Chapter 331: S: The Grand Event of Radiance (6)

"What do you think of mutants?" Nick asked Shi Ler, leaning against the glass window.

"My view is largely the same as Professor X's—at least in one respect: if you forcibly force mutants and ordinary humans together, both sides will be harmed."

"Leaving aside historical grievances that have made ordinary humans deeply hostile toward mutants, just the fact that mutant powers erupt uncontrollably dooms them to an impossible life in human society," Shi Ler sighed.

After arriving in this world, he realized the mutant problem was far worse than he'd imagined, because every day's newspapers reported yet another mutant power surge causing casualties and destruction.

One thing the symbiotes got right: ordinary humans are incredibly fragile. A tiny flame can cause severe burns; an explosion kills most of them. Yet when mutants lose control, fire and explosions are the most common outcomes.

How could ordinary humans not see them as terrorists? Even terrorist attacks are predictable—guns and bombs have limited varieties—but mutant power surges are not. A thousand mutants mean a thousand ways to endanger public safety.

In a society with mutants, entering any public place requires first finding a safe corner, just in case an uncontrolled mutant bursts in to kill.

You might wake up every morning to find the road damaged again, then learn it was another mutant's doing. Or one day, your car sits perfectly parked in a lot, and the next day the entire parking garage collapses—with the insurance company refusing to pay.

Mutant power surges don't care if you have to work tomorrow, if you have urgent clients to meet, or if you just want peace and comfort.

Even Shi Ler is no exception. He knows he has Spider-Sense and can dodge danger, but his cautious nature still makes him instinctively use the gray mist to scan his surroundings whenever entering public places, just in case he runs into an Alpha-level mutant suddenly exploding.

Ordinary people living in a world with mutants live as if in a world where terrorists could appear at any moment—even without direct harm, the constant anxiety and pressure are immense.

"I'm a psychologist. I understand the psychological toll of living in prolonged insecurity, and I understand why some people come to hate mutants because of it."

"But mutants can't help it—this gene is innate."

"From Professor X, I learned many mutants, after accidentally hurting innocents during uncontrolled surges, sink into deep guilt, and some never escape that shadow."

"So forcing these two sides together is irresponsible toward both."

"So what are you planning to do? Build a segregated society? Forgive me, but that won't work—Nazi Germany already proved that lesson thoroughly," Nick sighed. "I know Magneto has long sought to establish a mutant nation, but he's faced massive resistance—you and I know why."

"Of course, if any nation wants to develop nuclear weapons, all major powers will oppose it—let alone if all nuclear weapons united to form their own country. No nation would sit idly by."

"Even if mutants could unite, their families still live in human society, trapped by state power and authority. Magneto can be hardline because he has no weaknesses—but most mutants, when their families and friends are threatened, can only bow their heads."

Nick glanced at Shi Ler and lowered his voice: "I can reveal to you the Security Council's policy on mutants: divide and weaken them, let them exhaust each other internally. Use their power when necessary, but never let them unite."

"From politicians' perspective, this is the best solution. Look: mutants, ordinary humans, and politicians—these three sides have entirely different positions. Mutants want unity, independence, a homeland of their own..."

"Ordinary humans want mutants kept far from their lives, to restore a safe social environment. In a way, their interests align: if mutants establish their own nation, they'll all move there and stop interfering in human society."

"The only obstacle is the politicians. To divide mutants, you must scatter them throughout human society—like diluting wine with water."

Nick sighed again. "You and I both know we can't change those people's minds. In this regard, human society has never changed."

"Are mutants rare? No—this has happened countless times in history. Africa was no different."

"Divide and weaken, internal consumption, product dumping, production blockade, then spread propaganda to make them believe they're naturally lazy, inferior, pick out the talented to absorb them, then use one barbarian to control another—this trick has been played countless times."

"... nough. Let's get to the point," Nick looked at Shi Ler. "What are you planning? Can you hint at it? You know S. . . . . .'s rapid-response protocols are always..."

"Let's say the only emergency response protocol that actually works across the entire S. . . . . . is you, right?"

Nick smiled, spreading his hands. "Be glad I'm still here."

"Nation-building? I don't think it's feasible. Let's suppose they try to build a country—where? Which continent? No matter where, neighboring nations will refuse outright and go mad trying to stop them."

"Fine, suppose they have the power to build an island in the middle of the Pacific. But you know the military's nature—they treat the Pacific as their carrier training ground. They won't allow some inconvenient new object there..."

"Then why not send them farther away?"

"Farther? How far?"

"Two million light-years. How does that sound?"

