Chapter 15

Jubilee murmured and turned over in the bed. Reaching down, Wolverine tucked the blankets around her. He leaned down and pushed a lock of hair out of her face. Poor thing was exhausted, he figured. A wave of anger and guilt moved over him at what had happened. Curse that Saturnine. He shouldn't have done it, gone and kissed her, but it was that or Jubilee's life.

Jubilee murmured in her sleep, and he turned to look at her. He sniffed along her neck and frowned. A low growl escaped, and he realized there was still a trace of that device's stink. Why hadn't he noticed it before? "Dammit… what the HELL does it take to get that filth outta her body?"

Anger and guilt led to a controlled rage. Of all that could have, at least it was HE, and that was little comfort to going against a code that he thought never to break. She was willing, and yet, did that make it right? She was a child. A mature child, but still… He sniffed the air, and tensed. Turning he saw a gold shimmer working through an air duct, and grinned. Slowly the tendrils took on the form of a young boy and stood looking at him with gold eyes. "Selffriend Wolverine do not be alarmed…"

"Good to see ya, kid. But I'm wondering WHY yer here, exactly…"

"The nature of the devices warranted my immediate transfer here… I must examine both females for residual damage…"

"Oh really? I thought I smelled soemthin' still on 'em… but Khaos is too out of it to do anything… an' I thought you was with Amanda an…"

"Correction, only part of self is here. The rest remains linked to the other base," Douglock pointed to a long gold tendril still poked into the air duct.

On one bed lay Jubilee, while the other was occupied by Cerise. Golden tendrils extended and various scanners beamed invisible energies as Douglock's optics scanned both women. With the detached air of an impartial machine, he had no hidden agenda. Even if his curiosity got the better, the claws of Self Friend wolverine would insure he behaved.

"Well, is she gonna be ok?" asked Wolverine.

"Selfriend Wolverine, no concern is necessary. Your technique has grossly inactivated the device effectiveness, however why did you not consult ME in their removal?"

"Didn't know where you were at the time," Logan mumbled.

"No matter. Self detects residual traces of technological implants. However they are simple to remove within the next five minutes…"

"Thanks for droppin' by… wish I'd though of this before…" he mumbled.

"No thanks necessary," said Douglock. He had come to examine the injured, in the hopes that the torture devices had left no lasting impact on both women. While pieces of metal remained implanted, techno organic tendrils were prepared to remove any last vestiges as they slowly extended to implant beneath the necks where the inhibitor collars were.

Golden energy surged momentarily, and Jubilee and Cerise moaned. Khaos rubbed his head, sitting in one corner as Logan paced the room. A minute later, and the tendrils retracted, removing the last implanted pieces. "Done. The implantation was far more considerable than your crude methods had anticipated. Self has detached and removed all pain receptors tied to their neurons. Nanoprobes are working to remove the rest of the damage and should be extracted soon…"

"Mmm, my head," Khaos groaned. "I'm impressed…"

"Your deactivation was only part of the equation. Subsequent removal occurred just in time," Douglock said quickly. Retracting all tendrils he stood and regarded both males.

"So, they all right now? You took the implants out?"

"Affirmative."

"What all DID you remove exactly?" Logan asked. He held out his hand when Douglock extended his hand. Small silvery chips and long wires were tied to bits of silver dust. Logan sniffed carefully and growled.

"Nanotechnology. Cute. All THAT was still inside their nerves?"

"Affirmative, Self friend Wolverine. The devices originating from Idsar 7 are designed to entangle with the subject's nervous system and work their ways into the CNS, eventually intercalating with the subject's major neurons. In effect, the 'clothing' contained a modified techno organic virus. I have neutralized it."

"Anything ELSE we shouldn't know?" Khaos asked. "That technology looks remotely Technomagical, except only a general burst of energy from IBIC neutralized it…"

"You should have consulted self prior. No matter…"

"You know where Kitty an' Wisdom are, right?"

"Query, are you planning to rendezvous with the other members?" Douglock asked.

"Well since YOU got here via Amanda's porting, we'd better get her and the Captain an' Meggan here… that is if 'Manda's up to it… this room makes a handy HQ… an I haven't smelled any signs of Saturnine's guards… which makes me pretty uneasy…"

"Apart from a few patrols, the area has been cordoned off. Only through intercalation with the venting systems did Self enter this chamber, remember…"

"Yeah, oldest trick in the book, but still works pretty good, kid," Logan nodded. "I hope Kitty's gonna come here soon… and then we'll decide what our next move is…"

"Self suggests that adversaries lack of action denotes possibility of a trap to draw us out?" Douglock said. "There is a HIGH probability…"

"Yeah, that's just IT. Who can outlast the other. We've gotta hole up a bit, an' let her think we're hurt worse than we are… and then get our hands on someone to tell us the whole story," said Wolverine. "Khaos, you with me?"

