Chapter 27: We are Overwatch

Christine blinked her eyes and took a while to react. "Wow, it sounds like a revolution."

"It's not a revolution. Magneto has already proven that radical methods won't win mutants social status. What I want to use is a proper and upright approach to build a bridge of communication between humans and mutants."

"It's not that easy," Christine still remained skeptical.

"But I'm not an ordinary person."

As a powerful mutant who controls the Worsington Group, with a wide range of interests, numerous friends who are not ordinary people, a pile of black technology, and knowledge of the plot...

If he couldn't achieve this, mutants might as well wait for death.

"It seems like you've been prepared for this."

"Yes, I have a well-prepared plan."

...

Afterward, Christine asked some questions about hair growth potions and hair dye potions, such as whether they were really made from mutant blood, as rumored.

It seemed that silly internet users were everywhere, and there were quite a few silly questions like this. Warren could only patiently explain with a smile.

The next day, the Fame and Fortune magazine reported on Christine's interview, featuring a photo of Warren on the cover, with its special effect-like wings making people suspect if the magazine had changed its style.

Meanwhile, in Congress, a new project was being reviewed.

Mutant Special Forces.

The project was proposed by Senator Stern, aiming to utilize the extraordinary abilities of mutants to solve crime problems that ordinary means couldn't address.

"...That's the end of my proposal. Next, I invite Warren Worthington, the mutant affairs expert and future consultant for the Mutant Special Forces, to answer your questions."

Stern gave Warren an encouraging look.

Warren looked around, and a soft glow emanated from behind him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before we begin, I want to make one thing clear—I am also a mutant. Now, let's proceed with the questions."

"Do you really think the public will accept mutants protecting them?"

"Of course... not. But the more crimes we prevent, the more criminals we eliminate, the more people will gradually accept us."

"You seem very confident."

"Yes, why not?"

At this point, Warren turned on the projector and displayed some data.

"These things should look familiar to all of you. Yes, they were used by those who spread the harmful theory of mutant danger."

A contemptuous smile appeared on his face.

"Some mutants can walk through walls, so some people worry about what would happen if she entered a bank vault?"

"Some mutants can change their appearance, so some people are concerned if she would become someone else."

"Some mutants can peer into people's thoughts, and everyone worries about their privacy being exposed."

"But has anyone considered that mutant abilities can also have a tremendous positive impact? A gun in the hands of a criminal—is it bad? In the hands of a police officer, is it good? Its goodness or badness does not depend on the object itself but on the person using it."

"But most mutants are criminals."

Upon hearing this challenge, Warren muttered the word 'fuck' in a voice so low that everyone could hear.

But in reality, he did a splendid job. This was the perfect setup for what he was about to present next.

"Look at this, these are the statistics of crimes involving mutants compiled from all over the country in the past four months. You can see that it has plummeted by 63% since the 'cure' was released."

"This can be attributed to the 'cure,' and our police are also equipped with 'cure' weapons."

"But if the 'cure' were forcibly administered by the police, it would be recorded as a criminal record. However, this hasn't happened. In other words, in the past period of time, some mutants who used to make a living through theft and robbery have chosen to inject the 'cure,' giving up on continuing their criminal activities. This shows that they have a desire for goodness."

"But not all mutants are like that." Some still voiced their doubts, but their tone had softened considerably.

"Yes, but we can guide mutants who are willing to do good, and as for those stubborn individuals... we have also built a new prison specifically for them."

"If people live in a better environment, no one would want to commit crimes. This is something I have learned from decades of work and it applies to mutants as well." Carlos, the police commissioner, voiced his support.

"And I have always wanted to hire mutant employees, but unfortunately, the Mutant Restriction Act doesn't allow it."

"Yes, the Mutant Restriction Act. It prohibits mutants from becoming government employees on a large scale, which is a hindrance to peace."

At this point, Warren changed the presentation materials.

"Take a look at this. This is an ordinary mutant, without any remarkable physical appearance. However, his ability allows him to perceive the presence of all living beings within a certain range, and he can also identify their identities. In a series of tests, his accuracy far surpasses any human device currently available."

"And this is another mutant. He possesses extraordinary dynamic vision, nerve response speed, and physical coordination. His ability allows him to hit a target with 100% accuracy, hitting the same point with all 30 bullets from a distance of 200 meters."

A video played, showing a man holding a fully automatic rifle and hitting a single spot with all 30 bullets, leaving a melted pit on a metal target.

"And there's this."

Another video played, showing a man with a table full of various objects.

He picked up a piece of iron, and his skin turned into iron.

Then he picked up a piece of copper, and he turned into a copper man.

He picked up a diamond, and his body became translucent.

...

Warren didn't explain these simple and straightforward abilities.

"The abilities possessed by mutants can be simply categorized into support, offense, and defense, among others. The examples I've shown are just a part of them."

"There are mutants with superhuman smell, even more formidable than police dogs."

"There are mutants with alien abilities, surpassing world champions in all aspects of physical fitness."

"There are mutants invulnerable to weapons, such as those who can control magnetic fields like Magneto, or those whose defense is as strong as metal, or those who can absorb the kinetic energy of bullets..."

Pausing for a moment, Warren continued, "They should be our allies, not enemies."

"I'm done speaking."

"Everyone, please start voting."

Everyone looked at each other, then cast their votes.

...

"The result is astonishing—thirteen votes in favor, two abstentions."

This result was expected. After all, Senator Stern had worked tirelessly for so long and mobilized so many friends; failure was not an option.

After all, if the Mutant Special Forces could be established, wouldn't Hydra be able to have a hand in it?

This was a good thing, and it should be fully supported.

Warren looked at Senator Stern, Police Commissioner Carlos, former Secretary Hank, and others, smiling and waving.

A complex smile appeared on the face of Hank, the blue-haired old man, who was excited to the point of tears.

Like Magneto, he had devoted half of his life to fighting for mutants, but he chose the government as his path, though without much success.

"Hank, if you can return to the Department of Mutant Affairs and support me, our pressure will be greatly reduced."

"I will."

Audio voice came from the speakers, "Mr. Worthington, does the Mutant Special Forces have a name? Or should we just call them the Special Forces?"

"Of course, I have prepared a name," Warren replied confidently.

That name had been ready for a long time.

"I want to tell all my mutant brethren that this world is worth fighting for. We will become the guardians, using our gifts to protect this world, to eliminate evil and forge our glory. Light is our only belief. We are—"

"Overwatch!"

Facing the multitude of cameras, Warren declared the birth of that name.