Chapter 153: Mutant Refugee Sanctuary

An island located on the southeast coast of Africa, northeast of Madagascar, and southwest of the Republic of Seychelles—Genosha.

This is a refugee sanctuary established for mutants with the tacit approval of the United States, managed by Magneto, Erik Lehnsherr. The mutants on the island are self-sufficient, living a rather simple life.

Although this world, on the surface, shows a higher degree of tolerance toward mutants, allowing them to live alongside and work with ordinary humans.

Yet there remains a group of mutants who are out of place among ordinary humans. They may have been harmed by humans, or have harmed other humans; worse still, they have both hurt others and been hurt.

Such mutants all come to Genosha Island seeking refuge; at least here, mutant compatriots treat each other with greater tolerance. Even those who may carry the identity of criminals can live a peaceful life.

However, not every mutant who has committed a crime can come to the island. As the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants, Erik does not accept just any scum. Especially those criminals who do not认同 the sanctuary's ideals and only wish to lay low.

So Genosha Island cannot be called a paradise, nor is it a so-called mutant nation. It is merely the last sanctuary for a group of refugees unacceptable to the world.

Of course, its establishment involves many factors: the tacit approval of the United States and the US military, the behind-the-scenes efforts of the X-Men, and the idea of creating a weakness for Magneto, to trap this mutant leader who is exceptionally capable and charismatic.

Otherwise, during the period when the Brotherhood of Mutants was most active in the past, the mutants led by Magneto were like rats in a gutter; no one knew where to find them.

Unlike now, there is a glaringly obvious base on the surface. As long as Magneto wishes to preserve this sanctuary, he can be constrained by other forces.

Since the X-Men's contribution to the establishment of this sanctuary was only behind-the-scenes effort, it naturally means that on the surface, the two sides rarely interact, avoiding unnecessary associations.

At the very least, the X-Men have not openly transported supplies here. Besides, in order to maintain the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, they may not even have the spare capacity to supply a sanctuary housing thousands of people.

But today, an X-Jet rarely landed on Genosha Island's capital, Hammer Bay. Rather than calling it a capital, it is simply because Magneto resides here, not in other gathering points.

Because the X-Jet was too conspicuous, there was no need for the people on board to notify anyone; Erik had already run over in advance, 带着 anger, waiting for the X-Men disembarking from the jet.

The only one coming to Genosha Island to gather information was Scott, dressed in plain clothes.

Seeing the grand array of two rows of people behind Erik, plus two US military Black Hawk helicopters overturned nearby, with smoke still not dissipated, made Scott instinctively feel something was wrong.

"What are you doing here? Planning to bring what trouble to this land again?" Erik demanded sternly.

"Erik, I just came to find Jean," Scott stated his destination directly.

"You saw what he did, but did you see him? He left before you arrived. Glad the X-Men are late again," Erik mocked.

Looking at the mess on the ground, Scott cursed under his breath: "Damn it," and started walking toward the X-Jet.

Behind him, Erik shouted: "Stop! You owe me an explanation."

"I don't have time, Erik. I must find Jean quickly."

"Not having time is your problem; you think that piece of scrap metal can take off without my permission?" After threatening, Erik voiced his suspicion, saying:

"Although I don't have Charles's abilities, I can still see that Jean is hiding something from me. Those soldiers were the same; they asked me right off the bat if I still didn't know.

"Pity they fled in panic; not a single word of what they should have said was spoken. So, whatever I ought to know, you'd better explain it clearly to me."

"You tell me what happened here first," Scott said.

Although Erik did not shout angrily, his way of speaking, staring at people with a lowered voice, was equally intimidating. He said: "Kid, I'm not bargaining with you. Speak, or I'll use one's own method to find the answer."

The current Cyclops is not yet the future second-generation mutant leader who will achieve great things. Compared to ordinary people, he is at most a young man who graduated from university not long ago, deployed overseas in the military, and fought a few hard battles.

Facing the pressure from the first-generation mutant leader Magneto, although he did not show fear, he still recounted the battle at Red Hook Town. This counted as yielding in his heart.

Erik naturally did not care about the causes and consequences of the great battle; he only focused on the two injured mutants. He asked: "What happened to Raven and Pietro?"

At this time, Erik and Pietro, father and son, had not yet recognized each other; only Pietro knew this relationship. So Erik's main concern was still on Mystique, Raven, who had once been a comrade-in-arms.

"They are both fine. Pietro has multiple fractures. Raven, due to severe crushing force, is showing signs of organ failure. But Hank has done his utmost to save her; there is no threat to her life."

Erik said disdainfully: "Both seriously injured, and you call that fine? I really doubt what Charles has taught you; is it that unless someone dies, it doesn't count as a big deal?"

Scott, who was about to say so, was cut off; he felt awkward and couldn't speak out. He could only change the subject, asking: "What happened here? Why did Jean run away again?"

Waving his hand to let the others disperse and go about their own business, Erik then explained: "Jean came yesterday seeking refuge. I asked why; although he didn't say, I still took him in.

"Today, it was the US military that came demanding him. Actually, as long as he didn't show himself, things wouldn't have escalated to this point. Who knew he would jump out voluntarily and trigger this great battle.

"Looking back now, it was just as those soldiers were about to tell me what happened to Jean that he jumped out and drove them away. Judging from his performance, he might even have intended to kill.

"If I hadn't acted to stop him, not a single one of those soldiers would have escaped. After the battle, even if he still wanted to stay, I couldn't keep him. He understood this himself, so Jean left on his own."

Scott reacted very quickly; he immediately thought of a possibility, saying: "Could it be that Jean doesn't know Raven is fine, thinks he killed her, and therefore dared not let you know and didn't dare to stay? I knew it; he doesn't not care about us; he just can't control himself."

"That's not what you'd call fine for Raven," Erik said gloomily.

Looking at this love-struck big boy, who could tell any lie to make excuses for his girlfriend, Erik felt it necessary to let him understand the dangers of society.

(End of this chapter)