Erik sat quietly on a park bench in an empty park, waiting for Azazel. As he did so, he fiddled with three small metal marbles in his hands, making them change shapes and levitate around each other in interesting ways until the other mutant returned. With a small crack Azazel appeared, giving Erik a small smile. "I have found some interesting lodgings."
"Interesting how?" He was not inclined to have to worry about such matters when there were much more important matters at hand.
"I believe the phrase is 'killing two birds with one stone', is it not? It's not ideal, but it should work. There is a very large home – more like a mansion – about forty miles outside of New York City. It is completely free to live there, meaning that our funds may be used in other ways, and there will be other mutants there," he said, glee in his eyes.
"Other mutants?" This entire situation was beginning to put Erik ill at ease.
"Yes. The mansion serves as free, safe, lodging for mutants until they can find work or someplace safe to live. I did not meet the owner, but the two women who were running the home were both mutants. Everything checked out. The only downside would be privacy, but I was told that something may be arranged with the owner, who is apparently looking us up right now."
"Looking us up?" Erik asked irritably.
"Criminal history, so I was told. However, they said that most things could be overlooked."
"Did it not occur to you that your association with Shaw could be construed as a threat? I don't think they are going to welcome the mutants who tried to start nuclear war into their home."
"Maybe not, but I was guaranteed that no matter what our criminal history was, that no authorities would be called. We are no worse off for having tried. Should I take you there?"
Erik sighed. "I suppose. We don't have very many options available."
Within a matter of seconds, Erik was standing in front of the enormous mansion, waiting for Azazel to bring Emma Frost with him so she could also inspect. Soon, the other two were standing with him and they were greeted by two women who were clearly sisters. With dark hair and copper skin, they definitely appeared as if they were Native American. "I'm assuming you are the mutant whom Azazel referred to as Magneto?" asked the taller one. Erik nodded. "My name is Dianna and this is my sister Allegra. The owner, Ms. Carson, will be here soon to discuss your situation, although I have to say that you're lucky she has considered taking you in at all considering four of the members of your party are wanted by the U.S. government for involvement in that missile crisis and the other two are considered persons of interest by both the CIA and the FBI."
"You certainly didn't waste any time," he replied tersely. His body tensed, ready for a fight.
"Ms. Carson prefers to be thorough, and that's what I am for," Allegra replied coolly. "There is no need to get anxious. Regardless of whether or not we decide to allow you to stay, you are free to go and as I told your friend: we will not be calling anyone to tell them that you've been here."
"She's telling the truth," Emma threw in nonchalantly. "This place is everything that they say it is: a safe haven for mutants who need help. Allegra does the background checks."
"So what does Ms. Carson expect in return for giving all these people a home?" Erik asked. His first policy was not to trust anyone and he wasn't about to change that now.
"She prefers that they look for a job, but it's not a requirement. She'll often give mutants positions within her company. After all," Dianna explained "Ms. Carson owns Carson Technologies. She is not in any way lacking in funds, so she can afford to look at each situation on a case-to-case basis, just as she is doing with yours." They heard a car pulling up into the drive. "Here she is now."
A brunette in a power suit stepped out of the expensive black Cadillac and for a few moments, appeared to be the most suave woman on the planet, until Erik noticed the fact that she was walking completely barefoot towards them and was only about five foot one. "Alright, so which one of you am I going to discuss this situation with?" she asked, immediately taking command.
"That would be me," Erik replied.
"So four of you were involved in a plot to start a nuclear war?" she asked casually.
"That is correct."
"And just why were they trying to start a nuclear war, Allegra?" Carson asked.
"It was apparently part of some plot to destroy all of humanity and leave only the mutants."
"How do you know that?" asked Erik.
Carson replied for Allegra. "Allegra's ability allows her to see the history of an object or person if she comes into physical contact with them. I'm assuming she shook one of your hands. Now, you have to understand why I would not be eager to be housing wanted men and woman under a roof that I own." He nodded. "Okay, so what kind of business are you all in right now? And please tell the truth, it will be much faster than having to verify with Allegra all the time."
Erik nodded slowly, understanding that he did indeed have to tell the truth. "We are currently preparing for war against humanity. They will eventually turn on us, and I do not intend for us all to be exterminated because of the fear that the humans hold. We are the future and I am trying to recruit and protect my fellow mutants."
She raised her eyebrows in interest but before she could say anything, Emma spoke. "She's not a mutant, Erik. She's the only one here who isn't."
The tension in the air immediately intensified. "Thank you for stating something everyone here apart from all of you already knew," Carson replied sarcastically, not nearly as concerned with this revelation as the three new mutants were. "Your idea intrigues me, although you can probably guess why I may be a little uncomfortable of the idea of a war between humanity and mutants. I am, however very interested in protecting mutants from humans and trying to prevent war while I'm at it. Humanity is a threat to mutants, which I why I had this place built."
"Why are you so interested in mutants?" asked Erik.
"I profit off of them," she replied point blank. "With mutants inside my company, I save a lot of money and increase efficiency. Not only that but by researching them, I've also managed to pioneer some enormous leaps in technology. Solar power and nuclear power have now been put decades ahead by my research which puts me eons ahead of my competitors. I'm a businesswoman. That's it. I think that mutants and their abilities can be useful, so I see no reason to terrorize them." Her green eyes stared at Magneto and he felt as if she were telling the truth. "I feel as if we can help each other, Mr. Lensherr, so I am willing to offer you housing here, as well as a facility to operate from in New York, for the time being. Try not to make any messes and I guarantee that I will help your cause, while still benefitting myself."
"How do I know I can trust you?" he asked guardedly.
"Bolivar Trask, my business competitor, has made his anti-mutant position very clear and I have it on good authority that he is beginning to look into technology that would be used to destroy mutants. Obviously any type of technology that he intends to design is very far away from being operational, but it would be in both of our interests to prevent this technology from every becoming reality. If we remove Trask Industries from the picture, then both of us will profit. I also don't like Trask personally, so ruining him and razing his company to the ground would be very enjoyable for me. Do we have a deal, Mr. Lensherr? You are allowed to walk away at any moment as none of this is legally binding, but you would be walking away from an amazing opportunity."
Erik turned to Emma. She nodded, confirming that Carson meant what she said. Erik shook hands with Carson. "Agreed. I will hold you to your end of the deal."
"I'll hold it up with pleasure," Carson replied. The gleeful gleam in her eyes told Erik she was telling the truth. "Now, feel free to get the other members of your party, and I will show you to your rooms."
As she showed Erik to his room, she was still all business. "Before too long you and I will be discussing strategies because I think we both need to be on the same page as far as how to approach this matter is concerned. Oh, and I don't think I've been properly introduced. My name is Stevie Carson and it is a pleasure doing business with you." Before he could reply, she was off. He didn't like the idea of working with a human, but she appeared to be genuine and if nothing else he figured he could rely on a businesswoman to do something she considered to be profitable.