Arc Ten. Chapter Two-Hundred Eighty-Six. A New Dream

Malisson

Quick reminder. The clocks went forwards, so House Of Venom will be published at 9 pm BST (GMT/UTC+1)

Against Rage and Juggernaut, even the fleet of Sentinels was powerless. Beams of energy just scattered off the armoured Rage, and they had little to no effect on the massive Augment.

“Units Requesting Back-Up. Omega Level Threats Detected.” One sentinel said before Juggernaut lifted Rage and threw him through its chest. Rage snarled as he came out the other side rending and tearing at the chest cavity.

How's it going over there? Rage asked Selene, Who was surprised that Logan was now telepathic,

The grain storage is reinforced, but we have no Sentinels here,

Yeah, they all kinda headed for us, an’ well, we smashed them. Cain says hello by the way,

And please thank him for me. Do you think they will send more?

I reckon not, they knew we’d fight back, see what level everyone's at an’ then use public opinion against us.

Selene swore. Destroying the machines was what they wanted. Chaos to ensure peace. Nobody would argue about a few Augmented individuals, not until they were in cuffs and collars.

Then we must remain here. I have the interference to ensure nobody living can get here. Only the Sentinels are able to pierce it. If I can get in contact with Peter, then he may help us with proper defences.

Ain't gonna work. Now they know GPS and radar can locate you they just need to get these things to drag a couple of boats behind ‘em, they’ll send troops Selene, and you know that's way worse.

Then do we do nothing? Allow these, these things to come and take us, Logan you know as well as I do that these things never end well. The South, the war, concentration camps are the next step, and I will not see history repeat itself.

Nope, we do what we did then, we fight, and we win, and we keep those who don't want to fight safe.

Selene huffed. She knew he was right, but she didn’t like it.

Fine, we do it your way. Can you contact Peter, or shall I?

You can get him from here?

Selene laughed, there are maybe two or three telepaths on Earth I cannot talk to, even if they do not allow it, and Peter is certainly not one of them.

Selene felt for Peter. New York was only a few hundred kilometres away, and at night when it was calm she could feel the nightlife of New York City. She tried to keep her thoughts away from the warehouse most of the time, slightly stung and jealous of a life she could never lead, but this time, she was actively seeking out help.

She found him, and it was not good. Iron Man, or who she thought was Iron Man as the strange armour he was wearing created a mental static around him, was doing his best to keep Peter occupied. She felt his pain as the strange beam hit him and his skin blistered and blackened.

Peter cannot help us. He is fighting Stark. The situation may be worse than we thought.

Xavier? They probably targeted the school as well.

Selene switched her focus but found nothing at the school. No signs of any minds there at all.

It's empty, no students.

Logan frowned. He figured if anyone would be fighting for Augments rights it would be Charles, and Erik should have been the perfect person to scrap a bunch of flying robots.

Something’s wrong Selene. Logan said. I get Stark going after Pete, but not Charles cuttin’ and runnin’. Are there any large groups of Augments hidin’ anywhere? Any signs of New York having a camp or somethin’?

Selene let her mental search scan the minds of New York, but there was nothing, nothing more than the normal everyday people, tinged with panic, she found fighting all over, as not just Peter and his friends took on the Sentinels but ordinary citizens who found themselves in their line of fire.

All over New York, there was chaos. Everyone had taken the opportunity to rebel, and the Sentinels had provided the perfect excuse. It was pandemonium.

There is nothing Logan, and here is no safer than New York. We should prepare for a ground assault. We do not have any weapons, but a few can fight.

Split ‘em into pairs, if anyone has a defensive power they can help too. No need to fight, just help keep anyone safe. Make small groups so there ain't no panicking, and get them to whatever shelters you got, underground is better, cause if they're found we don't want anyone getting hurt.

Logan quickly organised the defences with the Genoshians. In total, they only had five fighters, including himself and Cain. Most had minor or benign powers, and most had physical Augments.

“Right, that's about the best we can do,” Logan said as Selene came over, and patted him on the shoulder. Cain had gathered a lot of vegetables together was making several huge pots of stew, he needed something to do, something to cut to take his mind from the incoming battle.

The groups were scared, but after the smell of food wafted through the area, and everyone received bread and a bowl the situation seemed almost calm.

Selene sat with Logan who was chewing on a chunk of bread and lamenting over no meat in the food, he knew Aumgents could be picky eaters, but it would have been nice to get something he could get his teeth into. Selene was st staring at her own food. It was up to Cain's usual standard, but to her it was tasteless. She had failed her people by neglecting the island's defences.

Logan snorted, “yeh you ain't keeping much hidden, and you're wrong. This is a safe palace, not a prison. Safe places don’t need guards an’ guns. They need kind an’ generous people, so stop it.” and Selene felt her cheeks redden.

“Yeah, an’ I felt that too, sorry, I'm out of spray.”

“Spray? Am I a cat now?” She asked with a small grin, raising an eyebrow at him, 

Logan laughed, “If those thoughts keep going the way they are, then yup, I reckon you are.” 

While Selene blushed Cain sat oblivious and spooned the thick stew onto some of his bread to eat.

Logan and Selene had tried in the past. He was very handsome, took care of himself, and excluded the raw animal sexuality that attracted a woman like her. He was also semi-immortal, and unlike Shaw, was content to stick with one woman. It had simply been too many obstacles in the way, and too many wars that had kept them apart. Peter was similar, but without years of experience that Logan processed, clearing her throat, “if we survive this, can we?”

Try again?

I would like to?

You know I'm a host right, and Rage is part of that too.

You have one of Peter's creatures?

