THE X-MEN AND ALL RELATED CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS ARE THE PROPERTY OF MARVEL INC. AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This fan-fiction is meant purely for your entertainment.
Rated T for Teen.
Enjoy.
X-Men 4, X-Force, Dawn of the Apocalypse
EXT. ARABIAN PENINSULA - DUSK
The dim grey moon peeks through the purple hazy clouds as the orange sun begins to set on the ruins of a deserted pseudo-city. All that is left of some desperate tribe's last struggle to harvest sustenance are collapsed stone structures- maybe once able to provide shelter- scraps of debris, and scorched fields. On the peninsula, dark water splashes upon the muddy shore. In the outskirts, a fortress of fuming factories and ice-capped mountains form a jagged horizon.
CAPTION
Arabian Peninsula. The distant future.
Two figures dash from one shadowy concealment to another. One is slower, hunched over, wounded.
The two stop at a bank of dirt, rock, and rusted metal; wreckage of a yacht from an age before this dystopia. The injured man, KANE, props himself against the mound to catch his breath. He is a middle-aged man, with short dark hair and the scruffy face of a hardened soldier; although he is looking pale. A brick-red poncho drapes over his humpback and covers his body save his limbs, clothed in black, and the tan satchel hanging over his shoulder.
The other figure, a young woman named DOMINO, scales the debris to lookout for any pursuers. She is in her 20s, petite but athletic, and dressed in black leather. She has a snow white face, but with a black patch of skin around her left eye, and medium length, jet black hair tucked behind her ears. A machine pistol in holster is strapped to her right leg.
DOMINO
I think we lost it.
KANE
Not for long. You have to keep moving.
DOMINO
You mean we. I’m not leaving you Kane.
Kane presses his hand against a stomach wound.
KANE
I’m not giving you a choice. Dom, you-
A mechanical screech rings in the distance. Domino descends from her perch to aid her comrade.
DOMINO
Shit. It’s coming. Come on-
KANE
Domino listen! What happens to me wont matter unless you fail.
Domino takes a moment.
DOMINO
Right.
Kane removes the satchel from his shoulder and passes it to Domino.
KANE
Get this to Forge. I’ll hold off the nimrod.
The machine’s screech is closer.
KANE (CONT’D)
Dom, go now! And for God’s sake good luck.
Domino flees, hurdling effortlessly over any obstacle in her way.
DOMINO
Ha! I don’t need luck.
Kane stands and takes a breath. He hears the mechanical monster close by on the other side of his cover. Kane readies himself to face his hunter.
The robot towers over the Kane. Its body is composed of a gunmetal skeletal structure protected by a clear crystalline exoskeleton. Its sensors detect Kane and the escaping Domino; She is gaining ground and carrying the robot’s primary target. The humanoid machine releases a flying drone from a shoulder compartment and it buzzes off to chase down Domino.
KANE
Don’t worry about her. I’m right here.
Kane takes off his poncho to reveal that his humped back is a shining bronze backpack. His torso is adorned with silver circuitry. As he drops his cape and opens his arms, his backpack disassembles into segments, automatically fitting themselves to the appropriate positions as armor for Kane; covering his arms, chest, back and head in the bronze metal. Then the weapons systems attach: machine guns on his gauntlets, a missile pod on his right shoulder and particle beam cannon along his left arm. The suit has taken some battle damage it seems, as only the right side of his head is armored, but the eye glows neon green, and Kane is suited for battle.
KANE (CONT’D)
Alright, bucket-head-
Kane aims his particle cannon at the robotic Goliath.
KANE (CONT’D)
Cheers to the end.
The monstrous robot’s crystal-like exoskeleton glows as red energy flows from its eyes, to its chest, to its hands, and out toward Kane. Kane blocks at the last moment, then the sky erupts in laser fire.
EXT. DESERT FOREST - DUSK
Domino darts and threads through trees and brush. She can hear the battle going on behind her, but she cannot let it deter her mission. Then she stops only for a second, looks through a hole in the canopy of leaves, and listens. Laser fire lights the sky. Then a buzzing noise.