Nick's eyes widened. "You want them to move to another star system?? Even ignoring whether it's practically possible, they won't agree!"

"Mutants want an independent homeland, but they clearly also want to enjoy the fruits of human civilization. Sending them that far is essentially exile."

"Not necessarily. Exile means dragging your family to an unknown, dangerous, utterly primitive place where you must start from scratch. Nick, didn't you already see what happened when symbiotes detached from their former hosts?"

"What did I see?"

"Those aliens—the High Evolutionary, the Totem Spirits, that giant insect—they're living aliens."

"Uh, yes, but we've met living aliens before—like the Asgardians."

"Then do you think sending a few humans to live in Asgard counts as exile?"

"Of course not. Asgard is full of gods, and their cities are far grander than ours..."

"Exactly. Now look at those aliens from Andromeda—do you think they came from some poor, backward place?"

Nick recalled: one of the High Evolutionaries looked most like humans—two legs, two arms—but stood about three meters tall, with skulls unlike human ones.

Yet there was no doubt: their clothing was not primitive, but exquisitely ornate. Nick saw clear traces of a complete alien civilization—language, writing, art, unique aesthetics.

Even the insectoid had mechanical components fixed to its carapace—components Nick couldn't comprehend. Not to mention the Totem Spirits, whose entire bodies were semi-translucent.

"In interstellar society, Earth is the primitive exile. Do you know how Asgardians view us?"

"Have you forgotten Thor's attitude when he first came to Earth? If he truly believed humans and Asgardians were equal, would he have acted so loudly and arrogantly?"

Nick nodded. "That makes sense. Even imagining it, I can tell any civilization with spaceships is far more advanced than us—we still struggle to reach Mars."

"So moving to a more advanced, prosperous star system isn't exile—it's an upgrade."

"But those star systems already have owners, right? No civilization would welcome a sudden influx of outsiders."

"True—even with the kindest landlord, the tenant is always inferior," Shi Ler nodded, then shifted tone: "But it doesn't matter. Interstellar society doesn't care about laws—it cares about who has the bigger fists. If the landlord suddenly dies, and the tenant takes over the house—if he can hold it, who can take it back?"

Nick's eyes widened again, eyebrows raised as he glanced at Shi Ler. "You want to kill the landlords of the Andromeda system?"

"Don't be absurd. I don't have that power. Don't casually mention world-ending stuff. Humans are a civilized species—we must build a good interstellar image."

"Human civilization is so weak. We can't even build spaceships, let alone fight wars in space."

"If cosmic entities start fighting, we can't stop them. The Sanctum Sanctorum is just beginning. All we can do is offer our esteemed members an escape route."

Nick nodded. "I understand. Two armies clash, unfortunate collateral damage—deeply regretted, powerless to intervene."

"But..." Nick hesitated. "The symbiotes live in that same system too. So far, they seem friendly enough—and I think we could use them."

"Do you think a parasitic species cares which civilization occupies the system? Or rather—if humans don't go, won't their enemies still parasitize them?"

"Besides, look—don't mutants already leave a good impression on the symbiotes?"

Nick covered his forehead. "I knew it—this was your plan all along..."

"Contact Professor X. Inform him of the symbiotes' traits. Have him select suitable mutants based on those traits."

"Professor X won't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to strengthen the new generation. Meanwhile, you strike a deal with the symbiotes: have them subtly manipulate the new mutants' minds to strengthen their sense of belonging to the human race..."

"Then let the symbiotes feel how perfectly the new mutants match them—how incredibly powerful they are—improving the symbiotes' overall impression of humanity..."

"And more: you know the symbiotes have a genetic catalog. From Loki, I learned interstellar society highly values the information in that catalog—no species understands another's baseline biology better than symbiotes."

"Many civilizations treat symbiotes as cosmic libraries. When they want to learn about a species, they find a host with a symbiote and trade for data from the catalog—or simply allow the symbiote to bond with them in exchange for the information."

"If we can get the symbiotes to record accurate, objective, unquestionable basic information about humans in their catalog, won't that benefit our future development?"

Nick looked up at the ceiling, raised his hand, and clapped. Shi Ler continued: "One more thing: get Asgard to send those former host aliens back. That gives Strange a legitimate excuse to contact Asgard."

"Contact Asgard? Why?"

"We need to know Asgard's stance in this war—especially Odin's."

"I want to get him to join us in profit, but I fear he still hasn't gotten over the whole thing between his son and daughter..."

"What did Strange report back?"

"Let's find a safe place. We'll discuss it in detail."

————Sidebar————

Another small goal set. I suspect this one will also end in: /

Spinning dog. pg (so you don't say I don't include images)