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[Assistant]
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Excitedly, Doctor Hoffman races through his facility, his assistant hot on his heels. Calling to the doctor, the assistant suggests that maybe it would be best if they abandoned the facility… Repeating the word “abandoned” inquisitively, Dr. Hoffman asks why in the world would they do that? Didn’t he hear? the assistant inquires back. He said mutants were coming. Reaching his destination, a flatscreen computer terminal, Hoffman instructs his assistant to let them. They’ll be prepared.
Pressing his palm flat on the screen, the doctor activates a sequence opening blast doors, which retract like three petals of a triangle. His research on this endeavor, Dr. Hoffman continues, has been nonstop and thorough. What it’s lacked is field testing. And now it’s going to get it. With a smile, Hoffman addresses those within as “gentlemen” and asks if that isn’t right. After all… they owe him. Within the room, trapped in tubes like fireflies sit the mutants called Abyss and Reaper. How does he figure that? Abyss asks. He’s tortured them. In case he’s forgotten, Dr. Hoffman rejoins, he saved their lives. Death is preferable to this, Reaper counters. Well, then, Hoffman tells him, perhaps they’ll all be satisfied.
Elsewhere in the facility, Gambit glances around a corner, while Polaris watches Quicksilver take out the last of the guards they had come across. Taking stock of his situation, Gambit notes that Harry Snow was right – this seems to be some sort of AIM setup. He’s always game for a slug out with Advanced Idea Mechanics but, still, he wishes he had some clearer idea of what’s going on. He means, Snow couldn’t be specific as t’who was there. Just “some mutants” were being held there. And they’re flyin’ blind. They could be anywhere in this…
Suddenly, the floor opens up beneath Gambit, who falls down a smooth shaft. Quicksilver is at the entrance in a moment, but it’s too late and the hatch closes up before him. Immediately, he orders Polaris to open it, but she replies that there’s no metal in it, so it’s going to take her a few moments to…
Before she can finish her sentence, a transparent cylinder slams down around Quicksilver. Before even he can react, a vacuum is created, sucking him up through the ceiling, after which the tube retracts.
Left very much alone, Polaris sarcastically proclaims the situation just terrific. She leads the team into a fight and this is what happens. Okay, fine, she tells any who might be listening. They want to play? She’ll play. As the hallway around her and the technology behind it begins to erupt into its component pieces, she announces that she has a fun game called: Let’s bring this place down around your freaking ears!
However, one piece of technology is not hers to control and a tentacle snakes near enough to her to spray gas at her direction. Polaris only has a moment to recognize the danger and tries to cover her mouth, but it is too late. Coughing uncontrollably, she magnetically propels herself away to safety and into another room. Struggling to return to her feet, she hears someone weakly call out her code name and asking what the hell she’s doing there. Polaris looks up disbelievingly to see Fatale, bound to a giant, metal X.
Elsewhere, Gambit continues his uncontrolled descent through the shaft, finding nothing on which he could grab hold. Knowing that he nevertheless must find a way to slow down his trip, Gambit extends his legs out, pressing against the shaft and pushing his back against the opposite wall. Friction soon takes over and Gambit comes to halt, allowing him now to look over his shoulder down below. As he figured, a trap awaited him below, a furnace-like pit which is already making the walls of the shaft vicious hot.
Sweat on his brow, Gambit manages to produce a queen of spades and charges it. Suspecting that he’s not getting a second chance, Gambit tosses the card to the furnace below, hoping that he’s timed it right. The exertion, however, causes him to lose his grip, resuming his plummet below. He has only a moment to worry about whether the card will work before a massive explosion rocks the furnace below, obliterating it. As soon as he lands within the inferno, Gambit rolls to safety, silently noting that it was a lot closer than he would have… Gambit’s thoughts trail as he spies four heavily armed AIM soldiers.
Hey, how’s it going? Gambit asks them playfully. One of the men asks if the intruder is a mutant, but another replies that he doesn’t give a damn and orders them all to shoot him. However, before they can do so, their rifles disappear from their hands. A short distance away, Quicksilver playfully says hello and asks if they’re missing something while tossing their weapons to the ground. Undeterred, the lead AIM officer orders his men to get him. Quicksilver begins to ask “with that?” but his answer comes quickly, as the four men raise their right arms and cock the projectiles weapons about their wrists. Time slows for Quicksilver as the bullets race towards him less than a moment later. However, contorting this way and that, he bypasses them all.
In the moment in which this occurs, however, the four AIM agents find themselves under attack, specifically from a charged playing card, which explodes between them all. The four taken out, Gambit asks his teammate where did he come from. Told “death trap,” Gambit asks how bad. Thinking back to the array of small, airborne devices and circular saws erupting from the floor, Quicksilver smiles that it was nothing he couldn’t handle.
Meanwhile, in Hoffman’s lab, Polaris helps Fatale down, incredulous that she was about to be dissected. She then asks how did Hoffman end up capturing her, anyway. The last she heard, Abyss had transported her and Reaper into another dimension. Yes, Fatale confirms. After that bastard Quicksilver restored their powers and turned them into walking bombs. Raising her eyebrows, Polaris sheepishly asks that Quicksilver did that?
Too weak to walk on her own, Fatale leans on Polaris as she confirms. Fatale then adds that the other realm somehow froze time around them. Their bodies didn’t blow up for as long as we were in there… And then Hoffman... he pulled them out of there somehow with some kind of… machine… Then asked by Polaris why didn’t they blow up then, Fatale explains that Hoffman drained the energy off them. It was like he knew they were there, knew what to do. How he could have, she hasn’t the faintest idea. He left them powerless… and he kept talking about doing something with the power himself, though she can’t imagine what.
Elsewhere, Doctor Terrance Hoffman stands in the middle of a high-tech crucible. Clad in a sort of armor, he is bombarded by blinding energy from two extending terminals. From controls a safe distance away, Hoffman’s assistant reports that the device is at 100%. Nevertheless, at the center of the energy maelstrom, Dr. Hoffman emphatically orders him to keep going!
Still in the tubes serving as their prison, Abyss and Reaper attempt to shield their eyes. When Abyss opines that this is not going to end well, Reaper asks back how Hoffman is doing that. None of them had the power to do that! He must be manipulating the energy somehow, Abyss surmises. Terrific, Reaper rejoins. He definitely thinks they were better off when they were dying. No kidding, Abyss agrees.
Still at the controls, Hoffman’s assistant begins to feel less safe, as the maelstrom has expanded, affecting the equipment around. Worried, he announces to his boss that he’s shutting it off, only for the increasingly powerful, booming voice of Dr. Hoffman to proclaim No! Don’t you dare! Shielding his eyes from the debris of exploding equipment the assistant replies that he must. However, before he can reach the controls, a gigantic, fiery hand crushes him in its palm. I said NO!
Some distance away, Fatale continues to lean on Polaris as they made their way through the facility. Not as weak as before, Fatale voices that they have to get the others. When the surprised Polaris asks what others, Fatale tells he Abyss and Reaper. Hoffman has them there somewhe… Fatale’s words trail as the facility comes apart around them, including the ceiling above. Acting quickly, Polaris releases Fatale, who collapses to the floor, and raises her arms, magnetically holding back the debris which was about atop them. Hold on, she tells Fatale. She’s got it under control!
Oh, DOES she now? When Polaris mutters a “My God!” what was once Dr. Terrance Hoffman replies Indeed. Towering high above them is a giant made of glowing, white energy, trimmed with dark spots, reminiscent of cooling lava. You poor little mutants. You think you have so much power… and you don’t understand what is at your fingertips. ANY of you could do this. Any of you could do anything if you understood how to manipulate your abilities. But you don’t. You have one power and you stick with that, turning your nose up at the possibilities. Look at all that you could accomplish. Yet you allow the world to treat you as if you were dirt on their shoes. Sad and pathetic creatures. To think I actually felt sorry for you.
Their prison machine shattered by the energy crucible, Abyss and Reaper dig themselves free from its debris. Asked now what, Reaper tells Abyss that he doesn’t actually have any ideas on the subject.
Still focusing on Polaris, the energy monster that was Hoffman continues boom at her. It isn’t hard, he tells her, for a human to become a mutant. You simple have to know how to manipulate the energy properly. Watch, I’ll show you. With that, Hoffman balls his hands into fists and extends them at Polaris, creating an energy blast stopped only by her magnetic powers. You see? he asks her. I can harness the energy in my cells into sheer blasts of energy. Can you do that? In punctuation, Hoffman creates a more powerful blast, but this one hits only the ground, as Polaris magnetically launches herself, Fatale in tow, to safety.
A short distance away, Quicksilver and Gambit have arrived on the scene and spy the gargantuan Hoffman. Asked where that came from, Gambit tells Quicksilver that he’s not really caring so much as worried about where they’re going to send him. Considering this, Quicksilver asks Gambit if he still has cards. Told yes, he orders Gambit to get one ready. Producing a two of spades, Gambit asks what now. Now hold on tightly, Quicksilver replies. Gambit has only a moment to consider what this might mean before Quicksilver grabs him, propelling the two of them at lightning speed.
As they race, Polaris (with Fatale) continue to evade the blasts of Hoffman, who bellows at them to remain still and die willingly. It’s the least they could do in the name of scientific advancement! Concerned so much with the two women, Hoffman is unaware as Quicksilver races up his gigantic leg. Still towing Gambit, Quicksilver orders him to charge up the card and throw it when he tells him. Too late, Hoffman spies the duo and, just as he asks what they are doing, Quicksilver orders Gambit to throw the card, which disappears within the energy giant’s ear canal. Just like shooting a womp rat back home, Gambit quips. Receiving an inquisitive “what?” from Quicksilver, Gambit asks if he’s kidding. He’s never seen Star Wars? Told he has no use for fantasy films, Gambit tells Quicksilver he needs t’get a life. Seriously.
As they race safely to the ground, Gambit’s charged card explodes within Hoffman’s cranium. His eyes rolling back, Hoffman falls backwards, threatening to crush Polaris and Fatale, the latter of whom excitedly orders the former to get them out of the way. When Polaris yells that she’s going as fast as she can, Fatale emphatically tells her to go faster! However, Fatale’s fears prove unnecessary, as what lands on the ground is the much smaller, very human Dr. Terrance Hoffman.
