The arrival of Professor X signified the involvement of yet another powerful faction in the Marvel world — the mutants.
Mutants were humans who, due to a genetic anomaly known as the X-gene, developed extraordinary abilities. These ranged from telepathy, weather manipulation, and magnetic control, to powers capable of threatening all human life itself. (Professor X, for instance, possessed the terrifying potential to annihilate humanity through a single psychic assault.)
The X-Men were a team composed entirely of such mutants — a disciplined and formidable force. Their participation in the war against the undead meant that Marcus Vale's challenge had become infinitely more complicated.
"Unfortunately," Professor X said, his tone calm but regretful, "the Xavier Institute is currently dealing with… a minor internal dispute. Cyclops and Storm will have to remain behind to maintain order. However, as the leader of the X-Men, I'll represent them personally and fight alongside you."
Marcus exhaled in quiet relief. So it won't be the full X-Men roster — for now. But his brief comfort evaporated the moment the Professor continued.
"With my telepathic abilities," Professor X said evenly, "I examined the living zombie samples you sent. And I've discovered something troubling — every one of them possesses a faint psychic connection, as if they're being guided or controlled by someone… or something."
Marcus's heart nearly stopped.
He found out?!
Panic surged through him. If his identity as the virus's creator was exposed, every hero and mutant on Earth would turn their wrath upon him. He wouldn't stand a chance — it would be total annihilation.
'If Professor X locates me… I'm finished.'
Fury's expression darkened. "Professor, are you saying you can pinpoint the controller's location?"
"I can," Xavier replied simply.
Marcus's stomach dropped.
But the Professor wasn't finished. "However," he added thoughtfully, "I'll need more samples. The psychic link in a single specimen is too faint to trace back to its origin."
Marcus nearly swore aloud in relief.
'You old man — could you not lead with that?!'
It made sense, though. If the control link that the system granted him was that weak, no wonder other telepaths hadn't detected him yet.
Fury nodded quickly. "That's not a problem. I'll order my men to capture as many as possible. Professor, how many live specimens do you require to locate the source?"
"Roughly five thousand," Xavier replied calmly. "Though fifty thousand dead ones could work as well. Bring them to my base and confine them near my Cerebro amplifier — with that many, I should be able to identify whoever's behind the outbreak."
Fury straightened, his tone resolute. "Consider it done. I'll make sure the military delivers what you need before the main offensive begins. No matter what, Professor, we'll get you those samples."
Marcus clenched his fists.
'Five thousand live zombies… that's practically an army.'
The only way to capture that many would be to send the military into the quarantine zone — and the invasion of Queens was already scheduled. With over a million undead still swarming the borough, collecting that many would be a trivial task once the offensive began.
Which meant the Battle for New York would determine everything.
If Marcus could hold out for eighteen days, the infected birds he had released would spread the virus across the globe — humanity's fall would be complete.
But if New York fell first, and the military captured those zombies for Xavier, then the Professor would find Marcus's psychic signal… and end him.
This was a war neither side could afford to lose.
The Professor's image smiled kindly — that same gentle, reassuring expression he always wore — before he nodded farewell to the council. His holographic projection slowly flickered and dissolved into light.
Marcus exhaled sharply, his heart still pounding. He couldn't even think about striking back — the X-Men base was fortified beyond imagination, and he didn't even know its exact location. Any attempt at assassination would be suicide.
'Damn that old man…' Marcus cursed silently, though he could still feel the tremor of fear beneath his anger.
Even after Xavier signed off, the discussion continued.
A female council member, Asian in appearance, leaned forward and addressed Fury. "Director, I'm glad you've managed to unite so many heroes under your command. Their abilities may even surpass our carrier fleets. But if we hope to truly eliminate this virus, the key will be in decoding it — or developing a cure. Has progress been made on a vaccine?"
"I agree, Madam," Fury said with a small nod. "Fortunately, we have someone far more qualified than I am to explain our medical efforts."
He gestured toward the center of the conference room. "Allow me to introduce the head of our viral research division — biochemical expert and former Ant-Man, Dr. Hank Pym."
The holographic image of an elderly man flickered into view — hair graying, beard thick, eyes sharp behind silver-rimmed glasses.
"Thank you for joining us again, Hank," Fury said warmly.
Pym's gaze was ice-cold. "If Captain Rogers hadn't personally asked me, I wouldn't be wasting my time helping your filthy organization."
Fury gave a tight smile, unwilling to argue. "Nevertheless, we're grateful for your expertise. Could you brief the council on your findings?"
With a weary sigh, Hank turned toward the others. "This virus," he began, "was engineered specifically to target the human genetic sequence. It manipulates the ARHGAP11B gene and the X-chromosome, inducing a catastrophic alteration in base-pair structure."
He paused, noting the blank stares. "In simpler terms — it's custom-built for us. But don't panic. I can produce a vaccine."
"How soon?" one of the members asked.
"Within a month," Pym said bluntly.
Fury frowned. "A month? That's far too long."
Hank's gaze snapped toward him, sharp as a blade. "If our medical science were that advanced, Nick, cancer would've been eradicated decades ago. Humanity would live to two hundred. I'm not a miracle worker — I'm a scientist. If you want results in three days, call the aliens."
Fury's expression softened. "You're right. My apologies."
Pym adjusted his glasses, the faintest hint of disdain in his tone. "You'll get your cure, Director. Just don't destroy the planet before I finish it."
Marcus could only watch through Hawkeye's eyes, his mind racing.
The military. The Avengers. The X-Men. And now the world's greatest scientist.
Every piece was falling into place.
Humanity was preparing for total war.
And the world was closing in on him.
___
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