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As I Die Lying
All suited up in their spacesuits, X-Force makes their final walk to the space shuttle. As they walk, Anarchist and U-Go Girl ask Dead Girl, as she is in touch with "the Other Side", if she can tell them which of the three of them will come back in a body bag. Meanwhile, a reporter asks Orphan if he has any idea what the team's new name will be, or if he has seen the bookies' latest faves. According to her, high rollers in Malaysia are throwing "serious dough" on them being X-Squad. Orphan tells her that they will first save the planet, and then worry about what they will be called.
Anarchist and U-Go Girl continue their conversation with Dead Girl. Anarchist suggests Dead Girl have a word with her buddies and tell them that all three of them are needed alive. In her spectral voice, Dead Girl informs them that the Dark Forces of the other side are not to be tampered with lightly. There are dangerous and terrible repercussions for those who meddle with what they do not know. Taken aback, Anarchist asks her if she can really make contact. Dead Girl retorts that she is called Dead Girl for a reason. In a more serious and somber mood, U-Go Girl tells Dead Girl that there is someone she would like to speak to, or at least make sure he's all right. His name is Zeitgeist... that is Axel... Axel Cluney. Dead Girl responds that contacting the dead isn't like textin' a buddy.
The Orphan, who had overheard Dead Girl and U-Go Girl's conversation, pushes his way past them. Obviously annoyed, Orphan asks if they can stop talking about death and dying and get the mission over with. Lagging a bit behind the rest of the team, U-Go Girl and Anarchist talk about Dead Girl. U-Go Girl asks Anarchist if he's noticed that she always calls them by their full names; Edie Sawyer, Tike Alicar. Another thing, Edie says, whatever the new name is to be they have to vote on it. This way they will know before anyone else, including the bookmakers. When Anarchist asks if that isn't insider trading, U-Go Girl answers that it is, but just not to tell Guy. Anarchist simply says : “ You got it... Edie Sawyer.“
(flashbacks)
Dead Girl, alone, looks up at the space shuttle and remembers. She remembers coming to New York. Very much alive back then, she wanted to act on stage, not before a camera. After in the city awhile, she went to a small hotel room with a man, another actor. Sitting on the bed with him, she felt his hands grasp her neck. Then everything went black. Her murderer took her body to the graveyard and sealed her inside a mausoleum. Who would look for a missing person there among the dead ? While entombed, she was not alone. The dead, the real dead, took pity on her. For reasons unknown, they whispered into the ears of her murderer. Now wracked with fear that his victim had been discovered and having to be sure, he returned to the mausoleum. Once inside he screamed in fear as he was pulled inside.
(present)
X-Force's space shuttle approaches the space station. U-Go Girl impatiently tells the pilots to get closer. She informs the team that space screws up her coordinates in teleporting. Any error and they could end up in a very cold, dark place. In the back of the shuttle the Spike notices Phat and Vivisector holding hands. Without warning, the Spike shoots a spike at Vivisector, tearing his spacesuit. Vivisector transforms into his bestial form and demands an answer from the Spike for his actions. He answers that he's had enough of the two of them simpering at each other like lovesick bee-atches. Orphan steps between the Spike, Vivisector and Phat, trying to prevent a fight. As Phat voices that he is unsure about revealing their secret, Vivisector admits that he and Phat have "special feelings" for each other, even though neither knows what that means. Angrier than ever, the Spike begins to make a disparaging comment, but is silenced with a karate chop from the Orphan.
U-Go Girl, looking out of the window at the station, tells the men to stop playing, as they are ready to port. Recovering from the Orphan's blow, the Spike questions whether Phat and Vivisector are going to be looking out for the team, or their special feelings. Phat retorts that Guy and Edie are an item and no one wonders if that will affect their loyalty. The Spike, not giving an inch, replies that someone should. This comment brings both U-Go Girl and Anarchist into the conversation, both telling the Spike that he should watch what he says. While they argue, Dead Girl asks Orphan how he plans on deliberately losing to the Bush Rangers. Incredulous, Orphan points to the arguing teammates and says that they are probably going to lose anyway.
Through U-Go Girl's teleportation portals, X-Force arrives inside the station. They are greeted by the crew of the station. The crew is overjoyed at both being not forgotten, and by being rescued by X-Force. As the rest of the team basks in the adoration of the crew, the Orphan asks where the "aliens" are. A few moments later the team is scurrying down the hall. Sealed behind the door behind the departing X-Force, the crew smiles and slowly transforms into alien-esque Bush Rangers.
Having split from the rest of the team, Orphan and U-Go Girl walk down a hall. She asks him if the question to Dead Girl about Zeitgeist was what got him in his lousy mood. Defending her actions, Edie tells Guy that she was merely testing her to see if she was a fake. Orphan stops U-Go Girl in her place. Reminding her what she just said about being a fake, he realizes what his senses were telling him earlier. The breathing... the tension around the joints... the so-called hostages.... U-Go Girl understands his meaning. Both turning around and returning from whence they came, Edie points out the problem with mutants: You never know where you are with them.
In another part of the station, a Bush Ranger shoots Anarchist in the back with a wrist blaster. Covering his downed teammate, the Spike returns fire with his spikes. Dead Girl sees to the wounded Anarchist who dryly says that he has some smashed vertebrae. Returning to his feet, Anarchist joins the Spike in an offensive against their assailants. Rather than defend themselves, the three Bush Rangers hold up their hands and claim that they didn't want to hurt them. Anarchist asks what being shot in the back was, a brotherly handshake ? A mutant replies that they did so before they saw who the three were. Another tells them that they didn't want to be turned into mutants, but joined up to avoid a lethal injection. The Anarchist replies that it isn't their problem; they're X-Force. The mutants then turn their attention to the Spike. They say they saw the television show where he called the Anarchist Captain Coconut : Black on the outside, White on the inside. Point blank they ask him : “ How Black are you ? “
Anarchist tells the Spike not to listen to them as they were on death row and were killers. The mutants tell the Spike that they were tried and convicted by a white, racist system. Looking down in anger or shame, the Spike says aloud that they are right. Now seeing where their allies are, the mutants fire their wrist blasters at Anarchist. To everyone's amazement, Dead Girl jumps in front of the blasts and is blown apart. In the confusion that follows, Anarchist manages to run away. The three mutants raise their right hands in respect to the Spike and his decision, to which he returns the favor.
Elsewhere on the station, U-Go Girl tells Orphan that she no longer holds a candle for Zeitgeist, and asks who even uses the old-fashioned expression any more. Orphan says that he does and then pushes U-Go Girl to the floor to avoid her getting his by a mutant blast. As the two dispatch their mutant assailants, U-Go Girl tells Orphan that he can't be jealous of someone who's dead. Orphan replies that Zeitgeist being dead makes the situation worse as one cannot compete with a dead lover. As Orphan breaks the neck of his mutant, U-Go Girl is hit in the back of the head by her foe. Orphan jumps on her foe, laying him low, and then runs to her aid.
Anarchist shows up and asks if U-Go Girl is hurt. Inexplicably, he then points out that she's cute, being limp and vulnerable. Disgusted, Orphan tells Anarchist to watch his back while he checks U-Go Girl over. Anarchist says that he will and then kliks on his wrist gun. Orphan's senses kick in... breathing... tightness around joints... In a fluid full body back-kick, Orphan knocks the Anarchist-Bush Ranger senseless. The mutant is then liquefied by the real Anarchist‘s acid-blast. Anarchist asks Orphan if Edie is okay to which he answers that she has a concussion. Still thinking about Death, Anarchist says that it might be best if she does die, as that would let the two of them off the hook. Angrily, Orphan tells Anarchist that if it were a choice between him and her, he would gladly be the one who died. As Orphan begins to issue a threat, a noise traveling through the station quiets them both. It is the oxygen leaking out of the room.
On the other side of the door, the remains of Dead Girl begin to stir. Rising of their own accord, the bones and flesh reform and coalesce. Dead Girl lives again.
Back in their chamber, Anarchist apologies to Orphan about his comment about Edie. Feeling the somber moment, Orphan admits that he knows how he feels. Before the two can, in Anarchist's words, confide some deeply embarrassing, personal secret, the door opens. To both of the men's surprise, Dead Girl stands before them, completely healed and looking as she always has. With grateful joviality, Anarchist asks her how many time is she going to save his butt ?
Dead Girl collapses in Anarchists arms. She tells him that she doesn't know. She admits that she doesn't know anything. She doesn't know who is going to die. She isn't in touch with spirits, the dead, or the Other Side. She isn't even sure she knows who she was when she was alive. Now, she says, they are all probably going to die and will leave her alone in the darkness. As Anarchist digests this unpleasant thought, U-Go Girl awakens. She exclaims that she has the answer! X-Men! The perfect name for a group of mutants with the X-gene! With this revelation announced, Edie falls back to sleep, and becomes deathly silent.


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[Assistant]
Because Louise
X-Force is dead. The Mars 2010 space station ripped apart and the precious air it once contained sucked into the void of space. Now exposed to the vacuum between the stars, the former members of X-Force have all died; killed by the alien invaders that they were sent to fight. At least this is the way it is looking to the news media back on Earth. An artist's rendition of this gruesome possibility is broadcast to the world on television. However, hope for the situation is still alive. A CIA crack squad is on it's way to rescue them. However, the network commentator voices, if she were you, she would keep hold of her X-Force merchandise, because it is about to go through the roof!
