Back to Gatefold#27 - "The Price of Past Sins - Part III"
|
"Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!" Feral laughed maniacally as she pounced on the fleeing Volcana and slammed her to the ground. She licked the frightened woman's face and laughed at the taste of fear on her tongue.
Volcana struggled under the grip of the beast woman and tried to summon up her powers to no avail. Feral had been chasing her around her apartment for ten minutes. Marsha had hoped that someone would hear the racket and call the proper authorities. She should have known better than to depend on anyone in this building. Now she was stuck under the grip of a Genoshan and her powers weren't working.
"What do you want? Where are the rest of your buddies?" Volcana asked quickly as it began to seem like Feral wanted to move in for another lick.
"I came alone Brady Bunch. President Magneto knew you were trying to make a run for it. He sent me to make sure you didn't run far," Feral replied.
Volcana was trying to access her powers, but found it hard to get the proper amount of concentration. Something was holding her back. A numb feeling was all over the back of her neck and the sensation only became stronger the more she called upon her abilities.
Feral could see the strained eyes of the Genoshan attacker and laughed, " Chica my nails were laced with a compound that would prevent you from going all lava on me. One nick and I got ya!"
The former Thunderbolt tensed up at the thought of being trapped and powerless against the Beauty and the Beast reject. All Volcana knew of Feral said that the woman was unhinged in more than a couple of ways. Having to face such a mutant as regular old Marsha Rosenberg wasn't anything close to a promising prospect.
"Bitch you ain't got shit!" Volcana spat as she struggled underneath the force of Feral's body. The former Morlock was use to getting down and dirty. Marsha wasn't moving an inch.
Volcana cursed the day she ever joined the Thunderbolts. It had bought her nothing but strife and grief. Now it seemed that it might even become the reason her life came to a very abrupt end. She could hear Zemo's laughter. His terribly sick and twisted laughter. The laughter that let her know he could never give a damn about her well-being. That thought burdened and depressed her more than anything else.
Smelling the agony all over Marsha's body filled Feral with gleeful delight, "Oooohhh baby you're lucky I don't get to play with you."
"What the hell do you mean?" Marsha asked having finally stopped struggling with Feral. The futility of struggle quickly dawned on Volcana's mind.
"Unfortunately the Pres said that you couldn't be offed just yet. He wants you for something else. Consider it probation," Feral growled baring all of her yellow and stained teeth.
"And what if I tell Mags to fuck off?" Volcana asked.
Feral pointed back at the picture of Marsha's loved ones on the back wall. There was fat Uncle Lou holding onto his wife Laurie. Next to Lou was his cousin Maya and her twin Susan. Looking down from the picture Feral said, "I will slice them all open like tuna. And lick the insides out for fun."
Marsha cut her eyes at the beastly woman, "Just give me time to pack."
Mana was thrown to the ground with chains wrapped around her ankles and wrists. Bruises were bound to litter the left side of her body from the impact. Metallique looked wearily at her friend and would have spoken some words of her encouragement if her body wasn't completely frozen in place. The Chinese had used some serum on her that kept her body completely frozen. Jessica would rip these short bastards to pieces once she got herself free.
Orphan had the same thought as he was subjected once again to the torture he had been forced to endure since his arrival in the foreign country. Guy Smith screamed as the sonic vibrations pierced through his ears and sent him reeling to the floor in agony. His enhanced hearing made the normally painful sounds excruciating to the point where Orphan fell into unconsciousness…for the twelfth time.
An older general walked into the room and looked down at the squirming Orphan with disgust, "Soon you will answer for your crimes before the world mutant scum!"
Other important military officers were observing the torture of the Fallen Angels from a room akin to the sky box's found in baseball stadiums. Many of them were skeptical about the torture of Magneto's lackeys and the wrath that it could bring upon them. The country demanded it though and they were all very adept when it came to following orders. None of them needed to lose their ranks.
"Is it almost time to begin this farce?"
"Not quite. The general feels they should be utterly humiliated before being taken in front of any kind of trial."
