One month later
"Mr. Stryker, I've already investigated for you. Besides the military, several official laboratories are conducting Mutants research."
"But they no longer obtain genes by hunting Mutants; as for the source, it hasn't been found yet."
Stryker, dressed in plain clothes, meets with a senior detective at a prestigious detective agency in New York.
This is a private detective agency specially set up by several former secret agents. They can investigate many things you want to know, since their detectives are more like agents without official backgrounds than detectives.
Since being relieved of his voluntary leave, Stryker has returned to New York, but he has never stopped keeping up with any news about Mutants.
Without government support, he had to rely on private means to gather information, but he always felt that something was wrong.
"So, besides the military, other people are allowed to research Mutants? Who are they primarily?"
Stryker's face twitched; he knew it wouldn't be that simple.
The detective didn't speak upon hearing this, but instead rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, making a gesture as if asking for money.
Just kidding, intelligence is life, and that comes at a different price, not included in the previous investigation agreement.
'These money-grubbing idiots!'
Stryker cursed inwardly, but ultimately pulled an envelope from his pocket and threw it on the table.
"There's $20,000 in here. I think that should be enough for a little bit of research, right?"
The detective shrugged, then picked up the envelope, weighed it in his hand briefly, and maintained his professional smile, "Of course, but I can only give you a general idea. We can't afford to mess with the people behind this."
The detective then named several large conglomerates and pointed to the bald eagle badge pinned to his chest.
Stryker was taken aback, then his face showed an expression of "I knew it."
This is precisely why, in America, besides these people, who else is qualified to conduct such unconventional research?
Having said all that needed to be said, the detective politely gestured for the guest to leave.
Stryker, naturally unable to say anything more, could only get up and leave.
Others also need to make a living in America; not everyone has a blood feud with Mutants like him and can throw everything away.
As he stood up, looking at the resolute officer, the detective offered a small piece of advice:
"Mr. Stryker, although I don't know what you're planning, it's best to act within your capabilities. Going against those people won't end well."
"If the next case involves the same thing, our detective agency will not take it."
Stryker didn't comment upon hearing this, and simply strode away from the detective agency.
Even if no one is willing to help, he will absolutely cling to everything concerning Mutants and will not let his guard down.
As soon as he appeared on the street, several burly men surrounded him, completely disregarding the fact that he was in bustling New York.
Stryker noticed all of this as well. Having served as a front-line officer for so many years, his military skills were naturally excellent, and he instantly drew his pistol from his waist.
But even faster than him were the attackers, one of whom raised his hand and delivered a hook punch to him.
Even though they were still dozens of meters apart, Stryker felt as if he had been struck by a galloping horse.
He instantly felt dizzy and collapsed backward uncontrollably.
Taking advantage of this moment, the other men surrounded him and ruthlessly pressed down on his joints, easily dislocating his limbs.
'That's joint lock from the military! These guys are professionals!'
Stryker only had time to think of this before he felt a chill on his neck, as if something was being injected into his body, and then he fainted.
In the distance, pedestrians and patrol officers were about to intervene, but after one of them produced a gleaming badge, they all said they had mistaken him for someone else.
There's nothing they can do; when the FBI is doing their job, they can only pretend they don't see it.
When Stryker woke up, he found himself tied to a metal platform, completely naked, with his limbs bound.
Only his head could be turned slightly. He tilted his head hard and found that there were identical metal platforms not far away, each with people tied to it.
Clearly, he wasn't the only one with the same bad luck.
'But what are these people doing? Why are there such professional people hunting me down? And that man, he's definitely Mutants!'
Stryker couldn't understand it. He had only been given a leave of absence and, in principle, was still a high-ranking United States. military officer. How could he have been arrested by his own people?
There's no other possibility that such a professional could appear on America soil except through America's own family.
Several possibilities flashed through his mind, but Stryker didn't succumb to self-destruction until they were confirmed.
Since the other party has already brought him here, regardless of their purpose, he can now learn some of the truth about the matter.
Soon, and not long after, a deep male voice rang out:
Good afternoon, everyone.
The metal platform beneath Stryker and the others swayed slightly, lifting them all into a semi-erect position so they could see the person speaking.
He wore a fitted black battle armor, with a dashing cloak draped over his back. His face was ruggedly handsome, as if carved by a knife and axe, and he wore a protective helmet.
Everyone present was involved in matters related to Mutants, and they recognized each other immediately.
Stryker gritted his teeth and said, " Magneto Erik! So it was you who orchestrated everything behind the scenes."
Magneto Erik has always been an extreme Mutants leader. He advocates for Mutants to unite and fight for their right to live in the hands of humans, and he is also the main target of hatred for most Mutants.
"Of course it's me. So what? You guys who persecuted our compatriots in the past, how does it feel to be prisoners now?"
Magneto hovered in mid-air. None of the people who had been captured and brought here were innocent, at least in his eyes as a Mutants.
These are all personnel from the America. military responsible for various Mutants -related matters; some are in charge, while others are directly involved in operations. They all share one common characteristic.
That is, they have a blood feud with Mutants.
The battle between the two different races has a long history, and a considerable amount of enmity has accumulated invisibly over time, which is unchangeable.
"Heh! You damned mutant scum, I have nothing to say about falling into your hands. Kill me or torture me as you please."
Stryker gritted his teeth and glared at Magneto. As an extremist on the human side, he had long been prepared for this day to come.
He who kills will be killed in return; this is an eternal truth.
Once he's been arrested, all he'll face is torture and, ultimately, death.