A/N – I don't own anything…I was supposed to mention this before tee hee. I wish I owned but I don't. Too bad for me. Here's another update…I need reviews to tell me what people are thinking and if I should continue. Please, please review!

Logan was in a really ugly mood. Not all that uncommon if truth to be told but he was in an even ugly mood than usual. Heaven have pity on the poor souls that, in a fit of stupidity, might try to get in his way now.

Life had never been easy on him. First thing he remembers was waking up in the snow somewhere in Canada, almost 20 years ago by now, with only small glimpses of what his life might have been before that. Since then things have mostly gone downhill. First, living the life day by day, fighting in cage fights to make enough money to get food, cigars, beer and petrol for the old beaten up camper. Then, fifteen years of that kind of life later, he accidentally met Marie when she was on the run. They both soon became full members of the mutant band called the X-men. During the years as a reputable cage fighter, he'd met many women and taken most back to his room and simply had a fuck. With Marie, it was a different relationship. Despite her being 18 when they met, he secretly desired her, never allowing her to know his true feelings until many years later. She dated a couple times while living in the mansion; mainly Bobby for a few years. It was only after the first 'retirements' of mutants in New York that Marie tearfully confessed her feelings of long time love for Logan. At first he didn't know how to react. They had made love in his bed, both longing for the passionate embrace of physical contact. She had just turned 21 and desired him from the moment she had met him, and he felt the same way. No other woman had gotten under his skin like his Marie. The relationship was hard…Logan disappeared for a couple months and Marie waited patiently for his return. Her skin caused many problems…as it was lethal to touch but with concentration, she could control the flow. Logan had returned back to Marie after leaving, and to find her still waiting for him. Ever since then, they had been together whenever they could, each gave a promise to love each other forever until death separated them.

But reality wanted something else. One of X-men's ongoing missions, the most important one, was trying to keep humanity from shunning and outlawing people born with what's known as the X-factor. It was the odd genetic change that makes certain people born differently and in most cases more powerful. That mission was a complete and utter failure. Soon, mutants of all kinds were fair game for everyone to kill. Most of the X-men have fallen and were now long since dead and gone. The mansion's been replaced with a transformation facility. A fancier way of saying "brainwashing" and "programming". Mutants particularly suited for tracking down and "retiring" other mutants were brought there to be "converted". The only two remaining X-men members were Wolverine and Rogue, hiding out in separate places across New York City. Not out of free will but out of necessity. They're the ones with the most experience and fighting-skills and they just couldn't take the risk that they both might be "retired" at the same time.

And today one of Logan's friends and team members had gone down. Ororo Munroe, formally known as Storm. She had been brought down by that bastard Creed, no doubt. All of that combined into making Logan the epitome of rage contained in one body; a body that was just itching to kill something. Passion was waiting to be unfurled. Logan also knew he couldn't take that risk. Not now. First, he had to get back to his and his team's hideout. The plan they've been perfecting for some time needed to be completed and carried out before he could allow the grim reaper to draw his number.

So he chose stealth over violence. He will save violence is for another day. Not today. He might be hard to kill but to tempt death or "retirement" as it's called where mutants are concerned is just not an option for the time being, however tempting it could be just to call it quits. But there's much more at stake than his own life and needs. Whatever Logan is called, selfish or coward is not amongst those things. He's not quitter either so he had never really considered the calling it quits an idea. Just something he couldn't avoid thinking of when he was feeling downright depressed over the state of affairs. Who was it that said "Something's rotten in the state of Denmark"? He had no idea but he all too well knew what was rotten in the state of New York. And the whole fucking United States at large for that matter. And he didn't like it one bit. He hated it with every fiber of his soul and he was determined to change things, but he knew that he and his friends most likely couldn't change everything. They could at most hope for turning the tides somewhat so a change might, in time, come.

That was when Logan noticed a familiar scent. He had been too caught up in his own thoughts so he was caught a little off guard and was promptly hit by a large tree. "Not again" he thought, feeling the odd sense of De-ja Vu. He didn't get knocked out this time though, he wasn't that much surprised this time.

"Long time no see Creed. Not long enough though." he grinned, eyes narrowing with the familiar sound of snikt when he released his claws.

"Cut the small talk, runt. You won't walk away alive this time." Creed rumbled, his large frame overpowering.

"Oh, really. Tough words for a traitor." Logan growled, claws at the ready.

Both Creed and Logan were extraordinary fighters, with healing-factors to boot. Neither was easy to kill, for ordinary people or other mutants. The two men were rather even-matched. Creed's greater strength could have given him a slight edge if it hadn't been for the extended reach Logan's claws gave him not to mention Logan's greater intellect.

The fight still raged back and forth for many minutes, and Logan noticed that they were attracting an audience. Creed was known to be one of the official mutant-hunters so he was safe if he proved to be the winner. Logan however would have to face a hostile crowd if he killed Creed. "Shit! This is not going well" Logan cursed to himself. Neither one of the fighters had pulled their punches in anyway but the on-looking crowd gave Logan a new incentive. He had to finish this quickly before the crowd became too large so he could try to vanish quickly.

