Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman Chapter 836: Entering the Dam

“Are all the U.S. soldiers blind? They didn’t even see who did this to them?”

“According to the surviving soldiers, it was either a robot with fangs and a pig’s head and a human body, or someone wearing this bizarrely shaped metal armor. But no one knows who might be underneath the armor. They didn’t even hear a voice.”

“You believe their nonsense?”

“Actually, I may have encountered the person they’re describing. I vaguely have the same impression.”

“Didn’t you read his mind and find out who this guy is?”

“I wanted to, but I couldn’t. Before I regained consciousness, he threw a flashbang and rudely forced everyone awake. My head was still spinning at the time. How could I possibly use my telepathic ability?”

In reality, Professor X had been somewhat reserved in his answer.

He had in fact managed to use his telepathic ability with difficulty, but he couldn’t read that person’s mind, as though he had encountered the same barrier as the helmet Magneto wore.

However, Professor X couldn’t determine whether his poor condition had prevented him from using his powers properly, or whether the helmet worn by the other party really possessed anti-telepathy protection.

“There’s also…”

“Raven!”

Professor X interrupted Mystique’s endless stream of questions.

“If you have more questions, please come inside and ask me directly.

“And while you’re at it, have Jean and the others bring the first-aid supplies inside. There are still many wounded people here who need help.

“Would that be all right?”

“Damn it, call me Mystique!”

Mystique angrily tossed the radio aside before turning to Magneto.

“Are you going to believe that bald bastard? Do you really believe this isn’t a trap?”

Magneto didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked a question in return.

“Do you think there’s anyone who could force the stubborn Professor X to say those things?”

Those words served almost as a final footnote, cementing the X-Men’s resolve.

Storm piloted the X-Jet and brazenly made a vertical landing in the open space amid the ruins of the former industrial complex in front of the dam.

Meanwhile, Jean led several students who had remained at the school in checking and gathering the first-aid kits aboard the aircraft.

Compared with the frantic preparations on the X-Men’s side, the members of the Brotherhood of Mutants led by Magneto acted as though none of this had anything to do with them, refusing to lift a finger.

They had joined up with the X-Men to rescue people, yes, but only mutants.

If the people being rescued were U.S. soldiers, Magneto had little interest.

What was more, he was an escaped convict.

If the U.S. military saw him helping with the rescue operation, would they pretend not to notice him, or would they arrest him?

Unfortunately for Magneto, things didn’t go quite as he’d imagined.

After remaining silent for a while, the radio suddenly crackled to life again.

“Erik, I know you’re on the plane too. Please come into the base as well. We need your help.”

Magneto wasn’t as quick and decisive as he had been in his youth, but he didn’t hesitate much either.

With a calm and elegant bearing, he walked over to the cockpit and picked up the radio.

“Call me Magneto, Professor X.

“Why do you think I should go help the U.S. military?”

“They’re our people, Erik.

“Of course, I don’t expect you to help those uniformed soldiers. But what about our fellow mutants? Would you ignore them too?”

Magneto fell silent for a moment, his expression turning solemn.

“Charles, you’d better not be lying to me.

“You’ve already used up most of the trust I have in you. You know that, don’t you?”

“Come and see for yourself.

“We’re asking for your help precisely because none of us can handle this on our own.”

Professor X spoke softly over the radio.

Magneto lowered the radio and nodded toward the members of the Brotherhood.

Several key members of the Brotherhood began making preparations as well.

Unlike the X-Men, who were checking first-aid kits and medical supplies, the members of the Brotherhood prepared weapons—or objects that could be used as weapons in conjunction with their abilities.

Once everyone was ready, two people remained behind on the aircraft while everyone else disembarked and entered the dam base through the spillway.

Wolverine, the ultimate human shield, naturally took the lead.

He put the half-smoked cheap cigar from his pocket between his teeth and lit it with a lighter that wasn’t exactly reliable.

“Damn it. I should’ve had John light this before we got off the plane.”

The person Wolverine was referring to was John Allerdyce, a student at the school whose codename was Pyro.

The rebellious young punk had absolutely no patience for rescue operations, so he had volunteered to remain behind on the aircraft.

With Cyclops absent, the most senior member, Storm, was effectively the leader of the X-Men team.

Seeing what Wolverine was doing, she couldn’t help complaining.

“Logan, take this seriously.

“Until we’ve seen the actual situation, we can’t rule out the possibility that this is a trap.”

“What else can the U.S. military do? Shoot me?”

Wolverine took a drag from his half-smoked cigar, his tone full of disdain.

At the other end of the spillway was a heavy gate leading into the dam base.

The gate was already open.

Cyclops was pushing Professor X’s wheelchair, surrounded by a group of captured students from the school, all waiting in front of the gate.

Naturally, there was also a group of U.S. military personnel standing nearby.

But unlike the scene everyone might have imagined—with armed soldiers holding Professor X and the others hostage—the soldiers weren’t carrying weapons.

Instead, every one of them looked battered and exhausted.

The moment he saw them, Professor X, whose movements had not been restricted, immediately waved.

“Jean, you finally made it.

“Please take the medical supplies and go to the infirmary with this lieutenant.

“Their medic hasn’t stopped working until now.

“Students, if you’re willing, please follow your teacher, Ms. Grey, and help out as well.”

Almost all of the X-Men and school students followed Jean.

Only Storm remained beside Professor X, wanting to confirm what was happening.

However, when she saw Wolverine following right behind Jean Grey, and before Cyclops could explode with anger, Professor X called out to the man first.

“Logan, I’d like you to come with me.

“I think there are some things here that you would want to know.”

“You found a clue?”

Wolverine had come to the Alkali industrial complex before in search of his past, so he realized that Professor X might have discovered some information.

“Scott.”

At Professor X’s signal, Cyclops slapped a file onto Wolverine’s chest, seemingly expressing his displeasure at the man’s earlier habit of following his girlfriend around.

Wolverine had a cigar clenched between his teeth and both hands occupied holding the binder, so he had no free hand to retaliate.

Otherwise, he would certainly have returned the gesture.

But when he opened the file in his hands, he immediately forgot about everything else.

The documents contained information about him.

Some of his past experiences—including his participation in the Vietnam War—were recorded in the file.

The Brotherhood of Mutants led by Magneto naturally hadn’t gone to help with the rescue.

The older man even spoke in a warning tone.

“Professor, I hope there’s a good enough reason for my presence here.

“Otherwise, I believe you won’t be pleased with how things develop.”

“Erik, my old friend, come with me.

“Logan, you come with me as well.

“The people we’re here to rescue have a lot in common with you.”