Regarding the unconscious man, Gambit supposes that he couldn’t retain the power once he went unconscious. When Quicksilver asks what now, Reaper steps forward with a piece of debris held over his head. Now they make sure he doesn’t wake up. Polaris moves to stop him, but is held back by Fatale, who tells her to let him do it – Hoffman deserves it!
A moment later, Reaper brings down the heavy bludgeon, only to find it disappearing from his hands like quicksilver. Immediately, Reaper sees that the real Quicksilver has absconded with his weapon. Like the lady said, the speedster voices, the lady said no. And he believes that they should attend to what she…
His face beginning to grow angry, Reaper yells “YOU!” and launches himself at Quicksilver. He’s been waiting for this! However, Quicksilver easily sidesteps the attack, causing Reaper to fall onto the floor. Then he’s afraid Reaper will have to wait somewhat longer, he tells him.
Nearby, Fatale turns to regard Polaris and, with clenched fists, demands to know that this bastard is on his team?! Yes, Polaris replies simply. And he just stopped the evil scientist who captured her, so maybe she should consider being more polite. Screw that! Fatale exclaims. She’s rather have been eviscerated than saved by him. A little incredulous at this, Polaris begins to protest, but Fatale is resolute. If it means anything, Quicksilver interjects, he’s sorry for… Interrupting, Fatale tells him to save it! It means chuck-all! They are never going to forgive him for what he did to them. And they will never stop trying to get even. Turning to Polaris, Fatale tells her to think about that.
Hearing this, Gambit quips to that that went well. He sure does have a way with people, he then tells Quicksilver. Making friends all over the place.


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[Assistant]
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In a pool hall, Havok chalks the tip of his pool cue. Speaking to his opponent, he notes that X-Factor is a division of Serval Industries. My, how times have changed. And they want Lorna running this thing? When asked if that’s for sure, Havok is told by his opponent “quite sure.” Asked if they know she’s nuts, the opponent rejoins that that’s a rather severe assessment. She’s his girlfriend, Havok defends. He’d know. “Is she?” Havok’s opponent asks. They don’t seem together these days. Moving to his next shot, Havok corrects that she was his… Look, they have a connection. Told “how sweet,” Havok tells his opponent to save the sarcasm and tell him more about Serval.
They seem a straight-up organization, the opponent reports. They have their fingers in a variety of pies. Headquartered in Virginia. Asked if they suspect, the opponent asks what. Where his allegiance truly lies, is the answer. Chalking his own stick in consideration, Quicksilver asks if Havok means that he’s his spy. He’s not a spy, Havok counters. He’s his eyes and ears. Asked by Quicksilver why is he that again, Havok explains that he’s worried what Lorna may have gotten herself into. And he figures he’s the only person who she’ll trust.

First of all, Quicksilver interjects, she tried to shoot him a few months back, so he’d say there are some trust issues. And second, considering he’s serving as Havok’s “eyes and ears,” why should she trust him in particular? To this, Havok replies that he’s her half-brother. Asked what that means exactly, Havok replies that it means whatever he makes it mean. Cursing slightly as his ball bounces off the edge of the pocket without going in, Havok tells Quicksilver it’s his shot.
Frankly, he’s not sure what it means, Quicksilver continues in their conversation. What it sounds like to him is that he wants him to manipulate it somehow. He’s completely misreading it, Havok replies. He just wants him to continue with her and keep an eye on her. Asked for how long, Havok answers until he’s satisfied. When Quicksilver then notes that Gambit suspects him, Havok rejoins that Remy suspects everybody. He’s a thief. It’s his nature. He then asks if Quicksilver is going to shoot, only to be told that he already did. Slack-jawed, Havok sees table felt completely empty, save for the cue ball and Quicksilver’s discarded stick. Raising his hood as he departs, Quicksilver informs Havok that he owes him twenty dollars. Put it on his tab, Havok replies. He hates him by the way. To this, Quicksilver grimaces that everyone does.
In the office of Serval Industries CEO Harrison Snow, Linda Kwan asks her boss what he is viewing on one of his several computer monitors. Rubbing his mouth and chin as he studies what he is watching, he explains that it’s video footage that Polaris acquired for them from the laboratory they broke into. When Linda then asks if she was taking video footage, Snow whimsically replies not knowingly. That would be much too inefficient. One night while she was sleeping, they installed a cybernetic nanobot in her right eye. Anything she sees gets transmitted into their database. Then asked if Polaris doesn’t know about it, Snow inquires why worry her about details? Linda begins to object, but then thinks better of it and remains silent.
Ignoring the unspoken objection, Snow continues that they got a good deal of information from this encounter. Plus, of course, they have Dr. Hoffman himself squared away. He’s sure Hoffman will be forthcoming. Taking a sip from his beverage, Snow asks if there’s anything else. Told that they want to see him down in computer science, Snow asks if there’s a problem. They said they’ve been hacked, she replies.
In the rec room, Polaris looks upon a grey-furred cat and tells Gambit he’s adorable. What’s his name? Oliver, Gambit replies, sitting on his bed. The orange one is Lucifer and the white one is Figaro. Sitting backwards on a chair nearby, resting her crossed arms on the chair’s back, Polaris tells him she’s glad he brought them there. It makes his apartment more like a home. Producing a laser pointer to amuse his cats, Gambit replies that he never thought he’d be living inside a building that’s basically a big company. Doesn’t that seem a little weird to her? Dude, Polaris colloquially rejoins, they used to live on a floating island off San Francisco. Nothing seems weird to her anym…
Polaris words trail as she tries to pet Oliver, only for the cat to hiss at her and swipe at her hand with his claws. Recoiling in shock, Polaris hears Gambit begin to tell her that he’s sure he didn’t mean that, but she interrupts. Her shock turning to anger, Polaris magnetically lifts the feline and declares that she meant this! Seeing her demeanor and her intent, Gambit yells Lorna’s name and orders her to put him down. NOW! For a moment, Polaris does not seem to respond, her face contorting in rage and her eyes glowing green with fury. However, as quickly as her demeanor changed, it changes again. Right. Of… of course, she voices, more sheepishly. Lowering Oliver, Polaris touches her forehead for a moment and then announces she should go. As she departs, Gambit replies that he thinks that’s a good idea.
However, before she reaches the door, Polaris finds it blocked by Harrison Snow, who asks the two if they are getting settled in okay. Told by Gambit that they are, Snow smiles that that’s good and then asks if they would mind coming with him. There’s something he wants to show them.
As they walk to the giant elevator tube, Snow asks the two how much they know about computers. Told by Gambit that he knows how to break into a few of them, Snow rejoins “besides that.” He’s a thief, Gambit counters. To him, there’s nothing beyond that. Fair enough, Snow replies. Continuing as their elevator descends, Snow explains that they at Serval have an abiding interest in computers. They did found the world’s leading search engine, after all. Oh, and they’re also big on money because they’re a company. To this, Gambit interjects that he’s with him so far. Well, Snow continues, it seems they have a problem and he was hoping X-Factor could take a look into it for him. Told by Polaris that they’d be happy to, Snow offers a simple, “Oh, good.”
Exiting the elevator tube, the trio approach an immense door. Asked by Gambit where they’re going, Snow explains their main computer room. When the doors slide apart, it reveals a cavernous room, filled with towering machines. Hearing Polaris swear, Snow explains that these are their servers. Good, Gambit voices, have them bring a cheeseburger with everything. To this, Snow responds that he’ll ignore Gambit’s attempted witticism, if that’s all right with him. Sure, no problem, Gambit replies taking in the whole room.
Leading the other two through the chamber, Snow explains that he wants to introduce them to Doctor Wexler. He’s the one who brought the problem to his attention. Entering a small adjunct room, Snow address the doctor, sitting behind a high-backed chair and turned away from them, and informs him that he wants to introduce him to X-Factor. Two-thirds of it, anyway. This is Remy LeBeau and Lorna Dane. Gambit and Polaris. Descending from his chair, the diminutive Doctor Wexler asks that they each have two names. That seems wasteful. Speaking next directly to the Gambit and Polaris, Dr. Wexler introduces himself as Anton Wexler. One name. Like a normal person. They’re normal people, Polaris defends. They’re really not, he replies.
Turning back toward the giant monitor before them, which reflects an image of himself, along with various glyphs and formulas, Wexler asks the two what they see. Thinking it a trick question, Gambit first quips “a giant selfie” but then settles on a computer screen. No, Wexler replies, intently examining the screen. Not a computer screen. His computer screen. Turning back to Gambit, Wexler explains that he built it. He manages it. He’s with it pretty much 24/7. So, when he says that someone has hacked into it, he knows what he’s talking about.
Scowling down at Dr. Wexler, who stands at about half his height, Gambit asks how that happened. He has no idea, Wexler scowls back. It should be impregnable. He has safeguards in there against anything on this planet that could attempt to get it. Someone has been looking through their files. Poring over materials in design. Oh, and they also helped themselves to ten million out of their bank accounts. Perhaps they thought he wouldn’t notice, but he did.
Dr. Wexler then takes the trio to another screen, walking past several workers, all clad in head-to-toe over garments, draping over them like burkas, with masks obscuring their faces. Ignoring them all, Gambit begins to remark that he’s not sure how they figure into this. They’re not computer guys. Obviously, Wexler responds. What they are are fighters. And he’s managed to locate where they hacker is set up. From a console on a small tower, Wexler points to an island on the large screen. As islands go, he explains, it’s rather curious. It’s in the Mediterranean… except it’s not. When Polaris asks what he means, Wexler explains that he’s checked every chart and map available, and no one has a record of it.
Eyeing the island on the screen, Gambit silently notes that of course they don’t. That’s the stolen island. It’s the headquarters of the Thieves’ Guild, of which he’s the head. Sensing something amiss, Snow asks Gambit if he’s all right. Oh yes, he responds, attempting to play off his thoughts. He’s fine. From his tower, Wexler voices that he understands they’re a strike team. His advice is to go and strike. Go to that island, find out who’s breaking into their computer, make them knock it off, and get their money back. Shouldn’t be too hard. Piece o’ cake, Gambit replies. I’m so screwed, he then thinks.
