Cable and X-Force fight Nimrod and use logic to defeat the Sentinel. Cable's techno-virus flares up. The Externals return.
Synopsis
Domino and Cable are the only mutants left standing in the battle against Nimrod. The rest of X-Force lie in the rubble of the fight. The two present humans, Dr. Hawkins-Mailer and Dr. Wilker, are astounded that Nimrod is sentient and has weaponry that they did not install. Cable is taken down with aerial drones and Domino is left to fend for herself. Her power to have things fall in place for her confuses Nimrod, as any direct attempts to destroy Domino are futile. Nimrod adapts, however, and makes his primary target Domino's surroundings, which effectively injures her.
Before Nimrod can exterminate Domino, however, Cable blasts the sentinel with a telekinetic blast and Shatterstar flies in unexpectedly and takes a slice at Nimrod with his sword. The three mutants then work together to attack Nimrod and manage to attach an explosive. Siryn hits Nimrod with a scream and X-Force notes that it has bought itself a few minutes of respite while Nimrod fixes itself.
Cable comes up with a plan to access Nimrod's consciousness. He links up with the minds of Dr. Hawkins-Mailer and Dr. Wilker in order to navigate the ins and outs of Nimrod's technology, while also using his his own techno-organic parts to access Nimrod's subnet. The result is the ability to access the astral plane and Nimrod's "mind". Cable's arm goes haywire and Nimrod states that it is because Cable is a man out of time. Cable turns this logic on Nimrod and asks it what its purpose is. Nimrod explains that it exists to protect humans. Cable reasons that since Nimrod is not supposed to be created until 60 years in the future then human casualties would be multiplied, thereby going against Nimrod's programming. Nimrod does the math and discovers that Cable is right, Nimrod would do more damage than good in being around earlier. Nimrod shuts itself down.
Outside the astral plane, Cable and the X-Force pack up. The doctors give X-Force Nimrod's network and vow to simply study the technology that made up the magnificent machine. X-Force heads home.
In Kentucky, Cannonball and his family become the hosts to the Externals.
Log in to comment