WRITERS NOTE: I know it's a bit early to send this, but I might not be available to
send it within the next week and I really want to stay on schedule. So I hope the readers
enjoy an early issue (you mean someone actually reads this thing ?) Of course ! I mean
it's not like I get any feedback or something, but I know.... actually I know nothing. Get
a clue readers....
Marvel characters belong to Marvel and are borrowed without permission with no profit
made, while Visions characters are the property of Visions and can be used with
permission, just ask. We'll say yes.
January 1999
Visions presents the beginning of the greatest story in the world in: "INVADING" Scribe: Tom
Rubbing his temples, Senator Robert Kelly turned away from the glowing screen before his face. ^Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Looks like they are indeed dead.^ he thought leaning back in his chair. The clock on the wall showed noon, which meant he had spent five hours searching the government database with no results. It must have been all true then. X-Factor were dead. An fact, he had known for few months already, but never quite believed it fully. They were X-Factor after all. From his experience, mutants didn't die easily. It was humans who paid the price without returning, like his wife for example. His expression saddened for a moment at the memory of his wife, killed by Master Mold. X-Men couldn't help her then, he understood that, but still it hurt when he remembered that. Since that he had endured himself in mutant relations, whether is was protecting them or fighting against them. Lately, something came to him, and he realized that maybe there was no use in fighting against them, and maybe it was time that they tried doing something that would help the problem. The Reach Out program was a good option, and he was happy he came up with it. Unfortunately, that itself wouldn't do. He needed good relationship with mutants, he needed to make sure there were no mutant terrorists running around, and most importantly he needed the X-Men to be portrayed as heroes, not villains. He knew they meant good most of the time, but almost every time they did, they got themselves into more trouble. It was getting harder to show across a image of a "good" mutant since there were none.
But, he was hopeful, and he had discussed the problem with Cyclops, and he promised to keep X-Men out of trouble. If he could manage that and they could make sure that the public accepted X-Men and the government supported them, his plan would work, and maybe humanity wouldn't be doomed. That was a big if...
The ringing of a phone brought him back to reality, interrupting his thoughts. He picked up the handset and answered. "Hello ?"
"Yes, Senator Kelly sir, I got Mr. Jakins on the line for you." said a female voice on the other end of the line.
"Thank you Jane, put him through."
There was a loud beep and then another one, and a male voice answered. "Hello ?"
"Mr. Karl Jakins ?" Senator Kelly asked leaning back in his chair.
"Yes."
"I'm Robert Kelly..."
"Oh yes Senator Kelly, pleased to talk to you sir. I really liked your speech weeks ago." Karl interrupted.
"Thank you Mr. Jakins." Kelly answered with a smile on his face.
"You know, someone needed to finally realize that muties aren't such a threat at all. So anyway how can I help you ?"
"From what I understand, you are the manager of employment for the government."
"Yes, I employ all those agents to do the, well dirty work for us." He said with a bit of hesitation. Maybe it wasn't necessary to say dirty to a American Senator, but he realized that too late.
Senator Kelly ignored the last comment and continued. "I was wondering if Frank Bohannan was under your employment at all."
"Crimson Commando ? Yeah sure he is. He's on a mission right now, why ?"
"I'm ringing to ask you to retrieve him from that mission at this moment and make him report to me as soon as possible."
"Whoa, is this something big ?"
"Yes I suppose you could say that, but right now it's still all a secret so I'm afraid to tell you. But worry not, you will hear about it."
"Okay, Mr. Kelly I understand. I'll contact Mr. Bohannan right now, and he'll see you in few days."
"Thank you very much for your cooperation Mr. Jakins."
"Don't worry about it Senator Kelly. Glad I was able to help."
"You were of enormous help Mr. Jakins. Thank you."
"Yes." Karl said smiling. "Later."
"Goodbye."
***
Olympia, Washington
"So what have you been up to lately honey ?" An older woman asked pouring hot tea into a cup.
"Not much really." answered a young woman, curling her long dark orange hair on her finger.
"Still living in that Savage Land ?" The woman asked handing her the cup.
"Yeah." she answered shortly before taking a sip of the tea. "So what do you think of my hair now ?" she asked changing the subject suddenly.
"It's like it heaps." answered a older man from the other end of the table. "I always liked your natural hair, it was just so strange, so red it was orange."
"Thanks dad." she answered smiling. "It was a pain to grow it again, but I just wanted to get it like it was before again. I don't think blue really suited me so much."