Microphone in hand, the reporter stands in front of the X-Force Café outside of South Des Moines where dozens of people hold lit cigarette lighters. Addressing her viewing audience, she tells them that she is witnessing a scene being repeated across the land, as fans hold solemn vigils for their heroes. Holding up a candle carved and painted in the shape of the Orphan, the reporter points out that if you are bored with plain old candles or lighters, you can chose to hold your vigil with these lifelike X-Force fire-lighters! Available at an incredible $9.99, one can chose their favorite X-Forcer, even a dead one!
Now turning to a vigil holder, she addresses Hank Zlotty, the franchise holder of the Des Moines X-Force Café and asks him how business is. Pointing out that it is always busy when there's news of death, he tells her that he's afraid that it is only short term. Grabbing the microphone and yelling into the camera, Hank tells the audience that when he bought the franchise he has promised that it'd be the only X-Café in town but now ... Hank's diatribe is cut-off as he is dragged away by security. Now back in control of the microphone and the camera's attention, the reporter continues. She says that as one can imagine, emotions are running high in Des Moines, but that our thoughts and prayers should now turn to X-Force, whether dead or alive. After wishing the CIA crack squad Godspeed she sends the story back to the studio anchors.
Agent Wright, whose face appears on multiple monitors, asks the Orphan if he can hear him. After Guy says that he can, Wright demands to know what the hell they are doing? Are they on a vacation? Safely sealed inside a room with an amazing view of the planet Earth below them, X-Force is lounging around. Reading a newspaper, Edie tells Agent Wright that they are just squeezing a little R&R in-between the relentless bloodshed and drama. Furious, Wright tells them that they should be captured by now so that the CIA can save them. Guy tells Wright that they are waiting for them to get closer, to which Edie adds that the Bush Rangers aren't the kind of folks you want to be captured by for too long. In his shuttle, Wright stares at a picture of a little girl and fumes. He tells Guy not to mess with him. He is the one who's stopping the multinational drug companies from turning the Orphan into the biggest hate figure since Osama Bin Laden.
Staring off into space, the Orphan tells Edie that Wright is right. Ignoring his words, Edie suggests to Guy that they go home. He did what he did with Paco and it wouldn't be the first time that a team of mutants has been unpopular. Ignoring her now, Guy tells her that they go ahead as planned. Now a little riled, Edie tells Guy that his problem is that he wants to be liked. With a half smile, Guy asks if that isn't what they all want; to be liked by them.
Elsewhere in the station, the Bush Rangers throw the Spike into a corner. The leader, Tray, stands cross-armed and demands that the Spike give it up. Leaning close to the Spike, Tray asks him why he dissed X-Force and joined the damned, condemned and otherwise irredeemably doomed posse? Sweating profusely, the Spike tells him what he told him before, that he has more in common with them than them knuckleheads. Unconvinced, Tray waves to two others who grab the Spike's arms, holding him tight. Addressing them, he tells Zippo to take his kidneys and says that Stanley can have his giblets. Confused, Stanley asks where does he find his giblets? In response, Tray tells him to use initiative. As Tray walks away, the Spike admits that he did have another reason. After being let go by the Rangers, the Spike admits to Tray that they whole idea was a setup. X-Force was to let the Rangers take them and then allow the CIA to save them. The only losers in the situation would be the Rangers. Turning to a window and looking to the stars, the Spike tells Tray that there might be a way for them all to win. Almost all. If the Rangers were able to escape back to Earth, the only one to be hurt would be the Orphan, who would be crucified. With the leader out of the way, X-Force would be needing a new leader. Sensing the Spike's line of thought, Tray mutters "someone a little... darker?" After an affirmative statement from the Spike, Tray suggests that before they go into business together he should inform the Spike of the crimes for which the state of Texas wanted him executed. Leaning into the Spike's ear, Tray whispers his crimes to the Spike. Now pulled away and sweating profusely, the Spike gazes at the Bush Ranger leader in horror. Holding out his hand in spirit of partnership, Tray asks the Spike if he still wants to hang with the bad boys.
Elsewhere, the rest of X-Force make its way toward the Rangers' compartment. Along the way, Edie continues her conversation with Guy. She tells him that he doesn't want to be liked. Adored from afar and envied, but not liked. Behind them, Dead Girl continues to profess to the Anarchist that she is in the dark about the afterlife. After asked by her why he is so interested in death, Tike answers that it is just forward planning. Trailing the group, are Phat and Vivisector. Talking quietly, Phat asks Vivisector how long they will have to keep it up? Vivisector answers until they get more recognition. Afterward, he continues, they can say it was just a phase experimentation. Phat points out that they are going to have to do... stuff... in public. Reluctantly, Vivisector admits to Phat that some displays of affection could be useful. That is if Phat thinks that he could manage that. Looking a little disturbed and sounding unsure, Phat says that he guesses he could, seeing as they are only pretending.
The Orphan cries out in surprise. As he led X-Force through the station, he expected to find the Bush Rangers and the Spike, but did not expect to find a dozen Spikes at once. All clad in the appearance of the Spike, the shape-changing Rangers are all playing arcade games. So consumed are they at their games and now the startled X-Force, none notice the space shuttle through the view port approaching the station. Cautiously, the Orphan asks which one is the Spike. At probably no more surprise to the Orphan, all begin to chime in, claiming to be the real X-Forcer. Bored with all of the talking, the Anarchist strikes, firing his acid and instantly killing a Ranger. Jumping into the fray, the Orphan tells Spike that he believes that he just killed the real Spike. Firing again, the Anarchist comments that he thinks that he gives a damn.
Hanging back a little, Dead Girl, Phat and Vivisector prepare to join the fight. Taking a moment to take stock of her situation, she tells the two teammates that she finally knows a way out of her existentialist maze. While her life was a mystery and her death makes no sense, her life after death after life might come to mean something. Despite the warnings of Vivisector and the mutant blasts of the Rangers, Dead Girl jumps into the fray. Watching Dead Girl and her powerful right hook, Phat does not notice a form behind him until a spike erupts through his upper torso.
With his friend now laid low, Vivisector jumps to his side. The Orphan, locked in combat with a Ranger, orders Vivisector to leave Phat and go help Dead Girl. Continuing his fight, Orphan adds that as part of X-Force, none of them are more important than another in the team. Reiterating his command for him to help Dead Girl, the Orphan punctuates it by stating that it is an order. In full beast form with fangs bared, Vivisector tells the Orphan to go forth and multiply with himself. Taking a moment to look back at his teammate, the Orphan thinly smiles.
Nearby, the Anarchist and U-Go Girl take a moment to watch in amazement Dead Girl. Torn apart limb from limb, Dead Girl continues to fight four Rangers. Her decapitated head bites one Ranger while her two arms and a leg wrestle and kick three others. Amazed at this, the Anarchist comments to Edie that if he comes through this, he would like to get to know Dead Girl better. A little curious, U-Go Girl asks him if it is because she can have parts of her face and limbs blown away yet still keep fighting? Possibly a little unsure himself, the Anarchist replies, whatever creases your trousers.
So distracted by Dead Girl's condition, the Anarchist fails to notice a Ranger moving in behind. With a spike in hand and declaring that he's damn if he knows what giblets are, the Ranger prepares to strike. Convinced that he is finished, the Anarchist mutters to himself, asking if this is it. Fortunately, for the Anarchist, the Ranger is blindsided by the Spike. In answer to the Anarchist's question, the Spike tells him that this is nothing, just the Spike saving the Anarchist's ass. Shooting the Ranger full of his spikes, the Spike adds that he's hoping that the Anarchist will accept his apologies. Continuing, the Spike confesses to the Anarchist that he never had anything against him. The talk was just talk.
Standing next to the view port, U-Go Girl calls X-Force's attention to the NASA shuttle docking with the station with the simple phrase, "got company". Moments later, Agent Wright opens the door and surveys the situation. The Orphan, standing next to U-Go Girl, Anarchist and Doop, points out that all of the Bush Rangers are dead or wounded, but he continues, the American public doesn't have to know that. The official line will be that they were saved by the CIA. Tight lipped, Agent Wright informs the Orphan that there is a change of plan. The official line will be that they tried to save X-Force, but in the heat of battle ... things didn't go according to plan. Agent Wright presses a button, opening a cargo door revealing the CIA's strike force, clad in body armor and sporting automatic weapons. As a grim punctuation to his intentions, Wright points out that X-Force always did have a pretty high mortality rate. On this cue, the troops open fire but miss their target when the foursome is teleported away.
Moments later, the foursome find themselves in a cramped area they don't recognize. After the Orphan asks where the hell they are, U-Go Girl admits that she took a chance and ported. Anywhere. The Anarchist begins to say that he's got a bad feeling about this, but is interrupted as their surroundings lurch forward with great velocity. To their horror, the team discovers that they are in a space capsule, now firing, and heading away from the station. Held tight to the bulkhead by the G-forces, the Orphan asks Edie if she can get them out of there. Edie responds negatively, unless they want all of their molecules scrambled together. Guy and Tike both decide to pass.
The rate of acceleration begins to slow, allowing the group to move about freely. The Anarchist takes a moment to ask where they are going. To the group's surprise, Agent Wright appears on a nearby monitor and answers Tike's question: Oblivion. He tells the foursome that their craft is heading for deep space. Resolute, Edie tells him that they will turn it around. Wright tells her that it is impossible. They are now in a metal coffin that will keep moving through space until it disintegrates or collides with something very solid. By which time, he adds, they will all be long dead. Dumbfounded by this, Edie asks Wright why he is doing this. Wright pauses for a moment and then tells her it is because of Louise. Louise, he tells them, was his daughter and was only three when she fell over. The hospital conducted tests, but all they could do was keep the young girl alive and hope that there was some kind of medical breakthrough. A breakthrough, Wright adds, like one Paco Perez might have given them. Grasping for a way out, the Orphan points out to Wright that there was no way of knowing if Paco had a cure for his daughter. Undaunted, Wright retorts that there was no way of not ... Abruptly, Wright disappears from the monitor, the connection broken.