Domino continues on a rapid pace, zigzagging through trees. Lasers begin to rain down on her, but she has no trouble avoiding them. She approaches a clearing in the trees. If she can reach it, she can get a look at what is hunting her, but it will see her too.
Coming up to a downed log, slanted against another tree, Domino scurries up it and scurries up the limbs like a gymnast, and nears the tree tops. She waits, peaks out through the branches, and tosses a decoy beacon grenade out into the clearing. The buzzing droid flies over head. Domino watches it pass. The laser show in the distant sky has now stopped.
DOMINO
Kane. I’m sorry.
The buzzing droid passes Domino, detects the grenade’s signal, recognizes it as a decoy, destroys the distraction, the turns back to retrace its path. At the exact moment the droid reaches Domino’s post, she bolts from her cover in the trees and falls 30 feet, landing flawlessly with a roll, and darting across the open clearing. The droid detects her and pursues.
As Domino rushes through the clearing, a chasm appears ahead; 50 feet wide and no way around. Dodging laser fire, DOMINO picks up pace toward the gap. She spots the single boulder at its edge, takes one step off it and leaps into the air.
Falling toward jagged rocks and crashing waves, its obvious she never intended to make it to the other side. Yet in mid air, she flips her body, acquires sight of her pursuer, draws her pistol, and in a burst of rounds, destroys it. Still falling, it appears she will smash into the opposite cliff before tumbling the rest of the way to her death. Spinning around again, the spots a distorted area on the cliff wall, aligns herself toward it, and lands on an invisible platform, only momentarily revealed as the impact of her feet distort its cloak. Seemingly tumbling straight into the earth, Domino vanishes without trace.
INT. A TUNNEL
Inside the earth is an underground corridor. Dark and dusty, DOMINO can see a dim light coming from around a corner at the end of the tunnel. She walks toward the light, but two behemoths of men emerge from the shadows before her and stare her down.
DOMINO
Grizzly. Hammer.
Passing the two sentries, Domino nods then turns the corner into a short hallway, then a small room.
INT. A BUNKER
The room is an underground laboratory. Though damp and dirty, the room is well lit with florescent lights. In one corner a man sits at a computer station. In another, two people embrace.
The computer desks are cluttered with monitors, hardware, and wires. The man perks up as Domino enters the room. He is a tired yet fierce looking man, in his 50s, with scarred and sun-cracked skin, long wiry black-turned-grey hair and a mustache down to his chin. His name is FORGE. As he comes from around his desk, a mechanical hiss can be heard with each step of his robotic right leg.
FORGE
Domino! You have it?
Domino responds to Forge, but looks to the two people holding one another close in the opposite corner.
DOMINO
Yes. Check it fast. A Sentinel isn’t far behind.
Forge grabs the package and returns to his desk.
FORGE
A sentinel! Pray this is it then.
Forge removes a leather-bound book from the satchel, scans some pages, then begins entering data into a computer.
Domino still looks to the apparent lovers.
DOMINO
Where’s Claire?
Peering over eyeglasses, but still typing briskly, Forge looks to Domino as she stands alone at the doorway.
FORGE
The same hell that Kane will be in soon, I reckon.
Domino closes her eyes to hold back tears. Forge looks back at his screen.
FORGE (CONT’D)
No matter. Their sacrifice wont be for nothing. The data looks good.
Forge looks over to the two in the corner.
FORGE (CONT’D)
Captain, we should get started.
Domino looks back to the couple in the corner. They are holding each other closely, staring deeply into each others eyes. He is tall and muscular. His dusty brown hair slightly recedes from a stern face and piercing blue eyes. He wears a weathered grey coat over a navy blue armored battle dress uniform, and desert combat boots. She is a young woman with frizzy brown hair loosely pulled back and peach skin smudged with mud and blood. He is NATHAN, she, ALIYA.
DOMINO
Who are they?
Forge gets up and moves to a small metal safe. His mechanical limbs hiss as he removes the contents.
FORGE
He is Claire’s replacement. Nathan Dayspring, a Captain from one of the northern rebellions. The Askani Clan.
DOMINO
The Askani? I though that the extermination squads wiped them out years ago.
