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#12
OCT 11 |
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“When the Pharaohs Rise…” Part Three
The Mansion
Xavier lifted Cerebro off of his head and sighed. “No sign of any of them anywhere. I think I should continue looking.”
Emma folded her arms across her chest and gave Charles a stern stare. “No, you won’t. You have been in Cerebro for hours and you won’t get the nod from me to strap into it again until you eat something.”
“If this Sekhmet is indeed connected to Apocalypse then she must have comparable technology. That has to be the answer,” Charles said as he buried his head into an open palm.
As he did so, a vibration sounded from his blazer pocket. He leaned back and reached into it to pull out a small blue cell phone. Xavier had two of them, one for his students and another for those who wished to contact him about matters concerning X-Corporation. The cell phone he now held in his hand served the latter purpose. He put it up to his ear. “Hello? Yes, this is he. A pleasure to meet you to. Yes, that is a problem we’re currently dealing with.”
Emma wanted to know who Charles was speaking with but knew better than to try and probe his mind for it. Xavier paused for a moment and then continued to speak. “I’d have to discuss it with my associates. Yes, I think it’s in the realm of possibility. I will get in contact with you soon as I have an answer.”
Closing the phone, Xavier looked up at his girlfriend. “That was CEO Damien Tryp of Singularity Securities. He wants to offer us assistance with Sekhmet.”
The White Queen tried to hide her surprise but she didn’t do a very good job.
The War Room’s occupants currently included Polaris, Maverick, Domino and Angel. There was one person missing that should have been at the gathering and Domino voiced it. “Where’s Logan?”
Warren didn’t particularly care to know because Logan would only serve as a distraction. The man was already a wild card on a good day and with Storm having been kidnapped he was bound to be even more out of control. It was better for him not to be involved in the discussion. “Knowing Logan he’s trying to cut something up.”
Polaris narrowed her eyes at the rich mutant socialite. She had never really considered Logan to be one of the people she was closest to in the X-Men, but Havok had been and he only ever spoke highly of Wolverine. Because of that praise, Warren’s bit of condescension irked her to point where she felt she needed to respond. “I wonder what you might be doing if Betsy had been snatched up. We all know what lengths you went to the last time you got depressed.”
Warren flared up at the mention of his one big mistake. He pointed a finger at Polaris as his face contorted with rage. He never understood why Logan’s laundry list of terrible decisions was overlooked while his weren’t ever dropped. “Don’t you dare! Who asked you to be here anyway? We can handle this problem without Pietro butting his nose into our business.”
“Apparently you can’t,” Maverick said from the back of the room. “Because even with their help we still were getting trounced; Sekhmet and her guys hadn’t even broke a sweat and we were all on the edge of exhaustion.”
The man’s assessment wasn’t one that Warren wanted to agree with mainly because an immature part of him just didn’t want to agree with a friend of Wolverine, but the facts were plains as day in front of them and they couldn’t really be argued. Sekhmet and her men were putting a strain on them. “So what you suggest? Who else can we ask for help?”
“S.H.I.E.L.D. helped us out in the beginning of the fight. Maybe we need to turn to them again,” Domino said. She got a slow nod from Maverick, a scowl from Warren and a frown from Lorna. Domino figured Maverick was considering the possibilities of the proposal, Warren outright hated it and Lorna wasn’t so sure about entangling Genosha too openly with the organization. She really didn’t care about the latter two’s feelings, not while Ororo and Clarice were at stake.
“While S.H.I.E.L.D. has jurisdiction in Genosha, I would still need to talk to Pietro to make sure he’s ok with engaging in operations with them. But, personally, I think the idea is a solid one. They have numbers and they have tech, which makes up for their lack of superhuman ranks,” Polaris said. She wasn’t sure how positively her brother would react to the proposal, but he had been embroiled in so many other things lately that he just might approve it to help speed up her return to the island.
“The KDF may be willing to offer assistance if we give them a proper understanding of what they threat level is,” Maverick offered.
