Chapter 4: UNDERSTANDING
KraKoa – Marauder:
"Join me or die" Kitty said with a smile.
Daniel stared at her with shock. 'Am I getting recruited or forced'.
"It was just a joke, partially." She chuckled.
"Well, then I decline your invitation. I'm sure there are others who will love to join you but, I need to get home". Daniel said.
"I don't think you understand your situation" she sighed, knowing newbies are always like this. "You're now a mutant, you can't go back and you owe me your life, but I don't do that "you're now my slave" thing" she waved her hand dismissively.
Daniel remembered the events and clenched his fist. "Is that why that thing attacked".
"Yes, a sentinel"
"What?! that's not a sentinel, I've seen sentinels before." He said while running through his memories of sentinels. Sentinels were commonly known as mutant hunters and even some humans but they were giant robots not human sized, sure it was like an android but,
"Believe it or not it is and you're very unlucky to be targeted by this one." She displayed a holographic 3d image of the sentinels that attacked. "An Omega Prime Sentinel, created by Baston, the mutant who tried to kill the rest by making Prime Sentinels. Prime Sentinels are basically biological Sentinels, so Human-Sentinel fusion. Omega Prime Sentinels are also biological but, they are stronger, smarter, and dangerous. They adapt to mutant abilities and can shapeshift weapons with nanotech, making them the perfect mutant killer." She closed her hand on the image. "But only one was made and she was long gone as far as I'm aware" she looked at me. "Get why I said your unlucky"
Daniel gulped as he absorbed the information. "So, you saved me. Thank you"
"Hold the thanks, I didn't do it out of goodness" she waved her hand. "So now about my request"
'Was that a request' he thought. "I still decline, I have to get back, my mother must be worried"
"What are you, 20s and still a mother's boy" she snickered and Daniel got annoyed.
"What about you, mid 20s and still dressed like you're still in teenage rebellion phase"
They stared at each other for a while.
"Whatever" She took out a file. "Daniel Nhite, 23, worked at A.I.M programmer before moving to the cyber security. Has a major understanding of tech. You were diagnosed with a rare condition Thanatosis, which lets your subconsciousness take over to ensure survival over everything else" She looked at him. "Father, deceased. Mother, unknown"
"What do you mean" he sat on the edge of the bed
"Your mother has been missing since afternoon, in fact, she's completely gone from every record" she handed him the documents.
Daniel grabbed it and started looking through, "That's impossible, I just saw her this morning"
"Let's put that down for now" she took the files from his hand. "Let's get to the pressing matter." She looked at him with seriousness. "I lost a member while rescuing you. Several, injured and I have to compensate a 'friend'. So, you owe me and mutants can't live outside KraKoa and that sentinel will show up the moment you leave"
"Sigh, I don't have a choice do I" Daniel sighed looking at all the disadvantages.
"Nope, welcome aboard" she smiles and offered her hand.
"For a while, I'll be in your care." He took her hand. "But what is it for me here"
"Well, you won't be stationed on KraKoa, we deal with international business so lots of moving around and depending on your abilities you'll get extra access."
"Now what is your ability, I know you just awoken, but you should know somethings. Tell me and I'll figure it out"
"Not sure, but… I can understand, feel and communicate with technology" he said and Kitty's smile grew as she heard his ability. She has been looking for some like this for a long time.
"That means you're a technopath, like Baston, come with me" she stood up phased through the wall.
'Does she expect me to pass through the wall' he wandered then Kitty's head popped out from the door "use the door" she said before phasing out again.
'Not going to lie, that ability is cool' Daniel walked to the door and it opened automatically.
Kitty was waiting for him, she gestured for him to follow.
……
The walked for 30 mins until they reached a huge square room. Two people were already there. Daniel instantly recognizes them as they were the ones that saved him, excluding one.
"Alright we are here" Kitty clapped her hand the two turn to us. "These are your fellow crew mates; the icy guy is Ice-Man and the Valkyrie wannabe is Magik"
"Ah, you're up it's good you survived that wound" Ice man patted his shoulder. "My real name is Robert Drake and this is, Illyana" she pointed to Magik
"Do we really need this weakling" Magik asked. "I almost died because of him" she glared at him.