Almost in acceptance of her fate, Edie exclaims that it was the Grim Reaper they saw at Dead Girl's graveyard and he was pointing at all three of them! Guy takes Edie's hands and asks her if she is scared. She says no, but Guy calls her a liar, reminding her that he is sensitive. Emerging from a hatch, the Anarchist apologizes for being a third wheel and tells them that he might just have found a way out of their tin can.
Back on the station, Phat, Vivisector, Dead Girl and the Spike finish off the last of the CIA's strike team. Now the last of his force, Wright tells them that it is too late; the popular members of X-Force are already dead. With two of the strike team helpless in his massive hands, Phat tells Wright that they're popular, just in a different way. Defending herself, Dead Girl tells him that she hasn't been around long enough to establish herself. More to the point, Vivisector says to Wright, if he doesn't find some way of getting them back, they are going to do some very unpopular things to his nervous system. Reaching into his pocket, Wright tells them that they can do what they want, there's nothing... Wright's words are cut-off when the Spike perforates him with his spikes.
Almost in a snarl, Vivisector asks the Spike to tell him why that was necessary. Reaching down for the object in Wright's hand, the Spike says that he saw him go for something. It might've been some type of laser weapon thingy. Standing back up, the Spike holds out a photograph of a three-year old girl. Showing it to the rest, the Spike tells them that Wright was trying to shoot them all with a cruddy photograph. Crumpling up the photo, the Spike suggest to the rest that they move their asses, as they don't want to be left behind. When Vivisector and Dead Girl ask about Guy, Edie and Tike, the Spike reminds them that Agent Wright said that they were dead. They're X-Force now.
In the escape craft, Anarchist shows the other three a small red vehicle similar in shape to a wheel-less automobile. Describing it, the Anarchist tell them that it is some kind of spacified life-boat thing with it's own independent controls. If the gods are smiling, he tells them, it might just get them back to the space station. But Whitney Houston, he says, they have a problem. Opening the door, Tike tells them that there's only room for two... and maybe Doop. Staring at the small cockpit, Guy reminds them that he is the one responsible for this. He made the decision to let Paco Perez go and will take the consequences. In a backhanded statement of praise, Tike tells Guy that he sure does wrap his ass around that moral high ground. Edie chimes in, telling Guy that he may be the leader of the group, but he's not going to decide which one of them dies. Like with Paco Perez, he doesn't have the right. At a loss, Guy asks her in turn what they should do. Stepping up, Tike tells them that they will do what all intelligent, thinking people do in times of extreme crisis ... leave it to luck. Holding up his hand, Tike shows Guy and Edie a simple six-sided die.
The NASA space shuttle rockets away from the Mars 2010 space station, on it's way back to the Earth. Meanwhile, inside the station the silence is broken with the sound of a groan, followed by the movement of metal. Moving a piece of debris off of himself, the Spike struggles to his feet. Almost inaudibly, he pleads for them to come back... he is part of X-Force too. His eyes now swollen and bleeding profusely, the Spike mutters that he was never serious about switching sides. He was trying to trick those mothers. He was no traitor, he's the Spike.
In the escape craft, Guy looks out of the window. Looking at the stars, he sees a new constellation, a gigantic skeleton pointing at him. Or Tike. Or Edie. Realizing that his eyes are playing tricks on him, he looks back into the craft. Edie, shaking the die in her hand, prepares to roll first. They will all roll, Guy thinks. The two highest scores get a ride home. The lowest... keeps the die. After Edie releases the die from her hand, the foursome watches it closely as it bounces along the floor, deciding for them their fate.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Someone Dies
On their commandeered CIA space shuttle, Vivisector, Phat, Dead Girl and the Spike make their way back to Earth. Attempting to gain the attention of the rest of the remaining team, the Spike comments that he guesses they need a new leader. Not listening to the Spike, Vivisector tends to the wounded Phat. Trying to think of ways for his teammate to use his powers to help himself, Vivisector asks Phat if he could reconstitute his molecules in some way to heal his wounds. Wrapped in bandages and his head swollen, Phat says that he's trying but it only makes it hurt worse. Not giving up, Vivisector turns to Dead Girl and asks if she can do anything to stop someone from dying. Crouched in a corner, she tells him that she doesn't know.
As Vivisector tirades about how he considers Dead Girl's answer insane, the Spike interjects again with the thought that they need a new leader. Enraged, Vivisector turns into his feral form and bares his fangs. Snarling, he scoffs that the Spike wants to have an election when Guy, Tike and Edie aren't even dead and Billy Bob is fighting for his life. Pointing his finger in the Spike's face, Vivisector theorizes that he doesn't give a damn about Billy Bob. That kind of concern, he continues, that one man has for another, turns his stomach. Growing angry himself, the Spike tells Vivisector to get out of his face. Before the two can go to blows, Phat stretches and enlarges his hand, separating them. Vivisector turns to his friend in surprise. Returning to normal, Phat tells him that while he still feels lousy, the desire to stop listening to the two of them bitching made some kind of natural healing process kick in. From the cockpit, one of the shuttle pilots notifies the team that they are picking something up. Something that came from the ship their teammates were stuck on is returning to the space station. Looking at the controls himself, Vivisector smiles and mutters that they made it.
(flashback)
Guy, Tike, Edie and Doop examine the small cockpit of their newly discovered life pod. Almost thinking aloud, Guy asks if they couldn't bunch up in there. Edie, he says, could sit on his lap. Bringing his teammate back to reality, Tike tells him that if they all try to ride that crate, none are going to get back to the station alive. Wanting everything to be over, Edie suggests that they stop talking and get the damn thing done. She points out that as X-Force, they knew they were going to die young. Whoever gets out of this alive ... will get over it. After a brief touch from Guy, Edie takes the die from Tike's hand and recalls the rules: the lowest score gets to stay behind. With a small gesture, Edie releases the die, which falls to the floor.
(present)
Back on the Mars 2010 space station Vivisector speaks into the station's communication console. Collapsed on the floor nearby is the corpse of Agent Wright, perforated by the Spike's spikes. Attempting to raise his teammates, Vivisector calls to Guy, Edie and Tike, telling them that X-Force has returned to the station to pick them all up. When silence is his only answer he turns to Dead Girl. He informs her that he can't make radio contact and that the ship is coming in too fast. Wondering aloud, he asks who is driving that thing? Assuredly, Dead Girl suggests Tike. He is the Anarchist. Guy would be more careful. Thinking differently, Vivisector suggests Edie as she is very incautious behind the wheel. Nearby, Phat asks the Spike what is wrong. Noting that he is not as cheery as before, Phat asks him if he has a problem with them coming back to pick up their teammates. Defensively, the Spike asks if he said he had a problem, to which Phat responds that he didn't have to. Back at the control console, Dead Girl notes that the ship seems so little. Vivisector dismisses the observation; saying that it is an optical illusion, as in space there is nothing to relate to. He does add afterward his wish that they would slow down.
Elsewhere in the station, the Spike, the real Spike looks out a port window. As he sees the small life pod returning he gains hope and spirits. Still beaten and bloody with swollen eyes, the Spike rejoices that they are coming back. Coming back for the Spike. Suddenly, the Spike is thrown off of his feet as the life pod violently docks with the station.
Back in the control room, Vivisector comments that the pod has not burst into flames. This, he reminds them, is always a positive sign. Hearing the doors open, Phat exclaims that they are alive and begins to run with Dead Girl to greet them. As the four look through an enormous window, looking into the docking bay, they see the small life pod. Exclaiming in horror, Vivisector sees Doop emerge and announces that there are only two others. Someone, he announces, has been left behind. Unable to make out their images, Phat rhetorically asks who? Who?
(flashback)
Edie curses aloud as she looks at the 3 dots on the topside of her die. Making a fist in frustration, she notes that she never was lucky with dice. Grasping Edie's shoulders, Guy suggests that they make it two out of three, an aggregate score. Edie dismisses Guy, telling him he is ridiculous. Somber, Tike tells them he doesn't know why they are even worried as everyone knows he's the one who dies. Angered, Guy grabs Tike by his space suit, telling him that if he doesn't shut up about that, he will kill him himself. Half-raising his hands in surrender, Tike asks why he does not. Together, Edie and he could have a pretty good chance of whipping his ass. Smiling wildly, he tells them that he is the one they want to see dead so their sweet love story can continue to beguile a swooning nation. They could get away with it. Kill him, and say he lost the dice game. Who would know the truth? Almost in answer the three look at Doop, who silently examines the small cockpit alone.
Grasping the die, Guy says that he will throw next. A quick toss later, Guy has thrown a 4. Noting the score, Tike tells Edie that it is between he and her. Edie comments that it is as it should be. Guy is too good to die. The two of them on the other hand ... she trails. Grasping Guy by the shoulder, Tike tells him that whatever happens next, he wants them to know that it's been a blast and he wouldn't have changed it. Guy and Edie concur. With this said, Tike picks up the die and blows on it. A little confused, Guy asks Tike what he is doing. After answering that he is blowing on it for luck, Tike follows up that he thinks he's going to need it. With a deft toss and a smile, Tike rolls his die.
(present)
Vivisector turns the wheel of the hatch leading to the docking bay. As the seal is broken, a dark gas escapes into the room. The hatch opens wide enough for a person to climb out, and that person is Guy. Crouching close-by, trying to see behind Guy, Vivisector asks what is going on? Still climbing out, Guy informs the group that the emergency craft was too small. One of them had to stay behind. One of them had to die. Now fully extricated, Guy turns to the hatch and, with tears in his eyes, reaches down to help the next person. After Dead Girl notices Guy's tears, Phat says that it can mean only one thing. Speaking to the next person, he asks them if it is Tike. He and Guy left Edie behind, he snarls. Quickly, Phat's expression changes from that of anger to surprise.
