Got this out quick didn't I? DISCLAIMER: All characters in this story are property of Marvel Inc., and I'm not making a profit from this, so don't sue me. Except from Helios and Glow, who are my own exclusive property. They may not be used without my expressed permission. X-Men: Yin Yang Part 5/?- Strangers in the night Morpheus, oneill@cambus.u-net.com {{blahblahbla}} is thoughts ^^blahblahbla^^ is telepathy ============== In the caverns of the Rebellion's Arkansas base, there should have been security. In a perfect world, the base would have been fitted with state of the art technological defences. However, this is a far from perfect world, so people make do with what they have. So, the four Marauders had relatively no trouble entering the base. And now, we turn to these caverns, to see what will transpire. . . Remy leBeau sat in the corner of his cavern, or rather, the cavern he shared with some other mutants. He seemed miserable, for no discernable reason. He had not had a bad life by any means, and he had joined the Rebellion, leaving his adopted family in the Thieves Guild, when he heard word of the good deeds they were doing. His intentions were noble, and he has been one of the most loyal members since he joined. Essex had shown a special affinity with the young man, helping him hone his powers in endless training sessions. Soon, Remy was to be drafted in as one of the team's leaders. Or, so was planned. Unbeknownst to any of its members, the Rebellion was about to go through its most testing period, and it was doubtful all would survive. Without a sound, Pete Wisdom appeared next to him. Gambit. You okay?" Gambit didn't look round. "Heh. You're almost as good at dat as me." "I'm serious LeBeau. You look down fer the first time since I met ya. What's wrong?" "Nuthin'." "Ah, c'mon cajun. I know that look. I've wore it often enough. You can tell me, scout's honour." This brought a brief laugh from Gambit. "It's just. . .I've got dis feelin'. . .that someting's gonna go wrong. I can't explain it." "Why doncha get one o' the psis to check you out?" "I might just do that Wisdom." A short, amiable silence passed, and then Gambit asked, "How's Juggy?" "Still in the coma." "Poor guy. I would hate if dat happened to me. Bein' dead to the world." "Yeah, but Forge seems optimistic. They've got Glow down there trying to wake him up. The psis tried it, but none of them could get past the barriers in his head." "I t'aught that was just when he wore his helmet." "Nah, apparently the gem thing erected new barriers when he went inta the coma. No-one can pierce it." "Guess we'll all have ta jus' wait an see." Remy leBeau smiled to himself. When he arrived here, he was accepted as an ally by all, but because of his origins in the Thieves Guild, no-one wanted him for a friend. But now, he seemed to have found a kindred spirit in Pete Wisdom, who himself came from an origin of thieves. His parents had been enviromental activists, and they constantly sabotaged government schemes. One day, they tried to shut down a nuclear power station. (His parents were also, unfortunately, insane.) They and their colleagues unwittingly smashed one of the nuclear rods within the core. They were contaminated with mild radiation levels, which led to Pete being born a mutant. His parents were now in prison, and Pete had lived on the streets, stealing to stay alive, until Essex recruited him for the Rebellion. These men were too alike not to become friends. =========== Deeper in the caves, two other mutants were conversing with a considerably less jovial intent. Nightcrawler and Firestar were both Marauders, and had been so for years. Nightcrawler had been appointed the head of this mission, which had need of his abilities which were able to penetrate even the most secure stronghold. This was not the most secure of strongholds by any account, so he didn't even need to teleport to get in. Right now, he was quietly arguing with Firestar about what action to take next. "Angie, we've got to make our strike now. It's the best time to attack, before we're either spotted or scanned by one of the psis. We've got to assume that they regularly scan the compound. While unlikely, it's best to be on the safe side." "Kurt," Firestar responded, "You just said it. They haven't a clue that we're here." "All the better to attack now, since they might spot us. And we can't be sure how long we can keep Creed in check." Firestar stayed