'I have a feeling she doesn't like me at all' Daniel thought. "Wait, how did you recover so fast and wasn't there one more person" he looked around.
"Two actually, the girl belongs to the 'friend' I have to compensate and the other was the one that saved all of you but he has a mission so he left. They both don't belong here and we have one of the best healers or know" Kitty said and looked at Illyana "You won't die that easily but I say he was worth the risk" Kitty smiled and looked at Daniel, "either way, this is the danger room and we are going to test your level"
"How?" Daniel looked confused.
"Simple we are going to push your limits with old sentinel attacks. The danger room simulates battles we've faced before, so are you ready"
"Don't worry, friend you won't get hurt. It's a simulation" Ice-Man said relieving Daniel.
"That I'll control" Magik said.
Daniel gulped and looked at Illyana who had a wicked smile while cracking her knuckles.
'Fuck' he cursed, 'She absolutely hates me'
KraKoa - Observation:
The professor and Magneto were currently explaining the mission to a young man.
The man wore a full body blue suit with light blue outlines and a silver-colored visor with only a thin red line across it covering his eyes, connected to his ears. He was Scott Summers also known as Cyclopes.
"So, Scott, the mission is to destroy the mother mold at the Orchis base, located at the sun." Professor said
"Orchis is an organization of human scientist band together due to mutantdom being a threat to them. They are a mix of ex-S.H.I.E.L.D, A.I.M, ex-Hydra and others." Magneto added.
"So, the plan is to make sure the mother mold never comes online" Professor said
"Sure, because weather's always a sketchy proposition. You'll never know when it will start raining sentinels"
"There's that but we think it's more" Professor said.
"We think the scale and resource imply a paradigm shift in technology." Magento added.
"I don't get it, sentinels are already deadly and dangerous, they are built for adaptation and improvision. Why a next generation. What could--" Scott asked.
"We think this is where NIMROD becomes operational" the professor displayed an image of NIMROD. A blank, featureless purple mask with glowing red eye.
"Oh… Damn" Scott cursed.
There are levels of Sentinels; first, is the base Sentinel, a huge robot design to hunt mutants, but making them was a slow and tedious task. So, the Master mold was made, it was a sentinel designed to make sentinels faster but they were destroyed leading to the creation of the Mother Mold. The Mother Mold is a sentinel designed to make Master Molds. But NIMROD, is a Sentinel with an AI consciousness able to be independent. NIMROD has led mutants into extinction in an alternate timeline. He is too smart and more dangerous than an Omega Prime Sentinel.
……
30 minutes later.
"It's done. I've assembled a team. Good mutants and all who have accepted the mission for what it is" Scott came through a portal seeing the professor and Magneto standing side-by-side. "They understand the stakes and risk and they embrace it"
"Such a brave face you wear for me Scott" The professor smiled. "But I can hear the hear the fear in your mind."
"Is it wrong that I'm afraid? That I have doubts?" Scott questioned calmly.
"Of cause not. You've always been that way, what's the matter is it that you overcome it and do so for your family." Professor said. "Let me put your fears to rest, my son. You're not doing to die. I won't allow it"
"For the righteous can never truly die. They live on. Transformed into something immortal by their mighty works" Magneto added "For you to truly die, you must be forgotten"
His words echoed in Scott's mind as he entered the portal.
……
In an opened space, a huge jet stood waiting along with six people. From the left;
Logan, The Wolverine, wore his classic yellow and blue costume, reminiscent of his earlier days with the X-Men with the yellow sections covering his torso and upper legs, and blue covering his arms, lower legs, and shoulders. The suit is sleeveless, allowing his muscular arms to be free, and it features his iconic retractable claws, which extend from his knuckles. His cowl has black, pointed ears, completing his recognizable look.
Beside him was a woman with a youthful and strong appearance. She wore a loose and determined expression. She has blonde hair. She wore a sleek, form-fitting outfit, usually in shades of yellow and black. It has a simple, streamlined design, emphasizing her agility and flexibility in battle. The costume also includes gloves and boots, providing protection while still allowing her to fully utilize her powers. She is Paige Guthrie, also known as Husk.
