Translator's Note:
First, I would like to sincerely apologize for not uploading the chapters as scheduled, and second, for not informing you all beforehand about the delay.
I understand that many of you look forward to regular updates, and I take full responsibility for failing to meet those expectations. I promise this will not happen again.
Moving forward, even if I cannot upload for a day, I will make sure to inform you all about any delays in advance.
Thank you for your patience and continued support.
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Skynet Sentinel's single punch caused the force field to shake violently, making the mutants within tremble in fear. Apocalypse, maintaining the force field, even showed a rare change in his expression. Seeing this, Magneto immediately controlled his iron balls to strike.
Boom!
The iron balls sent the Skynet Sentinel flying, but it was clear that no substantial damage had been dealt. The Skynet Sentinel stumbled to its feet, its body surface rippling like liquid mercury. However, the next second, the undulating liquid metal repaired its form. Instantly, everyone realized this Sentinel was different.
Magneto, concentrating fully, continuously bombarded it with iron balls. At the same time, Apocalypse raised a dust storm to assist. Everyone watched as the Skynet Sentinel, initially a bit sluggish, couldn't skillfully dodge the iron ball attacks. Moments later, the Skynet Sentinel's arms transformed into twin blades, covered in a searing, reddish-hot glow. A crimson blade sliced through an iron ball, cutting it in half.
Someone exclaimed, "Is it evolving?"
"Not evolving. It's probably building a data model and forming a counter-mechanism." Of course, there were relevant experts present who offered explanations that weren't entirely correct, only guessing part of the truth.
In the safe room, Trask provided an explanation. He told the five chiefs, "Skynet has analysis and learning capabilities. Don't think it's at a disadvantage now. It's just collecting enemy data." Moreover, many of the Sixth Generation Sentinel's functions had not yet been tested. For now, Trask dared not boast, fearing embarrassment if things went wrong.
"Doctor, you are truly impressive, the future of humanity!"
"Indeed, without the Doctor, it would be a loss for all humanity."
"I suggest that after this is over, we arrange to award the Doctor the highest honor in his field to recognize his contributions."
Listening to the shameless flattery of the five chiefs, Trask couldn't help but smile, ignoring their previous panicked curses. He didn't take their flattery to heart. His achievements needed no external validation.
On the battlefield, Magneto exhausted all his efforts but couldn't inflict any damage on the Skynet Sentinel. Simple bombardment was ineffective, and attempts to encase it in metal failed. The Skynet Sentinel transformed into a searing hot blade, cutting its way out from the inside. Or it would change into chains to bind its limbs, but the Skynet Sentinel was like water, able to change size and shape and even separate and reattach itself.
Skynet: Data collection complete.
Skynet: Magnetic model construction complete.
Suddenly, the Skynet Sentinel raised its hand, and an iron ball flying towards it stopped mid-air.
"What?!" This sight left the mutants stunned. A robot controlling magnetism? It was an utterly unbelievable feat. They could understand how changing surface textures or mimicking elements could be achieved through various means, but replicating magnetism, which was invisible and intangible, was simply outrageous.
"There it is!" Trask exclaimed, excited. "The advanced version of replication and mimicry! It can construct 90% of ability models! It actually achieved a magnetic model!"
"Doctor, can Professor X's abilities be replicated?"
Instantly, Trask's face fell. "According to my research, all psychic abilities require a soul as their foundation."
The chief who asked the question gave an awkward smile, wisely refraining from further questions. You want an AI to have a soul? Are you really playing God? Besides, Trask couldn't help but see through their intentions: they wanted to control the main AI with psychic powers and, by extension, the entire country.
"What do we do?" Magneto anxiously asked Alan. His signature ability had just been mimicked by a robot, and he was filled with rage.
"Old Magneto, don't you think it's a bit presumptuous to ask a madman?" Alan remained calm. He was max-level and could leave at any time. If the situation escalated into a world-ending disaster, various bizarre forces would emerge to clean up the mess.
"Don't waste time. Think of something!" Charles interjected.
"Fine. You leave me no choice." Alan pulled down his hood, struck a pose with his hands on his hips, and declared, "Captain Hydra is officially online!"
Hiss!
Many people clenched their fists, wanting to punch him. What is he doing now?
Alan commanded, "Nightcrawler! Magik!"
The two looked at him confused, unsure what new mischief he was brewing.
"Please respond, 'received!'"
"Received!"
If not for Alan's knack for generating bizarre ideas, they wouldn't bother playing along.
Alan stated solemnly, "You two will each lead a team of close-combat mutants. Teleport into the enemy's main base. Destroy their interference devices and capture the mastermind."... "Understood!"
Upon hearing this order, everyone came to their senses. The data processing center was now vulnerable, perfect for apprehending the target.
"The rest of the ranged units, show what you're truly capable of! Find the enemy's weaknesses and strive for total annihilation!" Everyone nodded in agreement. There was no better option now. They had to constantly probe and test the Skynet Sentinel for weaknesses.
