Chapter 15: Captivity
As Magneto is gathering the Brotherhood, not intimidated by Charles' predictions about this being a trap, Charles has a short private conversation with Hank about the matter. "Do you think we could intervene somehow? I'd like to believe there's still a chance for Pietro to do the right thing, return to the fold as it were." "With him as a father and blood on his hands? You're daydreaming, Charles…" "Here I was thinking you might take a different view, what with you recent and very sudden appreciation of some methods of the Brotherhood. Or should I say some members of the Brotherhood?" "Charles!" Hank feels embarrassed. "I don't like their methods, and you're reading my mind? Behind my back?" "You've never stopped having a soft spot for her, have you? I'm not reading your mind. Your words are more than enough indication of your feelings. For instance, your utter contempt and fear and hatred even, for Erik, have little to do with his cause and a lot more with…" "Stop it, Charles. Even you can push it too far, and you just have." "Hank, Hank!" He is out of sight in no time.
Charles eventually tracks him down and apologizes. He explains that he has a soft spot for both the boy and his father and would hate to see either of them imprisoned. "They've had their share of hurt." "They aren't too worried about bringing hurt to others." "Yes, but Pietro might be, he could still be… saved." "You want me to speak on his behalf?" "Would you, please? You may have contacts that could pull some strings?" "Don't expect too much of it, though, I'm not that popular…" "I know someone else who'd be really grateful," Charles says quietly, hoping to add an extra incentive. Hank answers his gaze with a very annoyed look in return.
Hank doesn't think he can make any difference in this particular instance. The boy was a murderer. Perhaps an under aged one but still… He likes Pietro well enough but he had made his choice, just like she had, all those years ago. Charles always was too optimistic about everything and everyone. Hank isn't too pleased about ruining his contacts with such an extreme request as this. They'd need a trade-off at least.
"So you don't know their whereabouts? That's hard to believe." Quicksilver is toying with them, even though a slow sense of dread is slowly taking hold. He is making up stories about a running gag that he and his dad have and that, because he can cover much ground, they generally change their location and he can find it himself within a few hundred mile radius. A special version of hide and seek. His interrogators don't buy any of it, but since he doesn't change his story, they are at a loss. Until one of them suggests the use of truth serum. Not exactly legal, but who's looking?
Hank is carefully asking around about recently apprehended mutant kids. He already knows where Pietro is but needs a way in. Some of his contacts warn him not to take this path. It might, it will, definitely hurt his diplomatic contacts and simply is not worth it. Hank silently agrees but does want to try. If only to say that he has.
A lawyer he doesn't know hears about his tentative questions and calls him. She has represented young mutants before and is outraged at their general treatment. The rule book is thrown out of the window and law enforcements completely discount that they are children. She has built a case about this over the years and seeks to represent him. Perhaps use his particular case as another example.
The truth serum makes Quicksilver talkative. He spills out the last known hide-out of the Brotherhood, and his actions with Dr. Lovely and the special agent. All he needs to do now is sign the confession. He hasn't lawyered up yet, another slightly overlooked issue. His hand is reaching for the pen as the lawyer comes bursting in. She demands a conversation with her client and, when they are in private, advises him to withdraw his statement.