Sanctuary

Renee Majcomb has seen the movie 'Casablanca' at least a dozen times in her life. Intently watching the sterling black and white images of people who can only hope for freedom.
"My hand...shaking..? All the times I've used a scalpel...but having my passport for a 'patient' has to be a first." Renee thinks, as she slices her picture from her passport.
Renee never thought she would leave her beloved Genosha, an island nation off the coast of Africa just north of the Seychelle Islands. Once the envy of the world, now reduced to a war-torn shell.
Although her heart aches to be with her Bipartisan Rebel Battalion fighting for the civil rights of all Genoshans, or working in her bio-lab as a world-class bio-geneticist, today she is faced with the realization that the information she carries may mean the end of her life.
Having switched photographs in the passports, she will enter the United States with a new name and identity. For despite the dangers she has encountered in her past, she knows they pale in comparison to what will happen to her if certain individuals learn she has made it out of Genosha alive.

A gift shop in New York's Kennedy Airport, the international terminal. Domino picks up the latest issue of the National Enquirer which has a bold headline of, 'Mutant Bigfoot Kills Nine' and turns towards Cable.
"Just when you thought it was safe to camping. Listen...'Informed sources say a mutant serial killer is roaming the Rocky Mountains.' This is disturbingly familiar..."
"How can you read that stuff?" Cable asks her. "You know it's all made up."
"Oh, like you've never picked up one of these while standing on line at the supermarket." Dom remarks.
"Never." Cable replies.
Even though they appear to be another handsome New York couple, the man called Cable and his ally, the ever-enigmatic woman known only as Domino, are in reality mutants learning to live with amazing powers which separate them from the rest of humanity. They began as soldiers, fighting side by side depending on the cause. They bonded into a friendship, that soon progressed into much more.
"Do you think Elvis is still alive?" Dom asks laughing.
"I can't confirm or deny that." Cable replies with a straight face.
"And you really believe they make this stuff up." Dom asks with a sly smile.
"Are you serious?" Cable asks.
"Hmmm...here's an article that says time travel is possible..." Dom says innocently.
"Now boarding Flight 760 to Guadalajara, Mexico." The intercom announces.
"C'mon, we're going to miss the flight." Cable says, taking Dom's arm and leading her towards the boarding area.
"Just admit it Nathan." Dom tells him, as she steps through the metal detector. "You can't stand somebody else being right."
"Actually, what's really bothering me is why we came out here in the first place." Cable says, as he moves to go through the metal detector. "It seems...unnecessary."

WHOOPWHOOPWHOOP

At Customs and Immigration. The Genoshan flight passengers file in. Some are filled with the joy. others with the fear of the unknown. And in the case of Renee Majcomb, a certain sense of relief.
"So far, so good." Renee thinks. "It's almost too easy. This would have been so much simpler if the Genoshan Government would've just approved my Visa. But...if all goes well, I might be able to see Charles tonight."

Unnoticed by Renee, or anyone else, two men suddenly materialize in the far corner of the crowed area.
"Transmission complete. Nice tracking, Hawkshaw. When do you want to take her?" Pipeline asks.
"Soon, Pipeline. Let's see what kind of security they've got up ahead." Hawkshaw replies.

Meanwhile, Cable has found the one he and Dom have come to see off. He sees Rictor and 'Star talking and makes his way towards them. Dom hangs back a bit to give Nathan time with the boy.
"Julio, one last time." 'Star says. "Please, change your mind. What am I going to do without you?"
"You'll be fine." Rictor replies. "You have friends..."
"Once he gets it through his head that he's not alone, I'm sure things will work out for 'Star." Cable interrupts.
"You?!" Rictor exclaims.
"At least, till you get back, Ric." Cable finishes.
"I sort of thought you didn't care if I stayed or left." Rictor says.
"Julio, we've had a lot of history between us." Cable replies. "For a long time you thought I killed your father. I suppose, that still doesn't make looking at my face every day very easy. I know you need to spend time with your family...But, I'm hoping that while you're away, you'll think about something. The hostility between human and mutant has never been worse. And fighting between ourselves is the surest way to defeat. Despite the problems we've had, I consider you a valuable part of X-Force. I hope you'll come back soon." Cable extends his hand to the young man.
"Well, Cable. You know what they say..." Rictor replies taking Cable's hand in a firm grip. "Be careful what you wish for."