"Creed!" he yelled at the larger man, "Consider your immunity to retirement being revoked!" he said and lunged at the man. The claws of his right hand went into the abdomen of Creed. The gruff man howled and rammed his own claws at Logan's arms, creating severe cuts.

Logan quickly withdrew his claws and slumped to the ground. Saber-tooth smirked, blood running down his chest, and quickly took off when a beeping sounded from his pocket. "Not over runt." He barked over his shoulder. The on-looking crowd was stunned by the fight. Logan hastily made his disappearance after his wounds healed up, growling in the back of his throat.

Robert Kelly was furious. Really, really furious. Nothing was going his way and he was seriously beginning to think he'd been born under a bad star or something. First he loses his beloved daughter, thanks to the laws that he himself had caused to come into effect. That in itself is enough to drive a man over the edge and to make matters worse, his wife since 30 years back had taken the first flight back home to Minneapolis when she had found exactly how much blood he had on his hands. All the walls seemed to be crumbling down around him and there was seemingly nothing he could do about it. Except bury himself in work to get his mind of it.

Only problem with that particular strategy is that work leads to another set of problems, frustrations and anger. The attempted death of Victor Creed was one. His best agent nearly cut to pieces. Sure - Rasputin, Worthington, Callisto, Cassidy, Allerdyce and the rest are good in their own rights but none with Creed's uncanny capability of finding and besting his prey. But they could be better if they hadn't been forced through the transformation process, which kills some of the subject's initiative capability. They lose some of their flexibility. Creed hadn't gone through that. All that had to be done to make him a mutant hunter was to play on that bloodlust of his. An opportunity to kill and maim was all the incentive he had needed. He was the best one he had had. Apparently, it was not good enough. At least not when there's someone even better. Both Creed and he himself had seriously underestimated the Wolverine.

And what if they had underestimated Rogue as well? Would he lose yet an agent to her? And if Creed couldn't retire the Wolverine, who could? Some with magnetic powers would have been the obvious choice but Magneto and Polaris had both been retired so that option was closed.

He couldn't see a way out of that dilemma.

Meanwhile, somewhere else

Marie couldn't help but wonder. Wonder if she'd been too cocky and self-confident when she said she'd have no problem handling Rasputin. Or was she just trying to reassure Logan? She wasn't sure herself but knew that even if she could handle Rasputin it would be a close call. Very close call. After all these years, she wasn't the same Marie that hid away in Logan's camper. She had acquired some additional powers when she had to defend herself against other mutants and has become quite good at some martial arts as well, even if she knows that some people wouldn't have a problem trashing her in a competition. Logan's memories of Japan and learning the martial art of aikido helped her situation more. She meditated often and constantly worked on her form to a state of utter perfection. Around the same time, just after Logan had vanished for several months, the lessons with Xavier had paid off. She had finally gained control of her deadly skin and was able to switch it on and off with concentration. Her concentration then had lain with Logan's return.

But life in New York wasn't a competition. And fighting for your life makes that crystal clear. It also makes it clear that once has to fight dirty to stay alive. All things combined, she becomes an efficient killing machine if she needed to be. She preferred not to be that though, which was why she led the team that relies more on stealth than strength. In fact, she could hardly sleep for a whole week the first time she had to kill. The guilt over that still haunted her at times and at those times, the only thing on her mind is that it should have been her.

But Rasputin's though too. A guy that can turn himself into steel has to be. Not only was he extremely hard to knock out if nothing else. And he's not a dummy. Good thing he's not too good at tracking people down. That was Creed's and Logan's area of expertise. So she was the safest for tonight. Good thing too because she was way too exhausted to put up a good fight. In the end, it turned out that probably was not true. She was safe for the night and made it back to her safe (relatively speaking) haven, where Hank, Bobby, Cypher and her other partners already were.

Later the same day, back at Kelly's office

Kelly was still considering his dilemma, but no nearer to a perfect solution to it. Only a solution involving several hunters, cornering Wolverine and eventually bringing him down. A solution he wasn't at all happy with since it could involve several hunters being killed or permanently disabled.

He was pacing back and forth in his office while thinking it over when the intercom beeped.

"Yes?" He answered.

"Two men here to see you Mr. Kelly." A female voice rang out over the intercom.

"Who? I'm not expecting anyone."

"A Dr. Trask and a Mr. Shaw."

"I don't recognize those names but send them in anyway. I need some distraction here."

"Very well sir." The woman replied.

"Afternoon, Gentlemen. I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you before so I'll get right to the point here. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Kelly lifted his head as the two men walked in Kelly's office several minutes later.

"We have a proposal for you, Mr. Kelly." Shaw said quietly.