Standing behind her was a man with angelic features. He has a pair of large, metallic wings, which are razor-sharp. He wore a sleek, black and blue suit that complements the metallic sheen of his wings. The suit is tight-fitting, designed for aerial combat, and often features glowing blue accents that give him a high-tech appearance. His wings are fully integrated into the suit, making him a powerful and intimidating presence. He is Warren Worthington III, also known as Arch-Angel.
Beside him was a statuesque and stunning woman with a confident and regal bearing. She has long, dark hair, styled sleek and straight. She wore a sleek, form-fitting red and white suit that complements her superhuman strength, speed, and invulnerability. The suit is elegant yet practical, with a high collar and gloves that extend to her elbows. The red portions primarily cover her torso and boots, while the white covers her arms and legs, giving her a sophisticated yet powerful appearance. She is Monet St. Croix often known as M.
Standing beside her with long, flowing red hair and striking green eyes is Jean Gray/Summers. She wore her original Marvel Girl outfit. The suit is primarily green, with a yellow mask covering her head, leaving her nose and mouth visible. A yellow "X" belt cinches her waist, and she wears yellow gloves and boots. The design is simple yet iconic, reflecting her connection to her past while also emphasizing her status as a key figure in the mutant community.
And finally, in a white dress with blue skin was Mystique.
……….
They were all getting ready when Scott came through the portal and brief them on the mission one more time along with new information.
"Apparently, a group of rouge scientist called Orchis is building the ultimate Master Mold— a Mother Mold in orbit around the sun." He said as he walked towards them, "we have to destroy it before it comes online and while, sure, the hell of a nightmare machine that produce mutant death factories is some bad news…the real danger here is we think it's going to lead to a technological paradigm shift—a Nimrod." He stopped in front of them, looking at their serious expressions "so, off we go. But be advised, we won't be taking any KraKoa fauna with us, so no gateway to bring us home. We are doing this the old fashion way. Fly in and out and get home." Scott finished.
"I don't get it, why no plants?" Angel asked
"Yeah, call me crazy, but it seems like a good idea to have an emergency was home" Husk added
"That's because you're only thinking of success, not planning for failure. What if the Mother Mold A.I gets a hard look at what we're doing here on KraKoa—how all of this works…" Monet said with a frown. "Who knows, maybe they find something we haven't."
"Exactly, Monet, so we can't risk it. So, no plants, got it? Everyone?" Scott looked at everyone. "Are you listening, Mystique?"
"My ears work fine, Summers." Mystique answered.
"One person isn't here" Scott observed.
"He said he's going to help Kitty with something, he'll be back soon" Logan said.
"Let's hope" They began walking into the jet.
"What about the human crew?" Jean asked her husband.
"The mission is to stop the operation no matter what, but we want to keep the casualties to as close to zero as possible. The station has a long-term capacity of just over 3,000. So, there are probably a lot of innocent civilians with whatever security they have." Scott answered her as the all took their seat.
"Innocent civilians don't build machines to exterminate a species, slim." Logan said checking some buttons.
"They are not soldiers at war, Logan. They are scientist scared of their own future." Jean countered
"War or not, this needs to be stopped no mater what." Logan slammed his fist on the armrest. "Or did you forget the genocide they caused on Genosha, or that your clone died there" He pointed to Jean then Scott "That your son's biological mother died there"
"ENOUGH" Scott said in rage before calming down. "Not another word Logan"
Logan huffed and crossed his hand and rested in the chair and Jean glared at him for a while before looking away.
Deep down everyone knew Logan was right but they won't let it cross their ideals.
The jet doors closed and the engine roared.
Suddenly a blue mist puffed in an empty seat. And a figure was sitting in it.
He had a distinctive and demonic appearance, with blue, velvety skin, pointed ears, and glowing yellow eyes. He also has a long, prehensile tail that he uses in combat and movement. He wore a red and black costume. The suit is skin-tight, with a high collar and red accents on the shoulders, chest, and gloves. The black sections cover the rest of his body, allowing him to blend into the shadows, which complements his teleportation abilities. He was Kurt Wagner also known as Nightcrawler.
He had a warm smile on his face. "Sorry I'm late my friends"
"No problems, I hope you're ready" Scott asked.
"Of course,"
"Everyone?" he asked and everyone nodded.
"Then let's go"
The Jet roared and took off at an incredible speed.