In short order, now in costume, Gambit asks Polaris how they are going to get there. The Mediterranean isn’t exactly next door. They have a vehicle, Polaris responds, don’t worry. Gambit then begins to ask about Quicksilver, only for the speedster to dart by them, asking if he missed anything. Asked by Gambit where they hell he’s been, Quicksilver cryptically replies “around and about.” Let him guess, Gambit rejoins: he was updating the Avengers on everything he’s learned by hanging out with the. Asked by Quicksilver when he’s going to start trusting him, Gambit mockingly considers for a moment and then answers: never.  Annoyed, Polaris orders them both to be quiet and declares it like dealing with children sometimes. He started it, Quicksilver points out.
Reaching their destination, Gambit and Quicksilver are respectively shocked and impressed when a door opens, revealing giant hangar in which sits an immense air craft and a smaller, lithe looking one. They’re taking the small, yellow one, Polaris announces before they can ask. Built for speed, she calls it the Raptor. When Gambit explains that a raptor is another kind of plane entirely, Polaris rejoins that she say it first: she gets to name it. End of story. Then told by Quicksilver that a raptor is also a car, Polaris tells him that she’s not hearing the shutting up she was hoping for. A different thought occurring to him, Gambit asks if she’s going to fly this thing, to which Polaris explains that they have a pilot, who she’s told used to fly Air Force One. He loved that movie, Gambit quips, as they rise into the craft.
As the Raptor departs, Harrison Snow visits Dr. Terrance Hoffman, who is bound in a large, featureless room and bound by a straightjacket, which is attached via tether to the ceiling. Seeing his captor, Hoffman demands to be let out of there. He can’t keep him in there forever! Well, forever is a long time, Snow responds, but for the present they certainly can. He’s no legal authority, Hoffman exclaims. He’s a company for God’s sake! And he was a scientist working for AIM on some very interesting projects, Snow counters. They’ve checked him over six ways from Sunday, he then adds. He’s human. And yet somehow he developed mutant powers.
It wasn’t somehow, the bound Hoffman spits back. He’s been working on it for his entire adult life. And he’d be working on it right now, if Snow’s team hadn’t stopped him! And illegally locked him up! Smiling slightly, Harrison Snow leans forward and asks Doctor Hoffman to tell him: was he especially attached to AIM? Did he share their values which were, they should face it, evil? Or were they just a means to an end? Asked why he is asking, Snow straightens up and bluntly asks Hoffman how he would like to work for them. Do they have health care? Hoffman asks back. They do, Snow answers. And dental. Keep talking, Doctor Hoffman replies.
As they speed low over the Atlantic, just above the waves below, Polaris asks Gambit if he is kidding her. Seriously? He’s the boss of this mysterious island they’re going to? Not of the island, Gambit defends, but of the people on it. It’s like the United Nations of the Thieves’ Guild. When Polaris then begins to ask if he’s connected to the computer theft, Gambit interrupts. Absolutely not. But he can take an educated guess as to who’s behind it. Asked to enlighten her, Gambit explains that his guess is that it’s Nil. He’s a technomancer. A person with a magic ability over computers and such. In fact, he’s not sure how Serval could have figured out it was him. He shouldn’t leave any traces of his work. Well, Quicksilver interjects, however they did it, he sees the island up ahead. They’re there.
As the jet makes its approach, Gambit suggests to Polaris that she let him go first. He’s their freaking king. If anyone tells them to lay off, it should be him. Polaris quickly agrees, though Gambit can’t help but sense a lack of confidence. A few minutes later, as their craft continues to hover a short distance from shore, the trio makes their way from the beach and into the tree line. In short order, they find a man clad in an outfit resembling a modern pirate, wearing boots and baggy, long pants and a long coat but no shirt. Hello, son, the bearded man replies. He sees he’s brought friends.
A few moments later, the man kisses Polaris hand and introduces himself as Jean Luc. He’s as close to a father as Gambit ever had. Receiving her real name, Jean Luc greets Lorna Dane and asks about the “silver-haired” fellow. Pietro Maximoff, she replies. Her half-brother. If they’re in his son’s company, Jean Luc replies, they are welcome there. Turning to Gambit, Jean Luc voices that they did not have a meeting scheduled, but as their leader he can naturally come and go as he pleases. What’s up? Glancing about, Gambit asks if Nil is there. Informed that Nil is always there, Gambit notes that he needs to see him. That should not be a problem, Jean Luc informs him.
A short distance away, Nil is in a bubble-filled bathtub with a longhaired, shapely blonde, who is quite incredulous at Nil’s claim at having been born in 1853. Oh, yes, he confirms. Quite the scandal, actually. You see, his father had an affair with…
Nil’s words trail as he is interrupted by Jean Luc, who brings in Gambit and his two guests. Recognizing their “fearless leader,” Nil remarks that this is unexpected. Asked how did he do it, Nil tells Gambit that it wasn’t hard. He turned on the switch, the water started moving… Interrupting, the stoic Gambit asks how did Nil break into Serval’s computer. Oh, that, Nil remarks, stepping from the giant tub and wrapping himself with a towel. Let him get dressed and he’ll show him.
Having dressed, Nil leads the group down a flight of stairs. His power as a technomancer, which gives him power of technology, he explains, has limits. Certain companies, such as Serval, had considerable means of defense. Not even he could manipulate his way through them. And then, he acquired control over the greatest weapon in the world. Whatever he could not accomplish, it could. Once he mastered it, he could not be stopped.
As they pause before a wall, adorned with two lions heads into which Nil extends his hands, Gambit asks what the hell are they talking about. Why try to describe it, fearless leader, Nil asks, when he can simply show him? With that, a wall to their right begins to come apart, revealing a room behind it. Behold his ultra weapon.
Her eyes wide in shock, Polaris gasps holy crap! He calls it the technocrat, Nil explains. The aristocracy of what he does. Also slack-jawed in shock, Gambit asks Nil if he’s out of his mind. That’s Danger! Danger of the X-Men!!! Within the room, a large machine sits in its center, creating a sphere of energy above, in the center of which floats the robot Danger, who is curled into a fetal position. He doesn’t care what she was, Nil defends. He only cares about what she is. And what she is… is his.
Incensed, Gambit grabs Nil by his labels and pushed him against the wall. Let her go, Nil, he orders. Right now! Don’t be ridiculous, Nil counters incredulously. Does he have any idea how long it took him to rig the entrapment spell that… He doesn’t care, Gambit replies. Well, he should. Letting her out would be the last…
The hell with him, Polaris interjects, raising her hands toward the captive robot. Panicked at her actions, Nil yells for her to stop, but it’s too late. The sphere of energy collapses in a deafening ZAAKOWW. As Danger falls to the floor below, Polaris calls out to her that it’s okay. Everything is going to be f… Before she can finish, Polaris is silenced by a charge of energy from Danger. Rising to her feet, the anthropomorphic features of Danger convey nothing by rage. Through her electronic voice, she voices her thoughts:
Now… you all… DIE!


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Untitled
A computer camera turns on, capturing the image of a young girl in her bedroom. Clad in a white tank top with a Chinese character on it, she wears her dreadlocks bunched neat and tidy. She is sooo bored, she tells the camera. All she wants to do… all she can think about doing… is getting the hell out of there. Continuing to address those who might be watching, she explains that she is home schooled and that every day is the same as before. She wants to see the world, maybe kiss a guy. Maybe go to school, though she knows some of her viewers think that school sucks. To those, she says try being stuck in one place your whole life. It’s frustrating and she hates being frustrated. If only she could…
Suddenly, a voice calls out her name, Georgia, and tells her that she’s not doing that live computer broadcast again, is she? No, daddy, Georgia replies. Of course not. Incredulous, her off screen father counters that she is! Does she think he doesn’t see the light? She warned her and warned her! Georgia tries to defend that she didn’t notice the light, but this only angers her father more. Grabbing her by the wrist, Georgia’s father pulls her off-camera and instructs “Orville” to take care of this. Immediately, a large, bald man in a tan suit appears on camera, trying to figure out how to carry out his instructions. When he remarks that he’s not sure how, Georgia’s father orders him to figure it out. Yes, sir, Orville replies, producing a handgun. A panicked Georgia only has time to plead for a few seconds before Orville fires his pistol, ending the live stream.
At Serval Industries corporate HQ, CEO Harrison Snow asks his assistant, Linda Kwan, what she means, that “she knows.” Sitting on the other side of Snow’s desk, Linda explains that Harrison’s wife asked her about her sleeping with him. She doesn’t think she could have been more explicit. When Harrison replies that his wife was bluffing, Linda rejoins that she didn’t sound like she was bluffing. She never does, Snow replies. The two continue to argue about the severity of the encounter when Snow’s secretary informs him via intercom that Ms. Dane is there to see him. Holding up a hand toward Linda, Snow orders in his guest and then tells Linda that she really needs to get a grip.
A moment later, the two are joined by Polaris, dressed in civilian clothes. Snow thanks Lorna for coming and then gets to his point. Lemar Smaug, Snow begins, is an alien warlord from outer space, posing a serious threat to Serval Industries… and she’s okay with this? Well, “okay,” might be a strong world, Lorna replies.
In the X-Factor common area, Quicksilver happens upon Danger, who is reading a book. Is she out of her mind? he asks. She’s reading a book by Scott Dakei? Seriously? When Danger innocently asks if that is a problem for him, Quicksilver defends that Dakei is an anti-mutant idiot, so yes that’s a problem for him. He owns half a dozen major newspapers, plus an entire news network that’s ultra-conservative. He makes J. Jonah Jameson look like Mother Theresa. To this, Danger assumes aloud that he’s being metaphorical, yes?
When Quicksilver reiterates his question, Danger explains that the book is a straight-up action thriller about a heroic secret agent determined to stop a presidential assassination. His personal politics do not factor in at all. Quicksilver replies that that doesn’t matter, but Danger replies that it does. No, it doesn’t, he reiterates. She shouldn’t be supporting someone who puts out repulsive views and works for the destruction of their kind. Innocently, Danger replies that she actually thought she was supporting the bookseller. Him too, Quicksilver adds.
Walking into the room, Cypher asks if they are talking about Scott Dakei. Pietro is, Danger answers. She’s indifferent. Addressing Quicksilver as “Quicky,” Cypher presents a laptop and tells him he wants to show him something. It’s a live stream that’s produced by Scott Dakei’s daughter, Georgia. Asked why he should care about that, Cypher replies that it’s getting a lot of attention lately. Is she espousing her father’s anti-mutant views? Quicksilver asks. Hardly, Cypher replies. She’s pretty much the exact opposite of him. It just got shut down, but he has her last transmission here. At first, Quicksilver asks why he should be at all interested, but he watches the last few moments of Georgia’s live stream in silent attention.
