Cable # 4
"A Matter of Consequence"
By Karl V.
"Sir, I don't mean to be rude. But we should disband the team for now. I mean, we'll do nothing but get in the way of your goal. And, who knows how many of us are going to be in your Twelve. " Sam looked at Nathan while he bowed his head.
Jesse shot a glance at Sam. "Look, I just joined this rag tag bunch just so you could split them up. I don't think so. It's not like Professor Xavier made one half of his X-men quit when he had two teams. Think of the X-Force as the golden boys, while the Twelve are in the blue."
"Jesse has a point Sam. Just because I form another team doesn't mean X-Force needs to disband. In fact, I could use X-Force as a backup. Apocalypse seems as bound to his future, as much as I've been." Nathan stated while placing his hand on Sam's shoulder.
"Sir?" Sam noticed Nathan's odd smirk.
Nathan seemed to think for a moment. "What Rachel said earlier weren't clues to who the Twelve were. She implanted the chosen when she hit me with that psionic message. I know who they are, but I don't want those Twelve as my team. I want a team of my own design, people who can put a stop to Apocalype's terror. Besides, Rachel comes from an alternate future that isn't forged yet. Maybe her knowledge of who the Twelve are may be completely wrong for this time."
Storm seemed overwhelmed by what Nathan was saying. "So, what does this hold for Domino and I?"
"You two are still on the team. It's odd that some of the choices Rachel gave me will be ones I would make, but either way I will accomplish my mission. It's just a matter of time. By the way, where is Caliban?" Cable noticed the absentee member of X-Force.
"He's gone sir. He's been missing for a couple of months. That's why we all came." Sam uneasily explained.
Nathan nodded. "I don't like the timing. This exactly why you need to stay together. I want you to continue the search for him, now. Domino and Storm, I want you to stay here. I just hope you find Caliban before it's too late."
"Why is Caliban here? Is Caliban supposed to serve Apocalypse now?" The big gray mutant asked the blue armored figure.
Apocalypse chuckled. "I did not chose you to become one of my elite. Like my main adversary, I choose you for your unique tracking abilities. I require them for the oncoming battle."
"Then Caliban will be set free?" The hopeful mutant asked.
Apocalypse gave a light smile. "You will never be truly free until I say so. Although you will not be one of my Horsemen, I need you to find one. The man called Nathan Essex; he goes by the more familiar name of Sinister. Though he tried to betray me, he must learn that he still has a master. Go now, and find him."
Caliban nodded his head in fear. Then he looked to his right.
"Caliban see feathered friend later?"
"Yes, I promise." A voice from the shadows said coldly.
Caliban left to accomplish his mission as Archangel stepped out into the light.
"And why did you bring me here. I've already been your dog of War once. Doesn't make me one of the weak?" Archangel told Apocalypse with loathing.
"Yes, you have proven yourself weak despite the gifts I gave you. That is why I relinquished the metal wings from your body. However, you will serve another purpose. You will tell me who the Twelve are so that I will be prepared for their coming." Apocalypse paced the floor as he said this to the X-man.
"What? Don't you have that sandman lackey of yours to tell you who they are?" Archangel crossed his arms over his chest.
Apocalypse gave Archangel a dark glance. "The Twelve he put upon his wall were minor blobs of human figures that I could not distinguish except for one, the Gatherer. And he was separate from the Twelve. I believe you know him."
Archangel laughed. "So you come to the weak to find out who the strong are? Or are you really afraid that you are one of the weak?"
Apocalypse backhanded the X-man, and Archangel reeled from the blow. "Do not tempt me boy. I am in no mood, for I am the strongest. I am not weak to any mutant. Now, you will go to Cable, and then report to me the ones he has gathered."
Archangel rubbed his chin as he got back up. "I don't care, what you want. I won't betray my friends again."
Apocalypse gripped Archangel by the throat. "Do not tempt me whelp. You shall be my Hermes, for the mercury rises to its highest point of the game."
"Fine, as long as you change me back. If it is going to cost my soul, at least give me back my humanity." Archangel barely got out the words.
Apocalypse smiled. "Very well. I have other methods of culling the weak from the strong, other than with direct physical confrontation."
Archangel ignored the statement and flew off on his mission. Ozymandias walked up to Apocalypse as he saw the X-man leave.
"I trust he will follow his mission without warning the others." He looked up to the tall brooding mutant.
"I care not what he does. All that matters is the survival of the fittest. And the first test begins soon." Apocalypse walked off into the shadows.
They say all the tests are done and they are ready for the big moment. One of their stooges popped in and reported that The Department H's Weapon X Project in Canada has been dismantled by a mutant in New York. I attempted a smile. I know that's the hero, playing his role. Also, I am privy to a little information on my strange benefactors. It tells me these guys are International. Also, there's another player in the field, as their voices seemed concerned by the news.
I try to look out but the view isn't that great and all I can see are indiscriminate shadows. I manage to ask them if they've used it before on humans. There is a silent pause then one of them explains that it has been used on chimps. I hear a few chuckles as though it's some type of inside joke with them. There is silence again, and I hear a booming voice say it's time. I prepare myself for the worst. I feel a beam of light scan me at first, nothing happens. I grunt in final acceptance that it didn't work. But, they don't pull me out, so I wait another minute. Another beam comes down upon my skin; I can feel a slight tingle as begins to hit. The sensation is odd especially when I feel my own ears growing back. No pain as the thing completes the restoration of the rest of my body. The laser finishes the job and there is silence once more. I hear the hydraulic hiss as the door to the odd contraption opens, and a raspy voice tells me I can come out. I take my first step and notice no pain or any side effects. They have an assistant grab a mirror, and he brings it over to me while they remain in the shadows. I take a look, and my jaw hangs in total awe. I'm back to normal as though I was never burned. Now, I have a second chance and speaking of which, time to get down to business.
