Chapter 46: The Raid
His skin, pale from the influence of death magic, contrasted sharply with his muscular physique and the mysterious blue runes etched onto his body like tattoos. The occasional glances from passing women hinted that his unique appearance caught more than a few eyes.
[Kingpin has successfully secured a seat in Congress. Mission accomplished. Reward: 100,000 exchange points.]
The sudden chime of the system's notification startled Garus, who quickly sat up, a spark of excitement lighting his eyes. It had been so long since he'd undertaken those long-term missions that he'd nearly forgotten about them. Yet, here was proof that one had finally been completed.
With this reward, his total exchange points now stood at 111,000. That was more than enough to afford a variety of devastating weapons from Azeroth and advanced technologies from Earth. However, the most coveted artifacts, like the Flamestrike*, required 150,000 points, and Frostmourne demanded an even steeper 300,000.
He leaned back thoughtfully, pondering his next move.
Having agreed to the operation, preparations began at lightning speed. Troops and resources were mobilized swiftly, but such logistics couldn't be completed overnight. Two days after the President's orders, the materials started arriving at a small town near Westchester.
"General Stryker, I'm entrusting you with these soldiers and weapons. Don't let me regret it—especially when it comes to these tanks," General Ross remarked, his tone laden with suspicion. Something about the mission felt off.
"Relax, General," Stryker replied with forced patience. "Senator Kelly has everything arranged. The gene suppressant serum will be delivered shortly."
Stryker's keen interest in this operation wasn't just professional; like Hydra, he saw the potential to study mutant abilities and weaponize them.
Meanwhile, Logan at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Garus in Hawaii, and Kingpin in Congress remained oblivious to the storm brewing—a war targeting the X-Men.
To ordinary citizens, mutants' powers were akin to placing weapons of mass destruction in the hands of children. Figures like Tony Stark were tolerated because their technological advancements aligned with government interests, but mutants represented an unpredictable, uncontrollable threat.
In Westchester, residents looked on in astonishment as tanks and armored vehicles rumbled through their streets. Whispers of military exercises swept through the town.
"Senator Kelly, is the gene suppressant ready?"
"It's prepared. Should we deploy it now?" Kelly's voice came through the phone.
"How long does its effect last?" Stryker asked.
"Approximately four hours."
"Good. I'll notify you when we're ready," Stryker replied, his tone laced with concern. Despite Kelly's assurances that the targets wouldn't leave their base, he feared premature exposure might jeopardize the mission.
As orders were given, elite soldiers advanced into the surrounding woods, tasked with reconnaissance ahead of the main force. The generals had briefed them with a fabricated narrative: a terrorist cell planning an attack, and no one was to escape.
After hours of marching, Stryker's troops finally glimpsed the faint outline of buildings in the distance. He notified Senator Kelly to prepare the gene suppressant deployment.
From above, a pilot reported, "Target acquired. Should we release the suppressant?"
"Release it," Kelly commanded.
With that, artillery shells loaded with the suppressant burst into the clouds. Moments later, a gentle drizzle began to fall from the once-overcast skies.
"General Stryker, artificial rainfall complete. The suppressant has been deployed."
Baron Zemo had entrusted nearly all available suppressant supplies to Kelly. Failure would leave them unable to mount another assault of this scale.
"Excellent. Commence the operation," Stryker ordered, setting a timer as he watched the towering walls of the school loom ahead. With a wave of his hand, he directed the special forces to encircle the compound while tanks plowed forward, flattening trees in their path as they rumbled toward Xavier's School.
Inside the school, students noticed a transport plane overhead, followed by the unexpected drizzle. Nestled deep within the woods, artificial rainfall was a peculiar sight.
"Mr. Logan, my powers are gone!"
Panic rippled through the students as many realized the rain was nullifying their abilities, leaving them vulnerable and powerless. Memories of Hydra's suppressants resurfaced.
Fear-stricken, the students huddled inside the classrooms, but even here, safety was uncertain. From a distance, the sound of tank treads rolling over the earth grew louder, shaking the ground beneath them.
The non-mutant teachers exchanged puzzled looks, unable to comprehend why their seemingly invincible charges were paralyzed with fear.
"Logan, can't you contact Garus? Call him now!" Quicksilver urged. In his mind, Garus was a powerhouse immune to such gene suppressants.
Logan pulled out his phone, but his call only reached a voicemail indicating the line was disconnected.
"Damn it!"
"What about Blonsky?" Quicksilver suggested, thinking of the monstrous powerhouse whose raw strength rivaled even the Avengers. "Where is he?"
"No one knows where he wandered off to," Logan admitted with frustration. Their strongest allies were nowhere to be found.
A deafening crash interrupted them as the outer walls trembled under the impact of the advancing tanks. The fortifications wouldn't last much longer.
If not for the presence of so many children, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Logan might have fled. But their resolve to protect the students anchored them.
Fury burning in his eyes, Logan extended his claws and prepared to charge, only to be stopped by Wanda.
"I'll go," Wanda said firmly. "The suppressant doesn't completely negate my powers. I can hold them off."
Quicksilver opened his mouth to protest but ultimately remained silent.
[TL/N: This demon does not know what this mortal author is talking about. The raw literally says Flame Strike, however there is no such artifact in WoW, only a spell. The closest artifact I could link this with is Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros. As for whether which one is it, that can only be known if this mortal author open his mind to my supreme consciousness, bwahahaha.]
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