00111. Magneto the hero?

00111. Magneto the hero?

Announcement

Isn't this called a hat trick? Three in a row?

Ezekiel scrambled, typing furiously on his computer as the others talked in the background and watched the news report playing on screen.

It took a few minutes but Ezekiel finally found what he was looking for and some new information pulled up on the screen. It showed the flight path of the airplane that crashed into the building. It originally took off from a private airfield in Canada followed by a few other planes.

Tracking data appeared for the other planes, one was almost to New York City. The other two were flying towards Washington DC.

Ezekiel glanced at the rest of the room as he said, “I think we should send Magneto in to handle the plane going to New York.”

“Wouldn't that lead to Hydra targeting Magneto and Genosha when the world learns he took it over?” Asked Jarvis.

Ezekiel nodded as he said, “That's the idea. Since Hydra really wants to start a global war on terrorism. We'll give them a reason to be cautious instead.”

Ezekiel pointed at the screen and said, “The entire world is going to be focused on this. If we let Magneto stop the next plane live, for the world to see. He becomes a hero.”

Ezekiel glanced around the room again as he said, “We can also let him take credit for helping with the hijacked airplanes. Afterwards he can announce to the world that he is the new ruler of Genosha along with the reasons why and no one will bat an eye.”

Fury nodded in agreement before he said, “I hate to admit it, but that could work.”

Ezekiel smiled as he said, “Good, because we have about ten minutes to decide if we're actually going to do this.”

Ezekiel looked at his fellow council members as he asked, “Anyone have any objections?”

When no one spoke up, Ezekiel keyed up his comm unit and said, “Squad one, do you copy?”

“White Fang, here. Go ahead.”

“Tell Mordo to make a portal in front of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. Magneto needs to stop a plane from crashing into the buildings. It should be there in about ten minutes.”

“Copy. What about us, should we help?”

Ezekiel glanced at the flaming tower for a few moments before he said, “Yes. There is a massive fire on the upper floors of the south tower and people are trapped above it. You'll need to rescue the people trapped on the upper floors.”

“Copy. What about the fire? Should we put it out?”

Ezekiel glanced at the fire again before he said, “I don't know if you can. It's being fed by forty thousand gallons of jet fuel.”

There was a confident tone in White Fang’s voice as he said, “We'll take care of it.”

Ezekiel typed on his computer as he said, “Good, and leave the prisoners where you are now. I'm sending a backup team to pick them up.”

“Roger, White Fang out.”

Ezekiel pulled up the other two planes which seemed to be heading towards the capital and tried to confirm their trajectories.

As Ezekiel worked Peggy asked, “What should we do with the other two planes?”

Ezekiel glanced up for a moment as he continued to type and said, “I have no idea, but we have about half an hour to figure it out.”

A news reporter was heard from the main screen as they said, “A new development just happened, we are going to Jason who is live on the scene.”

The news broadcast on the main monitor changed to show squad one as they worked to put out the fire on the south tower. Magneto seemed to be the camera's main focus though as he floated in front of the towers. It looked like he was also trying to help put out the fire as he scanned the area, looking for the next plane.

As the camera zoomed back out the reporter's voice asked, “Jason, can you tell us and our viewers what's happening?”

The camera moved slightly to show a disheveled news reporter on a rooftop with a view of the towers behind him. He smiled weakly for the camera as he said, “Moments ago the mutant known as Magneto appeared along with the masked people you can see in the background. They seem to be evacuating people trapped in the building and trying to put out the fire.”

“Has Magneto…” The news reporter was interrupted as a cloud of smoke appeared close by. It was Kurt and three people who he just teleported out of the building.

The cameraman was quick to react and focused on the new people as Kurt disappeared in another cloud of smoke.

The news reporter moved towards the new arrivals and asked, “Are you alright?”

Before they could answer, another puff of smoke appeared as Kurt teleported two new people over. As Kurt disappeared one of the people sat down on the ground and said, “I am now.”

Over the next five minutes Kurt repeatedly transported people out of the building onto the nearby rooftop. Just as he appeared again everyone heard a plane approaching. It was the cameraman who reacted first and turned to see the plane.

As the camera focused in on the plane, the cameraman could be heard as he said, “Are they going to…”

As the plane approached, it started to slow down slightly before balls of metal slammed into its engines. Once the engines were destroyed, the metal spread out covering portions of the plane and slowed it to a stop.

The cameraman quickly switched his focus to Magneto who was floating in the air as he watched the plane for a moment. Then he started to move the plane away from the buildings and towards the airport. As Magneto moved away the news reporter could be heard as he said, “I… I've never seen anything more incredible in my life. Ron, did you catch all of that?”

“Yeah…”

Back at base Ezekiel smiled as he watched the news and said, “Alright, New York is secure and the fire is almost out.”

Ezekiel typed on the computer and pulled up the other two planes as he asked, “How should we handle the other planes?”

Fury spoke up first and said, “We should send Magneto, it will garner more good will and just improve his overall image.”

