Chapter 15
Marlowe assumed Emma was considering his words and thought to see doubt on the faces of the other three New Mutants. Perhaps he could turn them to his cause or at least set them against Adam. "What is the goal of Mutant X? What does Adam have you working toward?" he asked.
Emma heard Marlowe's words with her ears and her mind. The more pressing issue, however, was what was happening to her. What did you do to me, Adam!
I analyzed the data from Julia Lechner and prepared an injection to bypass your subdermal governor.
You didn't ask me. I didn't agree to this! Emma's words were the equivalent of a shout in Adam's mind and he winced visibly. Emma had to be careful to hide their interaction from the Psionic who was a few feet away from them on the other side of the glass.
I had no choice. We have to escape and this is our only hope. We are constantly under surveillance. I couldn't consult you. Besides, it worked. You can bypass the subdermal governor. Adam was sincere in his belief that he had done the right thing, but that didn't make it so.
I can do more than just that!
Lechner displayed other Elemental abilities as well as the ability to bypass the basic governor. Apparently it is having the same effect on your Psionic abilities. Adam had expected this result and had actually hoped for it.
Will I go out of control like her? He didn't have to think the answer. She could read if from his mind. He didn't know. Emma had received a megadose of protein complexes he had not tested in isolation from the enzymes and proteins that were symptomatic of Lechner's condition. Adam believed the effect would eventually wear off and that she would return to normal, but it was more instinct than science.
Jesse stepped forward, seeing Emma distracted and answered Marlowe's question about the activities of Mutant X. "We react to any threat and defend those who can't defend themselves against people like you."
"And you do that in secrecy?" Marlowe asked him.
"Yes," Jesse said.
"Why?" he pressed.
"Because the people we are trying to help might not let us if they knew about our powers. If we are helping New Mutants, we have to maintain secrecy to prevent any misunderstandings with the public, which could lead to a backlash that might hurt all of us," Jesse explained.
What are you planning, Emma? Adam thought. You need to tell me, so I can help.
The pain in Emma's head was starting to dissipate and she was feeling somewhat stronger. Like you told me before you injected me? Emma told him nothing.
Marlowe said, "Couldn't you do more good in the world if everyone knew about your powers and accepted them? They could seek the help of the one most able to provide it. You could act openly and freely and be credited for the good things you do. No one could lie under oath. Criminals would be hunted down quickly. The world would be a better and safer place for everyone."
"With you in charge?" Brennan asked in a voice that was more accusation.
"Someone has to be in charge. If I am not fair and equitable, my leadership will be challenged and a new leader will be chosen. Gabriel Ashlocke led through fear because he was the most powerful mutant. I am not. I've formed a consensus. Those who follow me do so freely and willingly." It was clear to Emma that he was hiding something, but her swelling powers were difficult to focus. Marlowe had half-convinced himself of the propaganda he was spewing, but his ultimate goal was hidden. She had to probe deeper.
"And if the Normals don't follow you?" Emma asked, though she could answer this herself. They would have no choice, but she wondered if he would actually say it.
"A rule of law must be established in any society or else anarchy reigns. Our powers are not essentially different from the tanks and guns used by those currently in power. They put us at an advantage and need only be used as a last resort to keep the peace."
"Our powers can also be used to benefit all people," Marlowe continued. "The Normals who lead us now tend to be well-educated, because a well-educated person tends to make better decisions and have fewer prejudices than an ignorant person. Education is an advantage, a tool." Marlowe stood up from the chair and looked at them each in turn. "Just think about the tools you have. A judge can be lied to, despite his experience and education, but not Ms. DeLauro. Ms. Fox can track a criminal or lost child better than any K-9 unit. I can't pretend to know the applications in science and medicine that Mr. Mulwray's abilities could be put to. Mr. Kilmartin can walk through walls and stop a speeding bullet. He is a miracle being wasted. Think of all the mutants you have encountered and imagine how their gifts could be applied to the world around us. It is insane to waste those gifts and hide them, just as it would be insane to keep brilliant scientists from research centers."
"You don't believe a word you are saying," Adam accused. "I don't claim to understand your resurrection, but the Charles Marlowe I knew was a mercenary with a death wish who had long ago stopped caring about anyone. I don't think you've changed. This charade is just a means to some end we have not yet discovered."
"Did you ever consider that coming so close to my final end has led me to embrace life and especially to embrace my mutation, which has allowed me to live?" Marlowe walked to the end of the room on the other side of the glass and turned to Adam when he was directly across from him. "Gabriel Ashlocke showed us the way, but he was mortal. I am not. I do not seek wealth and power in this society. That is not my goal. My goal is a new society where mutants are free to use their powers without fear of reprisal from the weak, ignorant masses." Emma could sense half-truths in his words. He did seek a new society, but it wasn't Ashlocke's. He didn't seek wealth and power in the traditional sense, but he did seek some kind of power. Marlowe wanted dominion over everyone, normal and mutant alike, but Emma could not quite grasp exactly what that meant to him. She was distracted from her examination by his next questions. "While we are at it, what are your goals, Adam? What is ultimate success for Mutant X? How will you even know if you've won?"
What are you waiting for, Emma? Adam thought. We should act now.
I'd like to hear your answers to his questions, she projected in response.
Marlowe gestured to the Psionic who had remained at his side and the two stepped to the door. "Try thinking a while about how productive another trip to the box will be, Emma DeLauro. I'll give you some time, because I do not believe Adam has any answers to rival mine. The world has changed. New Mutants have created a paradigm shift and the old rules of the normal world no longer apply. Just because Adam Kane can't accept the new reality, doesn't mean you must blindly follow him to your doom." Charles Marlowe left the adjoining room and the glass wall returned to its mirror state, reflecting four people waiting for the response of Adam Kane.