After it is finished, Cypher explains that the police were called but they went away empty-handed. Technically, he broke no laws. And because he is who he is, most mainstream news outlets quashed the story. Considering this, Quicksilver notes that it appears she has some serious father issues, to which Cypher replies that he thought that might interest him.
In short order, Polaris asks Quicksilver if he is seriously suggesting they go in and… what? Kidnap her? It’s not kidnapping if she wants out, Quicksilver defends. Polaris begins to object, but Cypher interjects. She’s in trouble. A girl’s in trouble. What purpose is there in being a super-group if they don’t help people? Changing tact, Polaris asks how much of this is because she’s Scott Dakei’s daughter? They figure he’s a schmuck, so he has it coming. When Gambit chimes in that maybe he does, Polaris asks if he’s agreeing with Pietro. Hey, even a stopped clock is right twice a day, he replies. Thanks, Quicksilver tells him. Standing nearby, oblivious to the flowers which Warlock seems about to present her, Danger asks that they suppose they go in. Let them suppose they get to her and she wants to leave. What then? Do they take her despite her father’s wishes? Absolutely, Gambit replies.
Clearly exasperated, Polaris explains to the group that she just came out of a meeting trying to explain why they didn’t try to destroy the Magus. And now this? How’s Snow gonna react? When Gambit asks how important is that, Polaris reminds him that Snow owns the group. No one owns him, Gambit counters. For a moment, Polaris groans and pinches the bridge of her nose in contemplation. Where is he? she then asks. And her. Where are they? In the bunker, Cypher replies. It’s what he calls his place in New Mexico. He has it up on the screen, he adds, gesturing to a holographic display. In addition to everything else, he lives in constant worry the government’s gonna sweep in and attack. So this is what he set up topside. And that’s just above ground. He also has a subbasement. It’s never been photographed but he managed to access blueprints. Examining the images, Polaris declares it heavy duty. Yeah, Cypher agrees.
For a moment, Polaris considers, then offers an “okay.” She then adds that they go in, but not as a super hero team. Not in uniform. She’s not clearing this with Snow, so they’ll stay in civvies, understood? And what do they do with the girl, Danger then asks, once they get to her. Do they just steamroll over the father? She honestly doesn’t know, Polaris replies. She’s going to see who this plays out. Told that she might not like it, Polaris replies that that’s the story of her life. She’ll prep the plane. Be ready to leave in half an hour. And for God’s sake, don’t tell Snow. Or anyone.
As the rest of the team prepares, Quicksilver receives a transmission, which only he can hear. Is he there? Havok asks. Come in and report. The bar.
Soon thereafter, wearing a coat and hoodie, Quicksilver appears in a flash, just as Havok prepares for his next shot at the pool table. The Magus is the head of Techno, Inc., he reports. Which Magus? Havok asks. The future evil version of Adam Warlock or… The other one, Quicksilver answers. Cursing, Havok asks if they took him down. Running a corporation isn’t inherently evil, Quicksilver says, so no. Seriously? Havok asks. Seriously, Quicksilver says. All right, Havok replies. He’ll let Stark know. Anything else cooking? When Quicksilver doesn’t immediately respond, Havok begins to reiterate. No, Quicksilver lies. Not a thing. All’s quiet. Satisfied, Havok begins to offer a game to Quicksilver, only to find he is already gone.
Why didn’t she tell Snow about this? Polaris is asked. Looking out the window of their jet, she replies that it’s like the old saying goes: it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission. Asking a question of her own, she asks why they are so in on this? It’s just a human girl who needs help… Interrupting, Gambit asks if they need a reason other than that. It would be nice, Polaris replies. Okay, see, right here is why he gets so impatient with super groups, Gambit rejoins. They get so caught up in their individual, y’know, whatevers… “Mandates?” Polaris asks. Agreeing, Gambit adds that it becomes about missions and fighting villains and whatever. And no one pays attention ta the small guys who are just having problems and need a hand from higher up. When Polaris then asks if it weren’t involving some guy who hates mutants, Gambit admits that he wouldn’t care. Thought so, she replies and then thanks him for being honest.
Over the intercom, the pilot informs Polaris that they’re five minutes to handling. After thanking him, Frankie, she orders the team to buckle up. They’re going in. Disembarking the plane, which has landed on Dakei’s estate, the team walks up to the entrance of Dakei’s house/bunker. Asked what the plan is, Polaris replies that it’s pretty radical, but she thought they’d ring the front doorbell. Asked if she’s sure, she replies that that customarily what you do when you go to visit someone, yes? When Gambit notes that he may not be inclined to talk to then, Polaris replies that they’ll deal with that if and when the time comes.
At the front door, Polaris presses the button on the security intercom, just below a camera. When a voice comes on, she says hello and announces that they’re there to see Georgia. And they would be…? the voice asks. Interjecting, Danger announces that they’re X-Factor. They are a team of mutants. Polaris begins to sneer to Danger that she should let her handle this, but the voice from the intercom interrupts. They have five seconds to leave. Or they will be dealt with harshly. Grinning at this, Polaris repeats the word “harshly” and asks if they should be worried. He’s not, Quicksilver announces, followed by similar sentiments from Gambit. A few seconds later, part of the bunker retracts, revealing more than a dozen spin-barrel miniguns, which immediately open fire and cut all of X-Factor into shreds.
Seeing this via the camera, a man orders a cease fire, after which the guns go silent and once again disappear behind the bunker’s walls with a BLANG! A few moments later, the front door opens, out of which step Orville and his boss, Scott Dakei. Well, that was simple, Dakei notes simplistically. Asked by Orville what they should do with the bodies, Dakei answers what any citizen would do. Call the police. A moment later, however, all of the bullet-riddled corpses of X-Factor disappear in a flash of light. Dakei and Orville have only a moment to comprehend the instantaneous arrival of a smiling Quicksilver, who greets them just before knocking both men out. That felt good, he smiles over their unconscious bodies.
Quicksilver is soon joined by the rest of the team. Excellent holo-images, Polaris compliments Danger. Thank you, she replies. It was no effort. Despite her dismissal, Warlock remarks that self-friend Lorna is correct. That was superbly done. Hearing this, Danger asks Warlock why does he do that. Asked what she means, Danger asks talk that way. Referring to himself as “self” Is he not familiar with personal pronouns? Not waiting for an answer, Danger turns and follows the rest of the team, leaving behind Warlock and Cypher. When Warlocks asks what just happened, Cypher tells him not to worry about it. Is self-friend Doug sure? Warlock asks. Self-friend is always sure, he replies.
Within the Bunker, Danger leads the group, displaying a hologram map for their convenience. When she points out the way, Polaris asks how does she know. Repetitive imprints in the carpeting, she replies. The child’s footfall is most frequently seen, so she concludes her room is in this direction. Works for her, Polaris replies.
The team soon finds Georgia in her room, hunched over a book with a pencil in her mouth. Hearing her name spoken, Georgia looks up and exclaims. Speaking for the group, Cypher notes that this is a difficult situation for her, but they’re… Seeing her remove something from a drawer, Cypher asks her what it is. They’re mutants, aren’t they? Georgia asks, walking toward them with her object. She means, she recognizes Quicksilver and Polaris, so she figures they all are. Or maybe robots or something. This is so cool! Could they sign this? Seeing her present him with the object from the drawer, in actuality a notepad, Cypher sheepishly replies that no one’s ever asked for his autograph before… Why not?! Georgia asks in disbelief. They are so amazing!! He can use his real name or super name, either one is fine. Uh… all right, Cypher replies.
Changing subjects, Polaris informs Georgia that they are there because of what happened on her live stream. Oh, that, Georgia replies. Don’t worry about that. Reminded that her father shot her computer, Georgia shrugs that he bought her a new one. That was just showing off. To this, Cypher reminds her that he fired a gun. He’s always firing guns, she defends. He doesn’t mean anything by it. He fired guns at them! a wide-eyed Cypher counters. He tried to kill them! When Georgia innocently replies that that’s silly, Cypher counters that it’s not. He shot enough ammo at them to depopulate a small city. But they’re still there! Georgia points out. So how bad could it have been? Gambit begins to interject, but the sound of rapidly approaching footfalls interrupts.
“This way! Hurry!” a man leading a security in SWAT gear yells.
Declaring that they’ll be there any second, Polaris explains to Georgia the way it is. If she wants out, she can come with them. Or she can stay there. She knows she needs time to think ab… Interrupting, Georgia announces with a smile that that’s easy. Stay there. This is her home. Rubbing his face in frustration, Cypher announces that he doesn’t get it and reminds her that she said she wanted out. Yeah, Georgia replies, but not to run away. Told that sometimes you have no choice, Georgia replies that she actually thinks she does.
Having had enough, Cypher grabs Georgia by the arm, telling her to come on. Immediately, Polaris orders him to let go, but Cypher defends, asking if she doesn’t see what’s happening there. She’s a prisoner and she doesn’t realize it! Emphatically, Georgia orders him to let go, but Cypher ignores her. Her father’s an anti-mutant dirtbag and he keeps her prisoner. They can’t just turn away from this! Resolute, Polaris counters that they can if she doesn’t want to come with them. She doesn’t know what she wants, Cypher rejoins.
I said let go! George again exclaims. Cypher begins to reply, but suddenly stops in mid-sentence, his eyes rolling up in the back of his head. The rest of the team stand paralyzed as they are not sure what they are seeing. White light emits from Georgia’s hand, from which Cypher’s grip finally relaxes. A moment later, which seems to take forever, Cypher falls backwards. By the time he hits, much of his muscle mass is gone and his skin seems desiccated. Looking down at what might be the corpse of Cypher, Georgia optimistically notes that she at least got his autograph! Who wants pie?


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Untitled
X-Factor stands in shock. One moment, Cypher was pulling on Georgia’s arm, trying to get her to come with them… and the next, he’s lying on the floor, his body apparently desiccated by the young girl, who followed her act by innocently asking if they wanted pie. As the rest of the team searches for how to respond, it is Danger who first speaks. “What sort of pie?”
