Alvin and Charles's conversation was broadcast on television throughout the world.
Alvin had readily admitted what he had done, taking all the blame upon himself.
But as Alvin had said, everything was true—and he had acted on behalf of the Mutant Union.
Once a personal matter became an organizational one, it was a different story.
When a union president killed people on the union's behalf, the first thing to question was the organization's legitimacy, because he had killed them as a representative of the Mutant Union.
The fact that war criminals were all people from the defeated countries said a lot!
Only after the Mutant Union was toppled could anyone discuss Alvin's killings...
It was like how the United States wanted to sanction Saddam: first, it had to crush all of Iraq.
Until then, Old Saddam was still the president, still the leader...
Would mutants like Charles be willing to topple the Mutant Union?
Of course not!
Most of them wished that tomorrow their own states would pass legislation, so they could live peaceful lives like the mutants here in New York.
Charles looked at Alvin onstage. Decades of ingrained habits made it difficult for him to accept Alvin's logic and agree that the dead mutants "weren't innocent."
But the importance of the Mutant Union had become a weight on the scales...
Raymond's media strategy over the past day had basically succeeded...
It had made people sympathize with mutants, and convinced mutants of the union's importance.
Charles looked at Alvin, torn by his inner conflict, and asked in a pained voice, "Why?
Things never had to go this far...
They couldn't have hurt you!
How much more mutant blood must be spilled before you realize how helpless I am?"
Alvin looked at the grieving Charles, a clear-headed and kind-hearted fellow.