Her parents both laughed remembering those years when she was a rebellious teen.
"So, anything new happened since I was here last time ? Are the Robertsons still living across the road ?"
"No they moved to Seattle, with James, when he got married." answered her mother.
"James is married ?!" Anne Marie asked clearly shocked.
"Yes, he got married a couple of months ago."
"Who to ?" Anne Marie asked still surprised.
"Remember that girl Alice Cooper from your class ? Her."
"Heh, I could never imagine them two together. I thought James was never going to get over me."
"He didn't honey. He came by and asked about you every day, since you..." the woman stopped choosing her next words carefully. "Came back. And he wanted you to be at his wedding so much, we tried to do all we could to tell you about it, but you are so far away..." her mother stopped, looking away.
"Mum, I'm sorry I really didn't know, if I knew I would have came here, but I just didn't know." Anne Marie tried to explain.
"Why do you even live there Anne ?" Her mother raised her voice suddenly.
"C'mon mom, we've been there too many times." Anne said rolling her eyes.
"And we never reached a conclusion did we ?" her mother backed.
"I don't see what's wrong with living with my friends." Anne Marie retarded, anger building up with her. Her parents always had to complain about her life as a Acolyte.
"Honey, it's not living with your friends that bugs us. It's where you live, and why you live there. You're running yourself into the ground, you're trying to live a life of outlaw. Why ?"
"Mum, I'm fighting for a cause. Haven't you heard what they did to mutants back in New York few months ago ? No one likes us, everyone hates us in fact, someone has to stand up to it."
"But honey you're not making any difference. Your oh so high Master, he's dead. And there is about a hundred other mutants posing as Acolytes running around, ruining any image you have."
"Magneto is not dead mom I know it !" Anne Marie shouted back. "We're waiting, waiting for the right moment, to resurface and make some sort of difference."
"But Anne...." her mother sighed. She couldn't argue with Anne, it was like she couldn't see any other way path the one she walked on. "Arthur, you try talking some sense into her." she said looking at her husband.
"Your mother is right Anne. I know you're trying to make a difference, and I'm proud of you for it, but this isn't the way to do it, by being an outlaw, and living in hiding all life."
"You just can't handle, me doing something that you don't like. Just like you can't handle him !..." Anne Marie stopped, realizing she went too far.
"Now don't bering your brother into this, you know the rule." her mother shouted at her.
"The rule ? Not to mention Fabian's name within this house ?" Anne Marie shouted back looking back and forth between her parents. "Screw that. Soon you're going to forget me too, because I'm not living the way you want me to." Anne said, her eyes filled with rage.
"It's not that Anne you know it right. Your brother did a terrible thing, and you know it. He ruined our whole family's name. Do you really think we like to have our son become a international terrorist, unite with the biggest mutant terrorist in the world and then betray and kill him ? Do you really think we like how we had to convince all of our friend we weren't going to secretly kill them ? We hate Fabian for what he did, and we have reasons too."
"You hate Fabian, for what ?! For staining your name ? What am I supposed to say ?! He was the one that pulled me into this, I didn't really believe in all that mutants are being slaughtered stuff. But he was my older brother, and I always admired him, I did what he said was right. Mum I became a terrorist because of him, and then he betrayed not only me, but our whole team and killed us all. If it wasn't for Chrome, we wouldn't have survived. Mum, he made me believe in his dream, and then he betrayed me. Do you have any idea how it makes me feel ? All these nights I cried because my brother betrayed and killed me ? And you're telling me you hate him because he stained our family's name ? I think I should be the one going around saying how much I hate my brother. He ruined my life goddamn it !"
"Anne calm down." her father said, in a attempt to calm his daughter down.
"No dad, it's not just that easy. You guys hate Fabian, when he didn't really do that much to you, what he did to me was terrible, but still I am the one that visits his grave, not you."
"You visited his grave again ?" her mother suddenly cut it.
"Yes, I did, I had to tear weeds of it, you guys never go there." Anne said tears building up in her eyes.
"You know why we don't go there Anne, and you shouldn't either."
"Why mom ? Because he was a bastard ? I hate him as well, but he's still my brother. He's your son for crying out loud ! The least you could do is go to visit him now that he's dead. Are you going to do the same for me once I die ?" she said now fully bursting into tears.
