17541/The Path Of Progress: The Fall Of John Sublime Pt. 3

The Path Of Progress: The Fall Of John Sublime Pt. 3
Date of Scene:	13 April 2024
Location:	Madripoor
Synopsis:	Cable and X-Force finally confront John Sublime.
Cast of Characters:	Cable, Tabitha Smith, Fabian Cortez, Sally Pride

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Cable has posed:
After months of chasing John Sublime around the globe, trying to put an end to him and his Transhumanist movement involved in the kidnapping and harvesting of mutant body parts to graft those powers into human hosts, finally Cable and his allies have pinned the man down.

Ironically hiding out only a short distance off the shores of Madripoor, on one of the many private islands where the wealthy elite of the city, the criminal overlords who truly run this nest of nest of depravity, dwell, X-Force has laid seige to the island.

Having successfully infiltrated the island and tramped their way through the jungles that covered the western end, they have taken out much of the power to the formidable villa on the bluffs above, disabling much of the automated defense force.

Confronting a small horde of the armed mercenaries that Sublime has proven to have at his disposal, the team has wiped out much of their sheet firepower, taking out the armored powersuits that at least gave them a fighting chance.

With Boom Boom having taken out the natural harbor and the assortment of vehicles docked there, escape routes are rapidly diminishing for the wealthy corporate overlord and humanist leader.

Still, up the steep slope of the hillside rests the outer walls of the tropical villa, nestled on the cliff bluffs above. The last remaining mercenary forces have gathered there, ready to launch their firepower towards X-Force's advance. Past them, there is likely only John Sublime himself and a handful of his elite U-Men to get past. With Greymalkin feeding updated satellite information to those below, it is clear that their quarry's only hope of escape now is likely the helipad at the far end of the compound.

Unless of course any of those stolen mutant powers that have been gifted to his followers include something suitable.

But for now all the team can do is proceed on the assumption that they can make a difference, that they can put an end to this.

So with that oversized plasma cannon cradled in his arms, the mutant soldier from the future continues to climb that slope, legs pumping, keeping him moving forward. As blasts rain down from above, he periodically unleashes his own return fire, the powerful blasts of virulent green energy tearing through the armored powermechs in his path, blowing a hole in the outer wall behond them with an explosion that rains down concrete on the defenders arrayed nearby.

"Keep pressing the attack," Cable instructs, features a grim mask of determination. "Boom-Boom, take out that helipad A.S.A.P. M is running cover for you."

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Durable as Tabitha may be to big blunt force hits. Bullets can still do a number on her and a lot of the weapons aren't small arms. You can beat a drum all day but a knife will go through easy.

And Tabby would like to avoid those perforations of her personage.

<<Hauling ass!>> she confirms to the team over the mind-link established between herself and Monet up high.

The helipad is her target, but that doesn't mean she can't also cause as much havoc between the boat docks and the new destination.

Plasma blasts out, streams from her hands and bombs flying semi wild at anything and anyone not part of the team.

The manic grin on her face wide as maybe she might be having way too good a time. Even not aiming for lethal, there's a lot of energy being pumped through her and that rush is plenty addictive to her.

Fabian Cortez has posed:
Fabian Cortez simply has an assault rifle and a few grenades, keeping watch nearby from an elevated position. He knows about the likelihood of a strike and personally wants to take this asshole out. He could call more allies, but not now that he is fianlly reentering the game he wants to see this team making headlines for a just cause in acition. He quickly moves out and forward once the mayhem starts. He shoots a few slines (humans) that get in his way.

Sally Pride has posed:
Sally Pride likewise keeps up her own gunfire, her blaster rifle in one arm and one of the assault rifles she pilfered from fallen enemies in the other. It's not easy keeping two such weapons under control at the same time, but this isn't a situation where she's worried about causing collateral damage. The more gunfire going uprange, the more the enemy has to worry about, and even if they're trying to dodge her erratic fire they might not see the big plasma blasts coming when they do so.