Domino smirked. “Getting the Russians in a good fight shouldn’t be too hard.”
“We don’t need any of their help. We have the power and we have the brains right here to work this problem out. We’ve all faced more significant threats than this one before, so let’s not start hiding under a rock waiting for someone else to come in and save the day,” Warren said. Calling in X-Factor was one thing as Genosha had heavy connections to the X-Men, but S.H.I.E.L.D. and the KDF would use this as an opportunity to make sure the X-Men owed them some favor in the future.
Domino considered Warren’s small burst of anger in her head. “I wouldn’t say to take S.H.I.E.L.D. and the KDF off the table, but Warren may have a point. We should figure out some sort of solution on our own first. Their help should simply be a supplement to sock and awe the opponent.”
“So then we need to think of some answers to some fundamental questions,” Polaris said. “Why Storm and Blink? Of what benefit are they to Sekhmet? Do we even assume they’re still alive?”
Putting a hand to his chin, Maverick thought about the questions. “Storm and Blink were among the most powerful of us with the exception of maybe Polaris. If we’re going to believe Sekhmet operates under the same MO AS Apocalypse then it stands to reason she may be trying to transform them into the same kind of beings we fought.”
Polaris saw a good bit of logic in the assessment. “If Sekhmet was out to kill then she would have done so on the battlefield. Running off with them implies that she has a greater purpose in mind for them.”
Warren brought out a bitter truth. “Then we’re going to have to assume that the next time we engage Sekhmet that Storm and Blink we’ll be our enemies. We can’t let our friendship with them blind us to the task at hand.”
The door to the War Room slid open and Wolverine stepped in. He was shirtless, drenched in sweat and had a few burn marks on him that were healing. Lorna assumed that he’d had a few rounds in the Danger Room. “If you’re even suggesting we hurt those two I’ll gut ya right now, fly boy.”
“Use some common sense, Logan. You and I both served under Apocalypse in similar circumstances and nearly got out friends killed because they were holding back against us.”
Logan wasn’t biting. “Then we give ‘Ro and Clarice the same kind of discretion that was given to us. If you wanna cut loose do it on the rest of Sekhmet’s boys.”
Warren rolled his head in frustration. “Are you really that impossibly stupid, Logan?”
Wolverine attempted to rush Warren and was immediately suspended in the air by Polaris. “We don’t need to fight each other. What we need to do is find real solutions to a very real problem.”
The door slid open and Emma walked in with her usual cold grace. She looked at the suspended Logan and gave a wistful smirk. “Nice to see that all the children are getting along and playing nicely.”
Lorna released her hold on Logan and glared at Emma. Due to all the times that she’d been mind controlled, Polaris had a general mistrust of telepaths with a few exceptions. That mistrust was compounded by real dislike when it came to Professor X’s lover. “I’m assuming you’re here because you actually have something useful to add.”
Emma didn’t like being reproached in her own house, but she had no choice but to let it go. Polaris and her members of X-Factor were going to be needed in the fight ahead and Charles wouldn’t be happy if she drove them off with a smart remark. “Of course, darling. Charles hasn’t been successful on his Cerebro searches, but we have received quite the interesting offer for additional aid. Singularity Securities is willing to offer some of their employees to us to assist with our vengeful girlfriend problem.”
Logan didn’t portray any emotion on his face, but Emma immediately picked up on his alarm. Yes, Logan, I know. Tryp is up to something but I can’t expose him to Charles without exposing X-Force. We’ll have to play this one by ear.
Wolverine relaxed and Emma continued. “We also discussed some of the options you were talking about, and Director Bridge is on board with offering us assistance the next time we encounter Sekhmet. The KDF isn’t quite as receptive so we shall count them out of the fray for now. Our friends at the CSA are willing to send in some of the older sentinel models as well.”
“Do we really need all of these organizations butting in? It could easily become a logistical nightmare trying to keep everyone organized,” Warren said. He didn’t want to be on a battlefield where there were four different commanders with four different strategies. That scenario could make things worse for them.