Forge handles a syringe of grey goo. His mechanical hand hisses as he draws the pump back.
FORGE
Not all of them, it seems. No matter where he’s from though, his mutation is similar to Claire’s. Which means he is our new traveler. Our last hope to end this strife.
A computer alerts its user:
COMPUTER
New sequence accepted. Space-time coordinates confirmed.
FORGE
Captain Dayspring, we are a go.
The ground rumbles. Dirt falls from the ceiling. Explosions ring from outside.
DOMINO
Not a moment too soon.
Nathan releases himself from his lover’s embrace.
ALIYA
In another life, my love.
Nathan approaches Forge’s desk. Forge holds up the needle.
FORGE
Hammer and Grizzly wont last long with a sentinel out there so I’m going to have to skip the fine print.
Nathan’s piercing blue eyes shift to the needle.
NATHAN
Do it.
Forge injects Nathan with the grey goo behind his left ear at the base of the skull. The veins in his neck darken for a moment.
FORGE
The injection you are receiving is the Kinetic-interface Bio-computer and Life-support system. A techno organic virus that will fortify every cell of your body with a network of nanobots. And pretty soon, it will start to hurt.
Nathan buckles over and flexes every muscle of his body, convulsing. His eyes open wide and his veins turn black and bulge. Saliva forms at his mouth and he clenches in agony.
FORGE (CONT’D)
It is going to help you manipulate your equipment as well as analyze and navigate your environment. More importantly it is going help you survive the space-time rip. Hopefully. Remember, this compound was not tailored to your DNA. There may be side-effects. I wont speculate.
Nathan steadies himself. Drool hangs from his lip as the others stand around. Wiping the saliva away, he stands and looks at them, as if seeing them in a new way. His left eye is now a reflective chrome metal.
FORGE (CONT’D)
Do you feel the effects?
Nathan stares as if through new eyes. The bulging vein on his neck subsides and returns to normal color.
NATHAN
Yes.
Outside the explosions draw nearer. The complex trembles.
FORGE
Get your gear. I’ll initiate the sequence.
Nathan straps on a tactical backpack loaded with an assault rifle, the viper beam cannon, a combat knife, a plasma pistol, and several concussion grenades, among other cargo pouches. Once the pack is buckled on, Nathan checks the systems by cycling each of the weapons into his hands, then back to its holster one by one, telekinetically.
Forge enters data into the multiple computers. Then passes a handheld computer device to Nathan.
FORGE (CONT’D)
This device will interface with the K.B.L network, boosting your natural space warping mutation, allowing you to traverse the time stream.
The complex is beginning to collapse. Outside the danger is very near.
FORGE (CONT’D)
Captain Dayspring you must not fail.
Nathan looks to Aliya. The walls and ceiling are buckling.
FORGE (CONT’D)
You must eliminate your target. If not possible, do anything you can to prevent the return of En Sabah Nur-
There is a giant explosion outside the facility. The walls buckle inward. Shrapnel cuts Nathan’s arms and face as he tries to avoid it.
Looking upon Aliya, Forge, and Domino for the last time as the blast consumes them, Nathan warps away and vanishes.
EXT. A CLIFF-SIDE - NIGHT
A swarm of sentinels hover in the air over a collapsed bunker and demolished cliff-side.
EXT. X-MANSION (FRONT) - MID DAY
The front gate at the driveway of Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters reveals the location in Westchester County, New York.
EXT. X-MANSION (SIDE) - MID DAY
Three headstones are planted off to the side of the main courtyard. They read: Jean Grey, Scott Summers, and Charles Xavier.
CAPTION
The not too distant future.
EXT. X-MANSION (BACK) - MID DAY
The grounds of the Xavier estate are alive with energetic students. Out on recess, the kids enjoy themselves in the back school grounds. Some continue with their studies in silence, some are playing soccer on the field, some spectate, while others just enjoy their time outdoors.
On the soccer field, two teams compete in a heated contest. A blonde boy in a gold-striped red jersey and shorts, named SAM, age around 16, dribbles the ball past some defenders, and nears the goal, where WARREN, an older male in his early 20s, stands guard. Warren wears blue and white shorts and he has angelic white feathered wings that, although tucked behind his back, are not very compact.