(flashback)
Guy sits against the hull of the escape craft with head in hands. He tells them that it doesn't seem right. The end of a life, decided by the roll of a die. It just seems too arbitrary. Close eyed and somber, Edie asks if it is as arbitrary as the genetic glitch that makes her capable of teleporting great distance, or Tike capable of doing weird stuff with his sweat glands? As arbitrary as that Agent Wright's daughter, Louise, was the one in ten thousand who has an incurable illness? Gazing out a window, Tike agrees with Edie. Everything is arbitrary. Defending his position, Guy remarks that the point of living is to try to make sense... carve some meaning out of what seems to be an arbitrary universe. Turning the conversation to Guy himself, Tike asks him what he thinks they should do, allow none of them to get out of their coffin-ship? Not deterred, Guy says they should stick together. Someone will save them. Impossible, remarks Tike. They might get the control to work, theorizes Guy. "Ain't gonna happen," says Edie. She addresses him as sweetheart and asks him to admit that there are some things that even he cannot work out. They agreed on this and threw the die. They all had an equal chance of dying. Staring at the die that has decided their fate, Tike mutters, "True dat". The die, Tike's throw, is a 1.
(present)
As Guy helps her out of the hatch, Edie comments that the sad thing is... that he knew it all along. Tike, she says, kept saying all along that his time was up and they kept saying that he was paranoid. When Guy comments that he was right all along, Vivisector agrees, suggesting that Tike was predicting a self-fulfilling prophecy. When Guy asks what he means, Vivisector asks Phat to elucidate. Unsure of how to do this, Phat instead explains. He tells the team that awhile back, he and Vivisector were gambling with Tike on the dice table. Even after he had lost all of his money, Phat says that Tike kept winning. After breaking the bank, Tike gave all his winnings to a poor, ugly hooker and told her to retire. Continuing the story, Vivisector tells them that Tike had later explained that it wasn't good fortune, but his sweat, which made the dice fall whichever way he wanted. So, he continues, if Tike threw a 1, then he intended to throw a 1.
As Guy and Edie look at each other in horrible realization, the Anarchist sits on the escape craft gloating. With his feet propped up, he studies his die, thinking that his teammates will never know how close he came to throwing a big, bad 6. Or maybe a 5, he thinks, less obvious. It was easy for Guy and Edie as they had luck. For him... he had to make a decision. Popping the die in his mouth, Tike thinks to himself that he has enough water and food to last four days, maybe a week. Despite this, Tike thinks that he will not wait that long. Having grown up in the white snow in the white world of the north, his whole life has been a journey to blackness. The Spike was probably right. Soon, he thinks, he will suit up, go for a walk like he used to in the snow and keep walking until he runs out of  ...
Tike's thoughts are interrupted by the lurch of the craft, which makes a U-turn in space. As he returns to consciousness, Tike's blurred vision sees several inhuman faces staring down at him. With his wavering voice, Tike asks the aliens who have abducted him to please say that they aren't going to internally investigate him. After his vision clears, Tike sees not a group of aliens, but all his X-Force teammates. Guy promises Tike that they aren't aliens. Edie adds to this that they have no intention of investigating him, internally or otherwise. As Tike's fingers probe his bandaged and throbbing head, Guy explains that they got control of the ship and brought it back. They did so, Guy admits, probably a little too fast, hence the mild concussion.
Turning his attention to the sheet covered corpse of Agent Wright, Tike recalls that Wright said that the controls were busted. Cross-armed, Guy tells him that Wright lied; he had just overrode them. When Guy asks Dead Girl to fill in the rest, she explains that she was thinking how alive Wright's corpse was. The different bacteria, the disintegrating tissue, the plucky follicles and the rest of the warm cuddly stuff made her realize something: it was talking to her. She could read the skin, the face, and the smell. The corpse was like a book that contained all of the information of the life that had left it. All this led Dead Girl to a revelation: she is a corpse reader. Returning to his part of the story, Guy tells Tike that after Dead Girl managed to see that Agent Wright had been lying to them, all he had to do was make a sensitivity check on the space station controls. Based on how the heat from Wright's fingers had cooled, he could reverse his keystrokes and get control of the ship. After blessing God for Guy's mutant gene, Tike tells him that he might not want to be saving his life. When he was as good as dead, Tike explains, Guy and Edie were in the clear. Now that he is out of the hole, the game is back on again and they still don't know which one of them is going to die.
Laughing at his paranoia, Guy and Edie exclaim that no one dies, they all live. A wavering voice from the hall tells the group that maybe someone dies. The group turns to the voice and sees the beaten and bruised Spike. Continuing his prediction, the Spike says that maybe a whole lot of people die. With stark realization, the team turns their attention to the Spike among them. As the Bush Ranger begins to adopt his own form, he laments that this happens just when he was starting to feel part of the team. Jumping to the attack, the Bush Ranger, Tray, attacks the Spike with a version of his own powers. Slumping to the floor, impaled with half-dozen spikes, the Spike curses at being attacked with his own weapon. Bleeding profusely, he tells Guy and Tike that he feels like a young Samuel L. Jackson, or was it Lawrence Fishburne, in Apocalypse Now when he was killed by a spear. Trailing off, the Spike dies.
With two handfuls of acid, Tike tries blasting Tray. Singed, but still alive, the Bush Ranger attempts to flee. Ordering his team into battle, Guy yells that their enemy is still alive. Swiftly, Vivisector intercepts Tray, cutting him off. Fighting in close with Vivisector, Tray exclaims that he hasn't been alive for years, and probably never was. Launching spikes toward the team, Tray exclaims that he was born dead, but will die living. Tike manages to deflect his incoming missiles, while Edie teleports hers away. Somersaulting into battle, the Orphan tells Tray that he will die like everyone else. With a sneer, Tray asks if he doesn't get a last meal before he's executed. The Orphan responds that he does, and supplies the sole of both his feet to Tray's skull, killing him.
With the battle ended, Guy turns to the team to see if there are casualties. Checking the Spike, Dead Girl announces that they have lost him. The team's loss is compounded when the shaky voice of Edie tells them that she is scared. To the team's horror, they see Edie sitting on the floor grasping the spike that is protruding from her abdomen. Guy attempts to comfort Edie, telling her that she will be okay after they get her back to Earth and a hospital. Edie dismisses Guy, telling him that they both know that it isn't how this is going to end. With tears in his eyes, Guy tells her that he doesn't want to lose her, as she is the only really good thing that's ever happened to his life. As he says that he doesn't know what he's going to do, she interrupts him. She tells him that he will be strong, for her, and will keep on being a great leader. Better than she could ever have been.  As she looks through a window to the stars outside, Edie asks Guy to do one last thing: bury her out there ... with the stars. Still in disbelief, Guy continues to say no, refusing to believe Edie's fate. Continuing her request, Edie says that a grave back on Earth would only become a kind of tourist trap and plastic glowing replicas of her gravestone would be sold in the X-Force stores. Still refusing to accept reality, Guy grabs Edie's shoulders and begs for her to not give up and to fight. Her voice still trailing, Edie tells Guy that she has nothing left to fight with. When she begins to smile, Guy asks her why. She replies that it is because she just thought of a great new name for the team. As words become more difficult to form, she asks Guy to lean in. Almost in a whisper she speaks the new name in Guy's ear. Still bent in, he tells her that it's great. When she doesn't respond, he straightens and calls her name. In horror, he realizes why she did not hear him, as she moves and breathes no more.
The remaining X-Force, minus Guy, watches solemnly as Edie's wrapped body floats away from the station. As she floats away toward her stellar grave, Tike mutters that he should have died, not her. Blaming himself, he says that he pushed the spike her way. Lifting his glasses and wiping away the tears beneath, Vivisector tells Tike not to blame himself. It could have hit anyone. Unmoved in his opinion, Tike tells him that it didn't. It hit Edie Sawyer. Calling out her name, Tike tells Edie that he's sorry. As a sort of personal farewell, he tells her, "You go, girl." Looking around the room, Phat notices that Guy is not around and asks where he is. Turning away from the window, Dead Girl tells him that Guy said he needed to be on his own for a while.
Elsewhere in the station, Guy sits on his own looking out of another window. In the reflection in the glass, he sees not his own image, but that of Edie's smiling at him. In his hand, Guy holds his prized revolver. Silently, he thinks about the one bullet, the one gun, and the six chambers. They are his friends and will be faithful. They will not desert him. With a swift motion, Guy spins the chamber of the revolver, which whirs in the motion. As he hold the gun to his head he thinks how the gun and the bullet will join him in his daily ritual. The squeezing of his finger brings the sound of a stark click. His daily ritual completed, he realizes that it has become the only thing that makes sense of the hours and the pain.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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X-Storm
"X-Statix", says the Orphan while holding a plastic action figure of the recently deceased U-Go Girl. Clad in his now trademark blue baseball cap, Spike Freeman asks what kind of made-up lousy name is that ? Still staring at the plastic likeness of his lost lover, Guy tells Spike that it was the last thing she said to him before she died. Putting his hand on the Orphan's shoulder, Spike says that he's sorry. He knows how tough this is for him and while he thinks that it's swell that Edie was thinking of the team at the end, they've already got a new name. After the Orphan walks away despondently, the Anarchist points out to Spike what it would mean to Guy if they used the name. Spike responds that he's had some very expensive focus groups liaising with a crack media consulting firm and they've come up with the name. Continuing, he says that it's already been put to a secret meeting of their biggest shareholders and it's a done deal.
