My Uncanny XMen Mini's

by LoganAlpha30

Archangel, Psylocke, Warpath, Siryn, Cannonball, Meltdown, and Psyflare vs the evils of Apocalypse and the Crimson Dawn. All New 4 Horseman. Chapter 39 Now Up...

25. My 25th Mini

UNCANNY X-MEN MINI:  MISSING FRIENDS

BY: LOGANALPHA30

( )-Art Instructions

[ ]-Caption Boxes

""-Words

-Thoughts

+ +-Time, Place Boxes

+ Ops Room +

 + 8:00 A.M. +

[They are assembled haphazardly around the room, waiting for the briefing to begin].  [Cable-Nathan Dayspring Summers-Omega Level Telepath and Telekinetic].  [Mirage-Danielle Moonstar-Psychic Arrows].  [Archangel-Warren Worthington III-Flight].  [Psylocke-Elizabeth Braddock-Telepath And Telekinetic].  [Meltdown-Tabitha Smith-Light Into Explosive Energy].  [Cannonball-Samuel Guthrie-Energy Propulsion And Protection].  (We see panels of the various members present as they're preparing for the briefing).  (Cable and Warren are busy talking over a readout stream of paper and they're both drinking coffee, Cable looks almost ready for war with army pants, boots, and a white tank top as Warren is wearing jeans with a dress style shirt on over a beater).  (Betsy is wearing jeans and a jean button up shirt with the top few buttons undone and her hair is pulled back in a ponytail and she's monitoring one of the screens on the wall).  (Dani is wearing a pair of jeans and a dark blue long sleeved shirt and her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail with a red ribbon).  (Sam is sitting back in his chair and he has his feet up on the central console and he's looking at some readouts with a coffee cup in the other hand and he's wearing jeans, a light blue shirt, and a flannel shirt over that and he needs to shave). 

(Tabitha is sitting with her legs crossed on the arm of Sam's chair and she's leaning forward and resting her chin on her knuckles and her elbow on her top knee and she looks very tired and she's wearing very similar clothes to Sam).  (Then we see Dani look up and say with a concerned look on her face), "We seem to be missing a few people…where are James and Terry…and…what was her name again?"  (Then we see Betsy look up and say with an almost bored look on her face), "Erica…her name is Erica…yes they all should have been here by now, I wonder what could be keeping them?"  "They did come back last night, didn't they," (Tabitha then says with an equally bored look on her face as she looks over at Betsy).  "I told them to come back…but come to think of it I never actually checked to make sure that they were back," (Warren then says with a slightly concerned look on his face as he turns back towards the center of the room). 

"I'll check," (Betsy then says with a serious look on her face as she then brings her hands up to her temples, closes her eyes, and then concentrates hard as her pink butterfly appears).  [She starts to reach out, stretching her powers outward until…].  (We then see panels of Betsy's powers surging outward until she jerks in shock with a very surprised gasp).  […something completely unexpected stops her search].  (We see a close up panel of Betsy's face in a series of panels that start with a big pink butterfly on her forehead and then down near her chin we see two small spheres, one blue and the other white).  (Then we see Betsy get a sickly look on her face as the two spheres change into two different creatures like her butterfly, a white horse and a blue wolf as she then says), "I don't…believe it!"  (Then we see Warren put his coffee cup down and rush to Betsy's side and he catches her as she starts to go down as her knees begin to buckle).  "Betts, what is it…what's wrong," (Warren then says with a very fearful look on his face as he leads Betsy over to the nearest open chair and he's kneeling beside her).  "I sensed them…both of them…I felt them," (Betsy then says with an overwhelmed and unsure look on her face with her elbow on the arm of the chair and that hand on her forehead with her other hand on her stomach). 

"Them…them who, what are you talking about," (Warren then says with a worried and confused look on his face as he brushes some hair off of Betsy's face).  "Our children Warren…I can sense both of them…I wasn't ready for that," (Betsy then says with a slightly shocked look on her face).  "What do you mean you can sense them, I didn't know it was possible to telepathically contact a child still in the womb," (Cable then says with a confused look on his face before he then takes another sip of coffee).  "Well I don't really bloody care what I'm not supposed to be able to do…but I did make telepathic contact of some type with out children," (Betsy then says with a very serious look on her face as then in the next panel we see Tabitha turn back to Sam as they look at each other with surprised looks on their faces as Tabitha then says), "Twins!?"  "Wait a minute Betts…what are you saying…we're having twins," (Warren then says with a confused but at the same time elated look on his face as Betsy then nods her head).  "Great…so they're going to be a regular Romulus and Remus, that still doesn't help us find Terry and James," (Dani then says with a slightly fed up look on her face as she shakes her head). 

(Then we see a panel of Sam leaning back in his chair and he's also looking over at Dani with a reserved look of anger on his face as he says), "And Erica to Dani…we're going to find all of our friends."  "Whatever," (Dani then says with a bored look on her face as she turns back to the monitor that she's near).  (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she looks up at Warren and then says with a worried look on her face), "I don't know if it's wise, but I could try again…now that I know more about what to expect."  (Then we see Warren say with a stern but worried look on his face as he brings a hand up and cups Betsy's cheek in that hand), "No…I won't let you, we don't know what the effects could be in the long run, we can't risk it."  "Maybe we won't have to Warren…although I don't know if you're going to like this any better," (Tabitha then says with a concerned look on her face as we also see Sam watching his screen with a very concerned scowl on his face).  "Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to like this," (Cable then says with an impending look of doom on his face as he finishes off the rest of his coffee).  "Punch it up on the main screen Sam," (Betsy then says with a worried look on her face as she seems to be getting better as she leans back in her chair). 

"Right," (Sam then says with a sad look on his face as he punches a few buttons and then everyone turns and looks at the big screen on the wall as it springs to life to show a chopper view of a downtown street that's populated by clubs and there's a wreckage of a blown up vehicle front and center).  (We see all of the area all taped off with police being all over the place and people all standing around and watching as the forensics people are going over the area with a fine toothed comb).  "Is that what I think it is," (Warren then says with a concerned look on his face as he looks at the screen).  "We can't be completely one hundred percent sure of course unless we could somehow get a closer look…but no Warren, it's now looking good," (Sam then says with a very worried look on his face as he shakes his head and then drops his head into his hands as a very worried Tabitha puts her hand on the back of his neck and then squeezes lightly). 

"And how exactly do you suppose we do that Sam, with the police crawling all over like ants…getting in there will be hard," (Dani then says with an unbelieving look on her face as she's leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed).  "No it won't, I've gotten into supposedly impenetrable government bio-facilities with ease, a few cops will be a piece of cake," (Cable then says with a serious but now impressed look on his face as he's walking back to his chair).  "And may I ask as to exactly why you were breaking into classified government buildings," (Betsy then says with an unconvinced look of wonder on her face as she turns her chair back to face back towards the center console).  "You can ask Psylocke…but I'm not going to answer you, look…the morale of my story is that nothing is impossible," (Cable then says with a slight grin before he starts to take another sip of coffee but he gets suddenly a little irritated when he notices that his cup is empty and Dani smiles and stifles a small laugh). 

"So what do we do Warren…it's your call, you're the leader," (Tabitha then says with an uncertain look on her face as her arms are crossed on her lap).  "You're right Tabitha…I am, that being said Cable take Sam and Dani and find out as much as you can, if that was Warpath's jeep then I want to know what happened to it," (Warren then says with a commanding look on his face and in his posture as he's standing rigid with his arms crossed and also his wings arrayed behind him).  "Sounds like a good enough plan…Sam, Dani…let's go," (Cable then says with a stern look on his face as he then sets his coffee cup down and goes to the door).  (Then we see in the background Sam and Dani both stand up and begin to follow Cable out of the room).  (Then after they leave the room we see Warren turn to Betsy with an unsure look on his face and then say with his arms still crossed), "Well Betts, what do you think?"  "I have a bad feeling about this," (Betsy then says with a look of utter foreboding on her face).

[Meanwhile]

[An undisclosed cell several feet below an average street].

