Postcards from your own private cell

[Doctor Nemesis]

There was a flash of light, and Doctor Nemesis' teleportation bubble dissipated, leaving him, Omega Red, Beast and Colossus in the holding cell of Cybercide's secret base on Alcatraz Island. That was where the X-Men were also holding Wild Child, and the group could see his stasis tank from the holding cell.

"OK, this room is set up so you can release those nasty death spores, Omega Red," Nemesis said as he, Beast and Colossus exited the room and the door shut behind them. Nemesis punched a code in on the keypad outside the door, and there was a hiss as the room became fully sealed. "Then we can talk about that synthesizer you need," he said over the intercom system.

 

 

[Omega Red]

Omega Red found himself in a holding cell after the bubble he was in disappeared. Exhausted from the trip, he collapsed on his knees. He was barely able to view Wild Child's stasis tank. Frowning, Omega Red was aware of the inability to battle Wolverine during his stay in the cell. *Perhaps I will be able to eventually tear Wolverine apart. The Carbonadium Synthesizer is too important now.*

Omega Red released Death Spores after Nemesis departed with his companions. Energy returned to him very slowly. He began to stand. *That's better* he thought.

The sound of Nemesis's voice caused Omega Red to scowl. ''When are we going to discuss the Carbonadium Synthesizer? You really don't wish to trick me. I have a loooong memory, Nemesis! Wolverine knows that better than anyone.'' Although Omega Red was able to release his Death Spores as much as he liked, he hated the thought of being abandoned in a cell.

[Doctor Nemesis]

"For the love of chicken biscuits and gravy, man! I am a man of science, not a magician! I can't simply wish for this item to appear and will it to do so!" Nemesis said to Omega Red as he scowled at the Russian. "I have no idea where the original item might be, so we will need to construct one. Would you happen to know how it is constructed? What is it made of?"

"You are seriously going to build this thing?" Colossus asked as Nemesis nodded that indeed he would. "Bozhe moi!"

"If it keeps our guest from killing people, I am perfectly fine with it," Nemesis said as he turned back toward Omega Red. "But he needs to keep his end of the bargain. We make this thing, and then you will be on your way."

"Wolverine is going to be less than thrilled with this," Beast said under his breath, but Nemesis shot him a dirty look. "Well, you know I am speaking the gospel here, my esteemed colleague!"

[Omega Red]

''The Carbonadium Synthesizer is a red and white object. I suppose it resembles a thermos. It is able to produce carbonadium. Ask Wolverine about it. He is the one responsible for stealing the Carbonadium Synthesizer. He will know its location,'' Omega Red said.

Although he usually stole the life forces of others, it was for survival. As far as he knew, Omega Red never stole someone's property. If he was a thief and a villain, so was Wolverine. At least in Omega Red's mind.

''Create a Carbonadium Synthesizer and you won't have to worry about me again, my friends. Wolverine will never have to consider the possibility of being in a coffin due to my Death Spores. The faster you create a Carbonadium Synthesizer, the faster I'll depart.''

[Doctor Nemesis]

"And I am sure Mr. Pointy Tips will hand it over. Not," said Nemesis as he banged his head against the wall. "While I will gladly ask our good colleague Wolverine where it is, perhaps I can find reference materials on it in our database. Who built the damned thing for you the first time, Omega Red? Wait. Let me refine that question. Do you know the name of the scientist who worked on the project?"

Nemesis looked at Beast and motioned toward a bank of computers. "Get those digits tapping, my fine beastly compatriot. I do not want our guest getting the munchies and trying to devour one of our nurses. None of them want to be corpse-cicles."

 

[Omega Red]

Omega Red started to frown at Dr. Nemesis. ''I don't remember the creator's name, but I do know about Sabretooth killing him before he took the Carbonadium Synthesizer. I came across Sabretooth a few times, but he never had the Carbonadium Synthesizer.'' He grinned after Dr. Nemesis mentioned him trying to devour one of the nurses. *Don't give me any ideas, Dr. Nemesis. Maybe a nurse will be a snack later* he thought.

[Doctor Nemesis]

"Sabretooth? Oh lovely!" Nemesis growled as he thought about how this was likely going to play out. "In other words, the wing nut in the lab coat was with Weapon X. Zippitty doo da! Just kill me know!"

"Nemesis, your dramatics are uncalled for," Beast said as he sat at a computer console and started to pull up information on Sabretooth's extensive kill list. "I know it's a long shot, but we might be able to narrow it down from information in the database. Sabretooth's kill list is not exactly a state secret."

"But the work of this deceased scientist likely is!" Nemesis said as he glanced toward Colossus. "Ah, to be the strong, silent type right about now." Bradley then looked over at Omega Red again and shook his head. "Why did these ninnies, and by ninnies I mean any of the assorted crazies who have crossed your path, do this to you, Omega Red?"



