X-Men Genosha Reborn Part 1

Here it is. This story unlike most has taken on a life of it's own. It's allowed me to not only write an adult story involving the X-Men but it has also allowed me to write these characters for the first time. Getting a feel for them. I hope they come off as authentic to how they have been represented in the comics.

Genosha, An island nation with a brutal history with mutants. Home of an attempted genocide against those very mutants. A cabal of new elites now in charge of the rising nation sees their future in their history with mutants. The X-Men and their women become the target of their desires. Slavery, history and family bring the X-Men together for a new adventure on Genosha. With some very special guest stars.

Genosha, A country off the eastern coast of Africa had long been associated both good and bad with mutants. For years they had enslaved them to help build and maintain their infrastructure. Called Mutates these mutants were engineered by the government to suit the needs of the country. When the X-Men and their allies brought that to an end a provisional government of both mutants and homo-sapiens attempted to build a new state. Unfortunately it devolved into a civil war pitting the two on opposite sides. Eventually in the end the bitter war was won when Magneto was awarded control of the country and he began to expel humans and reform the country. For a time it was on edge and threatened the world’s peace but Magneto proved to be a statesman who wished to build a safe haven for his people. His fellow mutants. Sadly the outside worlds bigotry and hatred would lead to one of the worlds greatest genocides. In one brutal attack thirteen million mutants were murdered when Genosha was attacked by giant armed Sentinels. Few survived but the land itself became a disaster zone. Mutants scattered throughout the world. Events mere months later would further decimate their numbers and mutants left in the world numbered less then two hundred. Years of struggle and no more mutants finally give away to more mutants being born and the species began to grow in numbers again.

The land of Genosha was still little more then a smoking crater when humans began to repopulate the area and welcomed mutants back in. The population began to grow once more numbering in the millions. Co-existence between two groups seemed to have been achieved for this terror and war filled land. The country was whole again. Cities were built, roads, schools, hospitals. The country transformed into a modern paradise once more.

“History as they say, has a way of repeating itself” A lone man mused. He walked through a long corridor. To his left was nothing but steel walls and the occasional door. To his right was glass windows from floor to ceiling. Looking out over the lush green valleys and water below. Stopping and placing his hands behind his back. He gripped them together there and looked out over the country. From here he could see just down at the end of the valley the shimmering city of Hammer Bay. Giant modern skyscrapers and he could even make out the Magento monument if he squinted hard enough. With a snort he turned his attention away from the city and out towards the sea where just barely in the distance he could see light reflecting off of what would be tankers, cargo ships and the odd cruise ship coming into port.

“What would that filthy mutant say to this nation today?” The man mused once more. With a gruff laugh he realized he didn’t truly care. Impeccably dressed in a custom suit made only on the island. The man could easily attend a diplomatic dinner in it or just as easily run a marathon. Designed to look like any other business suit in the world these suits were reserved for the elite of Genosha. He felt nor heat or cold in the suit. With a slight tug on his cuff link he exposed a hidden communicator on his forearm embedded into the shirt he wore.

“Campbell, I want an update” He spoke into the communicator while admiring the majesty of the country before him.

There was a slight pause and a little static before the voice came back.

“Same as before Leader. I have also told you to stop using that name”

“Such a preposterous name you insist on” The man remarked once more taking in the glory of the country before him.

“Like being called the Leader is any better?” The voice came back over the line and the man sighed.

“Fine had it your way then, Ahab what is your report?” The man put enough displeasure and menace into his voice to let it be known he was done with that avenue of the conversation.

“All mutants on the island have been tagged. They can be summoned without their knowledge when you execute the order” Ahab’s voice came back.

“Your hounds managed to get all mutants on the island without them knowing?” The Leader questioned.

“Yes my Leader”

“Excellent and what of out of our glorious country?”

“Some my leader but not many. You wish for stealth at the moment. I could capture the ones you wish within moments if you so let me loose”

“All in due time. Are the mutants here enough for genetic viability?”

“No my Leader, which is why you have selected those outside for best and premium results, specifically the genetic profiles in the so called X-Men. We must have them here under our care for Genosha to truly thrive” Ahab’s voice came back through the com link.

“We must be patient Ahab. Once we start we will start a countdown until all hell is unleashed”

“I am aware but my hounds cry for captures and I want what was promised to me” Ahab’s voice was stern and full of hatred through the com link.

“You will have it in due time. I am on my way to the Genengineer now for a further progress report. I will alert you when it is time” The man simply turned off his communicator not bothering to hear what Ahab had to say on the other end. With a breath he took in the beauty of his country once more and then continued to walk along the hallway. At the end there was a door with a large keypad next to it and a facial recognition scanner. The leader went through the security and the door opened.

Inside he found a sealed laboratory. Full of machines he had no idea what they were called or did. Everything was sterile and before he could enter the lab properly he donned a facial mask and a white coat. He walked into a quick sterile spray and then was granted admittance to the lab proper. In the center of the lab was the engine behind his plan and the prosperity of the Genoshion people. The genetic body suit grafting machine which would convert mutants into law abiding servants of the state. Each could be programmed for different jobs and levels of obedience. Unlike the previous versions of the machine this one did not stamp numbers on the mutants nor did it shave them bald. The new leaders of the initiative preferring a different approach. The machine consisted of an x shaped platform with restraints on the far ends of each end. Above the frame was series of strobe lights. One each side of the frame were machines that the Leader didn’t know about nor cared to know about.

“Genengineer” The Leader spoke to the lab coat wearing man who emerged from a nearby alcove. Apparently he had been working on something.

“Aww Leader. How goes the day?”

“The day is approaching soon my friend. Ahab and I must admit I as well grow restless”

“I echo that sentiment. The mutant women on Genosha have all been cataloged and those deemed worthy well be the first brought in with the tags. I hear the elite are already choosing” The mad doctor’s smile was broad with a tinge of madness.

“Yes they are but there are none I am told among the local population” The Leader admitted.

“And you?”

“There is none on the island that will suit my wants and desires but I have some chosen”

“You mean an X-Man?” the doctor asked.

“Yes a couple of them”

“A couple? Well you not be accused of being greedy?”

“It is my prerogative as Leader. I may have as many as I like” The tone in the leader made it known that he would not tolerate a debate from him or anyone else on this matter.

“Of course. Forgive me” The Genengineer seemed suitably chastised for his comment.

“No forgiveness required my friend. Have you chosen one?”

“I find like you none on these shores interest me beyond my work. There is one who does though” The Gen engineer hinted but refused to say who.

“She had better not be one I have my eye on” The Leader teased knowing full well he would have his way before the crazed engineer could even lodge a complaint.

“I will as always yield to your decisions my Leader”

“Is the machine ready for the increased workload”

“Yes, it has gone through extensive repair and upgrade since it was last used. Far more programmable then before and quicker. The test subjects are all programmed and serving the state for months now. We are just waiting for your word”

“Good my friend. Soon our people will be free of the mutants in our own homeland and then we will move on to the world”

The Leader clasped his friend on his shoulder before making his way out of the laboratory.

Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm was slightly amused at scene in front of her. Her friends and long time fellow X-Men, Kitty Pryde and Rachel Summers screaming at each other in their shared room in the recently rebuilt for what had to be about the two hundredth time Xavier school for Gifted Youngsters. Their door open. The two of them, friends for years. Since they were both teenagers really. Rachel a time displaced mutant from the future. Her mother and father were X-Men Jean Grey and Scott Summers from that future but she and them in this timeline had made peace and accepted them as family. Two people Ororo held as her most truest and oldest friends. Rachel had all of Jean’s powers, possibly even more powerful as she grew more experienced with them. Now in her mid twenties she had been to the ends of time and returned stronger and better then ever before. Kitty Pryde was recruited to the X-Men in her early teens, trained and raised by them all, Kitty was a trained ninja and had been with the X-Men through some of their best and worst times. With the ability to phase, making herself virtually ghost like she had gone through many names in her time but to Ororo she would always be Shadowcat. Though they yelled at each other Ororo could see the underlying respect between the two and even the fun they were having. Both dressed causally in pajama pants and short cropped shirts. Ororo was dressed in black pants and a close cropped white shirt. Just having gotten home from a night of theater.

“I told you he was a loon!” Rachel said to Kitty.

“And I told you I knew that but I wanted to see how loony!” Kitty replied with a smile.

“Well now you know” Rachel laughed and lowered her voice. Picking up a pillow and throwing it at Kitty who instinctively phased through it.

“Yeah but who would have thought that loony….. HAHAHAHAHA” Kitty grabbed the pillow from behind her and threw it back at Rachel who grabbed it with her telekinesis and gently lowered it back onto her bed.

Ororo stepped into the room with a smile and a shake of the head.

“You two are not teenagers anymore. You are instructors here. You can’t behave like this” Ororo had her hands on her hips with the sternest expression she could manage.

They both turned and looked at her. Not aware obviously that the door to their room was open. For a brief moment they seemed to shrink and become those teenagers again before they stood upright and saw the smile forming on Ororo’s face.

“So how loony was the man” Ororo asked, all the sternest in her voice gone to be replaced with a smirk and a smile as her two friends broke out into laughter.

“You tell her Rach” Kitty laughed.

“It was your date Kitty” Rachel laughed. The young woman bore such a resemblance to her mother that sometimes Ororo could swear it was her friend and when they stood next to each other it was like a mirror except that Jean her mother preferred to keep her red hair long while Rachel at least for the last couple of years had preferred a slightly more modest cut though nothing like the pixie and shaved head she originally wore when she joined the X-Men.

“Oh Okay. Well I have been seeing this guy David for a couple of dates… tonight we decided to kind of get a little frisky at his place in Soho. Nice place, exposed brick and beams. I think you’d like it Ro’. Anyways we were fooling around a bit and he pulls out some handcuffs….”

Ororo placed her hand over her face. The X-Men were no strangers to being captured but in this regard she could imagine what Kitty would be thinking.

“….. Now you know me Ro’ I don’t mind a little experimentation. I am a scientist after all. So I allow him to cuff me to the bed….”

It was at this point that Rachel on the other side of the room started to bust a gut laughing. Kitty couldn’t help but laugh as well and despite Ororo not knowing what happens she couldn’t help but laugh as well along with her friends.

“….. So…. Well I’ll just say we are having some fun and he decides to kind of turn me over so I am on my stomach on the bed and he started to….”

Kitty hesitated. Ororo saw her hesitate, though she was a woman in her own right now Kitty may have been processing what she was about to say to someone who she had known since she was barely a teen.

“…. well, he started to kind of put a finger in my butt” Kitty’s face turned red with shame and Rachel fell to the ground laughing. Ororo couldn't help but find her laughter funny as well.

“So I phased out of the cuffs right away and turned around….” Kitty’s face was still red but there was a smile on her face that was infectious.

“Oh Kitty no!” Ororo could think of what happened.

“Yeah…. He thought I was a ghost and ran off…. Out of his own apartment!...” Kitty laughed.

“WITH NO PANTS ON” Rachel screamed from the floor, rolling around laughing.

Kitty’s face turned crimson and Ororo reached out to her and pulled her into her arms and then couldn’t help but burst out laughing along with the three of them.

“He ran out of his own apartment without any pants on” Ororo repeated and she felt Kitty laughing against her.

On the floor Rachel was crying with laughter and the three of them continued to laugh for minutes afterwards.

Finally recovered from the laughing fit Kitty removed herself from Ororo’s embrace and wiped a tear of joy from her cheek.

“I have been wondering why you two choose to live together. As senior members you could have easily chosen your own living space. Now I see why you two decided to live together”

“We’ve lived with each other for years Ro’ we get on each others nerves sure but in the end we have a laugh about it”

“Plus I spent so much time in other times with other people. I am glad to be home with my friends and family” Rachel embraced them all in a big hug.

“I know your parents are beyond happy that you are here Rachel. I’m sure Nathan is as well…. Wherever he is” Ororo said.

“Handcuffs though Kitten, you surprise me” Ororo winked and turned to leave the room.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kitty laughed and threw a pillow towards her that struck the door behind her as Ororo got out of the room without a hit. Walking away though she did hear an exchange from inside the room.

“What does she mean by that?” Kitty asked Rachel.

“It means your a prude Kitty…..”

There was silence for a moment before the two could be heard laughing again. Ororo smiled, happy that there was laughter in the mansion again between friends.

Walking the halls of the mansion at this time of night in any other place would have seen a completely deserted manor but this was no ordinary manor. With children and teenagers about there were any number of things that could happen. Along the way she had told many pairs, and groups and the odd single student to be on their way back to their rooms. A couple of other senior X-Men waved and exchanged pleasantries as she walked. Her living arrangements were not even in the manor. She had taken up residence in the loft of the old boat house on campus but she was looking for a couple of friends and she knew where they would be. On the far end of the mansion was an overlook that was usually frequented by many and at this time of the night the senior X-Men would be there enjoying a drink and possibly some music. Approaching the area she could hear the voices of many of her friends. She saw Psylocke, Jubliee, Husk, Emma Frost she gave a curt nod to. The two she was looking for were overlooking the grounds at the far end. Fairly alone Ororo walked up to them.

“Jean, Scott, Wolvie”

“Ro” Jean turned and embraced her friend.

“How was the show Ro” Wolverine asked,

“It was elegant but I must admit a little boring” Ororo laughed. Aware some of the infectious laughter from Kitty and Rachel had rubbed off on her. Jean smiled knowingly.

“I am sorry my friend but you are broadcasting your happiness” Jean touched her shoulder.

“I ran into Kitty and Rachel and they were having a very good laugh. I admit they dragged me into it”

“Kitty back from the date already” Wolverine stated. Always aware to keep an eye on those he had taken a special interest in.

“Tough break for the kid” Wolverine continued. Placing a cigar into his mouth.

“Judging by their reaction I think Kitty is going to be fine Logan” Ororo placed a loving hand on the diminutive Canadian roughneck that would elicit from most people a growl of annoyance but from her he simply let her warmth warm him.

“Ms. Pryde despite her other various obvious character flaws is quite capable of handling her love life” Emma Frost announced her arrival into the group with customary flare.

“Emma” Scott hugged her and the rest nodded their greetings

“I assume this is the gathering of the minds to talk about the subject du’jeur” Emma stated removing herself from Scott’s embrace.

“Genosha” Wolverine stated.

“Ah, always cheery aren’t you Logan” Emma winked at the small Canadian berserker.

“Always darlin”

“We have had some troubling reports out of there” Scott said.

“I thought the President was doing good work” Jean chimed in.

“By all accounts he is but there is a growing anti-mutant movement in the country” Storm stated.

“Do we know the leaders” Wolverine asked.

“That's the disturbing part. We are hearing about someone called the Leader and a Genengineer” Scott Summers tone let it be known that he was not happy. The Leader and the Genengineer were the architects of the original enslavement of mutants. Those two had been dealt with years ago but any mention of those two names appearing in connection with Genosha was cause for concern. Storm too was not happy. During the original crisis with Genosha she had been brainwashed and forced to serve the then unknown head of it all Cameron Hodge who’s dislike for mutants was legendary. Jean, Scott and Wolverine were there during that time and had been put on a show trial for crimes against the state. After being captured trying to free her.

“What we need then is confirmation of names and locations” Wolverine suggested.

“A small team in to see” Scott agreed.

“Small team for what?” Kitty and Rachel had walked up to the group. Ororo noticed they had changed into more conventional clothing but they still had an air of amusement about them.

“Genosha” Jean said. She took a hold of Rachel and gripped her in a hug. Rachel returned it with closed eyes. No one around them had to be a telepath to know the warmth and love radiating from the two. It warmed all of them to see them together. Rachel broke the hug.

“I’ll never not love those hugs Mom” Rachel said with a smile. She turned to Cyclops.

“Hey Dad” She reached out and gave him a shorter but no less warming hug.

Kitty simply held two drinks and when Rachel was done she handed her a drink.

“Do you have to do that every time?” Kitty asked.

“Yes, Yes I do” Rachel said and gave her friend a shot to the shoulder.

“Or should I tell them about your date”

Kitty paled and then laughed. Wolverine sniffed about and knowingly grunted. Obviously familiar with Kitty and trusting his senses as to how she felt about the date.

“So Genosha” Kitty changed the subject.

“Yes we need information and we an update to our intel there” Scott continued.

“Small team of no more then four I would think” Emma suggested.

“Agreed” Wolverine nodded.

“A telepath with experience gathering intelligence and hunting would be invaluable” Rachel suggested. Clearly intimating that she would be a good choice.

“Rachel, you don’t know Genosha. If what is happening there is anything like last time it could be very dangerous. The threat of brainwashing alone should give you pause” Ororo spoke from experience.

“I know Ro’ but I am a logical choice” Rachel answered. Despite her own reservations Jean nodded as did Wolverine and Scott.

“Okay then Rachel, who else?” Scott asked.

“Someone who can walk through walls and is not to bad in a fight” Kitty raised her hand. All in attendance nodded their ascent to her volunteering.

“I know the land, or at least I used to and I can get in and out of anywhere” Wolverine chimed in.

“I was hoping you came Wolvie” Kitty said.

“I’d like a little more muscle encase things go sideways” Scott mused.

“You don’t think I can take care of that Dad?” Rachel asked with a teasing voice.

“You alone are powerful enough to take on most Rachel but we have to have backup”

“Slims right” Wolvie said.

“What about Rogue” Emma suggested.

“Stealth is not exactly her strong point Emma” Wolverine pronounced. There was a silence in the group after that for a few moments.

“Three man group then, Nice and small. We are just there for info anyways’ Kitty suggested.

They were all silent for a moment again before they nodded.

“Then it’s settled” Scott confirmed that the three would go into the country.

Genosha was green and lush and all the things they said about it on the news. At least that's what Rachel quickly thought when they arrived aboard a cargo ship. A couple of well placed bribes and they were into the main city of Hammer Bay. By all accounts it resembled any modern city but Rachel could feel something in the minds of those she touched. It wasn’t quite fear but it was something very close. Despite all of her experience she just couldn’t figure it out. Wolverine and Kitty were very good at infiltration and Rachel just followed their example. Her experience as more blunt instrument in these situations but she could easily blend into the local populace without the need of her powers. Wolverine and Kitty though looked like they had been born and raised there as soon as they stepped off of the ship. She made a note to ask about learning some of that when this was all over.

“Anything Rach?” Kitty asked. They were walking through a crowded market place about two kilometers in from the port. Wolverine was sure they could find some basic accommodations in this area. Hiding in plain sight he had said and Rachel couldn’t argue with him.

“No, just like a low level buzz in a lot of peoples minds. Not quite fear but there is suspicion everywhere….. it doesn’t feel right” It was all Rachel could do to describe it.

“Yeah you are right there Rach. These people are on edge about something” Wolverine said from the front of their little line walking through the market place.

“These people are worried that’s for sure but about what?” Kitty added.

“We’ll find out darlin” Wolverine stated. They turned into a dark and secluded alleyway with a couple of old wooden doors on opposite sides. Wolverine opened the one on his left and they walked into a foul smelling little room with a young blue skinned mutant sat behind the desk. He was barely twelve, with short black hair his blue skin had scales all over and he wore what looked like an old football jersey from Europe and a pair of torn jeans.

“Hello bub, got a room for rent?” Wolverine strolled to the small little counter the boy sat behind.

“Only got the one” The boy said with a hint of fear in his eyes.

“One’s all we need” Kitty stepped up next to Wolvie and stroked his cheek. Rachel could hear in her mind for her to follow suit. Not exactly following what they were doing but Rachel had been around enough to trust her friends. So she went to the other side of Wolverine and stroked his cheek as well.

The young boy blushed and Rachel got what the intention was. Let him create their wants and needs in his head so he isn’t asking questions. Kitty threw some money on the counter, the boy eagerly took it and gave Wolverine a set of keys. The diminutive X-Man winked at the kid. Kitty kissed him on the cheek and Rachel did the same. Logan gave the kid a wink and a smile when they departed from the desk. Up two flights of stairs they emerged into a dark and smelly corridor. Kitty and Wolverine walked as they had in the market as if they knew exactly where and what they doing down to the room and opened it up. Inside there was one bed. A fridge, sink and stove. One toilet and a shower.

“I’ve stayed in worse” Logan chirped.

“Ha, remember that place in Morocco?” Kitty said. Going further into the room.

“Hahaha that was truly a cesspool” Logan smiled and crouched down to see the bed.

“Kitty why did you never teach me any of this?” Rachel asked.

“By the time I learned all of this Rach you were in the future”

“Oh….. I see” Rachel never really liked to be reminded of just what she had missed.

Logan came and grabbed a hold of her.

“It’s okay kid. You were doing very important work. Slim and Red and Nathan all needed you”

“Thanks Logan. Sometimes though I remember all the bad things and it can still be overwhelming”

“Key darlin is to not drown in it” Logan answered.

“And lean on your friends….. besides you got the hint quickly enough. You did great” Kitty came and gave her friend a small hug filled with love.

