Chapter 7: X-Force
The stillness of the night was split by the sounds of Theresa Rourke, a.k.a. Siryn's sonic powers. Her scream ripped through the beasts that had managed to get from the mansion into the surrounding forest. Like all the others, she had responded to Xavier's call. But X-Force had been given a different mission. Some of the aliens had escaped the mansion, and there were other exits from the Morlock tunnels besides the mansion. Cable had ordered them to stop the things before they were able to attack anyone else.
Below her, Shatterstar dodged the claws and fangs that threatened to rend him into tiny bits. What an absurd notion, he thought, That anything as mindless as these things could be a threat to a warrior born and bred. His sword cut through one of the neck of the creature nearest him. His swing was so quick that his sword did not get any of the acid that this thing used for blood on it. The head fell to the ground and Shatterstar ignored it, looking for a new opponent. In his distraction, his foot came within range of the still thrashing teeth. The alien's mouth clamped shut on his ankle, crushing bone and shredding flesh.
"Za's vid!" he shouted in pain. He stabbed his sword into the head, ignoring the acid that began to destroy his sword. "What manner of creature is this that will not stay dead?" He looked up at the approaching aliens, eager to take advantage of his incapacitation. They did not get the chance. Once again, Siryn's scream tore through them. She held nothing back, fearing for the safety of her team-mate. She landed beside him, and used her power to shatter the jaw that imprisoned his foot. Multiple explosions signaled the presence of another of her friends, Tabitha Smith, Meltdown.
"Meltdown! Can ye hold these things by yer self? I've got t' get Shatterstar back t' the mansion."
"No prob Siryn!" She punctuated her statement with a handful of timebombs that blew apart more of the aliens.
Siryn. Cable called her telepathically. Status report.
"Shatterstar's hurt, I'm taking him back to the mansion."
No, you can't take him there, he won't be safe. Wait for the all clear from Xavier before you even approach the mansion.
"Where do ye suggest I take him?" she asked him irritably.
Bring him to my position, I'll protect him with a TK field.
"Caliban does not like bug things Patch Eye!" Caliban yelled over the noise of battle. He and Domino, whom he called Patch Eye were sealing all the exit's to the Morlock Tunnels that weren't in the mansion. Caliban located the exit's, being a former Morlock himself, he knew where they were. He also held the exits shut while Domino sealed them. But first they had to fight their way to them.
"You're not supposed to like them Cal!" Domino replied. "And don't call me Patch Eye."
"Sorry Patch Eye." Their conversation broke off when another wave of aliens came at them.
Domino had long since set her gun to rapid fire. She set down a barrage of fire that decimated the army of aliens. But they just kept coming, and coming and...they were gone.
Cable they've stopped coming, could we have destroyed them all?
I doubt it Domino, but it seems that they've been cleared from the mansion as well. But I think you'd better seal that last exit anyway just to be sure.
"Patch Eye is quiet. Is Patch Eye talking to Cable Nathan?"
"Yes Caliban, now I've got to pay attention."
Cable. Professor Xavier called from the mansion.
What is it Professor?
We have been summoned. Have you been keeping up with the news lately?
Yes Professor I have. Is this about the missing person reports?
Indeed. It seems that these creatures are no longer content to strike at those in the sewers and subways. Most, if not all of the super powered individuals in New York have had run ins with these same creatures. Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four has summoned all he could get in touch with to the Baxter Building. We're also to pass the word along to anyone we come into contact with.
We're on our way Professor. He focused his attention elsewhere. X-Force report to the mansion immediately!
Next: New York City!