As the days turned into weeks, the Foundation team became an integral part of Ironwood's daily operations. The initial wariness from the mutant community had begun to ease, replaced by a cautious acceptance. The steady stream of supplies and the evacuation of those in need had earned the Foundation a measure of trust, though that trust was still fragile and contingent on the continued flow of resources.
Steve, ever the leader, had made it his mission to bridge the gap between the Foundation team and the mutants. He spent time training with the mutants, learning their strengths and strategies, and offering his own insights from years of battlefield experience.
He found himself working closely with Logan, who had become something of a confidant, albeit a gruff one. Together, they ran drills and coordinated defenses, always mindful of the ever-present threat of a Sentinel attack.
Meanwhile, Bruce had established a makeshift medical facility with the supplies that had been flown in. Though he wasn't a surgeon by trade, his vast knowledge of biology and medicine made him invaluable. He worked tirelessly alongside the mutants' own healers, combining traditional methods with advanced technology to treat the wounded and sick.
The sight of Bruce calmly managing the chaos of the medical ward, even as the ground rumbled with the distant approach of Sentinels, became a source of quiet strength for the community.
The Alpha-1 team, though less visible, was no less active. They had begun to map out the surrounding area, identifying potential threats and opportunities.
Their reconnaissance missions were risky, venturing out beyond the safety of Ironwood's walls to gather intelligence on Sentinel movements and scout for potential supply caches. Their efforts helped to provide a clearer picture of the battlefield, information that was shared with Magneto and the other leaders in Ironwood.
Yet, even as the Foundation integrated itself into the fabric of Ironwood, there was an undercurrent of tension. Magneto remained a distant figure, rarely seen but always felt. His presence loomed over the town, a reminder of the fragile alliance that had been formed.
The Foundation team knew that they were guests in his domain, and that their continued presence was dependent on their usefulness to him.
Magneto's motives were still a subject of speculation among the Foundation members. They had learned enough to understand that he was consolidating his power, literally and figuratively. The iron-rich ground of Ironwood was his to command, and he had been quietly shaping it to his will, preparing for a confrontation that seemed inevitable.
But there was something else, a sense that Magneto was not just preparing for battle, but for something larger—something that could tip the balance of power in this war.
The Foundation had its own agenda, of course. While they were committed to helping the mutants, they also had a mission to fulfill. Information was being gathered, analyzed, and sent back to headquarters.
The Foundation was playing a long game, one that required them to balance the needs of the mutants with their own objectives. The evacuation of certain individuals served a dual purpose: it relieved the strain on Ironwood's resources, but it also allowed the Foundation to extract people who could be useful in other ways.
For Steve, this balancing act was becoming increasingly difficult. He had always been a man of principle, driven by a clear sense of right and wrong. But here, in this fractured world, the lines were blurred.
The Foundation's methods, while effective, sometimes conflicted with his own moral compass. He found himself questioning their motives more often, wondering if they were truly allies in this fight, or if they had their own agenda that might one day come into conflict with the mutants they were supposed to be helping.
As the piercing wail of the alarms echoed throughout Ironwood, Steve's instincts kicked in immediately. He bolted from his thoughts, his mind sharpening with the urgency of the moment. The town, usually bustling with the quiet hum of daily survival, was now a flurry of activity. Mutants and human allies alike rushed to their positions, preparing for what they all knew was inevitable—a Sentinel attack.
Steve sprinted towards the command center, where he knew he would find Logan and the other leaders coordinating the defense. The makeshift headquarters was a hive of activity, with screens displaying live feeds from scouts and automated defenses.
Magneto was there too, his presence commanding, yet unnervingly calm. His eyes met Steve's as he entered the room, and there was a brief nod of acknowledgment—a silent understanding that they were about to face a significant threat together.
Logan was already barking orders, his voice cutting through the din. "Sentinels approaching from the northwest! Looks like a full battalion this time. We need to hold the line at the outer perimeter."
Steve quickly assessed the situation on the screens. The Sentinels were advancing in formation, their towering forms moving with a mechanical precision that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. They were relentless, designed for one purpose: to eradicate mutants and anyone who stood with them.
"Banner, It's time to show our new friends here that you can do more than simply treat some wounds." The captain said as he looked at the formation of enemies.
All in all, it seemed that there were about two dozen sentinels and around a thousand drones.
Bruce Banner, who had been quietly standing to the side, nodded grimly. The calm demeanor that he usually maintained in the medical ward began to slip away, replaced by the intensity that always accompanied the emergence of his other self. "Yes sir." he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Everyone casts curious looks at Banner. Over his time here he had proven himself skilled in many fields, but he didn't come across as a fighter, which clearly meant there was something more to him, and they were all eager to find out what that was.
While Steve, Peggy, and the Captain all wanted to take control of the situation, they all had to keep their tongues in check, knowing that they weren't in charge here, even though their input wasn't earned yet.
They had to prove themselves in this fight; only then would they have the ability to make their voice heard in the future.
Though it didn't seem like they had too many people skilled in military tactics, likely due to none of them having really served in the army other than Logan, who was nothing more than a grunt. And that most of the military had long since been wiped out by the sentinels or Magneto himself.
It was therefore the master of magnetism himself that took control of the situation. "Jean, you will stay with Charles and aid us in communicating across the field, Storm, you will try to force them down with a storm." He quickly began issuing orders.
"Pietro, Gambit, the two of you know what to do." He continued. "Blindfold, you assist Mystique with commanding the gunners, Cable, you ensure they keep firing. Shadowcat, you are with Nightcrawler, and Polaris, you are with me."
He turned towards the Foundation team for a moment. "You best know your skills, do what you think is best, but try not to get in the way." His tone was cold and serious.
Steve nodded at Magneto's instructions, understanding the gravity of the situation. He exchanged a quick glance with Peggy and Bucky, they both looked ready to do this.
"Rogers and company, you can handle the smaller drones, Banner; you go out there and smash anything you can reach, time to show everyone what an SCP can do, including my boss, who will be interested in your performance." The captain said and handing out his own orders.
With the orders given, the group quickly sprang into action. Steve led his team towards the outer perimeter where the smaller drones were expected to hit first. His shield was already in hand, a reassuring weight that grounded him amidst the chaos. Bucky and Peggy flanked him, both seasoned warriors ready to fight alongside him.
Bruce Banner took a deep breath as he walked out into the open, his usually calm demeanor now replaced with the growing tension of what he was about to unleash. As he approached the edge of Ironwood's defenses, he shocked everyone as he threw himself from the wall, falling down to his doom.
Or so it looked to onlookers at least, though it didn't take long before they gasped in shock as he let go of the restraint he held so tightly, allowing the Hulk to take over. His body expanded, muscles bulging, skin turning a vibrant green as the transformation completed. The Hulk let out a deafening roar that echoed across the battlefield, a challenge to the approaching Sentinels.
From above, Storm summoned dark clouds, her eyes glowing white as she directed the fury of the storm towards the incoming Sentinels. Lightning crackled through the sky, striking down with precision, forcing the Sentinels to adapt their formation and slowing their advance.
Her goal was to force the sentinels and their drones down to the ground. After all, not everyone could fly, so fighting mid-air was a massive advantage for the sentinels, one they wanted to deny them.