Holding On

Cannonball, Warpath, Siryn, Rictor, Shatterstar and Boomer. They call themselves X-Force. They are a band of young, outlaw mutants determined to fight for a dream of co-existence between their kind and humans. Having taken a look at their new base of operations, their feelings about this new home are being succinctly summed up by Boomer.
"You gotta' be kiddin'!?"
"Nope, Boomer, we're not." Domino replies, "Welcome to our new HQ, the former underground base of the assassin for hire known as Arcade...Murderworld."
"Domino, you an' Cable want us ta shack up in a place that was made so people could be killed for fun an' profit?" Sam asks.
"Just consider the irony of it all, Sam." Dom tells him. "Besides, since we can't afford to build a new base, this was the best ready-made structure available to us."
"C'mon, Mason-Dixon, after livin' in a spaceship, then in a basement, then in a cave, then in a desert bunker--How bad could this place be?" Tabitha asks.
"The site is isolated, Sam, yet right above us is New York City." Dom explains, "We have access not only to all kinds of sophisticated equipment, but also to the real world. And a chance for lives outside of being in X-Force."
"Sounds splendid, Dom." Theresa says, "I even saw a plant shop a few blocks away where I'd love t' work. But how did ye manage t' convince Arcade t' sell us the property?"
"We do not need to barter with a coward!" 'Star tells her, "We have taken this facility from him and shall spit in his face should he try to take it back!"
"Uhm...pretty much what he said, Siryn." Dom says.
"Okay, Dom, I guess it does make sense to make use of a place like this." Sam tells her, "With the kinda' logic this group employs, at any rate. I mean, it is an elaborate facility. Communications center, livin' quarters, material we can adapt into trainin' equipment...the whole works."
"But the name has gotta' go!" Tabitha adds, "So now all we gotta' do is come up with a new name, huh? I suggest Boomerville."
"I think my ex-husband was born there. He came from a long line of inbred cousins" Dom replies, as she leads the team towards the next stop on their tour. "Here's the main control room. We still have some work to do here. Rerouting programs, wiring new conduits, stuff like that."
"Will that stop Arcade's grinnin' face from appearin' on a screen every time we push a button?" Sam asks.
"God, I hope so." Dom answers. "Anyway, I wanted to show you a schematic of the facility, but since I haven't had a chance to reroute the holographic relays...we're going to have to get primitive and scroll the data on-screen." *sigh* "Everything's a trade-off in life, Gang. But at least this place has running water."
"Pretty cool, how the place was built under an abandoned amusement park." Rictor says.
"And a landfill to the west." James adds.
"Well, what's above notwithstanding, what's below is perfect." Dom tells them. "Fusion generators under the link-tunnel, a three level module for very spacious living quarters, a four level module for training and equipment, several access tunnels to the surface, a pneumatic tram-line into Manhattan and a vehicle exit into the East River."
"And what a romantic view of Ryker's Island Penitentiary we'll get on take-off and landin'." Sam adds.
"Well, the way this outfit operates, we'll end up living there eventually." Dom tells him. "So familiarizing ourselves with the place wouldn't hurt."
"We're still underground, but at least now we're air-conditioned and out of that bloody Arizona heat." Theresa adds.
"Was our previous home considered hot by Earth standards?" 'Star asks.
"Dom, keep talking, quick!" Rictor laughs, "Before Shatty starts tellin' us another story about how rough it was on his homeworld."
"Good point." Dom replies, "Okay, forgetting the funky life-sized pinball machine we can play, I'd rather talk about the real life you can all have now. Colleges all around: Empire State, Columbia, St. Johns. Jobs to be had. We can watch the Mets lose at Shea, the Rangers hoist their next cup--"
"Enough, Dom." Sam tells her. "I think you've convinced us. The good outweighs the bad. But part a' me might always feel weird knowin' we're livin' in a place where our friends were almost killed."
"If it doesn't work out in the long run, Sam, then we'll just bug out." Dom explains, "Nate has no problem with that."
"Fair enough." Sam replies. "An' speakin' of Cable, where's he been?"
"He had some business to deal with." Dom tells him. "He wanted to meet in the main lounge to talk about it after our little tour."
"We don't even get to unpack before goin' t' kick someone's butt in?" Tabitha asks, popping her gum. "Sheesh! Some things never change, huh?"
"Nope." James tells her. "I guess they don't."

