Games and War Part 3

Exodus stood in front of all those he counted amongst his most trusted advisors. They were the teachers of the Exiles and now these teachers were preparing for war. Sunfire and Colossus sat in the last two seats on the right side of the long metal table. Bennet was at the head of the table. At the opposite end of the table was Mutant Forger. On the right of Exodus was Proteus and to Osman's right was Star Prophet. To the left of Mutant Forger was Star Prophet and next to her was Ever. The four members of the Avengers that had come to Exiles HQ filled up the remaining seats. They were Callisto, Scarlet Witch, Gilgamesh, and Crystal. Held in air by Mutant Forger's telekinesis were Fabian Cortez and F13.

Bennet had just got done explaining to everyone present about how Sinister had manipulated him. Sunfire and Colossus were the most surprised. They knew Sinister had been experimenting on them, but they never knew to what extent or why.

"So you mean to tell that serum is suppose to save our lives?" Shiro asked skeptically.

"Yes it is and I for one believe Sinister this time. He rarely ever flat out lies. He only gives out damaging truths or half-truths," Exodus said as he tossed the serum to Colossus who caught it with ease.

"Do you think that makes him more or less dangerous?" Fabian Cortez laughed as he hung in the air beside F13.

Colossus nodded, "Cortez does make a good point. How do we know if Shiro and myself take this serum that we aren't just playing into Sinister's hands?"

Star Prophet banged her fist on the desk, "Look I sympathize and all Peter and Shiro, but we really don't have time to second guess ourselves here. Either take or don't take the serum you two. It's that simple."

Sunfire leaned back in his seat and said, "I refuse then. I won't fall for Sinister's tricks like the rest of you."

Contemplating for a second Colossus finally outstretched his hand and said, "I'll take the serum. I don't know what will happen, but I have to try. If nothing bad happens to me then Shiro can take it. Agreed?"

Shiro nodded, "Of course Peter. You I DO trust."

Sinister's head appeared out of nowhere over the middle of the table. It was just his head like a 3D hologram. Essex began to speak, but Exodus cut him off, "Before you go any further I want the absolute truth. Will that serum help Colossus and Sunfire?"

Nathaniel laughed, "I told you what I told you Exodus. Trust me or don't. Your choice. Now as I was saying…Ramses and his generals are attacking again. The cities they've chosen this time are Tokyo, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Cairo again. I already have forces moving into these locations and I've already devised where all of you would be best suited to go."

Scarlet Witch stood up quickly. She didn't know Sinister personally, but she knew he was trouble, "Who are you to be telling us where to go? I don't remember you being labeled as leader. Or were we not informed of this?"

"You have quite the fiery spirit Maximoff. I like that in a mutant. Just ask Cable. Now let me inform you from this point forward that I am the leader. Do as I tell you and all of you will survive this little war," Nathaniel said.

Scarlet Witch was about to start again when Exodus held up his hand to tell her to stop. Bennet sighed and said, "Tell us what to do Sinister."

Sinister grinned, "That more like it Exodus. Now here's how everything is going to be broken down. Exodus and Scarlet Witch I want you to take Fabian Cortez and F13 with the rest of my F-series mutants in Tokyo. Star Prophet and Mutant Forger should head to Nairobi with my Savage Land Mutates. Callisto and Proteus will be going to Johannesburg with my Tans. Everyone else will be going to Cairo to rendezvous with me. I've only a few clones in my company since the bulk of my forces were eliminated by Ramses's first assault."

"Fine Sinister. We'll do as you ask. Now can you leave us be?" Exodus asked in a more telling way than a requesting.

Not even bothering to answer, Sinister's hologram image faded away. Everyone who had been on edge sat down quietly taking a breather. Sinister always invoked a sense of anxiety amongst people. Only because he was so manipulative and had a long history of using people time and time again with no sense of regard.

"So I guess Plazm is watching the students then," Star Prophet said as she leaned back in her chair. She was hoping that Plazm could come on this mission and finally get teacher status in the Exiles. He was older than Ever and yet he still was considered a student.

"I know what you're thinking Star Prophet and I would like to see it happen too, but right now isn't the time to worry about that. We have more pressing matters," Exodus said apologetically for both not being able to address the Plazm being a teacher issue and picking up on Star Prophet's thoughts. Ever since Legion's powers bonded to his he's been in a little less control of himself.

"Well at least let him come on the mission," Star Prophet begged.

"Fine! Tell him to suit up and go with you! Everyone else we have forty-five minutes till we depart to our designated locations. Be ready. Oh and Mutant Forger, keep an eye on our two 'guests' for me will you."