(We open with first a few panels of a dank and dark sewer with rats and other small animals running around).  (Then we see a panel of Erica smiling as she's lying naked on her stomach on a massage table with a towel in the right place as a masseur is giving her a massage, and she's in a nice and bright room).  (Then we do a few comparison panels that go back and forth between Erica's dream and reality as in reality it's actually rats that are crawling all over her and chewing on her).  (Then we see a close up of Erica's face as her eyes are closed and she's smiling as she says), "Oh yeah…that feels good…yeah…right there…right…huh?"  (Then we see a few panels of Erica's face as he eyes start to blink open still with the smile on her face as she mumbles), "Yeah…right…there?" 

(Then we see Erica's eyes finally flutter fully open and she stares eye to eye with a rat that's chewing on her hair and standing on her chest and Erica's eyes grow wide and she screams as she tries to scramble away and shakes the rats off of her as she bumps into an equally bound, by metal constraints at their wrists and their clothes are all dirty and ripped, Siryn and Warpath).  (Then we see Siryn groggily start to come to as she has a dark bruise on the right side of her head as she mumbles), "Mm…Erica what are you?"  (Then we see both Siryn and Erica both shake off the rats as Siryn then turns to Warpath and elbows him and then says angrily with a small look of fear on her face), "Jimmy…wake up!"  (Then we see Warpath wake up slowly and then lazily look at a rat that's on his knee as he then mumbles with a look on his face as if he could care less that there's a rat on his knee), "There's a rat on my knee…Terry, why is there a rat on my knee?"  "How should I know Jimmy, the last thing that I remember we were in your jeep and then someone…," (Siryn then says with a confused but pained look on her face as beside her Erica is trying to straighten her clothes back out). 

"Threw a…something in through the window," (Erica then says with a pained look of wonder on her face).  "And then I blacked out…and ended up here," (Warpath then says with an irritated look on his face as he's looking up and he pulls on the chains).  "So what do we do now," (Erica then says with a worried look on her face as she struggles against the chains and we see that she has a large bruise on the back of her shoulder and on her thigh).  "We get out of here that's what," (Siryn then says with a slightly angry scowl on her face before she grimaces as she grabs the chains and pulls on them).  "You can stop struggling to free yourself my dear…those are special chains that cancel out your mutant abilities…even your oaf of a friend here's strength won't be enough to free you," (A voice from off panel says as then we see a panel of Arthur Royce standing in the room in a lab coat with a huge smile on his face and he's being flanked by double sized and heavily armed and armored crimson dawn warriors that look ready for a fight). 

"Who are you," (Warpath then says with an unimpressed look on his face as he glares at Arthur).  "The troll speaks…I will not that in your autopsy," (Arthur then says with a sinister grin on his face as he walks towards Erica and Siryn).  "And who are you supposed to be…Mr. Wizard," (Erica then says with a mocking smirk on her face as she's leaning forward).  (Then we see Arthur squat down beside Erica and then say with a greedy grin on his face as in a short series of panels he uses the back of his hand to trace a line from Erica's temple down the side of her face to her chin and then down her neck and a little bit lower but we see that last bit only in Arthur's smile and Siryn and Warpath's angry and slightly sickened reaction), "Ooh…crude attempts at humor, my, my, and from such a lovely flower like yourself…hmm someone should teach you some manners my dear, no one intrudes on the sovereign territory of my lord En Sabah Nur." 

(Then we see Warpath angrily yell as he struggles against the chains), "Get your hands off of her!"  (And at the same time we see Siryn angrily try to take a wild kick aimed at Arthur but she only kicks thin air).  (Then we see a panel of Erica with her eyes closed and a very emotional and disgusted look on her face and then in the next panel we see Arthur say with a big and pleased smile on his face), "Now that wasn't so bad my dear…was it?"  (Then we see in a panel Erica, with a few tears running down her cheeks, turn her head angrily and then spit straight into Arthur's face and then say with a very angry look on her face), "#$%* you!"  "Stupid bitch," (Arthur then yells angrily before he rears back and backhands Erica across the face that opens a big gash through her right eyebrow as Warpath and Siryn strain at their chains in vain). 

(Then we see Arthur stand up and turn and walk away and then stop when he gets back to the crimson dawn warriors as he then says as he nods his head back towards Erica), "Bring her to my office and leave the other two here to play with the rats."  (Then we see two of the crimson dawn warriors walk up and then one uses his weapon to knock Erica out as then the other one unchains her and then in the next panel we see that crimson dawn warrior throw Erica over its shoulder and then leave the room as Warpath and Siryn try in vain to stop them).

[Shortly]

[Normally they would not even be able to get anywhere near the accident site].  [But on this occasion they have come prepared].  (We open with panels of Sam, Dani, and Cable walking side by side on the sidewalk by people as they're heading towards the burnt out jeep).  (Then we see Sam turn to Cable and say with a confused look on his face), "Not t'be negative or anything Cable…but how is it that we're able to just walk right by everyone without them even…?"  "Remember Sam, I'm full of surprises…," (Cable then says with an almost smug smirk on his face as the three keep walking and then Dani rolls her eyes and shakes her head as she then says with a sarcastic look on her face), "Least of which being using your powers to make everyone see us as just three more members of the forensics team."  (Then we see Cable hold the police tape up as Sam and Dani then duck under that tape and then we see a couple of panels of them in their dark blue jumpsuits and caps as they both pull on rubber gloves). 

(Then we see Sam and Dani squat down beside another forensics person as Dani then says with a concerned look on her face), "So what do we do first?"  "Well…," (Sam then says with an unsure scowl on his face as he looks around).  "The two of you should first step back and let someone who knows what he's doing finish his work," (We then see that other forensics team member say as he lifts his head and we see that it's Forge and his cane is nearby and he has a very serious if not annoyed look on his face).  (Then we see Dani look shocked in a panel as she then says as she leans closer to Forge), "Forge, what are you doing here, how did you get by all of the police?"  "Cable isn't the only one who's full of surprises, now if you'll get out of my light I'll be able to determine once and for all whether or not James, Theresa, and Erica were physically present in the jeep when the incendiary agent was introduced," (Forge then says with a concerned and thoughtful scowl on his face as he picks up and looks at the display as we then see Cable looking around nervously). 

(Then we see Cable look down at Forge with a stern look on his face and his arms crossed as he then says), "Well Forge, what's the diagnosis?"  "Well I have some good news and some bad news…which do you want first," (Forge then says with a very frustrated scowl on his face as he looks up at Cable).  (Then we see a panel of Sam and Dani s they share a worried look before Dani then turns to Forge and says with an unsure look on her face), "Gives us the bad news first Forge."  "Fine…there are strong genetic markers for all three of them at about the time of the explosion…along with a strong presence of genetic markers for warriors of the crimson dawn," (Forge then says with a very serious scowl on his face as he looks up at Cable).  "But then what's the good news Forge, because the bad news that you just old us doesn't really leave much room for any good news," (Cable then says with an unsure scowl on his face). 

"Well the good news is that there are additional genetic markers for James, Theresa, and Erica that lead away from the explosion…leading me to believe that they were abducted and the jeep was destroyed to make it appear that they had all perished," (Forge then says with a look on his face as if he's elated at finding out the truth when it was hidden so well).  "And something tells me that they weren't expecting someone like Forge to be with us to uncover their deception," (Dani then says with a look of pride on her face a she smiles and looks over at Sam).  (Then we see Sam nod his head and then take a wireless headset out of a pocket and put it on and then activate it and then say), "Warren…come in."  (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy both reclining in one of the chairs in the ops room as Betsy is in Warren's arms and she's holding a palm pilot and she's writing something as she says with a sigh), "Fine luv…I'll put Warren down, but don't get your hopes up." 

"I know Betts, but it's always good to keep your options open, so now…huh," (Warren then says with a smile as he gives Betsy a squeeze and then starts to kiss her neck but then a small button starts blinking and a small alarm goes off).  (Then we see start to sit up but Betsy then puts a hand up and says with a tired look on her face), "Don't worry about it Warren."  (Then we see Betsy activate her telekinetic powers and she presses the button and then we see a picture of Sam appear on the big screen on the wall as Warren then says), "Yes Sam, what is it…what did you find out?"  "Well it was Jimmy's jeep, but Forge did a little poking around and found that they're all alive, but they've been kidnapped…by our old friends with the crimson dawn, the whole explosion was just their attempt to cover up the abduction," (Sam then says in a panel of Sam standing beside Cable, Forge, and Dani in an alley as they're watching for anybody that's looking at them). 