“That was a concern I had, but Charles was able to negotiate it so that everything would be under our command.”
The door slid open again and Xavier walked in. He was wearing a sleek black body suit that covered him from the neck down and had a red belt with a large X was wrapped around his midsection with more X’s on his shoulder and knee pads. “They agreed as long as I was the one doing the commanding.”
“Nice suit, Chuck. Who tailored it for you?” Logan asked.
Charles smiled at the feral mutant. “Forge put a great deal of work into designing the suit for me. It’s cybernetic, but taps into my nervous system to help me walk, not to mention it has the main components of Cerebro and therefore allows me enhanced psionic abilities on the field.”
Warren looked skeptically at the armor. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to have you on t the field, Professor? You’re our figurehead and someone like Sekhmet might make you her primary target in an effort to bring down morale.”
“I appreciate the concern, Warren, but I rather it is me than anymore of my friends,” Charles said and then added. “And yes, I have stopped considering most of you as students years ago. If you can go out there and fight for our dream I think it would be quite cowardly of me to not be willing to do the same.”
Everyone in the room found it hard to argue with that and admired the Professor for saying it. They had been so protective of the man for all of these years that most of them still saw him as a teacher and themselves as the student. What he said let them know that the dynamic was different and they would have to learn to view Charles Xavier in a new light.
Rocking on her heels, Domino asked, “So, what’s next?”
Charles sighed. “We wait for Sekhmet to make her move.”
Akabba
Holocaust had led Sekhmet and her Pharaohs to his hidden base in the birthplace of his father and it was there that they would continue in their operations. They were all gathered in the center of a wide, dusty room that was a hidden chamber under a large ziggurat. Floating above them were the two sarcophagi containing Blink and Storm. The objects shimmered with flashing lights and Sekhmet watched both patiently.
“The Ascension is almost complete. We shall soon have two new Pharaohs amongst our ranks,” Sekhmet said.
Holocaust handed a black leather bag to Sekhmet. “Blink should be made to war these. They are the same garbs the counterpart from my world wore. She was a true warrior.”
Sekhmet looked into the bag and laughed. She found herself more and more interested in Holocaust’s world. “There are barely any clothes in here at all, Son of Apocalypse. Is this how all the women of your world were garbed?”
Holocaust found little to be amusing in the question. He took it as Sekhmet having some sort of contempt for his world. Thankfully his face was incapable of displaying emotion otherwise Sekhmet might have seen his disdain, as he imagined that she was very much like his father when enraged. “My world was a very different place.”
“I’ve gathered that,” Sekhmet said as she held a pair of green boots in the air. “Very well, Holocaust, these shall be Blink’s attire.”
Anxious for progress, Nikare said, “Master, when will we strike out at the infidels again? They insulted us with their defiance.”
The Pharaoh’s pride was admirable in Sekhmet’s eyes. She did not want servants incapable of carrying themselves like princes and princesses. Her Pharaohs were a special chosen and she desired that they acted as such, so she spoke gently to him. “Patience, Nikare…in due time we shall strike at those who have harmed our cause, and we shall do it with two new Pharaohs at our side.”
Nikare humbly nodded his bald head. The word of Sekhmet was not to be challenged. His creator knew what was best for them. She had brought them from the depths of pathetic morality into the ranks of the strong. He more than just loved her, Nikare had faith in her and was utterly devoted to her every word. Sekhmet would guide them to glory unbound.
She could see and feel the devotion her servant had for her and was pleased by it. They were the closest thing she had to children besides for the fetus growing inside her. Her impregnation had begun thousands of years ago, but her race had advanced to the point that they were able to control the progress of their pregnancies so she had slowed her child’s growth to allow the proper workings to be done. When her child was born, it would be a herald to the strong and make Earth a planet worthy of intergalactic expansion. If only Apocalypse would see the work she was about to embark on. It was the beginning of a new age.
Khufu pointed his golden staff upwards. “I believe the sarcophagi are opening, Master.”