Then once they do start to get closer, she ditches the extra rifle. So she can pull a grenade off her belt, yank the pin out with her teeth, and huck it up towards the mercs at the gates..

Cable has posed:
One of the few advantages that Cable and his allies have going for them is that by cornering himself in such an isolated locale, they do not have to worry overly much about the risk of collateral damage. Finding anyone innocent out here will be a difficult task indeed, given the preponderance of Madripoor mercenaries, altered U-Men dedicated to the Transhumanist cause and. of course, Sublime himself.

Still, keeping an eye out for anyone that doesn't necessarily deserve to be blown up with enthusiasm is probably a good idea. More then likely their are those present who are only looking to make a living and get by and while their choice in employer might be extremely suspect, that's not a reason to kill them.

Fortunately, that is at least one advantage in having three telepaths in their midst and while Cable might avoid employing his own gifts in that particular department as much as possiible, a little mental scouting does seem called for here, though he keeps a tight leash on it to avoid dealing with the consequences. Especially here, in the middle of a frantic fire fight.

Still, that scouting pays dividends, letting him sense the unexpected presence of Cortez, adding his unanticipated assistance to the chaotic scene at the top of the rise. Eyes narrow a little and that cybernetic eye narrows ever so slightly as he seeks out the man's position that way before reaching out to the rest of the team through that shared mental link.

<<Careful, we have another player on the field. Should add to the confusion, but worth keeping an eye on," Cable cautions, even as he joins Sally in assaulting the men up ahead.

Between the sheer firepower poured on by Fabian, Sally and Cable, even the powersuited mercs are barely much of an impediment and while that stray fire continues to lash out, it becomes increasingly scattered, increasingly ragged. Telekinetic shields catch even more of the incoming fire, turning it aside, though the grimace on the grizzled soldier shows that it is not without cost.

Then they are at the walls, already crumbling in places from those plasma bursts and damage from the tossed grenades.

In the compound beyond one can see the sprawling layout of the low flung pavilions, the villa a stately affair with a well manicured ground, grass, flowers and hedges all interspered amongst the various buildings, may of which are connected by covered walkways. A few of the increasingly decimated mercenaries retreat back across the grounds, lending an odd counterpoint to the otherwise serene scene.

In the distance, the *whomp* *whomp* *whomp* sound of a helicopter approaching is almost lost in the constant gunfire and explosions and a small gathering of men have clustered around the helipad that Boom-Boom heads towards -- though not without adding her own explosions to the mix.

And in the center of the strangely suited figures -- looking like they are wearing some sort of hybrid between radiation and full-on environmental suits -- stands their leader; John Sublime.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
The Helicopter overhead isn't heard yet. It's a racket. But the group of men waiting for a ride is at least seen. Tabby doesn't quite engage, finding herself a quick spot to hide and watch.

<<Hey, boss. Got eyes on the prize I think. No helicopter. Should I make it hard for one to land? Should I just lob a bomb at the target? I figure this is gonna have to be scorched earth when I let it boom. Hopefully new guy don't get up in our shit. We been working on this waaaaay too long.>> While not inherently a fan of killing people, it sometimes had to happen.

She can always get bombed when she gets home.

It's how she bombs Sublime that's the question.

Whether or not she's been made by the group is a thing to wonder as well. But the image is beamed from her eyes to the team's minds

Fabian Cortez has posed:
Fabian Cortez sets his ability at maximum radius. If there are mutants here, then they are going to be boosted. The nanosecond he senses a STOLEN power, he stops boosting imeediately of course. His power may be entirely support, but he knows how to use it VERY well. The effect wont be as pronounced at the wide scale, but X-force should find their natural abilities all working...just flat out better. Fabian himslf is a scaple in chaos, taking cover and shooting at humans until he sees the suits, unsure what he is dealing with and ready to shoot if need be.