"Could this day get any worse," (Warren then says with a frustrated scowl on his face as he hangs his head and shakes it).  (Then we see Betsy sit up and then say), "Better watch what you ask for luv."  "What's our next move Warren, should we regroup or…," (Sam then says with a frustrated sigh and shrug of his shoulders as Cable then says to Forge as he's barely turning his head), "Forge, is there any way that you can track James and Theresa's bio-signatures, or maybe one of the crimson dawn warriors."  "It's possible, but I'd have to go back to the mansion to get the parts," (Forge then says under his breath as behind him we see Sam looking into his watch).  (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy as they stand up and Betsy then says as she walks up towards the console under the large screen), "You've found out as much as you can right now Sam, bring everybody back and we'll go from there." 

(Then we go back to the alley and see Dani put her hand on Sam's shoulder and she's leaning on that shoulder as she says), "If it's all the same to you Psylocke…I'm going to search for James and Terry myself." (Then we see Warren join Psylocke at the console and he then says), "Negative Dani, you don't even know where to begin…and beyond that if you get into trouble you won't have any backup."  "That never stopped me before," (Dani then says with a fake smile on her face before she then takes Sam's wireless comm. link and then she runs off and she says as she does it), "I'll call you when I find them."  "Dani, wait," (Sam yells after her as he begins to follow after her but Cable stops him and then says with a stern look on his face), "Not a good idea Sam."  (And in through those panels we see Warren and Betsy at the console just shaking their heads is dismay as then we see Tabitha come walking up behind them with a sucker in her mouth and her hands are clasped together behind her back and she's wearing a black bikini, sandals, sunglasses, a big sun hat, and a mostly see-through wrap around her waist and she's got a thin gold chain around her wrist and neck). 

(Then we see Tabitha say with a big smile on her face as she takes the sucker out of her mouth), "Sam and the others find anything?"  "Yes…and no, the jeep on the news was indeed James' jeep…however the three of them are still alive," (Psylocke then says with a frustrated scowl on her face with her arms crossed as she's leaning and almost sitting on the console as then in the next panel we see Forge appear on the big screen).  "We'll be back in fifteen minutes Warren, then I'll cobble something together and then we can go out and find our friends," (Forge then says with a serious look on his face as Warren then nods his head and says), "Good work Forge, we'll be ready for you."  (Then we see Forge nod his head and the screen goes blank).  "So should I get suited up…or…," (Tabitha then says with a hopeful smile on her face before she then puts the sucker back into her mouth).  "No Tabitha, you may not go back outside and lounge by the bloody pool, I have the strongest feeling that we'll be returning to sewer duty," (Betsy then says with an almost angry and scolding look on her face as then we see Tabitha slump her shoulders and pout a bit and she then turns and leaves the room). 

(Then we see Betsy scowl a bit and then start to walk back towards the exit but Warren then stops her with a hand on her shoulder and a stern look on his face as he then says), "I'd like to know where you think you're going in such a hurry."  (Then we see a panel in which in the immediate foreground we see Betsy's face and shoulder as she has an angry and fed up look on her face as Warren's hand is on her shoulder and his face is stern in the background).  (Then in the next panel we see Betsy angrily shrug off Warren's hand as she angrily says), "I'm going to get ready and then go help Sam and the others find our missing team members…and don't even think about trying to get me to stay behind because I just happen to be two and a half months pregnant…I'll play it safe and try to stay out of any fighting." 

(Then we see a panel in which we see Warren standing right behind Betsy, as we see both of them in a full head to toe panel, as Warren has his right hand on her right shoulder and his left hand is just above her left elbow and Betsy's left hand is overtop of Warren's right hand and her right hand is just down at her side as Warren then says with a very serious look on his face, and the look on Betsy's face matches the one on Warren's), "I know Betts, but you actions is almost like an addiction…you just can't seem to get enough of it…this pregnancy is really going to be trying on your patience."  "Yours to," (Betsy then says in that same panel).  (Then we see Warren take his hands down and smile as he says), "Without a doubt…now we'd better go and find those parts that Forge will need so that we can get to looking that much faster."  (Then we see Warren and Betsy walk out of the ops room). 

[Elsewhere]

(We see panels of the sewer as everything looks normal and on the walls we see the shadows of someone running through the sewers and then we see a big panel of Dani running towards us with a very determined look on her face as she then thinks), Just hold on for a bit longer guys, I'll find you.   [She races through the sewers, using every tracking technique known to her, desperately trying to find and then follow any trace of her friends].  (Then we see several panels of Dani running through the sewers and also checking different things like looking for footprints, stopping and listening, and also trying to see if she can smell anything).  (Then we see her stop and look down a very dark pipe and then shake her head and go back to searching as then we see a quick panel of the opening of that pipe as all is calm and then we see two red eyes open and then War emerges from the shadows with a big sinister smile on his face). 

[A short distance away]

(We see Warpath and Siryn sitting angrily, still chained to the wall as a group of crimson dawn warriors are taking a great amount of pride and joy out of using their weapons, fists, elbows, knees, and feet to beat Warpath relentlessly as Siryn is trying to come to his aid but can't).  (Then we see one of the crimson dawn warriors start to greedily advance towards Siryn but she yells angrily), "Ye bloody…," (as she kicks that crimson dawn warrior hard in the stomach).  (Then we see another of the crimson dawn warriors lean down a bit and rear back to punch Warpath but he then shakes his head, as his face is all beat up and bloody and he throws his legs up and he gets that crimson dawn warrior's head in a leg lock as Warpath is trying to choke the life out of it).  (Then we see a couple panels of the other crimson dawn warriors trying to go to the others aid as they're jabbing Warpath with their weapons). 

[Through the haze of pain in his mind a simple plan for escape is devised].  (Then we see first a close up on Warpath's eyes as they grow large and then one of the crimson dawn warriors that has an energy weapon aim it at Warpath's head but Warpath sees it and uses his legs to swing the warrior that he has in a leg lock into the one aiming the energy weapon as Siryn yells), "Jimmy…look out!"  (Then we see that weapon go off and the blast hits the manacles that are on Warpath's wrists as Warpath says), "Way ahead of you Terry!"  (Then we see the manacles on Warpath's wrists get blasted off and he's freed as he says), "Thanks guys," (and then growls and lunges at the crimson dawn warriors and tears into them and throws two of them through a nearby wall and smashes the rest of them into the ground).  (Then we see Warpath turn back to Siryn and say with a smile as he's breaking Siryn's manacles and freeing her), "Have ya out in a minute Terry."  (Then after she's freed we see a weary Siryn say as she's rubbing her wrists), "Thank you, now help me up so we can go find Erica."  (Then we see Warpath help Siryn up and then the two charge out of the room). 

[The Office of Arthur Royce]

(We see the inside of Arthur's office as he is reclining in a plush chair with his feet up on his desk and he's smoking a cigar as Erica's wrists are chained up to the wall and her face is all beat up as Arthur then says with a smile), "How are you feeling mutie?"  "I'll show you as soon as you take these chains off you sicko," (Erica then says angrily as she tries to free herself).  "All in due time my dear…but if you're in such a hurry then let's get started," (Arthur then says with a greedy smile as he stands up and walks over to Erica before he starts to laugh as he begins to unbuckle his belt as Erica looks on in both shock and revulsion).  (Then we see Arthur say with a big toothy grin on his face as in the background we see the sound of a door opening), "Screaming won't do you any good my dear…."  "I could say the same to you," (We see someone say from off panel that makes Arthur jump a bit and turn around before a fist smashes into his stomach and then his face that then sends him flying back over the desk and slamming into the wall).  "I don't know who the hell you are but thanks," (Erica then says with a confused but relieved look on her face). 

"I'm a friend," (Dani then says as she hurries over and squats down next to Erica).  "I guess I'll have to take your word for it…now could you maybe help me out here," (Erica then says with a meager smile on her face as she holds up her wrists).  "Yeah…where's the key," (Dani then says as she's looking around before she looks at the desk in a panel in which it's as if we're on the other side of the desk and Erica and Dani are looking towards us and Erica says), "Up there on the desk somewhere."  (Then we see Dani nod her head and stand up and then she begins to search the desk as she's making a mess of the desk before she finds the key and then goes back and frees Erica, who rubs her wrists and then says), "Thanks," (and Dani then says as she tosses the key aside), "Don't mention it, now come on, we still have to find Jimmy and Terry."  (Then we see Dani stand up and then turn back around towards the door as Erica is using the wall to help herself up).  "Foolish mutant scum," (someone then says from off panel as we see Dani stop in her tracks and say), "Who the…?"  "Bastard…," (Erica then yells angrily as she launches herself over the desk and then charges straight ahead as then in the next panel we see Erica jump at War who is just laughing, backhands her up against the wall as he says), "Stupid bitch." 