Marauder – Danger Room:
"Um, Illyana, don't you think this is too hard for beginners" Ice man said looking at the situation in the danger room. Even Kitty was having second thoughts on leaving the controls to her.
"No this is definitely what he needs to bring his full potential" Magik said with a smile 'and to relief my anger'
"But you set the level to Alpha prime, that's just below Omega" Ice man looked at kitty for back up.
"Let's just see how it goes and I don't think its personal right" Kitty looked at her.
"Huh, um, yeah, not personal" Illyana snapped out of her day dreaming of imaging beating Daniel for her close death situation.
'It's definitely personal' Kitty and Ice man thought at the same time, before looking back at the screen displaying the simulation of the danger room.
……
BOOOM
Daniel was running through a ruin city as a building beside him blew up.
"Huff, huff" He was exhausted. 'She is definitely taking it personal on me' he thought of Illyana's smile. 'Cute smile though' He was quickly brought out of his thoughts as another debris beside him was blown apart, causing him to fall and roll on the ground.
"/Surrender mutant/" Daniel looked at the source of the robotic voice. The thing causing the huge explosions.
Out of the smoke, four large, humanoid robots, standing at several stories tall, with a humanoid shape. They have a blocky and mechanical body, with a sleek, metallic finish in shades of purple and silver. Their eyes, glowing red, giving them a menacing, emotionless stare. Their heads are dome-shaped with a cylindrical neck, and their bodies are heavily armored, with visible joints and mechanical parts. These were sentinels. They pointed their blasters at Daniel, and a central reactor, glowing ominously as they powered up to fire.
'Alright, think about the girl trying to kill you in a simulation later and survive now' Daniel rolled out of the way as they began firing.
BOOOM
Countless blasts where being fired as he ran around dodging everything, clumsily, he didn't have any skills, due to training sometimes at the gym did he have enough stamina to keep running.
The blasting stopped as he managed to hide in a destroyed story building.
'I'm going to die' as he thought that a voice echoed through the speakers in the room.
"You're going to fail if you just keep running" it was Kitty. "This is supposed to determine your abilities and we can't do that if you don't use your abilities"
"How am I supposed to do that with four mutant killers on my tail, one would be enough!!!" he yelled but got silence in response. 'Damn it!!' he cursed.
He relaxed on a wall, 'use my powers, how' he closed his eyes and remembered something, 'Kitty said its like breathing or something flowing, so I just have to allow and let it flow' he closed his eyes and focused. 'I remember hearing the voice of technology so…' as he was focusing, he released a mental signal only detectable by technology. Due to this, the sentinels picked his location.
'Found something' he stood up and walked to a completely destroyed room on the left but a strange futuristic gun was on the ground. It had the name 'Cable' on it.
'Don't know him but, thanks' he took the gun and began inspecting it. As he was doing this, he was understanding the fundamentals, systematics and parts of it to the core. 'I understand, this gun was made to destroy but it takes long to charge if so, then let's do this' he began dismantling the gun.
……
Outside the trio were watching him.
"What is he doing, I gave him a weapon but he's dismantling it?" Illyana asked and looked at kitty, "he's a technopath right? Then he should be able to use cables gun."
"He's a technopath that's why he's dismantling it. Either way lets see what is going on" Kitty replied.
"I think you ladies should look at this" Ice man drew their attention to the screen.
Four sentinels around the building, but the one in front was moving weirdly as sparks were around it like it was being electrocuted then finally the head blew up and it fell on the floor. As it dropped, a figure stood on top it, holding a more futuristic gun than before with a huge smile and glowing deep purple eyes.
"I finally Understand!!" Daniel pointed the gun at remaining sentinel.
The Sun – Orchis Forge:
Around the sun, a huge ring station, built by Tony Starks with four extensions connected to a huge sentinel head—The Mother Mold, was orbiting around the sun.
In the hall way two women; Alia Gregor, head scientist of the Orchis Forge and Karima, Omega prime sentinel, were heading to the central controls
"Self-preservation is completely rational, Docter Gregor" Karima said, "it's the panic it produces where errors get introduced."