Sally Pride has posed:
<<As long as he's not shooting at us, take all the help we can get right now,>> Sally thinks back. They may be leveraging their way forward so far, but who knows what else that corperate sleezeball has set up for surprises.

Then they're in the courtyard. Mostly open space. It gives Sally a chance to use more of her advantages of being a mutated big cat, picking up a burst of speed.... Which turns out to be much faster than even she expected thanks to their new arrival.

But the burst takes their opponents off-guard as well, letting Sally close in on the mercs trying to retreat and regroup across the lawn, bracing her blaster rifle in both hands so she can keep firing even while moving at the heightened pace. Making sure they don't get a chance to actually regroup. <<Can one of you find us a route towards the helipad? If he tries to retreat back into the compound when Boom-Boom starts living up to her name, we'll want to cut him off. That might not be the only escape route he has up his sleeve.>>

Cable has posed:
Cable tends to be a pragmatist about these sorts of things.

The grizzled soldier from the future is all too aware that war sometimes makes for strange bed-fellows and while many people would not necessarily consider what they do as a 'war', Cable certainly isn't one of them.

Then again he is in the unique position of being fully aware of just how dark the future can actually get. It is a big part of the reason he is back here now, doing what he can to change things, to divert things towards a path that is at least somewhat less bleak for mutantkind. For humanity.

If that means breaking a few eggs along the way, well, he has shown that he is okay with that. He doesn't carry around a laser scalpel afterall. Well... he might. But he definitely seems to prefer the big, sometimes indescriminate explosions from that plasma cannon.

<<Agreed,>> comes Nathan's thoughts. And then a moment after that the telepathic link they all share is extended to encompass Fabian Cxortez as well. Far easier to communicate mind to mind then trying to shout over the constant din of gunfire and explosions.

<<Cortez,>> comes that curt mental greeting, even as Cable pressed on into the compound, heav seemingly on a swivvel, tracking the retreating mercenary forces. Again that impressive cannon comes up, gripped in his arms and despite the kick that should knocking him flying backwards, another virulent green orb of energy streaks out, ripping apart one of the powersuits that occasionally tosses some random chain gun fire back even as it makes towards the cover of the villa.

<<Sending you all the updated updated satellite imagery,>> he chimes in a moment later. And abruptly everyone on the field of battle can 'see' the display that Cable has at his disposal, can see the overhead view of the compound itself, the various ways through the buildings, can see the warm red blips of their opposition, laid out by their heat signatures. Can see that approaching, large blob coming in fast out over the water.

Yes, they have more then a few advantages at their disposal.

<<Looks like they have a helicopter incoming Boom-Boom. If you can take it out or the helipad first. Just be careful. Chances are those men with Sublime are some of his most powerful followers," he cautions. Any action she takes risks exposing herself to them.

"Lets go cut off their retreat," he adds, tossing a glance and a nod Sally's way before trotting forward with less and less resistance offered by the decimated mercenary forces, heading towards the closest of the out buildings and starting to circle around it.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Eventually, even Tabitha feels a surge. And maybe the rush kind of gets an audible "Whoa, that feels...." she ponders as she finally sees the helicopter coming in.

This is probably not a fun day to go for a jaunt by air.

Tabby in her adrenaline, power fueled rush. Eyes aglow and a slight heat shimmer around her condenses plasma around her fist and sends it right at the helicopter. That much heat and force enhanced by what turns out to be Cortez.

It's more than enough to make sure the chopper comes crashing down in a massive fireball and hunk of molten metal and other material.

It didn't do stealth any favors as she starts stepping towards the group. <<As long as whatever juice is going, stays flowing. I'll be fine. I'm the hottest thing on this island!>> It's probably never a good idea for tabby to get that confident.

Many a Tabitha shaped crater had been left in walls or the ground.

