X-Force #6


"If you want to leave Sam, do it now before it's too late." "Ah ain't a quitah, sir." The words rang through Sam Guthrie's head. He had spoken them earlier that day, after the news broadcast on what happened at the goverment center X-Force had infiltrated to steal intelligence. The news report claimed that a new mutant team had broken in to a disease research center and destroyed research on the cures to human diseases in hopes that those sicknesses would help them wipe out the human race. The news report hadn't named the team, but hinted that it may be related to the recent mutant terrorism in Genosha caused by the Mutant Liberation Front. As usual, it was a totaly bogus story. The mutant heroes took their places among the terrorist and villans in the publics eye. But Sam was no quiter. He'd keep fighting for peace between humans and mutants. Cable's interpretation of Xavier's dream was a lot more pro-active, and Sam didn't always agree with his methods, but he would always do what was right.

Elena grit her teeth and ran strings of bad words through her mind in both english and spanish. She was the latest addition to X-Force. She had only wanted to learn to control her powers(the powers that had led her to the apparently outlawed group). She had no where else to go anyway. There were reasons why she could never go back to her old life, first and foremost the fact that she had hated it. But still this had not been what she had in mind when she wanted to learn about her powers. She was standing on the hot ground of the pratice field serving as a target for the @#$%^&* Cable who was firing energy weapons at her. The field that distorted energy around her body sprang up before the blast could hit her, but she knew Cable was doing this to irritate her. Two more shots, and he stopped. "You may as well call it quits," he called to her. "I don't want to try firing anything more powerful because if the field fails you'd die. I don't want my soldiers dying in practices." 'Screw you and your stupid soldier crap' thought Elena angrily. She stalked over to where Cable stood. "Can you try to teach me something usefull now?" she asked sweetly. His expresion never changed. "I suppose learning that a level 15 laser and possibly higher can't harm you is useless." Elena would have hit him if she hadn't know he'd dodge the blow and lash out one of his own. She had tried before. "You can go practice hand to hand combat with Boomer and Domino now," Cable said in dismisal.

Cannonball was in the combat room, watching everyone else hone their fighting skills. Since Cable wasn't with the rest of the team and Domino, so Sam was the odd one out. Cable was off somewhere twiddling with his techno toys or something, so he just sat there bored. Theresa was practicing with Boomer. They challenged each other well because of their diferent combat styles. Warpath was fighting Feral. Sam kept an eye on them mostly, because Feral was vicious even in practice. Elena, who hadn't picked a codename yet was with Domino. Theresa was a cautious fighter, while Boomer was agile and risk taking. Siryn was fast though, so she was the one who managed to win their little practice. They grabbed their towels and left. He smiled when Boomer walked by. She looked to be in one of those demanding moods. He wouldn't be surprised if she went to bug Cable for a while after her shower. She worshipped the "big guy" as she called him, but not even that could save him from her when she wanted to be obnoxious. Feral and Warpath were getting a real workout. He slammed her to the floor, his arms already covered with scratches. Sam winced, but the she-cat leapt up and leapt at James again. This time he dodged her. Both of them were fast, but Warpath was faster. A loud grunt drew Cannonball's stare to where Elena and Domino were fighting. Domino had landed a hard kick on the other girls jaw. He thought he heard her say one of the Spanish swears Rictor had sometimes said. "I'm surprised you survived living in Puerto Rico's housing projects. The dealers there are tough." Domino spoke as if she had actually had some experience with them. As a matter of fact she probably had. "I defended myself well enough to live there 16 years with only getting beat up once," hissed Elena. Elena looked angry. She could tell that Domino was hardly even trying to beat her but still was. Sam wondered idly if most latin people were hotheads like Rictor was and Elena seemed to be. They seemed to have worse tempers than those red- heads were reputed to have. Siryn was the picture of serenity though, he mused. "Enough," Warpath called to Feral. "That's all for today." "What's a matter big guy? To afraid of me to stick around for more?" asked Feral. "X-Force is not just about learning combat, Feral." was his reply. "No it isn't," agreed Domino. Domino suddenly drew her gun and shot a laser beam at Elena. "Cable just finished shooting at me for an hour!" Elena growled. "Well I don't think you're trying anything new. Try expanding the field." Domino fired a shot to the left of Elena's body. It hit the disruptor shield. She fired further left and it hit the shield again. Elena was concentrating hard, but a smile seemed to be forming on her lips. Domino stopped firing. "Maybe if instead of getting angry you worked harder you'd be making some real progress," said Domino cooly. Elena glared at her, but didn't say anything. "Meeting in Main Bunker in two hours," Announced Domino as she left.

Cable looked into the faces of his young soldiers. They were the army that fought for survival, for the future. "My sources have informed me that the MLF is planning an attack on the headquarters for the govermets new mutant work program that will be testing the idea of mutants working together with human scientists to use their powers to better humanity." "Such a program exists?" exclaimed Elena surprised. "That's what top secret files have this base listed as. We have no way of knowing if they do what they claim to do in those secret files or exploit mutants they sucker into this hush-hush program. Either way it merits our investigation, especially if the MLF might show up." "We are going to fly over to the remote location and setup a temporary comand station to gather information on what goes on inside the center and keep an eye out for the MLF," said Domino. "Who's going?" asked Boomer, snapping her gum. "I'll be traveling to my source to see if I can dig up more information from there, and Domino will take the rest of you, excepting Elena, to the location." "Why not me?" asked Elena. "You don't have enough control to handle anyone from the MLF if there's a confrontation so you're staying here," said Cable. "I can't stay here because I can't control my powers," she said with a smug look. "I'd negate the surveilance equipment and your little base could get taken over by any intruders." Elena finished, looking pleased with herself. "This mision is not a game. We ARE fighting a war for survival no matter how much you kids try to deny it. Unnecesary risks just endanger the chances of survival." "But a smart soldier knows that you have to take some risks," said Domino. Cable shrugged. "If you want the responsibility go ahead, but I thought you didn't want to babbysit?" there was a hint of a smile on Cable's face.

NEXT: Survival Game continued....


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