Legolas was lying down in his bed and reading a car magazine when Exodus walked into his room. Derrick jumped up out of his bed and stood up to face Exodus. He straightened himself out and tried to look reasonable despite being in only his boxers.

"Calm yourself Derrick. I've something important to tell," Exodus said as he put his hands behind his back.

Bennet walked behind Legolas and from behind him said, "The time has come for you to lead your peers. The teachers and Plazm are going to be heading off to fight a battle of great proportions. That will you leave you in charge of the students. Take care of them and watch over them."

Sheepishly Legolas said without turning around, "I'm not sure if I'm ready to be the leader. I've made some mistakes."

Exodus laughed lightly, "As do all good leader Derrick. I know you have problems and just because you lapsed in your drinking doesn't mean you should let your life fall apart. You're strong Derrick Horton. I feel it in you. It's time you feel it too."

And with that Exodus teleported away and he left Legolas to think over what his leader had just told him.

Space

"Cypher to me!" Ramses yelled across the immense spaceship. Cypher approached the throne of Ramses Xavier immediately and bowed before him.

"You have need of me master?" Cypher asked already knowing the answer.

Ramses placed his hand on Cypher's spiky silver hair and said, "Take some of our forces and attack the base of the Exiles. I seek to make them suffer and what better way to do that than to murder their students and destroy their home."

"Yes sir. I will do as you as of me," Cypher said as he rose from his bowed position and walked away from Ramses. Cypher's blue body suit glimmered in the light of Ramses's throne room as he walked away.

An Hour Later

Cypher looked behind him and saw four regiments of Ramses's army that had been placed under his command. He looked in front of him and saw the thing he was suppose to destroy. Exiles HQ.

The only threat that was in that base to oppose Cypher was the many students of Exodus. He would eliminate them quickly and be done with it. None of those puny mutants could possibly stand up to his power.

From intel he and others had gathered about this Earth he knew this place was once the Hulkbuster base. Well, after Cypher was done the Hulk would never have to worry about this place being reestablished.

One of Cypher's generals approached him. She had long purple hair and a circular red tattoo over her right eye. Black armor adorned her body from the neck down. In her left hand was a shining katana sword. That sword had cut down many on her world. Blink, Pyro, Joseph, Rogue, and Psylocke among others.

"How do you want us to attack?" the lady asked with a thirst I her voice for blood and battle.

Cypher breathed deeply and with a haughty voice gave his commands, "Split each regiment into two groups and have each group sweep through a different section of the base. Also have your four best soldiers accompany me into the base. I might need support if I encounter any of Exodus's students."

His female general nodded her head and quickly said, "Yes sir. I will spread your orders amongst the troops as quickly as possible. The Exiles shall soon be without a base."

"Of course they will be! That's the point of this mission you stupid woman! Now go!" Cypher snapped. The general bowed and quickly sprinted away in a show of fear. Cypher smiled devilishly. Soon all of the peoples of this planet would show that same fear.

Exiles Base

Alarms blared all across the base and beaming red lights flashed repeatedly up and down the halls of the building. They were under attack. Legolas and Gaia were n the communications room when the attack was first noticed.

"Could this day get any worse?" Gaia asked a she flopped down in a chair depressingly.

Legolas ignored Gaia's whining and went to work. He wasn't going to fail the Exiles like he had when he gave back into his alcoholism again not too long ago. Exodus had told him that he was to lead the students and he was going to be up to the task. Derrick refused to fail now.

The first thing Derrick did was seeing that which he was up against. He activated the outside cameras and was taken aback. Hundreds of mutants were within dangerous proximity of the Exiles base. Horton breathed deeply trying to formulate a plan.

Turning on the intercom system Legolas picked up the mike and said, "Attention everyone! We are soon to be under attack from an army of mutants. Prepare yourselves. I want all security systems to be activated. And then everyone should meet up in the cafeteria area. I got a plan."

Gaia rose up from her chair and said, "Well, if you're planning things I guess this day has just gotten plenty worse."

Before Legolas had a chance to retort the insult Gaia was out of the room. Legolas began to walk out of the room and murmured under his breath, "Damn PMS. I hope none of the other girls are at their 'special time' or we're really screwed."

With a click the door was closed and Legolas began to make his sprint to the cafeteria area. He was about to lead a group of his inexperienced equals into combat. Could he do it? Was he even capable of doing it? Exodus and Ever had faith in him. Derrick hoped that faith could help him move the mountain he was about to face.