By Marc Strom

With a team name like X-Factor, unpredictable change has a way of finding you out.

X-FACTOR Writer Peter David, never a fan of letting his characters rest on their laurels for too long—or ever—has recently begun putting his squad back together in the wake of their losses post-"Messiah CompleX."

These things don't come easy, though, and X-Factor has a little more way to go before they reach the light of day. Marvel.com caught up with the prolific scribe to talk about what's in store for the only official team of mutants in the Marvel Universe at the moment.Marvel.com: X-Factor seems to be a little depressed lately, with Layla Miller trapped in the future and Rahne leaving the team. Why has this hit them so hard? What will it take to get out of this rut anytime soon, or is there only more bad news on their horizon?

Peter David: Rahne and Layla were literally the heart and soul of the team. They didn't even realize how much they needed Layla until she was gone. It's like someone shut off the lights, and for the next few issues they're shouting against the encroaching shadows of the darkness. The next few issues will really blow the entire world of X-Factor to hell and gone. That doesn't mean there will be endless bleakness, though. By the end of the current story arc, X-Factor is going to be left in a better place than they are right now.

Marvel.com: Has "Messiah CompleX" altered the team's mission statement at all?

Peter David: They've been redefining their mission statement ever since House of M, really. They're the most street-level team in the Marvel Universe, and thus are the most directly affected by major events.

Marvel.com: Speaking of "Messiah CompleX," Jamie still has a dupe trapped in a potential future. Have we heard the last of that plotline yet?

Peter David: No. That will definitely be revisited.

Marvel.com: How is Siryn handling the fact that she's pregnant with Madrox's child? And, for that matter, how will the team respond to the revelation?

Peter David: Different members of the team will respond in different ways, although I certainly think some version of "Holy crap!" will be a consistent reaction. As for Siryn, she's in turmoil, but also oddly at peace about it.

Marvel.com: Arcade will soon be paying a visit to the "Middle East Side." Why has he chosen now to make his reappearance?

Peter David: For the best reason of all: Someone hired him. Someone who has a very specific reason to resent the hell out of X-Factor.

Marvel.com: X-Factor will be moving their base of operations soon. Anything you can tell us about that?

Peter David: Well, sure, but why spoil it?

Marvel.com: You've got a crossover with SHE-HULK, which you also write, coming up—how'd that come about?

Peter David: Literally because fans asked for it. People kept saying, "We'd love to see She-Hulk and X-Factor run into each other." And I agreed. So we're doing it.

Marvel.com: Will we be seeing any pointy-eared aliens infiltrating the book in the near future?

Peter David: Secret Invasion will play a factor in the X-FACTOR/SHE-HULK crossover, yes.

Marvel.com: You just wrapped your first arc on SHE-HULK, what else will Shulkie have to face before her crossover with X-Factor?

Peter David: First she'll have to deal with the fallout from issue #26, and that's going to involve visits from some unexpected associates. Then she goes to Cleveland to try and arrest Bran the terrorist, only to run into the man who was responsible for her being disbarred. Issue #29 will feature the full story of just how she lost her bar card, and issue #30 features a guest appearance by Hercules.

Tomorrow, X-Factor Week continues as we announce, speak to and preview the book's brand new artist! And right now you can check out the catalogue of Peter David over at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.