Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5766 - 789: X Royal Family: Rebirth (29)

The mutants paid no mind to being labeled chimpanzees. It must be understood that mutants had previously endured immense bullying, being subjected to every cruel epithet imaginable, not just 'gorillas.' However, embracing the 'chimp' classification now allowed them to drag their tormentors down, transforming them into a pack of impotently furious beasts. This prospect was rather gratifying.

If mutants were to be considered gorillas, then anyone engaging with them was merely a fool flinging excrement at them. Provided they could shrug off international condemnation and engage in a prolonged, savage brawl with wild animals, the mutants wouldn't hesitate to retaliate. Let the world witness who was more adept at such tactics.

In this peculiar scenario, Europe found itself utterly disgusted and devoid of further stratagems. They viewed themselves as inheritors of ancient nobility, contrasting with America's perceived boorishness. To stoop to the level of fighting these 'gorillas' would shatter their esteemed façade and dignity, leaving them with no recourse but to grudgingly withdraw.

Thus, with internal discord plaguing America and Europe hesitant to intervene, the entire Western world was effectively subdued. Fortified by substantial aid from both China and Wakanda, Clarkia Island didn't merely recover; it was revitalized as if infused with a potent Super Soldier Serum, springing back to vibrant life.

Vast quantities of supplies were being transported in endless streams of vessels. Eventually, the efforts of ordinary laborers proved insufficient for the mutants' demands. Even formidable figures like Magneto couldn't keep pace, necessitating the deployment of Stark's formidable Mecha Army.

The establishment of robust storage facilities became paramount. Beyond the volcanic caverns, an intricate network of caves beneath Clarkia Island, with minor adaptations, could be transformed into subterranean warehouses. This strategic positioning allowed Namor to efficiently preserve and store a multitude of perishable goods directly within the tranquil depths of the ocean.

Following this, ambitious construction projects commenced. The initial phase involved erecting a dual-purpose naval and commercial dock, rapidly followed by the mass production of vessels, akin to a veritable deluge of ships. While warships held little appeal for the mutants, their focus shifted to the construction of cruise ships essential for trade. Fortunately, the process of building commercial vessels was comparatively straightforward, primarily requiring a functional hull to commence operations.

To the uninitiated, these imposing cargo ships would appear no more than mere freighters. The general populace wouldn't conceive of them as instruments of war, primarily due to their sluggish speed and conspicuous lack of defensive capabilities. Encounters with swift pirate vessels meant the crews could only seek refuge in escape pods, surrendering their cargo, a clear indication of their exclusively commercial designation.

Consequently, when Clarkia Island embarked on the large-scale production of heavy freighters, it attracted little suspicion from global powers. Their prevailing assumption was that the mutants' endeavor was solely aimed at augmenting their carrying capacity to absorb greater quantities of international humanitarian aid. This oversight, however, failed to account for a critical factor: the mutants themselves were potent weapons.

The speed of these vessels was secondary; they could be towed. Defensive armaments were superfluous; a magnetic shield offered ample protection. The absence of onboard weaponry was also inconsequential; direct boarding actions were feasible. Who could possibly withstand a direct assault from Alpha-Level Mutants?

In essence, these hastily assembled cargo ships functioned as the de facto warships of Clarkia Island. While other nations reacted with measured slowness, Clarkia Island had already achieved a state of full armament, not only constructing smaller cruisers but also formidable aircraft carriers.

For standard nations, the construction of an aircraft carrier represents a monumental undertaking. Initial efforts involve fabricating powerful engines and ensuring considerable endurance. Subsequently, meticulous attention is paid to deck design and the integration of catapult technology. Furthermore, an aircraft carrier necessitates an escort fleet; a solitary carrier is an exposed vulnerability. In summary, fielding an aircraft carrier fleet is a prerogative exclusive to major world powers, utterly beyond the reach of smaller states.