Georgia Dakei begins to answer, but Polaris interjects, demanding that they forget the pie. What did she do to Cypher? Seemingly having already forgotten about their fallen teammate, Georgia says that she took moisture out of his body. A lot of it. A moment later, Georgia finds herself in the grips of an angered Warlock, who lifts her off of the ground, demanding that she fix Doug! Fix! Fix or self will end her! Georgia begins to protest, but Warlock is adamant. Fix or die! Her choice!
Before she can respond, a man enters the room, a large handgun raised and with a team of men in SWAT gear behind him. Get away from his daughter! Now!! Scott Dakei orders. Police are on their way! They have five seconds to… Interrupting Georgia’s father, Polaris incredulously demands that he dares threaten them? He dares… threaten THEM?! Growing ever more enraged, Polaris reaches out with her magnetic powers, literally disarming the men by removing their firearms from their hands. As her teammates look on dumbfounded, Polaris orders Dakei into the room and grabs him magnetically, slamming the door behind him.
Seeing her father dumped onto the floor, Georgia calls his name. Oh, she’s concerned about him? Polaris asks. How nice for him, she then adds, now hurling him up and holing him against the ceiling. Because this guy has been wanting to see the end of their species for ages now. He wants to see them rounded up. Put into camps. Maybe even executed. Although he’s never gone so far as to say that. And now it turns out that he’s forgotten to mention something to all his followers: his own daughter’s a mutant. Isn’t she? Isn’t she?
Still in Warlock’s clutches, Georgia replies that she doesn’t know. Is she? To this, Gambit points out that he drained the moisture out of Cypher’s body. What does she think? Considering this, Georgia asks if he means not everyone can do that? Shocked at the reply, Gambit and Polaris look at each other in speechless silence. She really doesn’t get out much, does she? Warlock asks. No, not really, Georgia replies.
Calling out to her dad, Georgia asks what he told her before, but Dakei interrupts, explaining that he lied. No everyone has powers. Most don’t. Interjecting, Gambit asks Georgia why she was so excited to meet them. Because they were mutants? Now released by Warlock back on her feet, Georgia replies that she’d never met anyone like him. Everyone in the house doesn’t have powers. She was told… her dad told her… they were among the few who didn’t. That this was a safe house for them. When Gambit then notes that she had computer access, Dakei replies that it was very limited access. She couldn’t surf the Net. He made sure of it. He didn’t want her to… Scott Dakei’s words trail as Polaris magnetically releases him, causing him to fall to the floor.
He wasn’t kidding about the police, Quicksilver announces, glancing outside and seeing about a dozen emergency vehicles of various types assembled. They’ll worry about that later, Polaris replies. First thing’s first. Can she fix Doug? When Georgia sheepishly replies that she doesn’t know, Polaris remarks that now’s as good a time as any to find out. He is alive, Danger announces, but exceedingly weak. As Georgia leads over Cypher, Gambit offers reassurance, informing her that he knows she can go this. Just… just reverse it. Concentrate on undoing what she did. When she replies that she’ll try, he instructs her not to try. Do it. A thought occurring to her, Georgia turns and asks for water. To drink. A lot of it.
Warlock and Danger immediately offer to assist. However, as soon as the door opens, they find the security team in their way, and once again armed. Self has no time for this, Warlock announces. With that, he morphs his body into a nearly spherical form, with a single wheel running through its center. One side!! A moment later, those of the security team who would or could not get out of the way literally find themselves bowled over by the speeding and self-propelled Warlock. Following in the wake and through the path he cleared is the rest of the team. While Cypher is carried by Quicksilver, who in turn is guarded by Danger, Georgia follows up, flanked by Polaris and Gambit.
Georgia calls direction instructions but pauses when her father calls her to come back. She has to, she tells her father. She did this, and he… He did this too! He lied to her! Her whole life! What kind of father is he? He was just trying to protect her, he explains. Continuing on their way, Georgia yells back that he failed.
In short order, the group has reached the kitchen and Danger has tapped directly into the water pipes, filling a basin constructed by Warlock from his own hands. As they fill the basin, Polaris inquires as to how Georgia’s power works. She just drains moisture out of things? Pretty much, Georgia confirms. She first found out she could do it a few years ago. Poor Mitzy. Asked who’s Mitzy, Georgia replies her cat. Less said, the better, she then adds. Asked by Danger is her father knew of her ability, Georgia confirms. That’s when he took her out of school and started homeschooling. And he told her that almost everyone started getting powers when they were older. Asked why he lied to her, Georgia admits that she doesn’t know.
Having filled his hand-basin, Warlock offers it to Georgia and asks how this will help. She’s got to re-moisturize him, Georgia tells him, so she has to get watered-up herself to have something to put in him. At that moment, Georgia’s father appears in the doorway, pleading with his daughter to stop. She doesn’t know what will happen. To this, Polaris counters that if she does nothing, Doug will die. They know that’ll happen. And she doesn’t think he gets to give her instructions right now. Before he can reply, Gambit grabs Scott Dakei by his coat’s lapels and asks how could he? how could he rail on against mutants, knowing what his daughter is? Resolute, Dakei asks if Gambit thinks he knew beforehand? He thinks he despised his kind, knowing what his late wife had given birth to? She’s God’s punishment upon him! He did this to him! When Gambit suggests that maybe He was trying to tell him something, Dakei rejoins that maybe He was challenging him to hate Him as well. If so: mission accomplished!
A short distance away, having finished hydrating herself, Georgia yells for her dad to be quiet. She’s trying to do this. Kicking Gambit aside, Dakei begins to plead again for his daughter to stop, but Georgia interrupts, asking if he doesn’t hate her for being something God did to him? Shocked, Dakei asks how could he hate her? She’s his little girl. Wow, Georgia replies, he’s really confused; does he know that? As soft, white energy begins to swirl in the air above her hands, Georgia tells her father that, if this backfires and she dies, she’ll be sure to have a long talk with God and try to get this whole mutant thing sorted out.
In the moments that pass, Scott Dakei watches in silence as energy flows from Georgia’s hands into Cypher’s prone form. When her body suddenly seems to convulse from the process, Dakei breaks his silence, forcing Polaris to order Quicksilver to get him out of there. A moment later, Dakei finds himself in a room across the hallway, where Quicksilver orders him to remain. The two begin to argue, but are interrupted by the arrival of Orville and his reconstituted and rearmed security team. Tracer bullets, Orville informs Quicksilver. Doesn’t matter how far or fast he runs, once they are locked on him they’ll never stop. Ever.
Before Quicksilver can reply, however, the group is joined by Harrison Snow, who nonchalantly walks into the room, informing Orville that he doesn’t think that will be necessary. Hello, Scott, Harrison greets Dakei. It’s been awhile. Shocked by the arrival, Dakei greets Harrison by name and asks how the hell did he get there. Shaking his hand, Snow tells Dakei that he knows him. Anywhere he wants to go, he goes. He sees he’s met his team. Incredulous, Dakei asks if this bunch of mutant terrorists works for him? They do indeed, Snow replies. Although sometimes they tend to go off on their own. Can they speak somewhere privately? Of course, Dakei replies, walking away. His private office is over this way. How’s his wife? Lovely, Snow replies, thanking Dakei for asking.
Left behind and befuddled, Quicksilver asks Orville what just happened. He has no idea, Orville admits.
Back in the kitchen, Georgia Dakei continues to convulse and demands water. More water! Immediately, Warlock obliges, morphing his basin into a sphere with a lip, from which he can pour water into Georgia’s mouth. Below them both, Cypher’s body convulses and boils appear on his face. He screams in pain. A moment later, he sits up with a start, his body and skin completely restored. Exhausted, Georgia Dakei falls backward into Gambit’s waiting arms. Asked by him if she’s okay, Georgia weakly admits that she’s had better days.
Gambit begins to suggest their next course of action, but something out of the corner of his eye catches his attention. Acting on instinct, he lunges forward, narrowly evading the sniper’s bullet, which pierces his coat. However, the sniper quickly compensates and fires a bullet aimed directly for his head. Gambit mutters a “holy” to himself as he spies the bullet a short distance from face, brought to a halt and suspended in mid-air by the magnetic powers of Polaris. Her eyes green with energy, she suggests to them all that they hit the floor. She’ll attend to this.
A moment later, the law enforcement responders outside watch helplessly as the top of the bunker erupts and the totality of their firearms rise from their hands and turn to be aimed at them. Emerging from the hole in the bunker’s ceiling, Polaris announces to them all that they have thirty seconds… and then she’s going to open fire. This whole area is going to be a field of police officer bodies, and it’s all going to be the fault of the man who could have given him the order to run and didn’t. Twenty-five seconds now. Twenty-four. Twenty-thr… Polaris’ countdown halts as the commanding officer orders a pullback of all forces. Do it! he yells. Do it! Watching as the responders comply, Polaris mutters “very wise.”
Back in the kitchen, Cypher smiles at Georgia, asking how she fixed him. When the sheepish Georgia replies that it doesn’t matter, he counters that it kind of does. Suddenly, Cypher finds himself picked up and hugged from behind by Warlock, who announces that Georgia is correct. The how does not matter. Only the fact of it. Asking a different question, Cypher asks what now? Is she going to come with them? Turning to Georgia, he says that he knows this is her home but… she doesn’t belong there! Asked by her where she belongs, Cypher tells her that there’s a school for people like her. A school where she can learn to use her power. When she asks use it for what, Danger interjects. To fight evil mutants. And risk her life and possibly die. Sometimes repeatedly. Narrowing his eyes in annoyance, Cypher thanks her. Doug died, for instance, Danger then adds, shocking Georgia and earning a that’s enough from Cypher.
Growing ever more uneasy, Georgia pleads that she doesn’t want to die. She won’t die, Cypher replies, trying to console her. She might, Warlock finds himself forced to admit. Cypher orders both Danger and Warlock to be quiet, but the danger is done. Georgia flees down the hallway, telling them all just to go away. Go away and leave her alone! Immediately, the team chases after Georgia, who yells to her father that they want her to die! Cypher yells back that they don’t want her to die, only for Warlock to admit that it just happens sometimes. Oh my God, shut up! Cypher yells.
In moments, Georgia reaches the other room only to be informed by Quicksilver and Orville that her father is in a meeting. Ignoring them both, Georgia runs to the door of her father’s private office and begins banging it, yelling repeatedly for her daddy. Desperate to get through it, Georgia’s power begins to activate and within a moment the door shatters before her. Daddy!!