Sam winds up for a shot on goal. Sam kicks the ball to the upper corner of the net, as Warren dives for the save. His hands cannot get there in time, but the ball is deflected from the net by the tip of Warren’s wing. Sam scolds Warren in frustration.
SAM
Hey! No fair. We said no powers.
Warren gets up, brushes himself off, and shrugs.
WARREN
What do you want me to do, Shed my wings?
Warren points across the field to the opposite goalie. A tall, muscular, twenty-something, named Peter.
WARREN (CONT’D)
Besides, the colossus over there takes up more room than I do.
Two teenage girls on the sideline look at each other and laugh. One is a dark-haired Asian girl named KARMA, the other is a punky, bleached blonde girl named, TABBY.
SAM winds up to kick the ball, swings his foot forward with the force of a rocket, and sends the ball soaring out of the school grounds.
BOBBY
Sam c’mon, no need to be a poor sport.
INT. X-MANSION HALLWAY
LOGAN, the scruffy and fierce leather-jacket-clad X-Man walks down a hall. The walls are covered with framed photographs. Logan stops at a closed door and leans against the wall. The door is to the office of Dr. Ororo Munroe, the white haired new headmistress of the Xavier Institute. Logan, waiting for ORORO to exit, stares at a collection of photos. One of a beautiful red-haired woman beside a tall man wearing red sunglasses, another of a bald, wheel-chair bound, older man.
Logan perks up, listening carefully for some distant sound. Suddenly red lights flash. Security sirens squawk to alert the mansion’s inhabitants.
ALARM
Intruder alert.
Ororo emerges from her office. She looks to Logan.
ALARM (CONT’D)
Intruder alert in sector four.
Logan and Ororo rush down the hallway as students join in their wake.
ALARM (CONT’D)
Intruder alert. Attack initiated in sector four.
Logan, Ororo, and a group of students arrive at the back patio. They are joined by the third senior staff member, the immaculately-dressed blue-furred beast, Dr. Hank McCoy. They gaze upon the scene now unfolding in their backyard.
EXT. X-MANSION (BACK)
A man armed to the teeth, Nathan, stands above a fallen and unconscious boy, Sam. Nathan scans his surroundings; his targets, their positions, their abilities. He is calculating the most effective method of attack.
Across the field, the older students form up between Nathan, the mansion, and the rest of the student body. Peter and Warren are joined by BOBBY and KITTY, the brown-haired twenty-something male and female, respectively.
Nathan stares them down. His KBL scanners read:
“Alias: Iceman, Bobby
Name: Robert Louis Drake
Mutation: Cold Generation
Secondary: Ice Manipulation
Recommended Course of Action: Distract, Neutralize
Alias: Colossus, Peter
Name: Poitr Nikolaievitch Rasputin
Mutation: Organic-Steel Skin
Secondary: Class 6 Strength
Recommended Course of Action: Avoid
Alias: Angel
Name: Warren Kenneth Worthington III
Mutation: Avian Physiology, Feathered Wings
Secondary: Flight
Recommended Course of Action: Neutralize
Alias: Shadowcat, Kitty
Name: Katherine Anne Pryde
Mutation: Quantum Tunneling (Phasing)
Secondary: Disrupt Neural and Electronic Interfaces
Recommended Course of Action: Avoid (Danger: EXTREME)”
Assuming leadership of the group, Bobby steps forward.
BOBBY
Squad three stand down. Colossus, Angel, Shadowcat, we got this right?
The younger students step back. Peter, Warren, and Kitty step forward.
KITTY
You bet, Iceman.
Warren flaps his wings and takes to the air.
WARREN
What have you done to Sam?
Nathan doesn’t respond.
PETER
I got him.
Peter moves forward, his skin turning into a shiny silver metal. Bobby too armors up, creating a sheath of ice over his entire body, then raising a column of ice beneath him to take a height advantage. As Bobby begins to prepare an ice-slide, Peter takes two more steps forward, then Nathan unleashes.