Her mother looked at her, for few seconds curled up in her chair, tears running down her face, and she cracked. She moved her chair over, embracing Anne. "Don't cry Anne. We hate Fabian, for what he did. We know what he did to you was even worse, and we know how you feel about it. That's why we're asking you to come back to us, stop living in Savage Land as a terrorist. We don't want you to end up dead like him. You're our only daughter, and we don't want to loose you. Fabian was our son, that's right. But he denied himself the right to be part of this family when he did what he did. Do you think he cared about what you, me or dad thought about stuff he did ? No Anne, he was a selfish egoistic young man, his own angst corrupted him. He didn't care what we thought, he didn't want to be a part of this family anymore. We shouldn't pay our respects to him because he betrayed all of us, he didn't care about what we thought. And when you remember him, and cry over him, you only do yourself damage. Anne, you must remember that Fabian was a terrible man."
"Don't you think I know that ?" Anne said wiping off tears. "I know he was the biggest asshole to walk on this earth. Mum, I left James to go after him and his dream. I could have been married to him now like Alice is, but look at what I am now. I hate Fabian for everything, but still I shouldn't just forget him because he did all that stuff to me. He was my brother, always was and always will, and that I think is enough for me to make me visit him sometimes and pay my respects to him. Just try to understand that mum, I see I won't convince you to accept what he did, but at least let me do it." She said sobbing.
"Oh Anne, if it only was that easy. Maybe one day you'll understand, how wrong you are." her mother said pulling her closer. "Let's end this conversation now. Look at us, we were shouting at each other. This isn't my idea of spending time with my daughter. Let's just forget we had the argument, okay ? Let's just enjoy your company, while you're still here. Okay ?"
"Okay mum." Anne Marie Cortez said pulling away from her mother.
***
Xavier's Institute For Higher Learning
Ororo Munroe looked around the War Room, staring straight into the faces of Logan, Scott and Jean. They were awaiting her message, one she called all of them into the War Room for. Finally she decided to speak. "Thank you for coming, I have an announcement to share with you and I feel like I should discuss it with you first."
"No problem Ororo." Jean said smiling.
Storm took a deep breath before saying the next words, trying her hardest for them not to sound wrong. "I'm leaving the team."
"You're what ?!!!" Scott suddenly shouted.
"You heard right Scott, I'm leaving X-Men for some time. I am not a good leader without my powers anyway, and I don't feel like I could lead like I did powerless before, I've changed since then. I have way to many things to clear up in my life, I haven't been home for years, I've even sent the Morlocks there, and I don't even know if they arrived safe. In short I need a vacation."
"Of course Ororo, I understand what you mean. And I was going to say, that you lead the X-Men powerless before and did pretty well at it too, but if you feel like you're not up to it." Scott answered, much calmer now.
"It's not a matter of being up to it Scott. It's just I don't think I can become that person I was back then. I was young, and I lost my connection to mother earth then, I wasn't the real myself. Sure it was still me, but in normal circumstances I would have acted differently than I did then, even though I still haven't regained my connection with the mother earth."
"We understand Ororo." Jean said. " If you feel like you want to go, then you should go, keeping you here by force will only make matters worse."
"Thank you Jean, I knew you'd at least understand."
"Since 'Ro is making the big announcement so maybe so should I." Logan cut it. Everyone turned their heads to him.
"I was thinking of leaving too. I mean I am useless to the team right now, I would only be a pain in the rear. I don't have a clue what's up with my skeleton, and my claws, and I just got out of medical bed a week ago. The last time I remember being so wounded was when they put the bloody thing in the first time. So I don't think I would be a good thing on the team now, besides I don't know if I want to be on the team, for now. Don't get me wrong, I love you all guys, but well.... I just, I suppose I need some time alone." Logan took a deep breath. He was not a man of long conversations, but he felt like he had to explain this to them well. "I was going to leave soon too, but now that 'Ro is going back home, a idea just poped into my head. Would ya mind if I came along with ya 'Ro ?"
Storm took a few moment to answer, and was clearly surprised to hear the question, but finally she did, with a smile on her face. "Of course I wouldn't Logan. it would be my pleasure, you are more than welcome to come."
"Great, thanks 'Ro. So Scott, what do you say ? Do I have permission ? I'll be a good boy, boy scout's honor." Logan said chucking to himself.
"Well, it's not going to be the same with both of you not here, and maybe even hard, but what can I say ? If you feel like you should leave, then do so. Just remember, both of you, the doors are always open, and you are more than welcome to come back."
