeded to take the exo-suit apart piece by piece with his telekinesis. Cable had a sudden overwhelming feeling and searched the shadows, he was still being watched. Then, he went back in the safe house and carried the damaged Kane and his two metal arms on his shoulder. Marissa Fairborne would awake to her dream and creation scattered in parts before her eyes.
Some time later.
"The repairs are complete. He'll live." Cable noted to a concerned Irene.
"It's getting late, I guess I better call it a night. I don't want to be late for my job interview." Irene smiled.
Cable picked up the thoughts of several minds. "Just one moment. I think there are some others you would like to meet."
The proud tall Nubian woman entered first. "Irene, I don't think you have yet to have the distinct pleasure of meeting Cable's team, X-Force."
Next, entered several individuals, all mutants.
"The name's Tabitha Smith, a.k.a. Meltdown." The perky blonde shook Irene's hand.
Irene gazed up at the next member, a towering strong Native American figure. "James Proudstar. I just use my last name for a Codename now. I was called Warpath."
"I suppose you were on one at some time?" Irene seemed a bit concerned at the alias.
He bowed his head. "You might say that."
"Ignore the poor amigo. He lost his entire village some time ago. Still has the loss hanging over his head." This mutant was still using his power as he was pitch black and Irene could see the release of energy from him.
"I can only image." Irene said sympathetically.
"You wouldn't want to..." Proudstar muttered beneath his breath.
"I'm Sunspot." The mutant powered down to his normal appearance of a Latino. "But, the real name is Robert DeCosta."
The next woman entered, and both exchanged a glance of familiarity.
"We met." The albino woman with a large black tattoo around her left eye said coldly.
"Domino, I presume. And what about your real name?" Irene ignored the icy shoulder.
"If I knew it, I wouldn't tell you." Domino looked over at the groaning Garrison.
"What happened to him?"
"The new Weapon X. I'm surprised you didn't see her picking up what was once her battle suit." Cable spoke with a touch of loathing.
"We did see a craft departing as we flew in. Perhaps her friends came to retrieve her." Storm reported. "By your tone of voice, it sounds as though she accomplished her mission."
"She destroyed the Psimatar. It's no matter, now. I'm glad you all came, but I only required Domino. "
"Well sir, I don't mean to be rude." Irene noticed three more people enter, the one blond haired young man speaking had quite the southern drawl. "But, the way Storm sounded, we thought you could use all the help you could get."
"I appreciate it Sam. But X-Force is not the Twelve. Rachel gave me a premonition about another team I must form in order to defeat Apocalypse."
"Well, I guess we just joined up in order to have the team disbanded." A Native American woman confronted Cable.
"Dani, I'm not disbanding the team. I have to admit. Sam is right. I could use some extra hands. The New Weapon X is just the beginning of my troubles."
"Alright! What can we do sir?" Sam's jumped at the mention of being able to help Cable. Irene noticed there was an obvious father son dynamic between them.
"Slow down there Guthrie. I think we let the man talk."
"Thank you, Jesse."
"You know my name?" The young black man was astounded by the use of his name.
Cable gave a slight smile. "I do keep tabs on who joins and leaves X-Force Mr. Bedlam. I know as much as I need to about you."
"That's why he is or was our leader." There was a fourth hiding behind the trio.
"Theresa, glad you made it."*
The red headed woman glimmered with pride. "I kept the team warm for you, with Sam's help of course."
Storm grew a bit uneasy as the number of people in the room made it quite crowded and small. "If you can excuse me, I must go outside for a moment."
"Claustrophobic?" Irene noticed the woman pale as she hurried outside.
Cable nodded. "I'll go. Catch up with what the team knows and you might get enough information for the Bugle's editor to hire you on the spot."
Irene nodded. "Good idea."
"Alright, Ms. Merryweather here is a reporter, so I want you to give her all the information you have about what has happened lately. Then, she'll make a full report to me and we'll go from there."
The team nodded with great disappointment. They wanted some full-blown action and not spouting off what they have experienced to some news hound.
