Kirk raised an eyebrow. "How do we prove it?"
"My reckless, inept daughter, Shadowcat Kitty, and eight others," Professor X said slowly, "were supposed to be the key to this time reversal. She was responsible for using her molecular manipulation ability to enter Logan's mind and send his consciousness back to America before this tragedy began—the America after President Kennedy's assassination. There, she would join forces with a younger version of me and Eric to stop Mystique Raven from assassinating Bolivar Trask. But when Shadowcat Kitty heard that a group of mutants had been spotted by the Sentinels while on their way to this final refuge, and were fighting for their lives in a valley, she went off on her own to save them."
Magneto sneered. "This is the downside of your liberal education! Charles, in my Brotherhood, there's only iron and blood, and absolute obedience to orders. I turn out an army, while you turn out a bunch of undisciplined liberal college students!"
Professor X smiled. "Eric, it seems we disagree not only about humanity, but also about education. Ha! Let's see how things turn out before we say more. What do you think?"
"You want us to rescue Shadowcat and the mutants?" Kirk asked gravely. "To prove our strength and sincerity?"
"Yes." Professor X slowly wheeled toward them. "As I understand it, you came here because you need Kitty's ability to return to Earth's past and save humanity, didn't you? Then rescuing her is a necessary part of your mission!"
Kirk nodded and pointed at Jimmy. "Fine! But I want him to come with us."
This was a hostage exchange.
Kirk also had to be wary of the mutants. What if Magneto and the other warmongers decided that anyone outside their own kind couldn't be trusted, and deliberately