Everyone in the secret chamber looked up as the holding vessels slowly cracked open, spewing out smoke. As they opened the alien devices descend to the ground and by the time they touched the ancient stone, Storm and Blink’s naked forms were revealed. Sekhmet raised her arms in the air like a priestess accepting a gift from the gods. The Pharaohs all bowed with their heads turned toward the ground. Holocaust refused to follow suit, however; he would work with Sekhmet but he would not be a mindless slave. His pride would not allow it.
“Rise, my new Pharaohs. Embrace your changed forms.”
Storm and Blink gracefully stepped out of the sarcophagi with their eyes focused squarely on Sekhmet. Their faces were without emotion and they did not seem the least bit bothered by their nudity. Holocaust noticed that they had been marked in much the same way the other Pharaohs had. On the back of Blink’s neck was a tattoo of a silver pyramid and under Storm’s palms were tattoos of the eye of Osiris. Ororo’s blue eyes shone with vibrant electricity and the mark on Blink’s face was a darker hue. If Holocaust had been capable of it, he would have found the women to be desirable. He wasn’t’ sure how the Pharaohs felt but if he had to guess then he would assume Sekhmet kept them docile. There was much he did not know of this woman’s capabilities so he would continue to have to tread lightly. His father had taught him to rust no one.
Sekhmet ran a motherly hand along both women’s faces and said, “You shall be part of a force that will cull the weak from this world. Your people will be elevated to a new status.”
Storm smiled in a way that was more wicked than Holocaust had ever witnessed before. “Yes, Master. Guide our hand and tell us where to strike.”
“Soon enough, my loyal warrior. First, let us make sure that you are properly equipped.
Two metallic scarabs crawled out from the folds of Sekhmet’s white garment. They skittered across the ground, up the woman’s feet and stopped in the center of their chests. Glowing hot yellow, the alien machinery merged into their skin. As the scarabs melted, clothing began to slowly appear across the women’s skin until they were fully garbed. Holocaust wondered at the mechanics that allowed those tiny machines to perform such molecular transformation. Yes, he was indeed going to have to be wary of Sekhmet.
Blink was somehow wearing a duplicate of the costume he had brought for her. The green, ankle-high boots and the fingerless gloves that went slightly past her elbows along with the long skirt that cut sharply on both sides were all there. On her back was a bag full of thin, pink javelins. Holocaust had to fight the urge to want to fight this woman she looked that similar to the Blink of his world. Sekhmet looked smugly back at him. “Is she to your liking?”
“It is…remarkable,” Holocaust said as memories of the battle in Chicago flooded his mind. Rogue and her traitorous squad of X-Men had tried to stop his culling of the weak humans, Sabretooth most of all. He had properly dealt with Creed but did not expect the traitor’s whelp to be such a problem. Holocaust would never admit it to anyone but himself that the girl had bested him.
Storm looked just as powerful. A black bodysuit hugged frame beautifully and it came with a long silver cape that synced perfectly with her hair. A large silver belt hung loosely on her and two streaks of lightning came down the sides of her arms. From the belt hung a Kris encrusted in diamond. Holocaust wondered how she would wild the weapon in battle.
“Not it’s time to plan our next attack. The weak will be purged from this world!”
Charles and Emma went hand in hand through the large glass doors of the skyscraper. They were both in their best business attire as they were stopped by a security officer. Singularity Securities was well-known for having a high ratio of mutant employees and the security officer was no different. He stood at about seven feet and had skin like a rock. Tipping his hat to the two, he said, “It’s a pleasure to meet the two of you. Me and my family really appreciate all the work you’ve done for mutants.”
Emma smiled gently, but it was obvious she wanted this encounter to be over with. “Of course, darling.”
As the security guard was running the metal detector over and around their bodies, Damien Tryp approached. He was wearing a black Armani suit and armed with a politician’s smile. His goatee was neatly shaped like his salt and pepper hair. There was a classic Italian handsomeness about the man that Emma immediately picked up on, but she knew better than to let this man charm her. Havok’s encounter with him had been plenty of evidence of that.
