General Worthington and Princess Wanda stood at the front of the room, discussing something privately as the pilots filed into the room. Pietro eventually walked in the room, however now he was wearing a pilots uniform as well. His was different from the others. It was a black jumpsuit, which had silver lightning bolts running down the front. The others all had blue jumpsuits with ‘X’ patches on their shoulders.
"Well, I don’t believe it," said a voice. "Pietro turned around to see a familiar face." "Bobby? Bobby Drake? What are you doing here?" he asked.
"You know I’ve always been a pilot! I’m the field leader of this squadron," replied Bobby. "Here, I’ll show you my own flight team. This is Jubilee, Ray Crisp a.k.a. Berzerker, and Sam Guthrie a.k.a. Cannonball."
Pietro looked at them. "Oh, their call signs," he said. "And what’s yours?"
"Man, as cool as I am, they can’t dub me anything other than Iceman," answered Bobby.
"I always thought Bighead would fit with that ego of yours," chimed Jubilee. Cannonball and Berzerker started laughing at the snide remark. Eventually, the gavel pounded against the podium at the front of the room, and General Worthington began to speak.
"Listen, we don’t have much time, so I’m going to lay out the mission objectives now," said General Worthington. He stepped aside and a diagram of Asteroid M appeared on the screen. "Now, as you can see, a direct assault on Asteroid M would take too long, and we don’t have that much firepower available. It’s practically indestructible, except for one point." The diagram magnified to a certain grid on the picture. "Here, is the Achilles heel of Asteroid M. The target is only a meter wide, but it will be necessary to fire two pulse missiles simultaneously to destroy it."
"A meter wide!" protested Bobby. "
The targeting computers aboard your X-Wing fighters have been programmed to maximize your targeting precision."
"That shot’s almost impossible to make!" said Sam.
"It’s not impossible," said Pietro.
"Yeah, keep thinking that, rookie," said Ray.
"Quickly men, to your ships," said Worthington. He noticed Jubilee didn’t move and cleared her throat. "Jubilee, get to your ship too."
Jubilee frowned, but got up and followed the rest of the pilots out of the meeting room. They rushed to the hanger and started to board their ships. Pietro walked across the hanger and saw Scott say a few more words to Kitty as she turned and walked off towards the Blackbird. "Is it true, Scott?" asked Pietro. Scott turned around to face him. "You’re just taking the money and leaving?"
"Yeah, kid," answered Scott. "I have some old debts to take care of. And there’s always business to attend to. Besides, even if I didn’t, this is suicide. Why don’t you come with us, we could use a guy like you."
"Damn it, Scott," said Pietro. "These people are fighting for something… they’re fighting for us. They’re fighting for mutants. You’re a good pilot, one of the best. They could use you"
"Pietro… this mission is suicide. End of story," said Scott.
"Yeah, whatever," said Pietro. "Take care of yourself, Scott. "You do it better than anyone else I know."
"Pietro…" said Scott. Pietro stopped and turned to face him. "Let the X-Factor guide you." Pietro stood there for awhile but turned and continued to walk away. Scott sighed and turned around to see the rest of the Blackbird crew standing there looking at him with long faces of disappointment. They all turned, and started to walk aboard the Blackbird without saying a word. Scott clapped his hands to his side in disbelief. "What is this?! Piss on Summers, day?"
Pietro walked back towards his X-Wing where he saw Wanda waiting for him. "What’s wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing. It’s just, Scott. I thought he’d change his mind," said Pietro.
"He’s got to follow his own path, just like you have to follow yours," said Wanda. Wanda reaches up, and gives Pietro a kiss on the cheek. "Good luck."
Pietro nodded and climbed into his X-Wing to find Lance sitting in the co-pilot’s seat. "You okay back there, Lance?"
Lance shook his head. "No man. I really hate flying," he answered.
"Well, that’ll change," said Pietro. He looked out of his cockpit, to see Bobby next to him giving him a "thumbs up". Pietro returned the gesture. After getting the green light, the X-Wings began to take off from the base and head for space. Pietro looked back to check on Lance.
"Ohh," moaned Lance. "I’m not feeling well. I think I’m gonna be sick, really sick." Lance put his hand over his mouth and continued to moan.
"Well, one way or another pal, this isn’t going to last long," said Pietro.
"I know. That’s what I’m afraid of," Lance said.
