Enemy and Weakness Share the Same Origin: The Scheme's Activities

Chapter 84 Enemy and Weakness Share the Same Origin: The Scheme's Activities

Shelter farm.

To fulfill the teaching assignments given to the professors, McCart specially converted a conference room into a temporary classroom.

Even the desks and blackboards were custom-made for Charles so that he could teach while sitting in his wheelchair.

In addition to common subjects such as mathematics, science, and social studies, the curriculum also includes a new course on X gene research.

After all, everyone here is a mutant. Having a better understanding of the X gene will make it easier for them to learn and control their abilities.

At this moment, the classroom was full of students, ranging in age from six or seven to twelve or thirteen. These children were either escaped from the laboratory or had their mutant abilities discovered and were being chased by the disciplinary team. They basically hadn't studied properly in the classroom. Now that they could step into the classroom again, they all seemed particularly serious.

On the platform, Charles sat in a wheelchair, wrote a large X on the blackboard, then turned his wheelchair to face the students, "Hello students, today's lesson is about the origin of the X gene."

"I believe everyone is familiar with the X-gene. All of you here are mutants, and you have been dealing with the X-gene ever since your abilities were awakened."

Charles looked at the students and slowly began to speak. As he spoke, he flipped through the lesson plan he had prepared in advance. After thinking for a moment, he continued, "However, you may not know that the X gene is not actually exclusive to mutants. Every one of us, whether mutant or ordinary, has the X gene in our bodies, but most of the time these genes are in a recessive state."

"Some people have a relatively active X gene, and when they reach a certain age, their abilities will awaken on their own, giving them mutant abilities and making them mutants."

"Some people do not have an active X gene, but due to external factors, such as emotions or major trauma, the X gene is accidentally activated, awakening their abilities and making them mutants."

"But in essence, we are all human beings. It's just that the X gene part of our genetic chain has been activated. There is no distinction between high and low, noble and base."

Charles spoke eloquently to the students, seemingly rediscovering the feeling of teaching them in his younger days.

"professor."

At that moment, Laura suddenly raised her hand, interrupting Charles's speech.

Charles wasn't annoyed by the interruption; he simply looked at her kindly, smiled, and nodded, saying, "Laura, you go ahead."

He really likes children who ask questions, because it shows they've at least listened and thought about it themselves, which is a good thing.

Laura asked curiously, "According to your theory, does that mean everyone has the potential to become a mutant?"

Charles nodded with satisfaction and said without hesitation, "Yes, theoretically everyone has the potential to become a mutant, but whether or not they can awaken their abilities depends mainly on the activity of their X gene. Some people's genes are very active, and they will show mutant abilities with the slightest stimulation, while others' genes are relatively inert and it is difficult for them to awaken. It all varies from person to person."

He paused, then added, "And the differences in the X gene are innate; we cannot easily change them, nor will they be affected by our will."

After listening, all the students nodded seriously, but only a few of them frowned.

Having escaped from the lab, Carl questioned resentfully, "Professor, according to your theory, we are basically the same as ordinary people, with only minor differences in the X gene. So why does the outside world suppress us so much? Many people don't even treat us like human beings?"

He had suffered too much in the laboratory and could not understand why ordinary people who considered themselves normal would have so much prejudice against mutants.

Upon hearing this, Charles sighed sadly and shook his head, saying, "This relates to the social sciences we'll be studying later, but we can talk about it now. Many people have prejudices against us, mainly because of their fear of the unknown. This is a normal human reaction when faced with a threat."

"And it's not that everyone hates us. Most people have been brainwashed by those in power. Those in power are afraid of our mutant abilities and worry that we will harm their current status and the stability of their regime. In order to eliminate these hidden dangers, they can only suppress us and the X gene in our bodies as much as possible. I hope everyone will not have so much malice towards ordinary people. They are just some ordinary and pitiful people who have been deceived by the government."

After listening to the professor's words, Carl nodded thoughtfully, then asked with concern, "Will we mutants gradually disappear? It's said that with the advent of genetically modified foods, the number of X-gene awakened individuals has decreased dramatically."

"Won't."

Charles shook his head decisively. "Mutants won't disappear because the X gene won't be crushed by the pressure of genetically modified foods. It will gradually adapt to the pressure of genetically modified foods. Once it has fully adapted to the oppressive force in genetically modified foods, it will evolve along with this pressure and be reborn. As long as humans exist, mutants will not become extinct. After all, the X gene exists in the genetic chain that humans are born with, and humans cannot completely erase these genetic chains."

Charles always believed that the decline of mutants was only temporary. Even if his generation of mutants were to die out completely, even if all mutants disappeared, new mutants would be reborn after a few decades.

As long as humans exist, mutants will not truly disappear; it's just that the X gene needs a period of adaptation.

Then another child raised his hand and asked, "Professor, according to you, mutants are actually humans, and humans are actually mutants. We are not that different. Strictly speaking, we are just a community with some minor changes in our genetic chain?"

