Second Genesis Part I
In the huge fortress formerly known as Murderworld, currently home of the mutant rebels known as X-Force, Cable puts the team through a workout in their makeshift danger room while Domino watches from the observation booth above.
"Wake up call, Kids!" Cable shouts. "If this was an actual battle, instead of a simulation, I'd be hauling the lot of you out of here in body bags!"
"Don't sugarcoat, Cable." Tabitha replies. "What are you trying to say?"
"Nate looks less than happy." Dom thinks to herself. "I'm almost glad I can't hear them through the glass."
The monitor screen behind Dom suddenly activates and Dom finds herself looking at the assassin for hire known as Arcade.
"Good golly good gosh!" Arcade remarks. "I turn my back for five minutes and my home is infected with a plague of mutants. Hiya, Domino."
"Arcade?!" Dom exclaims.
"No, but an amazing facsimile." Arcade replies. "You have sixty seconds to vacate my former facility. 59...58..."
"Don't threaten X-Force, Arcade, you'll..."
"Not a threat, Madam...54..." Arcade interrupts. "A warning...52...the place is saturated...49...with plastiques...47..."
"Well, when you put it like that." Dom replies, as she turns and activates the intercom to warn Cable and X-Force.
"...40..." Arcade continues.
Exactly thirty seconds later...
KABOOOM
"The little weasel!" Cable curses. "Cheated us out of ten seconds."
"Yeah well, homicidal maniac assassins aren't known for their credibility." Tabitha replies as they observe the destruction of their new home.
"Dom, where are the others?!" Cable asks, noticing that James and Bobby are missing.
"Warpath went back for Sunspot." Dom replies.
"Is that wise?" Theresa asks. "After everything Sunspot has done?" "We're going to have to start trusting Roberto, Terry." Dom replies.
"Gracias, Domino." Bobby tells her, as he steps out of the ruins, carrying James over his shoulders. "The time I spent as Reignfire is behind me. Thanks to Cable, I've been able to take my place with X-Force once again."
"And not a moment too soon." A voice from behind them adds.
"Cyclops?!" Cable exclaims, upon seeing who their unexpected visitor is. "You're a long way from Westchester, Mr. Summers. Is this a business call or pleasure?"
"Maybe a little of both, Mr. Summers." Cyclops replies, stepping down and giving his son a hug. "Professor Xavier would like a word with you and your people."
"As it turns out, our evening training session has just been cancelled." Cable tells him with a grin. "Along with our headquarters. Under the circumstances, we'd be happy to join you."
After meeting with Charles Xavier for a few hours, Cable, Dom, X-Force and Jean Grey return to the ruins of their former headquarters to see what can be salvaged from the rubble. Jean and the X-Force members are searching the lower levels while Cable and Dom load up the weapons from the armory located on the first level.
"Umm...where was I?" Cable asks.
"You were saying how now that the media has made the legacy virus public, it's now going to make Xavier's job and our job a lot more difficult." Dom replies. "Like people need yet another reason to hate mutants. And with Murderworld blowing up, you and X-Force don't have a place to live...me either, I guess...and, oh yeah, I think you were leading up to something kinda big."
"You make it sound like I'm giving dictation." Cable laughs.
"No, really?" Dom remarks. "I'm sorry. It's just that I can't tell you what a joy it is listening to you re-cap how messed up everything is right now."
"Look, Dom, I know we haven't had a second to breathe--" Cable begins.
"Like five minutes even." Dom interjects.
"But, I'm trying--" Cable tries again.
"Nathan?" Jean telepathically links with him. "We found the PACRAT."
"We're on our way, Jean." Cable answers telepathically and turns towards Dom. "Uh, Domino, that was Jean and--"
"Terrific!" Dom snaps. "We can't even have a two second conversation without some X-Man showing up in your head."
Together, they scramble down into the heart of their former headquarters.
"You think we're going to find anything worth salvaging?" Dom asks, in a much softer tone than her previous comment.
"Look, I'm not beyond reminding you that it was your idea that we take up residency in a place called 'Murderworld' where the previous tenant was a homicidal psychopath." Cable replies.
"I didn't hear you complaining when I told you we didn't have to pay any rent." Dom tells him.
