"Mr. President,"
The CIA director wiped away his cold sweat and began somewhat hesitantly,
"But if we reject Vought's terms and they refuse to act, who will stop Shaw's plot to start a nuclear war?"
Bang!
The current President of the United States slammed the table, the flesh on his face shaking violently as he roared in fury:
"Are you telling me that the mighty United States of America, the world's greatest power, can't even deal with four genetically mutated freaks?! Superpowers? Mutants? No matter how strong they are, can they beat our planes and artillery?! Can they beat armor-piercing missiles?!"
The president's gaze was sinister, his tone unyielding as he said:
"As for that Vought International, go tell them this! Since their roots are planted on American soil, they must answer the nation's call unconditionally! A disobedient dog has no reason to exist! If they dare refuse to fight, seal off and raid Vought Tower immediately! And you, Mr. Director-if you can't even handle these freaks, get the hell out tomorrow!"
In the president's narrow understanding, mutants were ultimately just carbon-based life forms with two eyes and a mouth.
As long as they were human, bullets would make them bleed, and shells would kill them.
He had no idea that beings capable of ignoring all conventional human firepower had already emerged in this world!
The CIA director shrank back in fright, not daring to utter another word.
Shortly after the meeting ended, Moira learned about it through an encrypted line and relayed the suffocating outcome to Charles.
"I'm sorry, Charles. Congress unanimously rejected the broadcast proposal. And... the president issued an absolute order: Vought International must act against Shaw unconditionally, or the military will shut Vought down."
Moira's voice was filled with exhaustion and despair.
"What?!"
Charles's hand jerked.