Volume 9: Fate of Destiny Chapter 7 If the differences have disappeared, enemies can also become friends, right?
It was nine o'clock that night, fifteen minutes before Operation Cradle was to begin.
In a huge area under the New Osborn Tower, the seven teams of K-Men, totaling 110 people, have all arrived. These are the "elite" carefully selected by Psylocke and Storm.
The reason for putting it in double quotes is because they are not truly elite.
Because their serial numbers are too late, the release of their mutant abilities is very poor, but they are the most determined of all the "converted" recruits, and have fought in all conflicts since the formation of the K-Men.
With sophisticated combat skills and clear goals, plus the addition of various sophisticated weapons provided by the Mason Manufacturing Group, they have combat capabilities that are no weaker than those of ordinary X-Men.
What's even better is that because of the paramilitary strategies and style that the K-Men have always adhered to since their establishment, these warriors no longer have the bad habits of the X-Men who are free and easy.
Just from the fact that they were standing in line in complete silence, one could tell that they all had great potential.
Strength is not really important to mutants, because of the existence of the magical X gene, they often have an explosive strength curve.
Willpower plays a dominant role in this. In Mason's words, mutants, like Superman, are a very idealistic group of people, and the gap between their upper and lower limits is so great that it can make men silent and women cry.
And most importantly, once Operation Cradle is successfully carried out tonight, not only will the genetic obedience program of the clones be lifted, but their deliberately "weakened" state will also be lifted. At that time, this group of K-Men with insufficient superpowers will be transformed into the most destructive war pioneers under Mason.
Commander Psylocke was currently confirming the action plan with the captains of the seven teams for the final time.
Tonight they were going to capture an entire Weapon X project base. Although there were other companions, a team of 110 people seemed a little thin for such a tactical goal.
But neither Psylocke nor the other captains intend to recruit more weaker clones to join the operation. They believe that this is a real test for the K-Men, a decisive moment to determine whether the K-Men can break out of their cocoons and become an important pillar of Lord Mason's grand plan.
Everyone who can come here is ready to sacrifice and regards it as an honor.
"I feel like even if you asked them to strap explosives on themselves and die with the enemy, they wouldn't hesitate at all."
At the edge of this place, a group of people stared at the clones in front of them and complained to Mason beside them:
"How on earth did you do it? In all my years in Utopia, I have never seen such fanatical mutants. Even the Brotherhood under Magneto, which is known for its unity and madness, can't do this.
Have you brainwashed them?"
"If you call devoting oneself to a great belief and setting the ideal of saving one's compatriots brainwashing."
Mason replied casually, leaving Daqun and the fairy Hope who was helping him speechless.
The captain is now busy helping Emma adjust the final preset program of the brain wave enhancer. Engineer Mason's craftsmanship is beyond doubt. The original full-covering round helmet has been transformed into a very artistic crystal helmet. Not only has the heavy helmet covering the eyes been removed, but the eye protection part has also been adjusted to a translucent pink high-strength material.
This means that when Emma puts it on, she not only does not have the "ascetic" and low-key temperament of the Supreme Professor, but also highlights a more charming and enchanting style.
The White Queen herself was also very satisfied with the transformation of the helmet, especially the message Mason left on the helmet to the best mother in the world, which made her feel warm in her heart.
Of course, this gift would have been perfect if she had not completely lost the feeling of her legs due to the pressure of her mental power being raised to the limit.
“I hate wheelchairs!”
The commander-in-chief's mother complained:
"No matter how luxurious you make it, or how much it suits my aesthetic taste, it won't change my dislike for it. I thought Professor X sitting in a wheelchair was really stupid...
I must look stupid now, right?"
"No, very handsome."
Mason said back, but Emma didn't believe it.
She felt that she had been tricked by her bad son, but there was no way to get off the pirate ship easily. The brain wave enhancer had a lasting effect on the body. Even if she took it off now, Emma would have to spend some time in a wheelchair to recover.
However, even though he hated this feeling, the extreme strengthening and amplification of his mental power was real.
Lying in a suspended wheelchair decorated with gems, Emma can easily bring the emotional perception of all life in the new world into her mind with just a thought.
"There is something in the Forbidden Forest..."
Emma, who was traveling in the sea of stars, said to Mason:
"I knew there was something wrong with that forest! Whenever I went there for a walk before, I always felt like someone was watching me."