"I'll go make sure Storm is okay." Cable departed as Irene escorted the team to a bigger room.
Cable ran to catch up to Storm, who as quick as wind even when walking.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be fine Nathan. And what about you?" She slowed down her pace a bit.
"Fine. I'm at a loss though. Even with the Twelve, I don't have a weapon that can defeat Apocalypse."
"Nathan, as part of this new team, I must tell you that one singular weapon will not make a difference. It will be the combined effort. We shall defeat Apocalypse together."
Ororo's bold words did little to comfort him.
"I hope so, but I think the Twelve were meant to handle Apocalypse's minions while I fulfilled my mission with a specific weapon. I can't help but feel a sense of loss." Cable got the odd feeling of being watched again.
Ororo noticed the look on Nathan's face. "What is it?"
He looked over at a street corner where he thought he saw a shadow of something move, in the darkness of night a rather large weapon was lying out in the open. He grabbed her arm and pointed out the oddly colored gun.
"By the Bright Lady. Who would leave such a thing so openly?" Ororo was stunned by the size and wondered why no one had noticed it before.
Cable looked up at the street sign. His eyes grew even wider. "I don't think this is coincidence."
The street was the 12th as Cable rushed over to get the weapon. He grabbed and was surprised he did not have to use a small part of his telekinesis to lift the rather large gun, which seemed as light as a feather.
Storm was at a loss on whether to complain or to be happy. "Cable, do you think Rachel really left this for you?"
"I can't ignore the implications Ororo. This gun looks like something from my future, perhaps it was a backup in case the Psimatar was destroyed."
A low guttural growl echoed from the shadows, as a large black metallic panther darted in front of the pair.
"OATH!" Cable instantly pointed the gun at the creature without hesitation. It seemed to smile at the response, and then just as quickly disappeared back into the dark void of the shadows. Both were at a loss for words at the small altercation.
After regaining his thought back to the matter at hand, Cable looked at the weapon and considered Ororo's words carefully.
"I can't ignore the message and I can't leave it here. Besides, it's does have a natural feel to it."
Ororo shook her head. "That is the soldier speaking in you Nathan. But, you are correct. It would be madness to leave it here. Now, on to other matters. What are Domino and I to do next? Perhaps that creature had something to do with the premonition as well."
"I don't know. Rachel left only those two clues. But, I got the name and location for The Mechanic of Apocalype's armor. I may need everyone's help on this one. One half to find out what that creature was and if it is related and the other to raid The Mechanic's small factory."
"Very well. I am relaxed now despite that weapon you wield. Let us tell the others."
Cable and Storm walked back to the Safe house with Cable's new weapon.
"The Day of the Weapons"
"Damn you!" Marissa yelled in great ire, "I was meant to take Weapon X into battle!"
The lanky man sneered at the obstinate woman. "Marissa, they have given me the assignment and that is final."
"It's my baby. I invented it." Marissa fussed as the man turned his attention to her.
"Yes, with help from the Xenotech. I doubt you could have gotten it to full operational status without it. You should consider yourself lucky that The Five even paid attention to you."
In a burst of anger, she smacked his face, "HOW DARE YOU?"
He grabbed her shoulders as he matched her rage. "I DARE BECAUSE I CAN! You are too young and inexperienced to go up against such a target."
"I've been taught how to defend myself!" She countered his grasp with a wave of her hands for emphasis.
The man shook his head. "I will not be responsible for a death. This discussion ends now."
He turned his back to walk away as Marissa jumped on his back and applied a chokehold on him. He quickly slipped into unconsciousness as she climbed into the high tech Exo-suit.
The Exo-suit's computer hummed to life. "Weapon X: Please state designation."
"Marissa Fairborne." She replied in an equally mechanical fashion.
"Voice Recognition: Confirmed. All systems online and all armaments to capacity."
She typed in the mission coordinates on a small keypad on one gauntlet.
"Suggested Mode for Distance: Helicopter" The Exo-Suit's comp put up a visual display in her helmet.
