Subject: [gbp] X-Force #25 Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 23:03:06 +0100 From: "David" X-Force #25 - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, Trial and Retribution, Part 2 "Luck is with us," said Ahmal Farouk as he saw the figure simply appear before them in a cascade of white and blue light. The man staggered and fell to the floor and they could see the bullet wound in his left shoulder. "I'm surprised that Mr North had the guts to shoot him though. Didn't think he had it in him, for all the good it did." Colonel Nicholas Fury, former Director of SHIELD, was bleeding badly and also barely conscious. He moaned in pain and then passed out totally. It was some kind of strange miracle he was alive, because of the great stresses his body and mind had just been put under from the conversion from matter to energy and back again. "You call that luck?" said Viper who was with him. "He's half dead, of no use to anyone, and you still do not have the power to control him fully." "My dear Viper," said the Shadow King from within her head. "We can rebuild him, as we did Wisdom, and there is something else. Something unexpected." She could feel the pleasure in his mind, and she knew that if he had a body he would smile. "What is it?" she asked, knowing that if it made him this happy, then it was good for them all. "Nick Fury's injury, combined with the teleportation and my influence have created a rather interesting effect. His mind is a blank slate, ready to have written on to it whatever we want to. His knowledge and skills remain intact but his identity... totally gone. I don't have to control him, all I have to do is make him our General." "Hydra's greatest enemy, as it's field commander..." mused Viper. The pieces had been set in place for many months now, and a quirk of fate had led them here. "So that is one of the side effects of the fabled HERMES teleport system. Fury will be forever disgraced. You have a unique sense of irony." "Apocalypse has being doing this kind of thing for years, with limited success," said the Shadow King. "The heroes he converted eventually returned to form. I know he's trying again with that even as we speak, however I think it's time the professionals showed him how to do this." Viper clicked her fingers and six of her guard picked the body up and took it to the medical wing. There were many people around her for the time was drawing near and soon the first major piece of the Shadow King's grand design would become a reality. Retribution would soon be at hand, against all who had ever opposed them. "Oh, yes," said Kitty, as she felt the familiar tingle at the base of her skull as her powers suddenly came alive. It had been a few hours since the treatments for the power negation caused by the Death's Head Commando's had left her and the rest of the X-Force team powerless. "That feels better." "Your natural state is intangible isn't it?" asked Maverick as he watched her from the other side of the aircraft. "Yeah," she replied. "Old injuries, but after all this time it's just as natural to think about being solid, so it's as if they were always this way. What about you? How did it feel to recover from the Legacy Virus?" "It was strange," said North. "The pain was indescribable, and then it went away. Elena..." He sighed a moment. "I thought I loved her, but it was a side-effect from her ability to counter-act the Legacy Virus. When it was gone completely, my dependence on her was gone. Ever since joining SHIELD, I've seen her less and less and she knows it's not working out either. Though if it weren't for Legacy, I'd not have my powers back anyway. I gave them up to get my memories back from Weapon X." "How did that work?" asked Raven, who was listening. "Another time," said Maverick. "Your telepathy back?" "Yeah," he said. "Feels good as well." "Lydia?" he called out, to the young woman who was piloting the craft. "ETA?" Lydia checked the instruments. "Two minutes." "Good," he said. "Let's go over the plan one more time. Siryn?" "We know roughly where the island is thanks to some of the data we got from the Hermes back up tapes. Plus, Marcus can locate Pete as we hunt. We find Jessica Drew and go over to where we think the island is." "Good. Raven?" "My job's to find the Shadow King," said Marcus, who was not relishing that thought. "Find him, and not engage, but try and keep him off your backs." Maverick nodded. "Exactly. He doesn't have the power he did, we know that from Fury, but he's still a very powerful telepath. Kitty?" "Lydia and I find Pete and get him out, while you and Siryn go one on one with Hydra." "Nick's going to be in a bad way," said North. "We find him after we've taken care of business." This wasn't just a mission, this was personal. Wisdom, Fury, Logan - the Shadow King would pay for what he had done to them and the aircraft landed in the Seychelles, using one of the islands that had been converted by British Intelligence many years ago and was now more or less abandoned. However it