Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia

Over two hundred and sixty thousand people are interred in the American military cemetery located on Memorial Drive. Peter Winston Wisdom stood before the graves of the two latest arrivals. One headstone read MARCUS RAVEN and the one beside it LYDIA DEL RUIZ. Marcus had been a good friend and an invaluable teammate to Wisdom. But Lydia had been something more.

Both were members of the now-defunct X-Force, a S.H.I.E.L.D.-sanctioned mutant strike force. Both were killed on the team’s last mission, in an effort to clear themselves of treason charges. Colonel Nick Fury, the recently reinstated Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., made every effort to ensure that the pair were buried in Arlington.

The funeral had ended over an hour ago and Wisdom spent that time just standing over Lydia’s grave, lost in his own thoughts. So much so that he did not notice the man who came up behind him.

“I see you’re still here.” He had short brown hair that was gray on the sides with a patch over his missing left eye. For once, he was clean-shaven and dressed in formal military attire.

Wisdom just wore a regular dress suit with his black trench coat over. He paid Fury no mind.

“It took some finagling, but I got the damn bureaucrats to see things my way,” said Fury. “Don’t care what anyone says, they both earned their places here.”

“I want to go after him,” said Wisdom.

“Who?”

“Lydia’s father.”

“You outta your mind?” asked Fury. “It was hard enough convincing everyone that you still deserve a place in S.H.I.E.L.D. I can’t in good conscience send you on a nab an’ grab in Genosha.”

Wisdom turned sharply to Fury. “Who said I needed your permission?”

“Don’t do anythin’ stu—”

“It was the last thing she said to me,” said Wisdom. “I gave her my word and I won’t go back on it. So either you’re with me or not, and I don’t give a damn one way or the other.”

“I thought you’d have trouble coping with this,” said Fury.

“This isn’t ab—”

“And because you’d have trouble coping, I’ve granted you an extended leave of absence to deal with your grief,” said Fury. “You might wanna go somewhere warm. I hear Seychelles is nice this time o’ year.”

Wisdom smirked.

Marvel 2000 Proudly Presents

The Return of Dino Pollard to

THE NEW DEAL
Part One

Port Victoria
Republic of Seychelles

Prudence Leighton sat at a small outdoor café. Her fingers rapped on the table, one after another and she looked down at her watch.

2:30. Which meant he was late. He was always late.

She sighed and took a sip of her water. That was just like him. Arrange a meeting, telling her to be prompt, and then he’s half an hour late. Prudence honestly couldn’t say she was surprised. This was the kind of thing she was used to when dealing with the man.

“There’s no bigger crime than a beautiful woman sitting alone.”

Prudence turned her gaze to see a man with short black hair and a goatee sit across from her at the table. He wore a pair of khaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Prudence raised an eyebrow at him. “Not exactly the attire I’d expect to see you in, Wisdom.”

Wisdom produced a white pack of cigarettes with a small purple square on the box and the words “Silk Cut” printed inside the square. He drew one of them out with his teeth and lit it with a Zippo lighter. Two fingers grasped the cigarette and he pulled it from his lips, exhaling the smoke as he said, “I’m on vacation.”

“You’re never on vacation,” said Prudence. “Why did you want to meet me?”

“That’s hurtful, Pru. You telling me a bloke can’t look up an old friend without some sort of ulterior motive?” asked Wisdom.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying when the ‘bloke’ in question is Pete Wisdom,” said Pru.

As Wisdom took another drag on the cigarette, he signaled for the waiter to come by with his free hand. When the waiter arrived, Wisdom said, “get me a scotch.”

“Scotch?” asked the waiter.

“Is there an echo?” asked Wisdom. The waiter rolled his eyes and went off to get the drink.

“Christ Pete, it’s only 2:30,” said Prudence.

“It’s always happy hour somewhere, love.”

“Scotch, though? I thought all you spies drank martinis.”

“Don’t get cute,” said Wisdom.

The waiter came back with a small glass filled halfway with scotch and set it down on the table. Wisdom picked up the glass and drank without even acknowledging the waiter’s presence. Once he was gone, Prudence spoke up. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re a real asshole?”

“Matter of fact, yes. My father made it a habit to let me know every morning since my fifth birthday,” said Wisdom.