As the force field lifted, Nightcrawler and Magik each teleported away with a team, while the rest scattered. Apocalypse focused his power, contracting the sand and gathering it around the Skynet Sentinel, instantly transforming it into high-density metal. Magneto controlled the metal, compressing it, attempting to crush the Sentinel within.
Storm ascended to mid-air, her eyes turning white. Instantly, the sky darkened with storm clouds and lightning. She was manipulating the weather, preparing a devastating lightning attack.
The metal prison lasted less than three seconds, already showing signs of melting. This was the Sixth Generation Sentinel's unique ability: it could consume matter to grow and repair itself.
Ice and fire, from two directions. Iceman and Pyro seamlessly took turns attacking, hoping that extreme temperatures would destroy its operating mechanism. However, within seconds, the Skynet Sentinel's body exhibited both ice and fire abilities, even utilizing their counteracting properties.
BOOM!
A lightning bolt as thick as a barrel descended, precisely hitting the Skynet Sentinel. The dazzling, blinding lightning momentarily turned the world pure white. The lightning flashed, and the Skynet Sentinel stood scorched and blackened.
"Alex!" Cyclops shouted, calling for Havok. The two brothers seemed to be in perfect sync, launching their attacks simultaneously. Cyclops's eyes shot out crimson beams, and Havok's chest emitted a dark red energy wave. They were brothers, and while their energy projection points differed, the essence of their mutant abilities was the same.
In a thunderous impact, the Skynet Sentinel exploded.
Looking at the scattered debris of the Sentinel, was it over? Of course not.
The charred remains oozed mercury-like nanite liquid metal, rapidly gathering at one point. As the liquid metal moved, it consumed the remnants of other Sentinels, restoring its original mass. This time, the Skynet Sentinel's recovery speed was several times faster than before. Before they could launch a second attack, the enemy had already fully regenerated.
Skynet: Data collection complete.
Skynet: Optic blast model construction complete.
Skynet: Initiating priority hunt protocol.
The Skynet Sentinel's eyes glowed with a dark red aura, its energy surging, striking fear into everyone present. Its combined and amplified optic blast and energy wave abilities far exceeded the sum of their parts. Suddenly, two beams shot out, accompanied by concentric ripples.
Oh no!
It was Professor X. The attack was locked onto Charles. The Skynet Sentinel's head spun 180 degrees, targeting Professor X, who was observing the battle from the sidelines.
At that moment, Magneto diverted an iron ball to try and block it, and Apocalypse instinctively cast a force field around Charles. However, the iron ball was vaporized instantly, and the force field shattered like glass. Charles, the target, watched as his eyes filled with dark red light. Due to his psychic abilities, his consciousness operated at a frequency dozens of times higher than normal humans. Furthermore, he had stopped using the serum and had recently returned to his wheelchair, leaving him no time to react.
"Motherfer! Son of a b* Sentinel! Ahhh!"
In his dying moments, Charles's composure broke. The highly refined Professor, who rarely swore, couldn't help but curse. He was a telepath, his abilities useless against the Skynet Sentinel, yet he became the primary target. He hadn't said a word, offered a single piece of advice. He couldn't even understand why he was being targeted. He would have understood if they had gone after Alan first; after all, Alan was carrying a butcher knife and might have attempted a sneak attack.
Boom!
With a torrent of energy, Charles was instantly vaporized, along with his wheelchair. Perhaps they feared he would need a wheelchair to report to Death in the afterlife.
The reason why the Skynet Sentinel targeted Charles first was simple: Trask had set a kill priority during the initial attack on the school. Since it had failed then, Charles remained the number one target in its logs.
"NO!!!" Jean Grey screamed, her voice filled with grief and rage. Her expression was tortured, her eyes began to fill with an inky blackness, and her facial veins pulsed with golden light. The Phoenix Force coursed through her, her mind shattered by the blow, her weakened will unable to suppress the dark persona. Jean Grey had been taken in by Charles as a child, and their relationship was like that of father and daughter. She was utterly devastated.... As Jean Grey's eyes became completely black, dark flames surged from her back.
Skynet: Target data cannot be analyzed.
Skynet: Target energy exceeds threshold.
Skynet: Unable to establish effective plan against target.
The Dark Phoenix persona took over Jean's body. The formerly bright and cheerful student transformed into a cold, emotionless being. The Dark Phoenix walked towards the Skynet Sentinel. The Sentinel's system kept flashing warning messages. The optic blast, like a pillar of light, shot out again. But at a meter's distance, an invisible barrier stopped the attack. The Dark Phoenix paused, then raised a hand, counterattacking with black flames. The terrifying, overwhelming Phoenix Force devoured the optic blast. Upon touching the Skynet Sentinel's body, it quickly incinerated it into dust.
Skynet: Executing Plan 532.
Skynet: Transferring data.
[Chapter Complete]
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