First, Nathan shoots down Bobby’s platform of ice with a burst from his already equipped battle rifle. The rounds, being able to adjust their density on command, this time are programmed to explode, shattering the ice structure and sending Bobby tumbling to the ground. Taking a few steps toward the mansion, Nathan simultaneously cycles his rifle to its holster on his back, draws his plasma pistol to his right hand while sending out a concussion grenade with his left toward the charging colossus, Peter. The grenade explodes with an invisible force that blasts Peter back at the swooping Warren. The blast is so strong it has the force to send Peter back like a cannonball. Though just glancing off Warren, the metal projectile knocks him unconscious and descending to the ground; Peter himself soaring another quarter mile over the mansion and past the front driveway. Bobby now stands to his feet, and reconstructs the chipped ice armor, although this wont help. While still moving forward toward the mansion Nathan shoots Bobby with the plasma pistol in hand, and the bright beam instantly melts the ice and clothing around BOBBY'S chest and shoulder. Kitty is now gaining ground on the attacker, and just as she reaches out to grab him, Nathan vanishes, leaving a small distortion of space where he was. Reappearing 20 feet past Kitty, facing her back, Nathan releases his pistol and it holsters itself at his side, at the same time drawing the other weapon from his back, the viper cannon. With this gun, Nathan shoots the dazed Bobby in his bare shoulder, freezing him in an off-balance position and knocking him down like a statue. Continuing toward the mansion, all that stands before Nathan and Logan, Ororo, and Hank is a crowd of scared students. One of the teenagers from the soccer field intercepts Nathan in order to protect his classmates. In the red and yellow soccer attire, an athletic Native American teenager, around 17, unleashes a flurry of warm-up punches at superhuman speed. His name is JAMES. The now unarmed Nathan advances.
JAMES
Hey tough guy. Let’s see how you do up close.
From the back patio, Hank yells to him:
HANK
James don’t!
As Logan, Ororo, and Hank rush down the patio stairs to cut off the intruder, it's too late. Nathan closes the final distance between him and James with an instantaneous teleport toward him. Now within trapping range, Nathan brushes off one of the rapid strikes, and flicks his wrist into James’s abdomen, causing the teen to buckle to the ground, gasping for air.
Logan, Ororo, and Hank make their way through the crowd of students. Nathan advances, drawing his battle rifle and aiming it at Logan’s skull. Ororo and Hank stop in their tracks. The ferocious Logan takes another step, but keeps a slight reserve, if only for the moment. Logan unleashes the three unbreakable metal claws from between the knuckles of each hand and stares down his opponent, whom has stopped 10 feet away.
LOGAN
It’s going to take a lot more than a few bullets to stop me from getting to you, bub.
Nathan releases the rifle and it is cycled out and replaced with the viper cannon, again, aimed directly at LOGAN.
NATHAN
You are right.
Nathan stares down his holographic sights. His chrome eye reflects LOGAN'S silhouette.
NATHAN (CONT’D)
But I bet that Adamantium skeleton would sting a bit without your healing factor.
Logan lowers his guard slightly. He looks to Bobby who is laying on the ground, while Kitty tries to break the ice that has become a prison around him. Logan pauses a moment.
LOGAN
Who the hell are you?
Nathan stares down the man in his way.
NATHAN
My name is Captain Nathan Dayspring of the Askani Rebellion. And you, Wolverine, are in my way.
Ororo and Hank exchange looks. The kids in the crowd whisper in confusion.
LOGAN
Nathan, huh. Why don’t you stand down soldier and tell me what you’re after.
Logan raises a clawed hand and observes the fresh cuts on Nathan’s face.
LOGAN (CONT’D)
Or I’ll have to even out those beauty marks.
Ororo steps forward to stay the wolverine’s fist. She grabs his arm to hold him back peacefully.
ORORO
Logan wait!
Moving to between the two to separate Logan from Nathan, Ororo intervenes.
ORORO (CONT’D)
Captain Dayspring. I am Dr. Ororo Munroe. I am the headmistress of this school that you are terrorizing, and I can assure you that we will do whatever we can to resolve this conflict.
