"Charles, what do we do now? Can we still go back to the CIA?"
Hank finally looked up and asked Charles.
Unlike the other mutants, Hank had originally been a CIA scientist. Even while working there, his mutant identity had never been exposed.
He had a deeper sense of belonging to the CIA than most. The agency had provided him with all the research resources he needed, and he genuinely enjoyed his work there.
"I'm sorry, Hank," Charles said after a moment of thought. "But it's very likely you won't be able to go back. None of us will."
The secret base for mutants had always been a controversial project within the CIA. Many high-level officials had opposed it from the start.
And now, after what happened, hoping the CIA will allocate resources to rebuild it is almost impossible.
Their collaboration with the CIA was likely over.
From now on, everything they did would have to be on their own. The CIA was no longer part of the equation.
"I see… Then what do we do now?"
Darwin, Siryn, Angel, Havok, and the other young mutants looked lost and uncertain.
They had waited three days for Charles and the others to return—just to hear the outcome. They never imagined the answer would be this.
Charles and Erik exchanged a glance.
Yes, the CIA had discarded them. But what about the mutants they had recruited? What would become of them?
"Raven, could you help entertain everyone for a moment?" Charles asked Mystique gently.
Raven understood that Charles must have something to discuss with Erik and didn't ask further. Following Charles' request, she stepped forward and took charge of the room like a proper host.
Charles, meanwhile, beckoned Erik with a tilt of his head and led him into his room.
"I'm planning to send everyone home," he said frankly after shutting the door.
"No, Charles. We have to keep them here. Do you remember why we recruited them? With or without the CIA, I'm not stopping."
"The reason I stayed in the first place wasn't the CIA—it was you, Charles."
Erik firmly opposed the idea.
"Kids don't survive what they just did."
"Fine, Erik—Alex aside. But most of them—"
"Charles, Shaw has a team. We need one too. You know that. Otherwise, no one can stop him!" Erik cut in, voice sharp and decisive.
He knew Erik was right.
Only mutants could stand against mutants.
The massacre at the CIA base had proven that point well enough. Ordinary people were like lambs to the slaughter against those with powers.
And Charles and Erik alone simply weren't enough.
"…Alright, Erik. But we'll need to train them."
After some thought, Charles finally made his decision, speaking with resolve.
A faint smile tugged at Erik's lips.
"All of them—including you," Charles added, giving his old friend an exasperated glare.
"Oh, come on, Charles. Are you serious?"
Charles left it at that, striding out of the room. Erik followed, shaking his head in resignation.
"Alright, everyone!" Charles announced once they returned to the hall, drawing everyone's attention.
"Though our relationship with the CIA has come to an end, Erik and I plan to form our own team."
"You've all seen what kind of man Shaw is. We may be the only ones who can stop him."
"It'll be us—me, Erik… and you."
"Of course, none of you are ready yet. Not even Erik and me. So if you choose to stay, you'll undergo special training."
"If anyone wants to leave, I'll arrange to send you home immediately."
His words echoed through the room.
The young mutants looked at each other, quietly making up their minds.
"I'm not going back to prison," Havok said flatly.
"I've got nowhere else to go," Hank added with a shrug.
"After everything that's happened, you really think I can go back to peacefully driving a taxi?" Darwin said, spreading his hands.
"I never had this many friends before, so…" Siryn gave a crooked smile. She didn't want to leave them.
"This is where I grew up. Where else would I go?" Raven said matter-of-factly, then glanced at Alex. "What about you, Alex?"
With Raven's question, all eyes instinctively turned to him.
Alex was, without a doubt, the most important member of the group. His decision would carry the most weight.
"You're a gifted mutant, Alex," Erik said, stepping forward to personally try and persuade him. "If you leave, it would be a great loss to us. I sincerely hope you'll stay."
"Erik, why are you making this so dramatic? When did I ever say I was leaving?" Alex chuckled.
Erik visibly relaxed.
Just when the mood began to lift, Angel threw cold water over everyone. "Charles, I don't know much about Shaw, but he killed nearly everyone in the base and yet didn't lay a finger on us."
"The ones who truly treated us with disdain… were the CIA people."
"I'm sorry—I can't do this."
"Angel…" Raven stepped forward. As one of the only two women here, she had a close bond with Angel and tried to persuade her.
"I'm sorry, Raven. But I don't belong here," Angel replied firmly as she rose to her feet.
"Alright, Salvadore." Charles nodded, not pressing her. "Thank you for everything. I'll arrange for your return."
"Hey, girl!" Erik cut in, far less polite. "Just so you know—if I see you on the battlefield, I won't be pulling any punches!"
"Erik!" Charles frowned.
"What? You still see them as fragile kids who can't handle reality? It's time for a change, Charles—for us and for them!"
And in some ways, Erik wasn't wrong.
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