"Erica…," (Dani then says angrily as she starts to charge towards War but he fires off a blast at her that forces her to jump back up onto the desk as she does a flip and at the same time she pulls something off of her belt as she then hits a small switch and the item shoots out into a bow as we then see a panel of an angry Dani on the desk with a psychic arrow loaded in her bow).  (Then in the next few panels we see Dani do a front flip into a ball as she's jumping towards War an firing off arrows as she goes, all of which we see War simply shrug off and then laugh as Dani finishes her roll she aims a kick towards War's head).  "Stupid filth," (War then says with a big grin on his face as he catches Dani in midair by grabbing her ankle as she shouts in shock and alarm before War then begins to laugh heartily and hold onto her ankle as he slams her first into the ground and then up against a nearby wall and he then picks her up and holds her by the back of her neck as we see that she's bleeding from the nose and mouth and she's barely conscious). 

"You disappoint me," (War then says with a  disappointed look on his face as he walks over and then slams her face first into the wall as when she's slammed into the wall her head is turned and she's facing us and her hands are down at her sides and she's no longer holding her bow).  (Then we see War back away a bit and cross his arms as he gloats as we then see panels of Dani as she slowly slides down the wall and she leaves a trail of blood as she goes).  (Then we see a panel of someone shouting from behind War that makes him start to turn around), "Dani!" (Then we see a panel in which War is in the foreground and we see him from behind and in the background we see both Warpath and Siryn rushing into the room and both look ready for a fight).  "War…I should have known that you'd be here," (Warpath then says with a look of anger and disgust on his face as he's clenching his fists). 

"What did ye do to Dani n' Erica," (Siryn then says with a demanding look on her face before she then launches herself straight up into the air in a panel in which she's in the foreground and directly to the side of Warpath, who's in the background).  "The same thing that I'm going to do to the two of you," (War then says with an almost greedy smile on his face as he sets his feet and then starts to form a sphere of energy to shoot towards Warpath and Siryn).  "Fat chance o' that," (Siryn then yells as she sends a sonic scream straight towards War as beside her Warpath just charges forward).  "Then come and face the horror that is you future," (War then says with an excited look on his face as Siryn's sonic scream makes him take a step back before we then see Warpath slam into War just as he releases his blast and there's a large explosion that sends Warpath and War are blasted apart, each through an opposite wall as Arthur shouts in fear and then dives under his desk).  "Jimmy," (Siryn then yells with a fearful look on her face as she lands and looks back at where Warpath went). 

(Then we see a panel of Erica, as she's lying on her stomach, as she's starting to come to as she starts to roll over and moan in pain).  (Then we see Siryn rush over and then help Erica to sit up as Siryn then says), "Erica…are ye…oh my!"  (Then we see a panel of an angry War as he climbs back through the wall and then yell in anger as he violently overturns the desk as Arthur is cowering in fear and War then says), "You are a disgrace to our master…if not for my lord's wishes I would snap your insignificant neck."  (Then we see Warpath start to come back into the room and he's using the wall to help him stay up as crimson dawn warriors, heavily armed ones, rush into the room with weapons drawn).  "Jimmy, we have t' get out of here, we have to get Erica n' Dani to a hospital," (Siryn then says with a slightly scared look on her face as Erica mumbles), "No…no hospital…I'm okay," (before Siryn then blasts the oncoming rush of crimson dawn warriors).

"No argument here…," (Warpath then says as he's punching a nearby crimson dawn warrior).  "Impudent dogs, it is futile for you to continue to resist," (War then says triumphantly as a crimson dawn warrior catches Siryn off guard and smashes the butt end of his weapon into the back of Siryn's head).  "Terry," (Warpath then yells as Siryn crumples to the ground, before he starts to get overwhelmed even though he's fighting hard).  (Then we see Warpath go down under a sea of crimson dawn warriors as War then laughs his approval and says), "Do you see now that like I said…resistance if futile!"  (Then we see a gun blast slam into War, who gets blasted back as someone says from off panel), "Haven't you figured it out yet…resistance is not futile."  (Then we see a panel in which we're looking at the room's doorway and we see a very determined Cable and Forge each with a gun and they're firing at random crimson dawn warriors and above them Sam is blasting the remaining warriors in the hallway as Tabitha is doing much the same thing and Warren is charging in through the middle). 

"Where are the nukes War," (Warren then says with fists clenched and gritted teeth).  (Then we see Tabitha turn to Warpath and say with an excited smile on her face as she's blasting some of the crimson dawn warriors off of him), "Don't you worry big guy…I'll have ya freed up in a sec…."  (Then we see Warpath say once he's freed with a slightly annoyed and worried look on his face), "Forget about me Tabitha, get Terry, Erica, and Dani out of here!"  "Way ahead of you there pal," (Sam then says with a grim look on his face as he blasts off and slams into War's side that causes War to spin and fall back to the ground).  (Then we see War push himself up to his feet and then growls angrily), "You will pay for this incursion with your lives!"  "Oh yeah ugly…well sticks and stones will break my bones but your poor excuses for super villain type death threats will never hurt me," (Tabitha then says with a mocking grin on her face as she's blasting her way towards Siryn and Erica along with Forge as Cable then says with a grim look on his face as he's blasting some more crimson dawn warriors), "Cut the talking Tabitha, get Erica and Theresa out of her while Sam gets Dani." 

(Then we see War howl in anger and then launch himself at Cable and the two go down fighting and are soon locked in hand to hand combat).  (Then we see a panel of Sam as he gets to Dani and he turns her over and gasps with a very shocked and worried look on his face as he then says), "Dani…oh God, please be okay."  (Then we see Sam check for Dani's pulse and take a sigh of relief as Warren then lands beside him and says), "Sam…how is she?"  "She's alive…but we need to get her out of here…now, "(Sam then says with a worried look on his face as he picks Dani up in his arms and Warren thinks as we see a small purple halo appear around his head, Betts…are you there? (Then we see a panel of Betsy aboveground leaning up against a building with an apple in her hand, as well as with a fruit stand nearby, as she's taking a bite out of it).  (Then we see her think back telepathically as she's chewing the apple with her purple butterfly on her forehead), Yes Warren, what's going on…have you found them yet?

(Then we see a panel of Betsy still chewing the apple as a telepathic Warren's head appears just in front of Betsy's head and he's purple, she has a bored look on her face, and Warren then says back telepathically), We found them alright…along with Arthur Royce and War…but we've got injured down here, they're going to need medical attention, get a few ambulances here asap.  Will do luv…just do something for me okay…come back to me…and keep yourself from needing one of those ambulances, (Betsy then thinks back with a concerned look on her face as she takes another bite of the apple).  (Then we go back down into the sewer and see Warren think back with an equally concerned look on his face), Whatever you say Betts.  "Sam, get Dani out of here, we'll handle War and his crimson dawn warriors," (Warren then says with a serious look on his face before he turns and attacks some nearby crimson dawn warriors). 

"Ya don't have to tell me twice," (Sam then says with a very serious look on his face before he then blasts off out of the room and as he goes he knocks several crimson dawn warriors up into the air).  (Then we see panels of War and Cable fighting as Cable then shoves War away and through a weak part of the wall).  "James, help Tabitha get Erica and Terry back up to the street, ambulances are on their way," (Warren then says with a very determined and commanding scowl on his face as he blocks a slash from a crimson dawn warrior's weapon with another warrior's weapon that he had picked up earlier).  "Right boss…," (Warpath then says at first with a slightly relieved look on his face before he gets blasted from behind by a very angry War and is sent crashing into a cabinet and then through the wall behind).  (Then we see a panel of Tabitha helping Siryn up as Siryn then says with a pained grimace on her face and a hand on the back of her head), "Oh…my head, ye get the license number of the truck that hit me?" 

