In the teaser for Volume 4, we see Nathan meeting with someone in a limousine to tell them about the people with abilities, in a attempt to round them all up. In this version of events, it doesn't go to plan.

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PROLOGUE: NATHAN PETRELLI

"I think our only real option at this point is to get the United States Government involved." Senator Nathan Petrelli reclines comfortably in the back of the black limousine currently known as Cadillac One, seated opposite the President of the United States.

Nathan has, only a moment before, completed a lengthy explanation to the President of the current situation regarding the individuals with abilities; as the President continues to sift through the photographs in the Manila folder Nathan presented to him at the very beginning of their meeting.; each photograph contains a background, and details of known abilities, for people Nathan is aware of who possess these gifts.

"And you are saying all of these people have abilities?" The President asks. He fingers another one of the pages, quickly scanning the information before moving on.

"Them, and more," Nathan says. He pauses briefly before continuing, "A lot more." The President looks up from the file momentarily, and the two men exchange glances in complete silence.

Leaning forward slightly in his seat for effect, Nathan goes in for (what he likes to call) his pre-rehearsed money-shot, "The important thing to remember is how dangerous these people can become, if left unchecked. I had a solution; it proved unsuccessful. It's all there. All the evidence you need."

The President takes a moment to respond, then asks matter-of-factly, "What exactly is it that you are asking to do?"

"I wanna round them up, and put them into a facility where they won't be a danger to anyone," Nathan declares. He watches as the President physically pauses before closing over the folder and handing it back to Nathan.

"You want to imprison them?" The President questions him. Nathan blinks, he hadn't rehearsed this part. He was sure he'd have sealed the deal with his 'no mess-no fuss' explanation of what these beings were capable of. He takes a moment to think of his next move. Like in Chess, one wrong move and it's all over.

"I want to take them off the streets, yes" Nathan agrees. "There are so many dangerous people out there, it seems..."

"There are, Nathan. I'm not going to disagree with you there. But, a man with a rifle is much more dangerous than a man who could, say... breathe underwater, is he not?" The President asks. When Nathan doesn't reply immediately, he changes his question. "Surely a man with a flame thrower could cause as much damage with that weapon, as a man who shoots fire from his hands?"

"Well, yes Sir," Nathan agrees, with a nod. "But these people are extremely dangerous. Some of them are already criminals, some of them are well on the road to becoming one..."

"And some never will be. Will they, Senator?"

Nathan's jaw drops. Check. "Well, I..."

"Are we to determine who causes a threat more than the next person? I mean, suffice to say that a man with Telepathy who can insert thoughts into your mind could make you kill yourself, but then maybe he doesn't abuse his power that way. A woman who can run faster than the eye can see could be a thief, there's no doubting that, but she may never become that way. Are we not a constitution who preaches innocence until proven guilty? Can we lock up average every day people who look like criminals on the basis that they might kill someone one day?"

Nathan sits quietly, already hearing the roar of defeat pounding in his ears. He fidgets with thin air, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together absentmindedly as the President continues his speech.

"Would you like me to get on television in front of millions of Americans, and explain that we may be taking away entire families? That neighbours, or best friends, or partners, might suddenly disappear, and we can't explain to them why? Or is it your plan to tell the people about these abilities? That alone could be catastrophic. The religious zealots would have a field day, people would turn on their closest friends if they found out, because they were never told. A battle for supremacy would begin on our own doorstep. I don't see how you can consider this a good plan at all, Senator."

"Am I to take it that I don't have the support of the United States Government, and your backing, Sir?" Nathan finally asks, already believing he knows what the President is likely to say.

However, the man stuns him further by asking, "you can fly, can you not Nathan?"

Nathan's fists clench and his jaw tightens. Check. Mate. "How did you know about that?"

The President smiles. "I know many things, Senator. Like how your Brother mimics other people's abilities; your mother can tell the future; and your father was a telepath like Matt Parkman in this file here, before he started absorbing the powers of others. Yet, I notice you don't implicate your own family amongst these pages?"

Nathan is stunned. "May I enquire, again, as to how you know these things?"

The President smiles ruefully at Nathan. "Firstly, because Matt Parkman isn't the only Telepath you know. You are sitting with one right now." The President waits for realisation to dawn in Nathan's eyes, before he says, "I can hear your intentions as well as your explanations, and the two don't quite meet in the middle, do they Nathan?"

In an almost tiny voice, Nathan says "you have an ability. You knew about these people all along."

"Well, not exactly," The President explains. He straightens in his seat. "I knew what I could do. I wasn't aware that people around me had other abilities, because not even my closest personal staff know about my ability. I found out there were others when I received a visit from a tall dark-haired man with a scar across his face."

Nathan visibly cringes, and shrinks into the seat further. Good God! "Peter," he growls.

The President nods solemnly, "Your very own brother, Nathan. Peter told me where, and when, he has been. He told me what he saw when he was there. The result of your vendetta against people with abilities is a rather tragic tale. And one, I'm afraid, I will neither agree with, or finance."

Resigned, Nathan slides forward on his seat, picks up the folder and says "Alright, Mr. President. Thank you for your time." As he goes to leave the car, the President catches his arm.

"Nathan." He stops, but doesn't look back. "I know what you're thinking, and it's never going to happen. Continue with this plan and the United States Government will get involved, but it will be to shut you down. Is that clear?"

Nathan grumbles a quick "Yes. Mr. President" with a curt nod before closing the door and walking off.