 

[Omega Red]

Omega Red couldn't help but laugh in a quiet tone. He began to grin at Doctor Nemesis. ''Be careful what you wish for.'' That was when Omega Red shrugged. ''I would grant your death wish, but you are attempting to save me,'' he said. His grin disappeared as he tilted his head.  

''I don't remember why Wolverine and the others stole the Carbonadium Synthesizer. Are you asking why there are coils in my body? To answer that question, my country desired a super soldier. Did I answer the wrong question?''

[Beast]

Beast looked up from the computer and glared at Nemesis. "Do not, even jokingly, talk about death around our guest. You might not live long enough to regret it."

"Blue blazes, Beast! It was purely a figure of speech, a fanciful idiomatic musing!" Nemesis growled as he looked over at Omega Red. "And yes, I meant the people who put in the coils, so you hit that right on the head. Now...if any of those purported scientists are still alive..."

"Records from the former Soviet Union are hard to find under the best of situations, and this is hardly one of the best," Beast said as he continued his Internet search. "But someone, somewhere must know how to make another synthesizer."

"Well, if I can get our esteemed mechanical wizard here, maybe he can help. Actually, either one will do," Nemesis said as he looked back at Omega Red. "How soon do you need to eat? And no, I am not volunteering!"

[Genome]

"What is going on in here?" a tall, dark haired woman asked as she made her way into this part of the lab. "Oh! I did not expect you," she said in her French-accented English.

"This is Genome, one of our researchers," Nemesis said as the woman walked over to the cell where Omega Red was now housed. "Do you know anything about carbonadium? Enough to build a synthesizer?"

"No, I do not, but that man Ty O'Toole might. He is big in the area of biotech...and he keeps annoying me with stupid requests..." Genome started to say as Beast shook his head. "What?"

"He does not do work in the weapons area," Beast replied as Genome started to laugh. "What aren't you telling us?"

"The man has fingers in many pies, and one is shaped like a bio-weapons plant in Madripoor," she replied as she turned to look at Omega Red again. "Are you wondering how to feed our guest? Omega Red, can the energy of a human be taken from another vessel, or must it be directly from a human? Would a synthezoid work?"

 

[Omega Red]

''Your words about death jokes are correct,'' Omega Red said to Beast as he grinned at him. He frowned after Doctor Nemesis wanted to know how soon he had to eat. ''I will have to eat in maybe another hour. Maybe in two hours.''

Omega Red's eyes widened at the sight of a dark-haired woman appearing. A scowl formed on his face after Genome revealed she didn't know about carbonadium. He focused on Genome after her questions. ''As far as I know, I must take life force from a living vessel. I'm not sure about a synthezoid.'' Omega Red began to shrug at a snail's pace. 

[Beast]

"Oh, I am getting weary of ethical dilemmas!" Beast growled as he looked at the scientists in the room and then to Omega Red. "So, unless we get a nice bunch of volunteers who want to feed you, we will have to either find that synthesizer or make a new one. Forge can't be reached, so I hope Box is able to help..."

"He went to see the Avengers about that damned robot," Genome scowled as she looked again at Omega Red. "And the life force can't be from animals? You can't substitute a cow or some other domesticated animal?"

"Or better yet, a strong bear," Colossus said with only the slightest hint that the comment might not actually be a joke.

Beast rolled his eyes as Genome kept trying to find substitutes for a human meal for Omega Red. "If Box has gone to visit Iron Man, I should be able to get him back here quickly..."

"I did not leave yet!" Madison Jeffries shouted as he walked into the lab area. "What the hell is he doing here, and does Wolverine know about it?" Box asked as he went to the glass separating Omega Red from the X-Club members and Colossus. "So, you need my help? Seriously? This is gonna be good," he sighed as his little yellow robot "Walter" rolled in with a box of tools. "No making fun of my helper, folks. You will hurt his feelings. I take it you need something repaired or replaced, Omega Red? Is this about that synthesizer? Damned idiot scientists! Doing this sort of thing to people. Someone should do it to them!"

[Omega Red]

''Wolverine most likely knows where the Carbonadium Synthesizer is. Force him to reveal its location,'' Omega Red said to Beast. He focused on Genome. Omega Red began to shrug at a snail's pace. ''I'm not sure about animals at all. I never tried to take life forces from animals. I suppose it's worth a try.''

Omega Red frowned at the sudden appearance of Madison. One of his eyebrows went up after he saw ''Walter.'' He turned to Madison. ''How do you know about the Carbonadium Synthesizer?''

[Doctor Nemesis]

"This is turning into a damned three ring circus!" Nemesis yelled before Jeffries could reply to Omega Red. "We X-Men know lots of things."

