"What? Are you going to run to the White House and punch the President to death?"
Howard slightly frowned, as if he was worried that Luke would act excessively under impulse.
If Superman lost his mind and became an unscrupulous existence, it would be a disaster for the whole world.
"Although we all know that he's fake, according to the procedure, we should find conclusive evidence before implementing law enforcement measures."
"That way, you won't be charged with 'assassinating the President', and Superman won't be a terrorist."
Howard calmly analyzed. The likes of Essex Biotech, Kang the Conqueror, Hydra, and others, was no longer a problem.
Because Luke was back.
With Superman sitting in S.H.I.E.L.D, and they couldn't afford to turn over any waves. At most, they could only do little tricks behind their backs.
'What we should do next is to rectify order and solve problems step by step.'
"Do I look impulsive?"
Luke picked his eyebrows with a relaxed smile.
He could understand Howard's concern, and the simplest means were often used as the last resort.
Scheming, struggle, competition ... This was the normal state of gambling in all sizes.
No one would think of violently overturning the table as soon as they sat.
That would lead to fewer and fewer people taking part in the game.
In the end, they would be left alone, rolling the dice in loneliness and boredom.
"I just put forward an idea, don't be too nervous."
Luke waved his hand to placate Howard and Captain America.
"Then what are you going to do?"
Howard breathed a sigh of relief. If Superman insisted on doing that, he couldn't stop him.
"I know that sometimes lies are more convincing than the truth."
Luke paused, looked at Howard, and whispered, "The main problem isn't the President, he's in that seat, and every move he makes is being watched."
Of course, if the President was that master bullshitting the one that often used the phrase 'no one knows about that better than I do', then that was a different story.
It would have been better, to tell the truth straight away and tell the public that a man from the future had impersonated the President and banished himself to a parallel universe.
It sounded more like a science fiction movie, too far ahead of its time to be credible.
It wasn't easy for people of this generation to accept the complex concepts of parallel universes, future time, and cloning.
"The cake should be eaten one bite at a time. I'm going to take care of Essex Biotech first."
Luke tapped his fingers on the table and asked a pajama-clad Jarvis for some whiskey.
"That's a good idea."
Howard nodded as he thought so.
With advanced and cutting-edge cloning technology, Essex Biotech could build a powerful army composed of Super Soldiers at any time.
If they dared to assassinate him openly today, they might do it to others tomorrow.
This was a time bomb that needed to be dismantled.
"If you want to take down Essex, go to someone you know who can provide useful information and act as a suitable tool."
Howard's eyes flashed.
Aside from being S.H.I.E.L.D's science advisor and world-class genius.
He was also a successful businessman and a qualified capitalist.
How to use effective means to destroy a rising company as quickly as possible...
In this respect, he had a lot of experience.
After all, if one read more, one would know more.
"You mean Emma?"
Luke quickly understood Howard's meaning. Only the White Queen, Emma Frost, of the Hellfire Club could help.
Speaking of this, after returning to Earth-1024, he hadn't had time to meet those … women.
Catching up, embracing, renewing old intimacies ... could all be put aside for now; there's no rush.
He had only been away for eight months, not eight years.
Unlike Captain America, who woke up from a deep sleep, everything had changed dramatically.
By this time, the world was on the verge of entering the Cold War phase of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
"Bingo!"
Howard snapped his fingers and pulled the pasta from his plate with his fork.
Jarvis had just made it. It tasted average, but it was filling.
The three of them sat in the dining room and chatted, making trouble for the butler who had gone to bed, and by the way, letting the other party fix their evening meal.
"In case you didn't know, the White Queen, who is now the leader of the Hellfire Club, is one of the representatives of the moderate mutants faction."
As Howard rolled up his noodles, he said, "Essex Biotech is very interested in mutants. Three months after you left, they took over all the work on the mutants that S.H.I.E.L.D was originally in charge of. It was by order of the President and pressure from the Pentagon."
"Originally, S.H.I.E.L.D adopted a gentle policy of appeasement towards mutants. Coaching, monitoring and documenting, greatly eased the relationship between the two parties."
"But the Essex side was less patient and continued the military's brutal, hard-line approach, which caused a lot of trouble and fueled public opinion."
Hearing this, Luke's face remained unchanged, but his eyes grew a little colder.
"From what I know about Emma, she should be making a move."
For the White Queen, Essex Biotech just had a small role in the bright future.
Behind it stood Mister Sinister, an Alpha mutant with many abilities.