“Enough of that. Lets get some shut eye before having a look around” Wolverine ordered.

The man known simply as the Leader strolled through the complex he had had built in the mountains of his homeland Genosha. Here he had brought his allies together for their final and grandest designs. The enslavement of the mutant race. Starting here in Genosha and then into the larger world. Currently he walked through what he liked to call the arboretum. A wide open place at the top of the building with large floor to ceiling windows. The height of the ceiling was easily fifty feet with a storm protected glass ceiling allowing him to look up into the sky. The entire room was temperature controlled and he always loved seeing all the plants and smelling the freshness of the air. So refreshing from the sterile environments of the rest of the facility. It was here where he would summon his two other associates for meetings and sure enough as he walked towards a large conference table setup in the middle of the room he saw them. The Genengineer and Ahab. They seemed to be in good spirits as they talked between themselves and shared a laugh.

“Gentlemen” The Leader greeted them. Taking a seat at the head of the table.

“Sir” They both answered.

“Reports”

The Genengineer looked to Ahab who nodded and began to speak first.

“As you know every mutant on the island has been tagged. These tags will allow us to teleport them into our holding areas when we are ready. In addition any mutants who have visited us over the past three months has also been tagged. Thanks to my hounds who keep a watch on the entire island they tag any they identify”

“How many mutants in total?” The Leader asked.

“The current population of the country is just over two million roughly twenty five percent of the population is mutant so just over five hundred thousand mutants” The Genengineer handled that question.

“That will be a significant lose to the economy for a short time while they are all processed for duty” The Leader pointed out.

“Yes My Leader but it can not be helped. There will be a period of instability” The Genengineer confirmed.

“We could take them in smaller portions” Ahab offered.

“No, We do it all at once to limit the ability for the world to gain knowledge” The Leader ordered.

“There is still the problem of the government” The Gene Engineer said.

The Leader leaned back in his chair and smiled.

“No there isn’t. The President will die in a horrible accident and since I am next in line as Chief of State I will assume the position. It will be at that time we will begin” The Leader smiled.

Rachel looked out over the beautiful countryside below. She couldn't help but admit it was a beautiful country but what she had learned over the past couple of days since their arrival revealed something sinister going on underneath it all. With a few non-evasive telepathic probes she had found some with truly dark and bigoted thoughts towards the mutants that shared the island and had caught glimpses of plotters attempting to rid themselves of the mutants. Kitty and Wolverine had reminded her that they were there strictly to gather Intel and then to report back home. Here though on the side of a tall and not very steep mountain with Logan and Kitty leading the way up the mountain she could take a look at the land and appreciate the beauty.

“What’s a matter Red” Logan called from behind her.

“Don’t call me that Logan, it’s kind of creepy you using the same pet name for me and my mother” Rachel smiled and turned to regard the small warrior. He looked at her with a wink and a shrug.

“You got that right darlin…. Sorry about that junior red” Logan’s smile was broad and Kitty could be heard laughing from just a head of them.

Rachel smiled and moved to walk past him.

“Careful Logan, my Mom says we should play nice but my Dad said I can always just throw you over the cliff…. you’d recover anyways” Rachel teased.

“Really? Sounds to me like it would be Jeanie who would tell you to throw me over the cliff and Cyke to play nice” Logan winked and smiled at them.

“Are you two done bonding over the summers family discord, or whatever” Kitty had come back down a few steps.

“Sure Pryde. What you got” Logan was instantly back into business mode with his trademark professionalism and aggression.

“Well those rumors of there being some big lab out here might be true. There is something that is not being picked up by any normal scanner but my own. There's something cloaked about two kilometers up here and by the size of what I estimate the field to be, it must be quite large”

Rachel smiled. She tended to always forget that her friend was much more then a Shadowcat and a ninja. Kitty Pryde was also a certified genius and a whiz with electronics.

“Lead the way” Rachel said. Falling in behind them within a short time they ascended to the point where Kitty’s electronics were telling her the field stretched out to. Wolverine reached out and had a sniff around with his enhanced senses.

“Your right Pryde, there’s heavy machinery here and people”

Rachel reached out with her mind and all she found was nothing.

“There’s some sort of psi blocking. I can’t feel anything”

“Be careful then. Cloaking shield and a psi blocker. They don’t want no visitors” Logan stalked forward. Visibly around him the air seemed to shimmer and then he was gone. Rachel looked to Kitty who shrugged and followed in. Rachel was close behind.

They emerged into much the same landscape. A large outcropping of rocks in front of them but when they walked around them they saw a massive instillation built into the mountain. Solid steel and glass windows the entire area looked to be freshly done. Logan grunted and sniffed around.

“Power check you two. Make sure there’s no power dampener going on”

Rachel saw Kitty phase in and out and give the thumbs up. She couldn’t hear any thoughts with her telepathy but she could easily move items with her telekinesis.

“Still psi blocked but my tk is fine”

“Okay but that leaves out our early warning system. Kitty me and you take a look around. Rachel you stay here and guard our backs for now” Logan clicked on his communicator from his belt. The two women nodded.

Rachel watched as they with practiced ease split up to have a look around. Kitty could go anywhere and phase in an out and Wolverine had been doing this for over a century. Rachel wasn’t feeling left behind. Far to experienced to feel like that now a days she knew they were all playing to their strengths.

Logan could move in and out of places without being seen with the best of them and this was no different, In no time he was inside the structure and having a look around. For the most part it was vacant but his nose kept telling him to go down. So he ignored the glass and steel of the upper levels knowing and trusting that Kitty’s intuition would take her there he followed his nose down into the lower levels that seemed to go into the mountain. Here there was no windows. Just dark gray steel supporting the stone and facility above. There were humans down here, no mutants he told himself but their smell was off. He had caught it a couple of times before in the city but hadn’t been able to determine what it was. Never getting close enough and him never allowing them to get close enough to detect him. Logan turned a corner and looked and before him he saw a large room easily the size of a football field or more. One long corridor going through the center and large cells on either side. Broken up into smaller cells about fifty feet by fifty feet. The corridor came to a cross section with another corridor and Logan could see down into the darkness more and more cells. They were all empty but further down he could still make out the smell. Logan walked with his senses on high and found that the area was considerably larger then what he had initially thought. There was room enough in these cells for thousands. Logan knew what what meant but still he knew he should check on the smell of whatever it was further down.

At the end of the cells he found a large bulkhead door that he managed to pry open. Inside he discovered the source of the smell. There was no other way to describe what he saw then kennels. Small cells about five and half feet tall by about five and a half feet wide and maybe eight feel long. Inside them Wolverine could now smell three people. Mutants he thought but these were no ordinary mutants. All of them clad in black leather from neck to toe. Spikes coming from their shoulders along their arms and down their legs. Wide black matte collars on them with leashes hung up just outside the kennels. Two females and a male. The male had his head shaved with black markings tattooed onto his scalp. He slept rather peacefully. Two females were also asleep. One a blonde with hair that went down to barely her shoulders and a brunette of Asian origin Wolverine thought with short cropped hair. From the far end that was hidden in the darkness Logan caught the hint of three new scents coming into the room. From the shadows came three others. Not dressed in leather but in regular street clothes, there was a similar scent to them. Logan hid as best as he could but as they came from the shadows Logan saw they to wore black matte collars and their leashes all extended behind them to another. Wolverine couldn’t smell him but as he came into view Logan knew who it was. Ahab, Master of the hounds. The three hounds perked up and turned towards him. Ahab smiling turned his attention to his hounds.

“Who is there?” The master of the hounds called. Everything in Logan wanted him to reach out and slice the mans throat but he was on a scouting mission and if he were to attack now there as no way he would be able to get out without significant bloodshed not to mention Kitty and Rachel. Rachel he thought…. The sight of this man alone would drive her crazy. He wasn’t sure if Rachel would strike out to kill the man who had enslaved her outright or be so shocked and scared that she would be routed to the spot upon sighting him. He didn’t relish telling her who was here but he had a job and had to stay out of sight.

“My hounds can smell you. Come out now” Ahab was grinning. He waited a few moments before he shrugged and released his grip on the chains holding the hounds. They sprang forward with uncanny speed and agility. Launching themselves directly towards Wolverine and his hiding spot. Swearing under his breath he reached for his com and started to somersault away.

“Covers blown” He keyed into the com, knowing that he would not get a response because he had ordered them not to respond. He landed in front of Ahab and behind the charging hounds.

“Ah, it’s the Wolverine. Earlier then expected but fortunate” Ahab smiled. He touched something on his forearm and the hounds who were asleep became instantly awake. Kennel doors opening. There was no way of knowing what either of the hounds could do but Logan would always test himself against the best. In the tiny area they were in. His shorter stature, healing factor and natural abilities made him sure he would see this out and find a way out. After all he had done so before. With a growl he shot forwards towards Ahab. He never got there. All he saw was darkness and then he was gone.

Kitty moved with grace and stealth through the complex. Her phasing didn’t make her invisible, her ninja training gave her the ability to blend into corners and surfaces. She moved as she had been taught and how she had since she was a teen. Making her way up and towards whatever was drawing the most amounts of energies Kitty found herself slinking along a long open corridor overlooking the valley and city below. At the end she found a security door with a facial recognition scanner. Smiling Kitty phased through the wall into the lab behind. There were all manner of machines around but what caught her eye was the center piece. A large x shape holding frame with a set of machines around it. Kitty hadn’t been apart of the team when they went to Genosha all those years ago but she read up and knew what this was. This was a modern day genetic outfit machine that would turn mutants into slaves. Looking around she discovered she was alone and looked at the computers all around. She took a seat at one that looked to be the most used and started to hack her way into the system. For her it didn’t take long and soon she was going through the files.

“Operation Genosha Freedom” Kitty read aloud a file on the computer.

“Sounds perfectly fine” Kitty scoffed and opened the file. It didn’t take her long for her face to pale and her skin to crawl.

“Those monsters are going to assassinate the President, transport mutants into holding cells, use the machien device to enslave them to do all the work for the people again and then they are going to select from them the females they wish for slaves and for breeding purposes….. I think I am going to be sick” Kitty dry heaved next to the computer. Grabbing a flash drive from her belt she plugged in and started to transfer all the contents of the file to it.

“Covers blown” Wolvies voice came over the com. Kitty looked around and found that she was still on her own which meant Logan was about to engage someone. Trusting her friend to handle it for now she knew it was vitally important to get this intel back home. Waiting for the files to copy Kitty continued to snoop around the computer. She saw she had access to the whole facilities system and found the psi blocking technology. She turned it off but she seemed to have tripped an automatic alarm when she did. Immediately Rachels thoughts were in her mind.

[Kitty? You alright] Rachel came through into her mind.

[Yeah Rach, what about Logan?]

[I am getting nothing from him. I think he is unconscious] Rachel said after a pause.

[Okay we’ll worry about that latter. For now I have some very important information that needs to get back home]

[Okay what do you need me for]

The thumb drive was about eighty percent done copying the files when the door to the lab opened up and in stormed about fifty solders and a man wearing a white lab coat.

“Ah. Shadowcat is it?” The man in the lab coat remarked.

[Hang on Rachel I have company]

[I can help] Came Rachels reply.

[Not yet wait for my signal]

“You have me at a disadvantage Sir. I do not know your name”

“No, you may call me the Genengineer or simply Master if you wish to surrender now” The Doctor moved towards a panel on the wall and managed to key a few things into the panel without Kitty seeing what they were.

“Yeah the last Genengineer in Genosha didn’t fare so well and the last man who wanted me to call him Master ran away like a frightened child” Kitty saw her download was complete and removed the drive.

“Plus I got better things to do today” Kitty made a break for it. She phased through the desk and then through the solders running for the door. Just as she was phasing through the door she felt a shock of electricity jolt through her Stopping her from phasing completely through. Kitty stretched out and managed to get her hand holding the drive through the door onto the other side and released the drive onto the floor. The pain was so great she had to pull her hand back into the lab with her leaving the drive outside. Partially collapsed on the floor Kitty looked around as the solders came running up towards her.

“Okay hard way then” Kitty grunted and pulled herself up and started to fight. There must be some sort of barrier in place to stop her from phasing that went up either after Logan’s cover was blown. No Kitty thought as she parried a blow from one solider, it was the doctor. As soon as he knew it was her he went to the panel and turned something on in the walls that would prevent her from phasing. With Logan seemingly out of commission and fast as well, Kitty thought that they seemed to have counter measures for them.

[Rachel there’s a thumb drive just outside the room where I am. You are going to need to get that and get it back home]

[What about you and Logan?] Rachel asked through the mind link.

[Info is too important. Get it home and get it home quick. Don’t worry about us] There was a strain on Kitty as Rachel could see through her mind that she was fighting against impossible odds.

[I can’t get out of the lab because they have deployed counter measures for specifically me. Who knows what they have for you. We can’t risk that intel not getting back home]

[I know] Rachel’s shoulders slumped for a moment just outside the complex but then her aura grew and she took flight. Homing into Kitty’s location she saw that all around solders were turning out and beginning to take shots at her. She had to use her tk shield to shield herself many times which stopped her from getting their quickly. They brought out more heavy artillery that caused her to slow for a bit. A shot though blocked from the impact by her tk field stopped her short and allowed the more heavy stuff to concentrate on her. Causing her to puase while she blasted away with her own power to take it out but she was aware she was wasting time. She dropped her shield for a moment to gain the power to fly faster towards Kitty when a shot got through and punctured through her shoulder and another through her left leg.

[Get a move on Rach. I can’t hold them off forever and then once they open that door that drive is theirs] Kitty sent. Rachel pushed the pain away.

Expanding her power and moving with all haste. She saw the corridor and the thumb drive. With a short blast of her tk she opened the corridor to the elements. Gliding in she saw the drive and picked it up. On the other side of the door she could hear Kitty giving them all they could handle.

[I got it. I can blast in there]

[Can’t take the risk. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine]

Through their mind link Rachel saw and felt the blow that landed on Kitty’s face. She felt her friend lose consciousness for a moment before striking back and knocking that same person out but there were more around and another blow landed and then another and soon Rachel could see nothing through her friends eyes then boots.

[Go!!] Kitty screamed before her mind went blank.

Rachel used everything she had and took off with all her speed. Making her way through the defenses and out of the clocking shield. Not willing to take the time to travel back the way they had come in Rachel used everything she had and flew up as high as she dared and crossed the world. As the Phoenix this would have been nothing but even though she was one of the most powerful mutants in the world this was asking a lot of her power especially when she looked down and saw blood dripping down from her shoulder and down her leg as well.

Kitty woke, immediately wanting to phase herself out of whatever captivity she knew she would be in but knowing full well her captors would have thought of that. She had to try anyways but there was nothing. Eyes opening she saw she was spread out on the x frame beneath the genetic altering machine. Storm and Wolfsbane were the only two she knew that ever underwent the procedure and they never talked about it. Above her she saw a cocoon in the shape of the x. Her head was strapped down by the forehead and neck. Kitty couldn’t see a thing except for what was above her. Her hearing though could pick up a couple of people in the room. One was the Genengineer and the other seemed to have a lot more power judging by how he was talking.

“How did they get this far?” The unknown was saying.

“I am not sure my Leader but it is known that she accessed secured files and downloaded everything we have on Project Genosha Freedom” the Gene Engineer said.

“You Fool!!!”

“Yeah so the cavalry will be riding in any moment. This didn’t end well the last time you guys tried this in Genosha” Kitty chimed in trying to get as much information as possible.

“It’s awake” The one called the Leader said.

“It has a name you know” Kitty couldn’t help herself.

“Yes but not for long” The Genengineer and the other one came within her view.

“So what your going to place one of those fancy, yet somehow very form fitting fetish outfits on me to take away my powers and brainwash me into what….. cleaning the bathroom” Kitty barbed with them.

“No my dear Shadowcat. You see, you were my chosen” The Gene Engineer said.

The Leader smiled and turned to him.

“So this was who you had your eye on. An excellent choice and not one of the two I have chosen to serve as my slaves”

“Gross” Kitty exclaimed and imitated throwing up over the frame she was strapped to.

“Would you not like to know what you were chosen for?” The Genengineer asked.

“I can guess. Part lab rat, part sex slave” Kitty actually couldn’t prevent a slight tremor from escaping her voice.

“Correct. Such a catch. Are you aware my Leader that Kitty Pryde is often overlooked in the world. She is a foremost expert and certified genius in the realm of electronics and machinery. Explains how you could hack into my systems so easily”

“I was not aware of that my good doctor” The Leader smiled evilly down at her.

“Yes once she is fully under control she will help to further the program and make the machine more efficient”

“You know I am right here right” Kitty jumped in.

“Also I know you’ll do your best and I’ll probably play along for awhile but you know we always win right. I mean Storm and Wolfsbane shrugged off the programming once before. Not to mention there is a heck of a lot of us now” Kitty tried to sound as defiant and aggressive as possible.

“Yes, that’s why I have been retained” A third males voice sounded through the room. The face of someone who Kitty had met when he was much younger and much more compassionate appeared.

“Rory Campbell” Kitty said.

“I am going by my true name now…. Ahab” The hound master pulled on a piece of chain he had around his wrist and someone else came bounding behind him. Kitty gasped and cried at the face before her. Logan was clad in black leather from head to tow. Spikes from his shoulders to his wrists and down his legs. He wore a wide black matte collar with the leash in Ahab’s hand. His trademark hair still there but he had the hound marks on his face that Rachel had taken years to get rid of. Most shocking of all was the blank look on his face.

“What have you done?” Kitty couldn’t keep the surprise and fear from her voice.

“Wolverine here is my newest hound. He’s going to help me enslave the rest of your pathetic mutant race and serve the great country of Genosha. Isn’t that right hound?”

Wolverines blank stare turned to him. Kitty saw nothing of her friend in him. She had seen when Rachel had been taken and made into a hound. Only through her psi powers and will had she managed after years to shake it off and even say no to the very man who now held the leash of one of her closest friends.

“Yes Master” The voice was Wolverines but full of malice and hunger.

“You monsters!!” Kitty cried. Above her the cocoon began to descend towards her. All she saw next was the darkness inside instead of the four faces that will torment her for the rest of her life.

“We must speed up our timetable because of all of this” The Leader said just as Kitty was gassed inside the cocoon and embraced sleep.

[Mom!!] Rachel cried telepathically. She didn’t know where she was. Over the south Atlantic ocean she thought but she couldn’t go on any further. Traveling like this as the Phoenix she could have done without much effort at all and maybe even her mother could have done it but she couldn’t, not with the injuries certainly but she couldn’t do it normally she thought. Rachel's mind were full of doubts and she wasn’t sure if her mother could pick her up this far away.

[Mom!!!] she cried again into the physic plane. The Genoshians seemed to have given up pursuit and it was probably for the best she thought. Any moment now she was going to be completely drained. She would drift into unconsciousness and then delve thousands of miles head first into the chilly depths of the Atlantic. The blood that she was leaking would attract some sort of predator and that would be the end of her. She would fail, like she thought she always did. In her own future and here now with her family both by blood and by choice.

[Defeatist thoughts from my big sister are not something I would expect to hear] The voice came into her mind. Jolting her from the sleep she was about to take.

[baby brother….. Cable?] Rachel called out.

[I’m here Rachel. I’m having trouble getting a lock on your location]

[Rachel!!] The voice and image of her mother came into her mind. Cable seemed to be amplifying and getting her in touch with her.

[Mom…. Help me!, Cable please!] Rachel cried. She felt herself losing consciousness.

[Stay with us Rachel!] Rachel wasn’t sure if that came from Cable or her mother. Right now she was trying with all her might to stay up in the air.

[Mom, you have to at least find my body!!] Rachel managed to say into the mind link.

[Stop it Rachel, conserve your strength. I am in Cerebro and Cable is coming]

[Important Mom, they……. got…… Kitty ….. and Logan…….. have….. flash drive……] Rachels power was completely spent. She felt herself lowering and then diving through the air towards the water below before she blacked out.

[Rachel!!!!] Mother and Son screamed into the physic plane.

“She was roughly three hundred miles south east of the Acores in the Atlantic ocean when I caught up to her. I managed to snag her with my tk and bring her into my ship. I stabilized her as much as I could. Dealt with the wounds with some future tech but she was so exhausted I didn’t have anything for that.” Cable was telling Scott as he escorted his father into the med lab at the Xavier school for the gifted in Winchester.

“I contacted Magik to teleport her back here and followed as quickly as I could in my ship” Cable had a hand on his fathers shoulder in a rare show of affection. Scott Summers was the leader of the X-Men and as such had a certain dispassionate approach to things. At least that was the image he tried to project to most. Those who knew him, knew him to be the most emotionally invested person in their cause. Now though Scott stared down at the woman before him. In the medbed Rachel Summers grasped for life and he had to try with all his might to make sure that he didn’t break down and cry at seeing her in such a state not to mention the rare show of emotion from his son Nathan.

“You said she was supposed to be in Genosha. How could she fly all that way on her tk without the Phoenix force inside her?” Cable questioned.

