"So, she finally relinquished control. Have you completed the memory graft, as I ordered?"

"Yes, sir. The only memories in place now are the ones you wanted her to have. She knows nothing of who she used to be."

"And the other procedure? You have given her the injection?"

"Yes, sir. If it works as you expected, it should already have begun to reshape her DNA as you wished done. Some changes may already be evident."

Sinister left the room and the technician continued to watch the screen. In a moment, he marked Sinister's entry to the girl's room.

"And how are you today, little one?" Sinister asked, putting some gentle concern in his voice.

"Arcadia be fine, mon ami, but I still don' know how I got here. Last t'ing I 'member, I was runnin from some sort o' team."

He seated himself on a chair next to her bed. "Yes. I saved you, had you brought here. This is a haven, of sorts. All I ask in return for my kindness is your obedience." His face grew hard. "Do I have it?"

She shrugged. "Don' have no one, don' have no place I call home. Why not?"

"Good. Some clothing will be brought for you, and then you will be brought to me. Your duties will be explained once you have joined me." He rose and left the room.

The X-Men crouched in the tunnel, watching what was happening below them. *We won't get another chance like this. We have to stop him permanently this time.* Cyclops shuddered as he thought of what this monster had done to his family. *No more. This has to end. Here.*

Gambit rejoined them from a look into another tunnel. "Mes amies, Gambit ain' found no trace o' de petite. He got her here, he got her hid good."

Wolverine growled softly as he pointed down. He could feel the rage trying to take control again, and he fought it. "Look," he whispered.

The others followed his gaze and Storm gasped. A small figure in a tan jumpsuit stood next to Sinister as he addressed the Marauders. Then she moved away with them. Wolverine felt a knife twist in his heart. *Darlin, why?*

Suddenly Cadie looked up, obviously sniffing. "Cyke, we're about to be busted," Wolverine growled. "Your call."

"You all know the plan. Tear em up!" he shouted as he blasted the grille free.