was good enough for them to land their stealth jet and they disembarked to where there was a waiting boat. "Agent North," said a voice. "I'm Russ Anderson. Director Forge said you were coming by." "Weren't you the detective on the Spider-Man case?" asked Maverick, thinking he looked familiar. "Yes," he said. "SHIELD recruited me after I left the NYPD." "You did a good thing," said Maverick. "What can you tell us?" "Ms Drew was picked up by the coastguard early yesterday and has been treated for her injuries, but her main problem was dehydration and malnutrition which have been dealt with. She has remarkable recuperative abilities, but that's a metahuman trait." "So I understand," said Maverick as the team got in to the boat. "How is she?" "She's able to walk and talk about what happened, but I think she's holding back on me as well, something she doesn't want to talk about." "I assume security's been tight on this one?" said Lydia. "The last thing we want to do is scare off Hydra." "Agreed and Forge told me as much. As far as I am aware there is nobody else on the island who knows you're coming. I was brought over to Mahe from Australia to give as to give a SHIELD presence that was requested and I've given word out that she's still in a coma. The Seychelles aren't exactly the first place it's needed." "Thank goodness," said Raven. "It's a beautiful place." "Agreed," said Kitty as she put on her shades and sat back as they headed for Victoria, where Jessica Drew was waiting for them. The Shadow King waited for his people to finish the work on Fury, looking through the eyes of Viper. The shot had done more damage than they had thought, and it was taking a bit more reconstruction on the shoulder than they had originally imagined, but they were almost done. Farouk had learned many things over the last few years, the foremost being patience and he thought about recent events and how weak he had become since the battle with Onslaught. He was slowly regaining his power but it was taking far longer than he had expected, far longer than he had wanted and there were problems within Hydra because of it. His agents were getting sloppy, getting caught, getting beaten back. They lacked the finesse, the control his power had instilled in them. It was like the group used to be, a bunch of second rate thugs for hire and without his guidance they were reverting to type. Soon he would have his powers back, but he hoped that it would not be too late. His control of others was limited, he had found that out with Fury who he had not been able to fully take over, but to partially do so had been easy enough and with the other double agent in SHIELD on his side it had been a lot easier than he had suspected it would be. He had filled his third place and there were only two left to go. Wolverine he would deal with later, but that just left number five. But not yet. Farouk realised what the problem had been from the moment it occurred - when he had destroyed Onslaught the resulting psionic backlash had threatened to destroy the astral plane and he had been forced to reign in the massive psionic power and it had bonded him to that level of reality. Without a proper corporeal form he was trapped, and as the astral plane recovered from the massive damage that had been inflicted upon it, so did he. He could share minds but not influence one of strong will. He could sense thoughts, but not alter them. It was like when he was young, he mused, when his powers first came to light. It was not good enough, but providence was on his side. Fury being delivered in this state was more than he had ever hoped for and he would make full use of it. "Madame Viper," said an agent stepping forward. "There are reports from Victoria of strangers, visiting Jessica Drew." "Damn," said Viper, her eyes flashing. They knew that getting to Jessica was difficult for them, because it would have given away too much, too soon but if there were visitors, then it could only be a handful of people. "I sense a psionic presence," said Farouk, as he reached out. "A faint presence, but I can feel the strength inherent as well." "X-Force coming to reclaim their own?" said Viper. "I would believe so," he said, wondering why his source had said nothing. "Prepare Fury. I'm going to restore his mind." "Jessica!" said Kitty as she opened the door to the room of the hospital. "Kitty?" she said in surprise. "You're back with SHIELD?" "Never really left," she replied. "Pete told you about us...?" "Yeah," said Jessica, softly. "He did. We shared some quality time in the cell." "I see," said Kitty, looking at her, at the scars on her arms, the wounds and marks on her face and wondering what kind of hell she'd been put through. "Jessica, I hate to ask this, but we're going to need to go through what happened to you, to Pete and what we might be facing in their." "We?" "X-Force. I'm with them." "Oh," said Jessica, thinking that figured somehow. "Well I was taken when Hydra left Madripoor and subjected to test and such by Arnim Zola, who