Chapter 198 - 196 To Be Free And To Be Democratic.
Regan, the Iceman, took the lead in entering the Red Room -- where the brownish-red oak table, which had been the scene of a 'fierce battle,' had been cleaned up.
The pens, ink bottles, and landlines were back in place. ??
The documents that were scattered on the carpet were also neatly categorized and placed on the table.
The windows with excellent views were open, mainly for air circulation and dissipating the strong smell of hormones.
In short, unless you are a veteran player with a lot of experience and a keen sense of observation.
It was impossible to realize that there had been a brutal slaughter involving 'hundreds of millions of elite soldiers.'
"Sit down, please. Make yourself at home and try to relax."
Luke sat behind the oak square table with his hands on the table.
When speaking, his breath was steady, his tone light, and he didn't look like he had just finished any kind of 'workout.'
However, the White Queen's physique was slightly better than Malèna's.
In addition, the genetic enhancement of a mutant provided a bonus in endurance and flexibility.
But for Superman, at most, it was just at the level of a warm-up.
"The legendary war hero turned out to be so young."
Regan had a comparative mind, but after seeing the Lieutenant General Superman, it was like a pot of cold water splashed on his face, and the idea of defying the competition was instantly extinguished.
The other party looked taller and stronger than in the newspaper photos, and his cold temperament was unmistakable.
It gave people the strange feeling that this was a great man.
By contrast, Regan, who was obviously a few years older, looked younger and immature instead.
This was just the first meeting; he felt completely defeated.
In his heart, the tiny violin sounded again as if snowflakes were falling on his shoulders.
"They are the younger generation of the club and mutants with abilities around the Beta level."
The White Queen stood in front of the table and briefly introduced them.
Although Sebastian Shaw's racial theory is useless for the future development of mutants,
But he did one thing well.
It was to recruit club members according to their mutant ability level.
Beta-level mutants like Regan and Pyro belonged to the type with limited growth and slightly insufficient potential.
To become a 'chess piece' of the Hellfire Club, you need at least an Alpha level ability.
For example, the White Queen.
Speaking of which, the Alpha level mutants in the Hellfire Club were almost all in Luke's hands.
Azazel, Colossus, Riptide …
Either they were thrown in jail, beaten to death, or strung up like crayfish…
Few people survived.
This also resulted in the Hellfire Club, currently excluding the White Queen, having no decent, reliable combat power.
"Emma mentioned the club's situation and that you have been following Sebastian Shaw for a while and may have broken some … laws."
Luke gently tapped his fingers on the table, his sharp eyes scanning over.
The originally spacious reception room, which had over 20 people suddenly coming in, no doubt felt a bit crowded.
Iceman and Pyro were standing in front, surrounded by a group of young people no older than 27 or 28 years old.
Many of them were dressed in the rebellious style of this era's hippies, with exaggerated hairstyles, colorful hair colors, earrings, nose rings, leather clothes, tattoos, metal chains, and so on.
Dressed like this, not to mention being mutants, even a normal person walking outside would be discriminated against. People would fear and avoid them.
'Somewhat like a self-incurred burden. A collection of unorthodox people. It's techno-goth all over again! '
Luke's face was quiet. There was a trace of disgust in his eyes.
'How can you expect to be accepted by the outside world when you don't even do the basic PR image?'
"But, you don't have to worry. Emma specifically raised this issue during the Liberty Island meeting. After some serious discussions, S.H.I.E.L.D. decided to give up the right to pursue the matter as a goodwill gesture."
Glancing at the calm White Queen, Luke threw the credit to the other party.
The first thing he needed to do was to alleviate the people. Using authority and firmness indiscriminately wasn't recommended.
Sure enough, some of them showed ease and gratitude.
Even the Iceman subconsciously exhaled a sigh of relief; his tense shoulders couldn't help but relax.
There was a threshold for recruiting members to the Hellfire Club, and those who weren't even 'chess pieces' had to demonstrate their skills if they wanted to be recognized by Sebastian Shaw.
Regan once froze a small sea area, creating an opportunity for other compatriots to plunder a British cargo ship.
And Pyro was an arsonist who used fire alarms to burglarize homes.
Most members of the Hellfire Club have had similar criminal experiences.
They lacked support from their families and had no financial resources, so they had to rely on illegal ways to get money.
Even today's arrogant and cold White Queen had a dark history of working in casinos as a sexy dealer, dealing cards, and cheating gamblers with money.
"In addition, I hope that we can put down our guard and form an initial foundation of trust to facilitate more in-depth cooperation in the future."
Luke took out Constantine's signature skill; he couldn't help it. Constantine's ability to fool people was too good.
"To be honest, I have a certain degree of understanding about mutants.
The fact that you have been excluded, discriminated against, and even bullied, oppressed in the past is indeed irrefutable."
He paused for a moment, sweeping past the young faces, and continued, "But that's why it's important to fight for an equal and free voice actively."
"A better future, a happier life, a brighter future … should not depend on the charity of humankind. Because the power obtained in this way is nothing but a kind of political correctness, a kind of hidden discrimination."
The White Queen was convinced that her partnership with Luke was more than just greed for the other's body and skills.
They share similar views and opinions about the future of mutants and their plans.
Therefore, it didn't matter if there was no emotional foundation.
Their respective interests weren't in conflict, and they could complement each other well, which was the key.
Of course, the physical strength and skills that the Lieutenant General possessed also fell into the category of additional bonuses.
"Lieutenant General Cavill… about that… What do you think we should do to fight for our rights? Protest? A march? Or should we form a union, choose our representatives, and negotiate with the government?"
Pyro was the first to ask.
He himself was a sarcastic person, habitually causing embarrassment and annoyance to others.
"Changing your image should be the first step."
Luke replied flatly as if he was responding to a press interview.
"I can understand that young people like to use exaggerated clothes and shocking language to show that they're different from others."
"However, the ignorance of opposing the mainstream and doing something unconventional or unorthodox will only arouse public resentment, wouldn't help with the emergence of mutants on the world stage."
Pyro was stunned; he didn't think that the first thing he needed to do was comb his hair to look like an adult and put on a proper suit?
"This is … the trend! Lieutenant General! Suppose people have a bad opinion about me because of what I wear. In that case, I can only say that unfortunately, they aren't free enough, not democratic enough, and have no understanding of the greatness of this country at all."
Pyro's rhetoric was just like that of some intellectuals on the future generation's Internet, who talk about freedom and democracy.
The fragrance of freedom and democracy was in the air they breathed.
"Freedom, Democracy … tell me -- by the way, I don't know your name yet?"
Luke raised an eyebrow and interlocked his fingers, intending to give this guy a lesson in the toxic beatings of society.
"Drake, everyone calls me 'Pyro.'"
Drake himself didn't even realize a big 'danger' sign on top of his head, still immersed in the proud mood.
"Oh, Drake, let me tell you about freedom and democracy."
Luke releases the bio-force field and enables 30 % of its power.
The air seemed to freeze suddenly, and the invisible pressure spread all over the room, making people feel stifled.
Drake, in particular, took the brunt of the impact and was hit the hardest.
The freckled face turned red, and a heaving sound came out of his throat, but he couldn't say anything.
"See, Drake, this is the freedom and democracy you want. You can speak freely, but I also have the right to choke your throat. And even further, break your neck."
Luke got up slowly, his tall body like a lofty mountain, full of unspeakable power.
"Now, do you still need them?"
…
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