The sky above grows dark and cloudy. Lightning sparks high above and thunder crackles. Ororo’s eyes turn white.
ORORO (CONT’D)
But we prefer the methods be peaceful. Now Captain, what are you after?
Nathan lowers his weapon a nudge and peeks up at the violent storm above. He cycles his weapon to its holster on his backpack and looks at Ororo.
NATHAN
I am looking for Charles Xavier.
Everyone’s eyes open wide. They are shocked and confused.
NATHAN (CONT’D)
Where is he?!
Ororo and Logan look at each other. The clouds disperse. Hank steps forward. Ororo looks away.
HANK
Professor Xavier died, I’m sorry to say. Nearly six years ago.
Hank points off in the direction Ororo is looking; a small sectioned off area with three headstones. Nathan looks, but doesn’t accept this.
NATHAN
Impossible. Wh-
Logan is getting angry.
LOGAN
Anyone who’d know his name would know at least that much. So-
Logan steps closer to Nathan. They are within arms length.
LOGAN (CONT’D)
Its really time you started telling us where you came from and-
NATHAN
Take me to Cerebro!
Logan is really agitated now.
LOGAN
This just gets better. Listen, bub! How about you tell me who sent you, then we’ll decide if we are going to let you crawl back to them.
Now Nathan is annoyed.
NATHAN
Look! I don’t have time to waste and you don’t want to pick a fight with me because I cannot let you stand in my way.
Logan looks over Nathan’s shoulder. Bobby is finally getting to his feet, helped by Kitty, while Warren appears dazed but okay. Sam is awake now, and James is breathing normally. An unarmored Peter is making his way around the corner of the mansion and back to the yard, outside of Nathan’s peripherals.
LOGAN
Don’t want to fight, eh. You sure showed them.
Peter now is almost right behind Nathan. He turns to steel and lunges to wrap his arms around the unsuspecting Nathan. As Nathan is almost in Peter’s clutches, he warps out of sight. Peter, grasping nothing but air stumbles forward a little, but Nathan reappears from behind and grabs his shoulder. Pulling the fallen giant up, Nathan cycles the dagger from his shoulder holster and reaches around Peter’s neck, tapping the back of the blade against his metal cheek: “tink tink.”
NATHAN
This here is Vibranium. That’s anti-metal, Colossus, so don’t move.
Peter, along with everyone else, holds still.
HANK
Okay. No need for that now. We can assist you, just-
A young Vietnamese girl makes her approach behind Nathan. She is the girl named Karma. She reaches out to touch Nathan. She does. Nightmarish images flash. A ghoulish smile. Hundreds of people collapsing dead. Explosions. Desperate people marching in lines. People being tortured and experimented on. Screams of agony. And one monster watching it all, emotionless.
Karma, with a look of horror on her face, pulls her hand back and Nathan quickly turns around, releasing Peter who steps away from his former captor. Karma stares into Nathan’s shocked, wide eyes. Ororo steps forward to protect the girl.
KARMA
It’s okay Dr. Munroe. You can trust him.
INT. X-MANSION HALLWAY
Inside the Mansion, Logan, Ororo, and Hank escort Nathan through the halls. They walk the opposite direction in which they earlier ran to confront the unwelcome guest. Ororo leads, then Hank close to Nathan’s side but still ahead, and Logan, a few feet behind.
HANK
Captain Dayspring, might I inquire as to what it is you did to Bobby on the soccer field. He mentions a fever and an inability to access his powers. We have come across similar weapons in the past, and we were not pleased with the manner in which they were used.
Continuing down the hall, Nathan responds.
NATHAN
The Viper round is a neural inhibiting nanobot. It targets the brain stem, temporarily numbing the x-gene receptors. Iceman’s inability to manipulate his ice trapped him in a prison of his own armor, probably setting in the early stages of hypothermia. He should be fine and his powers will return shortly.
HANK
Curious. Might I ask where you gained access to such technology?
Nathan stops. Logan stops as well and readies his guard. Ororo and Hank take a few steps more before they notice the pause. Nathan turns his head toward the same pictures on the wall that Logan viewed earlier. Nathan glares at one in particular.