Outside the X-Force headquarters, hundreds of people hold a candlelight vigil. Among the mourners, a television reporter speaks into the camera. She reports that the mood outside the X-Force building has grown increasingly somber as rumors spread of the death of Edie Sawyer, also known as U-Go Girl, the team's most popular member. Uncharacteristically, she points out, the normally media friendly X-Force machine has made no official statement. It has been confirmed, she continues, that the Spike has been killed in action, though he hadn't been around long enough to capture the American public's imagination. She then gives out the Internet address where viewers can find an obituary for the Spike.
Inside the headquarters, the Orphan reels in anger. Still holding his figure of Edie, Guy asks Spike why he has told them to not tell the media yet. Straightforwardly, Spike explains that they want to build up the tension and get the fans to wonder if she's going to come back. Incensed, the Orphan throws the figure of Edie, which misses Spike and breaks apart after hitting the ground. As Guy picks up the pieces of his broken figure, the Anarchist leads Spike away. After being asked by the Anarchist if he is trying to be the Antichrist or does it just come naturally, Spike replies that like it or not, they are a business and they have a lot of enemies. Taken aback, the Anarchist asks who ? Answering simply, Spike mentions X-Men, X-Factor, and the Fantastic Four and all the like.
Holding the pieces of Edie's figure in one hand and a bottle of vodka in another, Guy tells Spike that he doesn't care about competition and will not pretend that Edie is still alive. Holding up his arms almost defensively, Spike tells Guy that he doesn't have to, just say "no comment". The Anarchist suggests to Guy that he tell Spike to go to hell. When instead Guy turns away, Tike tries to stop him. Seeing his friend's pain, Tike asks Guy to talk to him, shout at him, or hit him. Do something about his pain. Dropping his bottle instead, Guy just walks away. From behind the protection of the Anarchist, Spike tells Guy that this is an order. If he is asked about Edie, reply no comment. As a warning, he informs Guy that if he even hints at the truth, he will be in deep %&$!?. When his threat is punctuated by the comment that Edie would have understood, Guy turns around and informs Spike that he is so close to having his neck broken.
Stripped to their boxers, Phat and Vivisector lounge in a bed, watching television. Almost thinking aloud, Phat says that he can't believe what's happened. Vivisector tells Phat that he knows how he feels, as it goes against the grain for him. However, he's trying not to think about it and trying not to analyze it. Sensing a misunderstanding, Phat tells Vivisector that he was talking about Edie. Vivisector replies that what's happened with them is just an everyday, totally predictable occurrence. Sitting up, Phat says that he can't get his head around anything anymore. Edie, of all people, he says, makes him feel... "Mortal", says Vivisector, finishing his sentence. Continuing, Vivisector muses that the Greeks would have said that she had a good death, in her prime, doing what she did best, but way too soon. When Phat muses about Edie being in love, Vivisector then asks what's the answer ? To cut yourself off from all that ? Cauterize the heart ? Changing the channel with the remote, Phat replies that he doesn't know. He's just a guy who can do things with his fat. Nodding to Vivisector, Phat replies that he's the clever one. Vivisector flatly replies that he wishes.
Walking outside, Guy is swarmed by reporters asking questions about Edie. Nearly enraged, Guy stops and informs them that he can give them news: Edie Sawyer is dead. Inside the X-Force headquarters, Spike sees Guy live on his big screen television look directly in the camera and repeat that Edie Sawyer is dead. Pointing to Guy's image, Spike calls him an insolent pup. After hearing laughter, Spike looks to the Anarchist and Dead Girl lounging on the couch. When he asks Tike what is so funny, Tike replies that he's just glad to be alive. With his arm around Dead Girl, Tike asks her if she is glad to be alive too. Slyly, she replies no comment. Tike asks her next if she fancies going out and getting into trouble. After asking what he has in mind, to which Tike answers that he has no idea, Dead Girl replies that it sounds too good to turn down. As they leave, Spike watches to reporter on television announce that it's official: Edie Sawyer is dead.
Outside their home, Edie's mother and daughter try to make their way through the crowd of reporters. Bombarded with questions of when she learned of her daughter's death, Mrs. Sawyer is in tears. Much to Mrs. Sawyer's surprise, she is escorted through the crowd by a man who yells to the media to back off and give her room. After asking if none of them have any shame, he tells them that Mrs. Sawyer has nothing to say at the moment. Escorting the now smiling Mrs. Sawyer through her front door, the man tells the crowd that she may be giving selective interviews at a later date when she's more composed. These interviews, he tells them, can be arranged through his office. Smiling from ear to ear, the man announces to all who have been living on Mars for the last few months, he is Solomon O'Sullivan and will be representing Mrs. Sawyer's interests from now on.
A little later, inside her house, Mrs. Sawyer looks at the crowd outside and tries to explain to Mr. O'Sullivan that they are just normal people. Holding a steaming cup of coffee, O'Sullivan explains that there are no such things as normal or abnormal people, just people who the media are interested in and not interested in. Moving the conversation to her, he tells Mrs. Sawyer that she is interesting, but without professional help, they will eat her up and spit her out and she will end up with nothing. Closing the blinds, Mrs. Sawyer explains that she has no intention of making a profit out of Edie's death. Talking a draught from his mug, O'Sullivan replies that while that is very commendable, X-Force does not have the same high moral standards and are making a mint. Have they contacted her ? Has she heard word from them ? After Mrs. Sawyer quietly answers no, she find O'Sullivan at her side. He asks her if she doesn't think that her daughter, God rest her soul, would have wanted her to benefit from this tragic event ? Answering himself, O'Sullivan replies that of course she would have. Taking Mrs. Sawyer's hand in his, he tells her that he knows what he's doing. He's Solomon O'Sullivan: fifty percent Jewish, fifty percent Irish and one hundred percent behind her.
Waving the cameras away from their faces, the Anarchist and Dead Girl emerge from their night in police cells. The narrator of the news story announces that the police have said that no charges will be made against the X-Forcers, but it is rumored that Tike will make a large donation to the LAPD benevolent fund. Showing now the Anarchist attacking a cameraman, the narrator reports that freelance photographer Ed Lance has reportedly filed a civil action against the Anarchist for criminal damages and emotional trauma.
As the news report ends, Guy turns off the television. Almost to himself as to the nearby Doop, Guy remarks that Tike and Dead Girl are maybe making a play at being the new golden couple. Turning his attention to Spike Freeman, Guy suggests that his marketing team should be able to run with that. Cross-armed and angry, Spike reminds Guy that he asked him ... told him ... not to tell them about Edie. Standing up, Guy states that he did and asks Spike what he's going to do about it ? Fire him ? Fine him a week's wages ? With an evil smile, Spike says that he could make some calls to those drug companies and tell them to go ahead with those commercials accusing Guy of ending the chance to defeat any number of terminal diseases. Guy asks Spike if he thinks that he cares if he's the most hated man in the world ? Walking away, he throws his vodka bottle over his shoulder and announces that he doesn't give a damn. Spike catches the bottle and pauses in thought. Calling to the departing Guy, Spike tells him to get himself cleaned up by tomorrow. He informs the team leader that they are visiting some farm teams to look at replacements. As it's open to the media they might salvage something from their mess. As Guy pauses, staring in thought at the reassembled figure of Edie, Spike exits the room from the other direction. Without a word, he tosses the bottle over his own shoulder. With no one to catch it this time, it falls on the floor and shatters into pieces.
The next day in an outdoor arena in the Mojave Desert, two mutants in X-Force uniforms combat each other before an innumerable crowd of spectators. One of the mutants is lobster-like in appearance, replete with a reddish, shelled skin, large eyes and huge mandibles. His foe, towering in size with bark-like skin, attacks with elongated branch-like limbs. Speaking to the crowd over a loudspeaker, an announcer addresses the crowd. He tells them that it is a rare privilege for them, the viewers, to be invited to witness the very process by which new members of X-Force are chosen. There in the Mojave Desert hopefuls from the various X-Force farm teams compete with each other to prove they're worthy of joining the big league. Allowing the next contestant to introduce himself, the announcer hands the microphone to an armored mutant with an exposed skull beneath his helmet. Microphone in hand, the mutant introduces himself as Arlo Summers, also known as Anti-Matter, and informs them that he operates out of the greatest city in the world, New York.
Watching in the sidelines, X-Force, along with the rest of the spectators, watch the competition. Looking to Guy, Vivisector asks what they are doing there ? Don't they usually just look at the reels ? Staring intently at his possible future teammates, the Anarchist answers that Freeman thinks it's good for P.R. as it shows the world that they're still a team. The group's conversation is interrupted when they are splashed by a wave of water. Looking to the source, they see one mutant with water-based powers knocking over another mutant with blasts of water. Gesturing in their direction, the Anarchist asks who or what in the name of everything that it holy is that. Consulting his drenched program, Vivisector informs them that he apparently operates under the name of Wash-out. Reading further, he tells them that as a chronic child bed-wetter he one day managed to harness the power of his nocturnal outpourings and use them against the tyrannical sect in which he was raised. In disbelief, Tike asks if that is for real. Walking by Tike's side, Vivisector tells him that you never know with this team.
Reading Vivisector's program, Dead Girl tells them that the other mutant, Sycamore, has a pretty good record. Almost aghast, Tike repeats the name Sycamore. Dead Girl tells him to think tree with brains. In jest, Vivisector tells them all that he's heard his bark is worse than his bark. Tike calls out to the nearby, but despondent Guy, asking if he thinks it was funny. Somber faced, Guy replies that he probably won't sleep tonight for laughing. Seeing Tike grow angry, Dead Girl holds Tike back and tells him to give Guy time. Seeming to refer back to the contest but not, Tike asks where Venus Dee Milo is. As she's a reported teleporter, he says, and pretty cute, in a little while they will hardly know that Edie isn't around. Guy whips his head around at the remark, his teeth clenched in a near snarl. Composing himself, he tells Tike that Venus is on a mission and they can check out her reel later.