The two just sat in silence for a few moments. Wisdom interchanged between sips of his scotch and puffs of his cigarette while Prudence kept her eyes on him carefully. She knew there was a reason he wanted to meet with her and she knew it involved a job. Pete Wisdom was always one to call in favors when it was least convenient.

“So how do you like it out here?” asked Wisdom.

“Can we cut the small talk bullshit?” asked Prudence. “Because I’ve got things to do. There’s a reason you’re in Victoria and I know it’s not to look up a former conquest.”

Wisdom smiled. “Admit it, you had fun, too.”

Prudence shook her head and stood from the table. “Goodbye, Wisdom.”

He leaned forward in his chair and grabbed her forearm. “Wait, hold up just a moment.” Prudence sighed and sat back down.

“What is it?” she asked.

Wisdom leaned back in his chair and took another drag off his cigarette. “I need to get to Genosha.”

At this, Prudence laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope.”

“I’m not sure if you remember or not, but after all the trouble you’ve caused down there, you’re not exactly welcome,” she said. “Something tells me Magneto won’t be too happy to know you’re traipsing about his country. I know you like living dangerously, but pick somewhere else for your vacation.”

“It’s for a job,” said Wisdom.

“I knew it,” said Prudence. She folded her arms across her chest. “You’ve always got some ulterior motive, Wisdom. S.H.I.E.L.D. can’t get you in?”

“They could, if I was working for them on this,” said Wisdom.

“You’ve gone rogue?”

“Bereavement leave.”

Prudence lowered her eyes. “I heard you were seeing someone. I’m sorry.”

“It happens,” said Wisdom without a flinch.

She looked back up. “That why you’re going into Genosha?”

“Her father’s behind held there,” said Wisdom.

“And you want to bring him out.”

“I made a promise. I keep my word. I don’t have much credit to myself, but I at least have that.”

“I don’t know if I can get you in,” said Prudence. “You’re asking me to really stick my neck out for you.”

“Bollocks,” said Wisdom. “Genosha’s just north of Seychelles and you’ve got the contacts to get me there.”

“Talk to Fury.”

“I’ve given him enough headaches. This is a solo op.”

“You’re asking a lot. Too much.”

“I’ve got no one else,” said Wisdom. “No one I can trust, anyway.”

“You don’t trust anyone.”

“Just answer the question: can you do it?”

Prudence sighed. “There’s a cargo ship leaving tonight at 11:30. It’s bound for Hammer Bay. Make sure you’re on it.”

“You’re a saint,” said Wisdom. He left some rupees on the table for the scotch and got up to leave.

“One more thing,” she said. Wisdom looked down at her. “This is it. We’re square now, okay?”

“Anything you say, love,” said Wisdom.

Hammer Bay
Genosha

Byron Calley was in over his head. That much he knew for certain.

When Magneto had been ceded control over Genosha, Calley and his other allies who composed the second incarnation of the Brotherhood came to the island. They hoped for some sort of position within Magneto’s government. After all, they were loyal to him during the short period he led them and they stayed together and still fought for his goals.

Instead, they were given nowhere near as much prestige as Magneto’s new followers, the Acolytes. The most they received was security detail. For Calley, who had once been known as Burner and later Crucible, it was a slap in the face.

It was why he found himself in a demilitarized zone in Hammer Bay, sitting at a bar and knocking back shots of Captain Morgan. He looked down at his watch. 10:00. The bastard was late.

Byron thought he should have checked with the rest of the group before he made this little rendezvous. But this contact said he had use for a man like Byron. Said the job was good, far better than the peanuts he was getting working security for the Hammer Bay Penitentiary.

A man slid onto the stool next to Byron and it was only a matter of seconds before Byron heard the click of a Zippo lighter and the smell of cigarette smoke. He brushed his long, silver hair behind his ear and turned his eyes to the man seated beside him. Short black hair, goatee. He turned his dark eyes to Byron and smiled.

“Get my friend here a full glass, on me.” His accent was unmistakably British.

“You want anything?” asked the barkeep.

“Scotch.”

“What kind?”

“Whatever you’ve got, mate,” he said.

