X-Force #23

Fabian Nicieza - writer
Greg Capullo - pencils

In Portland, ME at St. Anthony's hospital, Shatterstar, Feral, Rictor and Sunspot break in and steal a completely bandaged body and take it aboard their transport. Once inside, they remove the bandages to reveal Crule, who was recovering from his earlier fall. They want information on the Externals so they can take them down. Crule agrees because he has less love for his fellow Externals. Sam calls Professor X for information, but he knows little of the Externals and tells Sam it is up to him to decide what to do, since he has chosen his path. Previously, he had vowed to Gideon to stay out of External affairs and he does not want to break his word, even in the current situation. Meanwhile, back in Canada, Domino and Grizzly fight off Weapon Prime and are led to an escape route by Hammer who is monitoring the battle. He tells them it is an AC vent, but it turns out to be a sewer drain. As they escape, Grizzly comments on Domino's perfume. She thanks him and jokes that it is called "Essence d' Morte." Tigerstrike is still hot on their trail, but Hammer's Winnebago transforms to a jet and they escape. At Saul's mansion, He and Gideon discuss the future of their kind and the possibilities for the newest of their ranks and the unexplainable death of Nicodemus as they wait for the arrival of X-Force. Over the skies of Colorado, the team - minus Cannonball - discusses their attack strategy and decide a forceful direct attack is best, so the fly the "Gainer", their new ship, straight into Saul's living room for an effective surprise attack. Back in Norwell, MA, Vanessa escaped Deadpool somehow and is packing her belongings back at Tina's house when she feels a gun on the back of her head extending from Deadpool's grip. He is about to take her away when Domino and Grizzly burst in. Domino blasts Deadpool from behind and says, "sorry loser -- the little morphing freak talks to me first." While Domino bangs her head around awhile for impersonating her and causing her imprisonment for a year, Vanessa begs for mercy. Domino pauses when Vanessa tells her, "I know where X-Force is !" Back at Saul's, the captive team mates are rescued and Sunspot gives a note to Gideon from Sam saying, "Dear Giddy, I didn't break my word. I said I would never interfere in External matters again and I haven't. The OTHERS did. I kept my promise. Back off now and I'll let you keep your head. Your Pal, Samuel Guthrie." Saul pleads that the Externals may die unless they can study Sam, but Shatterstar reminds him, "If you continue to harass us, you will suffer that fate anyway..."