“She was in Genosha” Jean voice came from another side of the room where she had been talking with Dr. McCoy and Moira Mctaggert. The one time wife of Scott Summers, mother in a round a bout way to both Cable and Rachel. Jean Grey was the most powerful psi on the planet. The tears in her eyes showed just how much she cared for everyone in that room.

“She was trying desperately to get back. There was a sense of fear and urgency within her when I finally made contact” Jean nodded towards Cable. A silent thank you.

“Kids got heart” Cable reached down and though they referred to each other as little brother and big sister. Rachel resembled a woman in her mid twenties were as Cable resembled a man in his early sixties. A lifetime of fighting and time travel had left the Summers clan scarred and unusual but no less resilient.

“Rachel has the ability to be more powerful then Jean as we all know but she knows her current limitations. She would have only tried this as a last resort” Scott said finally coming out of his fogged state at the sight of his daughter in the medbed.

“Before she passed out she managed to say that Kitty and Logan had been taken by them…. Whoever them are…. And that she had a flash drive on her” Cable and Jean relied.

“We have not found any such drive. Perhaps it was lost?” Hank McCoy the Beast said coming around the bed to gather with his friends.

“She was adamant. To her if it was to be her death she was fine with it as long as we got that information” Jean held her daughters almost lifeless hand in her own.

Cable got out his comlink and activated it.

“Professor?” Professor was the artificial intelligence that had helped Cable from the time he was a teenager fighting in the future.

“Yes Nathan?” came back the reply

“Scan the ship. Looking for anything that resembles a current day mobile flash drive”

“One moment…… Yes one flash drive discovered under the panels where Rachel was. How is she?” The artificial intelligence asked.

“Great thanks professor. Have it found and I’ll come grab it….. Rachel’s…...” Cable looked down at his sister his jaw turned to steel and his eyes flared with passion. He looked at his parents, as they saw his passion he saw their own wills strengthened and fortified.

“….. Rachel’s going to be fine” Cable nodded and headed back to his ship.

Running through the halls of the mansion Cable would have been excused for missing the breaking report appearing on the tv in the main gathering room. Just as he ran by though he caught a glimpse of the headline ‘President of Genosha dead in Ariplane Crash’.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!….. you…… monsters!!!!!!!!!!!” Kitty screamed in the cocoon. Lasers from the inside of the cocoon had first shredded away her clothes. The only things still left on her was the remains of which that could not be removed from between her and the frame she was strapped to. Flexible steel looking tubes had emerged from the front and connected to her nipples, her clit and over her eyes. Blinded by them she could not see much of anything in the dark anyways but she felt her nipples and her clit getting hot and not in the aroused way but in the subjected to extreme heat kind of way. Her eyes began to see nothing but colors in varying shapes sizes and images. Hypnotizing her into a sense of calm. So calm, Kitty didn’t feel the lasers beginning again. This time they went from her toes to her head. Covering every single atom of her body. The lasers and the machines were rewriting her DNA to serve the Genengineer. At the same time a skin tight dampening suit was being grafted onto her skin. It would hug every inch of her body. After a while Kitty didn’t mind it so much anymore, she quite enjoyed the heat now on her nipples and clit and the images and colors in her mind were soothing.

“If this is all true and we have no reason to doubt it. The world must be notified” Hank McCoy the Beast mused stroking his blue furred chin.

“Diplomatic answer Beast… they have our people!” That was the tones of Robert Drake. Better known as Iceman he stood on the far end of the conference room where all of the senior X-Men who could get there were gathered.

“They have my Katya!!” Those were the angered tones of Peter Rasputin, better known as Colossus.

“Logan as well….. and Rachel is on deaths door” Jean put a hand onto her long time friends armored shoulder.

“I think we should send a team in. Get them back and take them down before it all goes up in smoke again” Angel, Warren Worthington the third stated.

“We will do both” Scott Summer. Cyclops clarified for all. The leader of the X-Men, Scott Summers best friend was Logan who had been captured and his daughter was downstairs in the medical ward clinging for life.

“Volunteers?” Scott continued.

“Da” Colossus raised his hand without reservations.

“Yeah last time I was there I nearly killed Logan. I’d like to be apart of the rescue” Angel raised his hand.

“I go where he goes” Psylocke raised hers.

“Betty you sure? We have read the brief, we know what they want with female mutants specifically” Iceman asked.

“They can try” Psylocke manifested her soul sword to empathize her point.

“I must remind you all that Psylocke does not currently have the telepathic ability to keep the team together and overcome any brainwashing they encounter” Emma Frost the White Queen stood next to Cyclops.

“Therefore with Jean here to look after Rachel I volunteer”

“Emma are you certain. It’s not exactly something you are normally game for” Scott took her by the shoulders and asked.

“Oh my dear poor boy. Sometimes it’s good to remind the masses that I am just as lethal as any” Emma smiled.

“Thank you Emma. I was about to volunteer” Jean said.

“I would never keep you from your children” Emma bowed her head towards her longtime enemy but newfound friend.

“In that case I feel remorse but I volunteer to go” Cable said.

“I would like nothing more then to stay here with Rachel but my talents and abilities are better used there” Cable continued. Scott nodded his ascent to Cable.

“I think that is one hell of a team to go in there. I’ll organize some backup for you all as well. Anyone who wants a piece of that can come see me after. Hank?” Scott said.

“Yes oh fearless leader” The big blue haired Beast replied.

“I need you and Forge to get the intelligence into the right hands. Make sure the worlds leaders know what is going on in Genosha”

Hank and across the way on a holo terminal Forge nodded their approval.

“Ok. Wheels up in an hour” Cable commanded.

“Who made him boss?” Angel quipped as they all exited the room.

Kitty couldn’t scream anymore, not because her mouth was dry or she wasn’t in pain. There was nothing to be gained from the screaming. It was the stitching more then anything that she couldn’t bare. It was like the lasers were stitching the suit right into her very skin. Weaving it apart of her literally like a second layer of skin. From what she remembered about the first Genoshain problem the suits were in name only suits. They were skin tight and certainly did control a mutants power but they weren’t woven like this. This was the technology taken to a whole other level. Worse was just where the stitching was taken place. Kitty was building a map in her mind as to wear the suit was being constructed and she if she was right it was going to leave many parts of her anatomy visible to others. She drew the outfit in her mind. Coverings wither they be boots or not up to just below her knees. A belt around her waist holding up some sort of skirt she thought. She could feel something lay not tightly on her body down there but it hung not even low enough to cover her pussy, where there was no underwear there. From the belt up to her neck two strips going up that left her stomach bare but covered her back. They went up over her breasts but something told here there was something else there. Something more then likely a collar around her throat. Exercises like this in her mind kept it activate and away from the programming that they were trying to implement into her brain. There was no way she could hold out forever but she knew Rachel got home and she knew help was coming. She had to think that way or she would have lost her mind a long time ago.

[m…….mom] It was a weak call but a call that gave Jean all the hope in the world.

[I’m here] Jean sent back.

[Flash drive?] Even in her own mind Rachel just didn’t have the strength to form even complete sentences.

[We got it honey. There’s a strike team on their way now to get Kitty and Logan. All will be good] Jean sent warm thoughts to her.

[Took Logan quickly] Rachel managed to say before she drifted right back out.

“You are going to be fine my dear” Jean said aloud and through the mind link so that all around knew she was in contact with her.

“Did she make contact?” Scott said from across the bed. He had been here almost as much as Jean. Though she no longer shared her name and house with Scott Summers, Jean would always love him and had even grown to be friends with his love Emma.

“Yes barely. She’s worried. Whatever happened, Logan was taken out quickly….. almost like it was to quick” Jean said.

“That’s not good but I can’t think of a better team to go in and burn it to the ground while getting our people back. Whatever happened with Logan Emma and Psylocke can overcome” Scott raised his forearm communicator and spoke into it.

“Emma, Rachel has made telepathic contact with Jean. She says Wolverine was taken down quickly. I know I don’t have to say this, but be careful” Cyclops always the leader was relaying relevant information to those who would need it.

“Always” The sultry silky voice of the White Queen came back over the com line.

“They will be fine Scott” Jean reached across the bed and placed her hand over Scott's who held Rachel's in it.

“The burden of command Jean, but I can’t shake the feeling I am missing something. Those files Kitty got to Rachel mention the Genengineer and the Leader, but between them they would need muscle and who can do that to Wolverine. There is another player here and why breeding. I mean it makes sense for them for a workforce but it would take years to come to fruition”

“Congratulations my Leader, or should I say President” The Genengineer greeted the Leader. He had just walked back into the lab with a smile as wide as the room.

“Thank you. How goes the transformation?”

“Almost complete. Another couple of minutes and the frame will raise and we will have the first of the elite slaves”

“It is fitting my friend that you have yours first” The Leader clasped his hands behind his back and took up a waiting position.

Minutes later the cocoon hissed and started to ascend. The frame began to move as well. It started to bring itself down and be more upright. There was steam all around the frame so neither villain could see what was on the frame but the Genengineer was quite confident. Once the steam around the frame moved away. It left before them restrained on the frame was the former X-Men Kitty Pryde. Still bound in the x position Kitty was in her new outfit. Black woven power dampening suit made of some sort of fabricated latex and organic material. She wore black boots up to just below her knees. A skirt that was open at the front showing her pussy but even if the fringe of the skirt were there to go over her pussy it would not have hidden it. Starting at her thighs the fringe barely reached down to the top of the pussy. A black belt around her waist kept the skirt up. The top that she wore if it could be called that left her entire center of the front of her body visible. It went up over her breasts but at that point became mesh so that the breasts were clearly visible.

“State your name” Genengineer commanded.

Kittys eyes which had been closed, opened. Her pupils were dilated but she seemed to be focused and able to see.

“My name is Shadow slut” Kitty responded in her normal voice.

“What is your objective Shadow slut?” The Genengineer asked.

“My objective is to please and serve you Genengineer my Master and the glorious country of Genosha” Kitty responded.

“What will you do to those ends?”

“Anything you wish Master” Kitty responded quickly.

“Come here then” Gene Engineer said.

Kitty was still restrained on the frame but with effortless ease she phased out of them and floated down to the floor before the two villains.

“Good slut”

Emma hated hiking. Dirt and forest and just so much physical activity. It was not for a proper lady sych as herself. Ahead of her Psylocke seemed to be enjoying herself but nowhere near as much as Colossus. Cable led the way with Angel coming up behind Emma. According to the information the mountain complex was shielded by a cloaking field just up ahead. With Rachel being unconscious at the time there was no way of knowing just which way they had come towards the mountain but it seemed that since the information had come from here, then the X-Men who had been captured would still be in the area.

“Hold up” Cable called from the front of the group. Emma and Psylocke joined him and Colossus quickly enough with Angel only a moment or so behind.

“This is the perimeter of the field” Cable announced.

“This is the end” A voice from above shouted. They all turned upwards. Emma was confused that her telepathy hadn’t warned her turned diamond until she knew what was going on. In the cliffs above them was a sight that they never expected to see. Wolverine dressed in all black leather from neck to toe with spikes all over him. The look on his face was one of pure evil. He wasn’t alone though. Four more all dressed similarly came into view. Dazed but threatening looks on all of them.

Psylocke was the first to realize it. Emma a moment later when her diamond form and Colossus’s armored form reverted them back to human form.

“They are negating our powers!” Psylocke cried.

“Logan my friend what has become of you?” Colossus spoke. His answer was Logan jumping from the cliff and with one blow knocked the behemoth Russian out on the side of the cliff.

Another figure appeared. Emma knew who it was. Ahab the hound Master. There hadn’t been any mention of him in the files but she knew instinctively that he was the missing ingredient. There was a couple of hounds coming at them from either side and Wolverine was turning towards Angel.

“Angel don’t be fooled that’s not Logan” Emma warned.

“Sure moves like him” Angel said but before he could get any space between them Wolverine was on him. Two quick blows and the Angel was on the floor, unconscious and captured.

Psylocke was fighting two hounds while Cable was fending off another.

“Mission is scrubbed” Cable said parrying a blow from a blonde hound.

Emma tried to reach out with her mind to calm the hounds but she found nothing in them but obedience to their Master. While she concentrated on that the Hound Master Ahab approached with a fresh batch of five hounds whom he now let lose from their leashes. They bounded forward like attack dogs. To her right Emma saw Psylocke fall from three hounds all over and Cable just ahead of her was on the ground. Emma was the only one left.

“Ms Frost” The voice was familiar from around the corner from a couple of rocks. Emma could see Ahab and his hounds were placing collars and chains on the fallen X-Men. From around the corner a familiar face came into view but everything else was certainly not what she would expect from the person that face belonged to.

“Kitty….. love the new look. what’s the collection from Marquis De’Saad”

“Always with a quip. Always with a veiled insult” Kitty was talking with her regular tones but the way she walked and the way she moved was sensual, graceful and not at all the Kitty Emma knew.

“But of course my dear” Emma took a look at Kitty. Her sex was bare because of the open front skirt and her breasts were visible through the mesh of her outfit. Strikingly the black collar around her throat had a leash that was turned and tight behind her. Someone was behind her behind the rocks with the leash in hand.

“I congratulate you on liberating poor Miss Pryde’s prudishness but I like to see my enemies face” Emma called. She looked around and Ahab had placed collars and restraints on all of her comrades. Turning now to face her was the rest of the hounds.

A man stepped forward from behind the rocks and Emma could also feel the hounds closing on all sides as well.

[Scott I love you] She knew her powers were not working to great at the moment. Probably some sort of power dampener, but she hoped with all her passion and hope that it would get through to him.

“Who is this?” Emma asked with her customary aloofness.

“Master does not need to tell you his name” Kitty sped forward with amazing speed. Her hand phased into Emma’s chest.

“I always liked you Emma despite the snide comments and how you ruined a best friends marriage but at least you were content with yourself and knew who you were. I looked up to you in a way”

“Thank you Miss Pryde. I must say I always admired your optimism and your intellect” Emma said truthfully.

“Don’t worry Emma. You wont be sorting garbage or even be a hound like the men. You are after all the White Queen and deserve to be with the elite” Kitty slightly un-phased her hand in an artery causing a slight black out. Emma fell to the ground unconscious but alive.

Ahab quickly put a collar and restraints on her and had the hounds pick up each one of them and bring them back to the mountain facility.

“Jean there hasn’t been any contact with Emma’s team for twenty four hours” Scott said while walking with her towards the medical unit.

“She’s gotten out of more then her fair share of tricky situations Scott. She’ll be fine” Jean reassured.

“The back up unit of Warpath and Blink haven’t checked in either. We have to assume they have all been taken” Scott stated.

The former lovers walked into the med bay to see Rachel sat up in the bed taking some food from Hank.

“Rachel!” Jean rushed to her daughters side and grabbed a hold of her. Scott wasn’t far behind.

“Always knew you would come through” Scott said grabbing her shoulder. He winked towards Beast one of his oldest friends. A thanks for his vigil, his expertise and his friendship.

“Kitty and Logan?” Rachel asked

“We sent a rescue party in….. we haven’t heard from them” Scott admitted

Rachel fidgeted under the sheet trying to get up.

“Wow there sister. You are not going anywhere. You nearly killed yourself getting back here” Scott warned.

“Stupid I should have known I couldn’t do it” Rachel took her face in her hands. Jean pulled them away and kissed her hands.

“I could never fly that distance. What you did Rachel was extraordinary. Leave it to us to get our friends back Okay?” Jean pleaded with her.

The younger redhead looked into her mothers eyes and nodded. Her dad squeezed her shoulder and left the med bay to mother and daughter. He touched his communicator.

“Storm…..” He called.

“Yes Scott” came the reply back on the communicator.

“We need to change our strategy. Meet me outside” Scott asked.

“Understood”

The grounds of the Xavier school for the gifted were vast and varied. There was forests and ponds and even places for skateboarding and biking. Storm and Cyclops often ventured into a small grotto between a creek and a deep dense brush for talks. It as here that he found Ororo waiting for him. Walking from the med bay to here was not a long walk but he could never beat someone who had the power of the very elements at her disposal.

“How is Rachel?” Storm asked.

“Getting stronger every minute”

“Truly her parents daughter. I don’t think I have ever seen such a thing. All that way on just her telekinesis” Storm sat on a fallen tree trunk while she waited for Cyclops to join her.

“By all rights the energy she expanded should have killed her…. I only really just got everyone back together Ororo. I’m not sure what I would have done and now Nathan’s team isn’t reporting in”

“Oh Scott, All of them, Nathan and Emma included are among the most feared and experienced we have in the X-Men. They will be fine” She took her friends hand in her own and they stared out over the tranquil waters of the pond.

“There’s an unknown party here Storm. Someone who is able to take down Wolverine is certainly not the Genengineer and the Leader. In the absence of information and the ability to obtain more I fear we only have two options” Scott said while looking out over the pond.

“A direct full on assault. Which would be all over the news or wait and see” Storm spelled out the two options.

“That’s right and something tells me if we wait and see we’ll be picked off one by one just like what is happening right now”

“We have no way of knowing that is indeed what is happening” Storm reminded him.

“I know it in my gut Ororo”

“My friend I say this not only as your friend but also as a leader of our people as well. Are you not looking to just go in and avenge what happened to Rachel and to alleviate your fears for Nathan and Emma” Storm could feel Scott’s body stiffen as she held his hand.

“I’d be lying Ro’ if that wasn’t in my mind but something tells me this is going to get much worse. It’s Genosha, look what happened to you the last time this all started”

“I am aware Scott. I still have nightmares about that suit and the brainwashing but it is my duty to point out things you may be overlooking or not seeing”

[Scott!]

“Sorry Storm Jean is on my psi link”

[Yes Jean]

[I am in the common room, there is something on the tv you and Ororo should see] Jean’s thoughts were clouded with fear and anger.

“Jean says there’s something on tv we need to see”

Scott and Ororo found Jean with Rachel in a wheelchair in the common room. It was full of X-Men and students watching a broadcast.

“It is with regret but conviction that I must now order the arrest of the band known as the X-Men and proclaim them terrorists”

“What the??” Scott said above the loud chatter of those in the room.

“To recap….” Came the voice of some news anchor on the tv.

“…. The government of Genosha has outlined evidence it suggests the recent death of their president was an assassination attempt by mutants both inside and outside the country. In a dramatic news conference a member of the so called X-Men admitted to guilt and identified others involved in the conspiracy to assassinate a sitting world leader…. Lets go back to the tape….” The news anchor on the tv said. Scott didn’t have to be a telepath to know the hate and the fear going around the room at the moment. Jean had a hand on Rachels shoulder but even in her weakened condition Scott could see the fire of her aura radiating from her. If it wasn’t so dangerous he would have been proud.

[Scott, Rachel is absolutely fuming] Jean sent through is mind.

[Don’t have to be a mind reader to see that Jean]

“My name is Kitty Pryde. Sometimes known as Shadowcat. I have been an X-Man since my teens. Under the order of senior membership I and two of my fellow X-Men infiltrated Genosha with the help of the local mutant populace with the sole intention of assassinating the President as we viewed him as not pro mutant enough. I was apprehended along with another trying to exit the country. Another X-Man was unfortunately killed. After a brief interrogation I have agreed to share my story with the world”

“Balderdash!!!” That was the voice of Hank McCoy from behind everyone.

“I think we all know that Hank” Ororo said.

“Killed!!…. MY BEST FRIEND SAYS I AM DEAD WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A TEAR!!!!” Rachel’s aura extended beyond her. She rose from the wheelchair and walked towards the TV.

“Rachel!, honey calm down. We’ll get her back” Jean stepped in front of her. Her own aura matching Rachel's. Most of the students vacated the room while the more senior members tried their best to calm the situation down.

“THEY HAVE HER BRAINWASHED MOM! I’LL MAKE THEM PAY! NO MORE MUTANT SLAVES!!!” Rachel’s aura briefly flashed in anger.

Jean exercised her own powers and attempted to get into Rachel's mind to help calm her down.

“OUT OF MY MIND MOM” Rachel cried.

“Please Rachel something more then just seeing Kitty like that is upsetting you. Tell me or let me see” Jean screamed. Storm was using her own powers to keep Rachel pinned to the same spot.

[You want to see my shame Mom, You know the story but you’ve never seen the images] Rachel cried in Jean’s mind.

[Let me in] Jean pleaded.

[Fine] Rachel dropped her psychic defenses to Jean. Her mind entered Rachel’s memories. Rachel guided her back to what she wanted to show her. Rachel as a young woman living here in the mansion. Jean and Scott out on the grounds while the professor kept an eye on her and taught her how to use her powers. Then the sentinels came. In one blast her parents were gone. Another and they were in to the mansion. The professor begged her to run but she refused. Heartbroken from seeing the death of her parents she did not want to leave him. He wheeled up to the sentinels pleading for calm but they answered with a flash and he was dead. The blast destroyed the mansion. Leaving her under rubble. Next Jean was shown Rachel awakening in a lab, tied down on a slab upright she saw a blank faced person torturing her. Subjecting her to brainwashing. Rachel fought for months and months trying to stop him from brainwashing her. In the end though Rachel was collared in a hounds costume. Hair cut and her markings bare on her face the blank faced man had her hunting through the ruins of the world. Jean saw Rachel finding her friends. Nightcrawler, Iceman, Psylocke and finally Jubilee. Rachel killed them all while under the thrall of him. Jean cried in her mind and tears streamed down her face in the real world.