"Thank you Scott." Storm said. "We will be leaving within a week. Logan I need to talk to you about few things." Storm announced as she and Scott began leaving the room.
"Right 'Ro, I just need to talk to someone first. I'll be with you in a minute." he said as her and Scott disappeared out the door. Jean was following them closely but Logan grabbed her hand pulling her back. "We need to talk red." he said with a serious expression on his face.
"What about Logan ?" Jean said sitting down on a chair next to him.
"Scott."
"Oh."
"He's been acting weird lately, blows up at any smallest problem. I mean, he drove Gambit so nuts few days ago the poor cajun punched him. That's not the Scott I know. He said it's the pressure of leading X-Men, but I don't believe that crap, he can handle the X-Men any day. It's something more isn't it ?"
"No Logan. You know Scott, he always over worries about everything, and I think he has too much to worry about anyway, and with you two leaving, it's not going to get any better." Jean said with a faked sigh.
"Red, don't lie to me. I know you even better than I know Scott. C'mon it's me you're talking to. You can tell me whatever is the problem."
Jean looked up at his and sighed, this time for real. "It's me Logan. He's worried about me."
"Why ?"
"Well even since Professor fell into the coma, I've been powering myself up lately. You know, changing my clothes with thoughts and taking trips around the world and all that stuff. It's natural for me, since the Phoenix powers were just an evolution from my normal powers. But Scott, well you know Scott he's worrying about..."
"He's worried that you'll be corrupted by your power and end up like Chuck or even worse like Dark Phoenix."
"Yeah. Exactly that."
"Well you have to understand how it hurt us all when you died on the moon. Sure it wasn't you, but we all thought it was. And now with what happened to Professor it's showed us again how power can corrupt. I know you can handle it, and that the Jean we saw die on the moon was just a replacement, but Scott doesn't. This is Scott after all, he has to worry about everything there is to worry. And you're his number one priority. Do you have any idea how much it would hurt him if something would happen to you ?"
"He doesn't seem like it at times." Jean responded calmly staring off to space.
"What do you mean ?"
"Most of the time he's busy taking care of X-Men. He never has time for me Logan, there's always some problem with the X-Men that he has to attend to, and when I need to talk to him he's not there. Sometimes it's just like I'm there for sex, and that's not a big part of it either."
"Aww c'mon Jeannie, you know it's not true. Scott is just that kind of a man, he needs to take care of everything, and he does take good care of X-Men. I suppose he does forget about you at times, and that's bad but believe me he worries about you more than he worries about the X-Men. You just need to tell him that you feel left out and alone at times."
"Now with you guys leaving he's going to have even less time for me." Jean said looking at her feet.
"Look Jean." Logan said putting his hand on her shoulder and trying to look into her eyes. "If you want me to, I'll stay. I can take care of the X-Men, mentally, Scott can take them to fight, but I can mentor them, even without my powers. That will give Scott some more free time."
"No I couldn't do that Logan. You need to take care of your own life for now. You've been helping us out for too long." said Jean looking back up at Logan.
"Sure ?"
"Yeah, we'll manage it's not like we didn't have problems before. I just feel like we need a holiday too, but someone has to take care of X-Men. Don't worry though I'll sort things out with Scott. You're right about him, he does mean well for me, sometimes it just doesn't seem like it."
"Yeah that's the Jean I know. You'll make it red I know it." Logan said, embracing her.
"Thanks Logan. You're the best friend I could ever wish for. Good luck."
"Thanks red. And keep working on that marriage of yours, you're lucky to have Scott."
"I know." she said pulling away. "Good luck with your life, and I hope I'll see you again sometime."
"You know how life is, our paths will defiantly cross again."
"How could I forget." Jean said laughing.
They were interrupted by a sudden entrance of Bobby. He poped his head in through the door looking around. "So you're still here Logan. There's a certain girl on the phone for you. She asked me not to say who it was, she said she wanted it to be a surprise."
"Certain girl eh ? Oh well I better go and get it. See you later red, remember what I told ya."
"Yes thanks Logan. Good luck again."
Logan waved his hand and walked out of the War Room heading up stairs to the phone. Bobby looked at Jean. "What's with all the advice and good luck ?"
"Nothing much, Logan and Ororo are leaving the team."
"Great, now there's no escaping Scott's leadership. I bet you he's going to make us wear those ugly team uniforms." Bobby said slapping his hand on his forehead.