"No kidding." She snarled in impatient sarcasm. As the suit moved in fluid motion with its human passenger inside, it reconfigured into a small pod-like helicopter and took off into the horizon.
The small squat mentor of Cable cursed in the Askani tongue as he hit yet another dead end.
"This program is running around in Circles Dayspring." Blaquesmith's odd language made Irene look perplexed.
"What? That shouldn't be possible." Cable replied back in English. He quickly came by Blaquesmith's side and observed the computer screen.
Blaquesmith kept trying every tactic known to him. "You see, it's as though this system knew every trick in the book."
"Speak in English so Merryweather knows what is going on." Cable chided Blaquesmith.
"Yeah, ET" Irene spoke coldly.
Blaquesmith stared in anger at the woman. "Even though I look like one of those things on your vaunted Television, I am not an alien. "
Cable shook his head as he took Blaquesmith's place and let the two continue to argue as he worked.
"Well, what the heck are you?" Irene took the opportune moment to be the button pusher.
Blaquesmith grew weary of the woman but he knew that he had to explain his origins or face her unending questioning.
"A man. And to answer the next question, I was changed by the powers of The Askani, powers originally meant only for women."
Irene was taken by Blaquesmith's sudden openness, but her reporter instincts kicked in. "And what powers are those?"
"They are not for discussion child. I have put up with enough..."
"OATH!" Cable ended the feud before it began in earnest.
"What is it?" Irene rushed by Cable's side.
Cable ran through a gambit of computer screens again. "Someone's coming."
Irene looked puzzled at Cable's response. "Why do you say that?"
"Someone has managed to shut down every account that I own and they've been keeping Blaquesmith running around in circles."
"In other words, a distraction to keep you here."
Cable nodded in agreement. "No doubt they have an operative on the way as we speak."
Cable quickly left the terminal and grabbed his Psimatar Lance. "You two stay here while I wait for our friend to show up."
"Be careful Nathan." Irene watched as Cable departed, then turned her attention to Blaquesmith once more.
"Now, you mentioned something about the powers of the Askani?"
Blaquesmith sighed in disgust as he started the argument where he left off.
Cable immediately searched the hideout and then proceeded to go outside.
Oath, someone's already here. Trouble is, I already know whom.
"Show yourself Garrison." Cable shouted outloud as a man came out from the shadows of an alley.
His appearance was rather ragged as his red vest had rips and several small holes.
"Old man you cost me my job. They released me due to my connections to you."
Cable grunted in obvious contempt. "You are gullible Garrison. They wanted you here. You've become expendable and they set you up. Now, stop blaming me for all your troubles and wise up. The new Weapon X will come any moment to take us both out."
"So they sent me to soften you up, that's exactly what I'll do old man. I can show them that I still got it."
Kane internally activated his trademark maneuver. L1: Appendage Disengage
Cable easily dodged the flying hand, which detached from Garrison Kane's left arm. Cable grabbed the thing with his telekinetic power and launched it right back at Kane. Kane gave one last look of impending dread as he was hit square in the jaw with his own hand.
Kane wiped the small line of blood from his chin. "Old man, you just bought a guarantee to an early grave."
Cable shook his head; there was no point in trying to talk Garrison Kane out of fighting him, since Kane was easily swayed by his anger. Cable stood still and silent, a wave of pure concentration feeling his being. Kane had seen this look before when Cable had fought side by side with him.
"Your little Ass Canny ways don't spook me one bit." Kane made a gesture as his hand reattached and clenched in a fist.
Cable didn't reply and only waited for Kane to make his move and his last mistake. It was then that Cable saw a small white dot in the horizon.
"Well, just don't stand there and look stupid old man. Let's finish this." Kane charged forward as he was hit with a blast and fell into Cable's arms.
The small white dot had become a helicopter. Cable was perplexed by its size as it stood hovering over him like a vulture awaiting its dinner.
"Well, what are you waiting for..." Cable laid the unconscious Kane down and awaited the strange craft's response.