"We're just lucky no one was killed when Arcade blew up the place." Cable says, as they come upon Sam Guthrie, aka Cannonball, the team captain of Cable's squad of mutants. No one respects Cable more.
"Uh...Cable...Sir...I can't find even a light bulb that hasn't been trashed." Sam tells him. "Have ya given any thought to where we're gonna' live?"
"Later for that." Cable replies. "Let's go find the others."
"Boomer, anything?" Cable asks, as they round the corner to find Tabitha Smith.
"Zip. Everything's toast." Tabitha replies. "Unless we all move into a cave and want to keep a giant pinball as a trophy."
"I have to agree with the others." James Proudstar, sporting a fresh haircut adds. As Warpath he is the strongest member of X-Force. "Cable...got a minute?"
"What is it, James?" Cable asks, stepping away from the others.
"I was just wondering where you sent Theresa to." James asks softly.
"Theresa's a big girl, Jimmy. She can take care of herself." Cable replies simply, not really answering the young Apache's question.
The group continues on into the hanger, to behold the groups carrier, nicknamed PACRAT for Personal Assault Carrier for Recon/Aquatic/Terrain. Given the time and expense it took to build it, there is an audible sense of relief in finding it in one piece. More importantly, it is for Cable, the first step in putting things back in order.
"Caliban found it, Cable/Nathan." Caliban yells to him. What the former Morlock is missing in polish, he makes up for un mutant hunting skills and sheer brute strength. "Caliban did good, yes?"
"Nathan," Jean says with a smile of greeting, "I believe this is what you were looking for."
"Think we can get it up and runnin', Sir?" Sam asks.
"We're gonna give it a try, Sam." Cable replies.
"The engineering seems to be intact." Jean explains. "The real problem is getting it out from under this rubble."
"Whoa. One second. Stop right here. Who invited him along?" Dom asks, pointing towards Caliban.
"Caliban is happy to see you again, too, Patcheye." Cal' tells her. "Cable/Nathan wants Caliban here."
"Cable, you didn't?" Dom asks.
"I did." Cable tells her.
"Caliban will dig out the ship." Cal' says as he begins to throw aside huge piles of the rubble.
"This is gonna' take days." Sam remarks.
"Maybe not. Everybody step back." Cable orders, then telepathically communicates to Jean what he is planning. "Together we can telekinetically lift this sucker."
Jean knows they need to work together. But, as she adds her awesome telekinetic power to his, she know in her heart that Cable will over-exert himself. Something is troubling him. Something he needs to prove to the others...and to himself.
Slowly, by inches at a time, the huge craft rises. Sweat beads on Cable's brow.
"C'mon, you lousy bucket of bolts!" Cable mutters. And suddenly the craft breaks free. He helps Jean to softly lower it atop the rubble that once covered it and promptly passes out.
"Nate!" Dom screams, leaping to his side. "Jean, he's not breathing! His techno-virus is running wild! Nate, so help me God, if you--"
Jean gently pushes Dom aside and telepathically links with the man who she raised as if he were her own son, two thousand years from now.
"Nathan. You've got to concentrate. The techno-virus is running unchecked." Getting no response, Jean probes deeper. "Nathan!"
Cable's eyes pop open, and immediately the techno-virus retreats to it's former levels.
"I'm...okay." He tells the others, gathered around him. "Did we get the PACRAT freed up?"
"All systems go." James tells him.
"That was some stunt. Showoff." Dom tells him, and Cable doesn't need his telepathy to sense her relief at his recovery.
"Then what in blazes are you all standing around for?" Cable asks, not sure how to handle all their concern. "Domino, take Warpath and do one last sweep of the area. I don't want any civilians tripping over leftover explosives. Boomer, Caliban and Cannonball, have that ship packed and ready. We're airborne in ten minutes. So get yourselves in gear."
"Yes, Sir." Sam answers.
"Understood." James says.
"Gotcha." Tabitha tells him, still sneaking in a hug before she runs after the others.
"Jean...Thanks." Cable telepathically tells her, after the others are gone.
"No need to thank me, Nathan." Jean replies. "You know...one of the down sides of being a telepath is keeping your thoughts...private."
