CHAPTER 53: FRACTURED LOYALTIES
Alex's chains rattled louder, each thrash more violent. His eyes locked on Lorna's motionless body.
"Scott! She's not moving—what the hell did you DO to her?!"
Scott held his ground, though his voice faltered.
"She's sedated, Alex. That's all. It's temporary—"
"Temporary?!" Alex shouted, his voice raw."She looks DEAD! You're treating her like some—some weapon you can lock away! She trusted you, Scott! SHE TRUSTED YOU!"
Scott's hand curled into a fist, shaking. "Don't put this on me. You and her—you came for Xavier. You nearly killed him. Tell me WHY!"
Alex's voice cracked. "I told you I DON'T KNOW!" He yanked at the chains until the bolts in the floor groaned. His breath came in ragged bursts, eyes burning with panic. "Get her up—get her out of those restraints—NOW!"
Colossus stepped forward, steel skin glinting."You must calm yourself, comrade, before you hurt—"
"SHUT UP!" Alex roared, plasma flickering faintly around his chest despite the suppressants. His body was fighting the drugs, sheer willpower pushing against the serum.
Logan stepped in, claws unsheathed just enough to catch the light. "Easy, Summers. Keep barkin' like that, and I'll put you back to sleep the old-fashioned way."
"Logan!" Scott snapped, but Logan ignored him, moving closer to the table. He sniffed deep, brow furrowing. 'Fear. Anger. Desperation. But no lies. Damn fool's tellin' the truth, and still dangerous as a bomb.'
Alex's eyes darted back to Lorna. "Lorna… wake up, please…" His voice broke, turning into a scream. "LOOOORNA!"
Her body twitched faintly, head lolling, but she didn't wake. Alex went berserk, straining until the chains cut into his wrists, blood spotting the cuffs. The suppressors flickered as if they'd short-circuit.Scott barked to the team. "Hold him down!"
Colossus clamped his hands on Alex's shoulders. Storm moved to Polaris, checking her vitals with calm efficiency. Nightcrawler hovered close, ready to teleport in if needed.
Alex fought like a madman. "Let her go! LET HER GO! You can take me, you can chain me, but NOT HER!"
Scott's visor glowed hotter, the red beam humming just below eruption. His voice cracked between command and heartbreak. "Alex… stop this. Please. Don't make me—""YOU'RE NOT MY BROTHER!" Alex screamed, spittle flying. "You're just Xavier's SOLDIER!"
The words stabbed deeper than any plasma beam. Scott flinched like he'd been gutted, his jaw locking to hide the hurt.
Logan exhaled smoke from his cigar, stepping between them. "Enough. This ain't interrogation anymore. It's torture for both of 'em." He jabbed a claw toward Beast's medical kit on the counter. "Knock him out, put 'em both on ice till Chuck comes back. Only he's got the keys to untangle this mess."
Scott hesitated, visor dimming. His brother's voice still rang in his ears like shrapnel. "…He's right."
Storm returned with the syringe, her voice soft but firm. "Forgive me, Alex."
Alex thrashed, but Colossus held him fast. The needle slid into his arm, the suppressant-heavy sedative burning its way through his veins. His voice slurred, cracking.
"Scott… Scotty… don't let them… hurt her…"
And then he went limp, head dropping back against the table.Silence filled the chamber, thick as smoke. Polaris remained unconscious beside him, her breathing shallow but steady.
Scott stood rigid, visor hiding his eyes, but his hands trembled. "…He doesn't even know he's our enemy."
Logan flicked ash to the floor, voice low and gruff. "That's the cruel part of war, Summers. Sometimes the folks across the line didn't choose to be there." He sheathed his claws with a final SNIKT. "Now we wait for Chuck. Till then, they stay under."The chains rattled no more. Only the weight of broken family ties lingered in the air.