is working for the Shadow King, though I don't think it's by choice. Then Pete arrived and they started doing tests on him as well, but they also cut off his powers, which is why he couldn't escape." "How did you?" "I managed to get out by using my strength on the walls and pulling the chains off. They weren't expecting that and it worked and I managed to surprise them and run for my life. I don't really remember the island where I was, except that it was a castle of some sort, a top a mountain which I jumped from in to the waters." "Risky," said Kitty. "You could have been killed." "For a moment, I hoped I was," replied Jessica, softly. "What they did to me... it scared me, and they changed me and I don't know what they've done to me." "What happened afterwards?" Kitty pressed. "The Shadow King came after me, using Pete to find me and bring me out in to the open. It worked as well, and I made a silly mistake. I thought it was Pete but it was Farouk and..." She closed her eyes and stopped talking a moment. "He hurt me." "How?" said Kitty, shocked. "He used his hot knives on me and forced me to the ground..." Her voice started to crack as she spoke. "He forced himself on me. He..." "Bastard..." breathed Kitty through gritted teeth. "He used to Pete to... I mean..." "He didn't go... all the way," stuttered Jessica, a tear forming in her eey, "but he went far enough. He... hurt me." "Oh, Jess," said Kitty and put her arms around her. "If you're not up to this, then, I understand and I can tell the others." "Thank you," she said, "but I want to go. I need to fight, I need to keep busy and try to get it out of my mind." "Of course," said Kitty. "Is there anything else?" "Yes," she said. "Peter... I think he's dead. I think I killed him." Pete Wisdom ached all over. The thugs who'd gone over him had done a number and a half. He wasn't bruised but he was still in pain, though it was lessening moment by moment. Nothing was broken and he could still move, but he hurt all over and he was going to have those bastards at some point. "Let's see 'em take me when I'm not being electro-shocked," he muttered as he stood up, shakily. It hadn't been too long ago when Jessica's bio-blast had almost killed him. His ribs had been shattered and his broken bones had punctured his lungs and caused internal bleeding and he'd almost bought it, before Hydra had retrieved him. Then they'd fixed him up as good as new, which wasn't good news for him, and his hot knives still weren't working. The one thing he wanted to do more than anything was get out of here and kill as many people as he could. It was hard to imagine a time where he'd not wanted to do that, but thanks to Black Air, he'd renewed his talent. Now he killed sparingly, but there was still part of him that enjoyed it. He was trapped though, and there was very little he could do about it, when suddenly the door opened and Pete stood up, immediately on the defensive. It was the surprise of his life when Nick Fury stood there. "Fury?" said Pete, wondering if it was indeed Fury, or the Shadow King. "Yeah," said Fury. "So you're the man Farouk wants to lead the his X-Men." "Nick?" said Wisdom, concerned. It wasn't the Shadow King, but it wasn't Nick Fury either. "Are you okay?" "Never better," said the man. "I've been sent to find out how good you really are." "I don't get this," muttered Pete. "What the hell is wrong with you." He was answered by Fury's fist connecting with his jaw and Pete fell back. "You're supposed to be one of the best? Hah!" "Guess again, old man," said Wisdom, standing up and he charged at Fury, who was waiting for him to do that and slammed his knee in to his head, then slammed his joined fists together down on Pete's back. "I may be old, but I'm not stupid," he said. "If you're like the rest of Hydra yahoos, I'm gonna have my work cut out." "Oh, he's turned you," said Pete, his aches and pains back to the level they'd been earlier. He was really taking a pounding of late and he was getting too old for this kind of punishment himself. "Nah, he reminded me of who I am. Now, I'm gonna make you in to a warrior an' I'm damned if you're gonna fail." "I'm gonna have you," muttered Pete, as he got up and Fury swung at him again, but Pete was ready this time and caught his fist in his own hand. "Not again." Then Fury twisted his hand and Pete's wrist bent back and he was suddenly on his knees in pain. "Later," said Fury and released him. "I've got better things to do." Then he left the room and the door closed behind him. Wisdom shook his wrist and stared at the door. That was what awaited him, to serve the Shadow King without reservation. "I'm fucked." Then he felt something tickle the back of his mind, a voice he'd waited a long time to hear and his hope was renewed. "About bloody time, Raven," he said. "What the hell kept you?" "You're supposed to be dead," replied Marcus, from the aircraft above the islands. ~I just feel like it~ replied Wisdom. ~Hey, wait a minute, what about the Shadow King?