"Meaning?" Cable asks.
"Meaning, if there's something you need to talk about...I'm here for you." Jean tells him.
"I..." Cable hesitates a moment, then sighs. "Ever since we got back from Israel I can't shake the feeling that we've all been given a second chance to make a difference with our lives. But...I already have so many responsibilities...between Domino...X-Force needs me...my son, Tyler, is out there somewhere..."
"Nathan, it takes time to realize that feeling responsible and being responsible are two different things." Jean tells him. "But, if you want to talk to someone about what it's like to have a son out there acting on his own...spend a little time with you father."
"Point taken." Cable replies softly.
"Nathan, we can only do our best." Jean pulls him close in a tight hug and adds, "Try and remember that."
Several minutes later, Cable brings the PACRAT in for a landing at the Xavier Institute in Westchester County. For a time, when they were known as the New Mutants, X-Force used it as a base of operations. Despite Cable's differences in the past with Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men and owner of the home, they need a place to stay for now.
"Listen up, people, I want you all to meet me here at 1100 hours tomorrow morning. No excuses." Cable orders.
"Caliban doesn't know where to go." Cal' says softly.
"Cal', just--" An icy pain slices Cable's mind as a telepathic message hits him.
"Nathan, help--"
"By the Bright Lady!" Cable exclaims. "Was that...Blaquesmith? Domino, Caliban a change of plans. Strap yourselves back in. We're going."
"D'ya need our help, Sir?" Sam asks.
"Appreciate the offer, Sam, but you look after the others." Cable replies, powering up the PACRAT for take-off. "Jean, again, my thanks. We'll see you by morning."
Within the hour, they are over Baltimore, Maryland. Cable has kept quiet, hardly saying a word. And when you're in Domino's company, that's not a good move.
"I thought I heard you say 'Blaquesmith' that's a name I didn't think I'd ever hear again." Dom says. "And it can only lead to trouble. Are you getting mixed up with him again?"
"Dom, this isn't open for discussion." Cable replies.
"Oh." Dom says, than after a moments silence adds, "You know, those kids of yours, they need to know where they stand. Especially after what happened with Sunspot. And if you're thinking about moving back into the mansion, I'd--"
"Look," Cable interrupts. "I don't know, okay? I don't know. I don't know!"
"Are we there yet?" Caliban asks with a huge innocent grin.
"Caliban, your timing is perfect." Dom remarks.
"Thank you, Patcheye." Cal' replies.
"I was being sarcas--oh forget it." Dom tells him.
"To answer your question, Caliban, we're here." Cable tells him, as he brings the PACRAT in for a landing on the pier.
At the end of the pier, a rusty Frigate is anchored. Despite its dilapidated appearance, it can outrun almost anything on the water. And it has, more than once.
"Not to worry you, Nathan," Dom tells him as she tries the radio, "But Blaquesmith isn't responding on any frequency."
"Then I want to go in locked and loaded." Cable replies, grabbing an ion cannon and handing Dom a plasma rifle.
"Caliban, I could use a little help here." Cable tells him as the trio steps onto the Frigate. "Can you get a 'fix' on anyone inside?"
"Caliban senses someone, Cable/Nathan." Cal' replies. "A mutant...but not anyone Caliban knows."
"Take it slow." Cable orders. "Knowing him, he's got this place boobytrapped six ways to Sunday." The group suddenly comes upon a locked door. "I make the door out to be titanium."
"Any idea how you want to go in?" Dom asks.
"We could knock." Cable replies.
BA-DOOM
Cable fires the ion cannon, blasting the door off its hinges, smiles at Dom and says, "Knock, knock."
"'Knock, knock.' heh. Who's there? Cable/Nathan." Caliban says.
"Nice to see you still use the hardware when you've got it." Dom tells him.
"As an old friend once taught me, 'The right tool for the right job.'" Cable replies, as they step through the door.
Immediately four lasers lock on to them and begin to fire. Being thrown into jeopardy can be very instructive. Cable instinctively throws Dom to the floor and telekinetically takes out all four guns with one blast.
"Don't do that again." Dom snaps, as he helps her back up.
"What?" Cable asks.
"You know what. You shoved me out of the way." Dom tells him.
