Disclaimer: I don't own X-Force, Marvel does. Please don't sue me.

Author's Note: This story follows immediately after X-Force #28 (Nov 1993). Also, I wrote this story a few years ago, so it's not up to my normal skill level of writing.

External Affairs

By Red Blaze 16

Chapter 1

Camp Verde, Arizona, an old Indian reservation camp. But its people massacred by some unknown force. This place now is a home to a hand of outlaws, mutants who have taken the law into their own hands. They are X-Force. Led by a man who is a mystery to his team, Cable. His team consists of: second-in-command Cannonball, Boomer, Domino, Rictor, Shatterstar, Siryn, Sunspot, and Warpath.

At this moment, Cable, Cannonball, Siryn, and Boomer are having a meeting, discussing the matter of the recent betrayal of Feral.

"I knew we shouldn't have trusted her. I had a bad feeling about her ever since she hurt Sam," says Boomer, shaking her head.

"Tabitha, I already knew you didn't like her. But things have taken their course, and we must deal with them," replies Cable.

"Sir, what about 'Berto?" asks Cannonball.

"Sam, I have no idea where DaCosta is currently. But we will try to find him," answers Cable, as he turns to look at his second-in-command.

As Cable looks at the boy, concern floods his heart, though nothing shows on his face. Concern that Cannonball won't be at his best because his best friend, Roberto DaCosta AKA Sunspot has been missing ever since the battle with the Mutant Liberation Front. It was at this same battle that Cannonball not only lost a friend, but discovered that a former New Mutant, Dani Moonstar, was now a member of this other team and had fought Sam in the last battle.

"Theresa, will you go take inventory of the weapons, and Tabitha, check on the others. I want to talk with Sam alone," states Cable.

Everyone leaves the room, except for Cable and Cannonball. Turning to see what it was that Cable needed to talk about, he waits several minutes for Cable to start talking. During those minutes, a silence fills the room. Finally, Cable takes a deep breath.

"Sam, how are you feeling?" asks Cable.

"Ah don't know what ya mean," replies Sam.

"Tabitha told me about what happened with Moonstar. I know you and her were co-captains of the New Mutants," explains Cable.

"Ah don't remember much of what happened and what I do remember is a little fuzzy. Getting shot out of the air and hearing 'Berto and Tab talking to someone. But of course, I remember feeling….afraid," says Sam, while looking around the room. Anywhere but at Cable.

"Sam," Cable walks over and places a hand on Sam's shoulder. "I want you to know if you need to talk to me, you can."

"Thank ya, sir," replies Sam, nodding his head.

With that, Cannonball walks out and goes to the bunker to rest. Cable goes into the Command Center. Suddenly, the alarms go off. Cable, rushing over to the intruder alert consul just as Rictor and Warpath enter the room at a run.

"What's going on?" ask Rictor.

"There's an intruder in the sleeping bunker," replies Cable.

"I just saw Sam heading in that direction," states Warpath.

"Come on," says Cable, turning away from the computer and heading for the door. "We're checking things out now."

Cable Rictor, and Warpath run over to the bunker. Just as they step into the sleeping quarters, they see Deadpool holding an unconscious Cannonball. Before anyone can react, Deadpool teleports out of the room, taking Cannonball with him.