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Volume 2 |
"Wake Me" Written By Tony Thornley |
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Scott, where are we?
Scott Summers was barely aware of the question. He barely recognized the voice asking it. He opened his eyes. The strain was gone. The constant pressure- never quite pain- was gone. It only took him a few seconds before he realized what was going on.
He was unconscious.
He wasn’t alone.
Scott, can you hear me? The man known as Cyclops spun to see Emma Frost standing behind him, but something about her had changed. Something was different. He realized that it was her skin. It shone. Like a gemstone… a diamond.
“Emma?” he said.
“Scott, thank you,” she muttered. “Finally. I’ve been yelling at you for fifteen minutes.” Scott sighed.
“Listen, I don’t need your bullshit right now,” he said. “We’re both unconscious. Or I’m unconscious, and you’re a manifestation of my subconscious.”
“Or you’re unconscious and she’s dead. Just like me.” Scott spun again. There stood the last person he wanted to see. It took him several seconds to remember that this happened every night after he fell asleep.
“Go away Bob,” he said. “You don’t belong here.”
“Yes, I know,” Apocalypse said. “I’m an infectious disease. But a presence like mine can never be washed away. Just like Emma now. A psychic as powerful as she. Her death would leave a profound impression of the mind she was linked to when she died.”
“Scott,” Emma said, “you… know about this thing living in your head? And you’ve done nothing to get rid of it.”
“It’s because I never remember it,” he said. “I always have a nagging feeling that I’ve forgotten something, but I can’t figure it out until I fall asleep again.”
“And when he wakes up, I ensure he forgets again.” Apocalypse smiled. “It’s not a pleasant cycle.”
“Scott, this is not important right now,” Emma said. “He is not important. I am still alive. I still feel my heart beating. I feel the pressure of the rock on top of me. The Brood are nearby and we need to stop them. And to do that you need to-“
=X=
Scott Summers woke up. He was in complete darkness for several seconds, before a dim light started to surround him. He sat up and looked around him. They were surrounded by fallen rock. He could see Emma’s prone form, half-buried in rock. Her body had changed. It sparkled, and was somewhat translucent, but her chest was heaving up and down. She was alive. He turned and saw Alison Blaire behind him, curled into a ball.
“Dazzler, are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she whispered, “I’m fine. Just some scrapes and bruises. Is Emma…?”
“She’s fine,” he said. “Unconscious but alive.” A strange sound began to fill the small space from the wall of stone covering Emma. It was a strange scraping noise, and it was starting to speed up.
“They’re on the other side of this wall, aren’t they?” Dazzler asked.
“Yeah,” Scott said. “They are. Let’s pray our reinforcements get us out first. You tried your comm?”
“Not yet,” she said. Scott grabbed his radio from his belt, but it was useless. The cave-in had crushed it. He sighed and looked at Dazzler, holding his radio up. She checked hers, and found it intact. She turned it on.
“This is Dazzler,” she said. “Anyone out there?” They heard nothing but static for several seconds, until a voice cut through.
“Aye, this is Rahne,” she said. “I’m stuck in a small space with Juggernaut, Bolt and Meltdown. Tabby and Chris are both hurt. Tabby hasn’t woken up yet.”
“You heard from the outside world?” Scott asked.
“Not yet Cyclops,” she said. “Corbo and Longshot are out there though. I’m sure they’re working to get us help.”
“They will,” Alison said. “They will.”
=X=
“Madrox, it’s good to hear your voice,” Radius said into his radio. He and Longshot stood just outside the cave in. Longshot was pacing quickly in front of the rubble.
“Is everyone okay?” Multiple Man asked.
“We don’t know yet,” Jared said. “The rest of the team is cut off from us. I think the rubble is screwing with our radios.”
“Easy fix,” he said. “We have quite a few hands available to help. Ever, Scanner and Neophyte are all on call, and I can rustle up a few more.”
“They ready for field work?”
“If you ask them to be,” Madrox said.
“Bring them down here,” Jared said. “Agent Winters too.”
“You taking command then, Agent Corbo?”
“With Cyclops and Frost incommunicado… Yeah, I am.” Jared turned and grinned weakly at Longshot.
“You in charge?” the alien man said. “Scary. Very very scary.”
“Hey!” he exclaimed. “I was just about to say something reassuring to you about your wife. Smart-ass.”