~ "He's gonna have detected us by now anyway," said Raven, nodding to Maverick that he was in contact with their missing team leader. "Let me see you mind" Wisdom nodded and opened up, showing him the memories of the last few weeks. ~Get that?~ "Yeah," said Raven, shocked at what he had seen. "We know where you are, we're on our way." ~As I said, about bloody time. What's the plan?~ answered Wisdom and Raven told him of what Maverick wanted to do. ~Good plan, but I've a better idea. Here's what I want you to do~ Marcus listened and then broke the connection. "Got the location," he said and X-Force readied themselves for action as Raven gave the location to Lydia who took the ship in to where they needed to be. "GO!" said Maverick and the four of them jumped from the aircraft. "My lady!" cried one of the guards. "We have incoming!" "I suspected as much," said Viper. "As we planned." Then she felt a twinge and she saw her pants were wet. "Just like your father," she muttered. "You have no sense of timing." Then she felt the first contraction. "Get me to the medical wing, and alert the surgical team," she ordered her entourage, calling to Farouk with her mind. "The time is at hand," said the Shadow King, receiving the message from Viper. "I will leave you to deal with the intruders, Colonel Fury. I have something that needs to be done." "Yes, sir," said Fury and started top give orders as to the best way to repel the enemy and Farouk made his way towards the mind of Viper, starting the process as he needed to. Soon, very soon, he would have his full powers back and there would be none who could stop him this time. However there was a figure on the astral plane, waiting for him to arrive, his arms crossed and ready for a fight "You?" said the Shadow King, in incredulous surprise, not only at the appearance of the figure, but the fact he had not been able to sense his coming. "You're challenging me?" "Yup," said Marcus Raven. "Let's see how good you are, your Majesty." The small island fortress was brought to live in a shower of kinetic and sonic attacks as Maverick and Siryn cut loose on the place with their powers, sending Hydra scattering under the wave of the first assault. Both of them wanted to make up for what had happened in Greece and this was not only a rescue mission but therapy. Hydra's gunmen kept fighting, but the two of them were making good work of them and their SHIELD uniforms were keeping off anything that got through, though a concentrated attack would have been too much for them. They'd managed to catch them off guard and in moments the main guard had been taken out from the ramparts, leaving the door clear. "Is it me," said Maverick, "or is this a little too easy?" "Thinkin' that way," said Siryn. "What d'ye reckon?" "Something's wrong," said Maverick, concerned. "But if it's a trap..." "Aye," said Siryn. "How about we go down then?" she looked at the floor. "Works for me," replied North and blasted the floor from under them. Siryn glided down while Maverick simply dropped and absorbed the kinetic energy as he had done from the drop from the plane. "Hands up!" said a voice and Maverick cursed. It was a set up, just not the way he'd thought. They were surrounded by dozens of Hydra agents, each armed and a gun pointing at them. At the head of the group was Nick Fury, dressed in a version of his SHIELD uniform, except in the Hydra colours. "Hello, Nick," he said. "Looking well." The reply was the butt of a gun across his face. Lydia and Shadowcat floated through the air, Kitty ensuring that they were intangible so they could air walk in to the fortress without having to fight their way through. They were the best people to free Pete because of their powers and the best chance of getting them free. "This is so cool," said Lydia. "I mean... wow." "Yeah, I thought that as well," said Kitty, "but I got used to it a while back." "So how long have you been doing this?" asked Lydia. "Good question. It's only been a few years, but there are time it feels like decades. Take a breath," she said and they passed through the rock. "Okay, that I don't like," said Lydia as they emerged at the other side. "No air, pitch black..." Kitty smiled. "Yeah, you get used to that as well. Head's up!" There were several guards waiting for them outside Pete's cell and the two ladies took them out with ease. "This is where Marcus said he is," said Kitty. "I'll go in first." She phased and went through the door. "Pete?" "Kitty?" said Pete, his eyes opening wide and they held each other a moment. "You're a sight for sore eyes." "Been a while, you old sod," she said. "I knew you couldn't take care of yourself." "I'd say something but I've work to do." "We," she said. "I'm your latest addition to X-Force." "I'm gonna kill Marcus," said Pete. "Actually no, he owes me one." "You okay?" called a voice. "He's fine, Lydia." "Matter of opinion," he said and Lydia kicked in the door. "Oh, you can see the X-Men influence already. Why open doors if you can just cave 'em in." "Hey, the building's not on