(Six)

The captured X-men didn't sleep well that night. They were still lashed to the cage and uncomfortable from being restrained for so long. They hadn't been given blankets or comforts of any kind, nor any food or drink. The constant, noisy movement of Joseph's men from one room to the next didn't help matters either. The night before, Maylee had cleaned up Logan as best she could and fled, following Fallen into the cage lavatory. They hadn't seen her since.

Gambit sat with his back to the cage and his arms still pinned up high. His shoulders ached from the lack of movement and his ass hurt from the hard metal floor. It hadn't kept him from doing his job. He was watching the Clansmen carefully as they had milled about, looking for weaknesses, but finding nothing he could use.

He found himself glancing up at the screen every so often, waiting to see when Kimble would return. The Kimble personality intrigued him and he was welcome for the distraction to his current situation. He was impressed at the depth of Kimble's sympathy and pain towards Fallen after her abuse and wondered just how it was that an artificial personality could seem so real. Whoever had created the program itself must have been an advanced race, more intelligent than the folks back home anyhow. Even the holograms the X-men used to train with back home never behaved as realistically as Kimble and Seth did. Remy had watched some of the students playing computer games and such and even then had never seen anything that came close to what he'd seen here. Remy didn't have a lot of close friends and the idea of having someone always around like Fallen did struck him deep inside. What could be better than a friend you've programmed to always be around whenever you needed them?

Gambit didn't share Maylee's view that Kimble's show of misery at Fallen's mistreatment was a bad thing. If anything, it made him like Kimble even more. It showed a depth to his character that made him seem more lifelike and human. He clearly wasn't just a plain jane personality designed to make a computer more interesting. He was complex and complicated, a puzzle to be figured out. Gambit was intrigued by games or anything that was used for fun and entertainment. Too bad this little journey wasn't for pleasure, he would have liked to getting to know Kimble a little better.

Beast was hunched next to Remy, quiet in his despair. They weren't getting out of this right away so he distracted himself by mulling over Fallen's fascinating little program. He was a technology junkie and loved anything as new and interesting as this sentient program. What fun they could have in the Danger Room training facility back home fi he were to somehow able to get a copy of this back home. He was also curious just how much control the twin brothers had over this ship and if they could be used to somehow get them out of this. No immediate ideas came to mind. Perhaps something would present itself later.

As a doctor, he was distressed over Fallen's treatment and wanted desperately to see her for himself so that he could know for certain that she was okay. It pained him to watch what had been done to her. Unlike the others, he lived a sheltered life because he stayed primarily in his lab. He wasn't often a witness to domestic violence since things were pretty stable back at the Mansion. There were strict guidelines regarding behavior and most of the people there were much too honorable to smack each other around over petty domestic squabbles.

The closest he'd seen to a total meltdown was a spectacular fight between Gambit and Rogue. Remy had gotten a little too carried away with the teasing and Rogue had gone off. She was invulnerable as well as unnaturally strong and she was tossing dishes and pieces of furniture at the playful thief, curses streaming from her mouth. Of course Remy hadn't helped things any, he couldn't stop from laughing and running his mouth off, saying, "Oh, chere. You know dis po' t'ief don' really t'ink yo' ass is dat big!"

A table had gone flying out through the window at that. Remy was quick and nimble when he was at full strength as he had been then, the table never hit him, nor did any of the chairs that followed, but he quieted after when the adults came running over. He knew they were so busted. Rogue had to be restrained and Remy got chewed out for instigating. He paid up the damages without having to be asked and walked off, grinning. He just never took anything seriously. Henry hadn't been so amused. He didn't like anything that could escalate into the violence he had witnessed last night.

Logan was on Henry's opposite side, grumpy and sullen at their predicament. Fallen's computer program didn't interest him in the least. The only thing he wanted was to break free and severely kick Valentin's ass for doing this to them. He was forced to satisfy his frustration by growling menacingly as the Clansmen passed by, hoping to get a rise out of someone. Maybe it could be used to get them a hostage or something. It wasn't working. For the most part they ignored him, but whenever Joseph came by, he would kick Logan with his heavy booted feet in a useless attempt to make him be quiet. Logan wasn't giving an inch, not to these guys. When he thought no one was looking, he would try to work part of the cage loose. It was taking too long, but he just couldn't sit by and do nothing. This trip had been one huge exercise in frustration.