Looking into the child's innocent eyes, Charles suddenly fell silent, unsure how to respond.

He really wanted to nod. In his view, humans and mutants were the same species, with no real difference.

However, the current animosity towards mutants among humans makes it impossible for him to agree to this.

He didn't want these mutant children to be hostile to humans, but he also didn't want them to naively believe that humans were their friends.

People are diverse. They all have some fear of those who are stronger than themselves, and may even be afraid to approach them.

As more and more people developed this fear, it gradually turned into discrimination.

These are all normal psychological traits inherent in humans, and they are not so easily changed. Unless one day we can completely eliminate the strange looks that ordinary people have towards mutants, and accept these fellow human beings who are not quite the same as themselves from the bottom of their hearts, mutants and ordinary people will have the opportunity to coexist peacefully.

But on that day, at least for Charles, there was no hope whatsoever.

They need a mutant leader who can break down all discrimination and allow humanity to face the existence of mutants instead of the fear and stigma they face today.

He wanted to be Logan, and could only be Logan, but the current Logan still needed a long time to grow...

"Professor, Logan and the others are back!"

Just then, Caliban rushed into the classroom, interrupting Charles and the children's thoughts.

Upon hearing Caliban's words, Charles was taken aback at first, then excitedly exclaimed, "Quick, push me over there to see!"

After saying that, he seemed to remember something and turned to the group, saying, "Sorry, kids, I have something urgent to take care of right now. You can study on your own first. If I'm not back by the end of get out of class, you can leave on your own."

After saying that, he looked at Karl and said, "Karl, you need to pay attention to classroom discipline."

Carl nodded. They had come to the shelter together from the settlement, and Carl had known Charles for longer and was more familiar with him. Charles had Carl help him with things in the classroom.

After saying that, the professor had Caliban hurriedly push him out the door, asking worriedly, "Are they alright?"

"I don't know either. I saw them riding back on their motorcycles, but I didn't have time to ask them before I came to tell you."

Caliban, looking anxious, pushed Charles out the door.

As soon as they stepped outside, they saw a motorcycle parked not far away.

Logan and Victor got out of the car with a girl.

Seeing that they had no obvious injuries, Charles and Caliban finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

After more than a decade of getting along, they have long since become like family to each other.

Meanwhile, Lorna and Sonia, who were busy elsewhere, also ran over after learning from the guards at the gate that Logan had returned. The two of them circled around Logan and Victor.

Lorna couldn't help but ask, "Are you alright? How did you suddenly get into a conflict with the police?"

"yes."

Sonia looked worried: "They scared us to death."

"Something went wrong."

Logan sighed helplessly and gave a brief account of what had happened.

"After escaping the pursuit, Victor and I were left without a means of transportation. The pickup truck was destroyed by the people from S.H.I.E.L.D. But fortunately, we didn't go far before we found a vendor selling used motorcycles on the side of the road. We bought a motorcycle and came back."

As Logan finished speaking, a heavy voice suddenly rang out, "You've clashed with S.H.I.E.L.D.?!"

McCa walked over anxiously. He had originally come to greet Logan and the others, but he hadn't expected to hear this news that made him frown as soon as he got close.

Logan didn't hide anything and told the truth: "We had some conflict with them and I killed quite a few of them."

After all, this shelter was built by McCain, and Logan believed that this information should be truthfully explained to McCain.

Upon hearing these words, McCarthy's face instantly darkened. "Logan, you've been too reckless!"

He spoke in a calm voice, his gaze icy as he looked at Logan, his fists clenched as if he were trying his best to suppress the anger within him.

Logan remained silent.

He understood McCain's feelings. After all, not many people in the world wanted to mess with S.H.I.E.L.D., and once S.H.I.E.L.D. locked onto this place, the sanctuary would be destroyed in an instant.

As the founder of the shelter, he absolutely did not want to see this happen.

After thinking for a moment, Logan finally spoke, "I don't want to get into a conflict with them either, but at that point, there was no other way. And don't worry, we checked carefully before we came back and didn't leave any clues. They won't find this place."

After hearing Logan's words, McCa breathed a slight sigh of relief, but his expression remained cold as he said in a deep voice, "Let's talk in my office."

After saying that, he led everyone to his office.

Besides them, McCain also notified John, Marcus, Klaus, and others.

With the professor, Clarice, and Logan, McCain's office was almost full.

McCa sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on Logan and Victor. He was already starting to regret letting these two dangerous guys participate in the purchasing mission.

Logan didn't speak, but he noticed that the entire office fell into absolute silence amidst McCain's anger.

It seems that the people in the shelter are absolutely obedient to McCa.

After a moment, McCain broke the silence, asking, "Does S.H.I.E.L.D. know anything about the situation at Sanctuary?"

Logan pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "They probably don't know, otherwise they wouldn't have attacked me so easily. Instead, they would have followed me to find the exact location of the shelter before taking action."

McCain breathed a slight sigh of relief, then immediately exclaimed angrily, "Damn it, what are S.H.I.E.L.D. doing here? This is Canada, not America!"

