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In the Oval Office of the White House, news dia affiliated with major television networks underwent security checks by the Secret Service before entering this pinnacle of national power...
Today, the President would deliver a public statent addressing the mutant issue and the proposed registration act, expressing the federal governnt's stance and position.
Surrounded by his advisors, the nation's leader stepped into the room. Facing the live broadcast caras, he appeared composed and calm. For a seasoned politician, the cara was both his stage and his best opportunity to showcase his charisma to the public.
As the countdown began, the President put on a warm yet dignified smile. Truthfully, he had a headache over this matter...
He had initially hoped William Stryker would cleanly resolve the mutant problem, eliminating those troubleso individuals once and for all. But just yesterday evening, the dam base at Alkali Lake suffered a catastrophic breach from a terrifying flood. The colonel, who had sworn to eradicate mutants, tragically perished in the disaster.
According to intelligence from S.H.I.E.L.D., an extraordinarily destructive battle had taken place in the wilderness of northern Alberta, Canada. Due to the satellite footage being too blurry, the only discernible detail was that one of the participants was likely Magneto.
anwhile, Charles Xavier, who had been captured by Stryker, had already returned to the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters in Westchester.
All signs pointed to the colonel's plan ending in complete failure... both major mutant leaders remained unhard. Since the root of the mutant problem could not be decisively eliminated, the politician in him naturally chose to act as if none of it had happened. All bla could be conveniently pinned on the late William Stryker...
However, considering the wary financial and political elites, the President still needed to assert his stance... That is, to fra mutants as adversaries of humanity, at least to prevent public opinion from spiraling further out of control.
Glancing at the scrolling teleprompter, the President cleared his throat, preparing to launch into a passionate, emotionally charged speech. He aid to project an image of fearless leadership by condemning mutant atrocities, perhaps even gaining more public support and votes in the process.
Before the first word could leave his lips, a blinding bolt of lightning split the sky. Rolling dark clouds swiftly blotted out the heavens, turning the bright blue sky pitch-black in an instant. The teleprompter flickered twice before shutting off, along with the lights in the room.
"Is the broadcast still live?" the President asked.
He looked around at the Secret Service agents and journalists in the room... they stood frozen like statues, their eyes vacant and unresponsive.
Sensing sothing amiss, the President turned toward the window. Leaden clouds churned like tidal waves, while dazzling arcs of lightning danced like silver serpents. An oppressive, storm-laden atmosphere filled the air.
When he turned back, the room was no longer empty. A group of strangers had appeared, led by a bald man in a wheelchair who smiled amiately. Under the flickering lightning that pierced the clouds, the President recognized their faces... they were the mutants from Stryker's files.
A surge of panic spread through him, but the nation's leader forced himself to remain composed. He instinctively rose from his seat and took a few steps back.
"Relax, we an no harm. I believe you already know my na, Mr. President," the wheelchair-bound man said gently. Storm stepped forward and placed a stack of docunts on the fad Resolute Desk.
"These files concerning mutants were recovered from William Stryker's private office."
The President glanced at them... they were the ticulously detailed Mutant Containnt Initiative...
He sat back down, "I've never seen these docunts before. And I don't negotiate under duress."
"This isn't duress. This is an opportunity for peace, Mr. President," the Professor said softly. Thinking of the recent suffering mutants had endured, he spoke earnestly, "There are people in this world, both human and mutant, who believe war is inevitable. These docunts prove that soone has been trying to incite conflict between our species. If that happens, both sides will suffer..."
"...Mr. President, this is a pivotal mont. As you address the world regarding mutants, please do not repeat past mistakes. Change is possible. We can work together to build a better future."
As thunder roared and lightning flashed, the dark clouds suddenly dispersed. Light returned to the world. The President, still seated, noticed everyone staring at him as if nothing unusual had happened... as though it had all been a hallucination.
The politician stared at the teleprompter, then down at the docunts now resting on his desk. His mind was made up.
Mutants were not weak lambs to be slaughtered at will. Even if they were to be dealt with, now was not the ti...
.....
In Westchester, at the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, Sean sat in the Professor's chair, sipping a cup of rich black tea...
When the Professor returned with the younger generation of mutants, this uninvited guest (who had made himself at ho) smiled faintly, as though he were the true master of the school.
"I trust the President won't refuse the goodwill extended by mutants," Sean said with certainty, as if he had already foreseen the outco.
The Professor in the wheelchair nodded. He wasn't sure whether collaborating with this enigmatic young man was wise, but he had little choice. Even his old friend Magneto had fallen to him. Opposing Sean now would only bring devastating consequences for mutantkind...
"This is just the first step. Next, you'll need to strengthen ties with the governnt. You must establish a liaison office to facilitate communication with federal agencies. This will help reduce unnecessary misunderstandings..."
"...Then, promote a few congressn who will champion mutant rights. If Senator Kelly could gain political capital by opposing mutants, why can't soone step forward like Lincoln emancipating the slaves, to lead mutants and humans toward peace?"
Sean spoke eloquently. To fully align the Professor's faction with his own goals, he needed to show sincerity. Besides, in his view, the mutant issue wasn't fundantally unsolvable, it rely lacked the right timing.
When the new era arrived, this world would be filled with all kinds of superheroes, even post-human beings standing at the forefront of evolution. By then, what would mutants even matter?
People feared the unknown and rejected those different from themselves. But if they themselves gained the potential for superhuman abilities, their hatred and prejudice toward mutants would likely diminish greatly.
"For mutants to be accepted by society, you must first win the battle of public opinion. Make everyone understand that mutants are not diseases or freaks... you are the result of genetic evolution and natural selection."
The Professor's heavy heart gradually eased. Though he didn't fully grasp Sean's ultimate motives, the young man had shown no hostility. Nor did he seem to intend to use mutants as weapons or stepping stones for personal ambition, as initially feared.
The X-n nearby watched this exchange with confusion. They still didn't fully understand what had transpired.
When the younger mutants returned to the school, they found their forr sanctuary looking as though it had suffered a terrorist attack, the mutant children were all missing, and the Professor and Beast had vanished without a trace.
Just as they were at a loss, the missing Professor returned safely, and the children (sedated by tranquilizers) were brought back. Only then did the X-n learn that William Stryker, the mutant butcher who had once traumatized them, had nearly succeeded in capturing every mutant at the school through deceit. The realization left them all shaken...
"Sean, I need to speak with these children," the Professor said, glancing at the composed young man with a quiet sigh.
Sean tactfully stood, offering the others a faint smile before leisurely exiting the room, ignoring their wary gazes...
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