Go or Stay

"Charles, what do we do next? Can we still go back to the CIA?"

Hank looked up at that moment and turned to Charles with the question.

Unlike the other mutants, Hank had originally been a CIA researcher. Even while working for the CIA, his identity as a mutant had never been exposed.

Naturally, he felt a different sense of belonging toward the CIA than the others did.

Moreover, the CIA could provide Hank with every research resource he needed, and he had truly enjoyed his old work.

"Hank, I'm sorry, but it's very likely that you can't go back. Neither can we."

After a brief hesitation, Charles chose to tell the truth.

This secret mutant base had actually been highly controversial within the CIA from the very beginning. Many executives had opposed it.

Now that something like this had happened, it was nearly impossible for the CIA to allocate resources to rebuild it.

Charles's cooperation with the CIA would likely end here as well.

From now on, they could only rely on themselves for everything they did. They would have nothing to do with the CIA anymore.

"Is that so?"

"Then what do we do from now on?"

Darwin, Banshee, Angel, Havok, and the other young people all looked lost and at a loss.

They had waited bitterly for Charles and the others for three days, all for an answer. They had never expected this to be the answer.

Charles and Erik could not help exchanging a glance.

That was right. The CIA had ruthlessly abandoned them, so what would happen to the mutants they had recruited?

"Raven, can you host everyone for me?"

After thinking it over, Charles spoke to Mystique, Raven.

Raven knew Charles must have something to discuss with Erik, so she did not ask any questions.

Following Charles's instructions, she took charge of the situation as the host.

Charles merely jerked his chin at Erik, then led him into his room.

"I plan to send everyone home."

After closing the door, Charles did not waste words and directly told Erik what he intended to do.

"No, Charles. We need to keep them. Do you remember why we recruited them? CIA or no CIA, I won't stop!"

"The reason I stayed in the first place wasn't because of the CIA. It was because of you, Charles!"

Erik voiced his opposition.

"They're just kids!"

"A bunch of kids couldn't have escaped from that situation!"

"All right, Erik, except Rorschach, but most of them..."

"Charles, Shaw has a team. We need one too! You know we do! Otherwise, no one can stop Shaw!" Erik cut Charles off decisively.

Charles fell silent.

He knew Erik was right.

Only mutants could deal with mutants.

The slaughter at the CIA base was a perfect example. Ordinary people were truly little more than lambs awaiting slaughter before mutants with all kinds of abilities.

And Charles and Erik alone were far from enough.

"All right, Erik. But we need to train them."

After some deep thought, Charles made that decision and said it heavily to Erik.

A flash of delight appeared on Erik's face.

"Everyone, including you!" Charles shot his old friend an irritated glare.

"Come on, Charles. Are you serious?"

Erik asked in an exaggerated tone. He was not one of those kids.

"What do you think?"

Charles left him with those words, ignored Erik, and strode out the door.

Erik shook his head helplessly and hurried after him.

"Okay, everyone!"

As soon as the two entered the hall, everyone's eyes turned toward them again. Charles announced the decision he and Erik had made.

"Although we will no longer have anything to do with the CIA, Erik and I still intend to build a team of our own!"

"You've all seen what kind of person Shaw is. We may be the only team capable of stopping him."

"Erik and me, along with all of you!"

"Of course, none of you are ready yet. Not even close. Erik and I aren't either, so anyone willing to stay will receive special training from me."

"Of course, if anyone wants to leave, I'll make arrangements immediately and send him home."

Charles's words echoed through the hall.

The mutants looked at one another, each having made a decision in their hearts.

"I don't want to go back to prison again," Havok immediately declared.

"I don't really have anywhere to go," Hank, the Beast, said with a shrug.

"Charles, after everything that's happened, do you think I can go back and peacefully drive my taxi?" Darwin spread his hands.

"I never had this many friends before, so..." Banshee also made it clear that he did not want to leave his friends.

"This is where I grew up. Where else could I go?" Raven said as if it were obvious. Then she glanced at Rorschach across from her. "Rorschach, what about you?"

Following Raven's words, everyone present instinctively turned their eyes toward Rorschach.

Without question, Rorschach was the most important among all of them.

Without question, whether Rorschach stayed or left was what concerned everyone most.

"Rorschach, you're an exceptionally talented person."

Erik personally tried to persuade him to stay. "If you leave, it will be a tremendous loss for us. I personally very much hope you'll stay."

"Erik, why make things so heavy? When did I ever say I was leaving?" Rorschach smiled.

Erik visibly relaxed.

Many people in the room could not help secretly breathing sighs of relief.

"I'm sorry."

Just as the atmosphere had brightened, Angel suddenly poured cold water over everyone. "Charles, I don't know Shaw, but Shaw nearly killed everyone in the entire base, yet he never laid a hand on any of us."

"But the people who ruthlessly mocked us were precisely those CIA agents."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do this."

"Angel..." Raven and Angel were the only two women, and they had a very good relationship. She immediately began trying to persuade Angel.

"Raven, I'm sorry, but I don't think I belong here." Angel stood up with a very firm attitude.

"Okay, Salvador."

Charles nodded. He did not say much about it. Everyone had their own choice. "Thank you for your company during this time. I'll take you home."

"Hey, girl!"

Erik's attitude was much less polite. "You know that if I see you on the battlefield, I won't show any mercy!"

"Erik!" Charles frowned slightly beside him.

"What? Charles, do you still think they're emotionally fragile children who can't bear cruel truths? I think it's time to change—for us, and for them!"

Erik argued forcefully.

But it had to be said that, to a certain extent, he did have a point.