A voice gets the attention of the team. He tells the group that they might be able to check out the reel later. Maybe. Introducing himself as Solomon O'Sullivan the man tells them he specializes in mutants and related matters. He tells them he thought they should know that he represents quite a few of the likely-lads they have been watching today. Venus Dee Milo, he informs them, is with him too. Brushing off the agent, the team continues on their way. Walking with them, Solomon tells them that he looks out for his clients. Just because they have uncanny super powers doesn't mean they know their ways around a legal contract. Continuing, he tells them he negotiates terms and conditions, images rights and so on. Tike waves Solomon off, and tells him they've already got agents. Not fazed, Solomon counters that they don't have agents who understand them and don't have the first idea what it's like to be different. Looking back, Tike asks if he does ?
Unbuttoning his shirt, Solomon says that it started when he was nineteen. Now bare-chested, Solomon reveals a torso filled with written words and phrases. Continuing, Solomon tells them that little messages, random words, peel off every day. Even though he doesn't know what they all mean or add up to, he saves them all. He tells them that whether they are occult signs or the great Jewish-Irish novel, he knows what it's like to be different. Studying intently, Vivisector pokes Solomon's chest and asks if his flesh peels off every day. As the youth pokes him, Solomon tells him not to worry. As an agent, he has very thick skin. Not in the mood, Guy waves the rest of the team on, suggesting they get away from the circus. Now clothed again, Solomon hands something to Tike. He tells him it is his card, in case he's needing a change of direction. Tike holds up the "card", only to see that it is a piece of Solomon's skin with his contact information "printed" on it.
As he makes his way through the crowd of media, Guy takes and dismisses questions. One asks if it is true that X-Force's new name is going to be X-Storm. Another asks if he has anything to say about Edie while another asks how exactly she died. Approaching Phat, one reporter asks if he has any comment about the talk that he and Myles are more than just friends. Growing angry, Phat asks what he is implying. Taken a little aback, the reporter begins to mention the gay press but is interrupted by Phat, who begins to rant. Bulking up his body, Phat grabs the man by his collar, yelling that he doesn't give a damn about the gay press. Shaking him, Phat tells the reporter that those "faeries" are just trying to diss him, and if he thinks that he's one of those he should send his sister around later so he'll know differently. As the team walks away, Myles, Vivisector, looks disgusted by the recent altercation.
With his revolver in one hand and the figure of Edie in the other, Guy sits alone in the X-Force headquarters. Talking to the figure, he tells it/her that he knows that she doesn't like him doing it, but it helps. It gives shape to a meaningless world. A bullet, a revolver, a spinning chamber, it is his own personal stations of the cross. Holding up the figure, Guy asks it/her if she remembers all the discussions she, he and Tike had about the arbitrariness of life ? What was it she said ? The figure, now moving on it's own with life, tells Guy that the meaning of life is to carve some kind of meaning out of an otherwise arbitrary universe. Purse-lipped, Guy tells Edie that he can be so Goddamn pompous. Kicking up her leg, the Edie figure tells Guy that it why she loves him. Retorting in her word game, Guy tells Edie that it why he has the toilet plunger in his hand.
Making a double take, Guy looks at the toilet plunger in his right hand where the revolver was moments before. Realizing immediately what has happened, Guy stands and yells out the name Lacuna and asks if this is her work. Lacuna pops back into the room, and the flow of time, with Guy's revolver. Smiling broadly, she tells Guy that she thought that he could do less harm with the plunger than the gun. Funny, she tells him, he never struck her as a gun type of guy. Grabbing the revolver, Guy tells Lacuna to back off, as it is none of her business. Quickly, Lacuna retorts that she has decided to make it her business. She tells him that he has to stop wallowing in self-pity. Less than a split second later, she has the revolver in hand and Guy has a rose instead. Continuing, she tells him that he is still the leader of X-Force. That means something. Angry, Guy replies that it meant so much to her than she turned down the chance to join them. Still smiling, Lacuna replies that it was because she realized that she wouldn't measure up. Grabbing back the revolver, Guy reminds her that it was because she was offered a show called Lacuna and the Stars. After he asks her to leave him alone, Guy returns to his chair and returns his attention to the Edie figure. Playing with his hair from behind, Lacuna tells Guy that there are rumors that he is less than happy with what everyone presumes with be the new team name, X-Storm. Continuing, she asks him why he doesn't come on the show and talk about it. Talk about Edie and get it all off of his chest. A little incredulous, Guy asks why he would divulge his most intimate details in front of millions of television viewers ?
A little later, on the Lacuna and the Stars show, Guy tells Lacuna that Edie whispered in his ear ... "X-Statix". Watching this on the television, but not really paying attention, Myles asks Phat if he is going to say something. As Phat thinks, on the television, Guy tells Lacuna that she could say that it was Edie's dying wish. Trying not to make eye contact with Myles, Phat asks about what. Angered into his feral form, Myles suggests that he outline his views on the influence of the reformation of modern art or maybe he could tell him why he came out with that cowardly, nasty, homophobic bull ! Raising his voice, Phat exclaims that he doesn't want everybody knowing. After Myles retorts that that was the idea, Phat answers that it was the idea when they were pretending.
Nearby, Dead Girl asks Tike if the reason they are going out is because he has never done it with a dead girl before. Before he can answer she tells him that she wants to be more than just a novelty. Finally answering, Tike tells her that she is. Dead Girl quickly retorts that she doesn't believe him and walks off. As she does so, Tike pulls out the skin-card of Solomon O'Sullivan and says softly that maybe they all need a little help.
Later in the headquarters, Guy asks Spike in amazement if he has changed his mind. His attention drawn to the X-Force hand-held game he is playing, Spike tells Guy that his performance on Lacuna of the Stars captured a nation's heart. With a sneer, Guy replies that it wasn't a performance. Dismissing this, Spike tells Guy that they have been inundated with calls, e-mails, and letters demanding that they call themselves X-Statix. Pulling one letter out of his shirt pocket, Spike says that he has one from his Holiness the Pope, but as it is from Seattle, it sounds a little improbable. Irate, Guy grabs Spike by the shirt and calls him a scumbag. A little confused, Spike tells Guy that he's giving him what he wants. Angrily, Guy retorts that it's for the wrong reasons. Once released from Guy's grip, Spike sits back in his chair and grins. He points out that despite his motives if he didn't give in, he would have been called a dictator. Pleading his case, Spike tells Guy that he's on his side and is part of the team too. Holding out his revolver, Guy tells Spike to prove it, to take his place for one day. With one bullet in the chamber he has a one-in-six chance. Taking the gun in his right hand, Spike unceremoniously holds it to his head and pulls the trigger. After the dry click is heard, Spike tosses the revolver back to Guy, declaring the experience a blast. In shock, Guy looks at his gun and comments that Spike is a freak, as big a freak as the rest of them.
Along with the rest of X-Force, the Orphan stand before the mob of reporters and declares that the Doop Kiddies Hospital open. Concluding his commencement, the Orphan announces that he wants to say that whatever may have happened, or what may have been heard, and whomever the team may have lost, he and the rest of X-Force are there today to show the world that they are still a team. Listening nearby, the rest of X-Force are silent, save for their grim expressions. Continuing, the Orphan tells the audience that they have no tensions or infighting and no bad blood ... but they do have a new name. Pointing at the cameras, Guy tells his audience that from this moment on, the team formerly known as X-Force will be known as ...


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untitled
It is a time when magic ruled. Cable was called the Traveler, riding on his horse. He is riding towards the city called Relic of Karanada, knowing what dangers await him. He can smell it. The Concil of Nirinthia had warned him several months ago, but he ignored them. En Sabah Nur had sent a kadre of killers after him and it had taken all of Cable’s skills and powers to defeat them all, plus to cloak his presence from the immortal Overlord. And, because of that delay, he feared that he had run out of time.
The Traveler makes it to the castle of Karanada. He’s awaited by a woman and asks if she is part of the Council. After the woman introduces herself as D’Narda, the Traveler asks where all the citizens are. D’Narda doesn’t sense any of them and fears the worst and the priests threaten to awaken Skornn and the lifeforce of the citizens would be needed for that. The Traveler says that he should have been sooner, but D’Narda says that he can’t be at all places at once. The Traveler smiles, saying that she could be surprised. D’Narda fears that Skornn has fed. The Traveler says that there is only one way to find out, and the Relic is this way. D’Narda lightens up a flare and in the castle and the two enter a long, dark tunnel. When the Traveler asks how deep the catacombs go, D’Narda explains that the new village was build on remnants of Karanada after the world had swallowed that whole city. Her magick’s sense naught but silence.
The Traveler prepares himself, saying that he has his own special… readings at his disposal and, unfortunatly, they confirm D’Narda’s mystical impressions. They are too late. D’Narda and the Traveler find the citizens and the priests, dead! This means that Skornn has fed well. Skornn shows up and the Traveler orders D’Narda to stand behind him. Skornn knows that they call his enemy the Traveler, who doesn’t know how far and wide his journeys beckon. From a world, a time, Skornn has tasted where the Travler’s kind rampants. The Travler confidentantly tells the creature that he won’t live to see that day.
