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Starting in 'The Boys' to Become the Ultimate Lifeform_chapter_0441_en
Chapter 443
Chapter 441: Negotiation Fails! Homelander Under the Sun!
"Mr. Jervis, the situation at The Pentagon is urgent. Over twenty people have already been injured or killed. The Department Head hopes you can lead the Superheroes there as quickly as possible."
The CIA's information staff member spoke to Xia Shang with an anxious expression and a sincere tone:
"As for the cost, the Department Head said that as long as your Jie Er Company can resolve this crisis, money is not an issue. We will transfer it to you immediately."
Before Xia Shang could reply, Charles on the side impatiently said, "Erik wants to provoke a war between Mutants and Humans. We must hurry and stop him, otherwise, if things continue to worsen, the scene will become completely uncontrollable."
He knew exactly what Erik wanted to do. The Pentagon was the office building of the US Department of Defense, and it was no exaggeration to say it was a symbol of the United States' military authority.
Now that Erik was attacking The Pentagon, he clearly intended to teach the United States a lesson and warn the world that Mutants were not to be easily bullied.
Although Erik's actions were for the sake of Mutants, in Charles's view, his approach was too extreme and could very likely disrupt the current balance between Mutants and Humans.
Once the balance was broken, the 'World War III' caused by Mutants might just begin!
"There's a Cerebro machine at the academy. I should be able to use it to contact Erik, provided it's not completely broken."
Charles, sitting in his wheelchair, then looked at Hank beside him. "Can that machine still be used? I remember using it once to search for Mutants globally."
"Due to years of disrepair, some parts inside the machine are likely aged. I'm not sure if it can be of any use," Hank said with a frown, his voice heavy.
"Forget it, there's no need to waste time fixing that machine. I'll personally take you there."
Xia Shang, his face calm, swept his gaze over everyone present. Although taking so many people flight at once would be a bit of a consumption of his stamina, it was a good opportunity to display his strength and deter those with hidden motives.
Thinking this, he glanced at the information staff member beside him. "My ability is a bit special. You'd best close your eyes."
With that, several invisible flesh and blood tentacles suddenly emerged from behind him, then swallowed everyone present in one gulp. Immediately after, the tentacles became visible one by one, solidifying around parts of Charles and the others into black, conical shapes.
Then, in front of the information staff member, he instantly vanished from the spot with everyone.
...
On the other side, Department Head Gaston, while directing his soldiers to cordon off the scene and keep reporters away, picked up a loudspeaker and shouted to Erik in the sky: "Calm down, Mr. Erik. I know you have many grievances with the government, but there are still thousands of ordinary public in the building. I hope we can sit down and talk properly. I can try my best to meet any conditions you have."
At this moment, Gaston was already sweating profusely after seeing the tragic scene around him.
Clearly, this incident could not be concealed. He could only do his utmost to minimize the death toll, otherwise, even as Department Head, he wouldn't be able to withstand the public opinion pressure. After all, Erik had escaped from The Pentagon's Prison, and Gaston bore unavoidable responsibility.
"Talk conditions with me?" Erik, who had retrieved his equipment from the vault, looked down at Gaston on the ground and slowly descended. "I remember back on the Cuba Beach, you didn't intend to talk conditions with me."
Erik flew in front of Gaston, his expression blank. "What, only now that I've hit your headquarters do you remember talking conditions?"
"Mr. Erik, just name whatever compensation you want. As long as you put down the building, we can satisfy all of it," bearing immense pressure, Gaston could only pretend to be calm.
"Alright, since you've said so, I'll propose a few conditions."
Seeing the possibility of negotiation, Gaston immediately breathed a sigh of relief. What he feared most was Erik refusing any negotiation and directly starting a war. In that case, their government would be very passive. However, Gaston, holding the loudspeaker, didn't see the sneer in Erik's eyes as he spoke.
