mtl008 Chapter 4702 X Royal Clash (8)
Chapter 4702 X Royal Clash (8)
Chapter 4702 X Royal Family: Fierce Battle (Part 8)
"What on earth is going on?" Magneto asked. "Weren't they supposed to be dead? How could their consciousness have been uploaded into the Redgate Factory's system?"
“I think you should know that the Red Gate Orchid Factory is not entirely human technology.” Having toured the Red Gate Orchid Factory system, Dr. Mendel clearly had a deeper understanding. He said, “In fact, even the materials are not entirely from Earth.”
“How could that be?” Moira squinted and said, “Besides materials from Earth, where else could they use them?”
“The Shi'ar Empire,” Dr. Mendel said with certainty. He took the glitter from his wife, placed it in front of everyone, and said, “Many years ago, the laboratory where I worked, which researched glitter technology, provided us with a material that could not possibly exist on Earth. It was this key material that enabled us to achieve the seemingly impossible technology of consciousness transfer.”
Magneto took the flash from his hand. He could sense that this thing was indeed different from all materials on Earth, possessing a kind of radiation that felt unfamiliar to him, and it was very likely from another galaxy.
“This is the ‘Source Crystal’ used by the Shi'ar Empire,” Dr. Mendel said. “Simply put, it’s a versatile crystal material with remarkably magical properties. It’s the key material that enabled humanity to build such an advanced factory.”
Dr. Mendel adjusted his glasses and continued, "The Red Orchid factory is located near the sun, partly because the master mold is not entirely controllable. If a problem occurs, it can be directly pushed into the sun and destroyed. Another reason is that the material properties of this magical crystal change as the temperature rises, and high temperature is a necessary environment for operation. The temperature near the sun is just right."
"What does this have to do with the uploading of mutant consciousness?"
"The key is that, at a certain temperature, crystal has the function of insulating heat and even insulating energy exchange, which is used in key equipment at the Red Orchid factory. But if the temperature is too high and exceeds the threshold of this property, the crystal will become a 'glitter'."
Dr. Mendel continued, "When we were researching consciousness uploading technology in the lab, we used extremely high temperatures to process crystals and obtained glitter flakes. I guess that the mutant team accidentally heated the crystal materials in the factory to extremely high temperatures during the battle, causing the crystal properties to change and become glitter flakes that could contain consciousness, thus uploading their consciousness. It was a coincidence that saved their lives."
Magneto and Professor X exchanged a glance. Their team did indeed include many skilled fire-wielders. Leaving aside Phoenix, the heat generated by Cyclops alone should be enough to create extremely high temperatures.
Of course, the sun itself is a high-temperature heat source, and theoretically, no heat source should be hotter than the sun. However, the Red Gate Orchid Factory is only built near the sun. Although it is said to be near, it is relatively speaking. In reality, it is not even as close as Mercury, and the temperature it can feel is limited. It is likely that the researchers carefully calculated the distance that meets the conditions for crystal properties before building the factory there.
However, the powers used by mutants can heat an area to extremely high temperatures in a short period of time, much hotter than most of the factories built near the sun. This causes the crystal's properties to change, turning it into a shimmering fragment capable of containing consciousness, which happens to have absorbed their consciousness.
Magneto realized the gravity of the situation. The resurrection plan was now complete; they could revive the raiding party at any time, simply by hatching bodies and inserting a backup of Professor X's consciousness into them.
But now, Dr. Mendel tells them that the raiding squad is not actually dead; they are still trapped in the factory system and are being hunted.
Should they choose to revive directly, or go and save the raiding squad?
If the consciousness of the squad members within the factory system is ignored, they are destined to die, but they can be resurrected using a resurrection program. Sending rescuers would undoubtedly be another suicide mission, potentially resulting in many more mutants perishing within the factory. To rescue or not to rescue?
Magneto clenched his fist. This was an extremely difficult choice. Resurrection was very simple, but if he chose to activate the resurrection plan, it would undoubtedly mean watching that heroic assault team die again in despair. Saving them was naturally the best option to get them out of their misery, but it was simply too difficult; the mutants might no longer have the power to do so.
“We can’t abandon them.” Magneto grabbed a corner of his cape, wrapped it tightly around his body, and turned around. “Hold off the resurrection plan and find a way to rescue them.”
Professor X slowly closed his eyes. Most of the raiding party members were X-Men, his children. Cyclops was the eldest son of the X-Men. When mutants faced danger, he had always stepped forward without hesitation, sacrificing himself for their cause. And now that he was in danger, the mutants could not abandon him.
"Organize another raiding squad?!" The White Queen's incredulous roar echoed throughout the central royal court's conference room. "Are you all insane?!"
The White Queen paced rapidly around the conference room: "Didn't they say it was possible to resurrect?! Then resurrect them! Why keep fighting that big-headed guy to the death?! Aren't there enough dead people already?!"
"Calm down, Emma," Professor X telepathically transmitted the whole story to her. But this did nothing to convince the White Queen.
"Then why bother with those consciousness entities?" the White Queen asked, puzzled. "Why not just let them die there and then resurrect them? After all, it's the same people that are resurrected!"