"Sorry Terry, it must have slipped my mind," (Tabitha then says with slightly sad look on her face as she loops an arm around Siryn and Siryn puts her arm around Tabitha's shoulders).  (Then we see, beside Tabitha and Siryn, Forge pick Erica up and he then follows Tabitha out towards the exit of the room as Cable lays down a line of suppressing fire as he's yelling), "Tabitha, Forge, get moving!"  "How dare you run away like the frightened dogs that you are," (War then says angrily as he starts to fire off a blast towards Cable).  (Then we see a panel of Arthur Royce as he's trying to crawl away fearfully through the hole that Warpath made).  (Then we see Warren land just behind Arthur and say with a very serious look on his face as he's also grabbing Arthur's shirt collar), "Arthur Royce I presume, let me introduce myself…Warren Worthington III…."  "Who," (Arthur says with a scared and confused look on his face as he tries to pull away from Warren). 

"Don't play dumb with me Royce…you know damn well who I am…," (Warren then growls angrily as he throws Arthur up against the wall with a lot of force).  "Don't kill me…please," (Arthur then says with a very scared look on his face as he tries to scramble away from Warren but Warpath steps back up in front of him and says with an angry scowl on his face), "What's wrong…you're not so tough when I'm not chained up and you've got a heavily armed army of crimson dawn warriors at your back."  (Then we see Warpath start to reach down to pick Arthur up but then we see someone teleporting in behind him and we then see a quick panel of a woman's hand reaching out towards Warpath). 

(Then in the next panel we see Warpath just about to grab Arthur as the woman's hand hits Warpath in a quick panel and then in the next panel we see a close up panel of a heavily cloaked woman's mouth as she says), "Not today big guy, we need this flatscan."  (Then we see a panel of Warpath looking as if he just got shocked by a really high voltage current as Warren yells with a hand outstretched), "James look out!"  (Then we see Warpath slump to the ground as then a very triumphant Plague steps calmly over his body as Warren then grimaces and says), "Plague…what did you do to him?"  "Never mind failure…you should feel fortunate that my reason for being here is only to retrieve this…human, and not to give you the righteous punishment that you deserve," (Plague then says as she walks up to Arthur with a slightly angry look on her face as Warren, as well as a good number of the heavily armed crimson dawn warriors starts to back up a bit). 

(Then we see an angry War start to storm towards Warren and then blast a charge at Warren, who turns around just a bit, gets hit in the chest and gets slammed back up against the wall).  (Then we see War smile as he steps up to Arthur and then turns back and blasts what's left of the desk and any and all files in the room).  (Then we see a panel of Cable as he's set and aiming his gun at War and Plague as he then says with a very determined and angry look on his face), "I've come to far and worked to hard to have you just teleport away and being able to stop you…now where are the nukes?"  "The nukes location will be evident soon enough, but we shall let that be a surprise for you and the flatscans alike," (Plague then says with an almost cocky sneer on her face as she makes Arthur disappear and then the other crimson dawn warriors as Cable yells), "No…," (and tries to stop them from leaving). 

"We accomplished our objective here and now we will leave you her to ponder your futile existence," (Plague then says with her arms crossed and also a sinister smile on her face before Warren starts to lunge forward and Warpath groggily sits up as both War and Plague teleport away with War laughing).  "No…damn them," (Cable then yells angrily as he fires a gun blast just over Warpath's shoulder that would have hit War and Plague had they not teleported away as Warpath then says with an annoyed and surprised look on his face), "Hey…whoa Cable, watch it will ya!"  (Then we see Cable yell angrily and then punch the wall as then we see Warren stagger back to his feet and cough with a painful grimace on his face along with a hand on his chest as he then says), "James…Cable, you okay?"  

"Sure…other than the incessant ringing in my ears and a little blurred vision…I'm fine," (Warpath then says with a tired and worn out look on his face as he's propping himself up with one hand while scratching the back of his head with his other hand).  (Then we see a panel of Cable looking back up at Warren with an angry but restrained scowl on his face as he says), "Yeah…just peachy," (before he then kicks the door apart as he storms out of the room).  (Then we se Warpath stand up and say with a slightly confused look on his face), "What got stuck up his craw?"  "You know Cable James, he takes everything personally and as such what happened to Dani and you three has hit him pretty hard, and that along with the fact that Cable isn't to talk to freely about his feelings…," (Warren then says with a tired and concerned look on his face as he sighs and shrugs his shoulders as he's looking around the room).  (Then we see Warpath chuckle a bit and then say with a cheesy smile on his face), "Sounds like a certain someone else that I know." 

"Yeah well…you know the old saying…great minds think alike," (Warren then says with a slightly cheesy smile on his face as he's kneeling down in a sea of half burnt papers).  "Yeah, two stubborn old guys…," (Warpath then says with a cheesy smile on his face as he's looking around the room before Warren then interrupts him as he says), "Hey…twenty eight is not old…for old you can ask Cable or Logan," (with a fake hurt look on his face as he gathers up a few half burnt papers as then Warpath picks up the remnants of the desk as he then says with a slight smile), "I'll tell Cable that you called him old."  "Look we'd better get going, Betsy's going to get worried if we stay down here much longer," (Warren then says with a smile as he heads out of the room, with Warpath in tow as he's also holding his side slightly). 

[Hours Later, The Infirmary]

(We open with first a panel of Warren, Cable, and Betsy sitting off in one corner of the room and they're looking at x-rays that are stuck up on a lighted box on the wall all with concerned looks on their faces).  "So it's that bad huh," (Cable then says with an unhappy grimace on his face as he leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head with his elbows bent).  "Unfortunately yes, Dani has multiple broken bones not to mention a collapsed lung and enough bruises to cover all of jolly old England," (Betsy then says with a frustrated scowl on her face as she stands up and crosses her arms and leans back up against the wall).  (Then in the next panel we see Betsy looking out as us in the far background as in the foreground we see a very heavily bandaged up and unconscious Dani as she's hooked up to a lot of machines with wires going everywhere). 

"How long does she have to stay like that, hooked up to all of those machines," (Cable then says with a worried look on his face as he scratches his chin).  "Hard to say…weeks…months…, all I can say with any amount of certainty is that she won't be doing much of anything until long after Arthur Royce is out of the picture," (Betsy then says with an impatient and tired look on her face as Warren then stands up and puts an arm around Betsy's shoulders and he gives her a supportive hug).  "Well now that we've compromised their installation here I highly doubt that Mr. Royce will show his face around here again…we'll have to think of a new plan of attack," (Warren then says with a frustrated look on his face as he turns back to look at Dani).  "And after what happened down in the sewers we're probably not going to have to much time before Apocalypse sets off one or more of the nuclear bombs," (Cable then says with an unhappy scowl on his face as he curls his hand into a fist and then pounds that fist on the chairs armrest). 

"Why haven't any of the other warheads been detonated yet, Apocalypse wants to usher in a new age so…," (Betsy then says with a slightly confused and concerned look on her face as she turns off the light that's lighting up Dani's x-ray).  "That's what I expected him to do at first, but then the genius of his plan donned on me, he's setting them all up so that in one great stroke he can achieve both of his objectives, to destroy any and all possible human resistance along with sending the world into a war that would undoubtedly result in a nuclear winter, bringing about a world in which Apocalypse can assume control and implement his twisted dogma of who's fit to survive and who isn't," (Cable then says with a very serious look on his face as Warren and Betsy sit back down and return his serious look). 

"So where do we go from here…it's obvious that they've already positioned the warhead somewhere beneath San Francisco…look we can't just sit on our hands here," (Betsy then says with a tired look on her face as she crosses her legs, leans forward, hangs her head a bit, rests her elbow on the top knee and rubs her eyes).  "Thanks for reminding me, yes most likely the clock is already ticking and Dani and I are  no closer to finding out where any of the warheads are located then when we came here," (Cable then says with an impatient scowl on his face as he angrily stands up and then walks towards Dani's bio-bed).  "You can't expect to find the warhead that quickly Cable, we got lucky in the finding Arthur Royce today…most likely Apocalypse has the warhead guarded by dozens of his best crimson dawn warriors along with whatever else that madman has cooked up," (Warren then says with an almost fed up look on his face as he almost jumps out of his chair and is about to storm off to confront Cable when Betsy stops him with a hand on his arm and a very serious look on her face). 