The control room block of the viewing screen was dark and Fallen's bloody smear was still on the glass, no one had bothered to clean it and it clung there as a constant reminder of how volatile their new situation was. Not long after Fallen had disappeared into her lavatory with Maylee, Logan had heard Seth talking to her in there, but couldn't make out what was being said. It was quiet in there now. He hoped she would be okay, but wasn't disillusioned about the severity of the beating she'd received. He'd been on the receiving end of too much violence and abuse to know she had been hurt, inside and out.

Logan looked up and growled as Joseph once more came out of the galley. Joseph looked well rested and chipper, a bright easy smile on his face. Valentin's Second looked down at his captives with all of the glee of the truly in charge. "Sleep much? No? Too bad. You've a busy day ahead."

At that moment, Valentin came up the ramp. He, too, looked well rested from the previous night's activity and happy. His long red hair was wet as though he'd taken a wash in the river close by and he smelled of the outside and breakfast, making Logan's stomach growl. His wrist was still bandaged, though. He wasn't a quick healer or anything. He slammed the fist of his good hand against the wall of Fallen's lavatory as he passed and shouted, "Move your ass, pilot! You got ten minutes!"

He entered the main room and stood next to Joseph. His Second looked at his master with a kind of adoration that turned Logan's stomach, he never had much love for zealots. "They still live, Master," Joseph commented in jest. "But are not so spirited as yesterday."

"Good, perhaps they are capable of understanding just where they stand." Valentin turned to the men chained to the cage and said, "Welcome, gentlemen, to your first day in the service of the Clan."

"I don't serve nobody," Logan sneered. "Least of all bullies like you."

"You'll learn."

Valentin started to say something else, but turned to the screen when the cockpit block winked on, showing Kimble seated in the control room. He was alone, Seth was nowhere in sight. He showed no sign of strain or distress from the night before, but then, he supposedly wasn't really real. He deliberately ignored Valentin as he began working, flipping switches as he warmed up the ship. The floor started to hum under the X-men as Lucky's engines came on.

"Freak," Valentin muttered.

"Mornin', Vally," Kimble drawled arrogantly. He met the other man's eyes and lit a cigarette, his movements comfortable and at ease. He sat back in his chair with his arms behind his head, his work done for the moment.

"You are so very bold aren't you?" Valentin sneered, his voice full of menace. "We'll see how you hold up when I pull your plug. Won't be long now."

Unfazed, Kimble just grinned and said, "Life's a funny thing, Vally. Not evrathin' happens the way ya think."

"How would you know, freak? You're not even alive. Never were. Soon enough, you won't be anything at all."

Kimble laughed at that with real humor, the man's threats hadn't frightened him in the least. "If yer so shure 'bout me, Vally, why're you even threatenin' me? Huh? Seem a little nervous or sumpthin'."

"I'm not afraid of you. I have your precious Fallen. It's you who should be afraid."

"I'm just a program, Vally. Gots no reason." Kimble's eyes were laughing. If Logan didn't know any better, he'd say Kimble was in control of some secret weapon that he was going to whip out at any moment. He was deliberately baiting this monster.

"Why do you encourage him, Master?" Joseph asked with disdain. "He'll be unbearable."

Valentin glared at the screen. "Soon, freak. Soon."

Kimble blew Valentin a kiss and smiled all the brighter when he heard Gambit chuckle at it. He watched as Valentin cursed at him and stomped away into the galley, Joseph in tow. Kimble grunted in amusement and went back to work, giving Remy a quick wink in appreciation for the support.

"You think that's such a good idea, talkin' to him like that?" Logan grumbled at Kimble. He wasn't happy about Remy's laughter either, he didn't want Kimble to be encouraged enough to get them into any more trouble. "What if he takes it out on us?"

"Yer too valuable," Kimble replied without looking up. " 'Sides, he expects it from me. Don' wants ta let 'im down."

At that moment Fallen emerged from the lav. She had washed and put on fresh clothes, looking a hundred percent better than last night. Her face was still swollen and bruised and it looked as though she could only see out of one eye, but she walked with a steady stride and jumped lightly onto the stick.

"Good morrow, Fallen," Kimble greeted from the screen. He smiled warmly at her.

