The Blackbird touched down just outside of the facility which, as had been stated, did appear to be abandoned. They could clearly see some of the rust off the one pristine iron doors and the walls were crumbling. Still, fully aware of how appearances were deceptive, the ragtag team disembarked from the Blackbird, ready for anything.
The gates were easy. Kitty grabbed onto Scott and Lance, phasing them both through, and Bobby ice bridged the remaining members of the team over. They were inside the perimeter. So far, so good.
"Kitty, go scout the loading area. Lance you go with her," ordered Scott, knowing Lance would likely go whether he ordered or not. "The rest of you come with me," he said, as they made their way to the side door. The place may have been abandoned or not, but if it wasn't the main doors may've been a trap.
Besides... if it wasn't abandoned... why was the door locked?
"Here, let me..." said Bobby, stepping forward and icing up. "I'll freeze the door, you can knock it down..." he said, but stopped as Scott's hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"No, that might make too much noise... someone could hear it."
"Aw come on man, you know me. Trust me I can do it with as little noise as possible," he replied with one of his cocky, trademarked Bobby grins.
The sort of grin that meant trouble.
"No Iceman, we'll wait for Shadowcat to get back..."
"Come on man I can do this!"
A very loud boom broke off their conversation, as both of them all but jumped out of their skin, watching as the door swung lazily on its now broken lower hinge. The doorknob was completely blasted away, while Tabby looked up at them. If Bobby was the king of cocky grins, Tabby was the queen of innocent smirks.
"What? This way is faster," she remarked, stepping inside and slipping off the sunglasses that were part of her uniform. Her new one, at least. The thing she'd worn as a Bayville Siren.
Scott rolled his eyes behind his visor, silently cursing under his breath as Tabby moved on ahead. Thinking quickly he blocked off anyone from following her, turning back to Bobby. Great, things were already getting bad if he was relying on Bobby of all people.
"Iceman," he said. "Wait for Shadowcat and Avalanche to get back... everyone else with me," he said, again taking charge of the situation. Scott and his ragtag followers made their way inside, catching up with Tabby as they enter the main production area. They found themselves in a large, open area in what appeared to be a metal working facility. Some of the larger machines were marked with the 'Legacy' corporation logo. A number of canisters lay to one side of the room, some overturned, with great silver lids lying nearby, tarnished with rust. But most interesting of all was the battle damage.
"I recognize these marks," remarked Spyke, tracing some slices into the solid steel of one machine. He held his fist against it, and allow three bone spikes to shoot forth from between his knuckles. They matched perfectly.
"Wolverine," stated Scott in confirmation, as the others moved in. Bobby, Lance and Kitty joined them in the center of the room. "But what does that mean?"
"It means," came a new voice. "That this is the end for your kind, mutants!"
The X-Men and their allies dropped down, powering up their mutations and preparing to fight, searching for the source of the voice. It came in the form of a single, lone man on one of the high catwalks. A man with brown hair, streaked with gray, and a thick moustache. Dressed in a black, quasi-military uniform. With a SHIELD logo on the shoulder patch.
Trask.
"Welcome to the end of your species, you filthy mutants," he said, sneering down at them.
"The end I see is yours!" replied Cyclops, taking aim and snapping off a shot, aiming at Trask's chest to knock him out. To his surprise, the blast barely pushed him back a foot or so. The scientist stumbled, but did not fall. He didn't even appear injured.
"What...?"
"You mutants are not the only ones to benefit from mankind's technology," remarked Trask, indicating the hole in his jacket what Cyclops had blasted him. Underneath he had on some sort of body suit... but of a strange material... something red...
Ruby quartz!
"Iceman!" he shouted. "Take him out!"
"Don't even think about it," replied Trask, snapping his fingers. All around the click of guns was heard, and from the catwalks and behind the machines, soldiers poured out, surrounding the small ragtag team of mutants.
"Nobody move," ordered Cyclops, hand still resting on his visor. He was betting most of the soldiers didn't have similar body armor. Ruby quartz wasn't as rare as adamantium, but it wasn't found in abundance either. Besides, Trask had at least one weak point. Next time he'd aim for the head.
"Wise idea," stated Trask, folding his arms across his chest.
"Well, what's wrong? You gonna give us some 'this is for the good of humanity speech'?" asked Bobby sarcastically.
"Why bother? In another few hours, you'll all be dead anyway," remarked Trask. "My friend was very useful in providing me with the perfect answer to the mutant problem," he added, indicating a platform descending down to join Trask near the catwalk. And standing in it, looking out of place in a professional business suit, was none other than the head of the Legacy company.