"That forest is alive. After Ivy brought its seeds from the destroyed world and transplanted them here, it is recovering."
As Mason fine-tuned the program, he explained:
"It's harmless, at least for now, so don't worry about it."
"But there seem to be some wonderful changes happening inside. The Pegasus lost are being changed by the forest. They may become unicorns in the future..."
Emma says:
"Also, the missing Amazons have been found. They were sucked into a twisted but resource-rich folded space near the North Pole.
Those muscular women were very happy about this. They were deliberately avoiding the search team sent by Norman and didn't want to be found by you.
They believe this is a gift from heaven and plan to rebuild their paradise island in that deep space. After welcoming back their queen, they will return to their previous independent state.
"Let them be. Their long service in the K Corps has earned them the right to freely choose their future."
Mason didn't care about that. He asked:
"Is the procedure running smoothly? To carry out Operation Cradle, your control of the EEG amplifier must reach level 3."
"Tsk, I've already reached level 5 and am in the process of breaking through to level 6."
The White Queen said proudly:
"Can you please have some confidence in your poor mother? Throughout the entire mutant world, I have never been afraid of anyone except Professor X in the battle of psychic power.
But these mental skills taught by the Supreme are very interesting. I never realized that this kind of power can be used in this way. Oh my, I have learned something."
"Then you can continue playing."
Mason felt relieved when he heard Emma say that. He stood up from the hover wheelchair, checked the time on his watch, and then looked at the passage behind him.
As he watched, the last few "companions" arrived here almost on time.
Leading the group was his lieutenant Magneto, who had only one arm left. Behind him were the expressionless Storm and Iceman, as well as Mystique, who was very afraid of Mason.
These are the high-ranking commanders of the first order of conquerors. They are called "generals" and are definitely high-level enemy forces.
"Have you read the plan I sent you?"
Mason lit a cigarette in the dark, a purple flame flashed in his palm. He asked casually, and the four people in front of him remained silent.
A few seconds later, Magneto, Mason's lieutenant who had worked with him in the Isu world before, spoke up:
"I read it. Although I don't believe the truth about the backstabbing of Utopia described in your plan, I am still shocked."
"So? You guys wanna come with us?"
Mason said:
"Come with us to attack the secret clone base under the First Order, and assist us in completing Operation Cradle tonight. While regenerating the destroyed Utopia , the First Order will be freed from the predicament of being controlled forever."
"We do!"
Storm behind Magneto said in a deep voice:
"But it's not for the reasons you mentioned. Utopia...it deserves to be destroyed! We just want to see with our own eyes whether the so-called Cradle Project is true.
After all, everything you said is too unbelievable."
"What if it is indeed true?"
Mason asked again:
"What if everything turns out to be just Professor Prime and his X-Royal Family doing their best to preserve the existence of mutants? The backstabbing and betrayal you believed in did not exist. Even if it weren't for your counterattack under Doom's sinister guidance, perhaps Madeline's fate would have changed that night."
"Let's wait until it's proven."
The one-armed Magneto shook his head and said:
"I won't hide it from you. We are very confused right now and can't give you an answer."
"What he said is true."
Emma, who was beside Mason, used her enormous mental power to control the luxurious wheelchair and slowly floated up. In the flickering light driven by the antimatter engine inside the brainwave enhancer, she said:
“They actually believed it.
They just can't find a reason to convince themselves to accept the truth. If all this is true, then their persistent confrontation over the past decade or so is meaningless.
Even their existence itself has become a disguise to cover up the truth.
Ha, just like a book that I can read at any time, I can easily find the answer to any difficult question. I finally understand Professor X's true perception of the world.
In addition, Mason, there is a group of people who are not on the action list approaching.
They are also going to join the action tonight, and you probably won’t be able to persuade them.”
As soon as the White Queen finished speaking, the elevator leading to the underground area opened beside Mason, and a group of Utopia's remnants, led by Prime Cyclops, walked out.
Including the group of Supreme Primarchs who broke out to seek Mason's help, as well as little Mystique and her tall brother Colossus, the latter with tiny arcs of lightning wrapped around his body.
That was the energy enhancement effect when Mason used the Thunder Forge Hammer to repair the metal injuries when he gave him "first aid" .
Looks pretty cool.