"Good morrow, Kimble. Prepare to boost in ten." There had been a slight slur to her speech as she had given her commands. Logan didn't need to hear it to know she was stoned on painkillers, the smell of an opiate based narcotic wafted off of her skin. She was high now and feeling no pain.

"Boostin' in ten, aye."

Kimble started flipping more switches. He was calm and at ease in his chair and appeared to be experienced in preparing the ship for flight. He was confident and didn't ask Fallen for anything as he worked. He did occasionally glance at the men tied to the cage, but said nothing to any of them.

A short time later, another group of Clansmen came up the ramp and sat in the seats. None of them were from Kane's camp, these were all fighters and Valentin's officers, including Reese. Not all of them had washed as Valentin had and there was now a tang of sweat, dirty leather, and testosterone in the air. There was the clinking of swords and other weapons as they stowed their gear.

Valentin and Joseph came out from the galley and the feral teleporter joined them in the seats. He didn't take a seat himself, but crouched at his Master's feet, laying his head in Valentin's lap like a dog. His Master lay a hand there and petted him gently, thinking nothing of how odd it might look. The last of the gear was finally stowed away and the ramp was raised. There was a loud bang as the inner hatch was sealed.

"Boostin' in two," Kimble drawled. It didn't look like Seth was going to join him for their departure. His chair remained empty and Kimble made no move to call him out from where he was hiding.

"Boosting in two, aye," Fallen replied. She pulled out a cigarette from a small jar wired to the cage and lit it with a sharp blue pop from her fingers. She took a deep relaxing drag and blew smoke out of her nose. She leaned on the stick, relaxed.

Moments later a mechanical male voice chimed in. "Boost sequence initiated." A clock appeared on the screen counting down. Fallen crushed out her butt into a nearby ashtray and gripped the bars of her pilot stick like a bike.

Kimble counted down. "Ready, steady...Boost!"

At his command blue electricity, like flames, burst from Fallen's hands and was absorbed into the stick itself. Fallen's power was far and away the stronger of the two pilots the X-men had seen flying a ship and Beast couldn't help but jerk away from where he was chained to the cage, he was closest to her stick and had felt the power of it. Thankfully the burst of flame was bright but brief. It left a strange smell behind, almost like ozone, and he could feel some of the hairs rising on his neck as if there were a static charge in the air.

"Boost sequence complete," Lucky chimed again. "Do you wish to continue?"

"Yes," Fallen answered.

"Launch sequence initiated."

"Launchin' in two," Kimble announced.

"Launching in two, aye." Fallen looked at the X-men with as pleasant a smile she could muster in spite of the damage done to her face. "Welcome, X-men, to the Lucky Dragon. Now Lucky, he's kinda peppy when he goes so you might want to grab onto the cage real tight now."

Some of the Clan soldiers laughed at her words. Wolverine remained as he had been (real men don't need to grab), but Gambit hung on with one hand, grasping the wires of the cage as tightly as he could. Henry dismissed the warning, he was too busy watching Kimble with rapt fascination as he moved about the control room.

Kimble counted down once again. "Ready, steady...Launch!"

Blue flame once more exploded from Fallen's hands and the ship lurched powerfully upward. Wolverine cursed and had to scramble to keep from sliding as Henry's much larger body crashed into his. Logan could now feel a strong vibration under him from the lower level then a thump as the landing gear closed. Fallen closed her eyes a little and Logan felt the ship stop rising and then surge powerfully forward. They banked a little to the right and then leveled out, moving at what had to be incredible speed.

"G-Force stabilizers activated," Lucky announced. The X-men stopped sliding around and heaved a sigh of relief. "Launch sequence complete."

"We gots two hours 'til we reach Nine," Kimble said.

"Two hours, aye," Fallen replied.

The Clansmen unbuckled and began milling about, some heading into the galley looking for refreshments. Joseph and Valentin went into the barracks with some of the other men. Fallen stayed where she was but leaned her head against the post. She rested her elbows on the bars of her stick, comfortable. Small flickers of blue flame wrapped themselves around her arms and were absorbed by the stick, she was still powering the ship even from this relaxed position.