Guy Spears.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hank?"
Hank lifted his head, glancing at the doorway. Patronete stood their, with a slightly worried look on his face.
"The Seftons are here," he stated quietly. "Should I...?"
Hank nodded, having no desire to face the Seftons right now. He might startle them. True, they knew about Kurt, and accepted him now, but they knew nothing about most of the other mutants at the Institute. He had no desire to startle them with his appearance. Letting Patronete and Moira deal with the situation was more prudent.
"Keep them isolated!" he called out over his shoulder. Patronete nodded, making his way out to get the Seftons and show them their now sick daughter.
Hank returned to his research. The last thing he needed now of all times was more sick patients.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Spears?! Come down here! I got a bone to pick with you!" shouted Spyke angrily.
"Who the hell are you?" demanded Spears, peering down at Spyke, clearly not recognizing him.
"I'm the man who's gonna carve your name in a tombstone!" said Spyke, allowing great huge spikes to extend along his arms and fists. The guards around them shifted uneasily, but no fire broke out just yet. Unnoticed by anyone else, Boom-Boom quietly slipped a hand behind her back, getting Shadowcat's attention and winking, as she leaned back against one of the great empty vats.
"Wait a minute... I remember you," remarked Spears, peering down at Spyke. "You're that punk mutant from the factory! You nearly ruined my business!"
"You were killing innocent people!"
"Mutants aren't people!"
Spyke nearly lost it, then and there, and would've gladly gone Wolverine on the entire place, his teammates be damned, if Cyclops and Iceman hadn't grabbed his shoulders, restraining him. And barely.
"We're more alike than you care to admit!" shouted up Shadowcat, addressing both Trask and Spears. "Even Mastermold thought so!"
Trask grimaced, that particular barb sunk deep. He could almost hear it all over again. That mechanized voice. Mutants... -are- human. The very thought of what Mastermold has said still sent shivers down Trask's spine. It was unthinkable. To believe that mutants were anything like what pure, normal humans were. Completely unthinkable.
"The question's academic," remarked Spears, covering for his temporarily taken aback comrade. Roughly pushing Trask, the two got into the elevator and descended down to join the mutants, now that they were safely under the watch of the soldiers.
A bright light formed between Boom-Boom's closed fingers.
"Soon you mutants will all be gone. The virus will wipe out each and every one of you," remarked Spears. "My own personal scientists have predicted no more than six or so hours left before you all start dropping dead. As it is, you all might not last even half that long," he added, drawing out a vial of clear greenish liquid from his jacket. He didn't need to explain what it was, the gathered mutants could easily guess it was dangerous, the way he held it. "This is a concentrated, more infectious version of the Legacy Virus. It will kill you all in less than an hour, if I choose to release it now."
"We wouldn't be the only ones," remarked Iceman, still struggling to hold Spyke back. "You guys might not have much longer either, if you've been exposed to your own virus."
"What on earth are you talking about, you stupid kid?" asked Spears, stepping right in front of him. With a large number of armed guards around, he felt moderately safe. Trask lurked in the background, arms folded, still sulking from the remark about his deficient super computer.
"Humans aren't immune to the virus... its started to infect normal people," replied Iceman, his tone light, but his words were even colder than usual as he added "Just like you."
Shadowcat gently nudged Avalanche, signaling with her eyes to be ready. He nodded, giving no outward indication as his hands tensed up.
"You're lying," stated Trask. "You're all nothing but liars who'd do anything to save your own skins! You're a filthy genetic scourge and we will cleanse the earth of you!"
"Cool it Trask," replied Spears.
Everyone's eyes was drawn to the drama as Spears and Trask continued to torment their captives, deliberately drawing out their suffering, each side throwing out insults and promises, but no blows were yet exchanged. Unnoticed by all, a single charged time-bomb dropped from Boom-Boom's hands, and she kicked it backwards, praying it hit something important...
And boom.
The area exploded into action as Boom-Boom's time bomb went off, guards looking every which way to find out where the unknown attack had come from. And then the mutants sprung. Avalanche thrust out his hands, and half a dozen guards went stumbling to their feet, as the entire facility shook from the force of his powers...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...and below, in a holding facility.
The walls cracked. Wolverine raised his head, glancing up.
"Avalanche," he said with a smirk.
After their failed escaped, overwhelmed by Sentinels, they'd been moved to another holding facility. They'd been shackled against the wall, arms and legs so tight it nearly cut off blood circulation. As it was, the new crack in the wall ran just along Wolverine's iron shackle holding one of his arms in place. And... with a burst of strength...