silent, for she knew that Nightcrawler had a point. Sabretooth was one of the most dangerous mutants alive, and their psionic sedative was volatile. His feral impulses could break down the psychic barrier at any moment. Nightcrawler spoke again after a few seconds, and said, "Right, we'd better be getting on the move soon. This pathway might start to get busy. We've hidden long enough. The plan is to leave Creed in the next alcove we find, and then try to find a busy area. We activate Creed, and start a battle." "Wait." Firestar said, a bit confused, "You mean our big mission was to come here to get killed?" "We're not going to be killed. As soon as we get into any kind of trouble, I send a signal and backup will be teleported instantly. I've already notified base that we're ready to move in. Our re-inforcements are getting ready as we speak. And we three weren't picked at random you know. We are the best for this mission. Each of us is capable of surviving such a mission, or so the Inner Circle's analysts thought. Relax. How hard could it be?" ========= Nightcrawler's plan was quickly put into action, with Sabretooth being left dormant in a shadowy corner near the communal area. This was where anyone could come if they had nowhere to go. It was shut off from the Rebellion members area, but it was safe. Or so the inhabitants thought. People wounded in cullings, no family left; weaker mutants who could not fight for the Rebellion; and anyone who had suffered the tyranny of the Inner Circle. This was a haven from the horrific reality that surrounds us. And these Marauders meant to destroy that. When Sabretooth was activated from afar, his eyes lit up with a blood red fury that embodied the pain and fury pent up in his system for weeks. His mouth curled into a snarling grimace, from which protruded jagged fangs. He flexed a hand and five knarled talons leapt out of his fingertips. He flipped back his head and let out a blood curdling cry. It was inhuman, and shot fear into the spines of all who heard it. The only member of the Rebellion nearby was Iceman, who was returning to the Rebellion area when he heard the screams. For the first time in record, there was serious trouble in the only place thought protected from the madness of the outside world. Bobby Drake immediately changed into his ice form, and manifested an ice slide to get him to the source quicker. What greeted his eyes when he got the to communal area was enough to scar him for life. Sabretooth was ripping his claws through a defenseless old man, whose family lay at his feet, soaked in the blood of their relatives. Creed tore through his torso, leaving the man to spend his last moments atop his family. Creed whirled in a feral frenzy, his thirst to kill heightened by his weeks in "captivity". His claws were dripping with blood, and as he raised a hand to his mouth to taste the salty substance, Iceman felt his stomach turn. You may think that Bobby Drake had been paralysed by shock, but he was not. He had been assessing the situation, and planning his next move. If it hadn't been for the carnage that surrounded Iceman, what he was about to do would be considered a work of art. He focused inwards, drawing his control over moisture to extreme levels. In one swift motion, he encased the entire room in ice. The sculpture separated the people from Sabretooth, who was caged inside a fortress of solid ice. Now that the situation was under control, albeit temporarily, Iceman tried to call out to Phoenix, or one of the other psis. He knew it would be difficult, with the cries of the wounded, dying, and panicking rising above normal thoughts. He tried to shout his thoughts, hoping that someone would hear his exigent call. He was trying to think of what to do next, when suddenly a voice invaded his head. ^^Bobby? What's happening? I hear so many people in terror!^^ {{Jean! You've got to get down here. Sabretooth is back, and he's on a rampage in the communal area! I've got him trapped for now, but I don't know how long I can hold him. I need some people down here.}} ^^I'll send down Logan, Maverick and Chrome as well. They're nearest. Try to get as many people as you can to safety Bobby, these people rely on us. Do your best.^^ {{Okay Jean. Thanks.