As Rictor's plane disappears from sight, Cable realizes that Dom was, indeed, right. It was important for him to be here.
"See?" Dom says. "That wasn't so hard."
"Yeah." Cable replies, watching 'Star, who stand with both hands pressed hard against the window. "It wasn't hard for me, but..." Cable walks up to 'Star and places his hand on the young man's shoulder. "Shatterstar? You want to hitch a ride back with us?"
"I would like that...yes." 'Star replies.
Cable watches the young man with an odd sort of empathy. He himself has said good-bye to so many friends over the years that he knows there is nothing he can tell Shatterstar to make him feel better. As with most pains of the heart, this, too, will take time to heal...

Back at the security checkpoint. 'Star stops to claim the case containing his swords that he had to leave while seeing Rictor off.
"Oughta be more careful where you take something like these." The officer remarks to him.
"I...thank you for the advice." 'Star replies taking the case. "You can be sure we won't be coming back this way anytime soon." 'Star walks a few steps and stops, turning towards Cable, "Cable, when we return to the mansion, I wish to be sent on assignment...immediately."
"All units, all units, we've got a critical situation with the protesters and Genoshans on Level Five." The officer's radio announces.
"This is Sergeant Walker, I'm on my way." The officer speaks into his radio, already on the run towards the disturbance.
"Nathan?" Dom asks. "Should we check this out?"
"Well, 'Star. As your buddy just said, 'Be careful what you wish for!'" Cable replies, as they follow the guard.

Halfway there, Cable removes the long trenchcoat he was wearing and throws it to the floor.
"I don't know how Gambit manages to maneuver around in a big coat." He remarks, as they enter the area of the disturbance.
"Aside from your fashion concerns, do you have any idea how you want to handle this?" Dom asks.
"They're out of control." 'Star says, as he removes his swords from the case. "What could any of them hope to accomplish?"
Utter chaos. The heat in the room is well over one hundred degrees. Cable knows that means tempers are short and the possibility for violence is high. What worries him the most, however, is that confined to this space, the probability of injuries, or worse, has increased tenfold.
"Is it just that things got out of hand here, or is somebody making things bad?" Dom asks.
"I'm...trying to telepathically skip around the mob." Cable replies, concentrating. "Trying to see if I can find someone or something responsible for this insanity."
Domino watches him do it again. Pushing himself harder than he should. Harder than anyone should. It scares her a little, knowing how much she cares for him.
"Nathan?" She asks, reaching out to steady him, as he sags forward.
"Fear...panic...is overwhelming..." Cable says aloud, then he telepathically speaks to them. "Domino, 'Star, I've locked on to something. Two men are agitating the crowd to cover...Below us...They've got that woman...Being held against her will. There." Cable points, "Those two men. We can't let them leave the area."
One of the men in question, Hawkshaw, whispers into Renee's ear, as he forces her towards the exit. "Naughty, naughty, Dr. Majcomb. You know the law. Genoshan by birth means Genoshan for life. Fact is, your country needs you."
"Hawkshaw, I'm powered to go." Pipeline tells him. "Get ready to transmit."
In a world criss-crossed by the internet, Pipeline has the unique ability to digitize people and transport them like any data file. Cable focuses his telekinetic power not at Pipeline, but at what he senses is his energy source. And as the laptop explodes in Pipeline's hands, Cable tells him.
"Mister, you're going no place fast!"
"Blast it!" Pipeline curses. "Without that equipment we're stuck in this genejoke United States."
"We'll figure something out, Pipeline." Hawkshaw tells him, as he draws his weapon. "We've already lost enough because a few Mutates are afraid of a little hard work. Majcomb is going back...one way or another!"
Cable senses their panic. He knows his next move is critical.
"You want these men stopped, Cable, consider it done!" 'Star shouts, as he leaps towards the two men, swords brandished.
"Shatterstar, NO!" Cable shouts.
Since joining X-Force, Shatterstar has always had trouble holding himself back. Now, with his emotions flared by Rictor's leaving, he reacts to the situation with even more reckless abandonment than usual. It will cost him dearly.
"Let the woman go, now!" 'Star orders.
"Not on your life, Genejoke!" Hawkshaw replies, as he blasts Shatterstar in the ribs.
Renee hoped she wouldn't have to put these skills to use so soon. The violence and strife that had touched her entire life in Genosha didn't take long to reach her here. But she also knows, there is no choice. The mission comes first. And recognizing an opening, she seizes it, elbowing Hawkshaw in his stomach, Renee shouts, "This madness stops now!"
Domino immediately disarms Hawkshaw, taking his blaster away from him and planting her left foot squarely on his jaw, knocking him out.
"Lady, I admire your guts." Dom tells her. "I just wish I shared your optimism."
"Why did you have to interfere?" Pipeline asks. "This could have stayed Genoshan business. A private matter."
"Time you learned the lesson that we don't tolerate your kind here." The security officer tells him, levelling his 9mm at Pipeline.
"Little man, you've just made a big mistake!" Pipeline tells him, as he takes aim and blasts at the guard.
"Stay Back!" Cable shouts, as he leaps in front of the guard. In a blink of a moment, the shot is deflected by Cable's techno-organic arm. The security guard almost doesn't believe it. Why would any man step into harm's way for him? But this is obviously no ordinary man. Then he realizes, as Cable telekinetically destroys Pipelines plasma blaster and then slamming him into, and through the wall. He's heard about people like this. He's heard they're dangerous. They have powers that make them different from normal people. They even have a different name. Mutant.
"You...you're one of those...mutants?" The guard asks.
"Yup." Cable replies.
"I don't understand...you just saved my life." The guard states.
"I did." Cable agrees.
"Why would you do that...you don't even know me." The guard says.
"I know." Cable replies, turning to face Dom, who is having to almost carry the injured 'Star.
"We've gotta go." Dom tells him. "'Star needs medical attention ASAP."
"Get him outta here. I'll catch up." Cable orders, then turns to confront Renee Majcomb. "I know something about Genosha, and this wasn't just a customs problem. Who are you that they'd want you so bad?"
"My name is Renee Majcomb. My leaving Genosha has made the Government...nervous. Their concerns are justified. That's all I can say. Given your...unique abilities, I'll wager we have a mutual friend. Please, tell Charles that I'll be contacting him soon. But in the meantime, you'd better go. Your presence is likely to create more of an incident."
"I understand." Cable replies, thinking, "It won't be long before we see you again I'm sure."

