Chapter 18: Encirclement and Counterattack

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"Is this really the renowned Professor X? He looks much younger than in the movies," George thought to himself as he observed Professor X being wheeled out of the containment tank by Wolverine.

After all, if we consider the movie timeline, it's 2029, and Professor X would be 97 years old. But in reality, it's 2009, and Professor X is 77 years old.

"If we can restore Professor X's abilities, it will significantly improve our safety. Even if his abilities can't be fully restored, getting his mind back to normal will help these children develop their powers more effectively."

At that moment, George decided that when he went to Hogwarts to study magic in the future, he would dedicate some time to learning healing magic.

If modern technology couldn't heal Professor X, he would try using magical means.

After all, Professor X was one of the most powerful telepaths in the world. He could read others' thoughts and memories without physical contact and control their minds and actions directly.

With the addition of a neural amplifier, he could even kill all ordinary humans and mutants on Earth.

"New species, new mutants. Excellent, excellent. Logan, you must help them. They need you!"

Professor X looked at the children standing in front of him, especially Laura, and tears streamed down his face.

He grasped Wolverine's hand tightly.

"Hang on a little longer, and you will have a new family. Don't give up on yourself. Everything will get better."

"Then promise me you won't give up either. They need your guidance just as you once guided us."

Wolverine's expression gradually hardened, as if he had transformed back into the fearless warrior he once was.

At that moment, George approached:

"We don't have time to waste. The people from the research facility won't let us go so easily, so we can't stay here too long.

We'll split into two teams. Wolverine and I will head to New York to find a way to save Tony Stark.

Professor, Caliban, Gabriella, and Isha, you'll take the children to the North Dakota border and wait for our news.

Be aware that the research facility has created a clone of Wolverine. Caliban, keep an eye out for any new mutants approaching and make sure to relocate immediately if you spot any."

"A Wolverine clone?"

Caliban's pupils narrowed, and he pointed to the south.

"If my senses are correct, the one you're talking about has arrived."

Following Caliban's finger, a long convoy became visible in the distance on the open land.

George narrowed his eyes:

"They're faster than I anticipated, but that's actually good. We can take this opportunity to deal with them; otherwise, it will only cause more trouble later."

He had expected the pursuit from the research facility. Given the Arklay Genetic Corporation's resources and influence, retrieving relevant surveillance footage from local agencies was not difficult.

Their large truck made it impossible to hide their trail.

Previously, being caught would have been troublesome, because even though he could alter bullet trajectories with magnetism and become a super marksman, it wouldn't have helped against X-24.

Running out of bullets would have meant his death.

But things were different now. It wasn't that Wolverine could defeat X-24; it was that he knew Wolverine had an adamantium bullet originally intended for suicide, which was perfect for dealing with X-24.

Eliminating X-24 would temporarily reduce the threat from the research facility. It wouldn't be easy to create another Wolverine clone quickly.

This way, they could go save Tony Stark without worrying about threats to the children from the research facility.

If there was a chance to eliminate Sander Lice as well, that would be even better.

"I have a plan."

He turned to Wolverine and quickly outlined his strategy.

Meanwhile, on the armed jeep, Commander Donald was also making strategic deployments over the radio.

"Surround the factory completely. Not a single one should escape.

If there's any movement, shoot on sight, especially the test subject 757."

Following the boss's orders, Donald leveraged all available resources and quickly tracked down the large truck. He also discovered that the fleeing mutants had made contact with Wolverine, who was hiding out in El Paso.

They had already known about Wolverine and Professor X's whereabouts. The reason they hadn't pursued them as aggressively as other mutants was because the boss had instructed them to let them live in their current miserable state, as it was more torturous than killing them.

However, with the mutants and Wolverine now mixed together, things had become complicated.

So, with the boss's approval, they brought X-24 along just in case.

The boss had initially planned to come and observe X-24's performance in action, but after the recent lab explosion and concerns about 757's marksmanship, he decided to stay at the base.

The convoy, consisting of over twenty vehicles, completely encircled the dilapidated factory. Each vehicle was filled with heavily armed men in bulletproof vests. After disembarking, they took up various shooting positions, totaling nearly a hundred people.

A large armored vehicle, about the size of a bus, was stationed a certain distance from the factory. On its roof, a sniper lay in wait, while inside the vehicle was the final trump card: X-24.

"I didn't expect to meet you this way, Wolverine, my former idol. Hand over those children, and I won't disturb your peaceful life with that old man."

Donald removed his sunglasses and, with his hands behind his back, surveyed Wolverine, who stood alone at the factory entrance. His tone was laced with mockery.

Clearly, he didn't regard the once-famous Wolverine as a serious threat.

"Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. This is private property. Please leave."

Wolverine, sticking to George's strategy of buying time, suppressed his urge to impale this jerk with his claws and patiently tried to reason with him.

Donald pointed at the large truck at the entrance:

"You're really disappointing me. The price of deceiving me might be more than you can handle."

"I don't know whose truck that is. There's definitely no one you're looking for here," Wolverine continued to deny.

Donald gestured to his men, who immediately rushed into the factory with their guns.

About five minutes later, they emerged, shaking their heads at Donald.

Donald raised an eyebrow, glanced around, and finally fixed his gaze on the abandoned water tank next to the factory.

"That's actually a good idea. I bet they're over there, including that old man."

"It's just a regular water tank. There really isn't anyone you're looking for here."

Wolverine's expression changed, and he slowly reached into his pocket.

Donald ignored Wolverine and signaled his men to search the water tank.

At that moment, Wolverine quickly pulled out a vial from his pocket and injected it into his arm.

(End of Chapter)