"Yes," he nodded. "Douglock, I'll contact Amanda. Wolverine, why hasn't Shadowcat joined us?"

"Keepin' silence. My guess is she knows Saturnine's playing games, and she aims to play games RIGHT back. See I know how this broad works. She wants to play cat an' mouse. So far we're doin' what she expects. She WANTS us to regroup so she can get her sick thrills. What she's not gonna get is that we ain't gonna PLAY her game an' come out. We'll outlast HER and then wait for HER to slip up…"

"Affirmative. What are instructions for Self?"

"Keep monitoring the kid an' Cerise. An' see if ya can link up with that main computer an' get a gist of where Kurt an' the others are, and if there are any ships that can get us after 'em," Logan nodded. "I'm gonna take a smell see… maybe Pryde's having the devils own time getting' here…"

"I can assist you with my spells," Khaos said. "IBIC and I have enough energy to do that…"

"Fine, do your voodoo," Logan nodded. Khaos chanted, and Wolverine suddenly blurred and shifted as he was cloaked in invisibility. The door slid open, and he quickly rushed out.

Saturnine crossed her legs and leaned back in her comfortable chair. Before her was a long desk, coated with papers and various other microdiscs. Within the heart of the asteroid complex, this was one of the sets of private rooms. Lights were at full power, and she was strangely happy. Although the complex seemed quiet, Saturnine had closed off the compound after the power had cut off. She smiled cruelly, knowing from her instincts that they were trapped like rats in a maze. Of course she deliberately let Wisdom go to rescue Pryde. Depressing another key on the pad of her wristcom, she amused herself with watching Khaos' attempts to remove the torture devices that Maxima had fastened on the Shi'ar woman. A silver brow raised in question at the appearance of the short hairy stocky creature with the foot long claws.

"A new player in the game. Interesting…"

"Mastrex, forgive us," Maxima panted as she rushed into the Guardroom. She saluted.

"I will forgive you for now, because I have them right where I want them," Opal Lun Saturnine announced to her pensive guards.

"Of course Mastrex, but we…"

"I heard the reports Devna gave of the man with the adamantium claws. My database confirms him as one of the X men, recently proved to not be dead…" Saturnine said. "Is this what you confirm in the SHIELD database?"

"Yes. Subject is codenamed Wolverine, with adamantium grafted surgically to his entire skeleton. The other designate, the girl with him is known as Jubilee. Just how they arrived on the station has not been determined…" Devna muttered, pushing buttons on her laptop. She sat at the table to Saturnine's left, flickering through records.

"Interesting. No doubt the one called Daytripper was responsible. She is a sorceress from what I have on file," said Saturnine. "Of no mean ability. Her power far surpasses that excuse of a mage they had called Feron. And the other members of Excalibur are quite seasoned, as opposed to the freakshow they sported before…"

"We were well compensated for the delivery of the Russian… but was it wise to leave the researcher behind?"

"Dr. Mactaggert is of use, but her will is far too stubborn. I have my own experts that can do the same work as she, and I trust Maaga and Drahvin have downloaded all her pertinent files?" Saturnine asked.

"Yes Mastrex…" said Devna.

"Maxima, keep your guards posted on Shadowcat's chamber. I want to know what she will next do… and is the subject Wolverine still occupying the other guestroom with the Shi'ar and the elf?"

"Yes Mastrex… I have them under close observation…as you can see from your viewscreen… but what about the others?"

"The sorceress Daytripper must be shielding the others from us. But no matter. In time she will tire, and we will move…" said Saturnine.

"Pardon your Mastrex, but why do we need concern ourselves with them? Why not let me lead a crack troop so we can flush them out?"

"And spoil my fun? Shame. This new Excalibur is providing me with MUCH sport. I want Shadowcat to think she has outwitted me, and see the extent of her leadership potential since Nightcrawler is gone. Also, the child Jubilee fascinates me. It seems she has potential as well."

"The animal man?"

"He will be MOST useful. That healing factor he exhibited is second to none. I must have him as well in my menagerie. Captain Britain and Meggan are of far less value now if I have the others. But they will continue to make excellent test subjects," Saturnine nodded. "Now… let's see what they do next. Drahven, lead a squad of guards past Pryde's room, and see what she does. Let her defeat you, as she goes to see her mentor Wolverine. I am most interested to let her have her little reunion. Leave Daytripper alone. Let her burn out her power and then we will flush her out…"

"Would she not also be of use?" asked Devna.

"Certainly. As for the bird woman, she is of little interest except as fodder for the crossfire that may ensure. And that male elf seems determined to make her his mate. Since he is from another dimension, perhaps it would be prudent to let him go on his merry way…" said Saturnine. "And keep track of where the portal opens…"

"Do you still not wish to conquer his dimension?" asked Maxima.