}} The mental conversation over, Bobby turned his attention once more to the situation before him. The survivors of Creed's massacre were cowering in the farthest corner of the cavern, and Bobby saw an opportunity. Underneath where they were lay a large puddle of water. Iceman reached out and turned the moisture into ice, then raised the ice to near the top of the cavern. He manifested a wall around the platform, so no-one would fall. Hopefully that would keep them safe from Creed for now. He looked around. The normally orange room glowed with a translucent blue, and it would normally have looked beautiful. He realised that not all of the people could be on his ice platform. There were too few there. Sabretooth, while a frantic killing machine, could not have killed so many in so short a time. He remembered something Essex taught him, and tried to change his perception of reality. He concentrated on increasing his ability to see body heat, and he suddenly was witness to a glorious display of colour. The greatest of these flourishes was at the top of his ice plateau, but he could also see a few other heat signatures as well. Creed's was like a beacon, heat filling his entire being. He could see a small, weak heat signal near Creed, and realised it must be a small child's. He raced over to the spot on his ice-slide, and saw a tiny girl curled up, shivering. He turned his right arm back into human form and picked the child up. "Shh," he whispered, "I'll get you to safety." In seconds he had rose up to his platform, and returned the girl to her parents. Then he said to the group, "Stay here just now. Everything will be under control soon, I promise you." Then, he went back to ground level, to wait for his allies to come to help. =========== In the higher levels of the complex, the three Marauders were silently awaiting their opportunity. Nightcrawler watched from an inlet in the wall what was happening outside. He knew where they would stike, after overhearing conversations, and watching the people that passed. Havok and Forge talked about the health of some members before entering a room which was fairly quiet. He reasoned that it must be a medical area, or at least somewhere where not a lot of action would take place. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "I think that up ahead is a medical room. There, we can get some of them at their weakest. Some reports say that Juggernaut's powers are failing, so if we can off him, we'll get in the Circle's good books." Firestar asked, "Do we got leniant on anyone?" "No. Our orders are to take out as many as possible. I've changed my mind about when to alert base. I'll send a message now to send backup in five minutes. That way, the Rebellion stands no chance. Remember: handle this mission with extreme prejudice." Colossus, who usually didn't say much, smiled at this and said, "Just how I like it comrade." "Okay. Just follow my lead. I'll move when we see the next Rebellion scum outside. We gut him, and move to the medical bay." Outside, Wolverine, Maverick and Chrome had shot through the carved corridors, passing the medical bay. This went unnoticed by the Marauders, who were still formulating their plan. When they returned their attention to the halls, the first person to pass them was. . . ===================== Who was it? Just wait and see. Next time 2 members will bite the dust. Guarenteed. And at least 5 will be gravely wounded. See ya! Morpheus Roll Call ********* Rebellion: Essex, Wolverine, Storm, Forge, Maverick, Jean Grey, Havok, Deadpool, Daredevil, Iceman, Hawkeye, Banshee, Clear-Cut, Chrome, Doom, Blink, M, Iron Man, Shang-Chi, Morph, Sunfire, Callisto, Glow (original), Boost, Speed Demon, Legion, Maggot, Spiderman, Chamber, Gambit, Marrow, Abyss, Juggernaut, Wisdom, Sabra, Landscape, Helios (original). Hellfire Club: Angel, Hank McCoy, Shinobi Shaw, Quicksilver, Scarlett Witch, Reed Richards, Emma Frost, Roberto daCosta, Mikhail Rasputin. Paige Guthrie as slave Inner Circle: Ennur Sabah (Apocalypse), Erik Magnus Lehnsherr (Magneto), Charles Francis Xavier (Mutant X), Sebastian Shaw. Marauders: Warpath, Thunderbird, Moonstar, Colossus, Jubilee, Polaris, Wildchild, Omega Red, Scratch, Deflector (Reyes), Fenris, Sack, Vessel, Skin, Nightcrawler, Unuscionne, Caliban, Aurora, Northstar, Pyro, Avalanche, Spoor, Rictor, Dazzler, Meltdown, Siryn, Black Tom, Shadowcat, Multiple Man, Random, Strong Guy, Firestar, Gauntlet, Tusk, Wolfsbane, Feral, Magma. There's loads more, but far too many to go into here. Sabretooth as prisoner Externals: Gideon, Mimic, Cannonball, Nemesis, Exodus, Candra, Selene, Crule, Absalom. ==========