The squadron of X-Wing fighters slowly entered the blackness of space. Opposite them, and moving closer was Asteroid M. For a moment, the pilots simply gazed out at Asteroid M in amazement. It was huge, and it was obvious that this mission was going to be very difficult.
"Okay, blue team," began Bobby "you take the point position. Clear the way for us. Gold team, follow my lead cause we’re headed straight for the target." There were a few more communiqués confirming the orders and others wishing everyone luck. The pilots activated their boosters, and within seconds, they found lasers dancing past their windshields as they got closer to Asteroid M.
"Holy crap! They’re shootin’ at us!" cried Cannonball as he veered off his vector towards Asteroid M.
"That’s what they’re getting paid for, Hayseed!" cried Ray as he did the same.
The X-wings regrouped and moved in for another attack run. The gold team broke off and started in towards. Jubilee moved into the point position with Cannonball and Berzerker at her wing. "I think I’m going to make it!" cried Jubilee. Suddenly, a shower of laser blasts ripped across the nose of her plane. Sparks flew from the console. "Crap! My weapons are fried!"
"Get outta there, Jubes!" said Iceman. "Berzerker, escort her back to base!"
"Aww man," said Berzerker. "I was just starting to have fun!"
"Finish the run," said Iceman.
"What?!" said Jubilee. "I told you my weapons are fried. I’m no good here!"
"Then, let Berzerker take point and Cannonball follow up," said Iceman. "We need to take as many shots at this as we can. Understood?"
After a moment’s hesitation, Jubilee agreed. Her X-Wing lifted up and Berzerker’s slid into her place. "Stay close Cannonball," said Berzerker. "We’re almost there. Follow up my shots with your own, okay?"
"Roger," replied Cannonball. The X-Wings made their last run, luckily avoiding hits by the lasers cannons firing at them as they soared down the trench towards the weak spot. "Bombs away!" cried Cannonball as he releases his own pulse missiles right after Berzerker. The three X-Wings pulled out of the way as the missiles exploded on impact. "Did we get it?"
"Negative?" said Iceman. "Berzerker, escort Jubilee back to base. Cannonball we need you to provide cover fire for the rest of us." There were a series of explosions from below, but Asteroid M still stood. Iceman directed a few of the fighters back towards the Asteroid M, but they didn’t get far before they were destroyed by the cannons on the Asteroid.
"Dammit!" shouted Iceman. "Okay, boys, this is it. Pietro, Cannonball, we’re it. If we don’t get it here, then it doesn’t get done. Cannonball, Pietro, cover me."
"Right behind you, Iceman," said Pietro. Pietro turned around to look at Lance. "How you holding up, buddy?"
"We’ve been shot at, you’ve twirled this space bucket every way possible, and we’re out of barf bags. How do you think I’m holding up?" Lance’s eyes widened and he covered his mouth and started to moan.
"Glad to hear it," said Pietro. He zoomed in behind Iceman, with Cannonball at his side.
"Guys, I’m picking up some fighters coming up on our rear. Cover me," ordered Iceman. His X-Wing boosted ahead. Meanwhile, laser fire began to sprinkle around Pietro and Cannonball. Suddenly, Iceman has the target in range. He fires his pulse missiles and pulls up.
However, something strange happens. The missiles stop directly in place. The veer away from Asteroid M and detonate a few meters away. "No!" screamed Bobby. "What the hell just happened?"
Pietro’s eyes widened. "Magneto. He’s here," said Pietro. Suddenly, a shot hit Pietro’s X-wing. Sparks flew everywhere. "Lance! Lance! What’s wrong?"
"Minimal damage to the targeting array," said Lance.
"You’ve got to fix it!" said Iceman. "You’re the only one with missiles left Pietro. It’s now or never, buddy!"
"I’m on my way in," said Pietro. He took the X-Wing into a dive and headed towards the target. Iceman and Cannonball slipped into position to offer cover fire.
"Pilot’s, draw those two X-Wings away from the target," ordered Lord Magneto from the cockpit of his fighter. "Leave the one in the trench to me."
"Acknowledged," said one of the Imperial pilots. They quickly moved in and laid some heavy fire on Iceman and Cannonball, until they had no choice but to break formation. Lord Magneto took this advantage of this and prepared to lock onto Pietro’s X-Wing.