"Yes, all in due time. That is why I need the sorceress Daytripper. IF she had the power to bring two X men here, she must have considerable dimensional abilities. I already have the signature of that elf Khaos. When he destroyed the device that trapped the Shi'ar, my computers recorded his frequency. We can track it at our leisure…"

"Brilliant, as always, Mastrex," Devna nodded.

"Can you expect anything else, my sweet?" asked Saturnine as she smiled at Devna, her chief scientist. "Based on her files, how long will it take to burn out her power in a cloaking spell?"

"Her magic is based on the Winding Way. Though powerful, it can be unpredictable by who is on the way before or behind her. At present she is closer to the top, but soon she will be on her way down. In approximately four hours… and then perhaps they will be forced to move…"

"Excellent. Stand ready to capture her with the appropriate dispels Devna. Maxima, stand ready, and if the one called Wolverine misbehaves, you know what to do…"

"Yes Mastrex," they saluted.

"Perfect. Let's see what you're made of, Kitty," Saturnine grinned.

Wisdom soon turned his head to the side, snoring lightly. Kitty lay listening to his heartbeat for a while. Turning all the activities in her head, she set her brain to analyze just what in heck was going on here. Saturnine had a pattern, and Kitty knew it all too well. Now with the addition of two new pieces, one of them an old and dear mentor, the other a wildcard, she knew it was only getting more interesting.

For the moment she supposed that Kurt and Colossus were on that same Shi'ar ship, bound for the Imperium. While part of her wanted desperately to rush after them, she knew that Kurt and Pyoter were no slouches when it came to being captives. Both were X men, and they had a few tricks up their sleeves to stop themselves from getting killed. Also, she had to bide her time and figure out if Saturnine had any ships capable of reaching the same warp velocities. Perhaps Amanda and Khaos could combine their powers to open a portal and thrust them through if there was no other option.

As long as Daytripper was around, they had a fighting chance. Adding Wolverine and his young charge to the roster was a bonus she had not intended. Slowly she stirred, and moved off of Wisdom without wanting to wake him. She had to speak to Logan alone, and hoped that she could slip by.

She showered off as best as possible, and found clothes sitting out. They were the uniform of Saturnine's officer, and she slid it on carefully. Best to be dressed for the occasion, Kitty though. Though it made her sick to think she was playing the game, it was better than running around in the altogether.

"Put the colors on and then deal with weirdness…" she nodded.

Carefully she scribbled a note and slid it under Wisdom's pillow. She kissed him sensually for a moment, wondering if it would be her last. He murmured and she withdrew tears in her eyes. "Sorry Pete, I haveta do this part alone. You'll be safer here…"

Kitty stepped through the walls, interposing her molecules with those of the ship. Before long she had phased quietly into the hallway. She kept to the shadows, feeling the shape of the knife sheathed in her tall thigh boot. A gun was slung at her hip, and her hair was tied back. The boots were high heeled, but by phasing and walking on air, she negated the need for avoiding breaking her ankles.

Occasionally she would listen to a scrap of conversation before sliding her head into a room. So far nothing but the usual guest suites. Yet a few doors up, she grinned. Paydirt. One dip of her head inside she saw shadows, and the movement of shapes that seemed familiar. Someone was shifting slowly, and she moved to stand just outside the door.

Khaos watched as Wolverine slowly inched his way towards the door, and slipped out. In the hallway he slipped into the shadows. His nose twitched, and a small smile came to his face. Of course. She had taken the point. Now began a small test of cat and mouse, as Wolverine slid through the shadows on one side, while Shadowcat phased in and out coming the opposite direction.

Wolverine moved first, not popping his claws but reaching out to sweep quickly. He felt her small body tumbling and then her foot in the small of his back. They exchanged blows in the darkness, neither making a sound. Save the faint exhalation of their breaths.

Kitty gasped as he pulled her into the shelter of one of the rooms, muttering, "C'mere kid…"

"I'm so glad to see you," she whispered, hugging him fiercely as the door slid behind them.

"It's okay, Pun'kin, got the word you'd been kidnapped. Couldn't help but wanna come an' yell at your latest 'interest'…"

"I couldn't believe it… how did you…"

"Thank 'Manda," he chuckled softly, hugging Kitty who refused to let him go. It had been forever since they had seen one another, and she looked good. The kitten was now a cat, and he couldn't be prouder.

"Kurt's gone, Logan," she despaired. "And Saturnine…"

"You can handle her. I know what you're doin'. This caper's your baby… an' ya just gotta tell me what you want me an' Jubes to do…"

"Me leading?" she asked.