Sally Pride has posed:
The thing about mercenaries is you tend to only get as good as you're willing to pay. Their loyalty is more to the money than anything else. Though Sublime has clearly been paying well (and probably some of those potential stolen powers)... but some of the men may be starting to wonder if this is really worth the money alone. Most probably won't get the time to reconsider their life choices, but that's their own fault for being willing to accept jobs from such a scumbag.

One squad retreats into a smaller outlying building, maybe storage for the lawnkeeping or whatever. Sally pulls a grenade and chucks it after them, managing to bounce it off the door and inside before they get it entirely shut.

It's a small blessing that it was only a flashbang... but in a small enclosed space where the sonic shockwave will reverb off the walls a few times? Those men won't be getting up for a long time even if they are only knocked out. Or some gardening equipment doesn't fall on them.

Neither is Sally's concern, she's just making sure they can't come up behind them like they're planning to come up behind Sublime before she takes off in the same direction Cable did.

Fabian Cortez has posed:
Fabian Cortez farking hates t when telepaths enter his mind uninvited, but he showed up to NATHAN's party, so was expecting it. <<Good image. Right now I am boosting all three of you, let me know if you want me to focus that.>> He shoots another thre technicans without histation. If a human is here, and he can see them, they're guilty by ascoation. As it is, he takes cover since he doesnt have the high tech blasters and the most good he can do is the boost. He reloads another clip and gets ready to shoot any other of these people he sees.

Cable has posed:
It is likely to be an uneasy alliance to be sure. On both sides. But for the time being at least, it would appear that X-Force has garnered a power-boosting ally. Not the owrst thing to have right at the moment.

Though with his rigid need for control over his abilities to keep the techno-organic virus within at bay it is unlikely that Cable at least will fully cut loose. Instead he simply keeps that updated, real-time map on offer to the rest of those present, letting them hunt down or avoid what few forces that still make any pretense of helping Sublime.

When this is over they will still have Madripoor to deal with. They're surely not down with all these mercenary bands that have been popping up out of the woodwork. But as Sally hurls that flashbang after one of the few remaining groups remaining on the field, as it detonates in the confines of that outer building, well, the stragglers still in the fight are few and far between.

At least on this side of the compound. The cluster of environmentally-suited individuals standing around Sublime is another matter entirely.

With their attentions diverted, watching the approaching helicopter they can surely be forgiven for failing to notice Tabby's presence hiding nearby. And by the time that the glow of her amplified plasma blasts are tearing through the helicopter, well, it's too late to do anything about it. All they can do is watch as what remains of the aircraft begins to plummet towards the cliffs below, the burning wreckage raining down.

But they also can't miss just where the attack came from either, the after image practically burned into the air itself. And in a heartbeat one of those grey-suited figures whirls, lifting a hand her way.

A second later the earth itself seems to turn against Boom-Boom, a pit opening beneath her feet as the ground itself seems to explode upwards in a wall, seeking to collapse in on her and trap her in that prison of dirt and rock.

"Sounds like Tabitha is in trouble," Cable says with that customary grimness, peering around the corner of the building and surveying the scene. Across from them that collection of four suited figures surrounds a fifth -- John Sublime -- and with their attention diverted the future solider steps out of cover with that big, impressive weapon levelled, ready to provide their teammate with a little cover.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
The ground for a moment seems to swallow Tabitha up but not long after, even her team closing in on the fun hear the BOOMs.

Boom-Boom using her own blasts to grenade jump herself out of the pit created and with some extra height, the blonde sees the figure that did it.

It might look very Guthrie with the blasting contrail. But she had been practicing this for years under her normal power levels.

And sends superheated plasma right back with an over head fanning sweep of her hands as beachball sized spheroid bombs form on her way down, being directed telekinetically right back at her opponent.

And maybe catch the others in the enhanced explosions. At least the helipad is destroyed. Just as intended.

"C'Mon, come at me with some original powers! This crap was old when I was a kid!" Geokinesis is so Rictor.

While her landing is far from graceful she does land on her feet, keeping herself bouncing and moving ready to take another booming leap up.