"You think we are panicking?" Alia asked
"I think you build a Mother Mold that breeds Master molds. The second you lose control, it's hard not to see this entire planetary system covered in cold, emotionless gray—with not a single pink fleshy bit in sight" Karima reasoned. "After all, they know where mutants come from" She turned to look at the mold head outside.
"Fair point, which is why the forge was built with these control collars." Alia pointed to the extensions connected to the head. "If this thing goes south, Omega, so does she—right into the heart of the sun" Alia said and pointed to the emergency switch.
"And what about that genius computer scientist/programmer you said you used to work with in the A.I.M" Karima looked at Alia.
"We have a bit of history that left at a rocky relationship, but he refused" Alia rubbed her arm nervously while looking down. "Which was to be expected after what I did to him"
"Try again later, we need all the geniuses we can get. Daniel, right? and you're sure no human can match him"
"Yeah, nobody only mutants with technological abilities, I'll try later" Alia sighed remembering the past.
"And how long before she wakes" Karima asked returning her attention to the Mother Mold while folding her arms.
"Well, we could wake her up now if we wanted, but even at the exponential rate she's learning, she still has a while before we're comfortable that she's evolved past the Heller-Faust line" Alia said.
The Heller-Faust line is a tactical formation or defense line established by mutantkind.
"Good, who needs an A.I. that's a potential sociopath?" Karima said. "Are you—"
"Little problem up here" A man's voice came through Alia's communication watch.
"What is it, dear?" She asks.
…………
In another room people were monitoring the system.
"we've got Incoming. Looks like they came from the dark side of Venus and used the planet to slingshot towards us. We didn't pick it up until it was 25 million miles out." The man said.
"Friendly?" Alia asks.
"No, absolutely not" he said. He looked at the jet on the screen. "It is a modified Shi'ar class scouts. Only one possibility who it is: The X-Men" he announced and the soldiers began arming up.
……
Alia checked the surveillance on a small computer in the hallway. "How do they know--How could they possibly know what we're doing?" She was shocked and worried.
"Who knows, somebody betrayed us or he hacked the system, we don't know, but if they are coming then its pretty obvious what they are after. The Mother Mold" he said.
"Can we stop them from getting here" She panicked.
"Not in that bird. Long range, their countermeasures will be too good. Nothing we have will punch trough their shields. We screwed up, we were expecting to be fully online before getting their attention. Now we are going to repel them once they boarded."
"Okay, we are on our way" Alia began rushing to the door
"No, stay and protect he mother" he ordered.
BAMF
Alia was running but was stopped when a blue mist puffed in front of her.
"Ah" Nightcrawler appeared and turned to face them. "Karima, what a lovely surprise."
"Hello Kurt" Karima replied coldly.
"Picking sides, are we?"
"Actually, that was all of you…. wasn't it?" she said
Nightcrawler chuckled and teleported.
"The are going to for the control collars" she said.
"Erasmus! Are you there? We've been breached, the have a teleporter" Alia communicated to her husband.
"His name is Nightcrawler" Karmia added.
"Don't worry, they would have to board to be able launch any sizable assault, we are moving to the hanger to buy time for the drones to get here from Mercury" Erasmus said
"Alright be careful" Alia said before sighing.
"Hrmph, that's disappointing" Karima said.
"What?" Alia asked with a frown.
"It's a very linear plan…"
"And what's the—"
"…For a very non-linear foe" Karima analyzed.
RRRRUMBLE
The entire station began to shake.
"See" Karima said.
………..
In the hanger, bald man with a well grown beard was looking at the ceiling which was being cut through. He was Erasmus
"Bad News, dear " Erasmus voice came through. "They are cutting though the hull to get access to the whole station." He began disassembling his gun and assembling other parts. "It seems the have planned this to perfection. So, our only hope is to respond asymmetrically. Irrationally, even…"
………..
"What are you talking about, Erasmus?! What are you doing?" Alia was about to run to him but Karima held her.
…….
"Oh, whatever it takes to build a better world" He took a button connected to the device. "Oh, when you're lost with nothing left, go to Daniel, tell him I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this, he'll take care of you during that time. What I did is my biggest mistake and happiness. You know I joked about it a lot…. but do I really wish we'd had kids."
"NOOOOOO" Alia's teary voice was heard.
"Be strong, Love. Don't let them win." He pushed the button.
BOOOOOM