Kyler grew cold when his words registered in her mind. Oh God, he knew! She took several deep breaths trying to control the fear ripping her apart. She closed her eyes and felt her soul drift into unconsciousness, welcoming the abyss of nothingness.

"There is no need to be frightened, Miss Renden."

She fought to return as his taunting words reached the far corner of her mind she had been hiding. Had she forgotten so soon her promise not to entertain him with her fear? She sought and found a small reserve of strength. Her eyes snapped opened to focus on the demonic face before her.

"Why shouldn't I be frightened?" She was remotely pleased how smooth and calm her voice sounded hoping that the bland tone would imply that she hadn't been so weak as to show the tremors of terror she had felt.

Sinister's black lips twitched. "That was rather droll of me wasn't it?"

Droll wasn't how she would have described that particular comment but she wouldn't argue, she needed to save her strength for more important battles. Actually she needed to draw her focus from her emotions and push it toward logically thinking.

Physically, she was trapped but with mental power she may be able to delay long enough for an escape option to present itself. She delayed him by speaking before only to give in to fear dare she try again? Yes, her mind screamed, no matter what Sinister threw her way she must find the loop. Okay, knowing his intentions would provide her with better opportunities. That was logical wasn't it? She was busy fighting her horror so much she was afraid she wouldn't know logic if it bit her in the behind.

"Isn't this the part where you tell me about your brilliant plans for me?" She cast a meaningful glance at the shackles on her wrists. "I appear to be a captive audience."

His lips curled back revealing his pointy teeth again. "Spirit as well as humor, fascinating. It is a shame you weren't endowed with any mutant abilities; such qualities could be admirable when properly applied. Perhaps I will fix that."

Kyler watched warily as Sinister slowly walked around the table to approach her from the other side. "There are so many possibilities."

"Possibilities?" She echoed. Kyler didn't know what would be more terrifying; having Sinister use her as genetic soup material or having him dispose of right off.

"I believe I informed you that I intended to trade you for Summers. However, Remy's corporation is always useful. His particular skills aren't very common."

"I'm sure he'll appreciate your admiration." She retorted. God, what had she done? Remy had to face this monster, not once but twice, and it was all her fault.

"I doubt it but we regress." He replied dryly. "I am a firm believer in salvaging all that I can in any given situation and you have provided me with not one but two prime specimens to experiment with."

"T...Two? I don't understand." Kyler didn't understand but the implications did not bode well.

"I would have much preferred some of Summers' tissue but I can work with what's available." He walked away from the table to a small rollaway cart near a lab table. "I don't normally bother with anesthetic and the like but the sample we are dealing with is very small and I would like to keep it intact. Any struggling on your part may hinder my goal."

Ignorance would have been bliss compared to the comprehension that now burst forth. She struggled valiantly against the fear that again threatened to take over her senses again. Like the losing team in a tug-of-war contest, she felt herself sliding head long for the pit of murky water.

"You can't take my baby!" Kyler cried out in panic.

Sinister didn't look up from the task of filling the hypodermic needle. "Why ever not?"

Think, Ky! "Because...because Remy won't do what you want if he knows you harmed me."

The squeak of the cartwheels covered up the footsteps that brought him back into her line of vision. Despite his satanic appearance, he didn't have the evil enjoyment she expected. He appeared to be preoccupied instead as he absently tapped her arm for an injection site.

Sinister spared her a short glance as he replied. "The expression on LeBeau's face has led me to believe that he will not check specifics before he whisks you off to safety. And there is no need to allow him to see you before he has completed my bidding. This is all moot though, I may decide you would serve me best as material."

"Shouldn't you wait until you know for sure what you want to do?" She despised the plea like quality of her voice but knew she would get on her knees and plead for her child's life if it was possible. To hell with prideful promises, if begging would help, point out the nearest groveling stone.

"My plans aren't concrete for you. I have use this sample."

She bit her tongue to prevent railing at him for calling her precious baby a sample. He would never see that children were not to be experimented with and then tossed aside like used garbage. How could he? He had no conscience, no soul. Tears filled her eyes as she prayed for something, anything, to save her.