The small pod like helicopter stopped its blade as it pointed its nose directly in the air, revealing a rather large human-like exo suit. It landed with a thud as the black tint on the cockpit became clear and revealed a woman's face. It almost gave the appearance of a bulky spacesuit that seemed too cumbersome to use in battle. Cable was a bit taken by its fluid movement as the woman approached him.
"You know who I am, don't you." The woman's voice was strong but her voice gave away the echo of no experience in true battle.
"If not, here's a hint." The woman placed the suit's arms in a certain position, and clenched the fists as three blades came out from the forearm gauntlets, the blades reflected in Cable's eyes as a large X.
Cable decided to play psychological warfare first, in hopes of learning a weakness. "The New Weapon X, Department H must be desperate if they send people in suits like that."
"They grew tired of committing to people who went rogue with their materials. This new suit guaranteed that they could get the materials back. But, they had other plans for this suit, ones I didn't like. I was the inventor and knew how to counteract their fail-safes. Talk about irony."
"Why did you shoot Kane if you rebelled?" Cable was still prepared for a battle.
She simply smiled. "It looked like you were in trouble. I only used my laser on stun. He'll be okay in about ten more minutes."
He shook his head. "I have a mission to fulfill. Now, go before there's trouble."
"Well, I don't suppose you have the time to help a damsel in distress. I need a place to hide out." She grinned widely.
"Fine, but don't expect me to help you when Garrison wakes up." Cable heaved Garrison upon his shoulder as the woman followed.
He cursed at his gut feeling that he was doing the wrong thing of letting the woman in, but he had no choice at the moment. Evidently, the suit was built with a psi-dampner and Cable could not fully read her true intentions. All he could surmised is that she wanted to ignore a battle and Department H, he would have to keep an eye on her and Kane as well.
"I don't suppose you could reset my accounts while you're here." Cable requested.
She quickly nodded. "I'll have you up and running in no time."
As the trio came close to the entryway, the sounds of angered voices echoed throughout the safe house.
"More troubles." Cable sighed as he purposely cleared his throat to get the attention of Merryweather and Blaquesmith.
The pair looked up to see a man slumped over Cable's shoulder and a woman in a big spacesuit type apparatus.
"Is that guy from Mars, and she from Venus?" Irene darted a quick spiteful glance at Blaquesmith, to let him know she was still not finished.
"Blaquesmith, watch Kane. Irene, I need to speak with you a moment. Miss Weapon X, please have my accounts freed, as soon as possible."
"The name is Fairborne, Marissa Fairborne." She walked over the computer console and began her work.
Irene came close to Cable. "What is it?"
"Look, I think that woman is going to hack into the system and delete the information." Cable explained.
Irene looked confused. "Why not stop her?"
"I want them to think I've lost everything. I can't afford anymore intrusions like this. My mission is too important to waste time with corrupt government agents."
Irene nodded again. "Wait, she'll make sure you don't have access to your accounts or she'll take the money for herself. That means no paycheck for me!"
Cable pondered for a moment. "What about the Bugle?"
"I suppose. It's what I wanted for a long time. But, I can't support you, Mr. Freakazoid, and me on that kind of salary. "
Cable chuckled. "Despite the electronic accounts, I still have some reserves stashed away for such a contingency. It's enough to get by for as long as I need, but if we want anything extra..."
"Got it. I'll go to the Bugle and ask Jameson. I'm pretty sure he'll be more than happy to get an extra reporter with all that has been happening. And, can I use you as an exclusive?"
Cable grinned. "Only if it gets a big bonus and I get half."
"Consider it done." Irene whimsically smiled in return.
"I'm finished. You have full access once more but it comes at a price." Marissa couldn't help let a small smirk come across her face.
Cable glowered at the statement. "What do you mean?"
"Simple. All information concerning certain parties has been eliminated. You were getting to close to something and someone didn't like it. I hope your mission doesn't come into our path again, or else I may have to truly test my Weapon X suit."
Cable ignored the implied threat, and decided on a different tact. "Look, I'm going after a madman who ruled my timeline with an iron fist. I came back to this time to stop his evil machinations before he can accomplish them. He's suddenly decided I'm no longer a threat, even though it has been foretold I will bring him down. He is the one wanting to cross whatever you and your friends are hiding."