The White Queen was utterly baffled. She said, "Didn't you say that the resurrected ones would be exactly the same as before? Then just resurrect them directly! Why not?!"
Magneto is now beginning to understand the meaning of "those who walk different paths cannot make plans together." Was the White Queen's idea wrong? Not really. It is indeed the method that maximizes benefits, and in the end, there will be no sacrifices. The members of the raiding party will all be resurrected, and they will not remember their deaths. Currently, it seems to be the best way to deal with this situation.
However, neither Magneto nor Professor X wanted to do it. But they couldn't think of any reasonable reason. To continue sacrificing the lives of mutants in order to save some replaceable consciousnesses was simply an absurd decision, not a wise decision that a leader of a group should make.
But they just wanted to save them. They wanted to save them no matter what.
“I will go myself,” Magneto said. “If Lorna is willing to go as well, I will take her with me.”
The White Queen looked at him as if he were a madman: "Not only are you going to your death, but you're taking your daughter with you?! Are you insane?!"
“No matter what, I cannot agree to this,” the White Queen said. “I am also one of the founders of Krakia, and I say I disagree. If you insist on doing this, I will do everything in my power to stop you. Don’t force me to take action against you, Eric!”
“You can’t stop me.” Magneto turned to look into the White Queen’s eyes and asked, “Emma, answer me, what kind of mutant nation do you want to build?”
Magneto had never asked any mutant this question before. But at this moment, he realized just how important the question was.
The White Queen paused slightly, then subconsciously replied, "Of course, it's a powerful enough country. Prosperous and flourishing, no less than any other country on Earth."
"What is the significance of a powerful nation?" Magneto asked again.
“Of course, it’s to protect the mutants,” the White Queen said. “Those people have oppressed us for too long. We can’t expect them to let us go. We can only protect ourselves.”
"Yes. Our goal in building a powerful nation is to protect all mutants. But what about the consciousness of the raiding party members?"
“But…” the White Queen opened her mouth to say, “I just feel it’s unnecessary. Because they don’t actually die, we can resurrect them using the Klara totem. So why waste our power to save them?”
“I’m sorry, Emma. The countries we want may be different.” Magneto’s tone rarely revealed a hint of sadness. This was uncommon in his long and turbulent life, like being forced to say goodbye to an old friend.
“Many people will agree with you,” Magneto’s voice became somewhat hoarse. Then, he turned to Professor X, removed his helmet, and said, “Announce my decision to all mutants. I want to tell them in person.”
The morning on Clark Island remained peaceful and serene. The mutants, just awakened, ventured out in twos and threes, walking along the tree-lined path into the valley, then boarding a stone platform to dine at the restaurant, where they sat in front of the bright crystal windows, chatting about the day's events.
The shadow of the raiding squad's annihilation seemed to have passed. Establishing a nature reserve, while not in line with their original intentions, would not face much opposition. The turmoil seemed to have subsided, and they now possessed the beautiful home they desired.
But soon, Magneto's voice resounded once again in the minds of every mutant on Clarkia Island.
"Friends, we've just received some good news. The consciousness of the raiding squad that was wiped out has been uploaded to the Red Gate Orchid Factory's system. That means the heroes are still alive. They're trying to escape the Mother Model's security protection system, and we must go and rescue them."
The mutants began to converge on the central royal court, until they reached the plaza before them. Magneto stood on the platform above, a barely perceptible tremor in his steady voice.
"This is a very difficult decision. Because there will inevitably be injuries and deaths, and mutants can no longer accept any more sacrifices. But we still have to go, because it concerns the most important question—what kind of mutant nation do we want to build?"
"My fellow countrymen, I hope you will think about this issue seriously and carefully. What kind of nation do we want to establish? What kind of country do we want to build? What kind of home do we want to live in and for our descendants? All of these are things that we have the opportunity to decide after putting in so much effort. I don't want to make the wrong decision on this crucial point alone."
“So I have to tell you, we have other options. We can recreate mutants using bodies constructed from the totems of Clarkia and the consciousness retained by Professor X, without any sacrifice, and they will return just the same. But the Professor and I have decided to save them. Because building a home that can truly protect all mutants is our lifelong dream. We will not abandon any mutant—that is the mutant nation we want.”
“I know many people will disagree with my decision, so I’m telling you everything now. If we have different goals, you can choose to leave, and I won’t blame anyone.”
Magneto gazed at the countless eyes in the plaza below. There were hopes, despair, confusion, and righteous indignation. But he could no longer hear the voices of support or the curses. Only in the moment he uttered those words did he finally understand what he truly wanted.
Why couldn't the hardships he fought so hard to overcome completely end the suffering of other mutants? Why couldn't his countless failures bring a truly fulfilling ending? Why couldn't the mutant nation he built with his entire life be an ideal state? All his resentment and countless grievances boiled down to one question—why can't mutants have a true utopia?
He didn't believe it. He wanted to try again. He would try one more time, and it would be the last. Idealists are always caught in the dilemma of expectation versus time. Magneto looked at Professor X, who had been standing beside him, and the mutants who hadn't chosen to leave.
He recalled decades of walking alone, only occasionally brushing past them—brief moments that brought him an overwhelming surge of trust and love. Even the pain and injustice gradually faded away in the morning light of Krakia.