Calmly, though still bloodied, Scott Dakei informs his daughter that he was coming out. Why did she do that? She didn’t mean to, she replies. She just wanted to see him. She… Interrupting, Dakei introduces his daughter to Harrison Snow, who shakes the girl’s hand and tells her it’s a pleasure. Avoiding her gaze, Dakei tells Georgia that the two of them have been talking. Harrison would like her to go with him. And, uh… he wants her to go to. Shocked into tears, Georgia begins to ask why, but her father presses. She doesn’t belong there, he tells her, moving to his knees and placing his hands on her shoulders. Harrison can provide her somewhere that she can… When Georgia interrupts that this is her home, Dakei replies that it’s not. It stopped being her home once she became one of them. He tried to ignore it, but he can’t anymore. She has to go. Still reeling, Georgia asks her father if he doesn’t love her. He loved his daughter, he replies, looking away again. She’s not her anymore. She’s some… thing that’s replaced her. He needs her to get out of there. Now. Now! Incensed, Georgia slaps her father across the cheek and then runs out of the office in tears.
Glancing up at X-Factor, Dakei orders them to go help her pack. With only an “okay” from Cypher, the group turns and departs. He’s doing the right thing, Snow informs Dakei once they are alone. Like he’s giving him a choice, Dakei replies, still on his knees. She may come back once she grows up, Snow says. He never knows. But at least he’ll still be there. The alternative would be… Get out, Dakei interrupts. As he walks away, Snow informs the defeated and dejected Dakei that it was good seeing him again. Once alone, still on his knees, Scott Dakei buries his face in his hands.


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untitled
Now awake, a woman sits up in her bed and stretches. This done, she moves to the edge of her bed and begins to pull the long shirt in which she slept over her head. C’mon, turn around, a voice pleads, as he watches this on his monitor screen. Turn around.
Immediately, a hand covers the increasingly naked woman. Dude, the owner of the voice states. Seriously? After all these years, he still gets off on it? Admit it, Mac, the man watching the woman replies. They have the most boring job in the world. They should be able to find their amusements where they can. To this, Mac replies that he’s just glad they don’t have cameras in the bathroom. Changing the subject, Mac asks his coworker if he has anything hoppin’ today, to which the coworker frowns that he and the missus are supposed to go furniture shopping.
Mac begins to mock him, but the monitor watcher interrupts, declaring something he sees on one of his many screens to be interesting. Looks like she has visitors. Kind of early for visitors. Seeing a small group of two men, a woman and a young girl, he asks Mac who he thinks they are. No idea, Mac replies. The woman looks kinda familiar and… His voice trails for a moment and then Mac mutters a curse. The guy with the silver hair, he announces, that’s Quicksilver.
Seeing the woman they are monitoring reeling in shock at something she was just told, Mac orders the volume raised. Now audible, the young girl notes that she knows this must be kind of hard on her, and if she wants her to go, she can just… She means… The young girl is interrupted as the woman drops to her knees and takes the young girl in her arms. My little girl! the woman proclaims.
Watching this from their station, Mac curses. Contact the boss, he is ordered. Now. Abso-freaking-lutely, Mac replies.
(fourteen hours earlier)On the Serval jet, Harrison Snow leans into Lorna’s face, telling her she has some nerve. Overly calm, given the situation, she begins to reply that she’s sorry, but Snow interrupts. No, he doesn’t really think she is. Sitting back down in his chair on the other side of the desk between them, Snow reminds Lorna that she took the team on an unauthorized outing to New Mexico because he believed that a young girl was in trouble. Lorna points out that they weren’t in uniform, but Snow reminds her that they took the company plane. Nobody saw it, she defends.
Snow begins to curse, but Lorna presses. She was in trouble! To this, Snow replies that she didn’t want to leave her home, to which Lorna corrects that they thought she was in trouble. Apparently they thought wrong, he informs her. Fine, she admits. They thought wrong. He wants to fire her? Just shut the team down? Glancing away Snow replies that he’s considering it. Dumbfounded, Lorna asks if he is. For a few moments, Harrison Snow considers in silence. Finally, he replies no, of course not and asks Lorna to sit down, please.
Leaning forward, resting his elbows on his desk, Snow tells Lorna that he wants her to lead with her conscience. He does. And he thinks she’ll be impressed with how much latitude he gives her. All he’s asking is that when she wants to embark on an… endeavor, she ask him beforehand. Allow him to present his opinion. Has he done anything that makes her believe he’s not entitled to that consideration? When Lorna sheepishly mutters “no,” Snow replies with a “good.” Continuing, he asks that he please extend it to him in the future. And he will always be there to help her. Just as he was in this case.
Speaking of which, Lorna voices, how did he show up to help them? How’d he get there? And what did he say to Scott Dakei that made him turn over his daughter to them. Rising from his chair, Snow replies “matter transporter.” Asked if he seriously has one, Snow replies “maybe.” And what about the other thing, Lorna reminds him. What he said to Dakei? Snow asks. Come, come, Lorna he replies as he walks to the door. He should be allowed to have some secrets.
Elsewhere on the jet, Georgia Dakei looks out of her window in silence. Asked if she’s okay, she replies that she’s fine. Asked really, she asks back to Cypher, why wouldn’t she be? She means, some people she doesn’t know came on their own to rescue her when she didn’t ask to be rescued… and her father turned her over to them. She doesn’t know where she’s living or going to school or anything. Otherwise, she’s great.
Sheepishly, Cypher sits down next to her on the couch and tries to search for the right words to say, but Georgia interrupts, asking if his name is Doug, right? Told right, Georgia suggests how about he doesn’t, okay? Whatever he’s gonna say, or excuses, or whatever… how about he just doesn’t. She really doesn’t feel like hearing it right now. Maybe later, but not now, okay? Again sheepishly, Cypher stammers a sure and okay. That’s uh… that’s fine. Standing up and walking away, he adds that he’ll just go. That’s good, Georgia replies, returning her attention to the sky outside her window.
Georgia’s solitude is short-lived, as she is soon interrupted by Danger, who informs Georgia that she should not blame Doug for her unhappiness. When Georgia replies that she’s not, Danger retorts that that is a lie. It’s really not, Georgia defends, to which Danger counters that it really is. Asked how she knows, Danger explains that she is capable of monitoring human biological readings. It is how she makes adjustments in providing physical challenges. Well, that’s handy, Georgia admits.
When she then asks why she shouldn’t blame Doug, if she doesn’t mind her asking, Danger replies that no she doesn’t. He saw the computer messages she sent out. He believed her to be unhappy and in need of rescue. It was not an unreasonable interpretation. When Georgia asks how does she know it wasn’t unreasonable, Danger explains that her father let her go. If she did not believe herself in need of rescue, that much should have informed her that she was wrong. Grimacing, Georgia informs Danger that she really needs her to go away now. All right, Danger replies, doing as requested.
Elsewhere in the cabin, Gambit sits alone, examining his cards and musing over their odd mission. No super villain, no trying to save the world, he thinks. Some guys with guns, that’s all. He then considers that they suddenly they have another student to send to the Jean Grey School. Which he guesses is okay. Although, he wonders if maybe they should try ta keep her with them. He means, he feels like she’s their responsibility. They took her out of her home. They’re flying her to Virginia. And they’re doing this out of… what? The goodness of their hearts? The whole thing is screwier by the moment. He feels like maybe they should just turn around and bring her back home. Make her sort out whatever the hell is going on with her and her father.
By the time the jet lands in Virginia, Gambit has decided to speak with Polaris as soon as their back at HQ. Gambit’s musings are interrupted mid-thought as Georgia calls out to him. He’s “Gambit,” right? Startled slightly, Gambit replies that he is. Is there something she needs? Unsure of herself at first, Georgia suddenly leaps at him, wrapping her arms around the startled Gambit. Thank you, she tells him. Thank you for everything. Stammering, Gambit offers a “you’re welcome,” after which he offers to allow her to go first. Thanks, she replies, leaping from his arms and bounding down the stairs to the tarmac. Smiling as he watches, Gambit turns to Cypher, who quickly calls him a shmuck and knocks Gambit’s shoulder as he passes.
While the rest of the team takes Georgia Dakei into Serval Industries HQ, Gambit decides to go his own path. Uncaring as to why Doug suddenly seems pissed at him, he visits a local bar for a drink and wonders to himself once again if he should be on this team. Hell, if he should be on any team. He could always just retire ta the thieves’ guild. He’s still their leader. Maybe that would be better for him. It would…
Gambit’s private musings are interrupted by a “hey there.” Directing his attention to the one asking, Gambit offers his own “hey,” and asks how it’s going. “Is this seat taken?” Angela Snow, wife of Harrison Snow asks. Unaware of her being anything other than a blonde in a red dress with a plunging neckline, Gambit replies in the negative. Not at all. Her name’s Angela, she tells him. Remy, he replies. Remy, she repeats. Interesting name. Well, he’s an interesting guy, he smiles. Would she like a drink? Scotch, neat, she replies, at which point Remy officially orders it from the bartender.
So, what does he do for a living, Angela coyly asks. Well, believe it or not, he smiles, he’s a super hero. Really! Angela asks. That sounds so exciting. What’s his super-power? He’s irresistible ta woman, he quips. My, my, Angela smiles, taking the glass the bartender places in front of her. It seems to her that his power is being used in full force. Asked how it is going, she replies, so far, wonderfully. All smiles as his blonde companion downs her drink, Gambit waves to the bartender, asking for another.
In the bowels of Serval’s HQ, Georgia Dakei is wide-eyed at the cavernous room containing the company’s servers. This is their computer center?! She’s never seen anything like it! Leading her, Cypher and Polaris into the control room, Harrison Snow replies that they’re rather pleased with it. This way. The doors to the control center slide open revealing a room dominated by center column with a chair and console atop it, on which sits Dr. Anton Wexler. Calling to the doctor, Snow notes that he’s working late, isn’t he? He told him, Wexler replies, he’s in there 24/7. Which of those numbers did he not get? Ignoring the slight, Snow begins to introduce Georgia, but Wexler is already down from his column and is at Georgia, telling Snow not to tell him. He wants to try an experiment. Grasping the wrist of the confused young girl, Wexler takes the girl’s hand and places it on a surface, which illuminates at her touch. She replies that she doesn’t understand, to which Wexler replies that they rarely do. That’s what makes it so exciting around there.