The woman only thought for a moment. "If it helps any, you shouldn't worry about his iron fist anymore. There are going to be a lot bigger iron fists to worry about soon enough. And, if this despot of yours does cross our path, he will suffer his own Apocalypse."
She departed with the Irene and Blaquesmith baffled by her words. For the first time he has come to this timeline, Cable seemed truly haunted by what some unknown has said. With that Weapon X departed from the safe house as Kane started to stir.
"Whatever hit me is going to get it." Kane sat up and came face to face with Blaquesmith.
"You are quite outnumbered, I suggest you do not move." Blaquesmith communicated with a stern voice.
"Beat it Igor, I'm only after Frankenstein." Kane unceremoniously shoved Blaquesmith aside as he looked around for Cable.
"If you call me the bride buddy, you're in real trouble." Irene stood in Kane's path of reaching Cable.
"Move, or be moved." Kane clutched his hands in preparation.
Irene still stood her ground. "Go for it."
"ENOUGH!" Cable's yell caught the attention of all. "This is extremely pointless to argue and it is wasting time. Garrison if you want to find out who replaced you she just left."
"SHE! I'll come back to square things off with you old man, once I take care of the lady." Kane quickly exited in search of the other Weapon X.
Cable shook his head. "So much for those two, they should take care of each other. Now, before we were so rudely interrupted. Irene, I would like you to still go and work for the Bugle. We could use as much information as possible on this thing, this time without drawing specific attention to us."
"Right, and since your target is after the new players on the block, you'll hopefully get more information on him as well." Irene surmised.
Cable responded with a silent stoic face.
"Don't give me that look, mister. You're just lucky your little agenda happens to coincide with mine." Irene spouted off in ire as she poked Cable hard on the chest with her finger.
"By the Bright Lady!" Blaquesmith had been checking the computer systems for any sign of tampering as the two carried on. His exclamation aroused attention to this fact.
"What did she do?" Cable inquired with sudden worry.
"She did eliminate some curious information I gathered, but she also left something." Blaquesmith pointed to the screen as he brought up the information.
"OATH!" Cable exclaimed in great surprise.
It displayed a name of an expert mechanic and blacksmith, Nestor Forbes. His location and one obvious connection about a rare chemical that turned metal blue.
Kane had seen the rather bulky still outside, obviously communicating the success of her mission to her commanders.
"Lady, a have a bone to pick with you." Kane prepared to shoot his hand once more.
"Look, I don't have time to play games. You got fired because you're the old model. It's was high time for something new to replace you." She turned to face him as she once again unsheathed the metal claws.
"Borrow bits and pieces from older Weapon X program members did we? Here, let me give a burnt face to help keep that thought." Kane activated his shoulder cannon. R2 Shoulder Plasma Cannon engaged.
The laser hit her protective helmet. She reeled back from the blow as the exo-suit slammed to the ground with a loud clanking noise.
"So much for the new and improved." Kane boasted as he prepared to finish the job with the laser cannon.
The woman rolled over and folded the exo-suits arms beneath it as Kane was confounded by the move. Four tires came out, two from the forearms and two from the lower half of the legs. Kane rolled his eyes as the exo-suit raced out of his way.
"You have to be kidding me. What next? You're going to pop a wheelie?"
The exo-suit swerved and raced at Kane who was caught off guard by its actual speed and the sheer oddity of it being used in such a manner.
"No, just your head!" The exo-suit flipped up as the woman practically smashed Kane's face in with the first blow.
The pounding fist stunned Kane as he clasped at his jaw. "Lady, you just bought yourself a death warrant." Kane spat at a tooth and some blood at the exo-suit. FULL ARSENAL ENGAGED.
The woman made the exo-suit dodge each volley of blasts gracefully as Kane yelled on in a battle cry.