"The general and his humiliation tactics. It's hardly necessary. The Republican Patrol already broke these fools."
"No. He's just mad that two of the mutants got away. He feels that he's had a failure."
"He's always been overdramatic."
"You're his son. Of course you would say that."
Exodus walked with Eve down the hallway that was under the island of Genosha. The extensive laboratory had been being built ever since Magneto first began his reign in Genosha. It had survived the attacks of the Magistrates, the assault of Baron Zemo, and was near completion. Magneto's powers had played a heavy role in the construction of the underground laboratory. The man had completed Asteroid M in weeks so constructing a facility such as the one running under this island was easy.
"Why have you bought me here?" Exodus asked the Damocles Foundation employee. He knew Eve's type well enough. She was beautiful and seductive, but playing with her would more than likely be at your own peril.
"I wanted you to see the first of the Genoshan Military Squadrons," the Head of Genetic Operations said as she kept walking ahead of Exodus. The light was dim in this hallway so the large fluid filled containers that held her experiments weren't very visible. The Viceroy probably wouldn't approve of how Genosha was constructing its armed forces, but he didn't really have a say in the matter. Magneto was an advocate of genetics since his early days. Even Bennet's influence over the President wasn't 100%.
Finally getting to the end of the hallway Exodus came face to face with the first Genoshan Military Squadron. At the lead of the group of five men was Mikhail Rasputin. Exodus was on shaky terms with the Minister of Defense especially when it came to how Rasputin would treat the Fallen Angel, Ever. He knew that Rasputin had played a large influence over the boy's life and it wasn't an influence that Ever considered a good one.
"Hello Viceroy. I see Eve decided to invite you to the inaugural presentation of my Genoshan Military Squadrons. I hope you're impressed," Mikhail said his smile a smug one.
Exodus simply nodded, "They look prepared. I hope they're prepared to save the Fallen Angels."
Eve laughed, "Of course they're prepared. The necessary training is ingrained in their brains from their inception. You don't have to worry about that Viceroy. They'll get the job done."
"So how do you plan to penetrate China and their defenses?" Exodus asked trying to see if Mikhail had thought this all through.
Mikhail patted one of his soldiers, a large black man, on the shoulder and replied, "He's our gateway in. He can track down mutants like Cerebro and instantly transport himself and others to them. Jamie won't let us down."
"No sir!" Jamie exclaimed.
"Fine. The President wants this handled quickly and cleanly. He doesn't want Gomi to have to do too much more clean up than he already has to," Exodus relayed.
"Of course Viceroy. Tell the President he doesn't have to worry about anything," Eve replied.
Exodus nodded, "Oh and the two Angels I saved will be accompanying you Mikhail. That's a direct order from Magneto."
The machine stretched out Metallique's body like it was silly putty and it was being done completely against her will. Jessica couldn't even scream as her body was twisted and molded at rapid pace. Her teammates could only watch helplessly. Cameras were looking down upon all of them and state sponsored journalists were talking in words none of them could understand. Their torture was being televised to anyone who wanted to watch.
Mana hated watching her friend suffer the way she was and if she could get the chance she would rip these Chinese bastards apart. Her chance would come soon as a loud pop went throughout the facility. Standing only a few feet away from her was Mikhail Rasputin, Anarchist, Meltdown, and five military clad men. Her freedom and her chance for vengeance had arrived.
Tabitha created a few of her plasma globules and threw them with accuracy at her teammates' chains. Meltdown held her hands up and created a basketball-sized bomb and threw it up at the journalists that were looking upon the rescue attempt with horror. They scattered at the approach of the plasma bomb and only a few were caught in its blast. Meltdown didn't mind seeing the fools run. Anyone who could watch the torture of her teammates and did nothing deserved to be treated like dogs.
"Glad to see you finally decide to show up!" Mana yelled. Holding up both of her palms lightning arced from her fingertips and went crashing through the glass where the high official officers were watching down upon the Fallen Angels. The electricity ripped through the officers and burnt them to a crisp.