She thought she should keep him talking but it was too late. The needle pricked her skin and she felt the warmth of a foreign fluid running through her veins. The needle became the symbol of defeat and she felt her defenses crumble as she battled the taxing effects of the drug.

"It is useless to fight, Miss Renden." He picked a pair of surgical scissors and began to cut through the layers of her clothing. Shivers shook her body as the cold metal touched her bare, vulnerable belly. The murky pit of blackness sucked her under until she felt nothing at all.

"Gambit, no gun ho heroics. We are a team and we will get her out as a team. Understood?"

Seething with impatience, Remy nodded his agreement to Cyclops. Anything to speed the rescue process along. The blackbird had been secure and the building scouted. He knew the strategic session was necessary but he was consumed with the need to reach Kyler.

He didn't want to waste time planning he wanted to blow them all away, starting with the ones guarding the door. He would deal with any others if they were foolish enough to get in his way. Slender fingers itched to flow energy into the cards in his pockets.

It took monumental willpower to harness his self-control clear thinking was essential. He shook his head to wipe the images of a one-man swat team from his mind and chastised himself for idiotic thinking. The X-Men together would make shorter work of the Marauders than he would alone.

"Okay, let's get moving. Cerebro pinpointed Kyler's location to the first of the three floors. I want an aerial team of Storm. Rogue Joseph, and Jean to breach the roof. The diversion should pull the Marauders from the ground floors once the alarm has gone off. No electromagnetic fences were detected so your entry shouldn't be hindered in any way. I know it will be difficult but try to keep them occupied up there. The rest of us will go in at ground level three minutes after your contact. Only emergency radio com and retreat at my signal." Scott paused long enough to get each member's ascent.

"Kyler is our first priority, however, if we have a chance to get at Sinister's databases we can't pass the opportunity." Scott gave Remy a sympathetic look. "I know you want to grab her and run but I have to look at the big picture and the Legacy Virus is as big as it gets."

Storm placed her hand on Remy's shoulder and squeezed before joining her group. The gesture gave him a small measure of comfort and control. The small flicker of resentment that flared to life when Scott mentioned other objectives was quickly crushed by his trust in Scott's integrity and honor.

Storm. Jean, Rogue, and Joseph waited for the ground team to get in position before using their various flying techniques to reach the roof. The flat rooftop had the assorted vents and units but the two access doors that led to the floors below were the focus of the X-Men's attention. After examining the area for possible hidden doors, the four formed a semi circle behind the doors.

A heavy knock shook the door. "Alarms gone off." Scalphunter called through the door.

Sinister's quick strides to the door attested to his irritation over the interruption. He swung it open to reveal the tall, lean Marauder. "Where?"

"The roof."

"I doubt that the neighbor's cat has come to call. Very well, I won't be leaving empty handed. Fifteen minutes will give me enough time to transfer my databases and depart. Take the others and occupy our guests for that length of time and then retreat to my main lab in Phoenix."

Scalphunter pulled several components from his suit constructing a wicked looking gun. "You got it." He waited for Sinister's dismissal, turned to find the others, and ran into Blockbuster. "Just the man I want to see."

"What does Sinister want?" Blockbuster asked.

"Time. Fifteen minutes exactly. I am taking the others to the roof. I want you to see that Sinister isn't disturbed until his fifteen minutes are up."

"Why do you get to have all the fun?" Blockbuster complained.

"Shut your mouth and get moving. Retreat in fifteen and rendezvous in Phoenix." Scalphunter shouldered past to gather the others.

The left access door exploded onto the rooftop followed by the right, the force of the doors enough to disable anyone unfortunate enough to be in their path. Storm, Jean, Rogue and Joseph, safely out of the path, watched as Scalphunter, Harpoon, Scrambler, and Riptide emerged from the smoke and rubble.

"Jean shield us." Storm ordered. Jean erected her shields surrounding the team in a soft red glow in preparation for the on coming attack. Storm raised her hand in the air and let the lightening sizzle between her palm and the sky.

Scalphunter spun around to face them squeezing off several rounds that bounced harmlessly off their shield as he rolled for some cover behind a large air conditioning unit. Riptide began whirling, shurikans forming from his biological resin in the spinning winds around his body. Harpoon grabbed a harpoon from the pack slung on his back filling it with energy. Scrambler kept behind the other Marauders, slowly edging his way out of firing distance.

