CHAPTER FOUR
SINISTER'S BASE
"You allowed them to escape," Sinister thundered. His glowing red eyes
narrowed, perishing Scalphunter with a fear the Marauder leader hadn't felt
in years. He stood straight, never taking his eyes off the scientist as the
two stood in Essex's laboratory. "Explain why I should not strike you down
for your failure."
"Boss, we had them but the X-Men showed up," he quickly answered. If one
valued their life, they didn't keep Nathaniel Essex waiting. "You ordered us
not to provoke them because of...."
"That order is now revoked." Sinister stated viciously, motioning with
his hand towards the young man unconscious in the bed. "LeBeau is no longer
a hindrance in their destruction."
Realizing what the consequences of that statement could mean, an evil
grin spread across the killer's face. "You mean...."
"Patience, Scalphunter." Sinister moved to the bed, glanced briefly at
his patient, and then returned to the monitors that revealed LeBeau's life
readings. "You and I both will have our revenge on Xavier's dream team."
"What of LeBeau?" The Marauder asked, wanting to know the condition of
the young man he had once called a friend. When Essex had returned with
Remy, Scalphunter knew things were about to change.
LeBeau's survival would dictate where and when the X-Men's lives would
end. Already, a week had passed and Gambit remained in a coma. Essex's moods
were rapidly becoming darker and everyone suspected the young man was
getting worse.
If LeBeau died, then all bets were off. Scalphunter knew the fate of the
Marauders depended on them staying on Essex's good side, if that could be
possible.
"His condition remains the same." The scientist revealed. "But LeBeau
will survive because I demand it."
"You think you can get any information out of him?"
"Not willingly, but I have methods of getting what I want from him."
"The boy might be trouble, Boss. Remy has always had a stubborn streak.
Wonder if he found out his true identity, that might explain why the
X-Men...." Scalphunter stopped in mid-stride, speculating aloud as an idea
raced through his mind. "I'd love to see the look on-"
He never finished. Sinister grabbed him by the throat and slammed the
Marauder leader against the wall. "If that information is revealed, I will
hold you personally responsible." Sinister tightened his grip, baring his
sharp jagged teeth into an evil grin. "Would you like a sample of what
awaits you if that should happen?"
"No, Boss," The Marauder gasped, fighting to breathe as Sinister's
fingers squeezed unmercifully around his neck. "You've made your point."
"Indeed." Sinister loosened his grip and stepped back. Scalphunter fell
to the floor, holding his throat. He glanced up, waiting for Essex's orders.
"Only I, and I alone, will reveal that information when and where I decide.
Gather your team. I have need of seeing Xavier again very shortly."
The Marauder slowly got to his feet, debating if he should ask a
question, but obligation out weighed his better judgment. "Are we launching
an all out attack? Meaning no survivors?"
Sinister menacing laughter answered Scalphunter's question. If any
uncertainty remained, Essex's next words left no doubt that the mission was
to be a slaughter. "Inform Creed I have need of his services again."
__________________________
SPACE
"I wouldst never question thy reasoning, Corsair."
"I am following my gut instincts, Raza." The ship's captain told his
comrade. "It's been several months since I've heard from Scott or Xavier.
Something serious must be wrong."
"Patience, Captain. We should be within Earth's atmosphere in about three
seconds." Ch'od replied. He flipped several switches near the cockpit.
"Cloaking device is now activated and working. We will remain invisible and
off radar."
"Any word from the mansion?" A man's deep baritone voice asked.
"Nothing, Bishop, all radio frequencies are dead." Ch'od answered the
X-man. He glanced over his shoulder. "Mind telling us why you were hanging
out with Deathbird?"
"It's a long story," the former member of the X.S.E. answered with a
sigh. "I'm just anxious to get back home and rejoin my friends and
companions."
"The look on Deathbird's face when we rescued you and dumped her on that
planet was priceless. I haven't laughed so hard in years," Corsair smiled,
something he hadn't done in some time. "It took my mind off other things."
"Fine, are Scott and Alex, Corsair, sure am I." Hepzibah said, hoping to
reassure him.
"Always the optimist, aren't you, Mademoiselle." Corsair wrapped his arm
around his lover's waist. Hepzibah placed her head on his shoulder as both
watched the New York coastline came in view. "The things Bishop has told me
about Alex. Why would he turn on his own brother and friends?"
"Coming up on the mansion, Corsair," Ch'od yelled to his Captain. The
ship started vibrating violently. "What the...."