Ezekiel glanced at everyone else for a few moments. When no one voiced disagreement he keyed up his microphone and asked, “Squad one, do you copy?”

“White Fang here, go ahead.”

Ezekiel typed on his computer as he said, “I am sending you information on the other two planes. Share it with Mordo so he can portal Magneto out there to stop them.”

“Roger that.”

There was a short pause before White Fang said, “All civilians are rescued and the fire is almost contained. What are our next orders?”

Ezekiel studied the news report for a bit before he said, “Quickly sweep both towers for bombs. If you find nothing, have Mordo portal you back to base with Magneto.”

“Roger, White Fang out.”

Ezekiel glanced at the other people in the room and said, “While Magneto takes care of the other two planes, we need to come up with some ideas on what he can say to the media. Anyone have some good ideas?”

“You really think Hydra planted bombs in the towers?” Steve asked.

Ezekiel looked over to Steve as he said, “No idea, but it’s better to double check, just in case. Who knows what other back up plans they might have in place.”

Time passed quickly as everyone went over ideas for Magneto’s speech. Over half an hour later squad one along with Magneto were finally back at base. Luckily no bombs were found in the buildings and they brought along the other pilots to interrogate. As Magneto took his normal seat at the table, Kurt and Kitty were led back into the room. They were dressed in their normal clothes again and looked a little exhausted from saving so many people.

Ezekiel greeted them both with a smile before he said, “First off I would like to thank you for your help today. You both helped us a lot and saved a lot of lives in the process.”

Kurt rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment as he said, “We’re just glad we could help out.”

Kitty nodded her head as she said, “It was fun being able to use our powers to help other people.”

Ezekiel glanced at Xavier as he said, “Well hopefully you can help us out again some time. But I would ask that both of you keep any information about us a secret.”

Ezekiel pointed at the news channel as it showed more footage of Kurt transporting people out of the buildings and said, “I am sure people will notice who Kurt is from his unique powers and tail. If people ask, you can tell them you helped Magneto with the rescue. But don’t tell them about us, this place or the people you worked with.”

“Yes sir.” Both kids said at almost the same time.

Ezekiel smirked and said, “You guys can relax. Also moving forward, you're both allowed to visit here as guests. Just ask Logan, Storm, Beast or the professor here and we’ll transport you over.”

Both kids smiled as Kurt said, “Thank you.”

“You're welcome. Now before you head back home, is there anything either of you would like? I know you both helped out because it was the right thing to do. But I also believe in being paid for your work and you both worked hard today.”

Both of them looked at each other and couldn’t really think of anything they would want. When they looked back at Ezekiel he just smiled and said, “No need to rush, just think about it.”

Both kids nodded as Shisui stepped forward and said, “I’ll take you back to the portal room.”

After the kids walked out, discussion picked back up on what to do about Magneto and the coming press conference that Ezekiel scheduled in about an hour with major news networks. As that was going on, Fury’s phone which had been going off most of the day finally rang with a different ring tone.

As The Imperial March played loudly through the room, everyone quieted down so Fury could answer his phone. As Fury answered the phone he patched it through to the room's speakers so everyone could hear and said, “Go ahead.”

“What the hell are you doing Fury?! Why haven’t you contacted me on what's going on?”

Fury schooled his face and said, “I’ve been busy managing the situation the best I can. I was going to contact you once my team’s had a better grasp on everything that’s happened today.”

“A better grasp on the situation? We had eight planes hijacked today! How in the hell did that fly under the radar? On top of that, all of them were going to be flown into buildings! What the hell am I supposed to tell the World Security Council?”

Fury gritted his teeth before he slowly said, “No idea sir. I am personally looking into how we missed something like this.”

“Don’t bother with that, I’ll have Garrett dig into it. I need you for something else that takes priority. We need to deal with that terrorist Magneto, we need to figure out a way to arrest him or at least discredit him.”

“Discredit or arrest him? But he helped stop all the planes and even helped rescue people from the building.”

The man chuckled before he said, “You might be losing your edge Nick. Just think about it, he shows up out of the blue and saves the day? But he also took all of the hijackers with him? He was getting rid of evidence. There is a good chance he was behind the whole thing.”

All the metal in the room creaked slightly as Magneto frowned at the accusation. Xavier placed a comforting hand on Magneto’s shoulder as Fury said, “I honestly have no idea how I could arrest someone like Magneto sir, but I am open to suggestions if you have any. As for discrediting him… As far as the world is concerned, the man looks like a hero right now.”

“Well do what you do best and find some dirt on him. I don’t care if you have to make something up, but he needs to be taken care of. We can’t let the world think he is some kinda hero. Is that understood?”

“Yes sir…”

“Good. Also I need a full report on what happened today on my desk by tomorrow. I’ll need it for my report to the World Security Council. And send any info you found about today to Garrett.”

“Understood.”

“Great. I’ll talk to you later Nick.”

There was a click as the phone hung up and Fury said, “God damn fucking snake.”