Hours later, at the Xavier Institute, Salem Center, Westchester, NY. Cable stands in pajama bottoms, sipping coffee in the room he shares with Dom, who is wearing the matching pajama top drinking a coke, as she watches CNN.
"I just checked on Shatterstar." Cable tells her. "He's in stable condition down in the medi-lab. I want McCoy to give him the once over tomorrow."
"I've been watching the news." Dom explains. "They're saying the 'disturbance' at the airport was caused by two 'Genoshan Terrorists' who were taken away by 'officials' the 'terrorists' have claimed 'Diplomatic immunity.'"
"Terrific!" Cable exclaims. "They'll be released and back in Genosha in twenty-four hours and nobody'll even know the difference."
"Come on, Nathan." Dom replies. "Renee Majcomb knows the difference. Don't be so hard on yourself. We did good today."
"Maybe." Cable tells her, sipping the last of his coffee. "I'm...goin' to bed."
"I'm...gonna stay up a little while. 'Night." Dom tells him, turning back to the news.
"This is Trish Tilby with a CNN exclusive report." The attractive, female announcer states. "It's cold and it's late in the Rocky Mountains, but rescue workers are still out searching. There are already thirteen confirmed dead in what is being called the worst killing spree the area has ever seen. I'm here with Everett Hale, a local hunter who is part of the tracking party. Mister Hale, I understand you came across an important discovery today."
"Real important." Mr. Hale replies to the announcer. "Up to this point, we thought we were dealing with either a serial killer or some kind of animal. Maybe a grizzly. Then we found a paw print and made a plaster mold."
The television screen shifts to show the plaster mold.
"You can see, it's too darn big to be either man or beast." Mr. Hale explains.
"No." Dom whispers, as she goes to the television and places her hand on the screen. And as she takes her hand from the screen, she sees it is visibly shaking. From the very first time she heard about this story, it has had a disturbing familiarity about it. Now, even more haunting, is the realization that she has seen that paw print before...It wasn't from some animal. It was a man. Someone she...considers a friend.

Our Journey Continues With
Under One Roof

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