Chapter 103

Senator Robert Kelly sat at his desk, his brow furrowed as he reviewed the latest polling data for his upcoming presidential campaign. The numbers were promising, but he knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down. Maintaining his lead would require unwavering focus and a continued commitment to his core platform – the protection of humanity from the perceived threat of mutants.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called out, setting the papers aside.

Kelly's assistant stepped into the room, a grave expression on his face. "Sir, your guest has arrived."

"Excellent, send him in," Kelly replied, straightening his tie.

The assistant bowed and ushered in a tall, bespectacled man with a stern, angular face. This was Bolivar Trask, the brilliant scientist and founder of Trask Industries, a company at the forefront of the fight against mutants.

"Senator Kelly, thank you for meeting with me," Trask said, his deep voice resonating with a sense of urgency.

"Dr. Trask, please, have a seat," Kelly gestured to the chair across from his desk. "I must say, I was quite impressed with the performance of your Sentinels during my speech today. They certainly made an impact."

Trask nodded, his lips pursing into a thin line. "That was precisely why I requested this meeting, Senator. The Sentinels are the key to protecting humanity from the mutant threat, but they need your continued support and funding to reach their full potential."

Kelly leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he considered Trask's words. "You make a compelling case, Dr. Trask. I've reviewed the data, and the Sentinels have proven to be remarkably effective in identifying and neutralizing mutants. However, I'm concerned about the public's perception of these robotic enforcers. There are those who see them as a heavy-handed and authoritarian approach to the problem."

Trask's brow furrowed, and a hint of frustration crept into his voice. "Senator, the public must understand that these are necessary measures. Mutants pose an existential threat to humanity, and we cannot afford to be soft-handed in our approach. The Sentinels are the only way to ensure the safety and security of our citizens."

Kelly nodded thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on the papers before him. "I understand your concerns, Dr. Trask. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to ensure the continued development and deployment of the Sentinels. This is a crucial battle, and we cannot afford to lose."

Senator Kelly leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "That brings me to another matter, Dr. Trask. One of your Sentinels encountered a powerful mutant earlier today, but she managed to evade capture." He paused, his brow furrowing. "My men found the remains of the Sentinel, and we've had them disposed of to avoid any public scrutiny."

Trask's eyes narrowed, his lips thinning into a tight line. "I see. This is most concerning. The Sentinels are the cornerstone of our defense against mutants, and any failures on their part undermine the public's confidence in our efforts."

Kelly nodded solemnly. "Precisely. That is why I've called you here today, Dr. Trask. We need to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The public must see the Sentinels as infallible, unwavering protectors of humanity."

Trask leaned forward, his expression intense. "You have my word, Senator, that I will make the necessary improvements to the Sentinels. Their performance and reliability will be unquestionable. This mutant, whoever she is, will not slip through our grasp again."

The senator's gaze hardened. "See that it doesn't, Dr. Trask. The future of our country, our very way of life, depends on the success of your Sentinels. Failure is not an option."

Trask nodded, his resolve evident in his posture. "I understand, Senator. The Sentinels will be stronger, faster, and more effective than ever before. I give you my solemn promise that they will be the ultimate safeguard against the mutant threat."

Trask and Kelly continued their intense discussion, their voices laced with a sense of urgency and determination. The senator's brow furrowed as he listened intently to the scientist's proposals for enhancing the Sentinels' capabilities, both men acutely aware of the high stakes involved in their fight against the perceived mutant threat.

...

Ace strolled through the grand entryway of his mansion, a content smile gracing his features. As he stepped inside, his faithful AI companion, Izu, approached him, her expression radiating warmth.

"Welcome back, Ace-sama," Izu greeted him, her voice tinged with genuine delight. "How was your date with Rogue?"

Ace's smile widened, and he chuckled softly. "It was amazing, Izu," he replied, his tone cheerful and filled with a sense of elation. "Rogue and I had a wonderful time. We went bowling, had a delightful dinner at Castle Doran, and even danced the night away." He paused, a hint of wonder in his eyes. "It was truly a magical evening."

Izu listened intently, her digital eyes reflecting the joy she felt for her friend. "I'm so glad to hear that, Ace-sama," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Rogue seems like a wonderful person, and I'm happy you were able to share such a special moment with her."

Ace nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with optimism. "I hope so too, Izu," he said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Rogue is someone special, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store."