“Scott what is happening?” Storm asked.

“Jean is talking to Rachel on the psychic plane” Scott answered.

“She’s crying Scott” Storm said.

“So is Rachel” Beast stated from beside the now frozen pair of psionic redheads.

In the minds eye Jean saw Rachel finally saying no to her Master. Being exiled to the camps. Making friends with the remaining X-Men including a grown up Kitty Pryde who became more a mother to her then friend. Jean felt Rachel's shame as she told them what had happened. Her surprise and gratefulness when they had accepted her without hate. Her love when they talked about her parents and finally her sadness when she was catapulted back in time.

[The face of the Master Rachel…. Why hide his face to me?] Jean asked. In response Jean found the images switch again to show them back in the lab. Rachel being tortured over and over again in all manner of ways.

[Do not be afraid Rachel. Show me] Jean asked.

The blank face of the man began to form into a face Jean didn’t recognize.

[Why hide this mans face I do not know him] Jean asked quizzically.

Rachel shifted the image in her mind to today. The very room were they currently all were. The image on the tv screen grew larger in their minds eye. On the screen behind Kitty was the images of the Genengineer who had been introduced earlier in the press conference. Next to him was another man. It was then Jean made the connection. It was the same man. The hound Master is in Genosha.

[My God, Oh Rachel!]

[I don’t know if I want to kill him or kneel to him Mom] Rachel's mind shut them both out and they were back to their selves in the real world. Rachel dropped to the floor crying, Jean dropping and cradling her in her arms. Their power dissipating and the others relaxing.

“What is it child?” Ororo asked bending down to take them both in her arms.

“I saw her past Ororo….” Jean looked up into her friends eyes and then into Scott’s who was standing over them.

“…. I saw our deaths and I saw…..”

“the creature I became” Rachel's voice was small but powerful.

“… I saw who did it to her….” Jean looked up at the tv where the news was still broadcasting images from the day. She pointed to the man from the images.

“I saw this man…. Ahab…. The hound Master…. Torturing her and turning into that creature” Jeans voice became hard and cold.

Scott was quite for a moment and then sighed.

“So he’s the muscle…. That explains it” Scott said.

“It takes months to turn people into hounds” Jean and Rachel managed to said.

“It used to….” Rachel looked up her cheeks stained with dried tears.

“Look closer at that man and at them all” Rachel said. Everyone's eyes in the room turned back towards the TV.

It was Jean who spotted it first. A hand rising to her mouth to cover her shock. Iceman and storm not far after. Cyclops grasped it a little later because his attention was split between the TV and his daughter. Standing next to the hound Master was Wolverine in a business suit, along with Cable, Colossus and Angel. All wearing suits and all wearing collars as well as Kitty.

“Why did we not see those before?” Iceman asked about the collars.

“If I had to guess I would say they have a mutant who can alter the broadcast waves to screen it out” Rachel said. Rising to her feet. Stumbling for a moment before Ororo guiding her back to the wheelchair.

“You must have been able to see through it because you recognized Ahab right away and somehow that broke whatever image inducer they were using” Hank theorized.

“No wonder you went berserk” Iceman bent down to the wheelchair. He gave her a slight peek on the cheek and a wink. Rachel saw images of him in her future being crushed to a pulp after she had found him. She flinched from the contact for a moment which caused him concern. Rachel looked back at him and managed a weak smile. Bobby understood what must have been happening in her mind and simply patted her shoulder in solidarity.

“Don’t worry Bobby, she’s just a little upset from sharing everything” Jean knew exactly why she had flinched but didn’t want to say it entirely. Rachel smiled at her and leaned into Iceman.

“thank you” she managed to say before the events caused her to pass out from the strain.

“They are taunting us. Gear up for war people they will be coming” Scott roared.

It wasn’t so much the splitting headache that woke her up Emma thought. No it must have been the oppressive and outright ridiculously loud sound of machinery being put together. She didn’t expect to have access to her powers and she was disheartened to find that she was correct in that regard. An eye opening to the sound of metal shearing against metal Emma found Kitty Pryde in that absolutely delightful but far to exposed getup working away. A pair of goggles over her face and welders helmet strapped onto her head. The whole scene looked like something out of a very poorly thought out porn creation. Emma stifled a cough from a very dry throat. Or was it the dry throat that woke her.

“Oh Katherine dear can you get me some water” Emma asked. Kitty was across the way looking at two pieces of machines that Emma had no idea what they were and frankly at the moment didn’t care. Her head popped up on hearing Emma’s voice. With a smile she went out of Emma’s sight for a moment and came back with a paper cup and some water.

“Here you are Miss Frost” Kitty said. As if she weren’t serving Emma water while she had been instrumental in her capture.

“Care to tell me where I am Kitten” Emma asked after finishing the water. Emma tried to move but knew that she as strapped in an x position.

“Your inside the mountain that you were trying to get in so… job done” Kitty laughed and if Emma weren’t so sure she would say there was absolutely nothing wrong with the girl. She seemed to be quite happy and despite her clothing she had grease marks and oil patches all over her body like she would do back home when she was involved in a project. For the first time Emma ventured to look above her and saw something like a cocoon in the shape of an x. no doubt to envelop her she thought. The genetic altering device then, that’s what she was strapped to. They were going to turn her into a slave like Kitty.

“Kitten darling I don’t suppose you can let me go and I can deprogram you and our friends” Emma asked.

Kitty loomed over her and smiled.

“Sorry Ms. Frost. There is a large part of me that wants to allow you to do that but my Master would be very mad and I can not disobey my Master. My suit here…. it’s not like the old ones Emma, they wove it into my DNA and my skin cells. I’m their property now” There was a hint of wistfulness in her voice.

“Isn’t she splendid? I wanted her to be like this you see. So that she could remember everyone and everything and even that she wants to fight back but she can’t I control her powers and her body and her mind” A second voice in the room. A male voice that was completely happy with himself.

“Yeah you discovered you like to enslave woman. You are obviously way ahead of the rest of your gender” Emma sarcastically stated. Even got a bit of a laugh from Kitty.

“Is this your Master Kitty? I always thought you’d end up with Piotr. He came with me you know. Where is he?” Emma tried for anything to break the spell on Kitty.

“Yes this is my Master. Genengineer for all of Genosha. He’s in charge of programming for all mutants”

The man reached out and stroked Kitty’s chin. Emma without her powers could sense a wave of revulsion from Kitty but her body responded in a different manner. Her eyes closed and her head leaned into it like an affectionate pet.

“Colossus and your other male friends are apart of the hound pack now” The Genengineer said.

“Hound pack???……. Ahab is here??….. dear god Kitty, you know what he did to Rachel!!” Emma normally as cool and collected as her name sake thrashed in her bonds.

“She’s your best friend. The daughter of the man I love. Kitty for the love of all snap out of it!!” Emma screamed.

Much to Emma’s delight there were tears streaming down Kitty’s face but she did not act. Did not attempt to do anything and continued to lean into her Master’s stroking.

“I can’t Emma….. I am his”

“Just as you will be Genoshain property soon enough” The Engineer said moving away and taking Kitty with him.

“I’d rather die!” Emma called.

There was no answer from either of them but under breath Kitty couldn’t help saw something.

“you kind of will” So small and so much of a whisper nobody heard it but herself and Kitty cried a little more.

“How many of the machines are complete Shadow slut”

“There are five functional devices Master and I will have another two online within a couple of hours” Kitty said with all the delight of a schoolgirl getting all the answers right.

“Good, because we will be expecting much more soon”

“Kitty stop this… please” Emma cried.

“I tire of her slave. Start the process” The Engineer ordered. Kitty stopped where she was and moved to come back towards Emma on the x frame. There was some sort of command station off to the side and Kitty took up position there.

“Sorry Emma” Kitty pushed a couple of buttons and the cocoon above began to lower.

“I can’t fight it. My Master orders and I must obey. You will see” Kitty walked to stand in her direct eye line again. A tear could be seen coming from her eye again before the cocoon fully enveloped her.

Psylocke hung in chains. She was in some sort of dirty moldy and leaky dungeon cell. Nude she had nothing on but something on her forehead which must have been what was blocking her powers. After a bout of trying to shake it off of her head and failing she hung in the cell. Time seemed to slow without anything more happening then the slight trickle of water that could be heard from somewhere nearby. The lighting was so dark the only thing she could see was the bars to her right that seemed to be where the door was to a large hallway. Hanging there and trying everything in her ability to get out Psylocke finally just decided to hang there and make her break for it at another time.

Time ceased to exist. She knew she was hungry and thirsty but she just hung there. Until a sound began to come into her hearing that was beyond the trickling of the water. It was footsteps.

“Hi Betsy” The voice was familiar but from the darkness Psylocke couldn’t really be sure. There was a sound of a gate opening and the footsteps coming closer. The figure came into view.

“Hi Kitty” Kitty Pryde was a friend but Betsy knew better at the moment. She had been among the first captured and judging by her dress she had been converted to the cause. The Kitty Pryde she knew would not wear a skirt so short that it wasn’t even underwear let alone the fact that she didn’t have underwear. Also the black collar around her throat was a give away.

“How are you?” Kitty seemed to be genuinely concerned.

“I was attacked and knocked out and now I see a friend under the control of some very bad people” Psylocke almost growled saying it.

“Yeah I can see that. Sorry Bets but your next” Kitty turned and bowed before another man who had come into the cell. Psylocke hadn’t heard the other footsteps but this man had no bearing of being able to move like that.

“I phased my Master here. He wanted to experience it” Kitty seemed to know what Betsy was thinking.

“Quite an experience” The man said.

“So you are the Master here are you?” Psylocke asked.

“Oh heavens no. Just this ones Master. I am the Genengineer”

“Ah…. I meet your predecessor. I know your role” Psylocke wanted them to come a little closer. They had left her legs free but she was a trained assassin and could do much with her legs.

The Engineer was approaching but Kitty put her arm across his chest.

“Careful Master. They have left her legs free. She is quite skilled and could easily escape if given a chance”

“Kitty!”

“Sorry Bets. I must protect my Master” Kitty really did seem to be sorry. Bets wondered if there was hope for her just before the headband on her forehead flared and sent her into unconsciousness.

“Jean you and Rachel should go with the kids. We got all our telporters taking them to safe areas and allocating some senior members to stay with them. Rachel is not up for a fight”

“To hell I’m not” Rachel rose from the wheelchair she sat in there in the mansions kitchen. All around them students, teachers and every X-Man that could get there hurried about. They knew there was an attack coming and they were working their hardest to make sure they were ready.

“This is our home Scott. We fight” Jean stood next to her daughter. The eyes of both redheads burned with fire that would send anyone on this earth and many throughout the universe running in fear.

“If either of you have the Phoenix force or feel an inkling of it…. We might need it” Scott said hopefully.

Jean and Rachel exchanged glances and then shock their heads.

“No Dad just me” Rachel said.

“I too don't feel it but as I have said before slim…. I am far more powerful without it and Rachel here has the potential to be stronger still” Jean added.

“I know you both enough to know I can not order you to go but just look after each other” Scott hugged them both and went off to issue some more orders.

“This all seems so final” Rachel stated.

“It’s our job to make sure it isn’t We have faced worse. We will wither the storm and then strike back with vengeance” Those were the beautiful tones of the elemental Storm who had joined them in the kitchen. Dressed in her skin tight black uniform complete with half cape from both hands to shoulders. Ororo as always with her long white hair and perfect body resembled the Goddess many had mistakenly believed her to be.

There was a crash a commotion outside followed by raised and fearful voices. Fearful that the attack had begun all four of them rushed outside.

“Hold steady X-Men I am not here to fight” The melodic and strong tones could only belong to one person Jean thought running out into the yard.

There coming down to a landing on the lush green grass was Magneto.

“Explain yourself Magneto” Scott warned.

“I am here to help. I saw the broadcast and I know you would never sanction such a thing. I also could spot brainwashing anywhere. They are coming for you are they not” Magneto deduced.

“That’s right which means we do not have time for this Magnus. If you are here to help you are welcome to it” Storm answered for all of them.

“Always a voice of reason in the storm Ororo” Magneto tilted his head and all around relaxed.

Rachel huffed and puffed next to Jean and nearly fainted.

“Rachel!” Scott cried.

“I’m fine Dad” She straightened herself out and stood upright.

“Your child is injured Cyclops should she not be evacuating with the rest?” Magneto asked.

“Would you?” Rachel asked with venom in her voice.

Magneto looked at the young woman and smiled.

“There is hope for you yet my dear. You will fight gloriously on behalf of our race” Magneto tilted his head in respect.

“You know Magnus in my time you were like a grandfather to me after Charles was killed and I was placed in the camps. You never gave up and neither will I” Rachel spat as she nearly lost her footing again even while being propped up by Jean.

“You have your mothers fire and your fathers will child. You have my respect as well” Magneto walked off leaving them all there with their jaws on the floor.

“My father has a way with people does he not?” The green haired Polaris walked towards them.

“Lorna I assigned you to the evac protection” Cyclops stated with a sense of urgency.

“Last transport is just on the way I wanted to say bye and tell you I can stay”

“No Lorna we need some of the heavy hitters to help defend the kids and if needed setup again” Scott stepped forward to shake her hand.

“I understand” Lorna said. She reached out to hug Jean.

“Plus you read the brief Lorna. You don’t want to be subjected to what they have in mind for us women” Jean whispered into her long time friends ear.

“So why are you staying?” Lorna asked.

“Because some of the big guns have to stay and fight” Jean whispered and they laughed.

Lorna broke the hug and reached out to Rachel.

“Alright Rach, lets go” Lorna tried to grab her hand but Rachel pushed it away.

“I’m staying” The set of her jawline made it known she would not tolerate a discussion.

“You Summers…. So stubborn” Lorna reached over and hugged her.

“Give them hell” Polaris said.

“I intend to” Rachel's tone was filled with strength and determination.

“I’m going to say hi to Dad before I leave. Scott we have M and I with one transport and the other has Magma and Cecille Reyes”

“Why Scott you choose the women” Jean taunted.

“I am as disgusted as everyone else with their plans” Scott said with as much loathing as anyone had ever heard out of his mouth.

The procedure complete the cocoon hissed as it broke the connection with the frame and started to raise itself. The x frame turned itself vertically. Still strapped to the frame was Emma Frost. Her normal scandalous outfit replaced by one no less scandalous. A black matte collar, with a black mesh bra and black mesh panties. She had black boots up to her thighs.

“What is your name” The Genengineer asked.

“Emma Frost. Also known as Queen Whore”

“HAHAHA” the engineer laughed.

“Who do you serve?” he asked.

“I serve the glorious nation of Genosha” Emma recited.

“Queen whore I want you to meet your new Master” The Engineer said. From behind Kitty escorted the Leader in to the lab.

“Get her off of the frame I want her kneeling before me” The Leader demanded.

“Yes Sir” Kitty and the Genengineer said.

They both ran to the command station and it was Kitty who hit the release button first. Emma’s restraints were released and she was able to move. Walking towards the Leader she reached him and knelt before him.

“How may I serve you Master?”

“HAHAHHAHAHA!!” The Leader laughed.

“Tell me Queen whore. What is your former X-Man Shadow slut thinking right now” The Leader asked.

Kitty saw Emma turn to look at her. Because of her own programming Kitty would never be able to put up any resistance to a mind probe so she just allowed it to happen.

“She is thinking how to escape Master and how she can not resist her programming” Emma answered.

“Will she try to escape or is she merely thinking about it”

Kitty knew the answer to that and she suspected Emma did before even having to probe her mind. A tear fell from her eye at the thought of it begin said out loud.

“No Master, she will obey all orders given and loves her Master the Genengineer despite her internal wishes to the contrary” Emma confirmed what Kitty knew in her heart anyways.

“Good, Now slave I want you to suck my cock” The Leader ordered.

Emma’s mind screamed but her response was instantaneous.

“Yes Master”

“Is this one of the ones you have chosen to be your personal slaves?” The Genengineer asked.

“It is” The Leader smiled as Emma was lowering his zipper from his pants and pulling out his cock. Inside her head she was screaming but she could not disobey. She really did know now what Kitty had been going through. Her hands and actions were guided by her programming now. Truly evil she thought to have to be so aware of it all. Her hands took out his cock and balls and with all the experience she had and she began to suck on his balls and lick his cock.

“The Great White Queen reduced to a cock sucking whore” The Leader laughed. He pulled a leash from his coat pocket and bent down. Emma kept his cock in her mouth as he did. With a clip he attached a leash to her collar and tugged on her just to let her know that he controlled her. Still his cock did not come out of her mouth.

“That looks quite good. I could go for some relaxation….. Shadow slut come here and give me a blowjob” The Engineer ordered.

“Yes Master” Kitty turned her attention from whatever machine she was working on and walked towards him. Kneeling at his feet she took out his cock and began to suck as well.

[I don’t know if you can hear me Emma but I am so sorry. I could not stop it…. I can’t stop anything] Kitty thought towards her telepathic friend. Hoping without much hope that Emma’s mind was still her own much like Kitty’s.

[Have no fears sweetie. I would not have been able to resist as well. As shown here by giving this vile unwashed creature the best blowjob of his life] Emma thoughts were clearly her own which made Kitty smile in her mind.

[They told me Rachel was killed trying to escape but I don’t think so. They have terrible plans for all mutant women] Kitty said.

[Rachel is the reason we were sent in. She flew all the way home] Emma confirmed Kitty’s suspicions.

[Flew? Did she manifest the Phoenix because that’s a long way on tk] Kitty was hopeful in her mind. If Rachel was the Phoenix once more no one could stand in her way.

[Sadly no. She just did it on Summers will and Grey power] Emma’s tone in Kitty’s mind actually made it seem like she was impressed with Rachel.

[Don’t be absurd child, only a fool would overlook the power those Grey redheaded women are capable of] Emma continued and somehow Kitty got the impression there was a wink in there along with the respect she showed to her friends.

“I don’t think their minds are into this Engineer” The Leader was heard saying.

In response Kitty and Emma redoubled their efforts. Emma took pride in everything she did so she was making him wait to cum. Teasing him and making him enjoy every moment of it. Kitty was less experienced but no less enthusiastic. She approached it like a problem, trying to find the solution as quickly as possible and the solution in this case was to make the horrible Master’s cum.

[What happened to Cable, Angel, Psylocke and Colossus] Emma asked in their minds.

The mention of her love and longest friend Colossus and the thought of what they had done to him made Kitty cry in her minds eye. Emma was decent and patient enough to wait for a moment for Kitty to gather her thoughts.

[They made the guys into hounds. They are preparing for an attack on the Mansion. Betsy is in the other chamber and should becoming out within a couple of hours. Then they will already have three of us X-Woman for their slavery and breeding plans] Kitty’s sadness in her mind was not reflected by her eager sucking and licking of the Engineer’s cock.

[Fear not Kitten. This is a long way from being over. They have made a critical error in their programming by allowing us to even maintain a semblance of our identities] Emma sounded supremely confident as always which dumbfounded Kitty considering as she thought the words toward her her physical body was licking up and down the new Presidents cock.

[I wish I could be as confident as you Emma]

[It’s just experience darling and knowing all to well. X-Men have a nasty habit of popping up everywhere and at the right and wrong times] Their was amusement in that thought and Kitty took heart from it.

[We had backup Kitten. Proudstar and Clarice. Have you heard anything of them?] Emma asked.

[Warpath was taken trying to scout ahead and see what happened to you guys. As soon as he was taken we caught a glimpse of Blink teleporting out] Kitty confirmed.

[Smart girl] Emma confirmed.

In her hands Kitty could feel her Master’s cock swelling and preparing to cum

[This is going to be gross] Kitty said in her mind.

[Make him love it. Not that we have a choice but the less they suspect we can do anything to fight back the better. You are in an important spot Kitty. Do not give up. Your access to the machines here will be invaluable] Emma gave her hope.

The Engineer’s cock swelled and exploded in Kitty’s mouth. Kitty dutifully licked and swallowed it all down not allowing a drop to escape her grasp. With a smile she did this while the Engineer re buckled his pants and patted her on the head.

Next to her Emma in the physical world decided that it was time for the leader to cum. She increased her actions on the head of the cock and then used her hands to grip and tug on his balls. She used her telepathy to search through memories of prior blow jobs in his mind to see what he preferred. From those memories she knew what to do and had him cumming in her mouth like a giant geyser. Emma couldn’t let a drop spill either because of her programming and took it all.