Skornn’s surprised that the Traveler calls him a creature now. After all, Skornn claims that he is not that much different than he is: different than diluted flesh. Though apart, but still a part of tapestry. Skornn knows that his enemies only fear what they don’t understand. As they would fear if they knew the truth. Skornn finds humanity just mere morsels, an appetizer to the main course. But mutants, they breed to become the future, and Skornn knows it. But Skornn promises he shall come to call the mutant kind his… food! The Traveler shall never allow that to happen. He takes his sword out and begins to fight, as does Skornn.
In the present day, something has disrupted Cable’s meditation and he harshly falls down on the ground. Domino quickly reacts and realizes that there was more behind it than just “disrupted.” The two mutants don’t realize that their hideout is being watched by three obscure looking characters. Suddenly, Cable’s metalic mesh seems to be fluctuating. Seeing this, Domino jokes a request that he change it back into a backscratcher, as she has an itch difficult to reach. Cable tells her to be quiet, as he needs full concentration to bring his arm back to normal. Domino asks why, because “normal” usually doesn’t last long around Cable.
Cable doesn’t find that funny and also finds it suspiscious as well, because practicually nothing can get through his telepathic shields. However, this sliced the telepathic blocks he had protecting him while meditating and the telekinetic sheath he used to get his techno-organic virus in check. Cable has a hard time concentrating and almost faints. Domino get him, up telling him to take a deep breath. Cable says that she doesn’t understand, because only big trouble can smack him around like that. Maybe it’s Apocalypse, or Magneto, or worse: a tearing of the temporal field. Domino finds that far fetched, as they had such a long, nice time without such a thing bothering them.
Cable holds her back, because they are already there. Three red-armored warriors smash through the window and demand the Askani’Son. They tell Cable that the Order of the Five Blades decrees him dead! Domino asks if they are friends of Cable. Cable explains that they will be… in fourteen centuries! Domino says that she doesn’t have that long to wait for instructions, so she starts fighting them. Cable, who’s better now, starts fighting too, using his Psimitar weapon and some built-in guns from his metallic arm. They each take on one warrior. Domino asks Cable why exactly she is fighting these Power Ranger look-a-likes, and why they make her break a sweat… almost break a sweat. Domino has soon defeated her adversary, and Cable explains that they are called the Helix, genetically modified humans. The Helix are also rabid anti-mutants.
Domino finds it pathetic that, in a thousand years, humans and mutants are still fighting each other. When she asks why the Helix are there, Cable replies that he doesn’t know, but the Helix said they were send by the Order of the Five Blades. He believes that means… that they disappear. Domino asks what he means by that. Cable tells her to just look, the Helix actually are disappearing! Domino knows that time traveling and teleportation usually go together. Cable explains to her that, if the Order is involved, that must mean that Skornn is back. Domino regrets to ask the question, but wants to know who or what Skornn is.
Hours pass and Cable and Domino have flown in their plane towards Mount Xixabangma, on the border of Nepal and Tibet. They see a temple on top of the mountain and Domino asks what’s going on in there.
Inside the temple, Shatterstar is attacked by two ninja monks. The monks ask Shatterstar if it’s true he came her looking solace. He says yes. And yet, the monks say, Shatterstar comes every morning with the desire to kill them all. Shatterstar confirms this too. The monks tell Shatterstar that he has proven to be unable to change and came from another world. The monks tell Shatterstar that his very blood screams the desire to fight. Gaveedra-7 now must leave the sacrarium. Shatterstar takes his swords out, stating he won’t be allowed to leave without quarrel.
The monks call him anti-life, on which Shatterstar replies to the monks that they teach the killing arts. They start fighting and the monks explain him that they only teach the arts of cherising life. Shatterstar finds them fools, and has had enough of useless words. He has grown tired of the monks and everything this fetid world has to offer. Shatterstar hits the monks hard, telling them that they have been trained to fight, but they don’t know what it means to be born to fight! Shatterstar says that the monks are right, and he is made only to fight! Shatterstar has tried but, no matter how hard he tried, he’ll never fit in into this world. Suddenly, his swords are telekinetically ripped from his arms. Shatterstar looks up and is surprised to see the man responsible.
Cable and Domino stand before him in battle armor. Cable greets Shatterstar, saying it’s been a while, and tells him that he won’t get his swords back until he calms down and stops trying to kill the ninja monks. Shatterstar asks what they are doing here. Cable explains that they didn’t came for him, but for the Five Fingers of Annihilation. Shatterstar is surprised that Cable knows of the Five Fingers and is even more surprised that he seems to know the monks. Shatterstar asks what’s going on.
They go into the temple and Cable introduces Domino to Zed, an old friend of his. Shatterstar bows to Zed. Domino asks if she wants to know how much of an old friend Zed is, but Cable says that it’s better she doesn’t know. Zed tells Domino that it is not the durance that matters, but the substance of the friendship. A man finds few in a lifetime that prove able to fight alongside with. Zed asks if he’s right about that and asks for Shatterstar’s name.
Shatterstar, still bowing, agrees and tells his name that has been given to him once. Zed knows that Shatterstar has known many names, but none matter. Only the spirit is true. Not the facade of a label. Cable explains to Zed that Shatterstar came to Earth seeking help and, unfortunatly, he failed to provide that help. Shatterstar cheers Cable up, saying that he didn’t fail and gave him what he always wanted: a family and a purpose. Shatterstar believes that he failed Cable. Cable, surprised, doesn’t know what to say, but tells Shatterstar that it’s useless recriminating each other. What matters now is that they have a purpose and Cable asks Shatterstar if he’s interested in helpin. Shatterstar asks if it involvs mindless violence. Of course, Cable says. Then it’s okay by Shatterstar.
Cable explains to his friends that the Five Fingers of Annihilation is a sword and the only thing on Earth capable of defeating Skornn. When Domino asks what Skornn is, Cable explains that Skornn is a being that feeds on mutants. Shatterstar asks how one sword is able to kill such a beast. Cable doesn’t find that important; what matters is the future. He explains that humans will loose their war against the mutants. In their despiration, they have sent agents back to our time in the hope to resuciate Skornn! As Cable speaks, outside, multiple Helix show up, entering the temple and killing the ninja monks. Cable continues his story, knowing that those agents will come for the sword.
When Shatterstar thinks they mean to destroy it. Cable denies the idea, saying that they’ll come to protect it, because they want to bring Skornn back to life! The Helix smash through the window of the temple and surround the mutants. Domino finds themselves idiots for leading them right to the sword. Cable doesn’t think so, wondering if Domino thinks that the Helix have a way to track the chronal particals in his body from all the time traveling he has done. Some might say that this is a stupidity on his part, but Cable prefers to call it a plan! He jumps into action with his Psimitar. Domino asks Cable why he’s using the Psimitar again. Cable reveals that, with the recent problems he’s had, it helps him to keep his powers focused. Shatterstar notices that nothing has changed and they still talk to much while they are fighting.
Cable apologizes, but says that they do that to prevent them from getting bored. Shatterstar says that Cable always puts such a weight and importance to each fight, and those message always confuse him. Shatterstar stops babbling, because now he is doing the same thing! One of the Helix says he has found a way to keep them all silence. He holds Zed hostage and holds the Five Fingers sword in his hands. The Helix knows that the sword hasn’t been used in a long time and knows how to change that. He stabs the sword in Zed’s back, killing him. Shatterstar screams and has had enough of this mindless killing for all the wrong reasons. This world never sceases to amaze him, seeing how it knows nothing about mettle and justice.
Shatterstar tells the Helix they fight for humanity, but they don’t even know the meaning of that word. The Helix says he knows what he once was, and what he has become… all because of Shatterstar’s kind! Shatterstar doesn’t think so. He wished that he had only an inking of what that trully meant. On his world, Shatterstar explains, he was genetically bred for superiority, like the Helix. And yet, he was also a mutant, apart from his own kind, who were apart from all kinds. Shatterstar tried to understand what it meant to be human on this planet. He was even given a pretense of humanity, only to have it taken away as a lie!
Shatterstar says he came here as a last resort to learn disciple as a context for warfare. And before the Helix arrived, he was told that he had failed. Shatterstar wonders if he should believe that if he is such a failure as a man then he might succeed as a weapon of mass destruction! Shatterstar fights the Helix and kicks him real hard. The battle is short and Shatterstar is the victor. He stands triumphanticaly over the fallen Helix and has retrived the sword. Shatterstar lets the Helix live, so that he can tell that if they want the Five Fingers of Annihalation that they shall have to come through him! Shatterstar asks Cable why he isn’t laughing, because this is funny. Cable comforts Shatterstar, saying that he is not a failure. He’s just… a work in progress.
Shatterstar asks Cable if the sword shall become a lightning rod for bloodshed. Cable confirms this. Shatterstar lifts the sword high up, saying that those who will seek it will get exactly what they want: they will see the Five Fingers drink deep from the well of blood!


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The Spectre Of Things To Come
Cannonball is back in his hometown of Kentucky, where he tries to heal from his wounds he received in a recent battle with the X-Men. On the family farm, he helps with the seeding and flies over the barn Sam was able to buy for his family with the money he earned from his services when he was a member of the X-Corporation. When he is finished and lands on the ground, Sam doubts if he still wants to fight for peace between mutants and humans, or stay here with his family. But his sulking gets cut sort when suddenly a bright light appears from inside the barn.
Inside, the man, a mysterious-looking man in costume materializes after having teleported. The first thing he noticed when having landed is the strange smell of the air, which is so different where he came from. Where the man came from, the air smelled like blood, since forever. The man asks his computer, which he calls Timecode and is built in his armor, for a confirmation. Timecode confirms, saying, “Temporal wash point confirmed”.