For a few timeless moments, no one attacked or even moved. Then suddenly like the blasting of the access doors the teams engaged in explosive combat.

"The front entrance will leave us too visible. This side door is our best bet. We need to hurry the others have engaged the Marauders by now." Scott reached for the doorknob and turned. "Damn! It's locked."

"No' for lon', mon ami." Remy pulled a long, thin pin from his coat. He prodded the lock for a few seconds before the distinctive snick of the lock was heard.

"Must be losin' your touch, Cajun. Heard the boss say we was in a hurry." Logan commented with amusement.

Scott cut in before Remy could reply. "Wolverine you're on point." Logan gave Scott a curt nod before disappearing through door leaving Scott, Hank, and Remy to follow.

"Gentlemen, start your engines. The race is about to begin." Hank gave Scott a 'I can't help myself' shrug when Scott sent him a disapproving glare for his misplaced humor.

Scott gave the order for the group to ensue at a discrete distance relying on Logan's keen sense of smell to pinpoint Kyler's location. They crept forward in the meager shadowing on a steadfast course deep into a maze of hallways.

Logan waved his hand and the others stopped in response to his signal. He sniffed the air and a low growl emerged from his throat. Tension vibrated from the four men as adrenaline pumped them up to battle readiness. They resumed at a slower pace knowing a confrontation would soon be upon them.

Remy had to rein in the urge to take the bit between his teeth and run ahead calling Kyler's name. He was struggling with this need and his building dread when a familiar voice interrupted. His eyes closed briefly as the man's words washed over him.

"Well, well, if it isn't Sabertooth's little man. Here to play? Oh you brought friends. How nice."

Logan braced his legs in an aggressive stance and addressed Blockbuster's taunting. "We play very rough. Sure you can take it, bub?"

Blockbuster straightened away from the door he had been leaning on, his bulky seven-foot frame uncoiling with menacing strength. He slammed one meaty fist into his receptive palm. "Care to find out smartass?"

Remy joined Hank and Scott to form a solid line with Logan. Blockbuster laughed at their unity. "Four to one? Odds are against it. Against you four that is!"

Blockbuster caught Remy's eye. "Not that I need you, LeBeau but if this about the woman there's no need. I'm sure Sinister's done with her by now."

Remy pulled two cards from his pocket and stepped toward the overgrown Marauder. Logan grabbed his arm before he could charge and throw the cards speaking softly so Blockbuster couldn't hear. "Cool it kid. Kyler's behind one of these doors probably the one big baldy is guarding. We'll lead him away and you can slide in and check it out."

Logan was right, the others could handle Blockbuster, and he had to find Kyler. He waited for Scott's agreement before backing away from the line.

"Where you going LeBeau? Oh, I forgot! Running away is your specialty. Don't think you can leave unmarked any more than you did last time." Blockbuster's beard twitched as he lunged for Remy.

Logan leaped in front of him with bone claws drawn blocking the giant's path. "I'll be doing the carving today. It's my specialty." He swiped his claws at Blockbuster's midsection. Scott blasted the floor in front of him and Hank eased to the side stocking him down the corridor away from the door.

With Blockbuster's attention focused on retreating from the other three X-Men, Remy approached the room. He stopped when his hand touched the doorknob. His heart threatened to burst through his chest it was beating so fiercely. The fear of what he might find in this room was only equaled by the fear of what he wouldn't. He took a deep breath and turned his wrist opening the door.

He was slightly surprised it wasn't locked but supposed Sinister felt confident with his Marauders surrounding him. It was that or the door was rigged a thought that made Remy tread lightly at first when he entered the room, walking faster when nothing happened.

He scanned the room taking it all in one glance. The chemicals lining the shelves, the lab tables with half filled beakers, the odd looking machines, and the body strapped to the table. His eyes flew back to the table in disbelief.

Oh God! Remy stumbled over to the table and looked down on Kyler's still form. Her tattered clothes were bunched at her sides exposing creamy flesh from the under swell of her breasts to the top of her thighs. Bile rose in his throat as he noticed the blood marring her lower belly.

To be continued.

Comments? write me By Jleskridge@aol.com