For now she settles on horizontal, setting a bomb to propel her forwards while she winds up a glowing fist of plasma, to take a swing.

K'un Lun probably got a lawsuit on their hands.

Fabian Cortez has posed:
Fabian Cortez truly enjoys his power sometimes as he sees the effect it has on the filth around him. He only wish he could listen to a proper musical soundtrack as he watches the flaming racists burn. He shoots another. And enjoys it.

He closes his eyes and boosts his own boosting temporarily. These thieves must be taught.

Sally Pride has posed:
Sally Pride doesn't have any powers like energy blasts or whatnot to be visibly enhanced, but the boost is definitely helping her mutated physical abilities. Which do become sort of visible when she growls at the mention of Tabs being in trouble and puts that boost to good speed to bolt into action.

The rifle is released from her grasp, allowed to swing round to her back on it's strap so it's still within reach. It's more important that it frees up her hands, and the clawed tips of her fingers thanks to the cutoff gloves.

Claws that, with a lunging pounce and the boosting effect from Cortez, aim to get on one of those enviro-suited henchmen and tear into it without remorse. These are the biggest of Sublime's supporters and using stolen powers. They get none of her usual restraint, just the viciousness of a very angry mutant predator.

Cable has posed:
It rather quickly becomes apparent that John Sublime has a certain appreciation for a certain symetry in his followers. Or at least in this particular quartet.

While the earth powers of one of them are not enough to entomb Tabby -- at least not for more then a few seconds -- as she lunges towards the group her plasma is met by a combination of air and water as two more of the grey-suited Transhumanists turn their attention towards her. A sheer backdraft from above slams down into her, a virtual wall of air backed up by a sudden gout of water exploding upwards, flying over the edge of the cliff to try to blunt some of that tremendous heat of Boom-Boom's plasma bursts.

And together it might keep the worst of the blast from striking home, diverting it towards the helipad just behind them which melts under the barrage.

But it has another unfortunate effect -- at least for them. Heat and water meeting that intensely? Well almost immediately the whole area is sheathed in steam, great clouds of obscuring mist. But where X-Force and Co. have a mental map being projected into their head by Cable, that is not, apparently, something that the U-Men have at their disposal.

As Sally races forth, Cortez's enhancements subtly improving her speed, her ferocity she will be engulfed by that cloud of expanding mist, claws slashing at the forth member of the U-Men. Those sharp talons strike home, ripping through the suit, tearing into flesh, droplets of blood flying an instant before the figure explodes into flame, sheathed in fire and heat as he reaches towards his attacker.

The fourth and final grey-suited figure raise hands upward, the ground at once beginning to lift, forming up a wall in front of himself and Sublime, further shrouding them from view.

Though not for long.

It is a rather obvious ploy really, given that he has already shown his hand in his efforts to trap Tabby, and while Cable does not rush ahead quite as quickly as Sally, he does fall into a ground-eating trot, plasma cannon levelled and firing off another burst that tears right through that earthen bulwark, sending dirt and rock flying in all directions.

"NO more hiding Sublime. Not from your crimes. This is the end," Cable says flatly as he and the others close in on the man through those curling licks of fog that sway and move around them.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
Any steamier and they might need to change the rating.

Air and water knock her pretty hard, but Boom-Boom's taken plenty of beatings. "Hah, my daddy hit me harder than that and he's human!" she taints as she gets up. Scraps and bruises starting to show through rips in her X-Suit.

The heat from the steamy air doesn't bother her. Any sweat is pretty much just from the exertion. She knows it's hot but she long since stopped being affected by flames and fire, or even other plasma.

In fact, all the steam does is create more matter for Tabitha to ionise. And one little trick she learned. Clouds often seed lightning.

And Tabitha's powers are bioelectrical in origin.

Around the air and water benders, they find the steam condensing and starting to ignite all around them.

Right before the detonations go off in their faces. Loudly and forcefully.