"I've had ENOUGH!" The woman eventually dodged all the blasts and edged herself closer to Kane. She came within a few feet as she brought down the metal claws on Kane as they severed his cybernetic arms from him. He yelled in agony as he went unconscious from the shock. She picked up the arms and placed them in a specific pattern on his body.
"X marks the spot." She targeted Kane as another blast hit her dead center.
"That's quite enough." Cable jumped out from the shadows as he wielded his glowing Psimatar Lance.
"I did you a favor and you sent that piece of cyborg junk after me. Haven't you heard the line about a woman scorned?" The suit's internal repair systems already kicked in to fix the damage
"He went after you on his own accord, but that's no reason to kill the man. Now, back off." Cable kept the Psimatar pointed at Weapon X.
"Mister, I back off from no one!" She went full charge at Cable, who released another burst of stored telekinetic energy from the Psimatar. She easily dodged it and swiped the spear right from Cable's hand. Before he could react, the woman split the Lance in half on her knee. She was knocked back by the released energy from the broken weapon.
Cable ducked then felt an overwhelming sensation of rage. She had managed to destroy the one thing that represented something meaningful. A symbol of his hope for a better future, it was meant to be the weapon that would bring Apocalypse down, but now that has changed. Cable knew of no way to create such a weapon in this timeline.
He did not speak as he walked over to the smoldering Weapon X exo-suit. At this point of time, he wanted revenge for a weapon lost. He could think of retribution in one manner. He noticed a small crack in the clear helmet, enough to search the woman's mind for specific information. Then, Cable proceeded to take the exo-suit apart piece by piece with his telekinesis. Cable had a sudden overwhelming feeling and searched the shadows, he was still being watched. Then, he went back in the safe house and carried the damaged Kane and his two metal arms on his shoulder. Marissa Fairborne would awake to her dream and creation scattered in parts before her eyes.
Some time later.
"The repairs are complete. He'll live." Cable noted to a concerned Irene.
"It's getting late, I guess I better call it a night. I don't want to be late for my job interview." Irene smiled.
Cable picked up the thoughts of several minds. "Just one moment. I think there are some others you would like to meet."
The proud tall Nubian woman entered first. "Irene, I don't think you have yet to have the distinct pleasure of meeting Cable's team, X-Force."
Next, entered several individuals, all mutants.
"The name's Tabitha Smith, a.k.a. Meltdown." The perky blonde shook Irene's hand.
Irene gazed up at the next member, a towering strong Native American figure. "James Proudstar. I just use my last name for a Codename now. I was called Warpath."
"I suppose you were on one at some time?" Irene seemed a bit concerned at the alias.
He bowed his head. "You might say that."
"Ignore the poor amigo. He lost his entire village some time ago. Still has the loss hanging over his head." This mutant was still using his power as he was pitch black and Irene could see the release of energy from him.
"I can only image." Irene said sympathetically.
"You wouldn't want to..." Proudstar muttered beneath his breath.
"I'm Sunspot." The mutant powered down to his normal appearance of a Latino. "But, the real name is Robert DeCosta."
The next woman entered, and both exchanged a glance of familiarity.
"We met." The albino woman with a large black tattoo around her left eye said coldly.
"Domino, I presume. And what about your real name?" Irene ignored the icy shoulder.
"If I knew it, I wouldn't tell you." Domino looked over at the groaning Garrison.
"What happened to him?"
"The new Weapon X. I'm surprised you didn't see her picking up what was once her battle suit." Cable spoke with a touch of loathing.
"We did see a craft departing as we flew in. Perhaps her friends came to retrieve her." Storm reported. "By your tone of voice, it sounds as though she accomplished her mission."
"She destroyed the Psimatar. It's no matter, now. I'm glad you all came, but I only required Domino. "
"Well sir, I don't mean to be rude." Irene noticed three more people enter, the one blond haired young man speaking had quite the southern drawl. "But, the way Storm sounded, we thought you could use all the help you could get."
"I appreciate it Sam. But X-Force is not the Twelve. Rachel gave me a premonition about another team I must form in order to defeat Apocalypse."
"Well, I guess we just joined up in order to have the team disbanded." A Native American woman confronted Cable.
