"Not at all.  You're here because I wanted to thank you.  For everything you've done. Stopping the Brotherhood terrorists at the UN.  Making the arrests.  Fighting Magneto Off. But most importantly – you've shown the American people, and the world, that we can depend on Mutants.  I hope your heroics can repair at least some of the tear the Brotherhood has caused to the fabric of our society"

Miss Lee, Davis' secretary of state, used the lull in the president's speech to invite everyone to sit on the two sofas decorating the oval office.  The seating places have been pre-arranged, with Freedom Force on one of the sofas, opposite to the President's staff sitting on the other.

"And you have my thanks as well" Kirstjen continued where the President left off once they were all seated   "From all of us.  We have taken the first step on a long journey here.  It is going to be a long time before people feel safe again.  But we've made a start, at least.  Our next priority is going to be finding Magneto.  He disappeared off the face of the earth after last night – but rest assured, we will find him"

This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Fri 18 Feb 2022.

"Do we have any leads as to his possible location?" Frank asked. Catching Magneto had been a high priority for years, he suspected. Higher now, sure... but if they had some idea of where the man was now, they wouldn't be having a leisurely meeting with the President. They'd be scrambling to catch the guy. Was this meeting really just empty talk, then? Or was it building to something else? "Or maybe where he will be?"

Ana Sofia looks a little star-struck. She remains a little quiet, moving about as directed. Mostly she's trying not to stand out in any bad way. With so little space on the couch, she might just sit on Frank's lap, but that would probably make her stand out in a bad way. So she just hesitates on the seating.

"No, not as of yet.  But we're working on it"
Nielsen didn't want to turn the meeting into a work session.  She quickly changed the subject:

"You're 'Tank', right?  I saw the footage of you fighting the one-eyed Mutant in Brooklyn.  Very impressive"

"Yes, ma'am — and thank you." Frank sat on one end of the couch, trying to make himself as small as possible for the others to fit more comfortably, and failing at it. "I go by 'Tank' in the field. You can call me Frank, if you'd prefer."

Gwenyth sat with her legs crossed, hands folded atop one knee, and tried to look as unobtrusive as possible in a room of so many powerful people. Her mutant ability (for surely it had to be a mutation that did it) made that difficult, causing her to subtly sparkle and draw eyes to her even more for daring attempt hiding in plain sight.

"Do you think what we did will be enough to keep people from being so racist?"  Kate spoke up before realizing maybe she probalby shouldn't have and then feeling all the attention turning to her tries not to shrink underneath it.  "I mean, it was bad before this but now..." She tried to keep going, to explain but the weight of attention was just a little too intimidating.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Mon 21 Feb 2022.

In reply to Kate Messer (msg # 96):

"No. Its going to get worse." Shiva said, not realizing that Kate's question would be addressed to the President rather than the whole room. He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder, squeezing a bit. He was confused, as none of his 360 degree sensors noticed anyone reaching for him...and then he noticed it was Six.

He shooed the errant limb away with his normal hand, and cleared his throat. "President Davis, Kate brings up a good point. After the...incident with camp X, trust is going to be in short supply for both humans and mutants. But as they say, every tragedy is also an opportunity to make needed changes.

I think Magento really wants to capitalize on his efforts. In order to prove there can never be common ground between mutants and humans. I think we now have the opportunity to stop his vision dead in its tracks."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:18, Sun 20 Feb 2022.

"I wish it was that simple.  People have a genuine reason to fear people like Magneto and his Brotherhood.  Now that they know we have a response to such threats, they might be more at ease.  And Mutant criminals will likewise know they are not beyond the reach of the law, so we expect to see a drop in Mutant crime in the long run.  These are all positive outcomes of your actions yesterday.  We just have to be patient - "

The President face hardened when John mentioned Camp-X.  But not because of any anger toward him:

"Magneto delivered an Ultimatum after he destroyed the Statue of Liberty; that the government must be held accountable for the experiments and the murder of the Mutants at Camp-X, or there will be further acts of terror.  We do not negotiate with terrorists, but that doesn't mean his demands aren't justified.  I already asked Secretary Nielsen to conclude her investigation on 'Essex' as soon as possible.  Before the election" she emphasized   "And find out who murdered the prisoners. We're not going to let anyone involved escape justice"

All Nielsen could do was feebly nod in response to the President's demands.  All of these events happened barely a couple of months ago, and neither investigation was anywhere near complete.  She was surprised, then, when Valerie spoke up, looking like a deer caught in the headlights:

"We know who murdered the Mutants at Camp-X, Madam President, and I will have a warrant out for her arrest by this afternoon.  And I'd like to volunteer Freedom Force to assist with the 'Essex' investigation.  Give us a week, and we'll identify all of the culprits"

"That sounds like an excellent idea"
Davis looked at Nielsen, who was still in shock of Valerie's brazen maneuvering
"Please work with Miss Cooper on this.  Provide her with everything she needs.  This is just as high on our priority list as capturing Magneto"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Sun 20 Feb 2022.

"Of course, President Davis." John said. He knew it might seem a bit forward to bring up his future plans now, but when else was he going to have a captive audience with the President of the United States?

"As we are now without super human containment facilities, I have been working on an alternative system. One that will bring positive change for the mutant community while at the same time keep the population safe. There will be a technological component as well, but that part of the plan is still years away from a prototype I am afraid." He said, hoping to get Davis' interest.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Tue 22 Feb 2022.