“The people love it,” he said with a smile. He looked back at the rubble. “They’ll be fine. I think. I hope. Allison was in front though.”
“I’m praying that the Brood haven’t gotten to them,” Radius said.
“Say a prayer to your god from me too,” Longshot said. “They may need it.”
=X=
Chris Bradley watched Cain Marko closely. Juggernaut was obviously uneasy about being in such a small space. Bolt shifted slowly, and winced as pain radiated from his broken arm and collarbone.
“You okay over there Jughead?” he asked.
“Hardi-harr,” Cain grunted. “But yeah, I’m fine. This enclosed space… It’s just giving me the creeps. Tabby lyin’ there like she’s de-“
“She’s alive Juggernaut,” Rahne snapped. “And she’ll be fine. I know she will be.”
“I hope so Wolfie,” Cain said, “because I’m going to have to give her a talkin’ to about explosions in small spaces.” He removed his helmet and smiled at them. “Don’t you worry though. The moment I get enough room, I’m going to tear that wall right down, and get us out of here, you got it?”
Chris chuckled. “Who knew? The unstoppable Juggernaut, one of the world’s greatest super-criminals, is a big softie.”
“Hey kid,” he said, “I’m not evil or anything. I’m an opportunist. I’m not one of those sadistic sons of bitches, like Sabretooth or Mystique. Now… this is best opportunity available. I’m going to take this and run with i-“ Chris suddenly started coughing, and a small trail of blood appeared on his lip. Rahne and Cain looked at each other.
“We may not have time to wait for help,” she said.
“Took the words right out of my mouth,” he said. “Check him for broken ribs. I’m going to start making a hole.” Cain pushed himself to his feet and walked to the fallen rubble. He took a deep breath and pulled his fist back.
“Let’s hope the ceiling holds,” he muttered. He punched the wall.
=X=
The caved-in wall shook as Agent Nance Winters approached Radius and Longshot. She glanced at the two men and shook her head.
“I’m guessing this means that Juggernaut is alive?” she asked.
“Not a damn clue,” Radius said, “but it’s either him pounding or Cyclops blasting the wall.”
“That’s a sliver of good news,” the veteran agent said. “I assume that means no contact with the rest of X-Factor yet?”
“You assume correctly,” Longshot said.
“Good thing we’re here then,” Scanner said from behind Nance. Sarah stood with Simon Hall, the former Acolyte known as Neophyte, and Ever. Several of Madrox’s duplicates worked behind them, setting up the equipment he’d need to quickly tear down the wall. Ever took several steps forward and reached his hand forward.
“Meltdown and Bolt are hurt, potentially critical,” he said. “Cyclops, Dazzler and Frost are separated from the rest. Emma’s buried in the rubble, but appears unhurt.”
“Simon, get into the space where Tabby and Chris are trapped, and get them out,” Radius said. “Sarah-“ Jared stopped when he saw the look on Scanner’s face. She had developed a relationship with Bolt, and her concern for her boyfriend was written across her face. Jared snapped twice, getting her attention. “Sarah, I know you’re concerned about Chris, but we’ll have medics standing by the moment Neophyte has him free. He’ll be okay.” She nodded. “Right now, I need you to get to Cyclops and let him know that we’re here and trying to get him out, okay?”
“Okay,” she said with another nod. “Will do.” Jared stepped next to Nance as Neophyte began to phase through the wall, and Scanner transformed into her astral form. Both of the young mutants quickly disappeared.
“How do you see this ending?” Jared asked. Nance glanced at him and sighed. She was a low-level precog, a rare power among mutants. She seldom had the detailed visions that many precognitives described. Usually, her powers showed her multiple possible outcomes, always at least three, and always in scattered, disorganized flashes of moments. It was chaotic, and often migraine-inducing, but she could induce those visions by focusing on events in front of her. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Images flashed across her vision, painting a possible picture of coming events.
“Whatever happens in the next hour, the Brood feature prominently in coming events,” she said, reopening her eyes. “In exactly what way… I can’t be very specific.” She looked at Longshot quickly, then back to Radius. “But one path definitely involves Cyclops, Dazzler and Scanner fighting the Brood… alone.” Jared sighed as he looked back at the rock.
“Son of a bitch.”