LOGAN
See something you like
Nathan pauses.
NATHAN
That’s Charles Xavier?
LOGAN
You seem to know everything about us Cap, except the obvious.
Logan nudges Nathan forward and they all start walking again. At the end of the hallway there is only a bookcase and a forking juncture. Logan notices a strange grey rash forming along the back of Nathan’s left arm. Although puzzled, he doesn't mention it yet.
LOGAN (CONT’D)
Listen and learn. Xavier is dead. I saw him die myself. One minute he was there, the next, not.
NATHAN
How about you do what the girl told you to, which is what I tell you to do. It’s what’s best for you.
The group stops at the bookcase. Ororo turns. She looks to Nathan.
ORORO
You would seriously regret betraying our trust.
They all look at Nathan. Nathan’s silence is confirmation enough. Ororo turns back to the case. Tilting a book back, a secret elevator door opens up. The four of them enter the elevator.
LOGAN
I can’t believe we’re going along with this.
The doors close.
INT. SUB-BASEMENT
Exiting the elevator, the foursome is met with another corridor, the bright silver-walled halls of the X-Mansion’s sub-basement. They continue on to the end of this new hallway.
HANK
You know our names, our aliases, our powers, our weaknesses, and you know about Cerebro. How is it that you have not learned of Charles’s death?
ORORO
Did the government send you?
Nathan smirks.
NATHAN
Definitely not.
They arrive at the vault door of Cerebro. Nathan looks to Ororo.
NATHAN (CONT’D)
After you.
Ororo steps forward to the retinal scanner opening the doors of the secure chamber. Nathan steps forward and is the first to enter. Nathan looks to Logan.
NATHAN (CONT’D)
Wait here.
LOGAN
Fat chance.
INT. CEREBRO CHAMBER
Logan, Ororo, and Hank follow Nathan into the room. The door closes behind them.
HANK
Since you know about Cerebro, you know how it works. You are a teleporter and a telepath?
Nathan approaches the control desk at the center of the spherical room. It appears he knows what he is doing.
NATHAN
No.
Nathan fiddles with a cargo pouch on his waist.
LOGAN
No what? I’ve had about enough of this cryptic-
NATHAN
No, I’m not a telepath.
Logan slaps his palm to his forehead.
LOGAN
This is great. You know, you’re crazy. You’ve got to be psychic to-
Nathan rips a panel off a processing compartment. Logan steps forward with claws drawn.
LOGAN (CONT’D)
That’s it!
Nathan cycles his plasma pistol into his left hand, aiming it at Logan without looking to him; while simultaneously with his right hand he connects a cable from his pouch to a hole in the back of his head, behind his left ear.
LOGAN (CONT’D)
We all need closure pal, but this is-
ORORO
Logan!
Logan turns to Ororo. She is getting emotional.
ORORO (CONT’D)
Let him finish.
Logan backs down. Nathan continues his work, connecting the other end of his cable to Cerebro’s wiring system.
NATHAN
Thanks dear. Now let’s keep the background noise to a minimum, okay?
LOGAN
Hey-
Nathan has activated Cerebro. The room turns dark. A Holographic map appears, enveloping the room. Bright lights appear in the populated areas.
CEREBRO
Locating all mutants.
The lights shift color; becoming fewer and more scattered. Nathan concentrates; his metallic eye glows.
CEREBRO (CONT’D)
Locating Charles Xavier.
Nathan’s eyes, one a piercing blue, the other reflective chrome, open wide. Logan, Ororo, and Hank are still.
HANK
Oh my stars and garters.
CEREBRO
Charles Xavier located.
Logan, Ororo, and Hank are shocked.
ORORO
I don’t believe it.
Nathan unplugs his cables.
LOGAN
It can’t be. He’s alive?
NATHAN
Not for long.
Nathan teleports away. The other three are baffled. They look at Cerebro's map, at the small isle where Xavier has been allegedly found.
CEREBRO
Charles Xavier located. Location: Muir Island, Scotland.
Ororo and hank look at each other.
ORORO AND HANK
Moira!
To be continued...
X4Force (Part 1 of 4)
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