Georgia begins to object but suddenly recoils in pain, announcing that it bit her. It pinched her, Wexler corrects, then telling her not to exaggerate. Georgia begins to ask why, only for Dr. Wexler to point to a large monitor serving as a chamber wall, in the process addressing her by name. Asked how he knew it, Wexler explains DNA. He installed an analyzer into his baby. Looking up to where Wexler pointed, Georgia sees the main screen is filled with biographical information about her. Georgia Dakei, Dr. Wexler reads. Born fifteen years, six months and three days ago. Records list father as unknown, mother as Dakota Bennett. Currently residing in Minneapolis…
Wexler’s report is interrupted by Georgia, who declares the information ridiculous. Her mother was Tammy Dakei. She died in childbirth. When Wexler replies with a “nope,” Georgia asks what he means. It’s like “yup” but the opposite, he explains. Georgia begins to protest, but Dr. Wexler continues. Tammy and Scott Dakei adopted her the day after she was born, he explains. Tammy died in a car crash six months later. But her mother’s in Minneapolis, like he said. Wide-eyed in disbelief, Georgia asks that she was adopted? Her father never told her? Polaris asks. Does it sound like he told her? Georgia rejoins. Not so much, no, Polaris admits.
Overcome, Georgia begin to faint, but is luckily caught by Lorna, who calls for a chair. Georgia replies that she doesn’t need one, but is told they’ll have to disagree with her on that. A moment later, Georgia is sat in a chair and announces that she doesn’t know if she should laugh or cry. Play it safe, Lorna tells her. Do both. He wasn’t her father, she voices. He was never her father. Interjecting, Snow reminds her that he loved her like a father… He gave her over to him!! Georgia explodes. To this, Snow quips that he didn’t say “like a good father.”
Her thoughts returning to her real mother, Georgia announces that she wants to see her. When Lorna tells her she doesn’t think that’s wise, Georgia bluntly replies that she has to take her to her. Again Lorna begins to protest, but is interrupted by Quicksilver, who voices that that’s an excellent idea. Scowling at her brother, Polaris remarks that nobody asked him. Technically, he points out, no one asked her either. Again, Lorna begins to protest, but Quicksilver orders her to listen to him. If anyone should be aware of what it’s like to grow up with no parents, it’s them. Her mother and her husband died when she was a child. And their father, well… The less said, the better. This girl has at least a prayer of connecting with her birth mother. Granted it’s possible nothing good will come of it. But something wonderful might. Considering how much they’ve disrupted her life already, he thinks they owe it to her to give her a chance to make things right. So, he continues, he suggests they bring her there. Either that or, having already looked at her address on the screen, he could just pick Georgia up and run out of there. Have her in Minneapolis within minutes. Polaris’ call.
Hearing this, Georgia runs up to Quicksilver, asking if he could do that. When he confirms he could, she declares him to be the greatest super hero ever. He’s worked hard to become so, he tells her. Defeated, Polaris asks Snow if they can take the plane to Minneapolis tomorrow morning. With a smile, Snow replies that he can’t see why not. Ecstatic, Georgia leaps into Quicksilver’s arms, declaring him terrific. As Georgia then replicates the expression of gratitude to Polaris, Cypher purposefully and forcefully bumps into Quicksilver, calling him a shmuck.
The next morning, Gambit and Angela Snow lie naked in bed, playing with Gambit’s three cats. Purring herself, Angela announces that she loves mornings like these. Watching as one cat plays with her hand, Gambit tells Angela that he has to admit that he didn’t see the night windin’ up like this. She hopes he had a good time, she says, to which Gambit replies that he did. Believe him.
Suddenly the door to Gambit’s bedroom cracks, with a voice on the other side voicing that he wanted to be reminded about the 9:30 planning meeting. Recognizing the voice as belonging to Linda Kwan, Gambit says hello, which Linda takes as an invitation to enter. Once through the door, she is shocked to find herself greeted by Angela Snow, who tells Linda that it’s so lovely to see her again. Grabbing a bedsheet, Angela rises and goes to the bathroom, announcing that she’s just going to grab a quick shower. Innocently, Gambit tells her to go ahead.
Once Angela has left, Gambit asks Linda if she knows her. Ohhh yeah, Linda manages to admit. A few years now. Asked if she works there, Linda replies not exactly. She’s Mr. Snow’s wife.
(present)At the front door of her home in Minneapolis and clad in her bathrobe, Dakota Bennett tries to understand what she has just been told. This is her daughter, Lorna informs her. Her name is Georgia and they understand she gave her up for adoption fifteen years ago. Interjecting, Quicksilver notes that they’re not trying to put any pressure on her, she understands…
Speaking for herself, Georgia tells her mother that she knows this must be kind of hard on her, and if she wants her to go, she can just… She means… The young girl is interrupted as Dakota drops to her knees and takes the young girl in her arms. My little girl! the woman proclaims. Oh God. Oh. My. God. Clutching her tightly, Dakota weeps that not a day went by when she didn’t think of her. Not a single day. Near tears herself, Georgia asks why? Why did she…?
Releasing her daughter, Dakota looks at her through tear-filled eyes. She was a teenager, she explains. She could barely take care of herself! Even so, she still wrestled with it right until the end! Asked if she knew who she was adopted by, Dakota replies no She had no idea! The file was sealed. Moving to her feet, Dakota takes Lorna’s hand into hers and informs her that she’s obviously done a great job of raising her. Lorna instinctively begins to accept the compliment, but stops herself. They’re not her parents, Quicksilver explains. They’re… friends.
Apologizing, Dakota opens her front door and invites them all in. She doesn’t have much, she tells them, but they’re welcome to whatever’s there. Inside, Lorna compliments her on her house. It’s so… normal. It’s not bad, Dakota replies, clutching her bathrobe to keep it closed. Her husband left it to her. Asked by Georgia if she means her father, Dakota replies no. She married him several years later. He died last year of brain cancer. Hearing this, Georgia offers her condolences but then asks who was her father. Casting her hers downward, Dakota suggests that they not talk about him.
OH NO. LET’S DO. a voice booms as the normal house comes apart around them all. From above, a man in a white suit crackles with energy notes that she came back. Finally. It’s been worth watching her all this time, he tells Dakota. He’ll take his daughter now. As Georgia begins to float upward toward the suited man, Dakota becomes incensed, yelling for him to get away from her.
Below, having recovered from the initial attack, Polaris tells the man that he doesn’t know who the hell he is, but… Before she can act, Polaris finds herself caught in the shrapnel of another of the man’s attack. His name… his fighting name, the man corrects, is Memento Mori. They haven’t heard of him because he’s kept it that way. But in the future… he assures them they’ll be hearing more. With that, Memento Mori flies away, holding his daughter, while what is left of the house explodes in a fireball.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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Polaris gasps for breath as her head breaks free of the rubble that was once Dakota Bennett’s home. A voice calls out her name repeatedly, asking her if she’s okay. Doug? she asks, now that she’s able. Grasping her by the wrist, Cypher pull Polaris free from the rubble, noting that it’s good that she hasn’t got amnesia or anything. Still disheveled, Lorna asks what the hell happened, but then remembers. There was some guy… Some distance away, Quicksilver interjects that the guy was Georgia’s real father. And naturally, with their luck, her father’s a super-villain. Asked by Lorna what he called himself, Quicksilver reminders her. Memento Mori. It’s Latin, he adds, meaning “Remember that you will die.”
Suddenly, Lorna sees what Quicksilver is doing, removing the rubble covering Dakota Bennett, Georgia’s mother, and calls out her name. Removing he last piece covering the woman, Quicksilver explains that she’s knocked out, but seems all right otherwise. He hears an ambulance coming, he then adds. Or the police. Or both.
Back at Serval Industries HQ, CEO Harrison Snow asks Lorna over the phone to slow down. She’s saying Georgia was kidnapped? By who? He then repeats the name “Memento Mori” and begins to remark on its meaning, but Polaris interrupts him. She knows what it means. He came in there and clobbered all of them without even trying hard. She needs the rest of the team there immediately. All right, he replies. He’ll take care of it. Before disconnecting, he reminds her to be careful. She knows how he worries. The line broken, Snow calls out to Beverly, ordering her to have the rest of the X-Factor team assemble in room 42. And cancel his eleven o’clock. Receiving a “yes sir,” Snow darts off, muttering that he hopes she’s okay in whatever hellhole this marauding lunatic has her stashed. Who knows what sort of torture he has in store for her?
Elsewhere, Georgia Dakei sits at a table, enjoying an elaborately constructed ice cream sundae, complete with multiple flavors and garnished with various toppings. Anything else she would like? her father asks, standing stoically nearby in his smart, brown suit, complete with a silk cravat. “No, dis iz grade,” she replies, her mouth full of ice cream. When her father begs her pardon, Georgia repeats her statement more coherently, saying that she said this is great. He is so pleased, Memento Mori replies, looking anything but.
Continuing, he notes that she knows this entire event has been somewhat traumatic for her… Interrupting, Georgia incredulously repeats the word “traumatic” and reminds her father that he kidnapped her and blew up her mother’s house. Her mother will be fine, Memento Mori replies coldly, still facing away from Georgia. And he’s already moved funds into her bank account that will enable her to buy a brand new, much better house. To this, Georgia adds that he’s also a super villain. Why? Memento Mori asks, finally turning around to regard his daughter. Because he uses his abilities to acquire money through illegal means? Well, pretty much, yeah, she replies. All right, he admits, that’s a fair point.
Now walking past her, Memento Mori asks Georgia to come with him. He wants to show her something. In short order, the two are in a business office setting and Georgia finds her father quickly greeted with a “Morning, Mr. Mori.” After Memento Mori returns the greeting, another employee informs him that he’ll have that report for him by 1 PM, as scheduled, sir. Excellent, Mori replies.
Detecting shock from his daughter, Mori asks if something is wrong. Taken aback, Georgia replies that somehow this isn’t what he pictured for a super villain’s lair, that’s all. What did she picture, her father asks. Evil soldiers? Flunkies? A crackling laboratory where insane creatures are being created? Kind of, she replies. And maybe hidden inside a volcano… She’s seen too many James Bond films, he tells her. Not that many, she replies. She liked “Goldfinger.” That whole laser beam thing with, “Do you expect me to talk…?” “No, Mr. Bond,” Mori continues. “I expect you to die.” Yeah, that’s great, Georgia says.
