I took a small handgun from the rack and made sure it was loaded, then headed out to check the new recruits. Ten had been smuggled across the border yesterday, and three had gotten through today, including the new girl Erik told me about.

I chose a couple of strong guards as backup and told them to meet me at the healer's tent. New recruits usually had a few scars to show after they arrived, especially now that most United States police have been told to shoot first and ask questions later. Then I checked on the scouts, the security details, and the supplies, getting an extra clip for my gun.

Unfortunately, these days, you cannot be too careful.

Hookup found me as I was checking the clip. "Newbies again, eh?" His dark eyes glistened. "Doing them yourself this time."

"Yes." The clip was fine, and I slipped it into my pocket. "And do not tell me I am taking too much on myself, again. I have the time, and …"

"… you still got that guilt complex over the murder of Senator Kelly." Hookup smirked at me. "Fearless leader, gotta let go sometime. We're here to help. Let us."

"I am. You are going to help me question them."

He shook his head. "Why I bother. Most stubborn person here, other than Magneto."

He kept grumbling at me as I walked to the healers' tent and went inside, gun holstered for now. There were two children with severe burns, one suffering intense shock, and one I did not recognize. The guards followed Hookup and me inside.

Jimmy-Doc was at the side of one of the burn victims, a boy named Mike. I nodded to him and looked at the child. He was thin and weak, the burns wrapping around his arms like snakes, and his green eyes were too large for his small freckled face.

Jimmy came over to me with a last reassuring pat on the child's hand. "They're getting younger and younger," he murmured to me.

"I know." The mutants from yesterday were all ten or eleven, with their "leader" a very lucky thirteen year old boy. "In any case. How are they doing, and are they up for questioning?"

He smiled. "Mike is. Ciara will be, after her nap." He pointed to the other burn victim, whose face was wrapped in the last of our bandages. "Uvaldo needs a little more time. He's still convinced that the terrors he created were real. I think the new girl will talk to you, not me."

I nodded. "I shall begin immediately."

I talked to her and the other children. They were all stories I had heard before. Mutant gains new powers, gets abused for them. Mutant tries a run for Mexico and finds it's not as easy as it seems. Mutant finally gets here, but not without scars.

I waited to release my tears until I had gotten outside, away from the children, away from the others. A leader must be strong. She must never show weakness. I had heard these stories all too often these past two years. Why, then, did they continue to bother me?

I walked to my tent. Erik had gone, but he left me a letter on the table. From him?

Oh. It was a letter from Canada. Then, perhaps, my attempts to contact them had worked.

I slit the letter open and began reading.

"Mystique,

"My sister thinks I am crazy to write to you at all. She says you are and always have been a terrorist, and even if you gave her life, you did nothing to help her keep it, so she asks that you leave her alone.

"I am not my sister, but I too am worried about your intentions. I have seen the things you did, the way you sparked the changes in our country, and I do not entirely trust you. On the other hand, I have always believed in redemption and salvation. So your letter spoke to my heart.

"My head, however, will need some convincing.

"Why did you give us away, mother? Did you love us at all, or at least love our father? Why do you now work so hard to convince us, when for years you ignored us?

"Are you really working for mutants? I understand you now live with Magneto. Is he just another means to an end for you, or is he using you this time?

"In any case, Logan and James tell me that your organization does do good things for mutants, and that you have worked with Alpha Flight on a few dicey operations. Logan even went so far as to say that you "ain't half bad, for a human hating terrorist." I suppose that is another reason why I answer your letter.

"We are well. I hope you have truly reformed, Mystique. Perhaps, once this is all over, we can meet again and talk.

"Please answer.

"Sincerely,

"Kurt Wagner."

I put the letter down and wept again. I saw my son as one of the children I had spoken with today, scarred and fragile.

Perhaps Hookup is right. I do take too much on myself.