"What we found was far worse than what we thought." Ethan was quickly chopping up vegetables when Jean walked in with Felicia. They were talking about something, probably the X-Men's recent siege of a Hydra base. "We already found evidence of other facilities that are doing similar things."
"Hey, Jean." Ethan continued cutting up vegetables.
"Hey, I was just telling Felicia about the X-Men's operation." Jean explained as she set a bag down by the couch before waking over and joining Felicia at the counter. "We managed to find most of the kids that went missing in New York, as well as several others from across the country."
"That must be a mess to deal with." Ethan pointed out. "How are you getting them home safely?"
"We opened the school to any of the children that have developed powers. We also started a month-long course for the older individuals to learn their powers. Unfortunately we are still working our way through those that are suffering from mind control." Jean sighed as she shook her head.
"Mind control? That is some tricky stuff." Ethan nodded in agreement before he pulled out three plates and began plating salads. "Is there anything else you need help with?"
"Mmm… no we just have to figure out a way to take these other facilities we learned about. I am worried about them escaping if we do not have enough assistance, I am also worried about them running and vacating the locations we know about if we wait too long." Jean explained as she accepted the salad plate.
"So you have a manpower and a mobilization issue. You just need some trustworthy private military companies. Having the military assist you again would be more difficult since the government will make it more difficult after you all embarrassed them." Ethan understood as he turned his attention to the rest of the food.
"Why would they do that when lives are on the line?" Felicia asked. "Wouldn't it be more advantageous for them to go all in?"
"No, anyone with a good head would realize that there are moles within the government. While the politicians will see what occurred as an insult and will try to repair the damaged trust without outside help. The moles and corruption will leak and sell any intel. Then there is the anti-mutant faction…" Ethan just waved off at that point.
"They would only ever get in the way." Felicia nodded as she began to understand.
"I don't suppose either of you would know any trustworthy companies?" Jean asked jokingly as she began eating her salad.
"Mmm…Sable?" Felicia asked.
"No, she is busy. I have a few people I can discreetly ask around. I know some people." Ethan answered with a shrug. "If I am right it won't be long before I get a positive response."
"For someone that is not very social you sure know a lot of people." Jean pointed out with a smirk.
"It is because I know a few people who are really good. Knowing the right people is just as good as knowing many people." Ethan answered with a shrug.
"I will keep that in mind, we are actually seeing an increase in mutants across the world as well. The numbers are still low but I have a feeling it will increase overtime." Jean changed the topic, wanting to avoid talking about her current workload.
"I heard that as well, but does that include artificial awakenings like those induced by extreme stress?" Felicia asked as she set her empty plate to the side.
"Actually we have it broken down into categories. The numbers are actually very interesting. I will send them to you later to check it out." Jean explained as she set her own plate aside.
"Is that not restricted information?" Felicia asked in surprise.
"Not anymore, we are changing some things around and the increase in natural awakenings actually have us worried. So we are publishing the numbers along with some other statistics." Jean explained as she nodded to her bag. "Actually while you two are busy tomorrow I will be going out and taking care of that."
"Can we get those numbers? I am actually kind of curious." Felicia asked as a plate of steak was placed in front of her.
"Sure, actually Ethan you are good with computers correct?" Jean asked as she stood up and pulled open her bag. "We are having some issues with encrypted files, do you think you could open it?"
"Easily, set it on the coffee table. I will take care of it tomorrow morning." Ethan answered as he placed two more plates of steak.
"Thanks, by the way. I haven't heard Laura, where is she?" Jean asked as she returned to the counter, setting some papers to the side.
"Actually…" Felicia started and bit her lip in frustration.
"Oh no, is something wrong?" Jean asked with a worried look. Assuming that something had happened to the young girl. "Is she okay?"
"Laura is fine, we were able to find her mother. But, Felicia has been missing her presence. She was a breath of excitement in our life that has left a void." Ethan sighed as he began eating his steak, cutting it up quickly.
"Really? Where is she now?" Jean asked in excitement. Becoming confused when Felicia began grumbling in annoyance.
"Ignore her, she is in a safehouse that I own. Just like how I am sure you have heard from many of the guards' minds, I own properties around the world and use them as safehouses for people that are hiding from abusers." Ethan explained with a nonchalant shrug.
"So you are using these properties as well. Won't someone figure that out and be able to track down the people you are hiding?" Jean asked with a frown.
"Actually…" Ethan felt a bit shy, "most of them are under aliases that my family has. My family only owns five properties on public record while I own about twelve in my own name."
"How? I thought your family was not that wealthy. Felicia said you were living in a smaller apartment before this one." Jean waved her hand around, "I figured you made all this money by owning and renting out properties."
"No… for the most part the properties in New York pay for themselves since the government and federal agencies need places to hide witnesses. I run secure facilities off the books for them, and get paid in government funds and tax write offs." Ethan shrugged.