However, the Clarkia Island aircraft carrier fleet was conceptualized with remarkable simplicity. The foundation was a colossal freighter, boasting a deck expanse rivaling that of several football fields. This was augmented by the construction of several smaller, swift-running freighters.

The propulsion system was ingeniously powered by Polaris, capable of towing the carrier across the vast oceans at a remarkable 60 knots. Pyro served as the primary offensive armament, unleashing fiery barrages as needed. Various mutants, including Quicksilver and Sunspot, were repurposed as agile fighter jets, capable of launching directly without the need for catapults. Thus, a flawlessly functional aircraft carrier was ingeniously assembled, entirely human-powered and fueled by the modest energy equivalent of two burgers for trans-world voyages.

This extraordinary vessel also possessed cargo-carrying capabilities. Upon acquiring goods from external sources, it eliminated the need for auxiliary ships, as it could simply take flight independently, laden with its acquisitions, embodying unparalleled practicality.

What's more, the burden of upkeep was nonexistent. These vessels were, for all intents and purposes, crude iron hulls crudely fastened together; the propulsion systems within were purely for show, with the actual power supplied by the mutants' foot pedals. A single cargo voyage would cover all expenses, rendering maintenance obsolete. Should any issue arise, Magneto could simply reshape and melt it down.

If the maritime vessels of other nations resemble high-speed trains or at the very least ordinary trains, the mutants' fleet is akin to simple donkey carts. The most sophisticated element lies in the two donkeys at the forefront, not the rudimentary wooden carriage trailing behind. Yet, by a curious twist of fate, these mutant donkeys are powered by nuclear energy, both swift and formidable, allowing them to dominate the seas unchallenged.

After a handful of voyages, the mutants began to appreciate the financial benefits. While traversing regions plagued by pirates, several merchant ships manned by ordinary individuals sought their assistance to pass safely. They also happened upon and aided some freighters under pirate attack. The rescued parties expressed profound gratitude and, as a token of their thanks, offered some provisions.

On one occasion, three freighters were stranded in a critical strait, unable to proceed. The difficulties weren't solely attributable to pirates; the local geopolitical situation was also exceedingly volatile. The desperate owner, spotting the mutants passing by, gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and offered the mutants a sum of money, agreeing to any terms as long as they could ensure the ships' passage.

For the mutants, the decision was straightforward. Which regional power bloc would dare to interfere with them? Even the most audacious adversary would stand no chance. And if they truly encountered insurmountable obstacles, they could always summon Atlantis. Who would dare provoke the Sea Clan in their oceanic domain? A single blast from their water jets would bring any aggressor to heel.

Thus, they easily escorted the convoy through the strait. This success caused palpable anxiety among the other ships trapped in the vicinity, and their respective owners were thoroughly impressed. Within mere days, the mutants found millions of US dollars credited to their accounts – wealth acquired with remarkable ease.

In truth, the most critical element aboard a cargo vessel is not the cargo itself but the crew. Reputable companies invariably have contracts in place, meaning that if a ship were to sink, the compensation for lost crew members would represent a substantial financial burden, far exceeding the value of the goods. Furthermore, fatalities could lead to lawsuits against the company, and an inability to resolve such cases might even result in imprisonment for company representatives.

Consequently, most large cargo ships are equipped with shelters. The training provided to employees also emphasizes that in the event of pirate encounters, direct engagement through gunfire is strictly prohibited. The directive is to proceed directly to the shelter; the pirates can take whatever they desire, as long as no lives are lost. Any harm to personnel would precipitate a cascade of complications.

Guided by this principle, numerous ship owners declared that if the mutants could ensure the safe extraction of their personnel, they could claim all the cargo. At worst, it would simply be a lost shipment; major international trading corporations could absorb such losses, and the exchange of goods for salvaged lives represented a reasonably cost-effective solution.

Initially, the mutants accepted all offers out of necessity, as they were in dire need of various supplies. However, once their requisites were more adequately met, they began to adopt a more selective approach, also accepting a nominal sum of money.