"Cable, you know that we feel as badly as you do about what happened to Dani and the others…and we're just as concerned about the warheads and their locations…but this fighting amongst ourselves like a bunch of bloody children," (Betsy then says with a very serious look on her face as she glares at both Warren and Cable).  "You're right Psylocke, we are acting rather childish, any word on those files that you collected from Arthur Royce's office Warren," (Cable then says with a frustrated look on his face as he sighs as he's standing by Dani's bio-bed with his arms crossed).  "Sorry but nothing yet, Forge is on it now and I threatened Tabitha with two weeks of no reality television to get her to help Sam go back into the sewers to look for anything that we may have missed earlier," (Warren then says with a serious look on his face as he first looks back at Betsy and then over at Cable).  (Then we see Cable, still with his arms crossed, reach up and use his index finger to scratch his jaw and then say with a serious look on his face), "Are you sure that was wise, knowing Apocalypse he's probably already set in a team to completely clean and sanitize the entire area, I doubt that they'll find anything." 

"Even if they only find a few hair samples or a short note scribbled onto a greasy napkin then it was worth it," (Betsy then says with a serious look on her face as she stands up and then leans her shoulder into Warren).  "I hope you're right Psylocke, because right now we don't have much room for error," (Cable then says with a tired look on his face as he's heading for the door).  "For once we're in total agreement Cable," (Warren then says with a serious look on his face as Cable leaves the room and Betsy then says with a concerned look on her face), "You two seem to be getting along."  "He's just worried about Dani," (Warren then says with a tired look on his face as he's lightly leaning on the other bio-bed).  "Well he has good reason to be I'd say," (Betsy then says with a very serious look on her face).  "Hey…who's side are you on…," (Warren then says with an unsure look on his face as he stands back up fully and turns to look at Betsy).  (Then we see Betsy throw her hands up a bit and roll her eyes as she then says), "If you don't know that by now then…." 

"I know Betts, it's just that I feel partially responsible for what happened to Dani…and on top of that our failure to stop Imol in Siberia has now put the entire world in jeopardy of descending into a nuclear winter and…," (Warren then says with an angry at himself look on his face as he turns back to the bio-bed and smashes his fists down on the end of the empty bio-bed).  (Then we see Betsy glare slightly at Warren and then say with a disapproving look on her face), "And beating up a defenseless bio-bed is going to do what exactly, make you clairvoyant , thus making you able to tell us where the warheads are."  "Sorry Betts…I do tend to get a…tad…dramatic at times don't I," (Warren then says with a sheepish and embarrassed look on his face as he scratches the back of his head and leans on the empty bio-bed). 

"I was thinking more like a…smidge…luv, but you're right about one thing, unless we do something…and fast…the whole world will end before our children draw their first breaths," (Betsy then says with a  concerned look on her face as she then crosses her arms and walks past Warren with her head down).  "I don't care what it takes…we will find the warheads before Apocalypse can finish placing them, and then," (Warren then says with a very serious look on his face as he walks over to Betsy and lays a hand supportively on her shoulder).  "Try and figure out what in the hell we're going to do with all of those nuclear warheads, we can't detonate them…we can't just make them into oversized lawn ornaments…and I doubt that to many people…and governments for that matter will be to happy with us possessing all of that firepower," (Betsy then says with a serious look of contemplation on her face as she turns back to Warren). 

"Well…we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it, alright," (Warren then says with a look on his face as if he doesn't believe what he's saying but he's trying to make Betsy believe him).  "And if you think that I'm going to buy that line of bologna then I've got a really nice piece of property on Pluto that I'd just love to sell you," (Betsy then says with a joking smile on her face as she pats Warren on the shoulder as he hangs his head a bit and laughs).  "I'm going to see how James and Theresa are doing…they're supposed to be checking to see if our little…adventure…this morning made any of the local news programs, but last I saw the light in the ops room was off," (Warren then says with an expectant look on his face as he sighs and shakes his head and then kisses Betsy before turning and walking out of the room as Betsy then turns back to Dani and then thinks with her arms crossed and a worried look on her face), Get well soon Dani, for I foresee the day fast approaching in which there will be a reckoning like none seen before…and we must be ready for it…lest our lives be in vain.

[Meanwhile, Across Town]

(We open with a panel or two of Sam and Tabitha, both wearing a pair of those waders that fishermen wear and Sam is busy rummaging around through the trash while Tabitha is hesitating with a grossed out look on her face).  "Do I have to actually touch that…garbage, do I…," (Tabitha then says sadly as she turns back to Sam and she's practically begging him to let her out of the work). "Ah wish I could Tab, but Warren made it quite clear that we're supposed to stay here until we find something, even if it takes all day and we go home covered head to toe in muck and slime," (Sam then says with a serious look on his face and his hands on his waist).  "You're not serious are you…I swear I'll throw up all over you if I find a single rat…," (Tabitha then says with a disgusted look on her face as she's holding a really old and smelly sneaker up by the shoestring and she's holding her nose with her other hand). 

"Tabitha, how can you be afraid of a little rat…you can blow away a tank…but you're scared of a little overgrown mouse," (Sam then says with a cheesy smirk on his face as he leans back up against the wall and has his arms crossed).  "It's different…and you know it, tanks and things like that are easy…but rats…they're just…eww," (Tabitha then says with an unhappy look on her face as she uses her foot to root around a bit in a nearby pile of trash).  (Then we see Sam shake his head and smile as he then turns back away from Tabitha and begins to once again look through the trash). (Then we see a panel or two of Sam and Tabitha looking through the trash, Sam is eagerly looking through the trash but Tabitha is doing it very reluctantly).  (Then we see a couple of panels of flashlight beams scanning around as at first neither Sam nor Tabitha notice the flashlights but then Tabitha turns her head a bit and her eyes grow wide and she gasps slightly as she then says), "Hey Sam…uh Sam!" 

"Yeah Tab," (Sam then says with a slightly annoyed frown on his face as he doesn't turn his head as he continues to search through the trash).  "I thought you said that we'd be the only ones down here…," (Tabitha then says with a worried and slightly scared look on her face as she stands up and turns slightly towards Sam).  "We are Tab…all alone," (Sam then says with a growing look of concern on his face as he stands up and turns around a bit but he's turned away from where Tabitha is looking).  "Well I hate to tell you Sam but we're not alone anymore…look," (Tabitha then says with a both concerned and worried look on her face as she points down the sewer tunnel).  "Now Tabitha I…whoa," (Sam then says with a bored look on his face as he turns around a bit and then the look on his face becomes very serious as Tabitha is looking at him). "Should we stay here or should we…go," (Tabitha then says with an unsure look on her face as she takes a step closer to Sam).  "Stay here Tabitha, I'm going to see who it is, but be ready for anything," (Sam then says with a stern look on his face and a hand on Tabitha's shoulder). 

(Then we see Sam start to walk away as Tabitha nods her head and then in a lone panel of Sam walking through the tunnel as he's thinking with a serious look on his face), Ah hope I know what I'm doing.  (Then we see Sam get closer as the flashlight beams do as well).  (Then we see Sam squint and put his hands up in front of his face as all the flashlight beams, now joined by more powerful lights, are in his face as he then says), "Good afternoon, is there something that I can do for you?"  "Who are you," (One of the men says as we see that there's a small group of them as then another of the men says), "What are you doing here?"  (Then we see most of the lights turn away from Sam as he smiles and then says as he drops his hands), "Thanks…my name's Sam, and my fiancé and I are just…."  (Then we see one of the guys say with a serious look on his face), "Oh really, you mean the two of you wouldn't by some slim chance be a couple of those mutants that caused a big ruckus here earlier."

(Then we see Tabitha step up next to Sam as he says with an unhappy scowl on his face), "Ah thought I told you to stay back there," (and Tabitha then says with a slightly hurt look on her face), "You did, but I got bored back there all alone, so I thought that I'd just come over here and see who you were talking to…."  "This that fiancé you were talking about," (One of the guys says with an unimpressed look on his face as he's looking around at the other guys, who all share the same look).  "Yeah…," (Sam then says with a sigh and also a growing look of concern on his face).  (Then we see Tabitha squint her eyes and then walk towards the group of guys and then bend over a bit and look at one of the guys' chest as she then says with a slightly confused look on her face), "Hey Sam look at this, this guy has the initials of the Friends of Humanity on his shirt…I wonder…."  

