The New Mutants # 99 - The Beginning Of The End Part Two

Above the Morlock Tunnels, Cable enjoyed a coffee at the Tavern on the Green in Central Park.  He explained to James Proudstar that he was in charge of the New Mutants and asked James to join.  James confessed that he was happy living on the reservation at Camp Verde, even though he had been receiving threatennig requests for him to return to the Massachusetts Academy.  Cable began to talk of the on-coming war and how he hoped to create a group of mutant survivors.James thanked him, but decided to return home and climbed into a taxi.

Gideon was amused by the meeting between Cable and James Proudstar, which he had been watching.  Adam announced Sunspot's arrival over the intercom.  Gideon claimed to be concerned for Sunspot's well being and offered to support him while he took control of his father's business affairs.  Sunspot was surprised that he had been named as successor to Emmanuel DaCosta.  Gideon sympathised and discussed how he had gone through similar times when he was forced to leave Harvard after his own mother's death.  Sunspot ultimately agreed that it might be time for him to leave school.

Later that afternoon, Cable and Domino were informed of Rictor's decision to run away.  Boom-Boom was blaming herself for not taking his threats more seriously.  Cable read the note.  When the others asked if they were to prepare a rescue mission, he stood firm and said no.  Cannonball was angry that Cable was just willing to let another member of the team go.  Cable was clear that it was Rictor's decision to leave, but Cannonball was so angry he stormed out of the room.  Cable warned Domino not to make any more sarcastic comments about 'babysitting' and turned to Boom-Boom.  She made it clear that Cable had made the right and wrong decision at the same time as not doing anything all at the same time.  She then scarpered after Cannonball.

James Proudstar arrived in Phoenix in the mid afternoon.  He drove from the air-strip to Camp Verde.  However, there he found the reservation had been destroyed.  Among the rubble and bodies he found a cracked mask.  it was the distinctive style warn by the hired henchmen of the Hellfire Club.  He then swore vengeance against Emma Frost.

That evening, Cable had dressed in a shirt & tie with a waistcoat and reading glasses.  He was reading in the library when Sunspot approached him.  Cable was immediately short with Sunspot, but did offer his condolences when he heard of Emmanuel DaCosta's death.  He tried to sympathise, claiming that he had lost his father at a young age too.  Sunspot confessed that he was not close with his father, but Cable did manage to offer him time to make any arrangements.  Sunspot bashfully announced that he might not return.  Cable's only response was 'Whatever', to which Sunspot turned around, ranting as he walked out the door.  Cannonball had heard the whole thing and was furious with Cable.  He accused him of playing games and demanded to know what was going on.

Meanwhile, Boom-Boom and Domino were exercising in the Danger Room.  Domino had washed the black spot off her face, and was complimenting Boom-Boom's agility.  Boom-Boom claimed it was mainly from growing up on the street.  She reacted coldly to Domino, making it clear that she wasn't going to pretend to be bosom buddies with someone she knew nothing about.  Boom-Boom also stated that she was aware Cable & Domino were planning something, which was why they let Rictor and the others leave without a fight.  Domino defended Cable's decision, claiming that Rictor had left of his own accord and that at some point Boom-Boom would also have to make similar choices.

In the library the argument between Cable & Cannonball continued.  Cannonball didn't want to listen to Cable's propaganda about a war, but that was all Cable talked about.  He claimed to have seen thousands of people die in his lifetime.  Cannonball stormed out of the library claiming that he had hoped that being around the New Mutants would have eased some of Cable's pain.

The next morning they gathered on the lawn.  Adam had arrived to accompany Sunspot on his journey.  Cannonball and Sunspot hugged as they confessed how much they were going to miss each other.  The limousine drove away and Boom-Boom made jokes about the small size of their class.  Cable & Domino began to talk about their plans for the team, which Boom-Boom overheard.

Early in the afternoon, Domino brought James Proudstar into the War Room to meet with Cable.  He explained what had happened to the reservation.  He offered to join Cable's team if they would help him have his revenge on the Hellfire Club.

Neither Cable, Domino nor James were aware that they were being watched from the ventilation shaft above.  Feral was impressed that James had managed to join the team with such a simple reason, and considered how a similar deal should work for her.  

Meanwhile, a young man lay unconscious in the Danger Room.  He was surrounded by green slime.  He wore a white outfit with a white cape, over-sized brown shoulder-pads and had a double-bladed sword coming out the back of his left glove.

Note: Domino does not appear in this issue.  It is the mutant shapeshifter known as Copycat.

Additional:  This young man who appears at the end of the issue is Shatterstar, but he is not named until New Mutants #100.