"Alright, but I hope you make up your mind soon. According to our intelligence, S.H.I.E.L.D. will likely launch an attack on us after Christmas. If you wait until then to decide, it'll be too late."
Hearing Hawking's answer, Magneto paused and did not press too hard.
He knew Hawking was not easily influenced and had a mind of his own. Pushing too hard would only arouse suspicion.
"There's still a week until Christmas. I'll give you my answer in three days."
Hawking thought for a moment before replying.
He could not simply take Magneto's word for it. Three days was enough time for him to make a trip to S.H.I.E.L.D. and uncover the truth.
If things were really as Magneto said, he would not wipe out S.H.I.E.L.D., but he would certainly teach them a harsh lesson and make them behave for a while.
If not, then Magneto was definitely trying to stir things up, and he would need to suppress him as well.
Either way, whether it was S.H.I.E.L.D. or Magneto, he could not destroy them lightly. Maintaining the current situation was best, giving him time to continue growing stronger.
"Alright. I'll come find you again in three days!"
Magneto nodded and left the café with Mystique. It would be best if Hawking agreed to cooperate, but if he did not, Magneto had other plans.
"They're both such troublesome people. Wouldn't it be nice to just live peacefully? Why do they insist on causing trouble?"
After Magneto left, Hawking shook his head and returned home as well.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had developed drugs and weapons specifically for mutants, which meant Hydra had access to them too.
And if Hydra, with its complicated makeup, had obtained them, many other factions might obtain them as well.
The situation for mutants would become even more