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*****
The bright moonlight fell like a gauzy veil, dyeing the entire world in silver.
On the wooden watchtower perched at the cliff's edge, Mike and Logan sat cross-legged, chatting quietly to pass the dull hours.
Tonight, the two of them were on night watch.
Two hours earlier, when the children had insisted on waiting for Mike before eating dinner, it had truly touched him.
These children were thoughtful and, most importantly, they knew gratitude and the value of sharing.
And so, in contrast, Mike felt even greater disgust toward Alkali's genetic modification facility.
"We should get out of here as soon as possible," Logan muttered, raising a bottle and taking a heavy swig. "Sticking around won't do us any good."
Mike smiled faintly. "You've already tried persuading them, but they have their own reasons, don't they?"
After dinner, Logan had suggested leaving quickly, but the children refused.
There were still two days before the end of their agreed rendezvous. They wanted to wait a little longer, hoping more companions might arrive.
"Little brats," Logan cursed under his breath, though a grin tugged at his lips.
Seeing them always reminded him of his old friends.
Mike glanced at Logan's expression and couldn't help but chuckle, taking a small sip of wine.
This man was nothing like the one he had been before.
That was a good thing.
…
The next morning.
When Logan awoke, Mike was already gone.
From behind the watchtower came the sound of noise and laughter. Rubbing his face, Logan looked over to see a group of children crowding around Mike like loyal followers escorting their leader, "guarding" him all the way to the dining table as he carried breakfast.
"That guy..." Logan muttered with a smile, shaking his head as he hurried down from the tower.
Just two meals, and Mike had become the most popular person here.
After breakfast, Logan wheeled Charles around the area for some fresh air, while Caliban hid away inside, avoiding the sunlight.
"Let's go!" Gwen called to Laura, waving for her to follow as she prepared to play nearby.
"Hold it."
Mike's voice stopped Gwen in her tracks. Smiling, he beckoned her over. "Come here, I have something for you."
"What is it?"
Hopping excitedly, Gwen ran over.
With a flick of his hand, Mike produced a thin workbook.
Gwen's smile instantly collapsed.
"What's this?"
"Face reality."
"Dad, that's just cruel!"
"Hmm?" Mike arched a brow. "Want to try again?"
Forcing a pitiful look, Gwen quickly changed her tune. "Dad, you're amazing!"
"Take it," Mike said, handing her the workbook. "We'll be here for quite a while. By the time you go back, you'll have forgotten everything if you don't keep practicing."
Gwen was about to protest, but the look in Mike's eyes made her shiver. Straightening up, she shouted, "Yes, sir!"
Clutching the workbook tightly, she sighed to Laura. "Go play on your own, I have homework to do."
Laura hesitated, glancing at the workbook in Gwen's arms. "Teach me."
"What?"
"Teach me homework," Laura repeated as she walked over.
Gwen's face lit up with delight. "Sure!"
At least now she wouldn't be bored.
Watching the two little ones leave happily, Mike sighed softly. "See? Learning really does bring joy."
Another orderly day passed, but still no new mutant children arrived. They decided to stay just one more day before leaving.
But the following morning, just as dawn broke and Mike was preparing to cook breakfast, he swept his gaze habitually over the area—then his eyes lit up, and a faint smile curved his lips.
Well, well. Those slow-moving enemies had finally arrived.
Mike observed the distant figures, counting their numbers and identifying his target.
When his gaze settled on a thin man in a suit, he murmured, "That must be this so-called Dr. Rice, isn't it?"
He had never seen the man before, but...
With a twitch of his ear, he caught their conversation, confirming his identity.
Mike's smile widened. "Finally."
This Dr. Rice could prove useful.
Scanning the enemies again, his eyes landed on Logan's clone. After a moment of thought, Mike slipped back into the house, woke Logan from his light sleep, and gestured for him to follow. The two stepped outside together.
Almost immediately, Laura's eyes snapped open. She pressed a hand over Gwen's mouth before the girl could speak, making two quick hand signs.
Gwen understood instantly. The two tiptoed to the door, pressing their ears against it.
"Logan, the enemy's here. Let's take them out. There's someone you'll be especially happy to see," Mike said with a sly grin.
Logan frowned slightly, but nodded.
The next instant, Mike gripped his shoulder. Logan's face changed drastically. "Wait—I can run on my own—ahhh!"
With a shout, the two shot into the sky, vanishing in an instant.
Seconds later, Gwen and Laura burst out of the room. Exchanging a quick glance, they dashed toward Logan's car with perfect understanding.
With a low growl, Gwen transformed in an instant.
"Hold on tight!"
The two climbed into the car. Gripping the wheel, Gwen infused the vehicle with her magic, sending it plunging off the cliffside.
That rotten dad—heading into a fight without her!
Meanwhile, Mike and Logan descended upon the enemy convoy from above.
Before Logan could even catch his breath, Mike plummeted straight down, landing in front of the lead SUV.
The mercenaries' eyes widened in shock as Mike caught the speeding vehicle with one hand, then flung it aside like a toy.
"Boom!"
With a deafening explosion, the car detonated midair.
The Alkali convoy skidded to a halt. Mercenaries spilled out, weapons raised, unleashing a hail of bullets.
Mike casually dug a finger into his ear and grinned. Two beams of heat vision sliced out in an instant.
Soldiers were cut clean in half. Vehicles split apart and exploded one after another.
Boom. Boom.
The battlefield erupted in chaos, mercenaries falling in droves.
Logan twitched at the corner of his mouth as he watched.
Did they even need him for this fight?
Mike stood calmly in place, mowing through the enemy with just a few beams.
"Don't look so disappointed," Mike said lightly, eyes narrowing with interest. "The real fun is only about to begin."
He focused on three specific vehicles within the convoy.
One carried Dr. Rice. The other two contained something far more dangerous.
One was Logan's clone.
The other... looked troublesome.
At the same time, Dr. Rice—who had been so confident moments earlier—stared wide-eyed, his body trembling.
"What are you waiting for? Attack! Release the weapons!" he bellowed.
At his command, the remaining mercenaries sprang into action.
(End of Chapter)