More than ten minutes later.
Washington, White House, underground shelter.
The pungent smell of disinfectant mingled with the thick scent of dust in the air, making it so oppressive that people could barely breathe.
"Communications have finally been restored... Damn it, what was that just now? My head still feels like it was drilled through!" The chief of staff rubbed his temples, his palm trembling slightly.
"No doubt about it! It was those Mutants! They paralyzed the entire country!"
"Madmen! They're a pack of complete lunatics! We never should have harbored any illusions about them from the very beginning!"
"They have to pay for this!"
Roars, furious shouts, and the sound of cups being smashed rose one after another in the conference room.
Not long ago, that incomprehensible global electronic storm and the psychic assault that had swept nearly the entire country had made everyone at the nation's highest center of power experience unprecedented fear and helplessness.
Only now, after experiencing it firsthand, did they deeply understand that everything they possessed—including their own lives—had never truly been under their control!
"Quiet!!"
The president's low voice was not loud, yet it instantly suppressed all the clamor.
He unfastened the button at his collar, as if that would make it easier to breathe.
Then he swept his gaze across the faces filled with anger and fear before slowly speaking.
"You're all right. Mutants are a cancer, a sword hanging over our heads. Just like you, I have wished every moment for them to disappear from this world completely. Project ATHENA was created for that very purpose..."
At that point, the president paused, his tone growing heavy.
"We can indeed mobilize all our strength and go to war with them, but... don't forget, they have Charles Xavier..."
As the president slowly spoke that