Faced with a powerful mutant like Erik, who had killed Zero barehanded, and a companion who had taken out Sabretooth with ease, what else could Bradley do?
No matter how unwilling he was, what other choice did he have?
Besides, Sabretooth and Zero were dead. Stryker would never let this go, and Bradley was destined to become a fugitive as well.
From that perspective, being taken away by another mutant organization did not seem so bad.
At least Stryker would not find him so easily, right?
With that in mind, Bradley settled down and stopped causing trouble. He obediently followed Erik and Rorschach to the outside of their secret base.
At the entrance to the base.
Having received word in advance, Agent Moira was already waiting at the entrance with several CIA agents and Charles.
"Erik, is this the guy?"
After sizing Bradley up, Agent Moira could not help showing a suspicious expression.
Erik had said he had captured a Hellfire Club suspect, but this little guy did not look like one at all!
"He isn't."
Charles shook his head from the side and spoke with absolute certainty.
He had already read Bradley's memories and could confirm that Bradley was not one of Shaw's people.
"Charles, are you sure?"
Erik walked up to Charles unwillingly and pressed him, "Did you use your ability?"
"Sorry, Erik, but he really isn't." Charles shook his head.
Erik immediately looked deeply disappointed and, in frustration, kicked away a small stone by his foot.
He had pursued Shaw for so many years. The only time he had succeeded had been on that cruise ship nearly two months ago.
That time, he had ruthlessly attempted to assassinate Shaw. Not only had Shaw escaped, but Erik had nearly lost his life as well.
If Charles had not stepped in to stop him, Erik would certainly have drowned in the freezing seawater.
The most important reason Erik had agreed to remain with the CIA these past two months was that he could use the CIA's resources to investigate Shaw.
Yet after two months, they had found nothing.
Now, after finally capturing someone, they had turned out to have caught the wrong person.
How could Erik not feel dejected?
Moira could not help sighing as well.
Shaw was not only Erik and Charles's target; he was also the CIA's target. That was precisely what had led both sides to cooperate.
"I told you long ago, whatever you think I am, you're wrong." Bradley immediately defended himself. "You caught the wrong person!"
"Yes, we caught the wrong person."
Charles was someone who admitted his mistakes. He apologized to Bradley, "If my friends and I have caused you any trouble, I apologize."
"Save it." Bradley shrugged. He did not care about that. "I suppose I can't leave either, can I?"
Whatever kind of organization this was, an outsider who knew the location of its base naturally could not simply be allowed to leave.
Bradley had followed Stryker before. He was not that naive.
"It's not as simple as you think." Charles did not deny it. He glanced at Moira and Erik. "I think we may have run into some trouble."
"Let's talk inside!"
Agent Moira exchanged a look with Charles, and the group hurried into the base.
After Bradley was taken away and placed under strict guard, Moira, Charles, and Erik met in an office.
"Charles, what exactly is going on?"
Agent Moira immediately asked impatiently.
"Wait a moment."
Before Charles could speak, Erik spoke first and made a suggestion. "How about we call Rorschach in too?"
"Isn't that a little early?" Charles hesitated slightly.
He had intended to speak with Erik afterward about Rorschach's performance on this "field assignment" before deciding how much access to grant Rorschach.
"Charles, he's already involved! Once he's involved, there's no turning back. Besides, I think he's ready."
Erik spoke in an exceptionally certain tone.
Charles was slightly taken aback. He had not expected Erik to hold Rorschach in such high regard after only one mission.
But Charles trusted Erik deeply as well. He immediately shrugged. "If Moira doesn't mind."
Moira MacTaggert, a secret CIA agent.
While investigating Black King Shaw, she had discovered the incredible existence of mutants and sought out Charles, an expert in genetic inheritance, for answers.
That was how the two sides began their cooperation.
From then on, Agent Moira became one of the mutants' most trusted partners, as well as Charles's lover in his youth.
It was just that their relationship had been somewhat rocky.
"Rorschach? The young man who went out with Erik yesterday?" Moira could not help asking. "So he's the one you and Erik chose? Is he the only one?"
"For now, he's the only one, but I believe that's only temporary." Charles nodded.
"Okay." Moira pondered briefly before agreeing. "He was involved in this himself. Charles, call him in."
"Sorry, Moira, but my ability doesn't work on Rorschach, so I'll have to trouble you to send someone to bring him here."
Charles spoke somewhat helplessly.
"It doesn't work? Rorschach is a telepath too?" Moira was immediately surprised. "I thought he was a strength-type mutant."
"To be honest, I don't know either. He's completely different from every other telepath I've encountered." Charles shook his head.
Back on the ship, he had clashed with the White Queen from afar, and she had completely blocked his perception.
Charles could clearly sense the White Queen's telepathic ability, but as for Rorschach, he did not even know how his own ability had failed.
"What an interesting person."
Moira truly became curious about Rorschach. She immediately instructed a subordinate to bring him over.
Rorschach soon appeared before them.
"Rorschach, this is Agent Moira. I believe you've heard of her." Charles gave Rorschach a brief introduction.
Although this base belonged to the CIA, apart from some low-level agents stationed there, people like Moira rarely showed themselves.
"Agent Moira, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise!"
They exchanged brief greetings, then each took a seat.
"All right, now that everyone is here, let's officially begin."
Charles lightly tapped the tabletop, drawing everyone's attention.
Before you continue