"Dani, I'm not disbanding the team. I have to admit. Sam is right. I could use some extra hands. The New Weapon X is just the beginning of my troubles."
"Alright! What can we do sir?" Sam's jumped at the mention of being able to help Cable. Irene noticed there was an obvious father son dynamic between them.
"Slow down there Guthrie. I think we let the man talk."
"Thank you, Jesse."
"You know my name?" The young black man was astounded by the use of his name.
Cable gave a slight smile. "I do keep tabs on who joins and leaves X-Force Mr. Bedlam. I know as much as I need to about you."
"That's why he is or was our leader." There was a fourth hiding behind the trio.
"Theresa, glad you made it."*
The red headed woman glimmered with pride. "I kept the team warm for you, with Sam's help of course."
Storm grew a bit uneasy as the number of people in the room made it quite crowded and small. "If you can excuse me, I must go outside for a moment."
"Claustrophobic?" Irene noticed the woman pale as she hurried outside.
Cable nodded. "I'll go. Catch up with what the team knows and you might get enough information for the Bugle's editor to hire you on the spot."
Irene nodded. "Good idea."
"Alright, Ms. Merryweather here is a reporter, so I want you to give her all the information you have about what has happened lately. Then, she'll make a full report to me and we'll go from there."
The team nodded with great disappointment. They wanted some full-blown action and not spouting off what they have experienced to some news hound.
"I'll go make sure Storm is okay." Cable departed as Irene escorted the team to a bigger room.
Cable ran to catch up to Storm, who as quick as wind even when walking.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be fine Nathan. And what about you?" She slowed down her pace a bit.
"Fine. I'm at a loss though. Even with the Twelve, I don't have a weapon that can defeat Apocalypse."
"Nathan, as part of this new team, I must tell you that one singular weapon will not make a difference. It will be the combined effort. We shall defeat Apocalypse together."
Ororo's bold words did little to comfort him.
"I hope so, but I think the Twelve were meant to handle Apocalypse's minions while I fulfilled my mission with a specific weapon. I can't help but feel a sense of loss." Cable got the odd feeling of being watched again.
Ororo noticed the look on Nathan's face. "What is it?"
He looked over at a street corner where he thought he saw a shadow of something move, in the darkness of night a rather large weapon was lying out in the open. He grabbed her arm and pointed out the oddly colored gun.
"By the Bright Lady. Who would leave such a thing so openly?" Ororo was stunned by the size and wondered why no one had noticed it before.
Cable looked up at the street sign. His eyes grew even wider. "I don't think this is coincidence."
The street was the 12th as Cable rushed over to get the weapon. He grabbed and was surprised he did not have to use a small part of his telekinesis to lift the rather large gun, which seemed as light as a feather.
Storm was at a loss on whether to complain or to be happy. "Cable, do you think Rachel really left this for you?"
"I can't ignore the implications Ororo. This gun looks like something from my future, perhaps it was a backup in case the Psimatar was destroyed."
A low guttural growl echoed from the shadows, as a large black metallic panther darted in front of the pair.
"OATH!" Cable instantly pointed the gun at the creature without hesitation. It seemed to smile at the response, and then just as quickly disappeared back into the dark void of the shadows. Both were at a loss for words at the small altercation.
After regaining his thought back to the matter at hand, Cable looked at the weapon and considered Ororo's words carefully.
"I can't ignore the message and I can't leave it here. Besides, it's does have a natural feel to it."
Ororo shook her head. "That is the soldier speaking in you Nathan. But, you are correct. It would be madness to leave it here. Now, on to other matters. What are Domino and I to do next? Perhaps that creature had something to do with the premonition as well."
"I don't know. Rachel left only those two clues. But, I got the name and location for The Mechanic of Apocalype's armor. I may need everyone's help on this one. One half to find out what that creature was and if it is related and the other to raid The Mechanic's small factory."
"Very well. I am relaxed now despite that weapon you wield. Let us tell the others."
Cable and Storm walked back to the Safe house with Cable's new weapon.