"I was protecting you backside." Cable explains.
"I don't need you protecting--" Dom begins.
"You'd do the same for me and you know it." Cable tells her.
"Come quick!" Cal' yells. "Caliban has found someone!"
"It had better be Blaquesmith." Cable says. "After that greeting, somebody's got a whole lot of explaining to do."
"Is that him?" Cal' asks, as he throws rubble off of a small man with huge eyes. "Is this Blaquesmith?"
"Thank God, you're all right." Cable says, helping the small man to his feet. "I'm here, it's Nathan, Blaquesmith."
The small man says something in a strange almost musical language that Dom has heard Nathan use at times.
"Please, not in the Askani' battle language. English." Cable tells him.
The tone with which Cable addresses him is not one he uses very often. It is filled with...respect. And there is a twinkle of understanding in Blaquesmith's less than human looking eyes. Only the first indication that he is far more than one expects at seeing his diminutive stature.
"You're not here five seconds, and already you're giving me orders." 'Smith tells him. "Not that I'm not grateful to have that two thousand pound thing-a-ma-bob off my back. Don't happen to know a good Chiropractor, do you, Nathan? Actually...I wasn't sure you'd come."
"Despite what has happened in the past, I will always be there for you." Cable tells him. "What went on here? Why were the automatic defense systems on?"
"The systems came back on when I was attacked." 'Smith explains.
"Why?" Cable asks. "How would anyone even begin to find you?"
"Somebody's made the connection, Nathan." 'Smith replies. "He wanted all the data I had on you. And went through a lot of trouble to get it. And that's not good. For either of us. Give me a minute and I'll see what I've got on video playback."
With surprising speed and agility, 'Smith sets to work on the wreckage. "Now let me see, this goes into here...and this goes over there..." 'Smith mumbles while he works. "So, Nathan, still trying to make your X-Force project work?"
"It's not a project." Cable replies.
"Hmpph. Haven't even mastered your own powers and yet you teach others." 'Smith tells him. "You're still with Domino, I see...I guess you did learn something from me after all." "I love it when people act like I'm not even in the room." Dom remarks.
Then 'Smith telepathically asks, "How much does she remember?"
"Nothing." Cable telepathically replies. "It's still too dangerous."
"Okay." 'Smith says aloud. "The computer is bringing up a composite of the attacker. But, I can't get a clear picture."
"Who, Blaquesmith?" Cable asks. "Who even know you're still alive?"
"Can you do something about the image quality?" Dom asks, looking at the static filled image.
"I'm sorry, Domino." 'Smith replies. "But even I can't perform miracles."
"That's not how Nathan tells it." Dom replies.
"You, of all people, should know how this boy lies." 'Smith tells her laughing.
"This guy was big, dangerous and didn't want to be seen." Cable remarks. "How long before your system can get us a clearer picture?"
"It'll help if it's someone we've got a file on already. But I'll make it a priority, Nathan. I can't do better than that." 'Smith replies.
"We should go, Blaquesmith." Cable tells him. "Are you going to be all right?"
"Thanks for the concern. But I can handle myself." 'Smith replies. "Even if it means going underground again."
"Then, how 'bout a favor?" Cable asks. "I've been mulling over some new uniform designs for X-Force."
"You don't ask for much, do you?" 'Smith replies.
"Would you have it any other way?" Cable laughs.
"How many do you have in mind?" 'Smith asks.
"X-Force is now six." Cable tells him. "Plus, Domino, of course. And...the big lug, Caliban."
"Me, Cable/Nathan? Really?" Cal' asks.
"Him?" Dom asks. "No, Nate, please."
"Trust me." Cable smiles at her.
"Oh, that makes me feel much better." Dom sighs.
"I want you to know that somehow we'll find whoever it was who broke in here." Cable tells Blaquesmith. "And I'll personally rewire his hardware."
"I know you won't take this lightly, Nathan." 'Smith assures him. "There are lots of ways of finding you, but coming through me makes this person not only smart...but deadly. He's got an agenda, my friend. You've got something he wants and he's willing to kill you to get it."
"I'll add him to the list, Blaquesmith." Cable replies. "And it's a long one."
Our Journey Continues With
Second Genesis Part II
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