The Phalanx Covenant

Life Signs

Summary

  Douglock is leading Sam, Forge, and Rahne to the Phalanx, a techno-organic collective that is taking over all life on earth. Sam is distrustful; Rahne believes him.

  They investigate a cute little village in the Italian Alps. The inhabitants look human but are really Phalanx.

  In Mont St. Francis, Moira scans Rictor and Kitty for traces of the t-o virus, then uses that data to track the Phalanx to California, the Alps, and the Himalayas.

  Xavier telepathically searches for Forge and merges minds with him. Douglock links in, warning them that the village is the Phalanx's nursery; it transforms before their eyes, revealing pods. A baby Phalanx bursts out and attacks Forge, seeking a human host. Douglock explains the Phalanx can now reproduce and overtake the entire universe. Forge sees this new life form as beautiful.

  Douglock infects Rahne and Sam with the t-o virus, so they can sneak up on the Babel Tower, the Phalanx's interstellar homing beacon.