*Can't see, can't hear. Can't touch. Mon Dieu, how long can dis go on? Please, let de light come back. Can't hold on like dis much longer. Please!*

She knew she was shaking, but she couldn't feel it. She knew she was screaming, but she couldn't hear it. She fought to hold her mind together.

"She's showing signs of strain, Mr. Sinister."

"Continue. I want her to know the penalty for defiance. I want her broken, so she will no longer resist. Is this clear?"

The lab technician swallowed hard. "Y-yes, Mr. Sinister."

"Keep me informed. Oh, and hook the psi sensors in, I want to know how much her mind can take before it is destroyed."

"Yes sir." A dial was turned, and a wordless scream was heard in the room. The tech touched another dial, and turned to his employer. "The auto damper is engaged, sir. Volume level will remain steady now."

"Good. Keep a transcript of her thoughts, and notify me when she breaks."

"Yes sir."

From the speaker on the wall came the sounds of a soul in torment.

"Let me out, please, let me out, make it stop, somebody please make it stop, can't take dis no more, need de light, a sound, any sound, somebody please make it stop make it stop make it stop..."

Wolverine paused, and the others fell back. He held up a hand to tell them to remain hidden and motioned Gambit forward. "Security system here's real sophisticated, Gumbo," he whispered. "Can you disable it without settin it off?"

Gambit assessed the keypad quickly. "Piece o' cake, mon ami," he said shortly. "I do dis, we go in an get Cadie, non?" He stopped quickly, but not before Wolverine heard the fear in his voice.

"Keep a lid on that, Cajun," he said softly. "You won't do her any good if you fall apart on us." His hand came down on Gambit's shoulder as he watched the man work. "We all know you're afraid of Sinister. Anyone in their right mind would be. Just keep it together for a while longer. Cadie needs you."

"Gambit, if you get us inside, you can go back to the blackbird," Cyclops said softly as he joined them. Wolverine gave him a glare, then looked away. "No one will blame you."

There was a moment's hesitation before the Cajun spoke again. And with his words, he made it clear he would stand with them, no matter what. "Alarm's disabled. Sensors too. Dis tunnel look normal t' dem, dey t'ink t' watch it. Won' see us. We gon' go in an get Cadie, or we gon' stand out here all night, hehn?"

They moved into the tunnel, Wolverine in the lead.