"So then what about your family and the aliases?" Jean asked.
"Uh… I would prefer not talking about my family's houses, which are all ancestral homes. The aliases date back to after world war one, my family was really embedded deeply in the underworld back then and had started expanding to other countries." Ethan shyly explained, embarrassed of his own family's ancestors.
"What?" Jean asked in surprise. "How have I never heard about this before?" She looked over and saw Felicia was just as shocked. "Clearly Felicia has not either."
Ethan shrugged, "because it is embarrassing and I do not like talking about it. As for not reporting anything about it to the government… they would lose far more than us. I found records of assassinations, kidnappings, and 'accidents' that my family did on their behalf."
"Really… It actually sounds really interesting. I am surprised the Hilt family name is not a household name." Felicia pointed out.
"Actually it is, the American branch of our family were the only ones to step out of the crime world and change our last name. But most of my cousins, both in Europe and Japan, are still involved in the criminal world." Ethan answered.
"That…" Jean suddenly thought of something. "Wait but how do you own all the properties if your criminal cousins are still alive?"
"Because I am from the main branch, so property rights all go to me. Yes that does include the central building both branches call home." Ethan set his plate aside once he was done eating and began eating the salad that he neglected earlier.
"If they are both criminals then… why haven't they tried to kill you yet?" Felicia asked, now completely distracted and focused on what they were talking about.
"Because of the family rules. All branches abide by a set of codes and rules, which I can not and will not tell you, that keeps us in line. I will say that I was already 'challenged' for the properties by cousins from both branches and won." Ethan explained, avoiding talking about most of what he was worried about. About the fact that one of the people was a world renowned boxer and the other was a famous chess player.
"How about your aunt? How much of this does she know about? From what it sounds like she is far too soft to be in your family." Felicia pointed out with confusion.
"Actually my aunt is the odd duckling in my family. She knows all about it and will have to tell her children when they turn sixteen. But she did not take as well to the family training and was able to escape any obligations because my mother doted on her and made sure the rest of our family would not bother her." Ethan answered and then shook his head, "but I would like to change the subject. Is your school prepared for the upcoming year, I know schools start opening in just over a week."
Jean pouted but nodded in understanding, "for the most part. But I am actually thinking about expanding the school, especially for international students."
"Why don't you make new locations around the world instead. Recruit local teachers, it sounds like Ethan has enough connections to help with that already." Felicia suggested instead, "it would also help solidify your school as a non-governmental entity."
"I suppose it would also stop people from worrying about us amassing military strength as well." Jean nodded in agreement then thought of something, "but this would mean we need to expand our connections anyway."
"Haaa!!!" Jean loudly groaned as she leaned back, "this means I will have to do a lot of social and political shit."
"Why don't you just leave it to Professor Xavier? He seemed like he was used to the higher class." Felicia pointed out while Ethan bit his tongue, refusing to jump in with his own answer. He had seen many classified files over the years, so he knew a few of the old man's secrets. Which made his lack of presence in the political spectrum obvious because of those secrets.
"Actually, he has been making me take more of an active role in the administration of the school and the X-Men. I have a feeling he is feeling out the idea of me replacing him." Jean explained as she pouted.
"Well it is not like you have much to worry about, the mutant's current standing is in limbo at the moment. So only time will help." Ethan pointed out, commenting on the current political situation with mutants in the United States.
"Actually, the X-Men are also down two members. Cyclops was forced into a temporary vacation. Wolverine left this morning on his bike, going on one of his infamous trips. I doubt we will see him for at least a year. It usually happens when his nightmares worsen." Jean explained, "so now I have to worry about filling that void."
"I thought you had several members. What happened to them all?" Ethan asked in genuine surprise, getting insights on the X-Men had been difficult even for him.
"Well there was the separation that occurred, when Magneto formed his Brotherhood and left with several members. Then we have several members that prefer not being in combat." Jean suddenly got a very solemn expression, "there are also those that died."
"What about having an optional course in school that trains older students?" Ethan pointed out.
"Don't you think that is a bit… iffy? Training children?" Jean asked as she frowned.
"No, actually there are already plenty of teenagers becoming heroes or vigilantes by using their powers. Besides it is not like you would only be training them to fight, you can train them to help as well. Learning to use their abilities to help in fighting fires or rescuing people could be more alluring then fighting and far more useful." Ethan pointed out.
"Why have I not heard of any of these teenage heroes?" Jean asked while puffing out her cheeks.
"Spider-Man for one, he is a teenager. Then there is Cloak and Dagger on the west coast as the news is calling them. The current Wasp started when she was a teenager. Not to mention I am sure there will be many that would end up trying to be superheroes, just because of what they would see on television." Ethan explained as he moved the plates to the sink.
"Well then, I suppose I should write these ideas down." Jean moved to grab a notepad from her back pack, "I doubt I will remember them if I don't."