"Yep," Logan nodded. "Remember you've got the raw talent. Now it's time to show this broad what yer made of…"

"Of course," she nodded. "And by the way, thanks for not killing Pete."

"He's a pain in the butt, but he's okay," Logan mumbled. "But ya know if he gets outta line…"

"He'd say the same thing about you," she chuckled. "Now… Cerise and Khaos… they're still down?"

"Yeah. Jubes an' the bird lady are restin', but Khaos is ready to go. An' we'd better get connected with the others… unless you've got an idea better than that… Douglock's gonna wanna take a look at ya, cause I smell residuals of that device…"

"How did you…" she asked.

Wolverine's nostrils flared, "Nasty thing probably was the same. You gotta come with me. An' we gotta get Wisdom here too…"

"but…" she said.

"We need him. Let's go back an' get him…" said Logan. "I know ya wanna get personal vengeance on that bitch an all…"

"Pryde, what in soddin hell did ya leave me for? That wasn't nice of ya makin' me worry!" Pete Wisdom interrupted.

Kitty whirled around at the smell of cigarettes and whisky. Fully dressed, Pete Wisdom crept out of the shadows of the room, and Kitty flushed bright red with embarrassment. Logan glanced up at him, and she wheeled to Logan after turning away from Wisdom. "Dammit Wolvie, you could have TOLD me he was…"

"I coulda, but I wanted to remind ya that he's a professional like me. An' you have ta respect him. I know ya wanna go one on one with the silver hair, but you shouldn't let yer personal feelings get inna way of good judgement…"

"But I thought you needed to rest…"

"An' leave me in danger Pryde? No offense luv, but that's friggin' shoddy work. Maybe if you were all one on one like with the bird, that'd be one thing. But are we a team or aren't we?" Wisdom grumbled, his blue eyes cold and angry. Kitty saw the hurt creasing his brow, and could not meet his gaze.

"I… I can handle it…"

"Can ya?" Logan asked. "There ain't no shame in relyin' on yer man. Dammit Pryde, let him protect ya? You don't haveta be the big bad Kittycat all the time…"

"Wolvie, that isn't FAIR!"

"Let me handle this, mate," said Wisdom quietly. Logan turned away, and he moved over to sit next to Kitty.

"I'm sorry Pete, but I don't want you hurt… don't you see you crazy git…"

"Ain't THAT a laugh," Wisdom chuckled bitterly. "Pryde yer fulla shite… ya crazy… look 'ere I know it's onna count of comrade Terminator that I almost copped it. But what you gotta understand is that I'm a professional. An before ya say anything luv, this is my line. Yer still an amateur, ninja skills or no… so leave some jobs to those who know better…"

Fuming with anger and resentment she whirled on him. "You stuck up, arrogant prig! I CAN handle it… I handled it at DREAM nails."

"But you an' me workin' as a team, Pryde. Either ya let me in, or I don't let ya outta here. I care about ya, sod it, and I'm sure as' anything' not gonna let anything happen to ya… I'd never forgive meself, an that Scottish Harridan would have me guts for garters…"

"Flamin' heck," she sniffled, turning away. Logan slipped between Wisdom and his charge.

"Lemmie handle this. Give me a minute. Pun'kin… you gotta listen, an' listen good…"

"Wolvie! I can fight my own battles."

"I'm yer friend dammit, an I'm not gonna let ya make a stupid mistake when you've got a good thing going," Logan growled. "Look at him. He cares about ya, Pun'kin. A man has his pride. I know I taught ya to take care of yerself, but that don't mean ya wall yerself off from someone lovin' ya. Else you'll end up all lonely like the ol' Canucklehead. Don't make the same mistakes I did."

Wisdom folded his arms across his chest, and turned his back to afford them privacy. Kitty sniffled and let Logan hug her before he released and pushed her away. "Go to him Pun'kin. Apologize an' make up… we gotta job to do… and we NEED him."

"Pete?" Kitty asked, slowly rising and crossing the floor.

"Got somethin' to say to me, Pryde?" Wisdom asked curtly, still with his back to her, but his head slightly turned.

"Yeah. I'm a stupid git. And I'm sorry I'm pushing you away… if anything were to happen to you I'd never forgive myself…"

"Me neither you stupid little…" Wisdom snapped as he whirled around and grabbed Kitty in his arms. "Dammit Pryde, yer the best thing that happened to me in a while… an' if we go down, we go down as a team… right?"

"Right, you bloody…"

Wisdom cut her off with a kiss, and she moaned softly. His arms held her tightly, and lifted her off her feet. Glancing around Kitty's chestnut hair, he cast Logan a thankful glance. Leaning against the wall, Logan folded his arms across his chest, and nodded curtly. This was the closest thing Wisdom had to a father's approval, and he was grateful.