[Vile man] Emma sent through her mind.

[You are quite good at that Emma] Kitty had to admit while she still licked up little patches of cum from her hands and arms.

[If you are going to do something Kitten. Be the best] There was that wink again in her mind and Kitty smiled inwardly again.

“Come slave. I have business to attend to” The Leader jerked on the chain while Emma was still trying to swallow and clean herself up. With a couple of tugs on the chain The Leader was zipped back up and walking away.

[Stay safe Kitten. I will try and stay in contact. This is vile but fortunate. I will no doubt be able to listen in to many details]

[Thanks Emma. I’m not sure what I can do though here. Every time I try and do something that I know would be against my Master’s wishes I am prevented by my own mind and body]

[Then do something you can convince your mind would be beneficial to them while being extremely beneficial to us] Emma’s thoughts echoed through her mind. Kitty watched as Emma was dragged out of the room. Following closely behind the Leader.

[That’s kind of cryptic Emma] Kitty said and watched her friend disappear into the corridor beyond.

[I’m not the tech whiz Kitten. Oh for heaven’s sake] Emma sent through the link.

[What’s wrong?]

[Kitty make it quick because this man must meet an unfortunate end] There was real malice, anger and killer thoughts coming through to Kitty from Emma’s mind.

[What’s happening] Kitty asked.

[Never you mind. Think Kitten and I’ll keep in contact] There was humiliation in that tone as well thought Kitty.

[Okay. Be safe Emma] Kitty said. She got no reply but the sense of a patiently waiting predator waiting to pounce on prey. Kitty was quite sure who Emma was viewing as the prey at the moment.

In the corridor The Leader walked away from the lab with Emma Frost collared and programmed behind him. He tugged on the leash to bring her up quicker and turned to watch. Emma Frost, the White Queen crawled on all fours behind him as fast as she could. He smiled and jerked the leash again.

“Hurry up dog” He snickered.

“Yes Master” Emma was forced to respond.

Hank McCoy known also as the Beast ran down the ramp of the jet that he had taken back from Washington. Into the mansion he had called home for so many years he could run the halls with his eyes closed. Information was lifeblood at the moment and he had some that needed to be told. He had radioed ahead that he had some but such was the information it could only be told in person even when he trusted his own communications equipment to encrypt the conversation. Such was the nature of the intelligence he had that he could not take the risk so with all speed he made his way back to the mansion and now he raced through the hallways to the command and control center where he knew the members of the X-Men who were still on hand at the mansion would be gathering. It was odd after so many years to make his way through these halls that would normally be teaming with laughter and sounds of children at play or study or sometimes even both such was the nature of the Xavier school for the gifted but to see it so barren and lifeless made his heart sink. No time to dwell on those thoughts he found his way to the command center. Despite the nature of the meeting and the seriousness of the events in question Hank McCoy was awed by the assemblage before him.

“Salutations my friends” Hank called as he rushed in.

“Hank you have news” Jean was the first to embrace him in a hug and then went back to her daughters side who sat at a conference table chair. Rachel Summers looked healthier and much more angry since the last Hank had seen her in a medbed no less then twelve hours ago. Even so he could tell she was tired and hurt and Jean’s need to support her daughter made Hank’ s heart warm with love for all in the room. Even Magneto who he spotted hanging around an archway at the back.

“Yes my friends and none of it good I am afraid. The government will not issue a public or private rebuke of the Genoshians claims and furthermore they also intend to let us fight this out ourselves. They have ordered and the UN has ordered that all other super-powered and other wise do-gooder to remain neutral. I am afraid my friends we are on our on”

“As we have always been” Magneto remarked from the back.

“Why?” That was the tones of Robert Drake, the Iceman.

“To put it simply in their words they view it as a mutant problem and not one of the governments” Hank paraphrased what the security of state himself had said.

“Most of us are American citizens!! so are most already there in Genosha and when the battle comes it will be fought here on American soil”

“It seems my friends they do not care as for the battle being here they have rightly guessed that we have evacuated all non combatants including those from Salem Village just down the road. In their eyes the only people who are going to get hurt are mutants” Hank put up his paws in self defense. In the universal sign of don’t shot the messenger.

“Should have taken a telepath… they are bought off” Scott mused openly. The silence in the room made it known that they were all thinking on those words and knowing in their hearts the truth of them as well.

“What do they get out of it?” Asked Jubilee.

“They rid themselves of us and gain an alley with potentially world devastating power” Magneto summarized for everyone. Scott turned to him and nodded.

“That’s right”

Silence gripped the room again.

“Well it’s just us against the world to save the world…… Just like old times” Iceman quipped. It was the right thing to say at the right time. The room erupted into laughter. Magneto even joining in for a couple of chuckles.

“Master I have a last minute idea for the machine process. If we implement it now Psylocke would be the first to have it. It would be relatively simple to add it to myself and Emma as well” Kitty suggested. She was sat at a command station in the laboratory. She had been allowed to clean up and get some food but she had not left the laboratory for much else.

“What is is slut?”

“Easier to show you Master” Kitty said. The Engineer with a grunt got up from his own station and moved over towards hers. Kitty didn’t like him being so close because as time wore on he as getting much more comfortable having a dutiful slave in the lab. Ever since the blowjob in the lab beside Emma, his hands were beginning to roam, despite her internal bile at the thought her body always returned his movements and touches with pleasure. He walked over towards her and Kitty jumped from her seat and allowed him to take it. She sat on her knees next to him as he looked at the screen and what she had been working on.

“Oh I like it. A subtle change to the uniform but one I think would give much humiliation to all of your former friends. When I asked you to make the process quicker, more efficient and overall better I did not think you would find ways to further humiliate your friends.

“Is that not what Master wants? I am here to serve you” Kitty asked in a tone that suggested that she thought he perhaps didn’t approve of her suggestion.

“No this is excellent. I approve. Load it into the program now. Psy slave will be coming out soon enough”

Kitty smiled and nodded her head at the Engineer. He got up from the chair and walked back to his own station while Kitty took back her chair. Looking at the program on the screen Kitty knew it would humiliate her friends so she had indeed fulfilled her program but she hoped it would also help them all avoid this fate.

[Emma I am on to something here]

[Good Kitten. When can I wipe this hideous creatures mind] The thoughts of the white queen came back to her immediately. Kitty got the impression once more that Emma was doing something that she would rather not talk about.

[Not for a while. It’s going to be a slow build…. Sorry Emma]

[That is quite alright my dear. I have been forced to expose traitors and non believers within their minds. He is using me as his own truth serum. Not to mention this horrible dress and the more physical interactions]

[I am sorry Emma. My Master is getting more comfortable with me and the idea of me as a slave. I have given him two more blowjobs and he is getting much more handsy] Kitty relied.

[Be glad for small favors darling] Emma said quickly and suddenly an image of Emma came to her mind. Kitty’s mind quickly wanted to throw up. It was a picture of what Emma was currently doing. The Leader sat at his desk overlooking a beautiful valley below had Emma on his lap while she was riding his cock in front of what appeared to be either governmental advisers or his cabinet or probably most likely both.

[Oh God Emma…. Sorry]

[I can endure Kitten. Let me focus on this vile task for now] Emma’s thoughts drifted away but not without one more image appearing in her mind. Emma now with her back turned to the rest of the room still riding the Leader on his lap. Him sucking on her breasts.

[Stay strong Emma] Kitty called out.

Emma’s thoughts came back into her mind with a vengeance just as Kitty thought she had gone.

[Kitty they are leaving now…. They are attacking the Mansion!! and I am going with them!!]

[Find a way Emma, help them!] Kitty cried.

[You don’t understand. They are taking all the hounds, including our friends and me. They have a bomb Kitty. It doesn’t explode it will neutralize all their powers before they even get there!]

[A bomb against the mansion defenses is nothing, Emma you know that]

[NOT IF THEY ARE DISABLED!….. there’s a traitor there…. No wait… let me hear this…] Emma’s thoughts disappeared but a current image appeared in her mind. Emma was on the Leaders lap still but this time she was turned back to look at the rest of the room. The others had gone but in their place Ahab was there. He had what looked to be hundreds of hounds around him. Kitty saw her friends dressed in black leather with spikes and collars. All with chains coming from their collars. Kitty couldn’t hear what was being said but she got the impression that Emma was listening intently.

[Beast and Forge!!] Emma’s voice came back.

[Scott sent them to Washington to try and get a diplomatic response. They were intercepted and turned into hounds. Dear god Kitty they are in the Mansion now and they are going to disable the defenses] Emma was frantic with thought.

[What can we do?] Kitty sent through the link, equally distressed.

The link faded for a moment again while Emma listened in.

[How are they making hounds so quickly Emma. Maybe we can reverse it from here] Kitty offered up into the void.

[That’s what I was listening to Kitten. Ahab, two of his hounds are telepaths and another is a pheromone controller. I think she was briefly with the X-Men, Stacey X, I believe she was a former whore in a mutant whorehouse if memory serves. He uses a combination of the telepaths and the pheromones. The transformation is almost instantaneous. It’s not mechanical. It’s not something you can disrupt from there even if you could] Emma’s voice was settling but there was a hint of despair coming into it for the first time which made Kitty worried.

[What do we do then?] Kitty asked.

There was a pause but Kitty could feel that Emma was still there.

[Nothing Kitten, We can’t do anything right now. The X-Men are on their own]

Emma’s despair could be felt through the mind link and Kitty couldn’t help it. Even through the programming a tear escaped her eyes. The Engineer saw this and smiled.

“Finally setting in just how much a piece of property you are slut?” He asked.

Kitty couldn’t help but answer.

“Yes Master”

“Good then when you friend emerges from the machine lets giver her a sight to be hold shall we?” The Engineer said. He walked towards her unbuckling his pants and letting them fall off and walking out of them before he got to her.

“Yes Master”

The Engineer jumped onto the desk directly next to her and pulled his cock in his hands.

“Get me hard and then I am finally going to have that cunt of yours” He ordered.

“Yes Master”

Kitty couldn’t help herself she got in between his legs and started to suck on the cock. Trying to quickly make it hard. The Engineer simply moaned and leaned back on his hands while she went to work on him.

“That’s it. Get it nice and hard for your cunt slut” The Engineer was certainly getting more comfortable. Kitty didn’t think his comment deserved a reply and continued to lick on his shaft. Then she turned her attention to his balls. His cock was growing and hardening. When he was satisfied he grabbed her and ordered her to mount him on the desk. Just as she had seen Emma in her minds eye Kitty was now mounted on her own Master while facing the machine that held Psylocke. Desperate to finish before the machine completed it’s transformation of her friend and opened to this scene Kitty moved her hips with the rhythm the Engineer was setting. Grabbing her by the hips and lifting her up and down Kitty couldn’t help because of the programming she hoped. She was aroused and wanted to cum herself.

To Kitty’s horror though it wasn’t enough. The machine finished and the cocoon ascended into the ceiling. The frame righted itself vertically. Kitty could see her friend Psylocke still restrained on the frame. Her new uniform was similar to her old one. A swim suit really that went from her pussy up and over the center of her body covering her breasts and her back. Leaving the sides exposed. Wearing two thigh high boots. Without a sash though. Everything was tinged slightly blue but she wore the black matte collar all the others wore. Kitty was happy to see that her change had been incorporated into the uniform. Just above her left breast was the old red x symbol that most X-Men had worn on their uniforms at some point. A red x in a red circle with a yellow backdrop Kitty had been forced to slightly change it though. At the point were the lines intersected to form the x in the middle Kitty had designed a black matte collar that resembled the one they were all being forced to wear that encircled the middle. Collaring the x. It was a very humiliating thing Kitty had to admit as she saw it on Psylocke for the first time. So much so that she forgot for a moment the disgusting man she was mounted on and wanted to simply cry. Nothing was sacred she thought, he caught the change in her mind and laughed.

“HAHAHA you designed it and now it brings you such shame”

“Yes Master” Kitty said as his cock went in and out of her. Psylocke remained restrained on the frame but her eyes were open and there was a tear running down her cheeks.

[Kitty get off of him] Betsy wasn’t a high level telepath anymore but she could still initiate communication through the mind.

[I can’t Bets. I must obey my Master. Think about it. You do to] Kitty said.

[Yes I know] Betsy answered, almost already defeated.

“I am about to cum slut” The Engineer broke Kitty’s mind escape for a moment but she could feel his cock again in her. He was on the verge of exploding and she wanted to give him every reason to.

“Cum Master. I am your slut” Kitty’s words had the effect. The Engineer came within her. It took a few moments for him to finally pop his cock out of her, but when he did he threw her to ground. In her mind Psylocke screamed to leap down and attack the man but she could not. Even when the restraints were freed she could not move.

“Psy slave come and kneel” The Engineer ordered.

Betsy jumped off of the frame with the agility of a cat and moved with the feline grace of a ninja trained. She moved to within feet of the Engineer who was just buckling his pants and where Kitty lay on the floor.

“Kneel” He ordered and Betsy had no choice but to obey.

“You have been claimed by our Minister of Interior. He will be along shortly to collect you. Until then you may go to the door and kneel” He ordered.

“Yes Master” Betsy responded and moved to follow the order.

[Kitty help!] Psylocke screamed in her mind.

[I am afraid dear Betsy none of us are in a position at the moment to help] Emma’s mind came into the link.

[Sorry Bets…. I can’t but don’t worry I have a plan] Kitty sounded extremely confident in the mid meld.

[Kitten you have thought of something]

[Yes Emma….I…]

[No my dear. You keep it internal. If we know we might have to tell wont we] Emma said.

[But Emma…] Kitty responded.

[No she’s right Kitty…. Oh look my Master is here] The tone from Psylocke was one of extreme sadness mixed with sarcastic joy.

The lab door opened to reveal a very overweight and smug looking man.

“Ah Minister. Your toy is there. Have a good day”

“Splendid work Engineer” The Minister responded. He looped a leash onto her collar and pulled her up and then away from the lab.

“Come slave” The minister ordered.

“Yes Master” Psylocke answered. She got to her feet and followed him out of the lab.

[Don’t worry about me] Psylocke called into the mind link.

[Kitten we are leaving now for that attack. I will not be able to maintain a link. Keep doing what you are doing and Betsy if you can maintain a link with her] Emma’s voice faded in the mind link.

[Attack?] Betsy replied.

[I’ll fill you in] Kitty replied. In the lab she was cleaning herself up and sitting back down at the station while the Engineer hummed to himself in complete satisfaction.

“Four targets….. no wait six…. Eight in total coming into view now on the screen Scott” Forges voice echoed through the command center.

“Understood Forge. Engage the defense shield and arm the weapons” Scott’s voice came over the command com channel they were using.

Scott aka Cyclops was currently outside the mansion. He had divided the remaining members of the X-Men into smaller squads to better take advantage of their abilities and they were all seasoned combat veterans. He trusted his people. Currently he stood with Banshee, Husk and Jubilee. Banshee had a hand in training Husk and Jubilee and as such he knew their strengths and weaknesses. Though the two young woman had come a long way since their Generation X days he was still slightly hesitate to have any women on the front lines but they would not be told and he would not fight to hard. They had every right, possibly more of a right to fight then anyone else.

“Sean remember hit hard and hit fast then get out”

“Ai boyo don’t worry between me and the two of em we will give them a right time” Sean Cassidy the Banshee always had a way with words.

Scott clasped him on the back.

“Jubilation….. no heroics, Husk….. you are more powerful then you know”

“I got you Mr. Summers” Paige Guthrie aka Husk said. She shed her skin and revealed for the first time a form she had never done before. A purely adamantiom skin.

“Impressive, how long have you worked on that?” Scott asked.

“Me and Logan have been working on it or awhile. I figure it’s only right I use it here for the first time”

“He would love it Paige” Scott said. He went and clasped Jubilee’s shoulder in his hand.

“Remember if they bring him or any of our friends…. They are not our friends at the moment. Hit them with everything you got and we will sort it out later. Got it” Scott addressed Jubilee.

“I got it Cyke. If I see Wolvie I’ll knock that stupid hound crap right out of him” The compassion and edge in Jubilee’s voice gave him strength.

Scott nodded and made his way back towards the command center.

“Forge how are we looking?”

“Ten contacts of Magistrate ships. Large transports carrying about a hundred solders a piece. With our defenses it’ll be tough but we can certainly hold them off. If they breach the shield though we may have a problem” Forge said.

“Why?”

“Well beyond the obvious they would be able to lay down suppressing fire. From there if they have anything secret to use they would be able to do so easily. Our fliers are few and far between to take on an armada like that. We will be relaying on ground based defenses that can take out large targets such as your own optic blasts. Again though under a covering fire even that would be rendered useless” forge said and Beast beside him nodded his agreement.

“Then the shield stays up, Make sure it does at any and all cost” Scott ordered.

“We got it Scottie” Beast said.

“Good, I’ll leave you two to it” Scott turned to go out of the room. Exiting out of the room he walked into Rachel who was up and about and looking to be just as strong as ever.

“Rachel you are looking good” Scott said.

“Thanks Dad”

“Are you going to sty in the mansion or are you going to join Jean out there?”

“I’ll join Mom outside in a couple of minutes but Dad, something doesn’t feel right”

“How so?”

“It’s like there’s a dark web over the grounds but I can’t see who’s spinning it. No matter how hard I try, Mom see’s it too but she thinks it’s just everybody being nervous and excited for what’s to come.”

“She might be right Rachel”

“Yeah she might be…. I don’t think so”

“Why?”

“It feels more sinister and somehow familiar. There’s an energy… an aura around the mansion that I can’t quite pinpoint. It’s like it’s being purposely shielded from me” Rachel said.

“You are still recovering from nearly exhausting yourself and your powers. Maybe there’s something just lingering in your mind?” Scott offered.

“Maybe” The strength in her eyes though told Scott that she thought differently.

“I know you don’t like hearing things like this Rachel but I’ll say it anyways. Hunt it then Rachel, follow your instincts”

“The idea of hunting something is repulsive Dad but I know what you mean” Rachel said.

Scott placed a hand on her head and leaned in for a rare hug from him.

“You are the strongest person I know Rachel. Do what you need to do” Scott said.

“You have stuff to do Dad. Go see Mom before it all begins and don’t worry. Emma will be coming back. I make that a promise” Rachel hugged him and then let him go.

Rachel walked into the command center and looked around. Hank and Forge were hard at work looking over and preparing the defenses. She could see the blips on the screens coming closer. They would be over the school within a half an hour but Rachel couldn’t shake the feeling something was off and no matter what she did she kept coming back here to the command center.

“Hello Rachel, going to keep us safe?” Forge asked.

“Someone has to” Rachel quipped back and smiled. Beast and Forge turned and smiled at her.

“We have survived far worse my time displaced friend. Have no worries if there is one thing that is constant with X-Men and mutants in general it is this, Evolution and change are constant and not to be ignored” Hank said.

“What do you mean by that?” She asked.

“I mean dear heart that a chapter of our lives is closing of course. After this attack nothing will be the same again. We will lose friends and family. This is our destiny to change, to serve the wider evolution.” Beast responded.

“Destiny? Never knew you to use terms like that Hank” Rachel said.

Beast looked at her and there was something in that look. Something familiar again about all of this. Something weighing on the back of her mind.

“Quite right my dear. Just a little on the eve of battle jitters” Hank explained his odd choice of words.

“Yeah me too” Rachel smiled and watched Hank and Forge go back to work.

Destiny, why was that sticking in her mind. She told herself she should be making her way out towards the others and her mom to help but something was keeping her here. Something was yelling at her to stay here. Rachel took a step out of the command center and into the hallway.

[Dad?] She called through her mind.

[Little busy Rachel, what’s going on?]

[You mentioned there was something missing in all of this. Do you have any more clues as to what it is?] Rachel asked.

[Rachel the ships are five minutes out] Scott seemed exasperated in their minds.

[Please Dad, anything]

[We didn’t want to tell you…… Ahab is somehow very quickly turning us into hounds] Scott sent through the link.

[How quickly?] Rachel probed through her mind and out into the mansion. She was the only one in the area with intimate knowledge of Ahab and the processes he uses to transform mutants into his hounds. After all she was in the future his first and best much to her shame.

[Almost instantly] Scott said.

[Destiny] Rachel said as much to herself but into he mind link as well.

[Sorry Rachel, what do you mean?]

[Something Hank, it’s been running through my mind these last couple of minutes. He said Destiny. This is our Destiny to serve the wider evolution….. Those words….. OH GOD DAD YOU HAVE TO GET SOME PEOPLE BACK TO THE COMMAND CENTER. BEAST AND FORGE ARE HOUNDS!!!] Rachel cried in her mind. She turned to look through the archway back into the command center. Catching a look from Forge who happened to have his head turned and looking at her. His smile turned to a sneer and then his clothing and Hanks turned into leather from neck to tow with spikes. The hound uniform. Rachel tried to jump into the room but was met with some sort of barrier before the command center room blast door closed before her as well.