Even though Cyclops Prime, Mysterio and Colossus have all lost the blessing of the Phoenix Force, they are powerful X-Men in themselves, and they naturally have an aura that cannot be concealed when they appear.
When they walked out of the elevator, they saw the one-armed Magneto, two Omega generals and a high-ranking commander. Although there was no verbal communication, Mason still easily captured the tense confrontation between the two sides.
There is a deep blood feud between the two.
Not to mention that it happened just after the destruction of Utopia, so not fighting as soon as they met was already giving Mason face.
"You haven't recovered yet."
Mason looked at the people in the crowd who were still on crutches and wearing bandages. He shook his head and said:
"It would only cause more trouble if we go this way."
"But you can't let us miss the spectacle of the Cradle Project being executed and we have to make sure it gets done. It means a lot to us."
Cyclops Prime said in a serious tone.
This guy was blind in one eye, and the other eye was severely injured by Madeline. If it weren't for the miraculous healing of paramedic Mason, he would have almost become a disabled person.
However, Cyclops' rays only appear to be emitted from the eyes. This ability is not based on vision. As long as the eye structure is intact, he can still emit destructive laser beams even if he is blind.
The only thing is that the accuracy is probably going to be a little lacking. After all, a blind sharpshooter sounds incredible.
"Take us with you, Mason!"
The little secret guest also grabbed his phoenix-shaped soul sword and shouted:
"Sister Swordsman couldn't come, but she asked me to see the rebirth of mutant civilization tonight."
Mason saw their prayers. The captain thought for a moment, raised a finger, and said:
"Okay! But you have to agree to one request of mine. These are the guests I 'invited' here from the First Order, and you represent the original body of Utopia.
I want you to put aside your hatred and opposition towards each other before taking action.
I think this is the true meaning of the Cradle Project left by the professor. He told me that only when the utopia carrying hatred and darkness is destroyed can mutants truly usher in the dawn.
You must turn enemies into friends, or neither of you will be able to go! I will take my K-Men and complete this task independently."
"This is a hatred that has lasted for more than ten years..."
The crowd next to them couldn't help but say:
"It's impossible for your words to erase it. Only time can heal the scars caused by time."
"I'm not so naive as to think we can become friends just by seeing a handshake."
Mason said stubbornly:
“But if both sides don’t have the courage to take the first step, then even if the Cradle Project is really implemented, the utopia created will be nothing more than another stupid gathering place for racism.
I think this is not the future that the Supreme Professor and the members of the X Royal Family want to see."
"I do!"
Prime Cyclops took a step forward, held out his hand to the one-armed Magneto, and said:
"I hate you, and I won't hide it. You are the one who caused the destruction of Utopia, but I must admit that after reading the Cradle Project, I realized that we are not innocent in this matter.
I make no promise that the conflict between the two sides will be resolved as a result of tonight's actions.
But I can promise that from now on, I will try not to treat you as my enemies.
Utopia is gone, and the entity you hate has been destroyed by your own hands. I think that no matter how huge the resentment is, it is time to dissipate.
What about you?
What do you say?
"I am not the commander of the First Order."
Adjutant Magneto said coldly:
“I am not qualified to make such a decision for Lady Madeline. But from my personal perspective, if the Cradle Project is true, if everything Mason revealed is true, then this hatred is indeed meaningless.
I am willing to accept reconciliation.
But I want to make it clear in advance that this is just my personal decision and does not represent anyone else.”
"Madeleine is no longer your commander."
Emma, who was watching this scene, said softly:
"When she transformed into the Dark Phoenix, she was no longer a simple mutant or clone. She might have had some belief in the past, but belief alone could not help her get through the troubles she is facing now.
You should understand this, instead of following a creature that will cause horrific destruction."
“This is just our personal decision!”
The clone generals seemed not to have heard Emma's words at all. They stepped forward and shook hands with the Utopian mutant primarchs in front of them.
Everyone should make such a claim.
In fact, it is understandable that this is a conflict and feud caused by the bloody conflict between two ethnic groups. In the face of such pressure, personal will is no longer important.
But at least this difficult first step has been taken.
“I am glad to see you and the quarreling children shaking hands and announcing reconciliation under . I must admit that what just happened meant a lot to me.
Well, time is up."
Mason complained, then looked at his watch. When the countdown reached zero, he said to everyone in front of him:
"Pack your equipment and get ready to go! Operation Cradle has officially begun!"