=X=
Juggernaut pulled his fist back to strike the wall again, but he jumped as a face appeared directly in front of him. Neophyte emerged from the rock, holding his hands out. Scanner appeared beside him and turned solid.
“Wow, let me tell you, that was pretty damn scary,” Simon gasped as he stood in front of Cain.
“Just don’t piss me off kid,” Cain said. “You the cavalry?”
“Part of it,” he said. “I need to get the injured.”
“They’re over here,” Rahne said. Sarah spun and rushed over to Bolt. Chris smiled as he saw her.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said.
“Chris, hon, you’re bleeding,” she said. “Are you okay?”
“Just a flesh wound,” he said. Sarah glanced at Rahne, who shook her head gravely. She bit her lip and looked back at her boyfriend. He gave her a weak smile, which she returned.
“I’m not here to rescue you,” she said. “Neophyte is. I’m going to help Cyclops, and then I’ll be right by your side, okay?”
“Hey, that works for me,” he said. “As long as you vouch for him.”
“Brought him to SHIELD myself,” she said. “We had to have some where to go after we realized joining the Acolytes was a mistake.”
“Go,” Bolt said, taking her hand. “I’ll be fine. Promise.” She squeezed his hand and shifted into her astral form again, a split second before a tear could run down her face.
=X=
Cyclops paced back and forth, trying to tune out the sound of Brood digging on the other side of the wall. Dazzler leaned against the opposite wall, her eyes closed and head bowed. Scott assumed she was praying.
“Any ideas?” she asked after several moments.
“I’m working on it,” he said. “It’s a little complicated at the moment.” He glanced at the wall again. He had to convince himself that they weren’t getting closer.
“We blast out that way, we’re done for, aren’t we?” she said. “We have thousands of Brood all over us.”
“I wouldn’t say thousands,” Scott said, “but I would definitely say enough to overwhelm us pretty easily.”
“How did we not know?”
“The Brood are pests,” he said. “Intergalactic cockroaches. There was no way we could see them coming Allison.”
“That’s reassuring.” Scanner’s astral form appeared between them, then shifted to her solid state. Sarah bit her lip as she saw Emma, still buried beneath the rubble.
“What happened to her?” she said. “Her body…”
“Well, I’m not Beast or anyone like him, but my guess is her body has experienced some sort of secondary mutation,” Scott said. “Her body protected itself from the rocks and rubble.”
“Oh man,” she whispered. “Help is on the way, but I don’t know how long it will take for them to get here.”
“Is someone getting Chris and Tabitha out safely?”
“Yeah, Neophyte is working on-“
“Perfect,” Scott said. “Go back to him, and get him in here to get Frost to safety. I’ll put him to good use from there, okay?” He noticed that the scratching was getting louder, and that Sarah was fixated on that. He swore under his breath.
“Cyclops, they’re almost through,” Dazzler said.
“I know,” he said. “Sarah, listen to me.” He snapped his fingers, very much in the same way Radius had minutes before. “Scanner, I need you to get Neophyte in here, have him bring someone with him, anyone. Juggernaut would be my first choice. If he can bring two people, even better.” Some of the rubble shifted, smaller rocks tumbling down the wall.
“But what about you two?”
“Neophyte, Juggernaut, whatever other back up you can, as quickly as you can.” He spoke quickly, but calmly. If Scanner panicked, it could doom them, and many others. She was already starting to hyperventilate.
“Scanner, honey,” Dazzler whispered, putting her hand on Sarah’s arm. “Go. Please. Get us help, or we’re as good as dead.” Sarah Ryall looked deep in Allison Blaire’s eyes. The moment she realized that there was no fear there, she knew what she had to do.
“I’m on it,” she said, and vanished from view.
“Thank you,” Scott said. He turned and knelt by Emma. He put his hand by her mouth and felt warm breath. Good.
“What are we going to do?” Allison asked. Scott stood, took several steps back and placed his hand on his visor. He fingered the control, ready for the moment at hand.
“We fight, and we pray that she keeps a clear head long enough to follow orders.” She started to ask another question, but a rock came tumbling out of the wall. The gruesome alien visage of the Brood filled the newly made hole. Scott smiled, no humor in his face.
“Hello you son of a bitch.” A split second later, a blast of pure concussive force shot out of Cyclops’ visor and pulverized the Brood sleazoid.
=X=
In X-Factor #7: X-Factor versus the Brood!!