"Somebody a bit on the angry side!" Anarchist joked.
"You didn't get tortured!" Orphan screamed as he beat one of the soldiers guarding him into a bloody pulp with a piece of a camera.
Mikhail looked around and seeing that everyone was okay looked to Jamie and ordered, "Take us home! We got what we came here for!"
The big black man nodded, "Yes sir!"
"You would take us home before we got some fun in," Meltdown remarked.
Grabbing Tabitha's arm tightly Mikhail said, "We're not here for fun. We've already done enough damage! Magneto will not be pleased."
Snatching herself out of Mikhail's grip, Meltdown pointed her finger in Rasputin's face, "Don't presume to be my superior. I lead the Fallen Angels and I answer to the President!"
Before the Minister of Defense could reply they were both covered in a light and disappeared.
Two Days Later…Gomi approached the podium and looked out into the midst of journalists sternly, "China attacked Genoshan representatives while on a humanitarian mission in Sudan. They attacked without cause and as such it is the feeling of the Genoshan government that whatever harm they suffered at our hands was justified. We will not tolerate our people being attacked and we will do whatever is necessary to keep them safe. Never again will the likes of the Magistrates and Baron Zemo attack our nation. That is all"
Turning off the television Magneto turned to Exodus, "Do you think such attacks will continue to occur against us?"
"Without a doubt. That's why though I may not like it the Genoshan Military Squadrons are necessary. It would be unfair of us to ask every citizen to be prepared to go to arms," Exodus replied.
Magneto sighed, "The humans will never accept us my friend. I see that more and more, but we can't hope to do anything about their views. All we can do is learn to accept them I'm afraid."
Exodus decided it was time to change the subject, "Your address in L:ichtenbad is in a few days isn't it?"
Magneto understood what Bennet was doing and smiled weakly, "Yes it is. The ruler has put himself at great risk letting me speak in his country. I am grateful to him for it. It's an opportunity to show the world we are not as hostile as they might think."
"China might not be so convinced," Exodus grinned.
Next Issue: New Business Avenues begins!
Volcana struggled under the grip of the beast woman and tried to summon up her powers to no avail. Feral had been chasing her around her apartment for ten minutes. Marsha had hoped that someone would hear the racket and call the proper authorities. She should have known better than to depend on anyone in this building. Now she was stuck under the grip of a Genoshan and her powers weren't working.
"What do you want? Where are the rest of your buddies?" Volcana asked quickly as it began to seem like Feral wanted to move in for another lick.
"I came alone Brady Bunch. President Magneto knew you were trying to make a run for it. He sent me to make sure you didn't run far," Feral replied.
Volcana was trying to access her powers, but found it hard to get the proper amount of concentration. Something was holding her back. A numb feeling was all over the back of her neck and the sensation only became stronger the more she called upon her abilities.
Feral could see the strained eyes of the Genoshan attacker and laughed, " Chica my nails were laced with a compound that would prevent you from going all lava on me. One nick and I got ya!"
The former Thunderbolt tensed up at the thought of being trapped and powerless against the Beauty and the Beast reject. All Volcana knew of Feral said that the woman was unhinged in more than a couple of ways. Having to face such a mutant as regular old Marsha Rosenberg wasn't anything close to a promising prospect.
"Bitch you ain't got shit!" Volcana spat as she struggled underneath the force of Feral's body. The former Morlock was use to getting down and dirty. Marsha wasn't moving an inch.
Volcana cursed the day she ever joined the Thunderbolts. It had bought her nothing but strife and grief. Now it seemed that it might even become the reason her life came to a very abrupt end. She could hear Zemo's laughter. His terribly sick and twisted laughter. The laughter that let her know he could never give a damn about her well-being. That thought burdened and depressed her more than anything else.
Smelling the agony all over Marsha's body filled Feral with gleeful delight, "Oooohhh baby you're lucky I don't get to play with you."