Rachel in a panic sent the image of Beast and Forge as hounds into Scott’s mind. She could tell from his mind that he was issuing orders and running towards the command center. Rachel was far from one hundred percent but she was certain she could take a blast door. Gathering her tk around her she fired at the door intending to blast it wide open but before it hit the door it encountered some sort of energy barrier. Beast and Forge had erected a separate shield around the command center. She began to hammer away at the shield with everything she had but it would not budge. The bright red glare of a wide optic blast announced her fathers arrival on the scene but it too was pushed aside by the shield. Flanked by Magneto and Jean they all started to hammer away at the shield. It was visibly shrinking but not fast enough. Jean and Scott were both on the coms trying to get through to Hank and Forge to let them in but they got nothing but static.

“Time until arrival?” Scott said through his communicator

“Under two minutes” Ororo’s voice came back over the com line.

“Get up here Ororo, we need some more firepower to get this shield down before they power down the whole defense network” Scott ordered.

“Sam?” He called into the communicator again.

“Yeah boss” Came the reply from the man known as Sam Guthrie but more widely known as Cannonball.

“Prepare an evac through Omega sector. If the shield falls we don’t stand a chance”

“Got ya”

“If you scatter now Cyclops they will always have you on the defensive and will pick us off one by one” Magneto said.

“I know” Scott grunted and fired more shots from his eyes.

“Magik and Pixie?” He called through the communicator.

They both responded and he ordered the two teleporters to the Omega sector for the evac.

“Scott we have to evacuate” Jean said.

“Magneto is right Jean if we scatter they will take us off one by one” Scott replied trying with all his might to get through the shield.

“I don’t disagree but if we all stay here we might as well walk into their chains willingly” Jean pleaded.

“I have been under leash and collar before….. I will not be again” Rachel’s aura flared. Almost resembling the Phoenix above her she fired at the shield and it cracked open.

“Good Job Rachel” Magneto calmly said. He stepped forward between them all and used his powers to rip open the bulkhead door. Rachel fell to the ground but was supported by Jean who grabbed her with her own tk and gently pushed her aside away from the automated defenses that Beast and Forge had hastily setup. Scores of lasers and flying grenades came out through the hatch. Managed by Magneto’s control of the magnetic fields, Scott’s optic blasts and Jean’s telekinesis they were through the defenses in a manner of seconds.

Above them the ten ships of the Genosha republic dropped their ordinance. Bombs made of ceramic that would release a field of dispersal around the grounds and immediately take away the powers of anyone with the x gene. Ten bombs from ten ships arched down.

Scott blasted Forge away from one command station but was hit by a return blast from Forge’s gun. Scott stumbled to the ground. Beast threw ceramic plates at Magneto who dodged but ran into an outcropping of machines. Winding him for a moment. Jean caught everything with her telekinesis and threw them back at Beast who dodged with uncanny agility. Cartwheeling over a station he reached out and depressed the controls needed to lower the defenses.

Outside the X-Men looked overhead. The shield began to retract just as the bombs would have hit it. They came through the shield.

In omega sector Magik and Pixie were gathering for the evac when they saw the shield go down. Their heads raised they did not notice the hounds of Wolverine and Angel approach from the downed shield at blistering speed. Pixie was knocked unconscious within a millisecond. Magik, a little older and experienced knew something was wrong and rolled away from her position. Unfortunately for her she rolled into the massive form of her brother coming out of the brush nearby. The hound Colossus did not smile or greet her.

“Piot’r?” Magik barely had the words out of her mouth before his hand was coming down on her head. Knocking her out.

“First two catches of the day” Ahab came out of the brush. Carrying a large pack on his back he placed it down. Cable who was on leash next to him took a heavy set of steel restraints and collar from the bag and gave them to Colossus and Angel. The collars were placed on the two captured teleporters taking away their powers and the restraints were added. Heavy mitten cuffs that covered their entire hands up to the elbows. Bulky, heavy and shining silver they were connected with chains. Smaller hobble chains were added to smaller ankle restraints. A score of magistrate solders came from the same brush. Ahab instructed them to escort the two captured X-Men back to the stealth ship they had landed a few yards from the shield perimeter only moments before.

“Well done hound knowing their evacuation plans and how their leader thinks” Ahab said. Wolverine came close to him and sniffed as if in appreciation of the praise.

“Come hounds, we have many more captures to make tonight” Ahab set off towards the mansion.

The bombs could not be stopped. Storm tried whipping up winds to drive them away but they plowed through with afterburners. Cannonball tried to fly straight through them but they seemed to be independently shielded and he bounced off of them. Havoc released all he had on them but couldn’t overload the shields. They landed and released their ordinance. A force field from all directions from the bombs spread out. Shimmering through the area almost like a heavy rain was falling all around them. As soon as the field touched an X-Men they lost their powers. Thankfully storm was on the ground at the time but she was one of the first hit. It drained her of her powers, she fell to the ground in agony as they were temporally taken away from her. Above hundreds of magistrates began to fall from the ships into the field. The X-Men may now be powerless but they were not about to go without a fight.

Inside the mansion in the command area the field reached them and took them all by surprise. Jean fell to the floor first. Everyone heard Rachel’s cries from the corridor outside. Magneto without his powers slumped to the ground in agony. Scott was thrown in a command station and rendered unconscious just as it hit. Jean was a meter off the ground flying towards the pair of hounds when she fell to the floor on her face. Her grunts were not heard as Rachel came into the room in a run. Somehow working through the pain she flew into Beast, knocking him out and then turning and hitting Forge in the head and knocking him out. Her adrenaline gone and her strength fading she collapsed on the ground at the foot of the command station.

“The defenses Jean” Magneto seemed to be in absolute agony from the loss of his powers. Not truly realizing just how old he was and how powerful he must have been to keep himself going all these years Jean looked over at Scott who was still out. She pushed herself through the agony and pulled herself up and crawled to the command station. Bringing the shields back online and the automated defenses she saw on the screens that many X-Men were down and there were scores of solders already on the grounds. The shield was Shi’ir design and there was nothing going to get through it but the solders in the grounds and them all without powers would still be a tough go of it.

“Magik?” She called in the communicator. There was no answer. Jean looked up at the monitors where they should have been gathering and caught a brief glimpse of Ahab moving through the area.

“Shit, Magik and Pixie must have been taken” Jean said. Magneto moaned from the side of the room trying to raise himself to his feet.

“Storm?” She called through the communicator. There was a short burst of static but then Ororo’s voice came back.

“Jean we need help. We are all without powers and there are hundreds of solders here” Her voice was controlled and calm through the com link but Jean found her on the monitor screens. Currently hand fighting three solders with a rifle holstered over her shoulder she must have picked up.

“Scott’s out of it and Mageneto and Rachel are in no condition to fight Storm. Magik and Pixie have been taken. Our escape route is cut off” Jean relayed the information.

There was static and silence on the other end. Jean could hear Storm grunting and yelping through the com for a moment until she finally said something.

“Then we fight and win” Storm’s voice was loud enough that Jean was sure she meant it to be heard by everyone around her.

On the screens Jean saw the fighting become more savage as the X-Men counter attacked.

“They cannot win” Magneto was on his feet and staggering towards Jean.

“They know” Jean conceded.

“Some must survive. Tell me Jean how sealed is the access to the old Morlock tunnels” Magneto asked.

“Thinking of running Magnus?” Jean asked.

“No child, my fate as it has always been tied to the children of the atom but as I said some must survive. The fight must continue and I can think of no better then the two women here” Magneto’s eyes sparkled with fire enough that Jean thought perhaps he had his powers.

“What about Scott?” Jean asked.

“You can only carry one in your current state and I think I speak for him as you would well know that he would rather you take Rachel” Magento said and Jean knew he was right.

“Those tunnels are closed though Magnus. Wolverine and Colossus did it themselves”

“Good then they will not think it a feasible option. Come child let’s be down there” There was more strength in his voice now Jean thought. She tried to reach out with her own thoughts thinking perhaps the field effect was wearing off already but it wasn’t.

On the screen the automated defenses started to take out more and more solders. For a moment they thought perhaps that as the turning point but the true turning point was watching hounds Wolverine, Colossus, Angel and Cable tearing through the defenses on their way to the mansion proper.

“They are coming here my dear. To turn the shield off no doubt. We must go” Magneto said. Jean nodded her agreement.

“Storm come in” She called through the communicator.

“Jean…… Jean… you have to go. Find a way out of here. We are overwhelmed. Oh great Goddess no!!!” Storms voice had panic in it. Jean looked at the screen and saw Storm it the middle of the mansion grounds fighting with solders dead or unconscious all around her but a blur came from nowhere. It was Logan. He had jumped on top of her. Jean watched as Ahab approached with collar and cuffs in his hand. A smile on his face he approached her. All around X-Men were trying to fight their way towards them but Cannonball was felled by three hounds who on touch started to transform Sam into one of them. Gambit, always Storm’s closest and daring friend weaved his way through solders and hounds on his way towards her but he was cut down by a hound with short black hair. Cannonball now a full hound blasted towards the fallen Gambit with the three hounds who had transformed him in tow. They jumped from his rocketing body and landed on Gambit. His transformation beginning. Storm struggled under Wolverine but she could not free herself.

A flying kick announced the arrival of Laura Kinny into the mix. X-23, Wolverines clone. Bread for war and battle X-23 was every bit as deadly as Wolverine having been trained by him. Storm got to her feet unsteadily behind her. Wolverine stocked them and behind them Colossus closed. Jean wanted to call out but Laura was indeed bread for this. Knowing that any physical altercation with Colossus would prove fruitless and no doubt slow her down she grabbed Storm and put her on her back. She turned from Wolverine and launched into a zig zag run towards Colossus. The man was a giant and the strongest of the X-Men with uncanny agility himself but nothing like Laura who bonded away from him like a jack rabbit. Landing on one foot for only a brief moment before leaping onto another. Storm cradled on her back. Her foot landed on one piece of ground but before it leaped away it exploded from a tossed kinetic charge from the transformed hound Gambit. Laura and Storm were launched into the air and grabbed by a soaring hound Angel who crashed them to the ground directly in front of Ahab. Momentarily stunned Four hounds raced from behind the Master and grabbed the two heroines. Collars and cuffs were added to them despite their vigorous protests. Once the collars were locked and the restraints on them they received an electrical charge that dropped them to the ground. Solders came from behind and placed leashes on the collars and led them away from the monitors. Despite their still very vocal and anguished resistance.

“Come Jean it’s time” Magneto pulled her arm while thrusting the still unconscious Rachel into her arms.

On the monitors as she was leaving the command center Jean watched her friends transformed and taken. She watched as a transformed Banshee landed a backhanded blow to his former pupil Jubilee. Knocking her unconscious just before her friend and another former pupil Husk jumped on him from behind. He used the leverage and flipped her on her back. Before she could roll out of the way the solders who had come to collect Jublilee jumped on her with collar and cuffs. They had the cuffs on her quickly and the collar closed just as she broke free of their grip. An electrical discharge from the collar spread through her body and she fell to the ground. The solders recovered and with the help of Banshee they placed Jubilee in a matching pair of cuffs and collar.

Sunfire with five solders around him Fighting with all his might but their numbers overwhelming him and forcing him to the ground. The three hounds jumping on him and starting his hound transformation process.

Domino’s luck had run out as Jean saw her on the ground while being fitted with cuffs and collar. Jean wanted to cry but she held onto Rachel and followed Magneto out of the command center.

“How are we going to get out of here. Like I said those tunnels are closed” Jean asked.

Magneto reached into his costume and removed a vile. Mutant growth hormone, was a substance that was addictive to humans and gave them a temporary super power. When a mutant used it, it increased their strength and power ten fold but the crash was like coming down from a real bad high.

“Magneto that stuff will kill you”

“Yes just as they will up there on the grounds but at least this way I get a momentary return to my powers and I can get you free and clear”

“If you don’t burn up first” Jean touched his arm. A lifetime of bad blood and rare team ups. The respect he had for the professor though was so strong that he would sacrifice himself for his students.

“You could come with us” Jean said knowing what the answer will be.

“My place is with my fellow mutants. A new day is dawning and the old ideas must die with them. Jean as I said you and Rachel can do that. I wish I could offer some more advice or help but I don’t have any safe-houses left to direct you to and you already know all you need to. Know that though we clashed many times and I may have killed you once I have always respected you and your commitment to Charles’s dream.”

“We will manage and Thank you” Jean said. Leaning into him so he could embrace her like a friend and not the enemy they had been for years.

Magneto nodded. Silent until they reached the basement Magneto injected himself with the compound and felt his powers return.

“Stay clear” He said and he looked at the fallen rubble. With no effort he began to lift the rubble. Jean held Rachel in her arms and watched.

Emma looked down on the grounds she had called home. The grounds where she had helped train many of those that were down there. The fighting was all pretty much over. There were still some skirmishes going on but they were wrap up operations more then anything. Once the shield had come down and the defenses totally out of commission it was all over. She knelt in her ridiculous outfit next to the Leader who overlooked the battle from an extended ramp from one of the ships still hovering over the area.

“Queen whore your people put up a good fight but they are property now” The Leader teased her. He jerked her chain to empathize the point of her being property.

Emma looked down and saw friends, people she considered family. Her head screamed for her to yell. To kick and fight but she could not. She hoped desperately Kitty’s idea was something worth while. Especially when she saw the lifeless form of her lover Scott Summers being carried out of the building by Colossus. Tears came down her cheeks while she saw. They weren’t throwing him around so he must be unconscious that was all.

Jubilee and Husk were in collar and cuffs with chains connecting their collars. Jubilee at the front was on a lead being lead by a couple of Genosha solders. They tried to fight them but the dampening field was still in place and the collars emitted high electrical charges that caused them to cry in agony. Emma cried for them. Her attention turned towards another pair being marched towards a landing ship. Magik and Pixie were restrained in much the same way. Being lead towards the ship they looked like they had been shocked many times over. They walked with their heads bowed and simply following the lead of the soldiers. Not willing to take another shock. Emma caught a sight of Storm and X-23. Again with cuffs and collar. They were at the base of a ramp being marched into a waiting ship. X-23 was struggling fiercely even without her healing factor she was on her feet fighting as discharges of electricity raced through her. Storm was no less fierce. It was taking about twenty solders to get them into the ship. After a few minutes they disappeared from Emma’s view inside the ship.

There was a sonic boom from behind which signaled another jet coming into the area. Emma paid it no attention as she thought it was just more Genosha ships. There was a scramble behind her and a couple of advisers and aides came running up to the new President of Genosha, still overlooking the whoel scene from the extended ramp.

“Sir we have a problem.. Avengers are here” One of them said.

“So? This is a lawful act we got clearance from all official channels” He responded and seemed to hug Emma’s leash closer to him.

“Yes but they are insistent in talking to you. It’s Captain America Sir”

“Very well” The Leader cried with exasperation. Emma was jerked away from the open ramp overlooking everything and was forced to crawl behind him as they walked back up to the cockpit. There had been many times on the flight over here were the President had taken perverse pleasure from walking her through the ship like this and that had prepared her for all the catcalls that had come then and now as she crawled behind. In the cockpit there was a holographic image of Captain America waiting as they arrived. If the Captain had seen Emma crawling behind him he had not let on.

“Mister President we would like you to cease and desist and release all prisoners” He said in that strong idealistic tone that Emma had found both tiresome and enduring through the years.

“We have all proper clearance Captain. We are arresting suspected terrorists” The President pulled on Emma’s leash and brought her up to be on the same level as him. If the captain hadn’t seen her before he had now. His eyes remained steely cold but he paused for a moment.

“I can not condone such actions President. Leave now” The Captain said.

“We will in good time Captain. We are still in mopping up procedures”

“Unacceptable. Most of those people down there are US citizens…….” there was a commotion behind the Captain and the holographic display changed. The very angry, very, very angry face of T’Challa the Black Panther now dominated the image.

“Not only are they citizens of this country but one of them is my wife. My Queen and you will release them all now!!” T’Challa’s rage was immense and Emma thought for a moment there might be a way out of this.

“I’m sorry King T’Challa but your wife was not among those seen fighting or afterwards. Perhaps she vacated the premises in an attempt not to force an diplomatic incident” The Leader said. It was a blatant lie.

“Then you will allow me a search of your vessels…. Now!” T’Challa claimed.

“I am sorry but the technology on these ships are state secrets King T’Challa I could not allow you access to them”

T’Challa was about to fire back another angry response when his image was replaced by the Captain once more.

“I think you can allow it this time. In the interest of good relations” The Captains tone had turned ice cold.

[T’Challa?] Emma reached out with her mind.

[Emma, I thought he had you under his spell] The thoughts of T’Challa were clouded with anger and concern.

[He does my liege but they have left this ability open for now. Ororo is here. I saw her myself] Emma relayed the information and a picture in her mind of the transport that she had been loaded onto.

[We will not be able to save all of them….. right now] T’Challa was almost ashamed to admit. Emma knew that the Avengers had to walk a very thin line. Ororo was theoretically immune because of her marriage to T’Challa.

[I know dear. Save her….. we are working on the rest of us] Emma said hopefully.

The Leader and the Captain were exchanging thinly veiled threats against each other. Emma’s thoughts and images had told T’Challa exactly what he needed.

Magneto watched as he placed the rubble back down to block the tunnels once more. No one or anything short of a nuke was going to reopen that passageway. The strain had been much because of the drug. He could feel his heart pounding and knew death was moments away. Jean had given him a kiss on the cheek and a reviving Rachel had told him through crying eyes that history was repeating itself. He had given his life for her and others to escape in her own time. With a determination and an emotion he didn’t know he could still have he hugged the young woman.

“You are the future of our race… an old man dies today so that the young may live. If I have led an immoral life. Then let this be my penance” He had whispered into her ear.

Moments was all he had but he did have one more thing in his body yet. His power was on overdrive and if he could sow some confusion and make it so that one or two more could escape then again he would have no problem with that.

His blast shattered the school from basement to roof. The debris would land miles from here. He flew through the opening into the open sky and looked around him. The scene was one far to eerily reminiscent of his youth in camps forged by a mad Austrian painters sick dream. His scream of Vengeance would echo through the country as well as through the ages. High on the drug he unleashed his power.

It was the ungodly scream that broke the tension between the Captain and the leaders they bickered over the holographic com. Emma knew the scream. It was one of pure unadulterated sorrow and vengeance and she knew of only one person capable of it.

“Magneto” The Captains voice came over the com line. Emma caught a glimpse of him on the holographic communications line. The Captain nodded towards someone just out of sight of the holographic recorder while everyone beside Emma’s attention was elsewhere

“Now!” She heard from the Captain but she was sure no one else had heard, before she was dragged out half crawling and half running with the leader to the back of the ship and to the extended ramp again to see what was going on.

Hovering over the mansion was the master of magnetism. His body frail but his veins bulging.

“How is this possible. Did he just arrive?” The leader asked.

“No we know he as here before the attack” An aide said.

Emma knew the answer. Mutant enhancer drug. Magnus had taken it to gain his powers back and now in a fit of rage was going to get himself and as many others killed as possible while trying to see how many he could help escape. For a moment she took her eyes away from him and looked behind the ship and saw the Avengers Quinjet hovering in front of their own ship. She saw three figures silently descend from the jet heading straight for the transport Emma had identified to T’Challa where Storm was. Magnus was doing such a suburb job of keeping everyone eyes on him that they went unnoticed as they made their way towards the transport.

[Ororo?] Emma called.

[Emma? How]

[No time to explain. Your husband will be arriving in a couple of seconds. Get yourself out and get to Avengers Mansion, then come save us all] Emma said.

Ororo and Laura were inside a transport. They had been roughly manhandled towards two alcoves within the ship. Each alcove had inserts for their feet to be placed in into the bottom of the ship floor. The chains holding the wrist restraints together had been removed and their hands had been placed in inserts that hung from the ceiling. They were sat with their legs and hands extended out and away from them with large bit gags in their mouths. Still they roared behind the gags as solider after solder took the opportunity to grope them. Their costumes torn and filthy, the soldiers were taking every chance to touch and pinch.

Black Panther, Hawkeye and Black Widow descended unseen onto the top of the transport. Four soldiers guarded the bottom of the ramp. Hawkeye took them out with a sleeping arrow. Before the Widow could swing around into the hold Panther was threw the sleeping line at the bottom of the ramp and heading upwards at pace and skill. The soldiers inside numbered twenty but the mood he was in they could have been two hundred and he would have had them all on the floor before Widow and Hawkeye joined him. He spotted his love Storm on the far side of the hold next to another mutant. Their costumes torn and their breasts exposed. Panther looked down and saw that the other mutants costume had been torn down by the crotch as well. His anger roared. He took them out of the restraints with a swipe from his claws. He tended to Ororo while Hawkeye and Widow released her friend.

“You should not be involved in this Husband”

“Hush Ororo, you are my light and love. I would rescue you from fires of Hell and kill all those who stood in my way”

“Pretty close” Ororo smiled. T’Challa smiled and took her in his arms.