Kate had to frown a little, she was conflicted about what to say or do about Zoey getting arrested, and those who knew her well could tell, but she did speak up a little as well.  "What about the people who were doing experiments and dissecting people, are they going to be arrested as well?  Do we have all their names in records and stuff? Because if they aren't also held accountable nobody will feel safe going to the government."  Though she clearly probably meant mutants when she said, nobody.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Mon 21 Feb 2022.

"Everyone involved.  And while you're at it, add the investigation into the death of Dr. Adler to the list.  I know we have the footage of him committing suicide, but we live in an age where people can take over minds.  We can't rule out foul play.  I want Freedom Force to look into that as well"

Ana Sofía perks up a bit at that last reply. "I take this to mean we're now allowed to operate internationally. That was where our hands were tied earlier. How much will this be sanctioned by allies, such as the UK? How much must remain secret even to, for example, other NATO members?"

"I didn't intend to turn this into a cabinet meeting.  Miss Cooper will brief you after we sort everything out.  And she, in turn, will update me on all your initiatives on our next meeting" she gave a short nod to John

"I think we're ready for our photo now" she motioned to Secretary Lee, who soon departed out the door to fetch the White House photographer.

"- we still have many pressing issues to deal with, after yesterday, so I can't dedicate to this meeting as much time as I would like.  But I did want to use this opportunity to publicly acknowledge your heroics"   The President of the United States welcoming Mutants into the White House would set the example to everyone; that not all Mutants are to be feared.  At a time like this, even a gesture can make a difference.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Mon 21 Feb 2022.

In reply to President Davis (msg # 105):

"Thank you, President Davis." John said. He could only hope that she would take his detailed plan seriously. He did not know another way, but he could make it more attractive to the President by showing possible anti-power devices he was working on. Granted, those where the bare bones of a prototype. However, she could run for re-election on the idea she was funding super human restraint tech. For mutants, by mutants needed to be the public view of that.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am." Ana Sofía gets in her spot when the photographer is ready and dons one of the many smiles she's practiced over the recent couple years, this one not from among the provocative ones.

Kate wanted to ask more questions but mutant or not, teenager or not, she was cowed by the president being... well presidential.  It took a lot to keep her from talking, she even had managed to do so in the face of Magneto, but under the gaze of those three women, but mostly just the president herself she couldn't quite bring herself to open her mouth.

It was hard for a photographer to frame Frank in the same shot as normal-sized people. He instinctively took the back row, but the photographer didn't like that at all. He waved Frank to the front and made him take a knee. Then he didn't like that either, and sent Frank back to the back row.

Photo op! Photo op photo op photo op!

Somehow, Gwenyth ends up on the sides of the group shot. Once it is over she strikes an indignant huffy pose.

In reply to Gwenyth Blake (msg # 110):

Gwenyth gets a text from Shiva's phone.

I can alter the pic digitally if you want.

Shiva himself is more than happy to take the photo with his full face mask on, and in the back of the group.

The photographer had the furry Kate, and John with his extra six arms, take the front and center.  They needed to get the message out that it was Mutants that were invited to the White House, so they just had to focus on the ones who didn't look entirely human rather than those who did, even if they were much easier on the eye.   The photo-op concluded the (very) brief meeting; President Davis and her cabinet stayed at the oval office, as Freedom Force were escorted back outside, accompanied by Johnson and Valerie.

The last few days were hectic, and Valerie had the mind to let them all off for the rest of the day; get some rest before they start their new investigation.  Johnson, though, was the one to get his way this time:  "I'll see you all at HQ at nineteen-hundred hours.  Be ready to travel".    Preparation was half the battle, they could all sleep on the airplane, and besides; if he wasn't having any fun, then no one else should either.

Phantazia, Unus, Random, Toad, the Basilisk and Shocker were all sleeping with the fishes beneath the waves off the coast of Virginia. Wax was too. Though still alive, he was trapped under the wreckage of the prison, perhaps till the end of times, which may come far sooner than he might believe.  Under the streets of New York, in the Morlocks Sewers, Pyro finally regained consciousness, only to close his eyes again after receiving word about his friends.

An entire wing at the super-max prison in Arizona is being prepared for the arrival of 'The Legion'.  Dozens and dozens of clones, picked up by the authorities from across the United States.  They each profess to have had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks or the Mutant Brotherhood, but doesn't every criminal claim to be innocent?

Back in the X-Mansion, Professor Xavier and Cyclops are still in intensive care after being mauled by the Sabretooth-Rogue amalgam.  Saber-Rogue, or Rogue-Tooth, was being kept comatose by Jean, and watched at all times by Colossus and Storm, because if 'they' wake again, 'they' were bound to go on another killing spree.  Gambit returned to the Mansion from his mission only to pick up a few things before leaving, never to return.  He blames the Professor for the 'death' of his lover.  He has nothing to stay for, anymore.

The Avengers, too, were strained over recent events.  A very ugly argument between Stark and Rogers almost came to blows, when the former pushed for 'a suit of armor around the world', and Mutant 'containment'.

At Mount Sinai ICU, Commander Price drew his last breath. Not even Danny could save him.

And far away at Antarctica, Magneto slumped into an icy chair in his 'Fortress of Solitude'.   He didn't shed any tears over his comrades, not because he didn't feel the pain over their loss, but because he lost the capacity to cry decades ago, at the camps.  For the first time in a long time, he was starting to feel his age.   There wasn't any doubt in him about the path he has chosen; he was too hardheaded, or proud, to change course now.  There was only despair; that even the most powerful Mutant in the world was caught within the strands of destiny, unable to change the course of history.

If a God has lost all faith, what hope is there for man?