Maybe a little too much, but hey, she's on a rush.

Fabian Cortez has posed:
Fabian Cortez really needs to get a hold of those wonderful toys, and makes a mental note to do jsut taht. But he feels blood dripping down his nostril. A few years ago, this level of sustained boosting for this much range, for this long would not be possible. But until Sublime is taken out, he isnt ready to stop.

He sits down, under cover and focuses on contining the boost. Part of him wants to keep shooting the U-men....but he is above all things, patient when not invested.

Sally Pride has posed:
Sally Pride tears through the suit and into the flesh and blood underneath. Then her quarry plays his own hand, revealing that Sublime apparently has a thing for trying to form an evil set of fake-mutant Planeteers or some such elemental hijinks as the man does his best ripoff of Johnny Storm. Everything in the immeadiate personal space is engulfed in fire.

The burning man grabs onto her. Flames flicker across her jacket setting spots of it aflame. Fire burns against fur and flesh. One could argue that if it wasn't for the power boosting that might of been enough to drive her back and severely hurt her. Though even with the buff, it stings like a motherfucker.

But she does not relent. Sally was a lioness on a mission, enduring through the fiery counterattack on a mix of will, confidence and rushing adrenaline. There would be time to worry about how much she's really hurt later.

Right now, the predator had her prey in her grasp. Not the alpha, but a strong member of his sick little pack. That her prey is on fire is a large annoyance. A bit of a problem.... but not enough of one yet to stop her. If wannabe Human Torch was expecting being on fire to be enough to make her withdraw he's going to be a bit disappointed.

Claws rip and rend, looking for purchase in the fire. Indiscrimant shredding of any flesh it finds. The only reason she's not trying to bite as well is because even in the furied state she's not dumb enough to shove her face directly into fire.

Cable has posed:
With each passing second the tide seems to turn a little more, a little further in their favor. It is yet one more advantage that they have in their back pocket, having Domino with them, roaming across the battlefield and her way of insuring that things just have a way of working out for them.

In other circumstances, a quartet of well trained individuals with elemental powers, working together, might prove to be more of an obstacle. But in many ways it would appear that anything that can go wrong, is going wrongfor them. Clustered close together, they get into each other's way more then anything else and even the improvised cover of the sudden burst of steam is quickly turned against them.

Fire or not, now that she has her prey it seems Sally is not willing to let the man go, that environmental suit torn, engulfed in flame. But she refuses to back down, refuses to retreat and panic creeps into the flaming man's voice. "Burn!" he shrieks. "Burn damn you!" he demands. And instead only has those claws tear into him again as those flames begin to sputter and die.

While the steam cloud might be quickly starting to dissipate, to expand to the edge of its limits, there is still very much time for Tabby to do what she is seeking to do, to reach out, to channel that power right through it, exploding it in a burst around the men at the center of it. Those tiny droplets of water hanging in the air burst forth with that power, ripping through them and quickly it isn't just the burning U-Man screaming, but all of them.

And as the last of those screams fade, as the mist is burned up in one great big burst of released energy that Cortez helps enable, they find the U-Men charred and smoking on the ground where they fell.

And yet one of them still stands, there at the center. John Sublime.

His body is hideously burned and scarred, smoking every bit as much of his followers there on the ground in front of him. His flesh is practically melted, features a cruel rictus, what little remains of his flesh seemingly curved up in a smile. "Do you really think this is the end? It hasn't even begun."

And then he reaches for what appears to be a half-melted weapon at his side.

"Oh, this is over," Cable growls as he races forward, gun levelled, that virulet green glow already beginning to brighten, to bubble up out of the end of that plasma cannon.

It seems like a good bet he won't be the only one eager for one last strike at the monster before them who, impossib ly, still stands.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
When Water and Wind are left to cook in their own juices Tabby looks over to where Fire is fighting against Sally. <<Hate to kill steal here hon, but lemme help!>> she offers.