"First, enact the Mutant Bill, granting Mutants greater authority than Humans. Second, the United States Federal Government needs to transfer one state to Mutants. In that state, Mutants will have their own legislative, executive, and judiciary authority. It must be completely independent..."
"Impossible!"
Without waiting for Erik to finish speaking, Gaston immediately refused.
Neither the first nor the second condition was acceptable; they were a direct slap in the face of the United States Federal Government. If he actually agreed, Gaston would be equivalent to a traitor, or even a human traitor, and would be nailed to the shame pillar of the United States and all of Humanity. Rather than agreeing, it was better to directly tear off the mask with Erik.
"Mr. Erik, your conditions lack sincerity. If you insist on this, then I don't see the need to continue negotiating."
Gaston's voice gradually turned cold. His gaze was indifferent as he looked at Erik.
"Once war begins, the United States will spare no effort to eliminate Mutants. Even if it means sacrificing more people and expending more financial and material resources, our United States Federal Government will not hesitate!"
As Gaston's voice fell like an iron hammer, the atmosphere on the scene instantly became incredibly heavy. Everyone held their breath; a real war seemed about to erupt!
"Erik, I think you can change your first condition." At this moment, Mystique stepped forward and said, looking at Gaston, "Enact the Mutant Bill so that we Mutants are equal to Humans."
Unexpectedly, just as Mystique finished speaking, Erik in the air sneered, "A ridiculous demand. If you ask me, as long as Humans exist, this world can never be equal."
"Besides, our genes are far superior to Humans. This world will ultimately belong to Mutants!"
With that, under everyone's terrified gaze, Erik spread his arms. All the metal objects behind him turned their points towards everyone on the ground.
Just as everyone was in despair, a calm yet powerful voice rang out from overhead! "Erik, who gave you the courage to think you can represent all Mutants?"
The calm voice, like a sharp sword, cut through the haze of despair in everyone's hearts. They all raised their heads, looking towards the direction the voice came from.
There, a towering figure wearing a suit, his red and white cape billowing, stood beneath the sun, overlooking the beings as if he were a deity!
(end of chapter)
"Mr. Jervis, the situation at The Pentagon is urgent. Over twenty people have already been injured or killed. The Department Head hopes you can lead the Superheroes there as quickly as possible."
The CIA's information staff member spoke to Xia Shang with an anxious expression and a sincere tone:
"As for the cost, the Department Head said that as long as your Jie Er Company can resolve this crisis, money is not an issue. We will transfer it to you immediately."
Before Xia Shang could reply, Charles on the side impatiently said, "Erik wants to provoke a war between Mutants and Humans. We must hurry and stop him, otherwise, if things continue to worsen, the scene will become completely uncontrollable."
He knew exactly what Erik wanted to do. The Pentagon was the office building of the US Department of Defense, and it was no exaggeration to say it was a symbol of the United States' military authority.
Now that Erik was attacking The Pentagon, he clearly intended to teach the United States a lesson and warn the world that Mutants were not to be easily bullied.
Although Erik's actions were for the sake of Mutants, in Charles's view, his approach was too extreme and could very likely disrupt the current balance between Mutants and Humans.
Once the balance was broken, the 'World War III' caused by Mutants might just begin!
"There's a Cerebro machine at the academy. I should be able to use it to contact Erik, provided it's not completely broken."
Charles, sitting in his wheelchair, then looked at Hank beside him. "Can that machine still be used? I remember using it once to search for Mutants globally."
"Due to years of disrepair, some parts inside the machine are likely aged. I'm not sure if it can be of any use," Hank said with a frown, his voice heavy.
"Forget it, there's no need to waste time fixing that machine. I'll personally take you there."
Xia Shang, his face calm, swept his gaze over everyone present. Although taking so many people flight at once would be a bit of a consumption of his stamina, it was a good opportunity to display his strength and deter those with hidden motives.
Thinking this, he glanced at the information staff member beside him. "My ability is a bit special. You'd best close your eyes."