The man asks for a quarry track. Timecode explains: “Potential linear divergences sorted. Confirmed clear.” Continuing, it says, “Sam Guthrie, alias Cannonball, the Messiah of Massacre/the Lionheart of Greymal-” The man stops his computer, just wanting to know where he is. Timecode confirms Sam’s location to be eleven meters to the man’s right.
Not understanding this, the man gets attacked by a flying Cannonball! The man can’t believe that he is actually seeing the Lionheart. Sam says that, normally, he would ask for the man’s name, but now he simply isn’t interested in that. The man smiles, saying that Sam is younger than the man expected him to be. The man also notices Sam’s moppy hairstyle, as the man had pictured him with a clean top.
The man says that he didn’t come there to fight – at least not Sam, at any rate. Cannonball flies towards the man but, as Sam wants to attack the man, he quickly turns intangible and Sam flies right through him. Turning back visible, the man says that, if Sam wants to challenge him, he would be honored. Sam flies through the barn’s wall, recognizing the way the man talks, as it is similar to Cable’s speech.
Outside, the man confirms that he came from the future. Sam begs to not ask him to save the world again. The man says that he doesn’t have to tell Sam what shall be, as Sam’s destiny has been forged. Sam orders the man to just tell him what he wants. The man introduces himself as Jon Spectre and he needs Sam’s help to battle a threat that harms both mutant and human alike, and is caused by a man they both know. Sam quickly comes to the conclusion that Spectre must be talking about Cable. Spectre confirms and begins to reveal his story.
Spectre reveals that it all began like most days do: with a call to battle. Cable tries to convince the Askani Council to battle En Sabah Nur and his forces, who have begun to re-arise. Though they first had their doubts, the Council realizes that Cable will do anything to bring peace and to sacrifice himself when he needs to - to fight when he needs to - though Cable doesn’t like to fight. But the Council had to be sure and tests Cable in an arena, making him prove himself against the Protectorate Council Guards. Jon remembers how proud he was to finally see his Uncle Nate fight, as he never had seen him in action. Specter says he never saw how beautiful fighting could be, though he tells “Lionheart” that he knows better now. Specter explains how Cable bravely fought and destroyed the Guards using his Psimitar weapon.
Spectre says he did some research later and never did found any exact proof, but knowing that Guards aren’t made out of flesh and blood that they might have been programmed to lose. Spectre remembers how Cable asked the Council if they were now convinced that the fires of battle still rage inside of him. The Council regretted to admit, but Cable’s desire indeed raged on like an inferno. Cable’s request was granted and soon people came to help him.
The names of Cable, Tetherblood, Dawnsilk, Adam Spectre, Lark and Sepulcher soon were learned by every school kid. They fought many battles and Jon’s father paid the ultimate price, only for having believed in a man who claimed that it was a time for action. A man who believed in a man who didn’t realize the very action he initiated nearly destroyed all life on Earth!
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Cable has summoned up the help of Warpath, Sunspot and Meltdown and has told them and Domino and Shatterstar the exact same story Spectre told Sam. Shatterstar can’t believe that Cable actually admits one of his mistakes, as he rarely does that. Warpath wants to know how these events affect the time now, as both he and Sunspot have responsibilities towards X-Corps, especially with them being under attack. Meltdown agrees, saying that she helped Cable in the Underground fighting Weapon X, but doesn’t feel like fighting. Cable explains to her and the rest that this isn’t a life choice, simply a mission. Cable says that he has recruited them because he needs people he can trust, as they have history together and history builds the future.
Speaking of which, the computer screens in Cable’s base go on and reveal Spectre. Domino asks Cable if he knows him, which he confirms. Cable claims that Spectre is always trouble, no matter what timeline he is haunting. Domino finds out that Spectre is in Kentucky now, with Sam. “Not good,” Cable says. Domino wants to know if Spectre if part of the Helix group they fought earlier, but Cable denies that. Meltdown wants to know what Spectre wants with Sam.
Warpath realizes that Spectre is from the future and asks if this is more of the High Lord events they had to deal with when confronting the Externals. It doesn’t matter to Shatterstar, as their ally is in danger and so they must protect him. Warpath thinks that Shatterstar just wants to kill something, but this time actually agrees with him.
Cable uses a Bodyslide and the team begins to teleport away. Meltdown now remembers how much she hates all this. Sunspot asks her what: fight or teleport? “Both,” Tabitha says. Holdings his guns ready, Cable comforts her, saying that it won’t be much of a fight, as Spectre won’t know what hit him!


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The Big Picture
Mt. Xixabangma, on the border of Nepal and Tibet…
Xixa Zenaya bows in sorrow over her dead father, Zed. Xixa apologies for not being there to protect him. She wants to know what happened here and who killed her father. Ulak, one of Xixa’s followers, brings her a survivor: Gault. Xixa hates to see that, of all her father’s followers, Gault is the soul survivor. Gault doesn’t understand what she means by that, but explains to her that there was an oddity here at the Mount, and tells Xixa that, despite that she left and hurted him, her father still loved her. Gault reveals that Zed died protecting Shatterstar. Xixa’s glad to hear that her enemy has a name.
Xixa orders her followers to call in the help of the Scrubbers and to have them gather all possible information about Shatterstar. She also wants it to make sure that the Five Fingers of Annihilation don’t get sold on eBay or something. She also wants a jet prepared. Xixa promises that when she finds him, she is going to kill Shatterstar! Meanwhile, Cable and his former teammates arrive in Kentucky. Cannonball is surprised to see his friends together again. Spectre gets a little tensed when he sees Cable. Cable takes out his guns and opens fire, telling Sam that they came here to ask him for help and not to see him allied with a traitor. Cable shoots at Spectre, missing him.
Spectre tells Cable that he can believe what he wants to, but that he knows the truth. Spectre takes out his swords and claims that Cable can’t be trusted. And that his soldiers know it, too, deep in their hearts. Sam tells his friends that Spectre is right. Sunspot doesn’t know what to think. Meltdown hates this situation. Cable reveals to Spectre that the time when he expected his orders to be followed blindly are over. Spectre doesn’t believe it and throws miniature robots at Cable and the rest. Warpath and Meltdown destroy them easily. Tabitha tells Sam that they don’t have to fight. Sam replies that it’s not about them, but about Cable. Meltdown asks why.
Sam flies towards Cable and punches him hard in the stomach, revealing to Tabitha that Cable has been lying to her, like Cable always has. Cable tries to protect himself, but Cannonball pushes Nate over a cliff and he falls into the river below. Cable stands up and activates his forcefield to protect himself. Cable asks Sam what Spectre told him that he would turn against his friends. Sam believes that he isn’t turning on them, only to Cable. Sam claims that he doesn’t need a tough father-figure anymore and is through with him. Through with all the lives Cable has been telling them since they know him. Cable is sorry that Sam feels that way.
Cable claims that he has always looked at the bigger picture. Sam doesn’t believe that and wants Cable to explain the little pictures to him - to reveal the point at which point he will betray him. Sam flies high up and Cable uses his forcefield and telekenesis to do the same. An angry Sam asks Cable to tell Tabitha how she is going to die while protecting Valeria Richards from the Skornn outbreak in Madripoor. Cable wants to know what Spectre told Sam. Sam says he doesn’t want to. Should Warpath know how he is going to die? Or Sunspot? How will Shatterstar feel when he finds out who is going to kill Rictor? Cable tries to make Sam understand that Spectre’s future hasn’t been written yet. But Sam already knows that much.
But Sam says that isn’t the point: he only wants to know how Cable could have wanted this life for them all if he knew it was going to end up in nothing but pain and heartbreak. Cable tries to apologize, but Sam won’t let him and flies at top speed at Nate, telling him that he’s through with him. Cannonball briefly drops his blast field for one second, hereby giving Cable the chance to knock Sam down. Cable picks the fainted Sam up, hating the fact that he had to do this.
Meanwhile, Shatterstar points his attention to Spectre and wants to fight him. They both prepare their swords. Shatterstar is glad to see that Spectre is as much as a battle fool as he is. Spectre finds Shatterstar a fool, because in history he will be rememered as nothing more than an individual gun on a battle field. Shatterstar calls Spectre “Little Boy.” Spectre doesn’t understand the remark. Shatterstar tells Spectre that he’ll figure it out once his swords have got him. Spectre gets angry and they begin to fight each other. Spectre dodges Shatterstar’s attempts to strike with his swords. Shatterstar admits that, at most, Spectre is an average fighter. Shatterstar can see why being a traitor would work better for Spectre than dying in a battle. Spectre tells Shatterstar that Cable told him a lie. Spectre believes that refusing to die for those lies does not make him, or Shatterstar even, a traitor.
Spectre tries to get Shatterstar to his side, but he refuses to even listen to the guy and kicks him down. Shatterstar explains that his “Little Boy” remark refers to the name that was given to the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. Weapons can make history. Shatterstar wants to kill Spectre, but Cable stops him from doing that, saying that they didn’t came her for that. Sunspot notices that didn’t stop Cable from hurting his friend Sam and gets angry at Cable.
Sunspot attacks and punches Cable down, telling him that, whatever his mission is, he can count him out of it. Cable tells Roberto that is entierly his choice. Cable orders Domino to teleport them back to the ship and Domino does as told. Sam tries to tell his friends that they don’t have to go with Cable, but none of them listen. Not even Meltdown.
At the same time, eighty miles south of Plodiv, Bulgaria, eighty feet underground, some Helix teleport in front of a temple mouth where the Relic of Karnada lies. They enter the temple and find the remains of the Nirinthian Council, exactly were they were slain. The Helix know that, for the Skornn to arise, they must die. Suddenly, energy fills the room and the Skornn is revived! The Skornn is hungry, and he would like to to feast on the body of the man known as… Cable!