Jean laughed and walked up to Bobby. "Is everything a joke to you Bobby ?"
"Yeah pretty much. Except Mexican food of course, that kinda brings tears in me."
They both laughed. "C'mon you want some ice cream ?" Jean asked.
"Sure as long as it's not sprinkled with Mexican spices."
***
"Hello ?" Logan spoke into the handset.
"SURPRISE !" A voice shouted on the other hand.
"Hi Jubilee. What are you doing on the phone at this time ? Shouldn't you be in class ?" Logan asked trying hard to sound strict.
"Yeah kinda, I said I was going to the toilet. I just felt a sudden urge to call ya. Icecube took ages to get you so I don't have much time before Frost starts to look for me. So I just wanted to know, how are you feeling, after you know what..." Jubilee's voice lowered.
"I'm all right Lee, healing factor took care of everything, and I've been up and running for over a week now."
"That's still long though."
"Yeah I know, but I seem to be fine now."
"And your claws ?"
"No sign of them, but that maybe be because andamitium is blocking all the scans. I suppose the only way to find out what the hell is up with them is to try to use them, but I'm not to keen on that yet. That's why I'm taking a vacation."
"You're doing what ?? Where... when... ?"
"Calm down Lee. Ororo is going back home and I'm going with her for few weeks and after that I really don't have anything planned yet."
"Oh can you visit me ? Frost won't let me go anywhere so why won't you come down here ?"
"That's an option, I'll see."
"Uhuh, gota go, Frost is looking for me. So quickly when you're leaving ?"
"Before the end of the week."
"Okay then see you later, and please at least send me a post card okay ?"
"Sure. Now get back to class before White Queen punishes you."
"Yeah I know, she's like the Punisher or something. Later, and good luck."
"Bye." Logan hanged the phone up and smiled. Jubilee never changed.
***
Few Hours Later
"Yes Sam, how can I help you ?" Cyclops looked up from the construction plans for the mansion that were laid out before him.
"Well, Cyclops Sir, I heard that Storm and Wolverine were leaving."
"Yes they are indeed."
"Well I just thought, well that maybe I would be able to help you lead them team, after all I do have some experience."
Scott looked up at him, unsure if he was joking or not. Deciding he wasn't Scott sighed. "Look Sam. I know you've lead X-Force in the past, and I heard you did a good job at it, but this isn't X-Force. This is X-Men. We work in a different way."
"But, Cyclops, how much different leading can be ? I lead X-Force for two years, and even you yourself told me I did good. When I joined the X-Men, I didn't want to be a newbie all my time."
"You are still young Sam, and even though all you've been through, I don't think you're ready for taking care of X-Men. Even if it's not full care."
"So what ??!! Do you expect me to be the young inexperienced member all my life ? I have more control over my powers than Rogue or Joseph do, but you don't see them being treated like newbies." Sam shouted. He was getting angry.
"Sam this isn't about anyone else. It's about you. I know you've lead X-Force, and you did a good job at it." Scott said trying to stay calm. "I just don't feel you and X-Men are prepared to be lead by you. It's not any action against you, it's just that you have to prove yourself before you can become a leader on this team."
"Of course ! You don't just hand the leadership to a person that is available." Sam shouted fully angry now. "That person has to prove himself in combat. Well guess what Cyclops, I've proven myself more times than you can think of. You've just never been there to see it. And you know why ? Because I'm never let to do anything on this goddamn team ! I am just supposed to sit back and learn from you guys. Learn everything I already know. And I'm already starting to regret my decision to join X-Men." Sam shouted turning around and heading for the door.
"Sam, don't tell me what I should and should not...." his sentence was interrupted by Sam slamming the door behind himself.
^How am I supposed to handle that ? He's not able to lead the X-Men. He's like what, 19 ? As much as I'm going to need some help, I can't trust him enough.^
Sam slammed the door shut behind himself, anger building up in him. It was always like this, he was always the young, inexperienced one. He was slowly having enough of it. He had to do something about it. With a mere thought his body began blasting and he flew through the newly built corridors heading out the door, his fists and teeth clenched in anger. He bolted out the main door, almost hitting a crane on the way. Within few seconds he was high in the sky, and he stopped, breathing deeply. ^I'll show him what kind of a leader I am.^
***
Hank McCoy looked up as Cannonball's gold energy field disappeared from his view. "The young boy almost hit our crane. If that came down on the mansion, he would be working to rebuild it himself." Hank whispered to himself. he turned around, to his still stunned teammates, who had just seen Cannonball rush past a couple of seconds ago. "Okay ladies and gentlemen, the show is over. Young Sam just needed to blow some steam off." Hank said. "And almost his our crane." he mumbled in much quieter voice.