fire," said Lydia. "Not bloody yet," said Pete. "Give me a moment, though." "Not likely," said a voice as a shot of mental energy fired, striking Kitty and her concentration was shattered. "Oh hell," said Pete, his heart sinking as he saw the numerous guards outside and the . "Zola." "Yer lucky I don't kill ya where you stand." Fury glowered at him, hatred in his eyes and Maverick knew he remembered at least that he was the one who had shot him less than a day before. "Don't even think about using yer powers, you'll be dead in a heartbeat, and the Shadow King wants you alive." "Really?" said Maverick. "Guess you'd better let him know we're here." Maverick smiled as he watched Fury's face. "Not answering?" "Yer telepath..." muttered Fury. "He's gonna get himself killed." "Maybe not," said Siryn. "An' you ain't got our back up person either." "You mean the two goin' after Wisdom? I've already taken care of that. Not very clever of you." "No," said a voice behind them all. "She means me." Jessica Drew stood there, her powers primed and ready. "Now maybe you and yours should stand down." "Huh," said Fury. "Nice feint." "You think I'd come after you without a backup plan?" asked Maverick. "Now, I'd wager this is a stalemate. You shoot us, she'll kill you. We fire first and I'm fairly sure that someone here will die." "Got that right." "So, how about we all stand down?" "Or we could do this." Fury turned and shot Jessica, as his men opened fire but as he had turned, Siryn and Maverick had ducked and unleashed their own powers, lighting the place up in a blaze of energy and gunfire. Across the astral plane, psionic energy was gripped and thrust at each of the combatants. The Shadow King was drained of his power after the conflict with Onslaught, and he was also engaged in another venture, but his lack of raw power was made up for in skill and experience. Marcus Raven, on the other hand, was a noivce at this kind of battle, but what he lacked in knowledge he made up for in psionic strength. His natural psionic defences created a barrier that the Shadow King was hard pressed to get through and Farouk had to avoid his own capabilities being forcibly thrown back at him. Raven's aim left a lot to be desired though and he had yet to score a full hit on the Shadow King, but both men knew that it was just a matter of time before that happened. "You are indeed powerful," said Farouk as he easily avoided the psionic bolt cast at him by the SHIELD agent. "Oh, what I could do if you were in my favour." "Ah've seen what you do to those in your favour," said Marcus. "I'd prefer to die first than serve you." "Everyone says that, but there are very few who actually accomplish it," sneered Farouk as he lashed out at him again but Raven was learning quickly and Farouk was reminded of the first battle he had fought with Charles Xavier. This was the same kind of fight, and he knew how that had turned out. "Worried?" asked Raven, and the Shadow King knew he was letting his own thoughts through. He was getting weaker by the moment, which meant he was vulnerable. It was all a question of timing - could he survive this conflict long enough. "No," said the Shadow King, and unleashed a might barrage at him, hoping that the defences would kick in. This was a mad and desperate gambit, he knew that if he failed now, it was all over and he braced himself. Raven started to buckle under the psionic assault and for a moment it looked as though he was going to be broken and his defences breached and then they surged and the power headed back towards the Shadow King , who was unable to get out of its path and it struck him dead on, leaving no trace of the Shadow King's presence. Raven paused and waited, looking around to see what was going on. Was this a bluff on the part of Farouk? Had he been so weakened that he'd not been able to survive the conflict. Raven scanned the place and could find no trace of him anywhere. The only possible explanation was that Farouk was gone, the Shadow King was dead. But how many times had that been thought of before, wondered Raven and returned to his body and checked up on the team. They were all in trouble, but there was one person he could help, now that he was closer and that he could see in to another mind as well. "Now I have plenty of test subjects," said Arnim Zola. "You touch her, I'll kill you," said Pete and the two women wondered which one he meant. "Without your powers?" sneered Zola. "My ESP box has rendered them useless, at the command of my master." Pete looked at Kitty and nodded, and she knew what she had to do, to go and get help from the others. She was the only one who possibly could. They wouldn't be able to stop all of them. In her natural state she was the only one who could get out of there but it meant that she had to leave the other two. Then before she could move, they saw a red circle appear over Zola's head and over Pete's as well. Pete's smile returned. "Oh, you are so screwed..." he said and fired his hot knives, relishing the return of his