Author's note: On to book 7. This story takes place at the same time as books 5 and 6. It will center around Wolverine, Deathstrike, Sabertooth and what they've been up to while the gassy demons and disco trolls were running around back in New York. I expect this tale to be a lot darker than the previous two. It will tie into the continuing story lines and crossovers in the other books, but first... let's get to know our ferial friends a little better...

Book 7 - Palaver - Weapon X

Prologue

Let's palaver, you and I. We're long over due for a chat, don't you think?

I know our past meetings haven't been... stellar. But I'm hoping we've come to a point in all this where we can sit and talk without automatically leaping for each other's throats. Why don't you have a seat?

Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. You just look so surprised. I know... I know. Considering...everything else... I think it's fair to say that our meeting is a little weird, but since we're here, we might as well take advantage... and get a few nagging questions off our chests.

It's nice here. I can understand why she likes it so much. The quiet... the solitude... I don't even mind the cold. But then I never have. Such a place doesn't seem possible...with Alkalai Lake only a few hundred miles east from where we're sitting.

I know what you've been looking for. I can already report, that you won't find it in the bunker just beyond those trees. There's nothing left. The entire compound has been burned out. Not too long ago either. She said... she said she didn't do it. But I'm not so sure.

Never mind... let's not talk about that now. For now, let's talk about us.

How much do you remember? I mean, from before. Before Stryker. I try but... there's nothing left in my head before these claws. Just a nightmare filled with the doctors and the water and the metal. God, I see it almost every time I close my eyes.

It must be the same for you. Isn't that really why you're here? You want to know about your past. Who you were before Stryker. Whatever mission you're on right now, you still somehow wound up here.

Why don't we start with that then?

Let's talk about the assignments we're on for our new bosses. And why wandering around the Canadian wilderness was more important right now than anything Xavier or Magneto asked us to do...

You can go first if you want.

I'm not saying that as some ploy to get information out of you or anything. I really don't give a crap what your boss has you doing. I started this palaver... I'm just trying to be a good host. Then again, if you think this is all bull shit, you can get up and walk away now...

She'll probably be down in a bit to check on us. Just to make sure we didn't kill each other. If she hears us talking, she might not come the whole way to the fire. She seems to like the snow better anyway...

Okay, I know that look, so stop glaring at me. I said I'd shut up, so I'm shutting up. I'll get my turn when you're done.

Gives me time to smoke anyway. I don't know about you, Lady, but reminiscing just makes me crave a good cigar...