Does he make you that uncomfortable?
Emma scolded herself for projection her feelings that strongly. He reminds me of Shaw, aristocratic and predatory. We need to be careful.
We will be. But as it stands, we need as much help as we can get. Ororo and Clarice are depending on us.
“Hello Professor and Ms. Frost, you’re earlier than I had expected,” Tryp said as he firmly shook Charles’ hand and delicately grabbed Emma’s. He had managed to keep that smile on his face the entire time. “I’m happy that you decided to take me up on my offer. I personally saw the footage of Sudan and was troubled by it.”
It didn’t hurt that Eliphas had demanded the Coven do what they could to impede this Sekhmet woman. She was an uncontrollable and powerful entity that threatened to put all their plans in jeopardy. Christian Frost had come up with the least suspicious solution, but Damien was loathe to give up his people for it. Eventually he capitulated because the idea did make sense. Singularity Securities had the most reason to offer up pro bono work for the X-Men. Just how much business would he generate if it was known his employees fought alongside the X-Men?
Charles spoke and interrupted the dreams of future profits. “Sudan was indeed a tragedy. I hope with your help will be able to avoid more senseless bloodshed.”
Damien nodded but was truly annoyed at Charles’ drivel about bloodshed. War and death made the world go round and his pockets thicker. “My men will be happy to make sure of that.”
After Havok’s report on the man, Emma somehow doubted that, but she couldn’t possibly voice it as the secret of X-Force compelled her to silence. For now, she’d have to feign ignorance. “How much combat experience do your men have in these kinds of situations?”
”None with an entity of Sekhmet’s power, but I am positive that they won’t disappoint,” Tryp said as he reached into his pocket and answered his buzzing cell phone. Looking down at the text message, he half smirked. “Seems your timing is impeccable…they’ve just arrived. If you’ll follow me.”
I hope these soldiers do not end up being a complete waste of time, Emma smiled politely at Damien. “I think that would be an absolutely wonderful idea.”
Charles reached for Emma’s hand and his Shi’ar designed wheelchair began to move alongside her as they followed Tryp across the lobby to an elevator. If they are inadequate, I do not think we would need to allow ourselves to worry. We still have the assistance of X-Factor, the CSA and SHIELD.
He wished Emma wasn’t being so difficult about this but she was no worse than Warren, who was against any and all assistance. There were rumors about Tryp and Warren had no problem telling him all of them. Charles couldn’t allow himself to be concerned with those at this time. He would see Ororo and Clarice freed from Sekhmet, one way or another. Warren would feel the same if it was Bobby or Hank, and Emma would if it was any of her former students.
The three mutants quickly roe the elevator up thirty-five floors and when it came to a stop, Damien motioned them out. “After you.”
They moved their way through winding halls until they were in a large laboratory. It was cold, sterile and blindingly white. Four men clad in black Kevlar and fatigues were standing at attention the center of the room, standing like statutes and all had eyes of ice. Damien looked extremely pleased with himself. “These are my employees…members of the Red Dragon Platoon. They will obey your every command until I say otherwise. We do not tolerate insubordination at Singularity Securities.”
The way he said it made Emma wonder just how far he went in ensuring his employee’s obedience. Yes, she was going to have to send X-Force at this man again, especially if he had dealings with her older brother. Just what kind of rabbit hole was her brother tumbling down and would she be able to pull him out of it?
Charles tugged at her hand. “Is everything alright Emma?” Damien has repeated a question three times now.
Cursing herself or the distraction, Emma said, “Forgive me, Mr. Tryp, I’m feeling a bit mental with everything that’s going on.”
“I was just asking if you might consider having some of my men around Frost Enterprises given your increasing role on the global stage.”
Not if Apocalypse himself was knocking on my door. Emma tried to mask her anger at the suggestion. “It is something to consider once this crisis has been handled. I would need to address it with my board.”
“Of course, Ms. Frost. Business better left for another day.”
If only you knew Tryp. If only you knew.
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To Be Continued...
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