Gambit wiped his mouth on his shoulder, still trying to recover from the quick launch. He was impressed with her power and ability and being a big fan of carnival rides and roller coasters, he had enjoyed it immensely despite being tied to the cage. "Dat's one wild wild ride, chere!"

Fallen closed her eyes with soft snicker. "Yeah, it's a real trip."

Logan hadn't been all that thrilled with the ride, he didn't share Gambit's love for such things. He was still on the job, looking for an opportunity to get loose. He didn't know what he could do, but he was hoping that he could force Kimble to help them if he could grab a hold of a hostage– preferably Fallen since the Kimble program seemed to care about her so much. Either way, he wasn't about to sit here without trying something.

An idea bloomed in his mind and Wolverine squirmed, complaining, "I gotta take a leak!"

Fallen turned towards the seats, Maylee was still there. "Get Joe for me, Honey."

Maylee got up and walked into the galley. She came back alone. "Joe said to make him use the bucket."

Fallen grunted. "Nice. You know where it is."

Maylee went into Fallen's lav and returned with a plastic bucket. It seemed so out of place with all the men here wearing swords and such. She put it down in front of Logan. "Here."

Logan jerked his useless arms. "This ain't gonna be pretty..."

Maylee stepped back. "I'm not holding it for him!"

Kimble was snorting a little as he snickered, "Could be a problem!"

Fallen sighed. "Engage autopilot."

"Autopilot engaged, aye!" Kimble managed through hearty laughter.

Fallen stepped off the stick. She hopped up to the window that was cut out from the cage wall and onto the sill with a light and easy telekinetic burst of flight. Her movements were very bird like and graceful, her long time comfort with her power obvious. She was right above Beast and he ducked as she dropped down in front of Wolverine and turned to face him. "You gonna give me a hard time?"

He gave her a mischievous smile. "'Pends on what ya have in mind, darlin'."

Fallen sighed impatiently and stooped down in front of him. He could see the pupil of her one good eye was dilated. She was still high on something and a nice easy target. He was calculating the best way he might grab her when she surprised him by raising her hands and crossing them over her chest. He then felt a push pinning him down with his back against the cage as though he'd been draped with a heavy blanket. The cuffs fell off and he could feel his arms again, but he was now trapped against the fencing as though he hadn't been freed at all. He could pee into the bucket but that was all. She was using her power to hold him in place out of reach, something she should have done with Valentin but hadn't. Damn.

Maylee moved the bucket into place and Logan urinated. He hadn't been lying about that at least.

Fallen looked at the others. "Anyone else? It's a long way to the next gas station," she joked with a wan smile. She was very tired. She probably hadn't slept any better last night than they had.

They each had a turn and Fallen replaced the cuffs without touching them or coming close enough for them to reach her. Wolverine still wanted to know why if Fallen was so powerful, she allowed Valentin to brutalize her without a fight. It made no sense.

Once they were finished, Maylee left with the bucket to empty it. Fallen stood stiffly, hopped back into the cage, and resumed her position on the stick. She closed her eyes and relaxed with a sigh.

Kimble watched her protectively. "Ya wants th' stick back?"

"Nah. Too comfortable."

"Ya wants me ta play ya sumpthin'?"

"Sure."

Kimble reached behind him, but picked up the guitar this time instead of a music disc. He tuned it quickly and skillfully began to play. He sang in a soft but rough, growly voice not out of place for the song. It was an old Dylan tune, Shelter From the Storm. He performed it very well, his voice as talented as his hands. Even some of the Clan men now paused in the doorway of the galley to listen. Kimble ignored them, he wasn't there for Valentin's officers, he was intent on pleasing his Mistress who was so tired and in such pain.

Fallen smiled. "Been a long time since I heard this one. Hmm.... When did you learn it?"

"The other day. Seth found the file, junked it. Kid ain't got no fuckin' taste, I swears. I dug it out ta learn it fer ya," Kimble boasted, pleased with himself.

"How did you know I would like it?" she slurred, drowsy.

The lights over Fallen's stick dimmed. "Been together much too long, you an' me, fer you ta be askin' me that," he answered, but she was already falling asleep. "Fayed rowth, my Fallen," Kimble whispered gently. His voice, so terribly angry just last night, was filled now with nothing but the purest love. He played for a few more minutes until he was sure she was all the way asleep then put the guitar away. The screen flickered and blacked out.