A New Threat

chapter 10:  'The Mutant Problem'
“Chief, what the hell is going on?” a harsh voice asked on the other end of the telephone.

“Please, let me explain.  I really don’t know what came over me…I know he gave orders…Christ Almighty, I have heard enough… the mutants are free… yes… I will take full responsibility… somehow, I think they might actually help…I will keep you updated… but nobody, and I mean NOBODY, better do anything with the residents of the Xavier School…Yes, that is an order.”

Chief Stevens put the phone back on the receiver and placed his hands over his face.  As his hands slid down to his chin, he sighed deeply and resisted the urge to light a cigarette.  He had been trying for months to quit finding his cravings were at their highest when he was under a great deal of stress.  And now was one of those very stressful times.

“Sir, Agent MacPherson is here for you,” Dolly announced.

Dolly was a sweet middle-aged lady, but she didn’t particularly care for MacPherson.  Something deep down inside her didn’t like him – maybe it was because she too was a mutant and knew MacPherson would have nothing good to say – at least as far as mutants would go.

MacPherson walked by Dolly entering the Police Chief’s office but not without casting a harsh look at Dolly.

“Your secretary doesn’t like me.”

“Dolly?  Why do you say that?”

“My gut tells me so.”

“Oh, please.  The last thing I need to worry about is your suspicions of my secretary.  Don’t you think we have more pertinent issues to discuss?”

“Of course.  First off, I have been in touch with the militia in DC.  Seems there have been several large gatherings of protestors on the lawn of the White House and it is really freaking the President out.”

“What has this got to do with me?  I am just a cop in New York City.”

“You have plenty to do with this.  You might have released our biggest suspect and possible leader of these protests.”

“How do you figure that?  Xavier seems like a genuine sort of guy.”

“He’s a mutant!  And, he’s a particularly strong one at that.  I understand he’s a telepath – he made you release him and you fell for it.”

“Maybe he did.  But, I still feel he will hold to his word.”

“You are such a dick, man.  You are putting your trust into a mutant?”

“I need to believe he was telling the truth.  Look, his School has been a refuge for young mutants for a long time and there have never been any problems as far as I am aware.  Besides, the President felt the same thing when Xavier visited him some time ago.”

“Then, explain to me why the President himself has ordered the incarceration of all mutants?”

“I dunno what has changed his mind.  We can’t even be sure these murders are because of a mutant.  They seemed to have stopped for a bit.”

“Probably because the mutant knows we are going to find him – or her.  The hunt is on.”

“Macpherson, I don’t know what you have in mind or what you intend me to do.  But, I will tell you this – I side with Xavier until something proves he is guilty.”

“You aren’t in the least bit concerned with what is going on between humans and mutants and how this commotion might incite riots all over the country?”

“I’m dealing with the uprisings as best as I can.  Luckily, there have not been many here in this city.”

“Mutants and humans are fighting everywhere.  And because of the increase in these activities, the military has been ordered into large cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and DC.  These uprisings are growing and spreading.  It is only a matter of time that the entire country will be involved.”

“Well, I am sure things will get worse before they get better – they always do.”

“I can’t believe you are just going to sit back and not take any action.  You aren’t even going to post under cover cops to keep watch at Xaviers?”

“No, I am not – not until I am sure he or anyone at that school is a threat.  I guess you don’t recall that it was his people who stopped the mutant Magneto from causing a horrible catastrophe on Liberty Island.”

“Don’t you know the kind of mutants that are living at that school?  There are some pretty dangerous folks there – mutants that can incinerate you just by looking at you, mutants that can control your mind, and mutants that are like walking armies.”

“You are so paranoid.  I see guys doped up so high on drugs every day that are more dangerous than those mutants.”

“Sir, I am just facing the fact that we are on the brink of a major war right here on American soil – with people who call themselves Americans.”

“And why shouldn’t they call themselves Americans?  This country was founded on people trying to escape persecution.  What the hell do you think the mutant population is dealing with?”

“These aren’t just your average-Joe folks, Chief.  These are creatures with incredibly dangerous powers.”

The Chief sat back in his chair.  Macpherson was right on that.  There were mutants with incredibly dangerous gifts.

“I am aware of that.  But, isn’t that why Xavier promotes his school – to be a place for mutants to go to learn control of their gifts?”

“Control of their gifts!” Macpherson laughed deeply.  “Try banding together for a major revolution.  Who better to train than the youth who can be manipulated?”

“I really hope this is all a huge misunderstanding and I hope we all don’t do something so stupid that results in needless tragedies.”

“There is discussion of nationwide martial law.  If that happens, no mutant will walk the streets again.”

“What are you saying?”

“The military has some new ideas on how to handle the ‘mutant problem.’”


General Miller sighed deeply.

“Is this all really necessary?” he asked President McKenna.

“I think it is in the best interest of everyone – for public safety – that we implement Operation Sentinel.”

“This has not even been tested.  How do we know it will be safe?”

“The best test is a field test – don’t you think?”

“Sir, I beg to differ.”

“I know you feel a loyalty to protecting mutants, and believe me, I want to protect them too.  They are still Americans.  But until we can find a way to handle the unusual gifts these people have – I must think of the safety of the human race.”

“Sir, the mutants are humans – just different than the rest.”

“I know this must be very hard for you.  I know about your daughter and your desire to protect the Xavier School.”

“I feel that as long as we have no proof of any wrongdoing on their part, then they are to be considered innocent until proven guilty.”

“I agree.  But, we must put a stop to the battles going on in this nation’s city streets.  I think Operation Sentinel will be just the thing to do it.”