There. The iron shackle came loose and hit the ground. His arm came free and his claws slid from their sheaths. Sabertooth and X23 grinned as they realized they were going to escape.
"I think they started the party without us," he remarked with a wicked smirk.
Author's Notes:
And finally Trask and Spears reveal themselves as the evil masterminds behind this whole plot. So now it all adds up. A virus similar to Pow-R8. Sentinel's holding the Weapon Xee's. Its yet another evil duo, brought to you from the same person who brought you Trask and Wraith! Yet another wonderful reference to 'Nullification' with the mention of Mastermold. Whom may not be as gone as some people think. When do psychotic computers die, anyway? Brainiac seems to hang on after being blown up at least half a dozen times. Another reference was the ruby quartz armor. I believe it was Glaivester who suggested the idea to me at the end of 'Nullification' if I ever did a sequel. It was a brilliant idea, I admit. Cyclops's own personal kryptonite. And we've got six hours left until mutants, and then humans, start dying. Oh I love being so deliciously evil.
Nessie6: Well I figured there had to be some reason they named it in the comics, but I never found out why, so I made up the reason. Pietro later, he's still sick now. But if you read my other stories you know I'm into character inflection and reunions for big happy endings. Though this time'll be a little sadder. Don't worry though, both Pie-Pie and sister Wa-Wa will get their chance to shine.
DoubleL27: Sure, convenience, that's it. Course not, Fury says that all the time. Its practically his way of saying go ahead. I know Scott and Lance are similar, they're like two facets of one person. At least in Evo. Or have you noticed how they act with their significant others? Its eerily similar.
Todd fan: It was spreading before! Now it is threatening all the lovable normal humans! Like, uhm... Arcade! And, er uh... well we don't like him... or her... well, Arcade at least! And Amanda!
Rogue14: Wait until you see my plans for Annihilation. Then talk to me of lines. I have only just begun! Muwahahahahahahah! More coming quick as I can get it out.
Elrohirthewriter: I know they mutate. Like that virus in Outbreak with the monkey's. I did know about Moira, but for now I think I'll let her live, I have more use for her later. But thanks anyway. Any info is always appreciated. And yes of course Mystique and Destiny are close, I know. Maybe -really- close, if you catch my drift.
Pyro-iz-hot: Well I do try to avoid errors but they happen all the time, so don't feel bad about pointing them out. I'll update as quick as I can, trust me. And plenty of your fav Pyro to come.
Tora C. Barton: You can have Logan, just leave me X23 to glomp. Deal? Great! Besides, Logan doesn't seem like the sort of person who enjoys being glomped. Well I guess neither does X23, but that's beside the point! Enjoy the rest of the story to come.
Snitter in Rivendell: She's a latent mutant. But no powers... at least, not yet. I'm still not sure where I want to go with Amanda, leave her human or make her a mutant or sorceress or what. So I'm working into it gradually. Of course Magneto kicks ass! You don't declare war on an entire species and not have the ball bearings to carry it out!
Risty: That's all I need. And actually, since you asked, I got two plans in mind actually. Well, actually all my fics are slowly working towards the future of the X-Men we saw in the Ascension visions. But my two big plans are: Age of Apocalypse and Pheonix Saga. So to answer, yes, plenty can go wrong for the mutants. Plenty.
The Rogue Witch: Yeah, but I love mismatched teams. Just the core X-Men means they'll be efficient and competent. No fun there. Now we got arguing and ego-clashing. Hope you're enjoying the latest chapter.
Comet-hime: Maybe a little of both for Guy, but he'll get what he deserves. I have yet to write a story where the bad guy wins. Or gets away completely scot-free, for that matter. And she didn't tell anyone 'cause she wanted to keep helping Kurt. Love makes us do foolish things, sometimes.
Taineyah: Hehehe, jk. I never do random deaths. Unless its Jean... or Havok... or Gambit... or pre-Morlock Spyke. I'm not killing Amara! Have you seen my story? No Amyro! Tabitha/Amara forever! And Todd/Wanda! Well, maybe not forever for them.
Sandoz: 'course he's gone up in the world, with an evil buddy in crime like Trask. And unfortunately, its just those two. No evil Sinister in the background cackling in the shadows. He put a hand on his glasses once, that's almost worse than raising his hand. But I see your point. Cajun to die, gotcha. Wish I could, but I'd be swamped by Romy fans and they'd rip me to pieces. And very true, 'cause I sorta recall one of comic Legion's personalities was a terrorist or something. And I do care! If you make a sequel, nothing against Tabby, but you'd better put Kurt where he belongs with Amanda! Hehehe, JK... your work is good, you don't need my advice.