With that, several invisible flesh and blood tentacles suddenly emerged from behind him, then swallowed everyone present in one gulp. Immediately after, the tentacles became visible one by one, solidifying around parts of Charles and the others into black, conical shapes.
Then, in front of the information staff member, he instantly vanished from the spot with everyone.
...
On the other side, Department Head Gaston, while directing his soldiers to cordon off the scene and keep reporters away, picked up a loudspeaker and shouted to Erik in the sky: "Calm down, Mr. Erik. I know you have many grievances with the government, but there are still thousands of ordinary public in the building. I hope we can sit down and talk properly. I can try my best to meet any conditions you have."
At this moment, Gaston was already sweating profusely after seeing the tragic scene around him.
Clearly, this incident could not be concealed. He could only do his utmost to minimize the death toll, otherwise, even as Department Head, he wouldn't be able to withstand the public opinion pressure. After all, Erik had escaped from The Pentagon's Prison, and Gaston bore unavoidable responsibility.
"Talk conditions with me?" Erik, who had retrieved his equipment from the vault, looked down at Gaston on the ground and slowly descended. "I remember back on the Cuba Beach, you didn't intend to talk conditions with me."
Erik flew in front of Gaston, his expression blank. "What, only now that I've hit your headquarters do you remember talking conditions?"
"Mr. Erik, just name whatever compensation you want. As long as you put down the building, we can satisfy all of it," bearing immense pressure, Gaston could only pretend to be calm.
"Alright, since you've said so, I'll propose a few conditions."
Seeing the possibility of negotiation, Gaston immediately breathed a sigh of relief. What he feared most was Erik refusing any negotiation and directly starting a war. In that case, their government would be very passive. However, Gaston, holding the loudspeaker, didn't see the sneer in Erik's eyes as he spoke.
"First, enact the Mutant Bill, granting Mutants greater authority than Humans. Second, the United States Federal Government needs to transfer one state to Mutants. In that state, Mutants will have their own legislative, executive, and judiciary authority. It must be completely independent..."
"Impossible!"
Without waiting for Erik to finish speaking, Gaston immediately refused.
Neither the first nor the second condition was acceptable; they were a direct slap in the face of the United States Federal Government. If he actually agreed, Gaston would be equivalent to a traitor, or even a human traitor, and would be nailed to the shame pillar of the United States and all of Humanity. Rather than agreeing, it was better to directly tear off the mask with Erik.
"Mr. Erik, your conditions lack sincerity. If you insist on this, then I don't see the need to continue negotiating."
Gaston's voice gradually turned cold. His gaze was indifferent as he looked at Erik.
"Once war begins, the United States will spare no effort to eliminate Mutants. Even if it means sacrificing more people and expending more financial and material resources, our United States Federal Government will not hesitate!"
As Gaston's voice fell like an iron hammer, the atmosphere on the scene instantly became incredibly heavy. Everyone held their breath; a real war seemed about to erupt!
"Erik, I think you can change your first condition." At this moment, Mystique stepped forward and said, looking at Gaston, "Enact the Mutant Bill so that we Mutants are equal to Humans."
Unexpectedly, just as Mystique finished speaking, Erik in the air sneered, "A ridiculous demand. If you ask me, as long as Humans exist, this world can never be equal."
"Besides, our genes are far superior to Humans. This world will ultimately belong to Mutants!"
With that, under everyone's terrified gaze, Erik spread his arms. All the metal objects behind him turned their points towards everyone on the ground.
Just as everyone was in despair, a calm yet powerful voice rang out from overhead! "Erik, who gave you the courage to think you can represent all Mutants?"
The calm voice, like a sharp sword, cut through the haze of despair in everyone's hearts. They all raised their heads, looking towards the direction the voice came from.
There, a towering figure wearing a suit, his red and white cape billowing, stood beneath the sun, overlooking the beings as if he were a deity!
(end of chapter)
