Official Response

"So, what did the X-Men want? Had I become an evil target that needed to be eliminated in their eyes? Was it because of the war in Iraq? We didn't start that war. Those mutant brains should be able to figure that out."

Facing the president's anger, Dick Cheney spoke up at the right moment. "That's right. Who wants war? Wasn't it all caused by those turban-wearing lunatics?"

Even Senator Robert Kelly followed that lead and cursed a few times.

William Stryker, however, was not in a position to make such a statement. He was merely a subordinate here to report the situation, and he also intended to make his own request.

He opened another file. Inside were photographs of a nineteenth-century manor-like building, along with images of children playing in an open area. William Stryker said:

"According to intelligence, this is the X-Men's base. With your permission, Mr. President, we can launch an operation, arrest that assassin, and learn what the mutants intend. At the very least, we need to find out where that criminal is."

Robert Kelly held several photographs that had captured children. "But this looks like a school."

"A school specifically for educating mutants. There are mutants inside who can walk through walls. Just imagine how bank vaults would be nothing to people like that—it's chilling. There are also those who can shoot fireballs, freeze people into ice..."

William Stryker listed example after example as if he were trying to frighten them. Finally, he slapped down another satellite photograph. "And they have this, too."

George Bush looked at the blurry black-and-white satellite photograph, not quite understanding what he was supposed to see. "What is this?"

"A jet fighter that emerged from their basketball court. This is the most direct evidence of the X-Men's base. And the