Politics Make Strange Bedfellows

Later that day the X-Men and the Misfits were sitting in the back of the room where the hearings were being held. Currently a scientist was talking about possible causes of mutation. Basically his claim was blaming every evil corporation for polluting the atmosphere to such a degree that it was affecting human genes. "How many people are gonna testify on this?" Kurt asked. (Holowatch on of course)

"At least a dozen," Scott told him. "It's mostly a fact finding session."

"Translation," Logan grunted. "A dog and pony show for the public to show 'em that the government is actually doing something about the 'mutant problem'."

"Well maybe we can reach people with this," Jean suggested. "It's worth a try."

"So where did that Bishop guy go to?" Lance asked.

"He went back to his own time I guess," Rogue shrugged. "Or what would have been his own time to see if anything's changed."

"Hey is that Eddington on the panel?" Pietro asked.

"Yeah," Roadblock told him. "They wanted a military advisor as well as some bigwigs."

"Wonderful," Pietro groaned.

"Thank you Dr. Greenleaf," The head of the committee spoke when the scientist had finished. "Next we will here from Mr. Graydon Creed. Mr. Creed is an accomplished businessman as well as the founder of the Friends of Humanity." Loud applause followed as Creed strode up to the stand.

"Thank you Mr. Chairman," Creed flashed a bright smile before taking a somber tone. "In a time of crisis such as this, the world is changing more than ever. Yet some things always stay the same. Threats to the American way of life and liberty are abundant. But it is not our enemies overseas that are our greatest problem. No, our problem is growing right within our sacred borders. The mutant menace if left unchecked will be a disease that will destroy us all!"

"I can't believe they're letting that bigot speak!" Jean hissed as Creed went on. "It's ridiculous!"

"Kelly's bad enough but this Creed guy makes him look like Mary Freaking Poppins," Logan growled.

"Even in our own government there are mutants openly corrupting our country!" Creed pointed to the Misfits. "I feel it is my duty to stand up and make an issue. To call to arms and protect ourselves from the vile plague that threatens all humanity."

"And what would you suggest we do Mr. Creed?" One Senator asked.

"We have to lock up all of these mutants!" Creed told him. "Get them registered and off the streets as fast as possible before they breed and contaminate our gene pool even further!" This caused another stir.

"Excuse me fellow ladies and gentlemen," General Eddington raised his hand. "As much as I hate to interrupt Mr. Creed's fascinating speech I feel that I must intervene here."

"I have the floor here!" Creed shouted. "You don't have the right to silence me!"

"This ought to be good," Todd sneered.

"Mr. Creed while I respect your peerless skills and influence in the field of business," Eddington said diplomatically. "However when it comes to national security, well…I think those of us in the Pentagon are a little more experienced at defending our country than a group of unemployed men with bats and guns. I mean the army has been defending the United States since it was created over 200 years ago. I'd like to think that we have some idea of what we are doing."

That created a small chuckle. Eddington continued. "Mr. Creed's views, however well meaning are not what this panel is about. We are trying to find a solution to the mutant question. Note I said question, not problem. As a student of history as well as a general I have seen this type of rabble rousing before throughout my life. Berlin in the thirties. South Africa during Apartheid. Not to mention members of our own government during the sixties. This type of uninformed fear and bigotry is spread by those who wish to gain power for themselves at the expense of others, not just an excluded minority."

"That's different! Those people were human beings! Mutants aren't!" Creed shouted.

"A lot of people did not see those minorities as human beings at the time," Eddington pointed out. "That doesn't make it any less wrong."

"We are talking about the very real threat of the extinction of the human race!" Creed shouted. "I knew you Washington fat cats and butt kissers were fools but I had no idea how ignorant you really are!" This caused more of a stir as the Chairman called for order.

"As far as the insinuations that the United States government is filled with fools that are blind to the problems of the American people I take offense," Eddington responded. "If there was a true threat to humanity, don't you think we'd have stepped in by now? Nevertheless we are working on alternatives to Mr. Creed's…extreme measures."

"Here it comes," Lance frowned.

"Mutants have abilities that should not be ignored or shunned," Eddington said. "But used for the betterment of society. Mutant powers are a resource, like any other asset our country has."

"I don't like where this is going," Kitty frowned.

"Mutants have no control over how they are born, but they can learn control over their abilities," Eddington spoke. "We should be focusing on schools and training camps, not concentration camps in order to help mutants become productive members of society."

"YOU MUST BE INSANE!" Creed shouted. "You would take jobs from hard working Americans and give them to freaks?"

"Last I checked many of these mutants are Americans," Eddington reminded him.

"But to actually allow them to infiltrate our way of life? Even our own government where they can corrupt us?" Creed hissed.