"Let's get back to work, we've got a mansion to finish. If we stand around and do nothing it won't be ready for Christmas."
He watched as everyone began to move, getting back to their jobs, and then he looked up at the mansion, which was being finished now. They had finished the inside, and were putting the last touches on the outside, before carpeting and putting the wall paper on the walls. It didn't take them too long to get everything done, and Hank himself was surprised with the results. Within a couple of weeks the mansion was going to be ready for furnishing. He was happy with that, now he would have more time for his research and maybe Trish.
***
Under the mansion, namely Morlock Tunnels
The young girl, known as Sarah looked at her mentor, Calisto still lying in bed. It has been around two months since their fight with the Prime Sentinels, and ever since then Calisto has been suffering. Sarah did not believe that it was her injuries that kept her like that. There had to be something else. One did not lay in bed for 2 months from getting injured by a Prime Sentinel.
^There must be something more.^ Sarah thought. ^I've tried everything I could, and it didn't help, Calisto is as sick as she was before.^ Sarah sat down, biting her nails. She had no way out. ^She needs medical help. And as much as I hate it... I have to ask for it. From a human, even more. But I don't want to... Oh Calisto this better help you."
Sarah got up with a quick move, before she could change her mind. "I'll be back soon, with help, I promise." she said to the asleep Calisto. With those words she walked out of their "house" and headed west as soon as she could.
***
More West, in New York.
"Mr., Woringhton ?"
"Yes Jennifer ?" Warren asked speaking to the telephone.
"Remember that job offer we placed in the paper ?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Well there's someone here to see you about it. Should I send him in ?"
"Great send him in straight away." Warren responded. He leaned back in his chair awaiting the visitor. It had not been long since he placed the add in the paper, he didn't expect a response so quickly. A young man, in his early twenties entered his office, dressed in a suit, with long curly blonde hair tied in at the back. He came up to Warren's desk and smiled.
"Good after noon...." Warren began.
"Eddie, Eddie Cameron." the young man said extending his hand.
"Good afternoon Eddie. I'm Warren Woringhton. Please sit down." Warren said pointing at the chair next to his desk. As they both sat down, Warren spoke again. "So I understand you're interested in the position of my adviser. Do you have any qualifications ?"
"I've just finished University last year." Eddie said handing Warren a folder. "That's my C.V. I did heaps of job training and worked for Stark/Fujikawa Enterprises for few months but I didn't like it there."
"Hmmm, why not ?" Warren said while flipping through the documents.
"Well let's just say they're not quite doing clean business, but I don't want to discuss that, they let me go without any problems."
Warren raised an eyebrow and looked at Eddie. He was honest. "This is a very good C.V., you realize." Warren said placing the folder down on his desk. "Tell me, what do you think about getting a business on it's feet again ? Tell me what should I do, to get Woringhton Enterprises running again ?" Warren asked, listening carefully for the answer.
"Well, Mr. Woringhton, I think the main thing you have to do, is to keep up with what's going on in the world now. Since we would be beginning anew we would need at first need to get our name known to the world before going into any serious business. I think it would be a good idea to support some cause, like Cancer or something like that, for the beginning, just to remind people who you are, and that you're back into business. And once, everyone remembers you, then we should get into more heavy stuff, and whatever you will do you will most likely have public's approval, kinda like Tony Stark, before he disappeared. Do you understand what I mean ?" Warren answered with a nod. So far he liked those ideas. "And as for the big stuff, I'm not quite sure what you took care of last time."
"Mostly just shares in the last years, before when my father still lead the company, he oversaw most of the share market himself, he was like the force behind it."
"Then we could start getting into that later, once we were ready, or we could try something bigger, like for instance national security."
"National Security ??!!" Warren asked clearly surprised.
"Yes, I happen to know that our national security system is falling apart, and they would need a new one. We could provide that."
"Well Eddie, I must say you are willing to do crazy things."
"Mr. Woringhton, in the 90's you either lay down and get stepped on or you get out there and prove yourself. I believe in that, and if we want to achieve something with your business we have to take up challenges." Eddie concluded, leaning back in his chair. Maybe he had said too much, but he really wanted this job.