“Don’t forget Laura” Ororo said.

“She’s fine” Widows voice from came from beside.

“Raging mad!!!!” Laura screamed.

“Wolverines clone” Ororo stated. To even the hard nosed Avengers Hawkeye and Widow stepped back.

Laura took a moment and calmed her self down.

“Thank you Avengers. Now lets kill them all” This was no mere threat from Laura who even without her powers at the moment was probably the better of all of them combined in the transport in hand to hand fighting.

“I am afraid we can’t diplomacy and what not. Emma seems to be able to work from the inside but I was told Genosha brainwashing is quite complete, how is she doing it?” Widow said.

“I think they want us….. especially the females to retain ourselves but serve without question” Ororo stated.

“That’s just sick. I say we kill them all T’Challa” Hawkeye was already arming a bow.

“All in good time. There is nothing more we can do here. Back to the Quinjet” Storm wearily said. Reluctantly T’Challa was forced to agree with his wife.

The Five of them made their way back to the jet without any problems.

Magneto had over a hundred hounds some of which used to be X-Men trying to take him down. He cut a great swath of destruction across the grounds but the transports were shielded from his power so he could not free any who had already been loaded and those that hadn’t been loaded when he struck out had been loaded since. In a blind fury his helmet was knocked off and immediately before any of the hound telepaths could reach into his mind Emma was there.

[Magnus you old fool, your going to die]

[Ah how delightful Emma. Quite a nice new costume I see] There was amusement in his voice in her mind.

[Yes my so called Master has no taste whatsoever. Magnus you must flee. Your distraction has allowed Storm to escape but you will not get anyone else out and I can’t hold the telepaths out of your mind for long or I will be suspected]

[I understand. I will die here today. So that my people can live on. Storm was not the only escapees. Jean and Rachel are in the Morlock tunnels but they have nowhere to go] Magnus pleaded with her. Emma cringed inwardly knowing that if she where asked if she knew of any escapees she would be forced to reveal it but Magento knew they would need help and she was the only option.

[Dear sweet man, we will survive and you will be remembered] Emma sent through the link and just as she broke contact she felt the other telepath hounds trying to get in Magneto gathered himself into a ball above the mansion and released every last bit of energy he had. He incinerated hounds and soldiers and the remains of the mansion. When the light cleared there was nothing left of him. Some hounds survived but in agony on the charred grounds.

Emma took a moment to mourn the man.

[T’Challa, do you have Ororo?] Emma asked.

[Yes and the one you call X-23. Thank you Emma]

[Keep them safe and could you do me a favor. Jean Grey and Rachel Summers have escaped through the Morlock tunnels. Ororo can guide you and help find them]

[Of course…. Emma….. I am sorry we did not do more]

[Hush, we must play the hands we are dealt] Emma said.

Emma felt a tug on her leash and she was forced to look up at the Leader.

“Pop goes the Magneto….. HAHAHAHAHA” The leader was so amused by his own joke he slapped his knee.

“Sir…. Sir….” The aid tried to get his attention as the Leader laughed to himself.

“Yes” The leader finally answered.

“I am afraid during the commotion the Avengers sent down a team and freed Storm and another. Captain Rogers is most upset at the moment”

The Leader’s mood instantly turned dark. A harsh jerk on her chain told her to get in behind him and crawl as he walked back towards the cockpit.

“You will hand over Ororo Munroe and any other mutant terrorist you are harboring this moment or I will have your heads” The Leader demanded to the holographic display. Steve Rogers simply smiled and gave way to the holographic images of T’Challa and Ororo.

“Silence!!!” T’Challa spoke through the com.

“One more word from you and a state of war will be declared between Wakanda and Genosha!! You have attempted to deceive me and kidnap my wife. You have made an enemy today” T’Challa’s words were cold and pointed and Emma loved every minute of it.

“It is only out of respect for my husband and my duties as Queen that I do not bring forth lightening to wash the world of you and your kind. You may have your victory, however short it may be” The com went silent and the Avengers jet sped off into the distance.

The Leader stood in the cockpit. His smile giving away to a frown but then it became a smile again.

“What a glorious day…. The X-Men are our property…. Now find the transport that has Jean Grey. I want to meet my other slave” The Leader demanded.

“There hasn’t been a report of her capture as of yet Sir” An aide said.

“No Matter, then bring me the injured Summers girl. I will take great pleasure in torturing her in front of her mother and her friend Kitty before giving her to her rightful Master” the leader seemed to be absolutely joyous.

“UMMMMM I am afraid we have no reports of her capture either Sir” The same aide said.

“They must be among the captured. Find them and bring them here!”

It had been quite sometime since Jean had been in the Morlock tunnels. Memories of the massacres kept threatening to come to the surface but she held Rachel aloft with her arm over her shoulders guiding her through the dark sewers. She use a small amount of tk to summon a light but Rachel batted her arm away stifling the light.

“If there are hounds behind us they will lock onto any use of our powers” Rachel managed to say. She had kind of retreated into herself since they had entered the tunnels.

“Rachel I can feel you using yours… what are you doing?”

“Masking our scents and tracks”

Jean turned around and saw that their tracks had indeed disappeared.

“Impressive but your using your powers” Jean said.

“Yeah but I am keeping my mind small and masked…… I haven’t had to do it since I came here….. never thought I would have to again so I never taught anyone. Stupid, should have prepared even you” Rachel said.

“So teach me now”

“Now?, while we’re on the run?” Rachel asked dumbfounded.

“Sure, we X-Men and certainly use Summer’s and Grey’s learn best when we’re working” Jean smiled and laughed lightly at Rachel's smile.

“Where are we going?” Rachel asked.

“The Morlocks had exits from their tunnels all over the area and led into the city. Most of them were caved in over the years but the last time I was down here with Ro’ we noticed that the ones in Manhatten were still good. We’ll make our way there. Then sneak aboard a cargo container or something heading to Africa. From there we can plan”

“It’s as good a plan as I can think of” Rachel said.

“Do you know where they would go?” Captain America asked Storm.

“I have an idea. There were some old exits the Morlocks used to use still functional in Manhattan the last time me and Jean were down there together”

“That’s a long walk” Widow said.

“Yes it is” Laura said.

“Can we intercept them anywhere?” Hawkeye asked.

“We can try but even for me Rachel is the best tracker we’ve got. If she doesn’t want to be found then they wont be found. Especially in those tunnels. When they come up into the city. I might be able to track them. I still remember Rachel’s scent quite well” Laura said.

“Telepathic calls?” Captain Rogers asked.

“They will be operating small. They wont be using their powers unless they have to” Laura said.

“Why not, that’s crazy” Captain Rogers said.

Laura looked at Ororo who looked tired and unwilling to reveal much of their past. It all flashed across Ororo’s face before she reluctantly nodded back.

“Well you see Captain Sir, Rachel was the first hound…… the prototype….. She comes from a future where she was used to hunt the last of us down. She tracked and help kill many mutants including future versions of ourselves. Tortured and brainwashed from the time she was a young woman Ahab twisted her abilities that she inherited from her mother to make her something truly fearful. She’s the best Captain…. When she wants to be”

“My god!!” Captain America exclaimed.

“That’s insane” Window held her hand over her mouth.

“We should have been more helpful” T’Challa held Storm in his hands.

“We have sat back and allowed this to happen. The horrible futures, the almost pre-determiend fates and we have sat back and allowed it to happen. All the horrors, all the deaths and still when we call for help you are there” Captain America said.

“In fairness Captain we have never called for the help” Storm said.

“That’s not the point. We are supposed to protect” T’Challa said.

“We can work that all out another time. In the end you have two of the most powerful mutants in the world running through the sewers” Widow pointed out.

“So you make a small space in your mind and work from there essentially” Jean said. Walking through the tunnels there hadn't been anything seen or felt following them but they weren’t stopping until they made it to the exit.

“That’s right” Rachel said. Her strength was ebbing but Jean knew they would make it.

“Try it” She continued.

Jean made a small space in her mind. With her powers she tried to operate out of there. With a small flicker she made a light from he finger with her tk.

“Wow Mom!, you really are the prodigal one” Rachel half teased but seemed impressed.

“I told you. We work better under pressure. You should know that by now” Jean said. She gripped more tightly to her daughter along her shoulders and squeezed her arm in appreciation and solidarity.

Laura Kinny was the clone of Wolverine but unlike him she was born to war. Where Logan was trained over his life experiences Laura had it all in her mind the moment she came out of the chamber. She didn’t need to learn any more combat styles to be as good as Logan or better. No what she needed and what everyone at the Xavier school saw that she needed was some humanity when she first arrived. Now to have watched and seen many of her friends and people she called family marched off into transports for slavery all in the name of humans. She doubted if she truly needed any. But here in New York with the Worlds Mightiest team the Avengers by her side. She knew that humanity had both good and bad sides and the good such as the pure and noble soul of Captain America will always win. The Avengers had fanned out over a few city blocks keeping an eye on the Morlock tunnel exits that Storm had described. Laura partnered with Widow and Iron Man kept watch over what would be the second closest one if coming from the mansion. Laura knew that Rachel wouldn’t take the first option so she was betting on the second. If Rachel was still incapacitated from her injuries that meant Jean was in charge and she could exit at any spot.

“Scanners still aren’t picking anything up but even at a modest walking speed they should be well under us by now” Tony Stark the Iron Man said over a com link.

“We have to assume they were injured so lets give it some time” Widow suggested.

Laura was crouched over the rooftop of a small five story building that had an alleyway between it and a much larger building. The alley way was small barely wide enough for two to walk side by side down it but there was a manhole there. That was supposedly the exit. She tuned out the chatter and focused on her senses. Rachel was smart she would be covering their tracks and possibly even emitting a low level illusion around them as they walked but there were scents that humans and machines could detect and their were scents that when she concentrated Laura could detect. Laura had roomed with Rachel and Kitty for a brief time when she had first come to the school. She felt she owed it to them to help them as they had helped her. In that time together though she grew accustomed to their scents and knew them better then most. Her senses trained on the manhole she caught a whiff of something on the air.

“Hold it. I think I got something” Laura said into the communicator

“Scanners show nothing” Stark said with far too much confidence.

“They are approaching the exit” Laura leaped down from the building and landed as softly as a cat on the ground.

“Stay up there we don’t want to spook them” Laura said into her communicator. Just as she said it the scent became stronger. She turned and standing there was Jean Grey with Rachel draped over her shoulders.

“Spook who X?” Rachel said with a smile.

“Guys I got them!” Laura said.

“Who you talking to Laura?” Jean asked. To answer the question a Quinjet appeared overhead. Iron Man and Widow jumped down from the roof and the best sight of all to the two redheads. Ororo Monrue floating in on the winds.

“Now my friends it’s time to strike back” She gave them both a hug landing on the ground with a clash of thunder and a strike of lightening in the otherwise clear skies of the night over Manhattan.

Kitty Pryde sat hunched over the lab station. Exhaustion plaguing her every move. A total of twenty genetic machines now existed with the majority of them being base models that would not be programmable beyond standard programming for domestic services. Kitty knew these were going to be used on the local mutant populace. To enslave them for anything as mundane as collecting the garbage to digging mines. At the moment she was transferring the coding for another machine. This was a more programmable to another batch of computers and software that would be integrated in the new unit.

“How goes it shadow slut?” The Engineer was behind her. Fondling her breasts. She didn’t even have the strength to be revolted at it.

“I am transferring the code Master”

“You look terrible” He said.

“Sorry Master I don’t know the last time I slept.” Kitty was honest.

“It was a couple of days now. I have a feeling we will be busy for a long time so perhaps we should get you some sleep” Kitty was sure he was insinuating the attack on the mansion but she wasn’t supposed to know about that so she let the comment go.

“I would like that Master” Kitty was honest again. If she were allowed to sleep right now she would offer to give him anything he wanted under normal circumstances but since he could have anything from her at anytime anyways it seemed to be stupid to offer it.

“Good” The Engineer motioned towards a couple of guards who had taken up positions in the lab. One of them said something into a com link. A few moments passed and the lab door opened. A guard came into the lab, he carried something large and plush.

“I got this delivered just for you…. Come follow me” The Engineer moved away from the station and motioned for her to follow. The guard had moved to a little corner in the side of the lab. He placed it down on the floor. Kitty was walking towards it and saw what it was. It was a dog bed. Big enough for a big dog or a small woman.

“Please Master no” Kitty pleaded.

“I need you here. Until our work slows this is your home. Next door I am having a washing station setup. The great thing with these genetically mapped suits is they don’t need cleaning but everything else has to be washed and it humors me to think of and be able to see you in such a situation”

“I can not disobey and I am so tired Master” Kitty with a gesture from him to go towards it, she walked towards the dog bed. At least she wasn’t being forced to crawl on all fours like Emma was being subjected to. Sleep was sleep after all she thought. Kitty crouched down and then got on all knees and crawled into the bed. Surprisingly it was comfortable, but there was nowhere to comfortably put her head. To his credit the Engineer saw the discomfort and asked.

“Would you like a pillow slut?”

“Yes please Master and a blanket please” Kitty requested.

“I’ll be accused of spoiling you but I will have them delivered at once”

“Thank you Master”

Kitty tried to curl up and use the sides of the bed as a pillow but it would just cave in under the weight of her head. She didn’t have to wait long before two small pillows and a blanket that was surprisingly very silky and warm was delivered to her. As humiliating as it was Kitty Pryde, X-Man and genius curled up in a dog bed with a small blanket settled nicely in the bed and thankfully fell asleep.

“Rachel you have to give yourself time to rest and get better” This was not the words coming from her mother. It was coming from Captain America himself. It was mid day the next day after her entire life had changed. A gorgeous mansion not unlike what she had just been forced to abandon, still the smells were different and the layout completely different. The room she was in was well appointed in what Tony Stark had called early Victorian. Whatever that meant. There was no need for history lessons in the camps were she had come from. Captain America was sat in a beautiful looking wooden chair overlooking the very large and obnoxious bed but she had to admit it was really comfortable.

“I need to get up” Rachel said.

“Yes but not right now. Speaking as a former solider. Rachel my dear you are one tough cookie. No one doubts that, but right now you need to rest. So that when the time comes to fight. You are at your best”

“My friends Captain” Rachel begged.

“Your friends will be avenged Rachel, of that I promise you” Captain Rogers said. His tone was normally one of calm and confidence. This carried all the calm and all the confidence but it was mixed with something else. It was rage and conviction and Rachel pitied any who got in his way.

Rachel turned in her bed and looked at the man. As time displaced as she but a will forged of iron and as incorruptible as anything or anyone she had ever meet.

“You were one of the first to be killed in my future” Rachel said.

Rogers looked at her. He placed his hands under his chin and let them hold his head up for a moment as he pondered the statement.

“You say things like that to unnerve or to warn?” Rogers asked. Rachel thought about it. It was the first time someone had asked about it.

“Yeah I guess both”

“You are as strong as any woman I have ever encountered Rachel Summers. We have for too long sat on the sidelines. The harm and the terrible things you X-Men have had to endure without our help. T’Challa has been at the UN passionately advocating for a condemnation and the immediate release of the X-Men”

The door to the room opened and in walked Jean.

“Mom… How are you?” Rachel asked. Sitting up in the bed.

“That’s my job to ask you young lady” The smile with which she answered and the faux chiding told Rachel all she needed to know. Her Mom was in good spirits.

“Ms Grey. I was keeping her company until your return” Captain America stood from the chair.

“Cap, how many times have I told you over the years. It’s not Marvel Girl, Phoenix or even Ms. Grey. It’s Jean and I am sure Rachel found you far more interesting then I”

“I highly doubt that Jean but I enjoy talking to her. You have an amazing daughter” Cap made way for Jean to sit.

“She knows” Rachel said with a hint of a taunt from the bed.

“Cap….. before you go” Rachel said.

“Yes Rachel?”

“Thank you. Men like you and the Avengers in my time were among the first targeted not just because of your powers but because of your values and influence. Don’t be angry about what you think you haven’t done to help us in the past. You are doing enough now” Rachel said.

Cap crossed the room back to the bed and took her by the hand.

“Truly you are a remarkable young woman….. Now rest so you can give him hell” Cap winked and walked out of the room.

“He’s an amazing man” Rachel said.

“Yes, one of the reasons really we haven’t been angry over the years that the Avengers and the Fantastic Four have never publicly stood with us…… we trusted that he trusted we could go on our own” Jean answered. She stood up from the chair and jumped into the bed with her. Snuggling close to her daughter and placing her head on Rachel’s shoulder.

“Aren’t these things so comfortable?” Jean smiled.

“I know right” Rachel answered with a slight giggle leaning into her Mother’s head.

“What about Dad and everyone else?” Rachel asked.

A steeliness and a coldness entered Jean’s voice.

“We’ll get them back”

Laura walked into the room with a tray of food.

“I thought you might be hungry, you should see the kitchen in this place!”

“It is quite large and well stocked” Ororo walked in behind chewing on something or another.

“I thought you would be with T’Challa at the UN?” Jean asked.

“We talked about it but we didn’t want any obvious connection between his impassioned plea and the mutant community though anyone can see for themselves where it is coming from” Storm related.

“Do you expect action?” Rachel asked.

“No not at all but for us we had to ask” Ororo stated. An equally cool tone coming into her voice.

“The Avengers and Fantastic Four are in agreement. This will not stand, no matter the repercussions. It’s time the world knew just how many times the X-Men have stood with not only the other heroes but on it’s own as the last defense against not only mutant threats but other worldly. For good or bad, this whole affair will bring us out in the open in ways we never thought could happen” Ororo continued.

“I think we should by all means and obviously take their help but I think it should be more understated right now then any help with an assault” Laura said.

“Why?”

“Assuming everything works out and we rescue our people and we do come out of the shadows so to speak. The prejudice and the bigotry will still be there for many. We will have to earn their trust and if the Avengers and Fantastic Four keep shoving us down their throats it wont be worth it. So I say we take their help with transport and shelter right now and maybe even a couple of them but not a full scale attack. We will still need the world to all believe that the Avengers have their best interests at heart and if they led an attack on a sovereign nation no matter how dirty and corrupt and evil without the wider approval of the world then they may become just as disdained as us” Ororo, Jean and Rachel all looked at Laura as she finished her explanation with their jaws hung open.

“No Offense X but I don’t think I have ever heard you speak that long without advocating to skewer someone” Rachel said.

“Logan would be proud to hear you think it through so clearly” Jean smiled.

They hadn’t realized the door to the room as open until Tony Stark the Iron Man came through just at that moment.

“He would be proud and it is a good breakdown of the events. We are fully prepared to aid you in any way including a full assault but I believe female Wolverine here is dead on with her appraisal of the situation” Tony said.

“I agree” Ororo said and was joined by Jean and Rachel.

“Good, then for now… Miss Summers are you well enough to come to the common room? There’s something on TV I think you should all see” Tony said.

The image that greeted them as they walked into he room and looked at the team startled them all. Once more it was a news report, taking place from the site of their former home. Pieces of which were scattered all around the grounds. A News reporter was talking over the images but the screen was muted. It said live though which confused the four women in the room. Thinking that their friends would have long since been spirited off back to Genosha.

“Why are they still here?” Jean asked.

“T’Challa formerly requested and was granted an injunction that they could not leave American airspace until his petition had been heard” Stark said.

The images switched now to show all the transports on the ground. They had formed a circle looking outwards with the ships. All their ramps extended down into the grounds. There were soldiers performing searches and erecting tents as well as marching prisoners. The camera’s though from hovering helicopters were able to zoom in on many of them. They saw Havoc, in cuffs and collar being led and shocked from one transport to another. Rogue was on the ground being shocked by her own cuffs and collars while three soldiers just stood over her appeared to be laughing. Dazzler and the young Japanese woman Armor were chained with leashes together. They were bent over what looked like a fallen tree and were being shocked repeatedly. The helicopter for good or bad managed to zoom in on Hisako’s face. Tears streamed down her cheeks as well as blue lightening periodically streaming through her body. X’s claws came out of her hands and they all thought she was going to go berserk for a moment before she retracted them and their attention turned back to the screen. Boom Boom the fiery young woman was straining to kick out at a couple of other soldiers before she too was shocked and left in a heap surrounded by those same men who laughed. The camera then turned towards the center of the makeshift compound and from the distance they could see Scott. In collar and cuffs, restrained on his knees on the grounds. His face was stern and jaw set in firm defiance. The Leader and new President of Genosha was seen walking up to him. A leash in his hand and a barely clad in black Emma Frost crawling behind him through the compound.

“Oh my god! Emma!” Jean exclaimed.

Ororo and X-23 had to remind themselves that Jean and Rachel hadn’t been in the battle proper so didn’t know about how she looked. They had told them that it was Emma who had led the Avengers both to Storms rescue and to them but to see what she was being forced to do on screen was even a bit of a shock to them not to mention Jean and Rachel.