Nope, Rage ain't one of his, only his women get one from him, but there were more. Petes kinda weird that way, not one of them but not one of us, Rage was made by a friend of his, and I was about to go huntin’ an asshole when this all happened.

Hunting an asshole? I am confused, why?

He hurt us, and we wish to make him sorry

Rage?

We are, and while we were with Gwen we felt your time with Peter. Logan, you may take this one as much as she likes, we enjoyed the others but Selene is known to us, Peter enjoyed her very much

Logan coughed on his stew while Selene covered her mouth to hide a huge smile,

I thought I said that you ain't supposed to share stuff like that, that's personal.

But you have tasted the Selene before, and Gwen was always insistent on Peter sharing his exploits. She wished to know as well, so it is not bad, we are not sharing, only explaining.

Uh-huh, Logan thought, You’re still sharing too much, and I don't need a list of Pete's conquests explained to me. You only get to talk about anyone I've been with, and not Gwen or the rest okay?

Rage huffed, we enjoy the variety, but you spray too many, you should be more like Peter and enjoy yourself, and let us enjoy ourselves.

Uh-huh, want me to quit smokin’ next? Or drinkin’?

NO, bad Logan, we are sorry but bad, bad! hmph, boring Cindy, boring Logan, you promised fun, and smoking, and drinking, we only wish for a little more.

Selene had placed down her bowl and was holding a hand over her stomach, as she quietly shook,

“Please, no more, no more. I will teach you to hide your thoughts, but for now, please stop,“ she said as she laughed and folded over. Cain looked over confused but Selene just smiled and shook her head,

He huffed, “telepaths.” and he pointed to Selene's bowl, she handed it over and he started to finish her stew as well.

Selene and Logan both shared a look and while Logan smiled and shook his head, Selene laughed. It felt good to be in company, even if circumstances weren't perfect.

Cain rubbed his stomach and motioned to Logan's bowl, and stacked the three with the plates their bread had been on. He stood and looked at the tables where dirty dishes were being left,

“You know, clean up will take half an hour, maybe more. Maybe two people need to take a walk around the island to make sure nothing here. Maybe two people who aren't so great at hiding what they're thinking,” and he turned and walked off, he shook his head, “not as dumb as everyone thinks.”

Selene looked over at Logan who shrugged, “It's an idea but, bein’ honest, let's wait till after the giant robots stop invadin’. I like to take it nice and slow.”

“So dating and maybe drinks?”

Logan laughed and took out a cigar, lit it and took a draw. “I was thinkin’ foreplay but sure.” Logan had been warned by Liv about the increase in appetites. His cigar budget was slowly increasing as was his drinking, He’d had a stupidly embarrassing conversation with that Flash kid, who stumbled through trying to explain about the higher urges but Logan just laughed, clapped him on the shoulder and went to talk to an adult. Liv was perfectly capable and more than competent to discuss what issue Logan may have, and after the trio had talked, even Flash looked a lot happier, even if he was bright red.

He had no illusions about the Symbiotes anymore, and after spending a few months with Rage, still hadn't changed his opinion. She was dangerous, powerful and was affecting his biology and mind. His memory was becoming clearer but so were his appetites, including a few he had worked hard to bury. 

One thing he forgave Peter for was his sex drive, as other than fighting the Symbiotes loved any kind of stimulation. While cigars were his limit he had wondered that if chocolate got them off, what something like cocaine would do. 

That had been a conversation and then an argument and a point-blank refusal. His biology would recover, hers might not and a rampaging drug-addicted Symbiote was the last thing he wanted. So cigars, fine whisky, and a lot of fine-looking women were a fair compromise. For once Logan felt happy and at peace. He knew that was Rage, and for that, they were going to pay Hank Pym a small visit, it had just taken a small detour,

“I can live with that,” Selene answered with a smile, “but after this mess is dealt with.”

The pair lept to their feet as a yellow ribbon of light circled and then opened into a gaping hole,

“Don't attack,” shouted a familiar voice, and Charles wheeled himself forwards, “It's me, it's me,” and as Logan let Rage and his claws retract back in he shook his head, “I do apologise but we came to help.”

A young woman stepped through the portal. Logan nodded at her and she smiled back, a brief flash of embarrassment on her face. Selene looked between the pair, the woman was Asian, had small tattoos over her face and was in a fitting X-Man uniform, which highlighted her slim and busty figure. She stepped forwards with an older African man, and the portal closed behind them,

“Breach. My power is uh, portals.” Selene nodded and took her hand, shaking it, “I’ll start getting the island evacuated. Uh, if you don't mind that is?”

Selene shook her head, “No, everyone is here, as we just ate. But do you have space?” it must have been a joke as the young women snorted and looked guiltily over at Charles,

“It's fine Breach, I’ll explain.” Charles said, “Forge, there are Sentinel remains here, can you examine them?”

He nodded. “If someone can show me where they are.”

“Cain can show you, in case there is trouble.” 

“Thank you. Help is appreciated.” and as Selene pointed out Cain to the man, he walked, and the pair left to where the battle took place.

“We have a sanctum, a safe palace where Augments can live freely, and it's not on US soil, so we don't have to deal with this,” and he waved a hand, “mess.”

Selene crossed her arms, “But anywhere on Earth will be subject to an attack, anywhere we live they will use it as an excuse to hunt us.”

Charles smiled, “Trust me, Our new home is out of this world.”

Malisson

And a final note, On Saturday 2nd April I am publishing my Aprils Fools Chapter, at the normal time of 9 pm BST

X-Over. Who Watches The Watchman

Starring Deadpool.