"Before Doctor Snippy gets any crabbier," Box replied to Omega Red, "I used to work with the Canadian government, sort of anyway, and I make it my business to know about all those freaky little experiments the world governments are engaged in. As for Wolverine knowing where that carbonadium synthesizer is, I am not making a bet on it. And if he did, why the hell would he tell you anyway?" 

"Could we all keep this on a fairly civilized level?" Beast asked as he looked at Box and Nemesis. "None of us are happy about this, least of all you, Omega Red."

"Walter, please run back to the lab and get my big box of data cards," Jeffries said as the square yellow robot rolled out of the med bay. "I have plans upon plans for lots of things. We might be able to jerry-rig something so you don't have to drain half of San Francisco to stay alive, Omega Red. In the mean time, Genome, you thinking of getting a cow in here to test your theory?"

"I was thinking something smaller. Perhaps a pig?" Genome replied as she turned back to Omega Red. "I can call a local stock yard to see about buying one before it is slaughtered."

[Omega Red]

Omega Red laughed in a quiet tone after he heard the Doctor Snippy name. ''Doctor Snippy is a good name,'' he said. A scowl materialized on his face the minute Box asked about Wolverine revealing the Carbonadium Synthesizer's location. That was when Omega Red grinned again. A coil slid out of his wrist opening. ''I have ways of obtaining information.''

Omega Red tilted his head to one side after Jeffries mentioned him draining half of San Francisco. ''Draining most of San Francisco seems like a good idea to me.'' His grin returned at a snail's pace. The coil writhed.

 Omega Red saw Genome before he frowned. ''A pig isn't a person, but it will have to do for now,'' he muttered.

At least a pig could suffer while having its life force absorbed. Omega Red's smile appeared another time. ''Yes. A pig should be fine,'' he said to Genome. At least he was able to release his Death Spores now. Omega Red was careful not to attack Colossus and the others. Someone had to enable him to survive.

*Heh. I rely on my enemies to survive* the Russian thought. He wondered if Wolverine would have ended his life in seconds. He was suddenly aware of the answer. *I will absorb Wolverine's life force after I get the Carbonadium Synthesizer.* Omega Red frowned again. *IF I get the Carbonadium Synthesizer.*

[Doctor Nemesis]

"A pig? The man is not exactly tiny, Genome! He might need more than one pig," Nemesis growled as he watched this insane tableau play out before him. "And to be honest, the state might like to get rid of a few denizens of Death Row..."

Now Beast was growling as he watched Omega Red in the cell. "Nemesis, please. I doubt Governor Brown would sign off on that. Amnesty International would be all over that idea in record time."

"Yeah, old Moon Beam in the state house can be a little...odd..." Nemesis added as the little robot rolled in with a box of flash drives. "And here's our answer to Tweaky on Buck Rogers. What goodies do you have on those flash drives?" he asked Box as the Canadian started to pull out select flash drives.

"Might be good stuff. Might be crap," Jeffries replied. "Where is that kid? The one who is supposed to be helping me? Has that yellow Camaro?"

"We do not need the Pee Wee League members helping out now!" Nemesis replied as he looked over at Omega Red again. "And I would appreciate it if you all would refrain from the Doctor Snippy comments!"

"See? The name really fits!" Jeffries chuckled before going through the flash drives. "If I have to, I'll call in Forge for an assist on this."

[Omega Red]

''I am aware of needing more than one pig,'' Omega Red said with a frown. He smiled again. ''Denizens of Death Row? Maybe the pig will be dessert.'' Omega Red started to shrug very slowly. ''Just a thought,'' he muttered under his breath.

Omega Red grinned at the mention of Doctor Snippy again. His shoulders moved up and down with every laugh. He saw Jeffries before he nodded at him. ''You are correct about Doctor Nemesis.'' Omega Red glanced at Doctor Nemesis. ''You thought I was going to mention your new name?''

[Genome]

Genome was not thrilled at the thought of getting a horde of pigs and bringing them here. That was going to be as bad as herding cats.

"Excuse me," she said to Omega Red just after Doctor Nemesis threw his hands in the air and walked back toward Beast again, "yes, he is always this sour. Now, do you necessarily kill people with your touch, or can you control it? The idea of tossing pig after pig to you is likely going to be impractical in the end. I am willing to be a test subject if one is needed."

"Are you insane? Correction. You are insane!" Nemesis snapped as he looked at Genome. "You aren't exactly a linebacker for the Packers. You'd likely end up dead, woman!"

"I do not plan to end up dead, doctor," Genome replied as she looked back toward Omega Red. "Well, is death a certainty if I do this?"

