"How do you see mutants?" Nick asked Shiller, leaning against the glass window.
"My view aligns with Professor X's in most aspects, at least in one way- that forcing mutants and ordinary humans to live together would result in harm to both sides."
"Putting the deep-seated historical issues aside, which have resulted in ordinary humans despising mutants, the mere unpredictability of mutants' power makes it impossible for them to live within the normal human society," Shiller said with a sigh.
Since arriving in this world, he had discovered that the problems with mutants were far more serious than he had imagined. Every day, newspapers reported another mutant losing control of their powers, leading to casualties and damages…
There's something to the symbionts' claim: regular humans are indeed fragile. The slightest spark could inflict severe burns. In the case of an explosion, the majority wouldn't survive. Unfortunately, fire and explosions are the most common phenomena when a mutant's power erupts.
How could regular people not view them as terrorists? Even terrorist attacks can be anticipated to some extent, given that there are only so many types of guns and bombs. The eruption of a mutant's abilities, however, is another story entirely- a thousand individuals pose a thousand different threats to public safety.
In a society with mutants, entering any public space requires first finding a safe corner in case a rogue mutant should suddenly burst into a rampage.
Every morning, you might find the streets damaged and learn that again it's the work of mutants. Or perhaps one day your car would be perfectly parked in a lot, only for the entire car park to collapse the next day, and the insurance company refusing to compensate...
When a mutant's power erupts, it doesn't consider if you need to go to work the next day, whether you have pressing clients to meet or yearn for a peaceful atmosphere.
Even Shiller himself was not exempted. Despite possessing Spider-sense and the ability to avoid danger, his cautious nature made him instinctively use the Gray Mist to sense nearby conditions whenever he was in a public place. He feared the possibility of encountering an Alpha-Level Mutant going off.
Ordinary people living in a world with mutants is akin to living in a world where terrorists might appear at any moment. Even without actual harm, the continual stress takes a toll.
"As a psychologist, I truly understand the mental strain caused by such long-term insecurity, and I can understand that people's hatred for mutants stems from this pressure."
"But mutants don't have a choice, because their genetic makings are innate."
"I've learned from Professor X that many mutants fall into deep guilt after their sudden power eruption injures innocents, some even unable to step out of this shadow in their lifetime."
"So, forcing the two sides to live together is indeed irresponsible towards both."
"So what do you plan to do? Establish isolation? I must say, this won't work, as shown by Germany during World War II," Nick sighed. He added, "I know Magneto has always sought to establish a country for mutants, but he faced significant obstacles. The reason is clear to both of us."
"Of course, no country would agree to another developing nuclear weapons, let alone all the 'nuclear weapons' uniting to form their own nation. No country would stand by and let this happen."
"Even if the mutants could unite, their families still live in the ordinary human society, manipulated by the state and power. The reason Magneto could stand firm is because he has no vulnerabilities. But most mutants would only capitulate when their family and friends are threatened."
Nick glanced at Shiller, lowering his voice to say, "I can reveal to you the Safety Council's policy towards mutants. In simple terms, it's divide and rule, letting them wear each other down internally. It's crucial to utilize their powers when necessary but never let them unite."
"From the politicians' perspective, this is the best solution. Look, the stances of the three parties - mutants, ordinary people, and politicians - are completely different. Mutants hope to unite, be independent, and have a home of their own..."
"Ordinary people wish that mutants could stay away from their lives and return them to a safe societal environment. To some degree, these two groups' interests align because once mutants establish a nation, they would all migrate there, no longer interfering in ordinary people's lives."
"The only impediment here is the politicians. To segregate the mutants, they must be dispersed through typical human societies, much like diluting alcohol with water."
Nick also sighed, stating, "We both know that we can't change those people's minds. This has always been the case in human society."
"Are mutants peculiar? No, similar events in history have occurred countless times. Isn't this the case with Africa as well?"
"Divide and rule, internal exhaustion, product dumping, production blockade, and then controlling public opinion so they believe they are naturally inferior, selection of the excellent for absorption, and ruling by using their own methods - this trick has been played countless times."