"Charles, what should we do next? Can we go back to the CIA?"
Hank finally broke the silence in the hall. He lifted his head and looked directly at Charles, his expression filled with uncertainty. Compared to the other mutants, Hank's situation was somewhat different.
Before everything that had happened, Hank had been a scientist working for the CIA. His mutant identity had never even been exposed during his time there, and he had lived most of his professional life within that environment. Because of that, he naturally felt a stronger connection to the organization than the others did.
More importantly, the CIA had provided him with nearly unlimited research resources. Laboratories, funding, advanced equipment—everything a scientist could ask for. Hank genuinely enjoyed the work he had been doing there.
Charles hesitated for a moment before answering. The truth wasn't pleasant, but it was better to say it clearly.
"Hank… I'm sorry," he said slowly. "But it's very likely you won't be able to go back. None of us will."
The words made the room grow quiet.
Charles sighed quietly before continuing. "The mutant program was already controversial within the CIA from the very beginning. Many senior officials opposed the idea even before the base was established."
He glanced around at the young mutants in the room.
"And now that the base has been destroyed like this… it's almost impossible that the CIA will allocate resources to rebuild it."
The implication was obvious.
Their cooperation with the CIA had most likely come to an end.
From this point forward, whatever they did… they would have to do on their own.
"So that's it?" Darwin murmured softly.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Siren asked.
Angel, Darwin, Siren, and the others exchanged uneasy glances. Confusion and uncertainty were written clearly across their faces.
They had waited anxiously for three days, hoping Charles and Eric would bring answers when they returned.
But the answer they received was not the one they expected.
Charles and Eric exchanged a silent look.
Yes, the CIA had abandoned them without hesitation. That much was clear. But that raised a much more difficult question.
What would happen to the young mutants they had recruited?
Where would they go?
"Raven," Charles said after thinking for a moment, "can you entertain everyone for a bit?"
Raven understood immediately.
Charles clearly needed to discuss something important with Eric, and it wasn't something he intended to talk about in front of everyone.
She didn't ask any questions.
Instead, she simply nodded and stepped forward to take charge of the room, helping maintain a relaxed atmosphere among the group.
Charles gestured subtly with his chin toward Eric before turning and walking down the hallway toward his room.
Eric followed.
Once inside, Charles closed the door behind them.
"I plan to send them home," Charles said without any unnecessary preamble.
Eric reacted immediately.
"No."
His answer was sharp and direct.
"Charles, we need to keep them."
Charles frowned slightly, but Eric continued before he could speak.
"Do you remember why we recruited them in the first place? Whether the CIA is involved or not doesn't matter. I'm not stopping."
Eric looked directly at him.
"I didn't stay because of the CIA. I stayed because of you, Charles."
Charles shook his head.
"They're just children."
Eric's expression hardened.
"A group of children wouldn't have survived what happened at the base."
"Eric—"
"Alright," Eric said, raising a hand. "Except for Rorschach. But the rest of them still survived."
Charles opened his mouth to respond, but Eric cut him off again.
"Shaw has a team, Charles," Eric said firmly. "And we need one too."
His voice carried a quiet intensity.
"You know we do. Otherwise, no one will be able to stop him."
The room fell silent.
Charles lowered his gaze slightly.
He couldn't deny the truth of Eric's words.
Only mutants could fight other mutants.
The destruction of the CIA base had proven that beyond any doubt. Ordinary soldiers had been helpless in the face of Shaw's group. Against powers like teleportation and energy manipulation, conventional forces were practically defenseless.
Charles and Eric alone were not enough.
Not even close.
After a long moment of thought, Charles finally spoke again.
"Alright," he said slowly.
Eric looked up.
"But they need training," Charles continued. "Proper training."
His voice became firm.
"They're not ready yet. Not even close."
Eric couldn't hide the small smile that appeared on his face.
"That includes you," Charles added immediately, shooting his old friend an annoyed look.
Eric raised his eyebrows in exaggerated surprise.
"Come on, Charles. You can't be serious."
"What do you think?" Charles replied dryly.
Without waiting for another response, he turned and walked straight out of the room.
Eric chuckled softly and followed him.
When the two men returned to the hall, everyone immediately turned their attention toward them again.
Charles stepped forward.
"Alright, everyone," he said, raising his voice slightly so the entire room could hear.
The conversation in the hall gradually died down.
"Although we will no longer have any connection to the CIA," Charles continued, "Eric and I have decided to form our own team."
He paused briefly.
"You've all seen the kind of person Shaw is. If no one stops him, he will continue to cause destruction."
Charles looked around at each of them.
"We will be that team."
"Eric and I… and all of you."
A murmur spread through the group.
"Of course," Charles added, raising a hand slightly, "you're not ready yet. Not even close. The same is true for Eric and me."
He nodded toward Eric.
"If you choose to stay, he will personally train you."
The room grew quiet again.
"But if anyone wants to leave," Charles continued calmly, "I will respect that decision. I'll make arrangements immediately and send you home."
His words echoed softly through the hall.
The mutants exchanged glances with one another.
Each of them began quietly making their own decision.
"I'm not going back to prison," Havok said immediately.
Hank shrugged slightly.
"I don't really have anywhere else to go."
Darwin spread his hands helplessly.
"Charles, after everything we've been through, do you really think I can go back to driving my taxi like nothing happened?"
Siren smiled faintly.
"I never had this many friends before," she admitted.
Raven leaned casually against a chair.
"This is my home," she said matter-of-factly. "Where else would I go?"
Then she turned her head slightly.
"Rorschach," she asked, "what about you?"
As soon as Raven said those words, everyone in the room instinctively turned to look at him.
There was no doubt about it.
Among everyone present, Rorschach was the most important figure.
Whether he stayed or left would influence everyone else's confidence.
Eric even stepped forward slightly.
"Rorschach," he said seriously, "you're incredibly talented. If you leave, it would be a huge loss for us."
He paused.
"I sincerely hope you'll stay."
Rorschach chuckled softly.
"Eric," he said, "why make the atmosphere so heavy?"
He smiled casually.
"When did I say I was leaving?"
Eric visibly relaxed.
Several others in the room quietly breathed sighs of relief.
For a moment, the mood in the hall brightened again.
Then a voice suddenly cut through the atmosphere.
"Sorry."
Angel stood up.
Her expression was calm, but there was determination in her eyes.
"Charles, I don't know Shaw," she said. "Yes, he attacked the base. But he didn't actually do anything to us."
She crossed her arms slightly.
"But the people who constantly mocked us… who treated us like monsters… were the CIA agents."
Angel shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I can't do this."
"Angel…" Raven said softly, stepping closer.
The two of them had grown close during their time together.
"Raven," Angel replied gently, "I'm sorry. But I don't think I belong here."
Her decision was firm.
Charles nodded slowly.
"Alright, Salvador," he said calmly. "Thank you for the time you spent with us. I'll arrange transportation and send you home."
Eric, however, was far less polite.
"Hey, girl," he said bluntly. "Just remember something."
His eyes were cold.
"If we ever meet on a battlefield, I won't hold back."
"Eric," Charles said with a slight frown.
Eric shrugged.
"What?" he replied. "Charles, do you still think they're fragile children who can't handle the truth?"
He looked around the room.
"I think it's time we all accepted reality. For their sake and for ours."
.....
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