"I know everything comes with a price. Name yours."
The one with the raspy voice responded. "We need you to confirm the identity of a weapon. It is very important that you do this. We will give you a device to confirm what we need to know."
The assistant goes into the shadows and comes back out and hands me the little gizmo. I turn it on and it starts beeping like crazy.
The raspy voice sounded extremely annoyed. "Turn that off until you reach your objective. The weapon we seek to identify belongs to a mutant from the future. We were given some information you encountered this mutant before you met with your unfortunate accident. We want you to use the device on the weapon, and confirm its identity by the sound of the beep."
"Fine, I know the routine. I'll complete the mission. I just need some supplies and also one more request. Let me continue my personal business with the mutant after I complete your mission."
"No, the weapon must remain in tact. You must settle your personal differences later. "
Okay, the guy seems more interested in the piece rather than the mutant. I'm assuming these guys are from the future, probably some enforcement group. And the mutant has got a weapon, which they may consider too dangerous for this timeline. I just shake my head at the thought of all of this. Oh well, I get my shot at the hero again. That's all Jack Truman needs.
Irene walked toward the entrance of the safe house to see Domino and Ororo outside. She noticed the expressions on their faces. "What's going on?"
"Nathan has sent X-Force in search of Caliban, a mutant tracker and missing member of the team." Ororo replied as she walked up to Irene.
"And you didn't notice it?" Irene looked at Domino who sighed in frustration.
"We noticed. That's one of the reasons we came here." Domino replied coldly.
Irene nodded and continued inside.
"What is the deal with that reporter anyway?" Domino asked Ororo.
Ororo looked at the woman intently. "She is writing Cable's exploits. And, there is nothing further involved, if that is what you were getting at."
"Who do you think Cable will pick? I mean there has to be a couple of obvious choices." Domino changed topics.
"You surprise me with your curiosity, Domino. I have no doubt that Cable would choose his parents, Scott and Jean Summers. They helped him stop Apocalypse in the future." Ororo realized what she had just said.
"Yeah, the Twelve that are destined to fail. What happens if we do succeed? I mean, obviously Rachel has a stake in this. I think killing Apocalypse will ensure her own future, literally. And Nathan, well, I don't know temporal mechanics but..." Domino stopped her line of thinking.
Ororo looked down for a moment. "It would mean we lose the Nathan we know and love, to someone else. He would become whatever alternate version is in Rachel's future."
"Let's make a deal. Nathan is too wrapped up in his mission to think of this. The next time Phoenix Junior rears her head, let's ask her point blank what will happen. And what Cable does in her timeline." Domino looked at Ororo for her reply.
"I agree. Killing a man, even Apocalypse, for the lesser of two evils does not sit well with me. And, I am curious to know Nathan's "other" future as well." Ororo shook Domino's hand.
"Come on, let's see what the reporter has to say, if anything." Domino opened the door as Ororo took a big breath.
"As long as it is brief." Ororo already felt enclosed as she walked in the safe house.
"No, I will not!"
They heard Nathan's voice boom, as they picked up their walking pace.
"Listen, I know how bad his situation is, but I will not use my powers in such a manner. Parker will have to deal with his boss knowing his identity." Nathan noticed Domino and Ororo entering the room.
"What is going on?" Ororo curiously asked.
Irene looked at Nathan and shook her head. Nathan just shrugged at the indirect suggestion.
"Spider-Man's identity has been compromised by the editor of the Daily Bugle. He needs help to wipe the Editor's slate clean." Nathan told her.
"Irene, although I consider Spider-Man a great ally, I must concur with Cable's decision. He should not use his powers in such a manner, despite the situation." Ororo placed her hand on Irene's shoulder in sympathy.
"It's not like he's asking to wipe his memory completely, just the one simple thing." Irene pleaded to Cable.
"It's not as simple as that. I also have to wipe out every memory he is building right now. That would result in a specific block of amnesia. He would eventually figure it all out again." Cable argued.
Irene sighed, as she seemed wore out by all the recent events. "Well I tried. I'm going to get some sleep for a change. I'll see you two later."
Ororo looked at Cable with a deep glance. "Nathan, Domino brought up something that I really didn't give much thought about until now. What happens to you and the future if you succeed in your mission?"
Nathan stared directly into her blue eyes. "I don't know. I never really questioned the outcome of who or what I will become. All that matters is that Apocalypse's reign of terror ends before it can begin."
"Nathan, you can not accomplish this by killing him. It will make him a martyr for the next one who will take his place. You are doing your best by making everyone here aware of his presence and his power. That is what will stop the horrors of your future."
Nathan looked down for a moment. "Look, I have thought out all of the ramifications of what may happen. I'm prepared for whatever will come to pass."
"Even if it is you who replace Apocalypse in the future? Have you not thought of what will become of you if you kill Apocalypse?" Ororo picked up his chin and gazed deep into his eyes.
"I...Oath. Ororo, I've lost so many people including my wife to him. It's not only my destiny that drives me." Nathan clenched his fist.
"I know Nathan." She grabbed his arm as he relaxed and reasserted himself.
"Ororo, I don't want any more blood on my hands. I want to stop this monster here and now. It remains my choice, no matter what." He turned away as Ororo grabbed his arm.
"Nathan, if that is your decision, then there is something I must confess." She whisked him close to her body and gazed deeply one more time into his eyes.
"Ororo..." He shook his head and started to push away. He realized he could not as a strong wind kept him close to the woman. But, unknown to the woman also known as Storm, the wind wasn't necessary.
"As you have decided upon an uncertain future, so will I." With that final statement, she pulled him forward and it was an unrequited love no more.