"If we're with them, well guess what ya mutie bitch, today's your lucky day," (The guy with the initials on his shirt says with a sinister smile on his face as he pulls what looks like an uzi and points the gun in Tabitha's face).  (Then in the next panel we see a close up of Tabitha's face with her eyes wide and her mouth wide open with the gun aimed right at her nose).  (Then we pull back and see a wider panel of the whole group of guys pointing guns at Sam, who's now in an uneasy state of shock, and Tabitha, who's straightened up a bit as Sam then says), "Easy Tabitha."  (Then we see Tabitha scowl angrily and then smile as she then says), "Don't worry Sam, I'm fine…but as for you guys I'll say this…stick this in your pipe and smoke it," (as she then forms an explosive plasma sphere just on the tip of her index finger that's pretty small and she then blows on the end of her finger and the little sphere flies into the barrel of the uzi that's pointed in her face).  "Tabitha…," (Sam then yells angrily as he takes a step forward and grabs Tabitha's arm and starts to pull her back as the group of guys start to yell out in anger and alarm). 

(Then we see a panel of Sam holding Tabitha close to him with a serious look on his face as Tabitha has a look of shock on her face as she yells), "Hey," (and the plasma bomb then goes off and the gun blows up and the force of the blast knocks the guys that had the guns off of their feet).  (Then we see Sam pulling Tabitha back quickly as then we see one of the guys with a gun yell), "#@!$%&* muties!"  (Then we see Sam yell angrily as the Friends of Humanity goons stagger back to their feet), "Gotta stop this before it gets any further out of hand."  (Then we see Sam reach a hand up and blast the ceiling above them in between them and the Friends of Humanity guys as he's pulling Tabitha away).  (Then we see Tabitha pout a bit as she then says), "Ah Sam c'mon…I had em…."  "Sure ya did Tabitha," (Sam then says with a sarcastic smile on his face as he shakes his head and starts to turn around but he then stops suddenly as Tabitha does also beside him).  (Then we see Tabitha slump her shoulders and then say with a very unhappy look on her face), "Oh no…more of you bums…what'd you guys do, clone Jamie Madrox?" 

"Who," (one of the new group of Friends of Humanity guys says with an angry look on his face as he, and those behind him, draw their guns and point them at Sam and Tabitha).  "Ah've had just about enough of you and your kind…always spouting off with you anti-mutant rhetoric without giving a…without ever thinking for even a split second that you could be wrong," (Sam then says with an angry scowl on his face with his fists clenched as he's angry).  "Maybe you're the one that's wrong mutie…ever think about that," (one of the Friends of Humanity guys says with a sneer as he cocks his gun).  "Not that you're gonna care any but yeah I've had moments of indecision…but then things happen, friend and family die and after all that the words and beliefs of Charles Xavier come to the forefront and my belief in them is only emboldened," (Sam then says with a very serious look on his face as Tabitha gives him an odd look and then says with a joking smile), "Been using those phonics tapes I got ya Mason Dixon." 

"All you muties are the same, thinking you're all better than us," (one of the Friends of Humanity guys says angrily as he's lifting up his gun before then another one says), "We're just going to have to teach you to respect us."  "Yeah well, get in line behind you pals back there under that pile of rubble," (Tabitha then yells angrily with hints of a smile around the edges, as she seems to be daring them to attack just as long as Sam is at her side, and she's pointing back behind her and Sam with her thumb).  "How dare you…you…you killed them," (an angry Friends of Humanity member yells as he points his gun at Tabitha, who we then see her stand still in shock as her eyes are wide and her smile gone). (Then in that same panel we see Sam say, with a very serious look on his face and his hands are clenched in fists as he's starting to take a step forward), "Don't even think about it…or else I'll…."  "You'll kill us right," (one of the Friends of Humanity guys says angrily as he takes a step forward).  "I wouldn't normally, but for you I might just make an exception," (Sam then says with a grim and angry look on his face as he starts to power up). 

"Sam…don't…please," (Tabitha then says with a scared and worried look on her face as she grabs Sam's arms).  "But someone has to teach these guys that they can't just point their automatic weapons wherever they feel like," (Sam then says with an angry look on his face as he and the Friends of Humanity guys look like they're about ready to kill each other but Tabitha then pulls Sam back and yells angrily), "Sam what the hell are you doing, have you completely lost you mind!"  (Then we see a panel of Sam silently contemplating what Tabitha said with an unsure scowl on his face as the Friends of Humanity guys look very happy at the problem between Sam and Tabitha).  "What's wrong mutie…having problems with your little girlfriend here…," (one of the guys says with a sinister smile on his face as another one then says while all the rest of the guys laugh heartily), "Maybe he's not man enough for her." 

"Like you'll ever find out pal," (Tabitha then says with an angry and slightly disgusted look on her face as she sticks her tongue out and backs away).  "Stupid little bit…," (one of the Friends of Humanity guys says angrily as he takes a step forward and points his gun at Tabitha).  "You don't wanna finish that thought…trust me," (Sam then says with an angry scowl on his face before he then grabs Tabitha and says), "C'mon Tab, we're leaving," (as she yells), "Hey!"  (Then we see Sam blast upward through the ceiling with Tabitha in his arms as the Friends of Humanity guys yell in alarm and pain as they're showered with rock and they dive to the ground and try their best to protect themselves).  (Then we see first a panel of just people walking on the sidewalk without a care in the world).  (Then we see a panel of those same people reacting as the ground around them starts to shake violently).  (Then we see Sam and Tabitha blast through the sidewalk and then off into the sky as those people nearby watch them go and stare). 

[Back at the mansion]

[He has been at it for hours, beginning, ending, and beginning again projects that started out as just a random wild hare thought].  [Soon the workshop more closely resembles a factor, and as such his impromptu visitor finds the going tough].  (We open with panels of the mansions workshop as the entire room is filled with inventions of various sizes, shapes, and colors).  (Then we see Forge hunched over sitting on a high swivel chair and he's welding something with a welder's mask on and his cane is nearby).  (Then we pull back and see Warpath in the doorway with a confused look on his face as then in the next panel we see Warpath trying to pick his way through the inventions without stepping on any of them).  (Then we see Warpath put his hands into his pockets and then says with an almost bored look on his face), "Well someone's been one might busy little beaver."  (Then we see Warpath stand still and he's looking at Forge as if he's expecting an answer). 

(Then we see Forge lift his welder's mask up and then say with a look on his face as if he's not happy with being interrupted), "What do you…can I help you with something?"  (Then we see Warpath say as he's tiptoeing around all of the inventions scattered on the floor on his way towards Forge), "I was just on my way to see how Dani was doing and I saw that the workshop light was on and thought I'd stop by and see how you were doing?"  "Thank you for your concern but I'm fine," (Forge then says with a slightly angry look on his face as he takes off the welder's mask and then sets it down).  "Sorry I asked…so what's up with all this…spring cleaning," (Warpath then says with a slightly hurt look on his face as he takes a step back).  "Spring cleaning…yeah, something like that, when I get bored, impatient, or nervous I tend to start tinkering," (Forge then says with a tired look on his face as he pulls the welding gloves off).  "Do you always tinker this much, or is this a special occasion," (Warpath then says with a slightly confused look on his face as he looks back over the workshop floor). 

"You should have seen me back in my days with X-Factor, I used to lock myself in the tech shop for days on end," (Forge then says with an almost nostalgic look on his face as he's looking closely at what he just got done welding).  "I can imagine, if you're anything like Terry and her obsession with horticulture," (Warpath then says with an amused grin on his face as he crosses his arms and leans back up against a nearby metal cabinet).  "Her obsession…," (Forge then says with a confused look on his face as he sits back up).  "For Terry whenever things get to hairy or overwhelming she tends to change into some grubby clothes and spend all day out back in the garden, sometimes we do it together…and I have to admit that it's more…therapeutic…then I thought it'd be," (Warpath then says with a calm look on his face as he brings a hand up and puts it on his chin). 

"To each his or her own I guess…now if there isn't anything else I'd appreciate it if you would continue on your way…and shut the door on the way out," (Forge then says with a serious grimace on his face as he opens a drawer and then takes something made of metal out of it).  "Sure…okay," (Warpath then says with a slightly shocked look on his face as he walks out of the room and shuts the door behind him).  (Then we see Forge look back over his shoulder with a tired look on his face before he then pulls his gloves and welders mask back on before he returns to welding).  (Then we see Warpath walking down a hallway before he enters the infirmary and we see Warren standing at the foot of Dani's bed with his arms crossed and beside him we see a bandaged up Erica sitting in a chair at the side of Dani's bed).  (Then we see Erica turn to Warren and then say as she's opening a juice bottle), "Please tell me that you found something…anything, that would be worth what we went through." 