powers. The knives flew to their targets, felling Hydra agents left right and centre and ensuring that Zola's ESP box was shattered as well. Within moments the area was clear, leaving just the X-Force agents and Zola. "So you think it's funny to mess with people who are tied up, to touch up helpless women and to mess with my powers?" said Pete. "Stay back!" warned Zola, backing away. He knew he could run, but then he knew that Wisdom would put a hot knife in his back in a heartbeat. "Or you'll what?" asked Pete and punched the geneticist in the chest, which also happened to be his face and Zola collapsed to the floor. Pete started then to kick him repeatedly. "That's for the needles, that's for the scalpels, that's for my powers, and that's because I don't fucking like you!" "Finished?" said Kitty. "Babe, I haven't even started," said Pete. "Let's go. I've a still got a score or two to settle." "We're outnumbered," said Maverick. He'd been hit in the shoulder and he was running out of power "Not a great deal we can do from here," said Siryn. "Can you see Jessica?" "No," said Terry. "Fury's not there either. I..." Then there was a telekinetic flash and the Hydra agents were thrust down the corridor as if they'd been hit by a truck. "Need a hand?" asked Raven as he came down to their level. "Hell of a shot," said Terry. "The lessons are working." "Ah was tryin' to turn the bullets back," he said with a grin. "Overdid it." "Whatever works," said North. "What happened with the Shadow King?" "Seems he was weaker than we thought," said Raven. "Either that, or I got lucky. Kicked his ass though." "Maverick!" called Terry. "She's gone..." "There's a trail of blood," said Maverick, activating his visor and scanning the floor. "She's gone after Nick, she has to have." "She's in no shape to do that," said Terry. "She was shot." "She isn't going after him," said Marcus. "She's going after Viper..." "Damn it," said Maverick. "Tell the others to go after Fury. We'll stop Jessica." "Already on it, Marcus," answered Wisdom as he moved through the corridors. There wasn't too far that anyone could go and if there was one thing that Pete knew he had to stop, it was Fury. Having him leading the world's leading terrorist organisation was a prospect he didn't relish. Plus, with the knowledge he had of SHIELD... It didn't bear thinking about. "Kitty," he said. "How you feeling?" "I can become partially solid," she said. "Why?" "Drop ten levels," said Pete. "You'll be in the medical bay. Jessica could be headed there." "Why?" asked Lydia. "Viper's pregnant, and I don't want to take any chances." He saw the look in Kitty's eyes. "I don't know," he said, answering the question she didn't dare ask. He knew her well enough. "But if it is..." "I'm on it," she said and was gone. "What was that about?" asked Lydia. "That was about Wolverine," said Pete. "Viper's husband. Kitty's mentor. Canuck runt with claws to everyone else." "Is he the father?" "Good question," said a voice. Fury was standing behind them, a gun pointed at Lydia's back. "Can't let you leave, Wisdom. You're too important to the cause" "Can't let you stay, Fury. You know too much." "I'll kill you, if I have to." "Don't push me," replied Wisdom, looking at him, his hot knives primed and ready. "You're fast," said Fury, feeling the warmth being generated from where he stood. "But I doubt you're fast enough. I know how much she means to you, Wisdom. How much you care for her." Lydia's eyes went wide as Pete's face became slightly flushed at this revelation. "You really want to see her die, her blood on your hands?" "Yeah?" said Pete. "Guess again." He fired the hot knife and it struck Lyida in the gut and out of her back. She gasped in pain, looked at him and went limp, falling to the floor. Fury watched in disbelief as she lay on the floor and Pete followed it up by a shot to the jaw. "That was for earlier," he said, as Fury fell over. "Shall we find out how deep your conditioning goes?" His hot knives flared to life again and danced around Fury's throat. "I'll die before surrendering to you," said Fury, his eyes locked on to Wisdom's. "So I guess you're going to have to kill me." "Fine by me," said Pete but before he could do anything he was struck by a powerful blow which sent him sprawling to the floor and the hot knives dissipated. He looked up, groggily, to see Zola standing there, battered and bruised but with one of his android servants at hand. "Finish him off," commanded Zola and the android came towards Pete, determined to continue what he had just started a moment ago but before it got any further Lydia turned on it and smashed it in to pieces, while Pete shook of the effects of it's first punch. "You let them get away," he said. "You're welcome," said Lydia. "That really hurt, you know," she said, looking at the small hole in her uniform. "You could have killed me." "I'm a much better shot than that, besides I knew you could take it. Your powers are based on solar power, and so are mine." "You knew that it'd be