 

[Omega Red]

Omega Red shrugged. ''It depends on the person's health. If the person is healthy, my Death Spores will cause him or her to become very sick. A healthy person might survive if I drain his or her life force. Of course superhumans' lives won't end quickly. It's difficult to say with a person or animal.''

Another grin materialized on the Russian's face. ''A test subject? Step into my cell, my lady.'' Another coil slid out of the other wrist. ''You will most likely survive, my dear.'' 

[Genome]

"Most likely survive? That does not sound particularly reassuring," Genome said as she looked at Omega Red. "Then again, I was the one who suggested it..."

"And you need not go through with it,"  Beast said as he walked over to the cell. "Perhaps there is another way..."

"Besides the livestock, you mean?" Genome asked as she looked over toward Beast.

"I hate to say this, but perhaps Celtica was right? We may need an External as a..." Beast started to say as he paced the floor, looking at the villain behind the sealed glass.

"Patsy? Crash test dummy? Unwitting dupe?" Nemesis asked as he kept on eye on Box and his goofy little robot companion. "We can't offer them up like Hunt's Snack Packs!"

"Well, until you can get one here..." Genome said as she unlocked the cell door and went inside, "I guess I will have to do. Fine, Omega Red. You can proceed."

[Omega Red]

''I never said anything about your death. The odds of you surviving are most likely quite high.'' Omega Red frowned at everyone present. ''If I had the Carbonadium Synthesizer, your lady friend wouldn't be willing to offer her energy to me. I must have the Carbonadium Synthesizer as soon as possible. The Carbonadium Synthesizer not being present is bad for all of us. I ''starve'' and you're forced to make decisions like what your lady friend is doing.''

Omega Red's eyes settled on Genome while she entered his cell. The coils writhed as if they were hungry serpents. They extended to where Genome stood. ''You'll most likely be very exhausted.'' 

[Madison Jeffries]

Jeffries wanted to scream at this point, but by now it was too late. Omega Red's coils wrapped around Genome, and she passed out on the floor once the Russian had the energy he needed to survive. "OK, next time you snack on me," he said as he walked into the cell and started to pick up his fallen colleague, only to be nudged aside by Colossus who took the female scientist out to the med bay. "I'm going to call in a few favors," he said as he exited the cell and sealed the room again. "Nemesis, can you keep our visitor company while I try to get a couple of people I know on Skype? Somebody out there has to know how to make one of these things. I am not betting dollars to donuts Wolverine will be all that keen to tell Omega Red where this thing is."

"As that kid Witwicky often says, no shit Sherlock," Nemesis replied as Beast followed Colossus to the med bay area. "So, that set you straight for now, Omega Red? How long until you need to feed again? I don't want to go polling people to see if they will become your dinner just yet." 

[Beast]

"Box, can't you just wish the damned thing into existence?" Beast asked as the two scientists followed Colossus to the med bay area.

"In theory, yes, I can," the Canadian replied, "but it is not always as simple as creating a robot like Walter. If I get nowhere with these calls, I'll start pumping out prototypes. One of them has to be better than none at all, even if it is only a temporary fix. Wait. Celtica's kid. The one with Iron Man. Think he might know something from his world that could help?"

"WarTech is a genius. His grandmother reminds me of that often," Beast said with a slight chuckle.

"I forgot you and Celtica go to the opera sometimes, so yeah, I bet Granny Black Fairy is all over your case sometimes," Box replied as he started to call up his colleagues on Skype. "I better get this done."

"And I will tend to our colleague," Beast replied as he started to do scans on Genome.

[Omega Red]

''Ah. That's better,'' Omega Red said with a grin after he drained some of Genome's life force. He continued to grin at Jeffries. ''It is so nice to sacrifice your life force so that I may survive.'' His grin was still on his face as he faced Nemesis. ''Everything is good. I won't be ''hungry'' until later the next day. I will tell your feminine friend that I really appreciate her sacrifice after she awakens.''

[Doctor Nemesis]

"Well, isn't that just peachy of you, Omega Red," Nemesis growled as he looked at the guest behind the glass. "I'm sure Genome will be thrilled to hear that."

Nemesis was not thrilled that Jeffries was not working overtime to make this damned synthesizer, but then again, he never fully understood how the man's powers actually worked. "Box, want me to go fetch the boy wonder? Or should I get his Mama on the line?"

"Let me talk to who I'm talking to!" Jeffries yelled from the other area, and Nemesis scowled even more.

"Omega Red, how the heck did you get in this fix? I mean, have you ever thought of joining the side of the angels? Hell, Mystique and Sabretooth have tried it once or twice," Nemesis said as he heard a howl from the med bay. "Beast?"

"Never mind. Just a stray thought at a very inopportune moment," Beast said loudly as he continued to help Genome.

"Well, Omega Red, have you ever thought of going good?" Nemesis asked with a slight grin.