"Why are we looking for more Meta's? Did David not say Max and Kal were very powerful?" Raven asked as Charles was holding the headpiece to Cerebro.
"It is always good to have more options, and we are not just gathering them for fighting Shaw. We can help them with their powers and let them know they are not alone." Charles replied.
"Seemed like you're the one that needs help with your powers," Raven mumbled as she recalled how useless he was against Emma Frost.
Max who was closest to Raven burst out laughing as he overheard Raven, Kal who had stayed in the building was smirking for no apparent reason.
"Just a question Charles, this thing is going to amplify your abilities range, what is stopping the telepath on Shaw's team from sensing what we are doing?" Max asked as he was scanning over all the switches and knobs.
Charles looked at Max blankly then answered honestly, "Nothing, you're right. The moment I use this she might pick up what I am doing."
"Then we plan accordingly, I know Shaw from WW2, he removes obstacles without finesse. If he discovers we are recruiting the chances are he will attack to remove the problem." Max said without much emotion, David was glad to overhear this, he was always concerned Max would let his past influence his future in a negative manner.
Hank who had been setting up Cerebro added, "So a trap then? Would it not be best to set that up before we do this then?"
Charles lifted the rather large helmet off his head and nodded in agreement, "Let's do that, shall we?"
As they headed down the stairs Max leaned in close to Raven and asked, "Can you not sense Meta's? Being a Goddess linked to us and all?"
Raven who was right behind Hank smirked and answered, "Uh-huh, but this is so much more fun."
Max lightly shook his head and chuckled.
Inside they had decided on a defensive plan, although Kal and Max thought it was stupid they kept it to themselves. Raven had been benched by Charles due to her limited combat experience and the limited use her power had in actual combat, in Charles's opinion.
Kal thought Raven was going to reach over and show Charles her "Limited combat experience".
It was agreed in the end Raven would be with Charles and provide long-range support if there was an attack, this would be after she escorted any new members they found to safety.
Max lay many small (1cm diameter) metal balls around the complex while still keeping a lot on himself while Kal helped some of David's agents into the building at super speed.
Feeling they at least had some idea on what to do if Shaw came, they went to sleep for the night as the next day they started recruitment.
Within the dreams of Raven, Max, and Kal they all sat around a table with David, who was looking at Raven and sniggering.
"I swear David, keep laughing and I will tell your wife we slept together!" Raven said without a look of humor on her face.
David coughed, "She can read my mind, it would not work. Anyway, you might have a problem. Whoever is pretending to be Shaw is not a Meta with an active X gene. This has reduced the possibilities a lot but also means the threat level has gone up a lot.
Either they can shapeshift or are using an illusion, so I have equipped all the men with laser sights and optics. That should help if we are dealing with a spell caster.
Selene finished your upgrades Kal so there should be a suit waiting for you when you wake. Raven unless you are planning on revealing yourself Kal is the best bet to face the Shaw imposter. Max, you are much better suited to taking out Azazel and Emma. With your mental shield, she cannot control you, crush her and ensure you remain in contact with Azazel through your metal chains or get Hank to jump in. Anything touching Azazel moves with him. When you get back, we need to see about teaching you some magic as well."
David looked to Raven as his tone became softer, "Are you okay with this? I can swap you out if you need it."
Raven smiled softly and shook her head, "Thank you, but no. He slept with me, that is all. Selfish as it might sound Kurt is mine, and mine alone. I waited too long to have my child so I will not share. That man was just another lover, nothing more."
David was not sure he agreed with Raven's view, but as long as she was fine facing Azazel that was all that mattered, although he did not miss the slight expectant look on her face. David had to wonder if he was missing something.
"Very well, if you need me, I will be watching. Good luck." With David's last words they all returned to their dreams for the night.
David shook his head, he was currently ensuring that "Friends of Humanity" and the "Purifiers" never made it into existence, it just seemed the more cockroaches he crushed, the more pop up. He was starting to wonder if it was better to just take control of these people, but then there is the damage their followers caused.
In 1963 it was actually referred to as the "Summer of Hate", many Meta��s died horribly, this was also why David seriously doubted Kennedy was a Meta. He created Project: WideAwake after the Cuban missile crisis and they were responsible for the death and experimentation of many Meta's.
This was one reason David was not going to allow it to end with Meta's showing off their powers to both nations. He wanted it to end at the complex.
"Nat, order Kennedys assassination. Make it the same date as the original" David now understood why Raven had executed Kennedy in the original timeline, he might be a Meta, but he was an idiot. What did he think was going to happen when the Meta detector his project helped create detected him?
"I will do it; the Black Widow will make more of a name that way." A soft voice came from his shadow.
"Okay, take Jessica, oh give her the new spider serum, and ensure someone else is blamed publicly. Or SHIELD will have no justification to hire you."
***
The next day Charles and Max began recruitment, over the span of a week they managed to gather Angel Salvadore, Armando Munoz, Alex Summers, and Sean Cassidy.
Kal was grinning as Max, "I am so telling her you went to a strip club and came home with a woman. "
"Don't you dare, she already worries I will find someone else. We are getting married soon, I do not need that kind of mood." Max was half demanding half begging Kal not to reveal details of their recruitment to his fiancé.
"Both of you focus, they should attack tonight, and Kal do not think I have not seen the way you stare at Foxy's tails. Boys are boys, be nice to Max." Raven said as she walked into the room while ensuring she could draw any of her weapons she wanted from her "wardrobe".