Corsair and Hepzibah buckled themselves into their seats as the ship's
navigator fought to keep the ship steady. Corsair shouted, "What's going
on?"
Bishop managed to pinpoint the source of the disturbance.
"Either El Nino's dumping a major thunderstorm on top of the mansion or
Storm's ticked off."
____________________
The Mansion
"Storm, stop!" Scott yelled through the howling winds. With his unheeded
words, Cyclops closed his eyes and mentally called out to his wife. "Jean
get down here. We need help, now."
"Ororo, please." Beast's voice pleaded.
The winds diminished unexpectedly and seizing the opportunity, Rogue took
to the air. "Ah'll stop her."
"You left him to die!" Storm yelled her outrage. She lifted an index
finger and aimed it at the flying X-woman. A lightning bolt shot from
Storm's finger, striking Rogue, knocking her out of the air.
Rogue hit the floor hard. She moaned twice and shook her head, trying to
shake the cobwebs loose.
Angel rushed to her side, helping the woman to her feet.
"Ah'm alright, jus' winded." Rogue replied, thanking Warren for his
concern. She turned to Storm, her green eyes widened in earnest "Sugah, Ah
swear, Ah nevah meant ta do it. Remy controlled mah thoughts."
"She's telling you the truth, Storm," Xavier added. "Rogue was leaving
again when I returned home. It was at that time that she begged me to help
her locate him."
"Storm, Ah still think Remy might...."
"Do you think me a fool, Rogue?" Ororo asked, angrily interrupting. "It
has been a week since you left Remy to his own demise. Nobody could survive
the arctic without provisions, something I am quiet sure you did not provide
for him. I can only pray to the Goddess that he found shelter. Perhaps this
cathedral Beast has spoke of is where I may find him." The anger slowly
disappeared from Storm's demeanor as her eyes returned to their cat-blue
color. However, she kept her animosity towards the younger woman alive.
"Pray that I find my brother alive, Rogue. If not, I will never forgive you
for taking him from me."
Rogue's eyes widened, "Storm, Ah..."
"No, Rogue, I do not want to listen to any excuse you have to justify
your actions." Storm continued, "The only reason you did not tell anyone
what happened in Antarctica was because you might have murdered Remy and the
thought of facing your fellow X-Men with that knowledge was too much for you
to handle."
"That's just not true." Rogue strongly protested, "Ah would nevah hurt
Remy, not intentionally."
Storm opened her mouth, ready to continue the heated discussion between
herself and Rogue, but recognizing Angel's shadow approaching from behind,
she turned and focused her attention on him.
Knowing his intentions were to engage her, Storm summoned a powerful wind
gust to shove him away. "Warren, do not taunt me." She eyed him
threateningly. "I will not be held responsible if you try to attack me
again."
"Storm, darlin, don't do this. Ya ain't gonna help th' Cajun one bit if
ya loose control." Wolverine approached Ororo slowly, and then gently
touched her arm, patting it several times until she appeared to respond to
his voice. "Ro, ya know Rogue would never hurt Gumbo. She loves him an' you
know it too."
"You call what she did, love?" Storm asked, a hint of sarcasm in her
voice.
She briefly looked at the damage she had caused, and summoned a warm
breeze, which dried the floors and furniture, leaving no residual trace of
dampness anywhere.
Ororo turned her attention back to Xavier and apologized, "Forgive me,
Professor. I should not have lost control."
"Heck, Storm," Rogue flew over to the older woman, believing she had been
forgiven. "Ain't like Ah nevah done nothin like this 'fore either." She
laughed and touched Storm's shoulder. "How 'bout ya and me go find th' old
swamp rat?"
"I prefer to search alone, Rogue." Storm answered bitterly. "If Remy's
dead then the last thing I want to see is your face."
"Ro', darlin', yer upset." Wolverine began, stopped in mid-sentence, and
turned his head. He stared at the front door for a moment before he sniffed
the air.
"Do not patronize me, Logan." Ororo warned. She stared at the group
around her, giving each X-Man a glare none would soon forget. "If it had
been Scott or Jean in Remy's place, the X-Men would have not have reacted
the way they did. The Blackbird would have been in the air the very second
everyone returned from Antarctica."
"Intruders," Wolverine shouted before the alarm sounded.
"Now what!" Scott shouted disgustingly, running for the door. "Move it,
people."
Angel, Rogue, Storm, and Wolverine followed behind Cyclops, who reached
for the door, only to have it open and a figure step inside.
"Isn't anyone going to say welcome home?" The visitor asked.
"Bishop!!" Several yelped in surprise.