"They did have some ... conflicts."
Howard nodded his head.
White Queen wasn't the kind of person to submit to humiliation.
Her Hellfire Club had several fights with Essex Biotech, but in the end, it failed to get the upper hand.
"At the Paris Peace Summit, a bill on the registration of mutants and related policies was prepared."
Howard had some regrets. He knew Luke's setup and how much work S.H.I.E.L.D had put into it.
"However, Essex Biotech stepped in, which turned the originally eased racial relations into sharp contradictions."
Luke was silent for a moment and whispered, "It doesn't matter. A positive hero always needs a villain to complement him."
"Essex played the role perfectly."
...
...
Hellfire club.
Inside the hall.
The White Queen sat at the top seat on a soft red carpet that ran from her feet to the door.
"Emma, what are you going to do?"
Silver Fox, Kayla, standing beside her, glanced at her sister with a cold face.
During this period, Essex Biotech had stepped up its efforts to capture mutants.
Those clone fighters, whose movements had become more frequent, were capturing more and more of their compatriots into prison.
The Hellfire Club, as a representative camp for the mutants, had carried out many rescues, but it had achieved very little success.
"I don't know."
White Queen shook her head.
On the one hand, Essex Biotech had the government as its umbrella, and all its actions were reasonable and legal.
The arrest of mutants was also justified by reasons such as assisting in investigations, cooperating with inspections, and other reasons.
On the other hand, she was no match for Mister Sinister.
That guy was an Alpha mutant, and he also had an ability similar to telepathy.
In a head-to-head battle, the White Queen would only be defeated.
"I want to lead the group back to Boston, consolidate the forces at hand and unite more of my compatriots against the oppression of Essex Biotech."
In the hall, it was just the White Queen and her sister Silver Fox, so there was no need to cover up what they were saying.
"And you? I heard that you were going to Canada with Logan? He has no other hobbies except smoking cigars, drinking, and fighting. He also has that beast-like brother with him."
White Queen persuaded.
She didn't think that Wolverine was worthy of her sister. By the standards of the general public, the wolf had nothing to offer other than his strength and wild charm.
There was no money, no room, and a grumpy brother who acted as a third wheel in their world of two.
If they did get together, they would definitely not be happy after marriage.
"You have too many misunderstandings about Logan. He's actually a very ... docile person."
Kayla had a soft smile. She had already tamed Wolverine.
The only issue that needed to be considered may be the opposing brother, Sabretooth.
Out of her psychic instincts, Kayla feels that Logan's cranky older brother didn't seem to like her very much.
"I remember that S.H.I.E.L.D originally wanted to build an exclusive school for mutants, and you would manage it ... was this plan shelved?"
Kayla changed the subject. With the disappearance of Superman, the contradiction between mainstream society and mutants became increasingly violent.
The situation at the Hellfire Club had also gotten difficult.
"That's all in the past."
The White Queen shook her head with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.
Although, she and that disappearing guy were only 'special friends' who occasionally went on a friendly match.
However, many things could only be understood as precious if they were lost.
Without Superman standing in front, she had been subjected to covetous eyes, ill will, and pressure from the federal government and other forces.
The Hellfire Club was tottering and struggling.
Even its very existence was threatened, not to mention its continued development.
"A while ago, it seemed that everything was getting better. It seemed that mutants would have a bright future, but they were all an illusion."
The White Queen looked down and said, "It's only because someone gave us hope. When he went away, all the promises were lost."
"S.H.I.E.L.D can no longer shelter mutants. Without Superman, it will be dismantled sooner or later."
Kayla sighed, unlike her sister, the White Queen, who was determined to be the leader of the mutant camp...
The dream of all their compatriots, to be treated equally and have normal lives.
She was no exception.
Who wanted to go to Canada if they could take root in New York, Boston, or other cities?
Kayla knew very well that being a driver actually had a higher priority than being a lumberjack in Logan's career planning.
"So, I have such an important place in your heart? That's very flattering."
The frivolous voice came from outside the hall.
Under the astonished gaze of the White Queen, Luke stepped onto the red carpet and made his way to the seat at the top.
"What? Aren't you happy to see me?"
Looking at the White Queen, who seemed to be in a daze, Luke reached out and held her chin. The corner of his lips slightly curled up.
While Kayla, who stood aside, felt that her existence seemed redundant.
She was also very sensible and withdrew from the hall in silence, leaving the battlefield to the two.
...