"What the hell do you mean?" Marsha asked having finally stopped struggling with Feral. The futility of struggle quickly dawned on Volcana's mind.
"Unfortunately the Pres said that you couldn't be offed just yet. He wants you for something else. Consider it probation," Feral growled baring all of her yellow and stained teeth.
"And what if I tell Mags to fuck off?" Volcana asked.
Feral pointed back at the picture of Marsha's loved ones on the back wall. There was fat Uncle Lou holding onto his wife Laurie. Next to Lou was his cousin Maya and her twin Susan. Looking down from the picture Feral said, "I will slice them all open like tuna. And lick the insides out for fun."
Marsha cut her eyes at the beastly woman, "Just give me time to pack."
Mana was thrown to the ground with chains wrapped around her ankles and wrists. Bruises were bound to litter the left side of her body from the impact. Metallique looked wearily at her friend and would have spoken some words of her encouragement if her body wasn't completely frozen in place. The Chinese had used some serum on her that kept her body completely frozen. Jessica would rip these short bastards to pieces once she got herself free.
Orphan had the same thought as he was subjected once again to the torture he had been forced to endure since his arrival in the foreign country. Guy Smith screamed as the sonic vibrations pierced through his ears and sent him reeling to the floor in agony. His enhanced hearing made the normally painful sounds excruciating to the point where Orphan fell into unconsciousness…for the twelfth time.
An older general walked into the room and looked down at the squirming Orphan with disgust, "Soon you will answer for your crimes before the world mutant scum!"
Other important military officers were observing the torture of the Fallen Angels from a room akin to the sky box's found in baseball stadiums. Many of them were skeptical about the torture of Magneto's lackeys and the wrath that it could bring upon them. The country demanded it though and they were all very adept when it came to following orders. None of them needed to lose their ranks.
"Is it almost time to begin this farce?"
"Not quite. The general feels they should be utterly humiliated before being taken in front of any kind of trial."
"The general and his humiliation tactics. It's hardly necessary. The Republican Patrol already broke these fools."
"No. He's just mad that two of the mutants got away. He feels that he's had a failure."
"He's always been overdramatic."
"You're his son. Of course you would say that."
Exodus walked with Eve down the hallway that was under the island of Genosha. The extensive laboratory had been being built ever since Magneto first began his reign in Genosha. It had survived the attacks of the Magistrates, the assault of Baron Zemo, and was near completion. Magneto's powers had played a heavy role in the construction of the underground laboratory. The man had completed Asteroid M in weeks so constructing a facility such as the one running under this island was easy.
"Why have you bought me here?" Exodus asked the Damocles Foundation employee. He knew Eve's type well enough. She was beautiful and seductive, but playing with her would more than likely be at your own peril.
"I wanted you to see the first of the Genoshan Military Squadrons," the Head of Genetic Operations said as she kept walking ahead of Exodus. The light was dim in this hallway so the large fluid filled containers that held her experiments weren't very visible. The Viceroy probably wouldn't approve of how Genosha was constructing its armed forces, but he didn't really have a say in the matter. Magneto was an advocate of genetics since his early days. Even Bennet's influence over the President wasn't 100%.
Finally getting to the end of the hallway Exodus came face to face with the first Genoshan Military Squadron. At the lead of the group of five men was Mikhail Rasputin. Exodus was on shaky terms with the Minister of Defense especially when it came to how Rasputin would treat the Fallen Angel, Ever. He knew that Rasputin had played a large influence over the boy's life and it wasn't an influence that Ever considered a good one.
"Hello Viceroy. I see Eve decided to invite you to the inaugural presentation of my Genoshan Military Squadrons. I hope you're impressed," Mikhail said his smile a smug one.
Exodus simply nodded, "They look prepared. I hope they're prepared to save the Fallen Angels."
Eve laughed, "Of course they're prepared. The necessary training is ingrained in their brains from their inception. You don't have to worry about that Viceroy. They'll get the job done."
