~The White House, Oval Office~
The leader of the nation frowned in thought, his hands resting on the famous 'Resolute Desk', a gift from Queen Victoria to President Hayes in the 19th century, crafted from the timbers of the British Arctic exploration ship, HMS Resolute...
Later, President Kennedy placed it in the Oval Office as the president's official desk.
In the Baroque-style office, Stryker sat on the sofa. The usually self-willed colonel now appeared remarkably restrained, leaning forward slightly like a soldier ready to rise at any command.
He could be ruthless toward those 'evil mutants' and dismissive of corporate plutocrats, but when facing the true authority of this nation, even if only nominally, Stryker couldn't help but feel tense...
Magneto's brazen attack on Worthington had thrust the mutant issue into the spotlight. To Stryker, this was a heaven-sent opportunity.
He had originally planned to stage a fake mutant assassination attempt on the White House to secure attention and resources, but Worthington's sudden collapse had effortlessly achieved his goal.
As for the unfortunate Worthington? No one cared. Even without the mutants' intervention, Stryker would have found a way to act. He had long grown weary of those greedy vultures, sharks drawn to the scent of blood, swarming for profit while refusing to offer even a shred of sincerity.
"William, I've reviewed your 'Mutant Defense Plan'... When it comes to dealing with these people, you're the foremost expert," the President mused before continuing, "How is your 'Weapon X' team coming along?"
"Nearly complete," Stryker answered immediately.
He had long harbored plans for the Weapon X program. Those damned mutants possessed extraordinary abilities, especially veterans like Magneto and Professor X.
Even the military struggled to counter them. So, Stryker conceived the idea of using mutants' own powers to create the ultimate weapon... Wolverine, Logan, had been one of his proudest creations.
The fusion of science and mutant genes allowed Stryker to forge weapons no less formidable than mutants themselves.
Take Wolverine, for example... infused with adamantium, possessing unparalleled regenerative abilities, ferocious and indestructible. A perfect human weapon.... If only the brainwashing hadn't failed, letting that lone wolf escape.
The President nodded in satisfaction but added cautiously, "I grant you the authority to search, detain, and interrogate. But I don't want to see dead mutant children splashed across the six o'clock news."
Stryker suppressed his excitement. The stern, often unfeeling colonel finally saw his lifelong ambition within reach...
His sole purpose was the complete eradication of those godforsaken freaks, strapping them to operating tables or tossing them into prison cells!
"By the way, I've arranged two assistants for you." The President pressed a buzzer on his desk.
Truthfully, the mutant problem gave him a headache. Beyond the media firestorm, there was pressure from various power blocs. Magneto's audacity had shaken the elite, making them realize their wealth and influence couldn't fully guarantee their safety.
That was why Stryker had suddenly gained favor, securing robust support from the White House and military. The emergence of these superpowered individuals terrified the upper echelons, who feared mutants would disrupt society's long-standing rules and destabilize the entrenched hierarchy.
A one-eyed Black man in a black trench coat entered first, escorted by Secret Service agents, followed by a young man with dark hair. At the President's gesture, both took their seats.
Stryker recognized one of them, the hard-faced one-eyed man was Nick Fury, head of an enigmatic organization called S.H.I.E.L.D... The agency wielded immense covert power, commanding vast resources beyond even the White House's control.
As for the young man, they'd never met. But given his age and presence in this seat of national power, he was undoubtedly no nobody.
"William, I trust you're familiar with Nick Fury. S.H.I.E.L.D. will provide support for this operation." The President's gaze shifted, "Sean Cyphers, an accomplished biologist, New York's prodigious young genius. He'll serve as the scientific advisor for the Mutant Defense Plan..."
Stryker frowned. He didn't want outsiders meddling in his mission.
Especially not Nick Fury. The spymaster was sharp-eyed, experienced, and backed by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources. If he tried to hijack the operation's success, it would spell trouble.
As for Sean? The colonel's eyes swept over the dark-haired young man, who sat somewhat awkwardly on the sofa, his expression tinged with nervousness.
'Just another bookish type. Not worth my attention.'
Stryker turned away dismissively, "Mr. President, I don't need—"
"William!" The President's voice lost its earlier warmth, turning authoritative, "This isn't your personal crusade. Success or failure, this is America's war against mutants, and I demand flawless execution. No mistakes!"
Under the piercing gaze of the nation's most powerful man, even Stryker lowered his head. Such was the weight of authority.
That final statement was both an order and a warning. Stryker understood... if anything went wrong, he'd be the sacrificial lamb, just like the unfortunate research director in the Worthington scandal.
A sudden chill crept through the colonel's body, dousing his earlier excitement. He began outlining his offensive strategy against the mutants.
"I've been tracking Erik Lehnsherr's movements. Since the Manhattan incident, the Brotherhood has gone underground. But through surveillance of radical mutants, we've traced them to a secret base in northern Alberta, Canada."
Stryker presented detailed intelligence and tactical plans, earning a nod from the President. His goal was to purge mutants from this land, and the once-overlooked colonel was now his sharpest blade.
"...Before dealing with Erik Lehnsherr, I recommend neutralizing the mutant school in Westchester. It's led by a mutant named Charles Xavier, who possesses terrifying telepathic abilities. If we're to eradicate mutants completely, he's an obstacle we cannot ignore!"
Stryker opened a folder containing satellite images of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Professor X's sanctuary for mutants and the covert base of the X-Men.
"Charles Xavier won't be an easy target," Nick Fury remarked coldly.
As director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he opposed rash action against mutants, especially the school faction led by Professor X. Unlike Magneto's Brotherhood, they maintained a delicate balance...
Stryker's interference would shatter that equilibrium, inevitably triggering all-out war.
But S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn't well-liked by the federal government. As a special agency rooted in this land, yet beyond White House or military jurisdiction, it made the President and generals deeply uneasy...