Chapter 4 We Are At War
Slowly, reluctantly his words were sinking in. " You mean...Shaw?" she asked hoping against hope that he had meant something diffferent. He winced slightly before nodding. Impulsively Moira seated herself by his side, and, taking his hand, softly asked: "You must talk about it, Charles. Don`t - don`t lock it away." He threw a brief glance at her and tried to smile in the old way.
" Sorry. I did not actually mean to be that dramatic. It is just that..."
Moira waited, but he drew a long breath and kept silent.
" That you can no longer hear anything?"
" I can no longer care" he finally responded barely audibly. "About anything. Or anyone. Even now - I have to remind myself about the others - they may be in danger, for all I know, they probably are, but...I don`t really care. As if things stopped being real since- since that coin struck home. " he finished, and she could see the throbbing of the vein in his temple. She groped for words...
"Charles...It will pass, I am sure. And your power - it will return."
He did not answer, just stared in the space, but somehow she heard his words once more. I dont care...
***
"So you think he has inflicted it on himself?" Joelson demanded.
The psychologist nodded.
"Not intentionally. Xavier is suffering from severe post- traumatic syndrome and trying at the same time to cope with massive guilt. That is why he has inserted a block in his mind to cut off his telepathic powers."
"How long is it likely to last?"
"It is hard to say. Weeks, months. Witn proper treatment..."
"We have no time for that", the agent cut in. " We need him badly and we need him right now. I have a notion I can help things along."
2 days later
Entering the room Charles walked to the chair and sat down. He was still favouring slightly the left shoulder but otherwise he looked almost normal once more.
"The same questions all over again? " he asked quietly. " Why don`t you just play the records of my answers every time you feel like it? "
" Today there will be no recording," Joelson answered deliberately. "And no questions, either. Unless you have some."
Charles leaned back.
"Not really. You see, the last frank speech I got from the CIA was quite exsaustive. Back on the beach."
In spite of the remoteness in his eyes, the bitterness in the last words was clear. " You know why we did it" the agent replied evenly. " We are at war. That gives us license for much."
" It is a convenient idea. "
" For much" Joelson repeated slowly. Charles stiffened, catching a new tone in his voice.
" Xavier, we need your cooperation. Now. Complete and willing, with no reservations and no conditions. You are to resume operating Cerebro. Today."