Cable motions the group to be silent, as they enter the lounge. The main monitor is on the local news channel.
"...We're live here at the Forty-Fourth Precinct Station House in the Bronx, Sue. As word has spread that a mutant has been arrested for a horrible crime that had remained unsolved for several years. The apparently systematic murder of an entire family who lived in this area. A growing crowd of people has gathered here, led by members of the anti-mutant, human rights organization known as the Friends of Humanity. The Police have not issued a statement as of yet, and the mood of the people grows restless, as they ask themselves what kind of monsters are living next door to us? We wait and wonder, just how much more pressure will the Friends of Humanity have to bring on the situation, before the Police release the identity of this mutant murder suspect?"

X-Force isn't alone in watching this news broadcast. Graydon Creed, the founder of the Friends of Humanity, smiles as he watches. Knowing his organization is doing what he always intended it to do. To push, to confront, to point out at every opportunity the danger this new species of man represents. To show everyone the threat mutants truly are.

In Westchester, at the Xavier Institute, Charles Xavier and Hank McCoy also take in the broadcast.
"Should we consider a plan of action, Professor?" Hank asks.
"No, Hank." Charles replies, "The X-Men needn't get involved just yet. Cable has already called me. This involves his former student, Feral. He assured me that he would handle this situation."

"...This just released!" The female news anchor goes on, "The suspect is named Lucia Callasantos, also known as Thornn, whose mother, brother and sister were all murdered. This mug shot was released, showing quite clearly the suspect is a mutant. The suspect's surviving sister, another mutant called Feral, was sighted with her rebel faction, X-Force, at the World Trade Center incident, months ago. Whether a link exists between the murders and X-Force remains unknown."
"Of course!" Dom says, "Link us all together because we're mutants. Typical media stereotype."
"The question is, what are we going to do about it?" Cable asks. "For better or worse, Feral was one of our own...for a time. We have a responsibility."
"Not to Feral, Sir." Sam tells him. "I'd say we have more of a responsibility ta' the memories of the people Feral, or her sister, may've murdered! Let Thornn stand trial. If she's guilty, she'll go ta' jail."
"Fair enough, Sammy." James tells him, "But the way people feel about mutants beggars the question, can she even get a fair trial at this point?"
"I felt Feral's claws rip through me, Jimmy." Sam replies. "I know what she's capable a' doin'. What's ta' say her sister's any different?"
Cable walks over and places his hand on the young man's shoulder. "What about the notion of innocent until proven guilty, Sam. Or are we just tossing that out the window because you don't like Feral or Thornn? Something about this feels wrong. And I want to find out what. And I want to find out now."
"You know best, Sir." Sam finally replies.

Morning in the South Bronx. The Forty-Fourth Precinct. The Friends of Humanity stayed through the night. The local resident's brought out coffee and donuts for them as the sun came up. This part of the city has always been on the other side of the canyon between the haves and have-nots. Us versus them has a new twist now. It has become the rallying cry of humans versus mutants, echoing across the genetic gap between the past and the future.
Pushing through the crowd is Cable, dressed in a black three-piece suit under a black trench coat, wearing a pair of dark tinted glasses and carrying a briefcase. And Sam Guthrie also decked out in a new suit.
"You sure you know what we're doin' here, Sir?" Sam asks.
"Thornn made her one phone call." Cable tells him. "It was to me. I'm her lawyer now."
"But you ain't a lawyer." Sam says.
Cable smiles and reaches into his coat pocket, pulls out his wallet and produces a card, handing it to Sam.
"New York State Bar License--Summers, Nathan C." Sam reads from the card.
"Harvard. Class of eighty-eight. I passed the New York Bar Exam a year later. It was pretty easy, actually." Cable explains. "See, Sam? I'm still full of surprises."
Cable takes the card back from Sam and hands it to the receptionist inside the station who motions for an officer to escort them to their client.
"Mr. Summers, right this way. Your client is waiting for you." The officer tells him, as he leads them towards the back of the station.