“This is promising though. As long as they remain close by a rescue attempt should be much easier” Stark mused openly.

“Where are the hounds?” Rachel broke the silence that had come over the room from Tony’s musings.

“And they don’t seem to upset about being kept there” Jean stated.

“They know Ororo and X got away. By now they would have realized we split some of our people up but they would know from interrogation and from the hounds that me and Mom were there” Rachel said.

“They want us” Jean confirmed.

“Yes but to risk keeping everything and everyone they have captured out and so exposed, why?” Ororo asked.

“Well because between the four of you. You, Jean and Rachel are among the most powerful mutants in the world and I would wager they would also know how deadly X here is” Captain Rogers said as he walked into the room.

“So if they believe there is a fight to be had…. They want it here and not at home to damage to their country and holdings” Jean remarked.

“That would be my guess. However once the injunction has been thrown out they will leave” Rogers said.

“You believe it will Cap?” Rachel asked.

“Oh of course. It really has no legal standing at the moment, they are only honoring the request because it came from T’Challa”

“Makes sense” Rachel conceded.

“So what do we do?” Jean asked.

“I have an idea but it might be a little out there” Laura said.

“There are no bad ideas, just bad interpretations and actions” Tony stated.

“How positively philosophical of you Mr Stark” Ororo said.

“It hinges on you though Mr. Stark, or should I say it hinges on how resourceful the Avengers are” Laura said.

“Let’s hear it new Wolverine” Stark commented.

“It’s the device that needs to be taken out. They can collar us and keep us restrained for months or years if they wished but they wont. They will as soon as possible send us through the genetic manipulating device in order for them to truly begin to execute their plans. So we need a way to get to Genosha where all of our friends are and shut that device down” Laura said.

“With you so far kid” Stark remarked.

“So a direct assault is no guarantee and infiltration has not worked. The only other way onto that island is as a captive. The power dampening collars and cuffs are not a big deal we can put up with that but once they are off and we are in the country and under the machines, well for lack of a better word influence we need a way to counter it’s effects and then we can begin to work from the inside” Laura finished.

“I like it kid but I have never seen one of these devices so I wouldn’t even know how to counter it”

“I have an idea. Emma is strong enough and I have my powers back I should be able to contact her through the mind. Maybe she has access to the machines”

“How would that help though?” Rachel asked but her thoughts were elsewhere. They could see it on her face.

“Any information is vital at the moment…. Are you okay Rachel?” Cap said.

“I’ll get in contact with her now’ Jean said.

“I am fine Cap but I know Ahab and I know hounds. If they are not there….” She pointed to the TV.

“…. then they are out hunting and it’s only a matter of time before they find us” Rachel seemed haunted by her words.

“We can look after ourselves” Cap smiled and somehow someway it did indeed made her feel better, but her hesitation and suspicion remained.

[Emma?] Jean reached out. On a broadcast from this far she had to make sure it didn’t leak out to any other telepaths who might be trying to listen in.

[Jean??] Emma’s reply came back solid and quickly.

[Don’t tell me where you are but are you safe?] Emma asked.

[Yes. Thank you for sending the Avengers to come find us]

[Magnus killed himself to make sure you got away. It seemed only fitting to complete the act] Emma’s dry humor and casualness used to get on Jean’s nerves but she knew her more now and respected her. Emma’s aloofness was a coping mechanism so she didn't take it personally.

[We have the makings of a plan but we need access to and information on the machines they are using and the suits. Do you think you can help in someway?] Jean asked.

[Sadly no darling. I do not have access to them….. but Kitty does] Emma’s smile through the mind link was infectious and Jean smiled in the real world.

“You have something Jean?” Captain Rogers asked.

“Yes, Emma doesn’t have access to the machines” Jean said.

“So why the smile?” Stark asked.

“Because while Emma doesn’t have access, Kitty Pryde does and apparently they have even been allowing her to build more” Jean’s smile became wider as Emma relied through the telepathic connection Kitty’s role.

“Morons” Laura smiled widely.

“Truly a stupid decision” Ororo remarked with a smile of her own.

“I don’t get it” Stark asked.

“Kitty Pryde is probably the smartest X-Men among us and she is certainly the most adapt with machines…. Even over Forge…. If they have given her extended access to them…. she’s already got a plan” Rachel filled the Avengers in.

“If she is so good why didn’t I know?” Tony said in almost a childlike voice.

“Because we like having her around and not poached by billionaire philanderers….. and she would never go anyways” Ororo smiled.

“Gotcha” Stark smiled.

“Apparently she does have a plan but Emma has told her not to tell her or Psylocke who is also being led around like a sex slave in Genosha” Jean relied.

[Be aware though Jean. Kitty’s conditioning is different then mine. Where as I seem to be able to use my telepathy like this, Kitty cannot do anything that she knows in her mind is against her Master’s wishes wither they be spoken or not]

[Interesting and still she has managed to start something?]

[Don’t tell her Jean but that Kitten is the most resourceful, sneaky and intelligent one we got] Emma’s wink through the mind link made Jean smile once more.

[Don’t worry Emma, I’ll keep your secret that you care]

[Please do Jean dear. I have an image to uphold] Emma said.

[I’m afraid I must break contact. My Master has need of me] Emma said. Jean felt her close the connection.

Jean looked at the screen and saw the Leader whirling away from the bound Cyclops and forcing Emma to crawl behind him.

“Emma had to break contact”

“I assume Kitty is there at the compound?” Ororo asked.

“No, I got the sense she is in Genosha, making more machines and perfecting the process”

“Well that means we can’t get to her” Rachel said.

“Not at all my friends” That was the sound of T’Challa entering the room. He walked to Storm and gave her a hug. Ororo leaned into him and kissed him on the cheek.

“How did it fare my love” She asked him.

“About as well as we could have thought my love” T’Challa bent down and kissed her on the cheek in return.

“So not well” Rachel had had enough of standing for a while and made to take a seat. Captain Rogers held her as she made her way.

“No sadly not. The courts will strike down the injunction shortly and then they will be free to return home with all of your captured friends. Sorry my friends but we knew this was more of a hail Mary then anything” T’Challa said.

“However I am sure I could arrange for an inspection of the holding facilities” T’Challa said.

“Oh I like that” Stark said.

“Yes me too” Cap echoed.

“Okay so we get someone there. Can’t be any of us. Far to recognizable, but once there Emma can get Kitty to somehow get specs for the machine to that person” Jean thought aloud.

Sitting in a far corner with her chair turned towards the rest of the room Widow turned around and smiled.

“Inflitrate a lab? I’m your girl” She smiled and so did the rest of them.

“AHHHHH!!!” Rachel screamed from the chair she had just sat in.

Jean and the rest ran to her side. She curled up into a call on the chair and started rocking back and forth.

“What is wrong child?” Ororo asked.

Rachel rocked for a moment or two longer muttering to herself things no one could hear or understand.

“I’ve been trying to find the hounds and Ahab with my telepathy. I just encountered major static around the mansion” Rachel finally said.

“Jarvis, do scans show anything closing on our position?” Cap asked.

“No sir there is nothing out of the ordinary” The automated voice of the Avengers mansion house intelligence responded.

Rachel looked at Jean.

“Reach out Mom, look for those small pockets….. they are there” Rachel held her head in her hands.

Jean reached out with her own telepathy and walked the psi plane. She exited the mansion. Almost as quickly as she exited the mansion she saw the landscape change. Around her she felt and saw only blackness. There was a sense of doom coming towards her as she reached out for those small pockets. Just before she got her own massive feedback she saw the hound images of Wolverine, Cable, Colossus, Angel and many more hounds. They were gathering around the mansion.

“AHHH!!” She screamed as she broke contact. The others held her as she regained herself. Rachel was already improving.

“They are surrounding the mansion” Jean confirmed.

“There’s nothing out there” Stark looked out the window.

“I am inclined to trust the women on the this Tony” Cap said. Standing up and grabbing his shield.

“Me to cap but I don’t know how we can fight what we can’t see on any sensor”

Jean had recovered fully now from the backlash. Quicker then Rachel because of her experience and she wasn’t already nursing injuries. She looked down at her daughter and grabbed her by the shoulders.

“I think it’s time we truly joined this battle Rachel” Jean said. An edge appearing in her voice and in her stance.

“They are masking their approach with at least three telepaths we are aware of. Cable, Nathan is trained in telepathy and has a good amount of powers. We know they use two for the hound process and who knows how many more he has in all of those hounds” Jean said.

“Nathan is good Mom….. but he’s nowhere near our level” Rachel got up from the chair.

“What are you two planning?” Cap asked

“Mr. Stark said it best. You can’t fight what you can’t see. They are probably betting on that and not causing an international incident by charging in here with the cloak of the telpaths to take us four away. We expose them in the open they will have to withdraw if for only a moment” Rachel said.

“You are going to rip their covers from the psychic plan” Ororo stated.

“That nearly killed the professor when he tried it on a couple. You two are talking a bout over a hundred” Ororo continued.

Jean turned and took her friend in her arms. Rachel was standing now and walked to stand next to Ororo and Laura.

“We’re X-Men. it’s what we do. Plus I love the professor…… but he’s not in our league….. not anymore” Jean’s fire was intense in her eyes.

“Time to show them what a couple of pissed off redheads can do” Rachel smiled.

“I can attest to the impact a couple of pissed of redheads can do” Tony quipped and the rest laughed.

“Don’t worry Ororo. It might knock us out for a bit but once they are visible thy shouldn’t attack and if they do…. Well it’s the Avengers” Jean calmed her old friend.

“Join with me on the psychic plan Rachel” Jean asked and Rachel nodded.

The psychic plane could be whatever you made it if you were so inclined and trained When they joined together with their minds they saw the mansion. Everything was just as they knew it to be but everything was colored blue and purple. When they looked at their own bodies they saw nothing but a black void because their existences had moved to this plane. Their friends all showed a radiant red. Some more then others and in the case of Storm hers was a supernova.

[I never get tired of seeing her aura] Jean remarked.

[It’s something truly spectacular] Rachel replied.

They moved out of the mansion through it’s very walls as such concepts in the physical world had no bearing on the this astral plane. The small voids all around were the hounds. They could make out just little patches of black here and there were they were. There as no way of telling which ones were the telepaths.

[Anyone outside here who has a hint of psychic talent might have a huge headache after this and might even randomly say a few things but it can’t be helped] Jean said.

[Let get to work] Rachel reached out with her powers and began to target the black holes all around the mansion. She could feel Jean doing the same targeting other black holes. There was resistance immediately fighting back at them. So much so that there had to be more then six telepaths thought Jean. With all of her training she focused on one black spot and tore away the blackness surrounding it. With great effort it began to come away. Peeling away like an onion on the astral plane. Jean felt the strain on her mind but continued to tear away until finally the blackness came free. A figure was revealed that looked to be a hound of unknown name. He was revealed in his normal attire and color on the plane for a moment before he vanished from the scene all togeher. Removing him from the field he should be visible in the real world now she thought. Next to her Jean could feel Rachel doing the same to another blackness and a figure became visible before disappearing back into the real world.

[Two down] Rachel said but there was a strain on her voice. A tiredness still from her injuries but she as not backing down.

The black spots began to grow and spread out. Connecting each other and then forming into five figures. Ahab the hound master appeared in a misty ghostly black swirl. Next to him were the figures of Angel and Colossus on his left and on his right Cable and Banshee. All in their hound uniforms somehow seen through different tones of black in the ghostly swirl.

[They have pooled their powers to fight. It’ll either make it easier or harder for us Rach]

[I got ya Mom]

[Ah the two Redheaded Grey girls….. Rachel you are mine…. Always will be] Ahab said in a disembodied voice. An image of Rachel appeared before Ahab. She was in a black leather hound outfit with short cropped red hair, collar and leashed the image of Rachel growled at the two X-Men before her.

[That was a lifetime ago Ahab. That image does not scare me anymore] Rachel challenged.

[Jeanie….. Jeanie] The voice was Wolverines but somehow not quite his in the disembodied kind of way.

[Logan?] Jean called.

[Help] The collared and leashed vision of Wolverine took steps towards Jean.

Rachel had her attention on Ahab and the ghostly vision of herself.

[You say it was a lifetime ago Rachel but it still angers you. I know it does. I know you. I created you] Ahab’s ghostly vision laughed. He pulled on the image of Rachel and the image bounded up to the hound Master. The image of Rachel draped herself lovingly over him. Kissing Ahab’s chest and pecs.

[I was a different person!] Rachel remarked. She tried to use her power to dispel the image of herself now undressing before her eyes.

[Jeanie…. Please help] the vision of Logan pleaded towards Jean. She took a step forward. Only a foot or so away from the image. She searched out with her senses and could tell there was an aspect of Logan’s sense here. Jean reached for him and the two touched on the psychic plane.

The undressed Rachel looked over her real self. She picked up the discarded ghostly uniform of the hound and walked over towards Rachel. Image Rachel gave her the uniform.

[Put it on] the ghostly image of Ahab ordered.

Rachel handled the uniform in her hands. She knew it was just a projection of what it was but she could feel the leather and smell it. The look of it was as familiar as her own body. Her own current uniform had many things reminiscent of the costume. Choosing to embrace her past instead of ignoring it. There was a huge part of her that wanted to put it on. An overwhelming urge to put it on to be exact.

[No that one is the old one for the old you] The image of Ahab spoke. In her hands the ghostly image of her uniform fluttered away. Image Rachel was back with Ahab, still naked. Ahab twirled around a collar and leash in his hand. Rachel tensed but didn’t say anything. The collar and leash seemed to be taking all of Rachel’s attention. The image of Rachel had come and stood next to her.

[You know you want it] Image Rachel whispered.

[Yes] Rachel whispered.

Ahab threw the collar. It was black and open. It soared through the air towards her, the leash trailing behind and still gripped by Ahab.

Jean reached towards Logan and grasped his ghostly image of an arm. It was cold but she could touch it and hold it. His hand gripped hers with strength so much so that she began to hurt and tried to take it away. The ghostly image of Wolverine held her tightly. The blackness from his arm began to spread out over her own. Like some sort of slick sludge it spread covering her fingers and then the hand. It spread up, slowly but surely going up her arm.

[Logan stop it] Jean cried trying to physically remove her arm from him. Pulling with all her might. The sludge was going up and over her elbow now. It was dissolving her costume as it went, she could feel it under the sludge.

[Logan!] She cried again and tried to remove herself. A flash of tk in his face seemed to increase his hold on her. The sludge going up now to her shoulder.

[I am warning you Logan I don’t want to hurt you. Let me go now] Jean tried to blast the advancing sludge from her body with her tk but it just kept going. Now spreading out over her her body. Spreading out over her shoulders towards her other arm and hand. Creating a ring around her neck. It stopped and would not go further down her front or back, or up over her neck while it was spreading out to her other arm and hand.

The sludge spread and finished enveloping her other arm and hand. There was a brief respite but it began to spread up over her neck now. Coming up over her throat and then her jaw. She found herself getting very stiff. Unable to talk as it went over her chin and mouth. Gagging her it moved up and over her nose. The sludge was going up the back of her head the same time. Enveloping her hair in a hood as well as it moved up at the same rate as the front. Thankful that she could at least breath but panicking that the sludge was now coming up and over her eyes Jean wasn’t sure what to do. She felt it come together on the top of her head.

Jean’s mind became fuzzy as the sludge blinded her. The only thing she could tell was it was now moving down over her body. Quickly going over her breasts and down to her naval. Over her pussy and down both legs. Covered head to toe in this sludge. She felt Logan pull away and she dropped to the floor.

The collar came flying through the air. With accuracy it was heading straight for Rachel’s neck. The Ghost image of herself, still nude but wearing a collar had reappeared behind her. She held Rachel in place while the collar flew towards them. Rachel tried to move but she couldn’t. The ghost Rachel held her firm and she didn’t put up that much of a fight. The collar landed around her neck and snapped shut. Rachel felt her mind immediately become a bit of a haze. A violent tug on the leash connected to the collar brought her to her knees. Ghost Rachel hovering above her smiled cruelly. Rachel knew that smile, she had used that smile when hunting before. There was no time to dwell on it. Another very violent tug on the leash had her crawling towards Ahab.

[Accept your destiny Rachel. You were my first, but now you are destined for something more] Ahab licked his lips. Ahab jerked harshly on the chain forcing her to crawl faster towards him.

[What other tortures do you have in mind?] Rachel asked as she reached his feet.

[Plenty but as my wife you will revel in it] Ahab licked his lips again.

[You want to wipe out mutant kind and you want to marry one?] Rachel asked, the logic escaped her.

[We will not procreate. You will be rendered barren but that doesn’t mean I can’t have my way with you] Ahab’s ghostly black eyes seemed to twinkle.

[You are insane. I’d rather die] Rachel said. Fighting him as he pulled her to her feet with the leash.

[You will be programmed to love it as my slave wife] Ahab licked his lips again.

Jean Was immobilized on the floor. Covered from head to tow in the black sludge. Her mind being assaulted and buzzed, she couldn’t focus. The sludge was beginning to recede from her. Starting at her toes she started to get some feeling back as it slid away from her body. Feeling was one thing, but movement was another. She could not move anything until the sludge was completely removed from her. Jean looked at herself. Normally and here in the psychic plane she had entered in her costumes. The famous green jump suit with phoenix emblem reaching from her navel to over her shoulders in yellow and a yellow sash. Now as the sludge retracted and she regained movement she noticed her clothing had changed. She had felt the sludge removing her clothing as it had come over her but she hadn't felt anything like a new one being placed on. The new one was a body suit that was sleeveless. A dark red that looked entirely too much like the dark phoenix color. The phoenix symbol in black over the dark red from her navel to her shoulders. It was backless as well she could feel but most troubling was the wide black matte collar and leash that was initially in Logan’s hand but the images of the hounds shifted and merged into one. Ahab was there. Rachel collared was at his feet fighting as he jerked on a leash connected to a collar around her throat.

[Hey Mom] Rachel smiled.

[Hey Rachel] Jean smiled.

Ahab had a confused look on his face. The black ghostly image seemed to resemble a confused dog for a moment.

[Get what you wanted?] Rachel asked.

[Yes I did. You?] Jean asked.

[Yep] Rachel echoed her Mom.

[What is the meaning of this? You two are mine. Accept it and your physical bodies will change into what I desire]

[You would like that wouldn’t you big guy?] Rachel teased.

[Your time here is over Ahab. Go back to your Masters and tell them we are coming for you, them and our friends] Jean warned.

Ahab laughed and tugged on both leashes. Bringing both woman to their knees.

[Such bravado] Ahab laughed and again jerked harshly on both leashes. Causing both women to fall back to the ground after only just gotten themselves back up to at least their knees.

[Thanks for concentrating all your telepaths into one image] Rachel said.

[How many do you think Mom?]

[Oh I counted at least twelve minds trying to gain access to mine in that little cocoon]

[Yeah I counted I think about that as well] Rachel confirmed.

[You two are under my control. You are on my collars] Ahab raged.

[Oh yeah about that] Rachel teased. Jean and Rachel both activated their powers. They sent a wealth of power through their minds and it shattered the collars, the leashes and reverted Jean’s costume back to normal.

[How??] Ahab asked. Fear radiating from him.

The two redheads, mother and daughter looked at each other with a smile. They turned their gazes on Ahab. Eyes alight with fire. Aura’s around them beginning to flare.

[We might not have the power of the Phoenix at the moment] Rachel said.

[But something we have learned about ourselves] Jean continued.

[It took some time and a lot of discovery. But you know what we discovered?] Rachel continued.

[The Phoenix Force is not apart of us but WE ARE PHOENIX!!] the two aura’s both manifested phoenix birds on the astral plan. The blue and purple environment was lit up with the fires of the Phoenix. They stripped away the image of Ahab and discovered fifteen telepaths all trying to fight the two. Jean and Rachel took no joy in battling them, knowing that they may cause permanent damage and the image of Cable there fighting them gave them tears but they could not take any chances. They striped them of their blackness and banished them from the battlefield.

Around the Avengers mansion more and more hounds were becoming visible until finally the head one Ahab was revealed. He was stationed just outside the main gates.

“They did it” Ororo said.

Jean and Rachel’s bodies had been standing but as they came back into their bodies they collapsed. Laura grabbed Jean before she hit the floor and Cap grabbed Rachel.

“They revealing themselves Cap?” Rachel asked. Standing up on her own two feet, almost immediately once she had returned to herself.

“Yes they are” He answered.

“By the Goddess Jean…. Rachel…. When did you get so powerful?” Ororo breathed in deep and hugged them both.

“Can’t let you be the only big gun” Jean smiled and kissed her friend on the cheek.

“So will they attack or wont they?” Stark asked.

Laura’s claws extended with the customary sound and sniffed.

“I smell fear from the hound Master” Laura was smiling.

After an announcement that any incursion onto the grounds would be viewed an attack on the Avengers and Wakanda the hounds withdrew.

“Now to work” Laura retracted her claws.