Moving to a window, Mori informs Georgia that, believe it or not, most of his endeavors are perfectly legitimate. Including the one where she’s standing. This, he tells her, is a five star hotel. Does she think the people who love their food and rooms give a damn how they meet their year-end quota? Plus, there is the added intriguing benefit, namely… They’re in a mall, which he also owns. The biggest mall in the world. Looking outside the window of the Mori Hotel, Georgia sees a giant, enclosed area filled with stores and shoppers.
Mori continues, noting that best of all… Interrupting, Georgia finishes, guessing that no one can attack him there. That is exactly right, he replies. So-called super heroes are obsessed with the safety of civilians and this mall is open 24/7. As Georgia takes this all in, Mori asks her if she has powers. Still engrossed with the view outside, Georgia almost absent-mindedly confirm and asks if she got them from him. So it would seem, Mori replies. But he doesn’t know what they are.
Leaning in close to Georgia, his hands on the back of her shoulders and his check next to hers, Memento Mori is transformed. No longer in a business suit, he is in a costume with a cape and cowl. The cowl covers his face, save his mouth and ears, and contains elements similar to a voodoo houngan. Continuing, he tells the startled Georgia that all he knows is this: her mother was pregnant with her and then she learned what he was. Instead of trying to accept it, live with it, she ran off. By the time he found her, Georgia has been born and he’d give her away. He’d kept an eye on her ever since, praying she’d show up. Georgia attempts to apologize, but Mori dismisses it. They’re together now, and he’d going to help her make the most of her power. And she’ll use it to serve him and his needs. Asked that she will, Mori replies with a “yes.”
No, Georgia counters. Standing back to his feet, Mori grabs Georgia by the wrist and tells her that she doesn’t get to say “no.” He then orders her to tell him about her powers. Tell him this… Memento Mori’s words trails as a white light emits from the hand he grasps. A moment later, Mori falls to the floor, demanding to know what she’s doing. Showing you! she yells to him as she darts to freedom. However, before she has gone but a few steps, Mori waves his arm, sending arcs of energy at his daughter, tossing her forcefully against a wall.
Fortunately for Georgia, Mori begins to remove his glove to inspect what has been done to him, providing Georgia the distraction to exit through a part of sliding doors. Still engrossed with his wound, Memento Mori finds his hand desiccated. Of, all the… impertinent! he mutters. Asked by a security guard if he is all right, Mori replies that he’s fine. Nothing that his restoration process can’t handle. He then orders Georgia to be brought back, only for the guard to report that she’s gone. Well, find her! he snarls. Get her back. Does he have to do everything himself?! Clearly frightened, the two guards reply no and run off. Idiots, Mori mutters to himself.
Meanwhile, at Serval Industries HQ, CEO Harrison Snow informs Gambit that he’s been looking for him. He didn’t answer his pager. Come with him. As Gambit follows, he is convinced that Snow knows. He knows he slept with his wife. He doesn’t know how he knows, but he knows. He knows that there’s obviously some sort of whack-job love fight going on with them and he’s now stuck in the middle of it. This is not grief that he needed right now.
Very quickly, the two reach large doors, labeled “42” on them. Convinced that something bad awaits him on the other side, Gambit begins to defend his actions, only to stop mid-sentence seeing Warlock and Danger are awaiting them within. The large room has its ceiling and floor covered in blue hexagons and in its center are several identical devices. On top of these stand Warlock and Danger, standing on what seems purposefully designed for them to do so.
Speaking to someone behind a console, Snow asks if they have coordinates locked in. Informed that they do, Snow replies “good” and orders the tech to prepare to activate. Still at a loss for what is happening, Gambit begins to stammer a protest, but Snow interrupts, telling him that Lorna will bring him up to speed once they arrive in Minnesota. Take care. A moment later, energy begins to arc around the trio within the machine and a deafening mechanical waaaaaakk kwaaawz fills the room. Panicked, Gambit pleads for someone to tell him what’s going on. According to Mr. Snow, Danger replies, they are about to…
…transport, Danger concludes, as the trio arrive in the midst of Polaris, Cypher and Quicksilver. While Polaris and Cypher are both visibly shocked, Quicksilver offers a nonchalant “hunh” and then supposes aloud that they do have a matter transporter after all.
Soon thereafter, Dakota Bennett is being moved into an ambulance, muttering weakly for them to get her daughter back. At her side, Cypher tells her not to worry. They’re on it. Sensing something amiss, Lorna asks if he’s okay. Does he need a trip to the hospital as well? He’ll be fine, he replies simply. He’ll be fine. Is self-friend sure, Warlock asks. Asked by Cypher where he came from, Warlock replies that his homeworld is Kvch. Is self-friend suffering from amnesia of some sort? No, Cypher replies. He means… never mind
Turning his attention to Polaris, Cypher tells her that they have to go after Georgia. They have to track her. Great idea Polaris replies, any thoughts as to how? Cypher begins to offer his thoughts, but Danger points to a direction and announces that if they are seeking the girl, she went that way. Asked how she knows, Danger replies thermal imaging. Another hour before it dissipates. Then let’s not wait, Polaris announces.
Meanwhile, Georgia continues to race through her father’s mall, pushing past shoppers. However, she soon finds herself cornered by three Segway-riding security guards, who inform her that her father wants her back at his office. Georgia protests and tries to evade, but one of the guards grabs her by the wrist. Unfortunately for him, Georgia’s power activates and the man falls off of his Segway in pain. Apologizing profusely, adding that she hopes she didn’t kill him, Georgia commandeers the guard’s transportation. The two other guards pause to check on “Todd,” trying to understand what has just happened to him.
Not waiting herself, Georgia propels forward on her Segway, bowling over shoppers and lamenting that there’s gotta be an exit there! Can someone point her to the ex…! She stops mid-sentence when she is hit in the arm by something. Glancing back, she spies the other two guards, one of which announces that the tranq got her! That should take care of this! A moment later, Georgia loses control of her Segway and hits the basin of a giant water fountain, the impact of which propels her into the water. The two guards step down from their Segways, anxious to get Georgia out of there before she drowns.
As they do so, they ask new arrivals how Todd is doing. Unconscious, but okay, they are told. When one then asks what the hell did she do to them, the newcomer bets that she dehydrated him. She does that. Hearing this, the guards realize that other party is not a coworker and find Gambit standing before them. Sounds like she’s starting t’control it, he then adds. So, that’s good. They’ll want t’be handing her over now, he tells them. The guard begins to protest, but Cypher comes out of nowhere and knocks out one of the guards with an elbow blow. Gambit seems a bit incredulous at this, but Cypher replies that he figured like they had to move this along.
Before they can do so, however, a group of armed security guards arrive, all with weapons drawn and ordering them to put their hands up. Now! Ignoring the guards, Cypher instead picks up Georgia and calls to Lock, announcing that they’re leaving. The incredulous lead guard begins to mock that they’re not, but a moment later the robotic Warlock leaps over the guards and in one swift motion morphs around Cypher and the unconscious Georgia, immediately thereafter transforming into a driverless motorcycle. Within the cabin he has created for Cypher and Georgia, Warlock asks if self-friend is secure. Told “good to go,” Warlock declares that they then shall.
At Serval Industries HQ, Harrison Snow asks how they are doing. Are they tracking them? Yes, sir, one of the technicians in a full-body suit replies. Polaris is on the comm unit. She says that Cypher has acquired the girl and is heading toward the rendezvous point. Good, Snow replies. Set the coordinates.
As the technician complies, Linda Kwan walks into the room, asking for Snow. Politely, Snow replies that this might not be the best time, but Linda presses. She needs to tell him something, and this isn’t the easiest… Good, Snow replies. Then it won’t be a problem if it waits until later. Linda begins to protest, but Snow reminds her he said later. Turning back to the technicians, Snow instructs them to make sure this thing is charged up. He doesn’t want any mishaps to… Interrupting, Linda informs Snow that she found Gambit in bed with his wife this morning. Turning to look at her with a stern face, Snow informs Linda that she has his attention.
Meanwhile, Warlock-the-motorcycle races through the giant indoor mall, causing shoppers to leap out of his way. Behind him, the lead guard orders the others to go to full offensive mode! Now! A moment later, the Segways of each guard transform into flying sleds, which the guards ride vertically on their bellies. Within moments, they reveal their next secret, as the flying sleds open fire. Within the cycle, Cypher announces that they have company, though Warlock replies that “self is aware of that.”
A few moments later, Warlock-the-motorcycle crashes through a wall and into the parking lot, which like the mall is still inside. Involuntarily, Warlock ejected Cypher and Georgia, explaining that those blasts were more severe than self anticipated. Before any of them can recover, police cars pull up, ordering via loudspeaker for them to put their hands over their heads! Don’t move! How about they don’t move, Polaris suggest, lifting each of the vehicles into the air via her magnetism. Oops, she quips. Too late.
Speaking to Quicksilver, she asks if Cypher and Georgia are okay. They appear uninjured, he reports. Self is likewise uninjured, Warlock offers, to which Quicksilver offers a “good.” In case Quicksilver was concerned, Warlock then adds. He really wasn’t, Quicksilver replies. Joining the group is Gambit, pursued by guards on the flying sleds. Asked by Gambit if everyone is there, Warlock affirms, including “self” if Gambit was concerned. Nah, not really, Gambit replies. Self is feeling discouraged, Warlock mutters.
As she moves away the police cars, Polaris orders everyone in tight. They’re leaving. Asked by Cypher if they’re going to the plane, Polaris replies that the plane’s already heading back. They’re being transported. He is not liking the sound of that, Cypher offers. He gets too worried about these things, Gambit interjects. It’s just like “Star Trek.” When Cypher then notes that they had transporter accidents all the time, Gambit replies that they didn’t. They did in the first movie, Cypher retorts. First movie doesn’t count, Gambit explains. The whole thing sucked. Not in retrospect, Cypher counters. If you…
Incoming! Quicksilver yells, referring the fully-costume Memento Mori. Flying at high speed to their location, he orders no one to move. Touching her comm unit, Polaris announces that if they’re leaving, now is the time! Ha! Gambit smiles, waving at their foe. See him next time, Memento… Gambit’s words trail as he realizes that the rest of his team have departed, disappearing in a flash of light. Gambit has only a moment to consider that he has been left behind before Mori’s attack knocks him out. They can start with one, Momento Mori announces to the unconscious Gambit.