"Adam X, Shatterstar"
X-Force #28
Fabian Nicieza - Writer
Matt Broome - Penciler - 29
Tony Daniel - Penciler - 30
Arcade knocks out Shatterstar and brings him to Murderworld. Previous to this
'Star was trying to learn more about this world, and had met a family. When he
awakens, he takes out the guard watching him and listens to Arcade over the intercom.
Shatterstar sees he is not the only captives. an innocent family is also tied to posts.
Apparently, Arcade has been hired by someone to check 'Star's capabilities out, so
Shatterstar must fight for him.
"Boy are you a terse change of pace from the spandex types I'm used to" - Arcade
Suddenly, doors open and the Imperial Protectorate of Mojo appears. They are not programmed to take out 'Star, but the family 'Star met. Shatterstar protects them, taking out all the guards but one. This guard grabs the kids, who, by now, 'Star has freed, and holds a blaster to their heads. 'Star uses a blaster of his own he picked up to nail the guy between the eyes. The family is released, Shatterstar, however, is not...
'Star is forced to change into his old uniform (the one he made his first appearance in) and we learn Majodomo, a programmer from the Mojoverse, is the one who hired Arcade. However, somebody else hired Arcade to check out another subject, so he decides, why not kill two birds with one stone? X-Treme appears and Arcade informs him abd Shatterstar that they must fight to the death to survive. Neither of them really wants to fight, but both have their honors to protect. When Adam X draws blood, he ignites the electrolytes in 'Star's blood. Thinking himself victorious, Adam-X turns his back to question Arcade. Shatterstar quickly comes back (of course). After knocking X-treme on his butt he tries to end their fighting and finds that Adam X is also fighting to save someone's life...Windsong (who,by the way, happens to be 'Star's wife !!) Shatterstar sends his blades sailing, shattering the hologram of Windsong.
"Figured out it was a fake, did he? I rather liked that crystalline-based laser holo-image Major Domo provided me. I'm upset that you shattered it. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. Your name is Shatterstar after all." - Arcade
Adam X and Shatterstar eventually team up, deciding that if Arcade really does have Windsong, she'd rather die than be held captive. They run around the complex and find nothing, but a door saying "This is NOT the control room". It turns out to be a trap and they are cornered by a large number of guards. When Arcade finally gets his vid's back on he sees the two doing rather nasty things to his employees.
"Burn" - Adam X "I too need a short byword with which to call out in battle" - 'Star "How about "Bleed"?" - Adam X "Simple. But effective. I like it!" 'Star
Eventually bursting into Arcade's control room, they see Windsong who pleads to her "love" Shatterstar to kill Adam X. 'Star, in turn, runs himself through with his own sword! Windsong turns out to be a hologram and Adam X turns on Arcade. Arcade eats the piece of paper with the name of the person who hired him to check out X-Treme, thinking he won't be killed. Miraculously, Shatterstar gets up and runs Arcade through from behind, but Arcade is only an android. They give Locke a warning and leave. Apparently, Shatterstar knew Windsong was fake the whole time, after all he and his wife have never met. They are merely "arranged to breed" in the future. As for the suicide, he knew exactly what he was doing. Adam X goes in search of the name on the paper while 'Star starts to relate his story to Rictor on the way home.
Summary by : Sparky, Girl Wonder :)