As a prosecutor who had spent years standing against Mutants, Reed Strucker was an unusual case. Yet beneath that rigid exterior, he was a father first. The moment he discovered his children were Mutants, he didn't hesitate—he chose them over everything, even if it meant abandoning his career and everything he had built.
It was a stark contrast to others who turned their backs on their own families out of fear.
"Yes," Liam said calmly into the phone. "You've probably heard about the incident at Garland Detention Center. The Mutant breakout—that was me."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Reed was clearly taken aback. That event had caused a massive uproar, drawing attention from every corner. A single Mutant had stormed the detention center and freed all the captives while the Sentry forces failed to stop him.
And now that person was speaking to him directly.
"…What do you want from me?" Reed asked cautiously.
"Nothing complicated," Liam replied with a faint smile. "We welcome powerful Mutants to join the X-Men. That's all."
"I want to meet you," Reed said after a moment.
He didn't trust words alone. Face-to-face was the only way he could believe it.
"No problem," Liam agreed immediately.
After settling on a meeting point for the next day, he ended the call and handed the phone back.
Thunderbird looked at him with a hint of doubt. "Why help them? This could be a trap."
"I was at that bar yesterday," Liam said with a relaxed smile. Then his gaze sharpened slightly. "And do I look like someone who's afraid of traps?"
Thunderbird shrugged, choosing not to argue.
The memory of that night still lingered vividly in his mind—Liam walking into the detention center alone, brushing aside everything in his path, and walking out with Lorna as if it were effortless.
That kind of confidence didn't come from arrogance. It came from strength.
And for a moment, Thunderbird felt a trace of envy. His own durability was impressive, but even he couldn't stand against sustained attacks from Sentry stun weapons for long.
Maybe this is what a true Mutant should be.
While that thought lingered, Liam had already completed another sign-in.
[Ding! Has the host checked in to Mutant Thunderbird?]
"Sign in."
[Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations. You have obtained the super ability 'Evolution' and 100 experience points.]
As expected.
Liam immediately reviewed the ability, and a spark of excitement flashed through his eyes.
This was more than just a power—it was a foundation.
Evolution enhanced the body across the board. Heightened senses, increased strength, durability—everything Thunderbird possessed came from this single ability refining his physical form.
And now, that process had begun within Liam as well.
He could already feel it faintly, like something deep within his cells had awakened. The change wouldn't be instant—it would take time, perhaps days—but it was happening.
And more importantly, it scaled.
As his Mutant level increased, Evolution would grow with him. If he reached Level 5, his physical body might rival something truly absurd.
Strength, speed, resilience… even abilities like enhanced vision or energy-based perception could emerge naturally.
The thought alone was enough to bring a grin to his face.
"Come on," Liam said, clapping Thunderbird on the shoulder. "Let's grab a drink."
In his current mood, he didn't feel like doing anything else.
The next day, Liam and Lorna headed toward the Mutant-run bar that served as one of the underground network's intelligence hubs. Thunderbird was busy handling internal matters, so the two of them went ahead.
The streets were quieter in the morning, and the bar itself was nearly empty when they stepped inside.
Liam's gaze swept the room once—and locked onto a man sitting in the corner.
Middle-aged. Tense posture. Worry written all over his face.
Reed Strucker.
Without exchanging more than a brief glance, Liam and Lorna walked straight over and took seats across from him.
"Mr. Strucker," Liam greeted calmly.
Reed studied them carefully, his eyes sharp despite the fatigue. "You're with the X-Men?" he asked in a low voice.
"Of course," Liam replied with a nod.
Reed leaned forward slightly. "Can you get my children somewhere safe?"
"A safe place?" Liam repeated, his tone unhurried as he signaled for coffee. "Tell me, Mr. Strucker—where do you think is truly safe for a Mutant right now?"
The question hung in the air.
Reed fell silent.
He knew the answer. As someone who had worked within the system, he understood better than most how severe the situation had become. Mutants were being hunted, detained, experimented on.
There was no real safe haven left.
"Professor Xavier," Liam continued, his voice steady, "has spent years trying to build a world where Mutants and humans can coexist. His school isn't just a place to learn—it's a place to be protected."
Reed didn't wait for him to finish.
"I agree," he said firmly.
The decision came fast, but it wasn't impulsive. He had already considered it before, and now he had confirmation.
There was no better option.
"Welcome," Liam said, a slight smile forming.
With the Strucker twins joining, the X-Men's strength would rise again. And for him, it meant something even more valuable.
Two more sign-ins.
"After dark, bring your family to this location," Lorna added, explaining the rendezvous point.
The meeting place was deliberately set at a distance, giving Reed time to prepare and move without drawing attention. He would need to return home, gather his children, and make the journey carefully.
Once they arrived, the underground network would take over.
From there, Liam would contact Ororo and arrange for the X-Men to bring them in safely.
....
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