okay?" she said, helping him up. "Well, maybe not knew, but it was worth the risk." His eyes flashed playfully. "Fury'll turn up again. Count on it." He dusted himself down. "Right, let's regroup with the others and finish this once and for all." "Congratulations," said the doctor. "It's a boy." Viper smiled as she looked at her new-born son, then at stitching on her abdomen from the Caesarean Section. Another scar, but a worthwhile one. This child had been prepared, she had been altered and the main consequence was that a normal birth would not have been possible. "Jacob," she said, naming the child there and then, and she looked in to the child's eyes. "How much of you is in there, I wonder, and how long before we finally know?" "Never," said a voice and bio-blasts felled the doctor's and guards. Jessica Drew stood there, bleeding but anger in her eyes. "Hello, Jessica," said Viper, looking at her. "I take it you've come to kill me?" "Yes," she said, simply. "And your child." "Well, well, well," said Viper with a smile. "How you've changed. Killing me in cold blood, that was never your style." "You've given birth to the next Hitler." "Closer than you know," said Viper. "But you're not capable of killing. You never were. You're weak, just like all of the simpering heroes." "Perhaps, but because of you I've been hurt, abused, tortured, raped... All because you have a need for revenge. Now it's my turn." The bio-blast formed at her hand and suddenly Viper was afraid. Perhaps they had managed to break Jessica, that the conditioning from the Shadow King and Zola was finally coming through. "How ironic," she whispered and braced herself as the blast of energy came at her. "You're telling me," said Kitty and Viper realised she had been phased at the time and that both she and the child were safe. "Why?" said Jessica. "Don't you understand what she is, what's she's done, what the child will become?" Tears formed at her eyes and she fell to her knees. "I'm not going to let you kill this child," said Kitty. "Logan's child." "Astute, little X-Girl," said Viper. "That's the third time I've saved your life," said Kitty. "Remember that, and remember the only reason you're alive in any of those cases is Logan." "How can I ever forget?" said Viper. "Have you ever wondered what he's like between the sheets..." Kitty chose to ignore that comment as the Maverick, Siryn and Raven arrived. "What's happened?" asked Maverick, looking at Jessica and at Viper who simply smiled. Raven looked about the room, as if searching for something. "Nothing," said Kitty. "Thank God." "Jessica?" said Siryn, but Jessica simply stared blankly in to space. "David..." "This isn't good," said Maverick. "Viper, under the authority vested in me by SHIELD, I'm placing you under arrest." "Are you?" said Viper, calmly. "Hey, Davey," said Wisdom as he sauntered in to the room. "How you doing?" "Good to see you again, too, Pete," said Maverick and he nodded to Lydia as she entered behind him. "Hey, hey, the gang's all here," said Terry. "You've been missed, Pete." "Thanks. Many's the time I wished you were in the cells with me," said Pete with a wink. "Hello, Viper. Ugly baby. Looks like you lose." "Looks like." Wisdom's demeanour changed. He instantly didn't like this. "Your forces are routed, Farouk's history and you're in no condition to run. Exactly why are you smiling?" "Something's wrong," muttered Raven. "Yes, it is," said the voice of the Shadow King and then everything simply stopped. "Agent North?" Maverick blinked and looked about. "Agent North?" "Agent Anderson?" he said, seeing SHIELD agents in the room. The rest of X-Force were also coming around. "What's going on?" "That's what I was going to ask you," he said. "We arrived here to find the place deserted and you all here like statues." "I remember a voice," said Maverick, "then you." "The Shadow King," said Wisdom. "It's was the Shadow King." "I thought you 'kicked his ass'," said Terry to Raven. "So did I," he replied. "He used the fight to cover himself. Didn't think he was powerful enough to overcome my psionic defences, though." "There is a way," said Pete. "He'd need a host body." "There was nobody here," said Lydia. "Except..." "Oh no," said Kitty. "Not..." "Yeah," said Pete. "The kid." Far away from the Seychelles, aboard a plane headed for Cairo, Viper held baby Jacob in her arms. "It's not every day," said Zola, "that a woman gives birth to a god." "No," said the Shadow King, a pair of eyes forming above the baby's head. "And this body will grow strong. The blood of his father flows through him." "You had me worried for a moment," said Viper. "I didn't think the transfer had worked." "It was close," admitted the Shadow King. "However, here I am. The game has begun, has it not, Colonel Fury?" "Yes, sir," replied Fury. "Next time, I'll take X-Force down." "With luck there will be no need," said Viper, looking up. "In fact, in twenty four hours, I'll be surprised if X-Force are still together." She started to laugh, and the others joined her.