"Which involves?" Kelly's thoughts were intrigued.

"A permanent solution to the mutant menace. A more, shall we say elegant and efficient solution than those mutant hunters you employ." A smile crossed the man's lips, while Dr. Trask stood silent.

"I must say you got my attention there." Kelly said, sitting down in his chair and relaxing back slightly.

"I thought it would. Our Sentinels will deal with those annoying rebels and outlaws in a matter of weeks." Finally Trask said his voice husky.

Kelly doesn't know what to make of that. "Okay, your bait has caught the fish Dr. Trask. What about the program involving Rogue that I've heard through the grapevine?"

"Consider it a done deal to put it simply." Shaw answered.

"And the sentinels, why would they be better than our current approach?"

"They much harder to kill for starters and if I'm not wrong you just lost your best hunter?" He replied, placing his hands in his pockets. Trask glanced around the office with little interest.

"Yes. But you said for starters. What more?"

"Well, it's got a mutant-tracker built in. Xavier had one too when he was alive but he used it for other purposes. When a mutant's found the Sentinel can use a variety of different state-of-the-art weapons to retire the said mutant. It also has a very complex strategy-software that improves over time to predict how the mutant might defend itself."

"And what does this thing look like?" Kelly asked, leaning forward.

"Why?" Trask asked in return, picking up his paper weight and tossing it from hand to hand. A grin crept onto his lips.

"Well, if it's an obvious looking robot I think the mutants might figure something's up since we have none walking the streets of New York now."

"True. As for looks, there are two models. One giant-sized that was designed to defend important buildings against mutant attacks. Giant-sized means that it can be seen across New York, practically."

"That won't do. Not in a crowded city."

"Agreed. Which is why we have Sentinel MK-II, which is indistinguishable from a human. More so than the late Creed or Beast for instance. But still as good as MK-I." Shaw said coolly. Dr. Trask replaced the paper weight with a small thud

"Ah, that's better. But why come to me with this? If you want me to use these things in New York, fine by me but it's really the mayor that decides that. Not me."

"Well, yes. But you are the one that can tell us if it's feasible to go ahead." Shaw said.

"How long will it take to put the project in motion Dr. Trask?" Kelly was now keenly interested.

"It has already began phase one Mr. Kelly. All I ask is that you provide us with a few test subjects on the side for minor procedures and invasive technology training for our employees. Preferably mutants." Dr. Trask said, smiling larger. His eyes were piercing and invasive.

"Let me see if I've got this straight. You want some of the mutants living as prisoners to do what? I thought you said you needed Rogue and the Wolverine?"

"Well, at first those two were the main section of the project but it turns out, the later phases we have not tested and we would like to prefect the tests before trying on the real subjects."

"And you're sure this project will actually work in the end?" Kelly asked, his eyes narrowing.

"There really is no choice for it not to. Tax payers hard earned money has gone into this…that's billions Mr. Kelly. The balance of nature, as we say, hangs in the balance and I hope to tip the scale."

"Awfully tempting…what do I receive if I participate?"

"Two things. One. The mutants will die out making the city safe again. And two, Mr. Shaw and I are businessmen. We don't plan on taking and giving nothing in return. You gain recongnition, future votes and stability both financially and mentally." He said, running a hand threw his hair. Trask reached into his pocket and tossed a thick wad of bills. "Consider this the first of many 'gifts'." He said.

Kelly looked down at the money and pursed his lips together. "Then gentlemen, let me take this up with the mayor and get back to you." Kelly announced standing up and shaking the men's hands.

"Sounds fine, Mr. Kelly." Dr. Trask said eyeing him carefully.

"Give us the mutants we need to further the project, and the so badly desired 'Judgment Day' will come about." Shaw nodded.

Both men turned quietly and left the office, leaving Kelly to his thoughts.

Kelly himself was not as sure of it. Was he prepared to take the wrap if everything went to shit? What if innocent humans were killed in the process? But Robert Kelly knew that in reality he had no choice. The mayor had been on his back for quite some time now, demanding to see some results…and not just some Storm or Jubilation Lee being retired. No, more noticeable results. He needed results that were showing that the mutant population was decreasing. And a bunch of mutant hunters just didn't seem to cut it. He had his doubts that a battle squadron of Sentinel robots would either but the mayor was a stubborn man. He most assuredly would back this project if it has even one very slim chance of making a difference.

And to be honest, letting loose a murderous robot or a murderous Victor Creed - was there really a difference? Both can cause quite a lot of damage if not controlled properly. Okay, not Creed anymore but the other hunters can cause damage and have at times. That's why there was no Statue of Liberty any more. It was completely wrecked in the fight between Sabra and Chamber.

No, he really had no choice. The Sentinels will be built he was sure. The decision was really out of his hands. The project needed to be completed, or Dr. Trask would be furious. He had financed enough and could not simply refuse the scientist any longer. Rogue and Wolverine needed to be found immediately.