The barkeep nodded and produced a glass and a bottle. He filled it halfway with scotch and slid it in front of the Englishman. He took out another glass and filled it with Captain Morgan and set it in front of Byron.

“So why did you want to meet me?” asked Byron.

“Y’know, I’m feelin’ a bit crowded here. How about we grab ourselves a table?”

The Englishman stood and walked to a small round table in the back. Byron picked up his glass and followed suit. The lighting was low and Byron could barely make out the man’s features. He assumed that’s the way the man wanted it.

“Mind telling me why I’m here?” asked Byron.

“Word has it you used to run with Magneto in the old days. Part of the Brotherhood, am I right?”

Byron shifted uncomfortably. “You might say that.”

“Probably be more accurate if I said the forgotten Brotherhood. The first incarnation… well, they were the first. Then Mystique’s group launched a very strong opening salvo to get their name out. But you lot? Not even a footnote in the mutant history books.”

Byron felt his temperature rising and he clutched the glass tightly. His powers were unconsciously starting to activate and the rum inside the glass began to heat up.

“Watch it, mate—alcohol had a tendency to be flammable.”

“What do you want?” asked Byron.

“You and your boys came down to Genosha hoping to be set up for life. Instead, you get security detail that pays shit. Must not feel too good, huh?”

“Look, I don’t know what your deal is, but I’m in no mood to be insulted tonight. So if that’s the only reason you asked me to meet you here, then I’m leaving.”

“Actually, it’s not. I’ve got a proposition for you.”

“Then speak fast, because I’m in no mood for bullshit,” said Byron.

“I represent people who’d like to see Magneto take a fall. Problem is, that would leave a power vacuum and who knows what might happen then. Much as people don’t like the idea of Magneto running the show, they know that if he fell from grace, there’d be another civil war. That’s something no one wants.”

Byron took a sip of his rum. “I’m listening.”

“I’m sure you are. And I’m sure your mates would appreciate this offer, too. What we need is a coup. Now, the Resistants may not seem like much, but you lot have some power on your side. Train with one of our operatives and we can get Magneto out of the way and set you boys up to be the big guys in charge.”

“So you want us to be your puppets?” asked Byron.

“Are you that attached to your freedom as it is?” asked the Englishman.

Byron considered the man’s words. He definitely made some good points. The Resistants were sick of slumming for Magneto for what was basically slave wages. Security detail was not all it was cracked up to be. And the others weren’t faring too well, either. Hell, Peepers had already tried to kill himself once and was hopped up on anti-depressants.

“You want something else,” said Byron.

“Call it a test,” said the Englishman. “I need to get into the prison. There’s a prisoner there, someone I want out.”

“Who?” asked Byron.

“Jose Del Ruiz.”

“Out of the question,” said Byron. “There’s no way I can get him out without someone noticing. And then I’d be dead before you know it.”

He took a drag on the cigarette. “I’m not asking you to get him out.”

“So what are you asking me?”

“Clear a path. Make sure some posts are abandoned at a certain time. Maybe a brief power outage. Something. I only need a small window to get in and out. Anything else, I can handle on my own.”

“That’s still asking a lot,” said Byron.

“But think about what you’re getting in return.”

Byron rubbed his chin in thought and he glanced around the bar, ensuring no one was listening in on their conversation or watching them too closely.

“Okay, I’ll do it.”

FORCING THE ISSUE

Honestly, this is the one title I never expected to return to. It’s been years since I left this title with issue #8 of the first volume. Jay Corafa and I launched this title back when M2K first opened its doors and we had a short run before David Wheatley took over and steered X-Force in its new direction.

When Cory and I first started talking several months back about my potential return to M2K, we discussed me working on a few different books. But it wasn’t until about two or three months ago that X-Force came up in discussion. Wheatley had just left the book and Cory and Dave Golightly were wrapping up his plots.

Cory, Golightly and I discussed the direction my run would go in and all of us were in agreement—we wanted a stronger focus on the espionage side of the mutant world. And that’s what you’re going to get here. The X-Force team itself will also be restructured and there will be some familiar faces and some unfamiliar ones. The new line-up will be revealed very shortly. So with any luck, you guys will enjoy it.

Dino Pollard
November 25th, 2006