Pietro suddenly, felt his X-Wing rock, and there was another shower of sparks. He looked back towards Lance. "It’s totally fried. The targeting array is totally fried."
Let the X-Factor guide you Pietro. Pietro listened to the voice. "Storm?" Let the X-Factor guide you. Pietro looked ahead at the target. He was approaching it hard and fast. There was no turning back. He had to take it out. Even without the targeting array.
Iceman and Cannonball led the fighters behind them away from Pietro and away from Asteroid M. The two X-Wing pilots made run for each other, with their enemies hot on their tails. Then, at the last moment, the pair pulled out of the run, causing the Imperial pilots to crash into each other.
"Yeah!" cried Cannonball. "We did it!"
"Maybe," answered Iceman. "But there’s no way we’ll make it back in time to give Pietro the cover he needs. That other pilot’s got him targeted. It’s over."
Pietro was about to fire, when he heard the alarms of the X-Wing go off. "We’re targeted!" cried Lance. Pietro looked back. It was too late. He’d never get the shot off before he took a hit. Besides, Magneto would only deflect his missiles like he did Iceman’s. It was truly over.
Suddenly, a series of laser blasts danced came showering down on Magneto’s fighter. The laser’s hit the wing, causing him to spiral way off course. Pietro’s eyes searched the skies for the source, but couldn’t see anything.
"Yeah!" said Scott’s voice over the comm. "You’re all clear kid. Now make this shot, and let’s go home."
Pietro smiled as he neared the target. He took aim, not with the computer. He trusted himself. He trusted the X-Factor. Pietro fired the pulse missiles. They soared through the trench, and into the target. The missiles soared through the tubes, until they found their mark at the reactor. Once they collided, the explosion began to rip through the bowels of the station.
Pietro pulled out of the trench and away from Asteroid M. As he regrouped with the Blackbird, and the remaining X-Wings, Asteroid M exploded. The ships returned to the base on Haven’s moon.
As the last remaining pilots landed, and opened their cockpits, they could hear cheers from all the Rebels within the base. The stood up waved their hands to acknowledge the cheers. Pietro climbed out of his cockpit and was met with hugs from his fellow pilots.
"Pietro! Pietro!" cried Wanda as she ran through the crowds. Pietro turned around and met her open arms. The two embraced as joyous laughter rolled from their mouths.
"Hey! Hey!" said Scott. Pietro turned around to face Scott. The two ran into each other and slapped each other on the back. Their embrace broke and Pietro moved on to Jean. Wanda wrapped her arms around Scott briefly before pulling away.
"Ja! I told you. The Fuzzy man rules at rescues!" cried Kurt. Wanda smiled and rushed to wrap her hands around Kurt. Meanwhile, Pietro had moved and was now embracing Kitty.
"I knew you’d come back," said Pietro to Scott.
"Well," said Scott, "it took some of my friends to show me what’s really important." Scott turned to Jean and smiled. "To show me what should be important."
Several of the technicians were now helping Lance out of the cockpit. Pietro turned his attention to Lance. "He gonna be all right?" Pietro asked.
"He’s just air sick," said Roberto. "He’ll pull through. I don’t even want to tell you about our trip to Mutoone." Everyone else chuckled as they wrapped their arms around each others’ shoulders and marched off to celebrate.
There was a loud fanfare of horns. People were lined on either side of the walkway waving banners and cheering. The walkway led to a set of stairs. Princess Wanda, again dressed in white, stood at the top of the stairs, with Lance and Roberto at her side. As the fanfare continued, several figures began to walk out onto the walk way. From the left emerged Pietro dressed in a black jacket, white shirt dark pants and black boots. From the right came Scott and Jean, wearing the same. Scott was not wearing his visor at this time, but a pair of glasses instead. Jean had her hair pulled back and braided neatly. Behind them came Kitty and Kurt, both wearing similar out fits as well.
They marched up the stairs and stopped after reaching the top. Princess Wanda steps forward, and places a gold medallion around Scott. She repeats the ceremony with Jean, Pietro, Kitty, and finally Kurt. Kurt offers her a wink, which causes her to giggle slightly. After the medallions had been awarded, the five heroes turn around to face the public below. Cheers erupt from the crowd as they do so. Confetti begins to fall from the sky, and the fanfare continues. The entire group of heroes wave to the fans below in celebration of their victory.
THE END