"I truly wish that I could Erica, but apparently all that we recovered were a bunch of documents that were all related to Arthur Royce's…legitimate…business dealings," (Warren then says with an unhappy scowl on his face as he steps over and lays a hand on Erica's shoulder before he then says), "But don't worry, Elizabeth and I will do everything in our power to find that bastard, and bring him to justice, along with finding out where all of the warheads are located."  "That's what we'd all like to have happen Warren, but so far we're coming up empty," (Warpath then says with a slightly sad frown on his face as he walks up to Dani's bio-bed).  "That can't last forever James, sooner or later we're going to find him," (Warren then says with a very serious look on his face as he takes his hand off of Erica's shoulder as she's taking a drink of her juice).  (Then we see Erica say with a slightly angry scowl on her face), "Yeah, hopefully before he detonates any of the warheads." 

"Or gets someone like War to do a number on one of us like he did to Dani," (Warpath then says with a very angry look on his face with his hands clenched tightly into fists as they're on the end of the bio-bed just past Dani's feet).  "I won't let that happen again," (Warren then says with an angry scowl on his face as he smashes a fist down on the edge of the bio-bed).  "I wish that I could believe you Warren, but ever since I joined this outfit it's been one bloody fight after another…if I didn't know any better I'd think that was all you people knew how to do, but then when we saved all of those people in Parlau Pau I saw just how much good we can do," (Erica then says with a somber and serious look on her face as she's leaning forward and resting her forearms on her knees and she's hanging her head a bit).  "

That's the plan that we've tried to always follow, make the world a better place for everyone, humans and mutants alike…all while trying to not get ourselves killed," (Warpath then says with an almost amused look on his face as he's looking over at Warren).  "But unfortunately it hasn't always worked, and splitting off because you no longer trust someone that's been like a father to her…I mean to them…," (Warren then starts to say sadly in a panel before then in a quick panel we see Warren with an embarrassed look on his face as both Erica and Warpath are looking at him with confused looks on their faces, and then in the next panel we see Warren regain his composure).  "Only serves to weaken the group," (Erica then says with a bored look on her face before she then takes a drink of her juice as Warpath then says with a worried look on his face), "And sever the ties that they claim to be trying to protect." 

"And they also often end up losing those that they love," (We see Siryn say sadly as she walks into the infirmary , with some bandages on and looking like she just got out of the shower, with Betsy, who now is wearing jeans and a sweater with a white turtleneck underneath, at her side as Betsy then says with a sad look on her face), "And in the end they must live with the consequences of those decisions for the rest of their lives, as will we."  "Is it hard," (Erica then says with a serious look on her face as she's holding her juice up to her mouth).  "More than you'll ever know," (Warren then says with a serious and sad frown on his face as Betsy is now beside him and Warren loops an arm around her waist as she has a serious frown on her face).  "Well at least the local news didn't get any footage of us this morning," (Warpath then says with a slightly relieved look on his face as beside him Siryn is pulling her hair up into a ponytail and she's smirking slightly). 

"I'm afraid that one of these days they will, and the next thing that we know they'll want me on the Today show talking to Katie and Matt and Betts doing one of those Barbara Walters specials," (Warren then says with a dreading look on his face as he pulls Betsy close while she smiles and laughs a bit).  "Haven't you two already done that," (Erica then says with a slightly confused frown on her face as she's looking up at Warren and Betsy).  "Of course, but back then those appearances were your average run of the mill interviews with two rich people, but now probably all or most of those questions would revolve around us being mutants," (Betsy then says with a begrudging look of annoyance on her face as with her right hand she's looking at it and using her thumbnail to try and clean the dirt out from underneath her other fingernails).

"And now with you being pregnant I bet they'd have thousands of questions that they'd want to ask ye, ye ready for that," (Siryn then says with a slightly cheesy smile on her face with her arms crossed as she's leaning up against Warpath).  "I will be when the time is right," (Betsy then says with a slightly unsure look on her face as she's looking at Warren, who has the same unsure look on his face).  "Maybe we should fan out throughout the city and see if we can find anything, maybe we'll run across someone who likes to talk or brag about what they've done," (Warpath then says with a hopeful look on his face and his hands up like he's in class and answering the teachers question).  "That sounds good to me, I hate sitting here all day wondering what's going to happen next," (Erica then says with a bored look on her face before she takes another drink of her juice).  "Jimmy n' I can take the marketplace district, we can restock while we…," (Siryn then says with a subdued smirk on her face before Betsy cuts in with a stern look on her face), "Fine, but remember if you find anything helpful contact us immediately, the last thing that I need to do today is to look for you two for a second time." 

"Hey come on Psylocke, ye know we'll be fine," (Siryn then says with an assured smile on her face as she's patting Warpath on the shoulder).  "You mean like you were fine this morning," (Betsy then says with an unbelieving look on her face as she also crosses her arms).  "That wasn't our fault, there were extenuating circumstances, we wouldn't even have been out last night if Erica hadn't practically begged for our company," (Warpath then says with a look on his face as if he were a small child trying to justify his actions that he won't be able to but he tried anyway).  "Hey, what are you saying, that us getting nabbed was my fault," (Erica then says with a very angry look on her face as she leaps up out of her chair and starts to get in Warpath's face).  "No…it's just that had we not gone out with you last night we might have been taken, that's all," (Warpath then says with a slightly embarrassed look on his face as he takes a step backwards). 

"You can all place blame later, but right now we need to circle the wagons and figure out our plan of attack, we're going to do this by the book," (Warren then says with a stern look on his face as he walks over to a board near Dani's bio-bed that's showing Dani's vital signs in mostly a digital readout).  "Where is this book that you all keep talking about, we're always going by it but I've never actually seen it," (Erica then says with a slightly confused look on her face as she walks back to her chair and sits back down with the chair turned around and she rests her chin on her arms that are resting on the back of the chair).  "You know I don't think that there's an actual book Erica, in reality it's much more of a metaphor for the correct way to do things," (Betsy then says with an understanding smile on her face as she turns around slightly and leans on Dani's bio-bed, still with her arms crossed, while in the background we see Erica roll her eyes). 

(Then we see Warren say dryly with almost a nostalgic and happy look on his face as he's also lightly running his index finger along Dani's lifeline), "Actually that's not entirely true Betts, at least not with the X-men, you see back in the early days Charles actually did give each of us originals a handbook and told each of us to study them, of course Scott and Hank did exactly what he said and went right back to their rooms and began reading, Bobby on the other hand studied for all of about five minutes before he pestered Jean until she agreed to play a board game with him."  "And what did you do luv, have your secretary read it for you," (Betsy then says with a playful smile on her face as she stays seated and turns her head and upper body and is looking over at Warren).  "No, I actually read it all the way through myself…well okay most of it myself," (Warren then says with a happy smile on his face as he half turns around). 

"Learn anything from it," (Warpath then says with a calm look on his face as he looks over at Warren and behind him we see the infirmary doors open).  "Yeah, but that's for another time and place," (Warren then says with a slightly serious look on his face and a small wave on his hand).  "Hey Warren, stop what you're doing, you're gonna absolutely flip out when you hear what happened to us back in town," (Tabitha yells almost at the top of her lungs as she and Sam rush into the room).  (Then we see Betsy look up at Tabitha and glare angrily at her as she then says), "Tabitha please lower your voice this is an infirmary if you haven't forgotten, Dani is trying to get some sleep!" 

"Oops…sorry," (Tabitha then says with an embarrassed look on her face as then Warren says with his hands in front of him in a calming manner and a forced look of calm on his face), "Yes Tabitha…Sam, what is it?"  "Well we were looking around down in the sewers for anything like you told us to…gross as it was…and then…," (Tabitha then says with a helpful look on her face before Sam then says with a kind smile on his face and a hand on Tabitha's shoulder), "It's okay Tabitha, let me handle this…ah know you're not gonna like this but apparently there's another player in our little game with Mr. Royce."  "Who is it this time…," (Betsy then says with a slightly angry look on her face as she shakes her head in dismay).  "Our old buddies…the Friends of Humanity," (Sam then says with a very serious look on his face as he crosses his arms and shakes his head as everyone else in the room looks on in dismay). -END