A dense but non the less potent stream of plasma extends from a pointed index finger. "Fire's nice but plasma is always hotter!" It's not just flame. Tabitha's control, even normally is enough she can make a bomb solid, and safe enough to hold. Or punch through some armor.

A dude's head. Probably doesn't even rate. "Burn, dude that lady is more fire than you ever could be!" she taunts back to the man trying to incinerate Sally, the Lioness getting a wink.

Which leaves Sublime, in his charred self.

Stepping around bodies, Boom-Boom makes sure that Sublime is between Cable and herself. <<Don't worry about shooting me with a plasma rifle. If he dashes, I'll hold him down while you deliver the Good Night da Gracie.>>

Fabian Cortez has posed:
Fabian Cortez is not doing well. His body is not meant to push this far, but he shoots on full automatic severla scientists who are trying to flee the combat. The minds behind this little experiment arent getting away with this. He flickers though, he is about to become fnctionally useless and his boost is on fumes.

Sally Pride has posed:
Sally Pride is very likely going to need treatment for some burns along with the few shots she took over the course of the mission. Part of the job. They were past the point of no return. <<Team effort,>> she replies to Tabs.

Sally digs her clawed grip on the burning man's head finally, forcing him to look her in the eyes face even as he screams at her to burn. "No." Then use her strength to slam him face first into the pavement of the helipad. Being on fire doesn't protect you from being smothered against asphalt. Then she lifts him up again. "You first," she growls, pushing him staggering forward.

He's not going to realize what she meant until he stands back up, lifting his head only to see the crackling in the air as Tabitha points at him. The horror is almost palpable--
--And afterwards whatever manages to remain crumples to the ground.

While Sally is hurt but still on her feet, taking a moment to rub some stray blood from face with the back of a hand, not really sure if it's her own or her foe's or really caring. Then her eyes lock on Sublime as his charred form emerges from what remained of the steam. She reachs back for the blaster rifle and pulls it up... only to find it's been warped by the burning man's heat while they were fighting. "Heh. Guess I don't get to shoot your ugly little face after all..."

Doesn't stop Sally from flipping the rifle around to grab it by the barrel and lunge at Sublime to smash him with the remains of the weapon like a club instead.

Cable has posed:
And just like that it is functionally done.

The four U-Men lay still and unmoving, still smoldering on the ground, sprawled where they fell. Their stolen mutant abilities no match for the real thing it seems. And while it can't bring any of their victims back, at least they can be very sure that they will never commit atrocities like this again.

That will just have to count for something.

With Boomer on one side and Cable on the other, there really isn't anywhere for Sublime to go. Nor does he get anything approaching a chance to do so, not when Sally steps forward to wield that damaged rifle like a club, striking him across those ruined, melted features and sending him sprawling to the ground, that melted and likely useless weapon at his side going skittering away.

Maybe Cable is aware that Cortez is at his end. Maybe he's just ready to see this end, but that headlong dash slows as he nears the fallen man, his weapon leveled towards the prone body before him.

Again, Sublime manages to glance up with that half smile, melted and ruined as his features might be. "See you soon," he rasps out, no matter how unlikely that seems.

"Burn in hell," comes Cable's cold retort. Then, with that plasma cannon levelled and primed, he pulls the trigger.

Energy leaps up, engulfing Sublimes form and when that burst of green plasma dissipates what remains simply begins to waft away, little more then a fine dust.

"Mission accomplished," he says quietly. "Good work. Lets get that wound attended to. I'll teleport you out and follow behind with the boat," he says to Sally. "I'll go through this place too, see if there is any other information that might be relevant. Make sure that he didn't manage to make off with any other mutants before the end," he adds flatly.

The threat is gone, for now, but that doesn't mean it is for good. He might not be afraid of Sublime following through on his threats to return, but his followers are still out there. Diminished, leaderless for now. Far less of a threat. So whatever additional details he can gather will only help in the meantime.