Issue+20+-+'Uncomfortably+Numb'


 * Issue 20 - 'Uncomfortably Numb' **




 * Plot**

The eXalts, now including probationary members Daniel (code named "Survivor") and Cameron ("Vortex"), arrive at the scene of the Purifier lab. After some discussion of how to enter, Panzer decides to go in the back door with Blur and Survivor. The fliers, including Vortex, Mustang, and Phantasma, wait to go through the obscured windows. Bast holds back to call S.H.I.E.L.D.. Upon bursting into the building, the group sees a group of seven people in Purifier garb. Blur rushes forward to attack, and upon getting close, sees that they’re actually the Academy M staff! The staff now includes Cordelia Frost, Feral, Discord, Pyro, Quill, Scrambler, and Switch. Blur says, “I knew you were involved!” and attacks. The battle begins.

After a short period of conflict, Mustang and Phantasma try to negotiate with the Academy M staff. Cordelia says, “You’ve ruined everything!” and calls for a retreat. The eXalts let them go, but Scrambler decides to nullify Panzer’s powers before retreating, and Discord messes with Mustang’s mind. At that moment, two security robots burst from the walls of the lab. They both open fire on Vortex, leaving him bleeding and dying. It looks like they’re going to finish the job when Surf bursts through a window! She has her powers back! She knocks back one of the robots, giving Phantasma time to grab Vortex and bring him to safety. Panzer and Mustang recover. The robots are then defeated, but not before Survivor is “killed” several times (once when Panzer goes through him to tackle a robot).

When going over the scene, the eXalts find the technology needed to create the Reaver weaponry. They also find a mainframe computer and bomb making materials – explosives were recently created there. The scene is cleared, and Panzer and Survivor stay to continue searching. They find a bomb and are unable to deactivate it before it explodes. Panzer envelops the explosive, but it still destroys much of the lab and “kills” Survivor (again). S.H.I.E.L.D. finally arrives to cordon off the scene and send in a bomb team to search for more explosives. They promise to share information. They tell the eXalts to leave before the press fully arrive.

On her way back to the school, Samantha gets a call from her Aunt Cordelia. Cordelia is relieved that the eXalts are fine. She says they were investigating the scene when the eXalts broke in and tripped the security measures. Cordelia also reveals that their one healer was recently killed. She says they’re on the same side and wants Samantha to be safe. Back at the school, Billy searches for explosives with Lucius’ scanner, but finds nothing. Dane updates everyone’s communicators (but secretly taps them). At the staff meeting that night, David accuses Dane of being too brash. The group also tries to decide on whether Daniel should infiltrate Academy M. They decide he should give it a try. Lucius says the cure he designed for Jessica was made specifically for her, but now he’s going to try to make a cure for any mutant infected with Hope.

A week later on a field trip to the mall, Daniel speaks to Roger and his sidekick, Biff. Roger sells Daniel a dose of MGH supposedly made from David’s DNA. After Daniel injects it, Roger says he’s passed the test. Now that they trust him, they ask him to do some snooping at the school to find the Cerebra unit there and what security protects it. The MGH he injected isn't David's - it's a mutant power nullifier. It will protect him from mental scans, but also removes his ability to resurrect for a few weeks.

Later on during the field trip, Cameron oversees Erica (bug girl) sneaking down a hallway. He calls in Bastienne, Billy, and Jessica. They watch as Erica buys MGH from Roger and Biff. When they confront the girl, she says the MGH will suppress her mutant ability for a time. If she wants more, she’ll have to join Academy M and give them intelligence about Academy X. The group has a staff meeting to discuss the situation. They argue about whether it’s better for Erica to take the MGH or not. They decide to have Erica talk to Kurt (Nightcrawler) to see if some counseling helps. Kurt has gone through similar troubles due to looking different, and they hope he can help. They also agree to have Daniel give information on Cerebra to Academy M to infiltrate the school. Meanwhile, Samantha is distracted because she’s missed her period.

A week passes. David finishes putting together his secret team. Dane’s source keeps looking for more information on the Purifiers, but with no luck yet. Samantha has Jessica secretly test her for pregnancy, and it is discovered that she is pregnant. She tells Matt and he is supportive of whatever she decides. On Sunday it is time for a whole school field trip to the Exploratorium in San Francisco. At breakfast Ruth squeezes Samantha’s hand and tells her it will all work out fine. She says she knows that it has to be her, and that Billy will save her. Then she walks out of the school. Bastienne sees her walking towards the garage and follows. Suddenly, the entire garage explodes into a giant fireball.

There is chaos at the scene of the explosion. Maya, a student who can send and receive electronic signals, detects a signal at the scene. Billy grabs Maya and runs off. The eXalts know the signal must be close, so they begin a search pattern. Panzer is in the Blackbird while Mustang, Vortex, and Samantha search for Billy. Panzer somehow knows where to look (using a trace on Billy's communicator) and spots an unconscious Billy outside a suburban Catholic church. There are several Purifiers nearby under the command of their leader, Matthew Risman. The team converges and prepares to rescue Billy.

The battle is vicious. The Purifiers use Reaver technology to knock several eXalts unconscious (including Bast and Vortex). Mustang calls for a retreat at Phantasma’s suggestion, but Billy awakens and surprises Risman. He has one hand around Risman’s throat and orders Risman to have his men stand down. Risman does so, and the Purifiers grab their unconscious allies and retreat into the church. A light begins flashing from Risman’s chest. Billy knocks him unconscious. Panzer grabs Billy and drags him away while Phantasma tosses Risman into the church. Mustang locates Maya and she listens in on the Purifier’s radios. They are retreating through a secret tunnel into the sewers. Mustang investigates, realizing that Risman’s explosive has not gone off. He blasts Risman, leaving him dying. Panzer goes inside and sees he's dying, but he lets him die. Risman’s last taunt is that “Robitaille will finish you.” Robitaille is Daniel's last name... what does it mean?

**Next:** Issue 21 - 'Needle in the Hay' **Previous:** Issue 19 - 'Number of the Beast'