Although S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel travel all over the world to carry out missions, their main area of ​​operation is within the United States, and they have very few personnel outside the country. So how did they end up running into Logan and his team?

"It must have been about the prison incident a few days ago."

Lorna suddenly spoke up, "There was quite a commotion in the prison back then. Several of us used our mutant abilities. S.H.I.E.L.D. might be investigating that incident."

"I hope so," Maika sighed helplessly.

If it was just about the prison, that would be fine. It means that at least the shelter wasn't exposed, and they handled the prison incident well, leaving no loose ends. It's unlikely that they found the shelter's exact location so quickly.

After thinking for a moment, Maika looked up at Logan and Victor, still unable to suppress his anger.

After all, he wouldn't dare to confront S.H.I.E.L.D. head-on right now.

These two guys killed quite a few S.H.I.E.L.D. agents; they were incredibly reckless and dangerous!

But what's done is done, and he can't just kick them out now. He sighed helplessly and said wearily, "There's nothing we can do now. Let's pray we don't get discovered. Give the order to the patrols to be more careful and not make any big noise for the time being, so as not to be discovered by S.H.I.E.L.D. They shouldn't go out for a while."

"Yes."

John and Marcus, who were in charge of the inspection, nodded in agreement.

At this moment, Logan glanced at Clarice behind him, then pushed her out after glancing at her.

"This is Clarice, a space-type mutant. I hope the shelter can take him in."

Logan pushed Clarice in front of McCain.

"Space-based?"

McCarthy immediately became interested; the rarity of this department's variant abilities was almost on par with that of the professor's psychopathic abilities.

Clarice nodded, pondered for a moment, and then stared intently at a pen on McCartney's desk.

Suddenly, ripples appeared in the space, and two cracks slowly tore open, one in front of Clarice and the other on McCartney's pen.

Clarice reached into the crack in front of her, and her hand emerged from another crack, grabbing McCain's pen before pulling it back, and the crack disappeared.

She held the pen, glanced nervously at McCain, and then carefully returned it to him.

Although her mutation ability isn't very strong yet, she can still use it freely in short distances and small spaces of less than a meter.

Logan explained to McCain, "She escaped from a laboratory and has been hunted by the police ever since. She has nowhere to go and is hoping a shelter can take her in."

As he spoke, Clarice looked at McCain with a sincere expression.

After thinking for a moment, Logan spoke again: "According to Clarice, we should investigate the laboratory she escaped from. The people in the laboratory seem to be cooperating with the disciplinary team and have some unusual business dealings. I think we need this intelligence."

Everyone frowned. The fact that the lab was cooperating with the picket line meant that the mutants captured by the picket line were likely to be sent to that lab.

This matter had to be taken seriously, since some of their associates who had been arrested by the police might be imprisoned there.

After thinking for a moment, McCarthy looked at Clarice and nodded, saying, "The girl can stay, but as for the lab... let's talk about it later. If there's any more trouble now, it'll be too dangerous for the shelter."

Everyone nodded. This was the only way for them to proceed. They had to keep a low profile in the face of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s investigation.

"You guys go back first, Logan, you stay here, I have something I want to talk to you about."

McCa waved to everyone, and they all left the office. Logan looked at McCa with a puzzled expression, wondering what they were going to talk about.

McCa gestured for Logan to sit down, then looked him over with curiosity and asked in surprise, "Logan, how have you been lately? Is there anything bothering you?"

Logan was taken aback by this cryptic question and asked, puzzled, "Everything's fine, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Maika smiled. "Just saying hello."

After saying that, he opened his drawer and took out a small gift box containing a mechanical watch. Judging from the logo on the gift box, the watch was definitely expensive.

"I haven't had a chance to thank you for Lorna yet. If it weren't for you, we probably wouldn't have been able to rescue her."

As he spoke, he handed the gift box to Logan, "This is something I received when I was doing business before, a gift exchange with some business friends. It's just that this watch doesn't really suit me, so I've never worn it. But it's perfect for you, so I'm giving it to you as a thank you gift for saving Lorna."

Logan looked at the gift box and quickly waved his hand, saying, "This is all I should do, and it's not just my doing."

"But this watch suits you best."

McCa suddenly smiled. "Take it. It'll only rust if you leave it with me."

Logan hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and accepted the gift. "Thank you."

"Alright, that's settled. You can go now. I still need to look at some documents."

McCa smiled at Logan, then added, "Remember to go to class tomorrow. The shelter's school has been open for a few days, but training sessions have been delayed because you and Victor aren't here."

Logan nodded and left the office.

After the office door closed, McCa looked at the chair Logan had been sitting in, then suddenly got up and sat down. He gently touched the desk with his palm and picked up a shiny black hair.

Looking closely under the lamp, this hair color is completely unlike that of an elderly person.

He's more like a vibrant young man.

As McCa looked at the strand of hair and recalled Logan's increasingly youthful appearance, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)