Cable and Sam are escorted to a small room and told to wait. Within a few minutes Thornn is brought in and the officer leaves them alone.
"Lucia, how are you?" Cable asks.
"What do you think, Cable?" Thornn replies.
"I don't know. You called. I came." Cable tells her. "You seemed to have changed the last time Dom and I ran into you, when we performed the 'Ceremony of Light' in the Morlock tunnels. Now give me one reason why we should help you."
"Simple. I didn't kill my family." Thornn replies.
"Sayin' it don't mean much, considering your track record, Girl!" Sam tells her.
"You got a problem with my sister, Cannonball, take it up with her!" Thornn replies.
"We may all soon get the chance, Lucia." Cable tells her. "I have it on good authority that Feral is back in Manhattan. Tell me, did she come back looking to kill you? Is she happy you were arrested, or is she terrified that you'll talk? And if you did talk, Lucia...what would you have to say?"
"You really wanna' know, Cable? You're worried, aren't you, Big Man? You're afraid that Feral's far worse than anything you ever dreamed. Looks like the General didn't know his troops as well as he thought. One of 'em went bad, and that hurts, don't it, Cable?" Lucia asks him.
"I've made mistakes before, Thornn. And I'll make 'em again. But a man rights his own wrongs. Now tell me...everything."

Several minutes later, Cable enters the office of Detective Hidalgo who is in charge of the case.
"Hidalgo." Cable greets the officer.
"Mr. Summers. I've been expecting you." Hidalgo replies.
"So I hear. You know Lucia is innocent, don't you?" Cable asks.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Let a jury decide." Hidalgo tells him.
"You don't want a verdict, Detective." Cable replies. "You want the truth. I can get that for you."
"You know so much, Mr. Summers...tell me...you a mind reader?" Hidalgo asks.
"Maybe I am." Cable replies, as he takes off his glasses exposing his scars and his glowing left eye. "Maybe I'm not. Off the record, I can give you Maria Callasantos. The truth will come out."
"And how might you be able to supply me with that individual?" Hidalgo asks. "Off the record, of course...Cable?"

In view of the situation at the 44th, a decision is made to relocate Thornn to the more secure facilities at Ryker's Island. To avoid anti-mutant hysteria, Hidalgo had the transport arranged an shared the details with only a select few. But other sources outside the department also cut some deals. Documents were revealed, photos shown. Blackmail. The Friends of Humanity's specialty...and thus, two specific men serve as drivers...while Hidalgo rides in back with his prisoner.
"Where's the rendezvous set up for?" The man on the passenger's side asks.
"Off the Bruckner in Soundview Park. We claim that the psycho-mutant tried escaping and was killed in the attempt." The driver replies. "One less Mutie scum ruining the lives of decent humans. Another step forward for the Friends of Humanity."

Hidden in a nearby alley. Rictor and Shatterstar sit astride two futuristic motorcycles fresh from one of Cable's many garages.
"They're makin' the detour." Rictor says, "Cable was right. Thornn was never gonna' make it to Ryker's. Ready 'Star?"
"On my world, such vehicles perform airborne maneuvers." 'Star says in reply.
"Yeah, well, here you just gotta improvise!" Rictor tells him, as they gun their engines and pull alongside the Police transport vehicle.
"They're picking up speed, Ric!" 'Star shouts to his partner. "They're getting away!"
"Did you get a look at those jokers?" Rictor asks. "If those guys are cops, I'm Cable's mother!"

A few car lengths behind Rictor and 'Star, another of Cable's vehicles joins the procession. This one with the man himself at the wheel.
"We gotta' get Thornn outta there before that van reaches the rendezvous with the Friends, or else she and Hidalgo are as good as dead." Sam says, as they listen to Ric and 'Star over the radio.
"I know, Sam." Cable replies. "I guess we'll just have to deal with them as gently as they were going to deal with Thornn, eh?"
"He says while he's drivin' a 'car' with enough firepower to level Manhattan!" Tabitha laughs. Cable smiles and picks up the microphone. "Rictor, you're up next. You know what to do."
"Yeah, Cable. I gotcha' A low level vibe-quake to take out the tires. They'll come to a quick stop." Rictor uses his powers and the left rear tire on the van blows out.

"We been hit! They're on to us! I gotta pull over!" The driver yells.
"No! I'll take 'em out! You just keep your eyes on the road!" His partner yells, as he leans out the window with his rifle.

SKAKRASHKKKT

Our Journey Continues With
"Holding On" part II

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