Chapter Title: Clues in Mythology
"It's quite simple, as long as it's faster than your jet," Forseti said calmly, glancing at the document in Old Stark's hand. "Did the female agent pass this to you?"
"Uh, I believe so... I haven't had a chance to look closely," Old Stark replied, eyeing Forseti with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
"What happened with the Cuban missile incident?" Carter interjected.
Taking a deep breath, Old Stark explained, "After confirmation from the Atlantic Fleet Command and the Central Intelligence Agency, it was revealed that mutants orchestrated the crisis to provoke the United States and the Soviet Union into a devastating world war."
"At the last moment, just as the mutants were about to execute their plan, a mysterious figure of unknown origin appeared on the Cuban coast and intervened," he added, his gaze returning to Forseti.
"And who might you be?" Carter inquired.
Forseti replied calmly, "If you delve into historical records carefully, my identity should become evident."
"Historical records?" Old Stark furrowed his brow.
Forseti shifted the topic smoothly, "I believe it's necessary to clarify a few matters regarding mutants and the Cuban missile crisis."
"To clarify, only a small faction of mutants, led by Sebastian Shaw, planned this crisis, and Shaw himself has since been eliminated by other mutants..." Forseti recounted the intricate details of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
"Due to Shaw's conspiracy and your last-minute intervention to thwart the mutants on the coast, tensions between humans and mutants have reached a perilous brink, risking a conflict more catastrophic than a world war."
The resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis took an unexpected turn. Charles was sidelined, unable to prevent Magneto's subsequent actions.
Had it not been for Forseti's decisive action, those missiles guided by misguided intentions would have inevitably struck the US and Soviet fleets, plunging the world into war.
Fortunately, the outcome was somewhat favorable. The crisis was averted, Magneto's darker aspirations were curtailed, and Professor X retained his working legs.
However, the underlying issue of human-mutant relations remained unresolved. Tensions simmered beneath the surface, threatening to erupt at any moment.
Forseti believed it necessary not only to caution Magneto but also to admonish humanity once more.
Despite the formidable power of the Supreme Sanctuary, their primary mandate was defending against external threats, refraining from entangling themselves in human conflicts.
To the reclusive sorcerers, the strife between mutants and humans mirrored past world wars—distant and largely irrelevant unless it posed an existential threat to humanity.
Forseti saw Old Stark and Carter of the Strategic Science Corps as pivotal figures to convey his warnings to humanity.
After a brief pause, Forseti continued, "In essence, I hope you grasp two key points: firstly, that only a minority of mutants harbor animosity toward humans, and secondly, mutants possess far greater power than you realize. Provoking war rather than seeking peaceful coexistence is a foolhardy path, unless you consider World War as a fond memory."
Carter fell silent for a moment. "You wish for me to relay this to the White House?"
"Yes, and inform the Kremlin as well. I'd prefer not to have to intervene again," Forseti nodded solemnly, adding, "I have warned mutants against inciting conflicts on Earth. Should they disobey, I will not hesitate to intervene."
"But if it is humans who provoke conflict in the end, they may bear the consequences themselves."
Carter nodded in understanding. "Thank you for your counsel. I'll convey this to the White House and endeavor to inform the Soviets."
"Let's depart," Forseti said to Stark and Aletta.
"Very well," they replied in unison, leaving the Strategic Science Corps headquarters.
Once outside, Howard Stark adopted a serious tone. "Carter, I believe we should initiate an inquiry into his background."
"He's not of this world," Carter remarked.
Old Stark mused, "True, but he did mention there are historical records pertaining to him on Earth. Perhaps that's where we should begin."
"Historical records..." Carter trailed off, recollecting something. "Indeed, he mentioned previously that his first arrival on Earth was over two thousand years ago."
"Two thousand years!" Old Stark exclaimed incredulously. "You're serious, Carter?"
Carter affirmed, "Absolutely. If he refers to it as 'historical records', it suggests he's not talking about recent news. It wouldn't be fitting."
"Two millennia... It's difficult to comprehend a time before even Jesus," Old Stark muttered thoughtfully. "What manner of ancient being is he?"
Carter issued a directive, "Summon the historians from the advisory group."
"Right away!" a staffer responded promptly, exiting the room.
Carter turned to Old Stark, proposing, "Let's proceed to the White House first and inform President Kennedy about the mutants."
Old Stark agreed, "Let's go."
In the ensuing days, the Strategic Science Corps assembled a team of historical experts to comb through extensive archives in pursuit of clues confirming Forseti's true identity.
Yet, despite days of meticulous research, they unearthed no conclusive evidence. Admittedly, the historical records were scant, inadequate in comparison to humanity's vast history spanning two millennia.
With a creak, Carter swung open the door to the cluttered conference room bustling with historians engrossed in stacks of documents, querying, "Any progress?"
"Unfortunately, not yet," a gray-haired historian lamented. "The historical data from two thousand years ago is exceedingly intricate. So far, we've encountered insufficient credible leads."
"History may have been tampered with, as I've long suspected," another historian opined.
His statement elicited a derisive reaction from several colleagues. "Enough with your conspiracy theories! We're serious scholars here, whereas you serve as vice president of history at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. It's unbecoming."
Undeterred, the historian persisted, "I'm certain. There existed a clandestine organization that systematically manipulated world history. No corner of Europe, China, or India remained untouched."
"What organization?" queried another historian.
"I couldn't say. It might no longer exist."
"Forget it. Do you think we're inside some sort of novel?" a skeptic jeered.
As the historians debated, Carter prepared to leave when an elderly professor interjected, "Wait, Director Carter."
"What is it?" Carter pivoted back.
Adjusting his black-rimmed glasses, the professor declared, "Although I found nothing in conventional historical records, upon returning home yesterday, I stumbled upon intriguing clues in more unconventional sources. Perhaps they may prove useful."
Carter responded with keen interest, "What do you mean by 'unconventional sources'?"
"Mythology," the professor elucidated. "As you're aware, I'm something of a mythologist, having delved into Egyptian mythology to some extent."
He extracted a printed image from his briefcase, laying it on the table before Carter and the assembled historians.
"This is..."
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