"So how do you plan to penetrate China and their defenses?" Exodus asked trying to see if Mikhail had thought this all through.
Mikhail patted one of his soldiers, a large black man, on the shoulder and replied, "He's our gateway in. He can track down mutants like Cerebro and instantly transport himself and others to them. Jamie won't let us down."
"No sir!" Jamie exclaimed.
"Fine. The President wants this handled quickly and cleanly. He doesn't want Gomi to have to do too much more clean up than he already has to," Exodus relayed.
"Of course Viceroy. Tell the President he doesn't have to worry about anything," Eve replied.
Exodus nodded, "Oh and the two Angels I saved will be accompanying you Mikhail. That's a direct order from Magneto."
The machine stretched out Metallique's body like it was silly putty and it was being done completely against her will. Jessica couldn't even scream as her body was twisted and molded at rapid pace. Her teammates could only watch helplessly. Cameras were looking down upon all of them and state sponsored journalists were talking in words none of them could understand. Their torture was being televised to anyone who wanted to watch.
Mana hated watching her friend suffer the way she was and if she could get the chance she would rip these Chinese bastards apart. Her chance would come soon as a loud pop went throughout the facility. Standing only a few feet away from her was Mikhail Rasputin, Anarchist, Meltdown, and five military clad men. Her freedom and her chance for vengeance had arrived.
Tabitha created a few of her plasma globules and threw them with accuracy at her teammates' chains. Meltdown held her hands up and created a basketball-sized bomb and threw it up at the journalists that were looking upon the rescue attempt with horror. They scattered at the approach of the plasma bomb and only a few were caught in its blast. Meltdown didn't mind seeing the fools run. Anyone who could watch the torture of her teammates and did nothing deserved to be treated like dogs.
"Glad to see you finally decide to show up!" Mana yelled. Holding up both of her palms lightning arced from her fingertips and went crashing through the glass where the high official officers were watching down upon the Fallen Angels. The electricity ripped through the officers and burnt them to a crisp.
"Somebody a bit on the angry side!" Anarchist joked.
"You didn't get tortured!" Orphan screamed as he beat one of the soldiers guarding him into a bloody pulp with a piece of a camera.
Mikhail looked around and seeing that everyone was okay looked to Jamie and ordered, "Take us home! We got what we came here for!"
The big black man nodded, "Yes sir!"
"You would take us home before we got some fun in," Meltdown remarked.
Grabbing Tabitha's arm tightly Mikhail said, "We're not here for fun. We've already done enough damage! Magneto will not be pleased."
Snatching herself out of Mikhail's grip, Meltdown pointed her finger in Rasputin's face, "Don't presume to be my superior. I lead the Fallen Angels and I answer to the President!"
Before the Minister of Defense could reply they were both covered in a light and disappeared.
Two Days Later…Gomi approached the podium and looked out into the midst of journalists sternly, "China attacked Genoshan representatives while on a humanitarian mission in Sudan. They attacked without cause and as such it is the feeling of the Genoshan government that whatever harm they suffered at our hands was justified. We will not tolerate our people being attacked and we will do whatever is necessary to keep them safe. Never again will the likes of the Magistrates and Baron Zemo attack our nation. That is all"
Turning off the television Magneto turned to Exodus, "Do you think such attacks will continue to occur against us?"
"Without a doubt. That's why though I may not like it the Genoshan Military Squadrons are necessary. It would be unfair of us to ask every citizen to be prepared to go to arms," Exodus replied.
Magneto sighed, "The humans will never accept us my friend. I see that more and more, but we can't hope to do anything about their views. All we can do is learn to accept them I'm afraid."
Exodus decided it was time to change the subject, "Your address in L:ichtenbad is in a few days isn't it?"
Magneto understood what Bennet was doing and smiled weakly, "Yes it is. The ruler has put himself at great risk letting me speak in his country. I am grateful to him for it. It's an opportunity to show the world we are not as hostile as they might think."
"China might not be so convinced," Exodus grinned.
Next Issue: New Business Avenues begins!