The phrase "improving the carrying capacity of human serum" might sound technical, but in simpler terms, Daniel was talking about a super-soldier serum.
And "site-directed mutation of human DNA"? That was just a scientific way of saying genetic manipulation. On this Earth, all mutants were products of genetic mutations — anomalies of evolution.
So what exactly was Daniel planning?
Super soldiers? Mutant-like humans? Something worse?
Behind the curtain of mutant arrests, Hank McCoy knew all too well there were biologists — unethical ones — dissecting the genetics of mutants like lab rats.
As a top geneticist himself, Hank despised such experiments. They weren't science. They were cruelty wrapped in white coats and sterile labs.
And here was Daniel, calmly dropping terms like "DNA mutations" in front of him. Hank's mind instantly went on alert.
If Daniel truly intended to walk this path , whether sanctioned by governments or dark organizations, it would never end well. Governments hunted mutants in the open; corporations tortured them behind closed doors.
The thought alone twisted Hank's gut.
"Don't take him seriously, Hank," Stark cut in quickly, sensing the growing tension. "Daniel's just a freshman at Empire State University. He's barely past basic theory, nowhere near conducting experiments."
"Daniel," Stark added with an exasperated sigh, "if you're not going to help with Magneto, fine, but why throw out statements like that?" He shot Daniel a look that screamed you're making this worse.
Daniel's lips curved into a sly smile. "I never said I wouldn't help. But Magneto… he fascinates me. His mastery of magnetic fields, the sheer elegance of it."
The way Daniel's tone softened on fascinates me made Hank's fur bristle. It wasn't admiration.
Daniel's reputation as a "magician" only deepened Hank's unease. History's so-called magicians had often been nothing more than brilliant, and dangerously obsessive — researchers.
"Fine," Hank said with a stiff smile, clearly uncomfortable. "If there's any news about Magneto, I'll contact you." Then, turning sharply to Stark, "Tony, I need your help to locate him."
"Locate Magneto?" Stark's brows shot up. "What about Charles? Can't he track him himself?"
Professor Charles Xavier, with the Cerebro amplifier, could pinpoint any human or mutant on the planet, or wipe out minds if he chose. It was a power bordering on divine.
The only thing holding Charles back was his own frail body, a single bullet could end him. It was that fragility that kept Washington from fearing him outright.
Normally, even Magneto's helmet wasn't enough to fully block Charles. The professor could triangulate him through Magneto's allies — Mystique, Juggernaut, or others never straying far from his side.
So why come to Stark now? Why couldn't Charles handle it?
Hank's fur-covered face betrayed nothing, but his tone carried weight. "Professor has… other matters. He can't focus on Magneto right now."
Stark narrowed his eyes. Other matters? That didn't sit right.
Magneto's escape from prison should've been Charles' highest priority. If something else had pulled him away, it had to be serious.
"Fine," Stark finally said, though unease lingered in his voice. "I'll help. But finding Magneto isn't easy. His Brotherhood doesn't exactly leave digital footprints. Half the time, they're off-grid, camping out in the wilderness."
The only reliable way to track mutants like Magneto was through abnormal events. Mutant activity always left a signature — unexplained power surges, localized destruction, weather anomalies. This global "net" of intelligence agencies kept tabs on such events, which was why new mutants were detected so quickly.
Magneto would slip eventually. He always did. The moment he made a move big enough, Stark's networks would catch it.
"I'll also get the CIA running satellite tracking. If we can pin down Magneto's location, Logan and I will move in immediately," Hank added. After ironing out some details with Stark, he turned and left, his massive frame moving with a sense of urgency.
The elevator doors slid shut behind him.
Daniel, leaning against the wall, glanced at Stark. "You felt it too, didn't you?"
"That something's off?" Stark nodded and replied. "Yeah. Something's very off. Did you notice how Hank avoided mentioning four specific names?"
"Four?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Professor Charles. Jean Grey. Ororo. Scott Summers," Stark listed, pacing the room. "Even if Charles is busy, Jean can use Cerebro to find Magneto. She's his protégé, his successor. Why no mention of her? Why not Ororo? Or Scott?"
Jean Grey was one of the most powerful telepaths alive, groomed by Charles for decades.
Storm, Cyclops — their power levels were nearly on par with Wolverine. These weren't background players. They were the X-Men's heavy hitters.
And yet only Beast and Logan were being dispatched.
"Something's happened," Stark concluded, "but I don't think it's all three of them. More likely two. When Hank and Logan are out, someone still has to guard the academy. So maybe Charles and one of the others are missing."
"Or worse," Daniel murmured. "Maybe Jean Grey."
Stark stopped, glanced at Daniel and asked, "Why her?"
"Because if Jean falls, everything falls," Daniel replied simply. "She's Charles' prized student. Cyclops' lover. Wolverine's weakness. If something's happened to her, the entire Academy would go dark — scrambling, hiding, panicking."
The name Phoenix hung unspoken between them.
Stark's face hardened. "If Charles is out of play, and Magneto's free — the whole mutant world could erupt overnight. Millions of mutants, rioting across the globe. We'd be looking at chaos beyond anything the Avengers have handled."
"And don't forget Stryker," Daniel added, voice low. "He's been circling mutants like a vulture. If he smells blood now…"
Stark turned to Daniel, eyes narrowing. "Daniel. I need you."
"No." Daniel's answer was immediate, sharp. "I won't meddle in mutant affairs."
"Daniel—"
"I have my own chains," Daniel interrupted, his tone softening but firm. "You know my status. If I leave New York for too long, it triggers White House scrutiny. Do you really want the government getting wind of whatever's happening inside the Academy?"
Stark gritted his teeth. He knew Daniel was just giving him an excuse, and that Daniel could slip out unnoticed if he truly wanted. But pushing him wouldn't help.
As Stark hesitated, Daniel pressed the elevator button. "If you really want to help mutants, Tony… don't get involved in their civil war. Keep your eyes on the real threat, Stryker and his people."
The elevator chimed.
Daniel stepped in, his final words lingering like smoke. "Whatever's happening now… it involves Phoenix. And trust me, you don't want to be standing too close when she burns."