"That's a strong grip you've got there. Is it related to your mutant power… to manipulate rocks?" Logan asked.
"I… don't know," Nathan replied, still marveling at what he had just done.
"What's your name?" Eric asked.
Logan shot him a look. He knew Eric well enough to suspect he was up to something,probably seeing potential in Nathan for his mutant Brotherhood.
"It's Nathan. Nathan Smith," Nathan replied, feeling a little uneasy under the sudden attention.
"Age?" Eric asked.
"Twenty."
"Did you know you could do that?" Eric continued.
"No. Until now, that is," Nathan answered.
Eric leaned forward slightly. "And what if I were to tell you that you can do more than manipulate just rocks?"
"Alright, leave the kid alone, Eric," Logan said firmly.
Eric raised a hand to stop him, a gesture telling Logan not to intervene. "Let's find out, shall we?"
Suddenly, the warped armrest bent and twisted, wrapping tightly around Nathan's arms.
"What the-!" Nathan exclaimed, bewildered.
Logan abruptly stood up. "That's enough, Eric!"
"Calm down. I do not intend to harm him," Eric said, his gaze fixed on Nathan.
Logan glanced at Nathan to gauge his reaction. From the front readings he could see on Nathan's face, there was sheer bewilderment, with a small hint of fear. Logan decided to stay back and watch, curious to see what Eric intended.
"Do it again," Eric urged.
Nathan struggled, but the restraints were too tight. He gritted his teeth as a groan of metal filled the room. Then, with an effort that made the air tense, Nathan tore the warped armrests from the seat entirely, ripping them off his arms one by one.
Nathan couldn't help but marvel again at his impressive feat. It seemed he didn't just have the ability to manipulate rocks,he was decently strong too.
He actually had two mutant abilities.
Of course, he couldn't compare to the real heavy hitters. It had taken real effort to break free from Eric's restraints. But with some training… maybe he could push his limits a little further.
It balanced things out, though. At least he wouldn't be a complete glass cannon once he got a proper handle on his rock powers—powers he was still limited to using for levitating and shooting pebbles.
"It seems like you haven't fully explored what you can do," Eric said, reclining back in his seat.
Logan slowly sat down as well.
"Yes. I've only recently gotten my powers," Nathan replied.
"You have a lot of potential. Use it wisely, and many doors will open for you," Eric said calmly.
"I'll keep it in mind," Nathan answered.
He then stood up and found another seat—one that actually had armrests—and sat down to take a nap. He was feeling drowsy. It had been a long day, and he needed time to process everything that had happened in just a matter of hours.
Not even five minutes later, he was lightly snoring.
Eric glanced in his direction before speaking again.
"They got to him, did they? Captured him and subjected him to all kinds of experiments like how they did to the others."
"It seems that way from how he spoke," Logan replied quietly. "And it'll only get worse if we fail to stop Raven."
"Stopping Raven will only prevent things from escalating further," Eric said with a dry chuckle. "But the truth is… they will never stop coming for our kind. And yet they call me an extremist for refusing to die quietly"
Some time later
Nathan was awakened by the violent jerking of the jet as it touched down. The sudden impact rattled the cabin.
He pulled the curtain aside and looked out the window. They were at an airport.
He had slept for four hours.
"Welcome to Paris, kid," Logan said.
---
30 Minutes Later — Hotel Royale, Paris
Today was a significant day in Paris. World leaders had gathered to discuss the official end of the Vietnam War.
Officials and dignitaries took their seats as preparations for negotiations began. The atmosphere was formal, controlled — almost celebratory.
Then the doors opened.
Trask hurried into the room, followed closely by Stryker. He had been granted a short window before the official talks began, and he intended to use every second of it.
"Good day, everyone — and thank you for coming. Congratulations on winning this war," Trask began briskly. "I know you all have hands to shake and pictures to take, so I won't waste time on pleasantries."
He paused, scanning the room.
"There is an enemy out there. An enemy that will render most of your arsenals useless. You will need a new weapon for this threat."
He stepped aside as a schematic appeared on screen.
"I call them Sentinels."
"Armed with weaponry capable of firing over two thousand rounds per minute. With aeronautic capabilities comparable to a carrier jet, though you can find those at Lockheed or Boeing."
"But what sets the Sentinel apart," Trask continued, "is its ability to target the mutant X-gene. A genetic guidance system that can lock onto a mark half a mile away. It will not activate unless it identifies the mutant gene within range."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handheld device.
"With this, there will be no innocent collateral. If I activate it now, the system will remain dormant unless...."
He stopped.
The device began to beep.
Slowly at first.
Then louder.
The entire room fell silent.
The beeping shifted from one direction to another, scanning.
Then it intensified sharply when Trask pointed it toward a seated official.
The man stiffened.
"This has to be a mistake," the official said nervously, rising from his seat.
"My machines don't make mistakes," Trask replied coldly. "What are you?"
Security immediately reached for their weapons.
Stryker didn't hesitate. He unholstered his sidearm and aimed directly at the man.
"No! Don't shoot!" Trask snapped.
Security moved in and grabbed the suspect, attempting to restrain and search him.
The man suddenly smiled.
Then his face shifted.
His features twisted and reformed.
Blue skin,red hair amd yellow eyes.It was none other than Mystique in disguise.
She punched one guard hard enough to knock him unconscious, then kicked the second in the face, sending him crashing backward before fully revealing her true form.
End of Chapter