Izu's digital features softened, and she nodded in understanding. "I'm sure you will, Ace-sama," she replied, her tone equally cheerful. "Your happiness is my greatest priority, and I will always be here to support you, no matter what."

Ace's expression shifted, his brow furrowing slightly as he turned to Izu. "Izu, how goes the investigation?" he asked, his tone serious and measured.

Izu straightened her posture, her digital eyes meeting Ace's gaze with unwavering focus. "The investigation into the Sentinels and Senator Kelly is progressing, Ace-sama," she reported, her voice calm and composed. "After our encounter with the Sentinels, I have been delving deeper into their origins and connections."

Ace nodded, his jaw set with determination. "What have you uncovered?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

"The Sentinels were created by Bolivar Trask, the founder of Trask Industries, under the directive of Senator Robert Kelly," Izu explained, her fingers moving swiftly across a holographic display that materialized before them. "Kelly has been a vocal advocate for anti-mutant legislation, including the Mutant Registration Act, which would require all mutants to register with the government."

Ace's eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. "And the Sentinels?" he prompted, his tone tinged with a sense of urgency.

"The Sentinels were designed as a means to detect, capture, and neutralize mutants," Izu continued, her digital features betraying a hint of concern. "Their initial models, known as the Mark I, were created with the intent of protecting humanity from the perceived threat of mutants."

Ace's brow furrowed deeper as Izu's report unfolded. The threat of the Sentinels weighed heavily on his mind, and he knew time was of the essence.

"Have you been able to determine where they are manufacturing these Sentinels?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

Izu's digital features shifted with a hint of regret. "Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to pinpoint the exact location where the Sentinels are being created, Ace-sama," she replied, her tone apologetic. "I have been constantly monitoring Trask Industries and Senator Kelly's activities, but they seem to be keeping the details of their operations well-guarded."

Ace let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "We need to find that facility, Izu," he said, his eyes narrowing with determination. "The Sentinels pose a grave threat, not just to mutants, but to everyone. We can't let them continue their production unchecked."

Izu nodded solemnly. "I understand, Ace-sama," she said, her voice steady and resolute. "I will redouble my efforts to uncover the location of the Sentinel production facility. I will inform you the moment I have a viable lead."

Ace placed a reassuring hand on Izu's shoulder, his expression softening. "I know you will, Izu," he said, his voice laced with confidence. "I trust in your abilities, and I know you'll do whatever it takes to keep us all safe."

Izu's digital eyes met Ace's gaze, and she offered him a small, but sincere, smile. "Thank you, Ace-sama," she said, her voice infused with a sense of purpose. "I will not rest until we have the information we need to stop the Sentinels and protect the people we care about."

...

I watched as Izu left to continue her task of locating the Sentinels. A chill ran down my spine at the mere thought of those towering, metallic behemoths. I remembered them well from the X-Men movies in my previous life - an army of Sentinels capable of decimating even the most powerful mutants.

The Sentinels were the ultimate expression of humanity's fear and prejudice towards those with extraordinary abilities. Designed by Bolivar Trask, these mechanical monstrosities were programmed to detect, capture, and neutralize mutants at all costs. Their cold, relentless nature made them a truly formidable adversary.

I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of unease. In the movie, the Sentinels had been a constant threat, wreaking havoc and sowing discord wherever they went. The thought of them being unleashed in this new, merged universe filled me with a growing sense of dread.

I knew that I had to be prepared, that I couldn't let my guard down for a moment. The Sentinels were not to be taken lightly. Their sheer power and determination made them a force to be reckoned with, and I would need to draw upon every ounce of my own abilities to stand a chance against them.

I clenched my fists tightly, my knuckles turning white as the image of Rogue and the other X-Men lying lifeless before me played out in my mind. The Sentinels, those cold, unfeeling machines, had torn them apart, their power and determination proving too much for even the mightiest of mutants.

A deep rage burned within me, fueled by the weight of this new reality. I had to put a stop to the Sentinels, to prevent them from wreaking further havoc and destroying more innocent lives. The thought of Izu, my steadfast companion, falling victim to their relentless crusade only served to stoke the flames of my resolve.

With a steely gaze, I made a silent vow. I would not rest until the Sentinels were dismantled, their threat to this world neutralized. No matter the cost, I would do whatever it took to protect those I cared about and ensure that the Sentinels' reign of terror came to an end.

***

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