Their reluctance to demand higher fees stemmed from a desire to cultivate a positive reputation. This strategy undoubtedly enhanced the mutants' international standing, with many sailors even acclaiming them as guardians of the sea. The cost-effectiveness was undeniable; while companies bore the expenses, the lives saved were their own, and most individuals demonstrated sound judgment in this regard.

This was particularly true for mutants like Storm, who could dramatically alter the heavens and the earth with a single gesture, appearing as a divine descent. Not to be outdone, Namor, the true King of Atlantis, garnered a significant following through his interventions, even elevating Atlantis's renown among the maritime community.

The mutants' dominion over the oceans inevitably drew some measure of discontent, primarily from America's carrier strike groups, as they had previously enjoyed unchallenged sovereignty of the seas.

In essence, America had long maintained de facto control over oceanic territories worldwide; with exceptions for the internal waters of a few nations, and even then, not all such waters were restricted. Along the peripheries, America's fleet could navigate freely without impediment.

However, the advent of the mutant fleet completely disrupted this established order. Their ability to traverse any area at will, coupled with magnetic shielding that rendered them undetectable by radar, allowed them to penetrate not only the fringes of internal waters but even core regions and internal bays. They operated as veritable fleets of ghost ships.

An accidental encounter occurred with the U.S. Military’s fleet of aircraft carriers in the vast Pacific Ocean. While not a direct impact, a proximity of mere miles felt akin to a collision. Had the mutants not halted their advance so abruptly, they would have sailed directly onto the decks of the American carriers.

The instant the mutants appeared on radar, the entire U.S. Military carrier group was on the verge of cardiac arrest. What difference was there between this and spotting a specter in broad daylight?

However, with both parties detecting each other and already within close range, confrontation became unavoidable. Preparations were made to launch fighter jets, but the extreme proximity prompted the mutants to pivot violently and initiate an assault.

Storm initiated the engagement by conjuring a tempest. First, a Magnetic Storm rendered their radar useless, effectively blinding the opposition. Subsequently, she summoned a localized typhoon, creating weather conditions that made aircraft takeoffs impossible. Namor then conjured massive waves, preventing any chance of the ships escaping peacefully, thus completely immobilizing the fleet.

Yet, they also recognized the established boundaries and refrained from opening fire. Their strategy was to contain the fleet and then, through a display of authority, initiate contact with the United States for negotiation.

In reality, thanks to Iron Man’s intervention, the sanctions had been nominally lifted. While not entirely removed, they had become ineffective, and trade had resumed its normal course. However, America had never formally recognized Clarkia with normal diplomatic ties, imposing subtle yet pervasive pressure that hindered many endeavors.

Logically, direct diplomatic relations weren't strictly necessary. Nevertheless, the mutants couldn't let this slight pass. They felt that without confronting the architects of the sanctions, their grievances would remain unresolved.

A prevalent sentiment among the mutants was that America’s agents were responsible for the volcanic eruption. If they couldn't extract something substantial from them, their anger would be in vain.

After days of traversing the ocean, they had finally identified their crucial vulnerability. Now, they intended to employ forceful negotiation to extract a heavy price.

By fortunate coincidence, America was compelled to negotiate. With their fleet completely ensnared, retaliation was impossible, while the mutants, seething with rage, possessed the capability to send the ships to the seabed. Should the entire carrier group be annihilated, America’s dominance over the oceans would be irrevocably shattered.

All forms of hegemony are rooted in perceived dominance, and conversely, the perception of dominance constitutes all forms of hegemony. Once a narrative of dominance is established, it possesses significant momentum. Even if actual strength declines, maintaining an image of invincibility allows for the continuation of this hegemony.

However, should that image of invincibility falter, the perceived dominance would collapse, impacting, or even dismantling, all other forms of authority. Therefore, outright victory or a stalemate was acceptable, and even a minor defeat could be managed through public relations. But a devastating loss, one that could not be salvaged by narrative manipulation, was utterly unacceptable.