CHAPTER 108 - THE CHAINS BREAK
Storm's hands were a blur now, every lockpick strike guided by memory and sheer will. One by one, the restraints clicked open - Logan first, because his growl was getting on her nerves.
The second the shackles fell, Logan flexed his hands, claws SNIKT popping free with a savage grin. "Never thought I'd say it, but I missed ya, bub."
"Shh!" Storm hissed. "If Nanny returns-"
Too late. The door whined open, the stubby robot gliding in with its mechanical chirp. "Time for feeding. Nutrient slurry intake scheduled."
Banshee groaned. "God save me, not the slurry again."
Logan smirked. "No worries, I got somethin' better in mind."
He lunged, pinning the robot to the floor before it could react. Metal shrieked under his claws. Sparks flew.
"Hold it!" Hank barked. Still half-bound, he twisted in his chair. "Don't shred it I can reprogram!"
Storm tossed him the lockpick, freeing his hands with a deft flick. Hank crouched over Nanny, fingers dancing over exposed circuits. "Aha! Disable primary subroutines... flip the polarity here... there." The robot froze, then began to spin lazily in place, wheels squealing as it circled like a confused puppy.
Logan folded his arms. "Cute. Let's keep it as a pet."
"Focus," Cyclops snapped. His visor glowed faintly, restrained rage in his voice. "We need a plan."
Jean's eyes went distant, burning faintly with green fire. "A plan... yes. We link."
Her power stretched outward, a warm pulse brushing every mind in the room. One by one, the X-Men felt it a thread connecting them, weaving thought into thought.
<
> Jean's voice wasn't sound now, but a whisper in their skulls.
<
> Logan answered, smirking.
<
> Banshee muttered.
Cyclops' thoughts were calm but clipped.
<<
>
A chill silence fell.
Because far above them, streaking through orbit in a sheath of magnetic force, Magneto's craft screamed through the void. His eyes blazed, jaw set like iron.
"They dare," he murmured, voice rich with fury. "They DARE."
Back in the Antarctic base, the X-Men readied themselves, standing free at last. Storm's chest rose and fell, pride glowing in her eyes.
"We are whole again," she said. "And when Magneto returns we will show him we are not children to be caged."
Logan cracked his knuckles. "Damn right. This time, ol' tin-head's gonna learn what happens when ya box in a Wolverine."
The chamber lights flickered red. Sirens wailed.
He was already on his way.