As he sat by the fire he had recently made, chewing on his venison jerky provided by Antlers, Logan's thoughts wandered to Silverback, his supposed- long-lost brother. This was the kind of thing that happened in bad movies, not in real life!

First, a mutant with a healing factor and the power to change into a werewolf showed up claiming to be his brother. Then, the mutant villain Mesmero hypnotized one of Logan's own teammates into attacking and kidnapping the big hairball. Naturally, the X-Men go off to find him, and what happens? They're attacked by chain saws and he ends up stranded in the Tibet woodlands, separated from his team.

He couldn't help wondering: what was Mesmero's motive? Why did he want Silverback? Had the chain saws been his idea, or was Mesmero only a pawn in some master plan of another? Had he wanted Logan separated from his team? So many questions!

And now, it seemed, that he needed Logan as part of the plan. He was going full force against the X-Men, suddenly insanely desperate to take over one of them. From what Jean had mentally told him, he had already tried taking over her, Scott, and himself, not to mention his earlier success with Nightcrawler. How was the mind molder projecting his powers over long distances? Logan already had a clue: it probably worked on most mutant powers. After all, there was no way that Kurt could teleport all the way to Tibet from Westchester.

Logan stayed on the alert at all times, afraid of a sudden mental ambush by Mesmero. That mutant mastermind was not going to catch him lying down.

And then there was Silverback. Was the story he had presented true? How on earth could Logan be a Brit?! But the again, the story made perfect sense. For years, Wolverine had always had questions about his past. Now he wasn't sure if he wanted the answers. An abusive father made perfect sense in connection with his own uncontrollable rage at times.

At that moment, Logan made a vow to himself. If he ever found his father, he would kill him. Kill him for what he had allowed Logan to become.

And at that moment, Logan's eyelids drifted down and he fell into restless slumber.

"He's asleep, master."

"Very good, Sabretooth. You've done well."

"Thank you master."

The giant stalked off into another hallway of the massive base that Mesmero found himself hiding in.

The mutant rubbed is hands together as if to begin scheming, and focused his eyes on the wall. "Logan…. This is Mesmero…."

"Hello Mesmero…"

Yes! The Wolverine had to be asleep!!! Now, to begin the plan.

"Are you still there Logan?"

"I am still here, Mesmero."

"You will listen to me, right Logan?"

"Correct."

"And you will follow my orders?"

"Correct."

That had to be Wolverine's subconscious talking. Logan had never talked that well in his life!

"Logan, I want you to focus very hard on what I tell you, all right?"

"All right, Mesmero."

"You are afraid of fire…"

"I'm afraid of fire."

"Nothing terrifies you more than fire…"

"Nothing terrifies me more than fire…"

Was there anything else that Mesmero could use as an advantage against the clueless Wolverine? He was no Xavier; attempting mind control again would be futile. As long as he was afraid of fire, signaling would be impossible. But there was one thing more…

"Logan, listen very closely."

"Yes, Mesmero."

"I am going to put a block in your mind, to keep that command from being undone."

"Yes, Mesmero."

Mesmero focused his powers intensely and placed the wall in the mind of Wolverine.

"One more command, all right Logan?"

"All right."

"You will not contact Jean Gray…"

"I will not contact Jean Gray."

"You will not mentally speak to her…"

"I will not mentally speak to her."

"If she tries to put something in your head, you will resist."

"If she tries to put something in my head, I will resist."

"That's a good boy, Logan. When I snap my fingers, you will resume sleeping."

"Yes, Mesmero."

Mesmero gave a quick snap.

"Are you awake, Logan?"

No answer.

Mesmero turned around and walked down the hallways until he reached a large room with a giant red throne at its back.

"S-sir, I have done as requested."

"Then the Gray woman will give Logan no trouble?"

"Affirmative, sir."

"Excellent Mesmero. You have been an able servant to me. You have permission to retire to your quarters."

"Thank you sir."

The figure on the throne let a slim smile show. "Now, now, Mesmero, you needn't call me that anymore. Your job is done, and that will be one f your rewards.

Mesmero gave a bow. "Yes si-… yes Magneto.