"Well I must admit Eddie, I really like your way of thinking. I think you'll be a great addition to my team. Welcome aboard." Warren said extending his hand to Eddie. He shook it.
"Thank you Mr. Woringhton, I assure you won't regret this."
"I'm sure I won't." Warren said, smiling. "Now c'mon I'll show you around my office."
***
This time much more east, in Africa
The woman known only under the name of Lukin stared into her cup of something that was supposed to be coffee. She looked at the rings forming as she blew it to make it colder. As the rings circled in one motion so did her thoughts, all concentrating on one subject. ^You will pay for what you did Ororo Munroe. You can be sure of that. First it's your village I'll take, then your life. You'll see what it's like to live like I did, in constant pain.^
And the circles on the surface of the coffee broke, but her thoughts didn't. They were circling around her head for far too long for them to just disappear like that. They were like a circle that wouldn't break until she got her revenge. After that she would be free from the thoughts.
***
And finally, after a million little interludes, the big story in: Savage Land !
They appeared out of nowhere in a bright blast of light, and no one was prepared for them. They were Fenris, the last legacy of the Stucker family.
As they materialized in the center of a big room, and three previous occupants of it gasped in surprise. The twins looked around the room with furry, noticing the three people in the corner finishing their meal. "Acolytes, we are Fenris. Surrender now, or we will make you." Andrea, the twin woman shouted.
A big man, under the name of Delgado was on his feet first. "We don't surrender to no one Fenris." With those words his body changed into a rock like surface and he threw himself at the twins. Quickly they grabbed hands and energy began forming in a circle around the hands. Before Delgado managed to reach half way between them he was hit by a ray of energy emitted from Fenris's hands. His lack of experience and training showed straight away, when he wasn't able to dodge the ray of energy which knocked him out straight away.
Straight away, the other two Acolytes, Chrome and Nance were on their feet charging at Fenris. These two too, for lack of any experience were taken out in the first go, and with no more than a minute from their arrival Fenris stood over the unconscious bodies of the Acolytes.
"That was easy." Andreass said looking around the big room. So this was the famous Citadel Magneto built in Savage Land. Where were all the Savage Land mutates ? As if to his response a small mutant, that could have not been more than ten years old popped his head around the corner.
"You ! Come here !" Andrea shouted at the young mutant. Shaking with fear he walked up to her, not able to disobey. "Neutralize their powers. Now." The young boy turned from them and facing the Acolytes he lifted his shaking arms into the air releasing blue void from it, which covered the unconscious Acolytes, turning off their powers.
"How did you know he did that ?" Andreass whispered to Andrea.
"He's Switch, one of Magneto's mutates, it was in the files." Andrea whispered back. "Good, now leave and never come here again, and if you tell anyone of what happened here, well kill you. Understood ?"
The young mutant nodded his head and turning around he ran out of the room as fast as he could. "C'mon Andreass we need to put them in cells before they wake up." They picked up each Acolyte and dragged them to cells, which were few rooms down. As they began locking them in chains Delgado was the first one to wake up.
He began pulling at his cuffs with no use and he looked at Fenris in furry. "Who the hell are you ? What do you want ?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Andrea said finishing locking Nance into chains. She stood up and closed each cell and looked around. "Say weren't there used to be four of you ?" Andrea said. "That Cortez girl is missing."
Delgado hesitated, and quickly began explaining. "She... she died few months ago, she... she had..." he began sweating as he tried to think something up. "She had Legacy Virus." he finally said, hoping it would sound convincing.
"I suppose the files were outdated then." Andrea said, walking off. "If any of you try escaping I will find out about it, so don't even try it." With these words she walked round the corner and Delgado sighed. She believed it... good.
But who was she ? And what did she want ? If Delgado had known he would never believe it, and he would be scared. Scared to death.
To Be Continued.
NEXT ISSUE:
"Leaving Home."
As Wolverine and Storm gear up to leave for Africa, there is heaps
of fare welling to do. How will different members of the team react to them leaving. How
will it affect some of them ? Also, Betsy finds out more about her recent changes,
and what they did to her telepathic powers. Plus Anne Marie arrives in Savage Land only to
find the citadel ruled by Fenris. What are their intentions ? And what will Anne Marie do
? All that and one certain person you never thought you'd see again. (Well okay you
thought you wouldn't see so soon ;)) See you in thirty.
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