"I don't see why mutants shouldn't be allowed to work in all areas of government," Eddington said. "We already have a law stating that all 18 year old males in this country have to register with selective service. Why should mutants be any different? In Israel there is a law making military service mandatory for at least a short period of time. Perhaps we might apply that principle to mutants."

"You mean as weapons General?" One Senator asked.

"Not necessarily," Eddington shook his head. "Several mutants might be more suited to the task as doctors, rescue personnel, psychiatrists or even mechanics. Some mutants may even create new inventions that can help us with our space programs or even help us with our fuel crisis. Not all mutations are the same. I wouldn't put a mutant that could heal people on the front lines blowing away the enemy. It just would not suit his or her natural talents."

Several people murmured this in agreement. "Wonderful," Lance groaned. "The only reason Eddington wants us alive is to use us as weapons."

"He's in support of mutant registration but he just made it sound like it's a mutant's patriotic duty to do so," Xavier sighed.

"I knew he was up to something," Roadblock grumbled. "But I had no idea how bad it was."

"Head's up," Shipwreck whispered. "Here comes Kelly."

"A few moments ago Mr. Creed made an interesting point. In all of human existence there has been one primary fact. Humans no matter what color or gender were all equal even if they weren't treated so," Kelly said. "Until the advent of mutants. They are not equal to the rest of humanity, they are different. Not better…different. More powerful, and more aggressive. Clearly something must be done to protect our species."

"However," Kelly cleared his throat. "We must be careful not to condemn those mutants who would use their powers for the betterment of mankind. Many mutants have already come forward to offer assistance. If we rush to judgement too quickly we may be condemning those mutants who have no intention of disrupting our way of life. Clearly something must be done against the criminal element of the mutant population…"

"Probably still counts us among them," Todd whispered.

"Well aren't you?" Kurt quipped.

"And precautions must be taken to ensure that those who abuse their powers or cannot control them do not harm the innocent," Kelly continued. He looked at Xavier and the other mutants. "And as much as some of us would love to solve the problem by locking them all away a solution as…simplistic as that would be extremely short sighted. But General Eddington does have an interesting point. Perhaps mandatory registration may not be the best solution. However if a mutant willingly registers with the government about his or her powers I see no problem with that."

This caused another stir. "I believe we will reconvene tomorrow in the morning," The Chairman pounded his gavel. "This session is now over for the day."

The mutants and Joes filed out the back doors. "Boy I knew Kelly was slick but I had no idea how slick," Lance growled. "He kept his part of the bargain but still was able to appear to support mutant registration at the same time."

"Well that went well," Pietro quipped. "How much you want to bet they're probably gonna pass that bill anyway?"

"The hearings are going on for a few days still," Jean said. "And they won't vote on the bill for at least a few more months."

"That's still not enough time," Lance sighed.

"I hate to say this but I agree with you kid," Logan told him.

"Well they ain't gonna register me I'll tell you that much," Lance growled.

Althea rolled her eyes and smacked Lance in the head. "You're in the army dumb ass! You're already registered!"

"We are?" Todd blinked.

"Yeah," Wanda said sarcastically. "They've had files on us and the X-Men for over a year! Hello? Ever since the Joes first started spying on the X-Men way back and when the Misfits were formed!"

"Wait we're registered too?" Bobby blinked.

"Not officially but you guys are on file," Roadblock told them.

"Oh well this really makes my day!" Remy threw up his hands. "And I thought being falsely accused of assassination would be the highlight!"

"Looks like you have your work cut out for you tomorrow Xavier," Roadblock sighed.

"I'm afraid so," Xavier said. "However maybe there is a way. If the panel heard from an actual student…" He looked at the X-Men.

"You want one of us to speak?" Kitty blinked. "On television…In front of everybody?"

"No Pryde by yourself in a closet," Pietro said sarcastically.

"Jean should do it," Rogue said quickly.

"Yeah she's done it before!" Kitty said.

"Oh thanks a lot," Jean groaned.

"Well you are the poster child of perfect mutants," Rogue grinned.

"And you have spoken in front of groups before," Tabitha said.

"And a straight A student," Jubilee grinned. "I knew those D's in English would come in handy someday."

"God I wish I was more like Rogue!" Jean groaned.

"Charles I think we have bigger problems than speechmaking," Logan frowned. "Have you seen today's newspaper?" He gave it to them.

"It's a picture of Creed so what?" Shipwreck asked as they looked at it.

"Take a good look at who's sitting next to Creed," Logan pointed at the picture.

"Guy Spears," Xavier recognized the face.

"Wait a minute," Roadblock thought. "Isn't he that guy with the Power 8? The stuff that was poisoning the Morlocks? Makes mutants sick?"

"The very same," Ororo's face darkened.

"And now he's hanging around Creed?" Shipwreck looked at her. "I don't like the looks of that."

"Neither do I," Xavier frowned.