Dr. Greger appeared extremely haggard when she arrived at the office. She didn't show the Mutant leader any kindness. However, Professor X was always adept at handling such moments, and he gently said, "I'm sorry to have brought you here like this, ma'am. But we've received definite news that some people don't want you alive."
"You're no better than them," Dr. Greger seemed to use aggressiveness to conceal her anxiety, "Now it seems it's you who want me dead the most, right? After all, my research results have killed so many of you."
Magneto's expression changed, but Professor X remained calm. He said, "Firstly, the Red Orchid Factory wasn't solely established by you, nor did you want to establish it. Secondly, all the mutants who went to raid had made the sacrifice themselves."
A picture appeared before Dr. Greger's eyes, seemingly a memory that Professor X projected to her. She was initially startled and instinctively wanted to reject it but soon was captivated by the content in the picture.
"We have to do this." A mutant wearing goggles said, "Professor, trust us. Everyone here is well aware of the danger of this raid, understanding that death is close to us. But we have to go; it's our mission."
"Scott, you..."
"Don't feel saddened for us. If we die in front of the superweapon targeting mutants, allowing more fellow mutants to avoid harm, then I can't think of a greater death than this. Professor, what you need to do is give our souls a true home."
Besides this mutant, many other mutants stepped forward. They weren't unknown characters; in contrast, they were famous members of the X-Men, known even to Dr. Greger. Even she had to admit that each of them was a strong mutant without weaknesses, almost like Gods to ordinary people.
Yet they still resolutely boarded the spaceship, rushing towards the superweapon factory that might kill them. Until the last moment before their death, none of them regretted it, lamenting only that they couldn't complete their mission.
After the memory was interrupted, Dr. Greger was already sobbing uncontrollably. She wasn't mourning for the mutants but for her husband.
"He really didn't want to go," Dr. Greger said, "We hate this kind of conflict, never wanting to use our knowledge to create weapons. But we had no choice as the government approached us. It was initially agreed that we'd just conduct research in the lab, but later on, they seemed worried that the ultimate weapon produced by the factory couldn't kill the most powerful mutants, hence they demanded on-site testing. For heaven's sake, it was near the sun, and Ira feared the heat..."
The lady's emotions completely collapsed. After X Professor comforted her for a long time, she continued, "We are not afraid of sacrifice, but we don't understand what the meaning of all this is. Mutants made such a great sacrifice to build their own home, but what about us? What's the point of stopping a group from founding a country on an island that belongs to them?"
"It's all dirty politics!" Dr. Greger clenched her hands and smashed the table forcefully, "They worry that the mutant nation is too powerful, threatening their status; they worry about political achievements and votes but never worry about how well their citizens live..."
Magneto was also silent. He initially believed that these scientists were it was for defending Earth, but now it seems that was not the case.
It's understandable. When the Jews founded their country, they did it on someone else's land, but they created an island themselves. And this island couldn't be accessed by the human race and doesn't have any valuable resources, meaning it's insignificant to humans. Common people are unlikely to feel strong resentment against such actions. Most people aren't directly involved and just stand on the sidelines. As long as it doesn't infringe on anyone, it indeed has nothing to do with most ordinary people, with no reason for them to sacrifice.
However, governments of certain countries worry that the mutant country could bring too much change and affect the Earth's dynamics, so they force ordinary people to sacrifice for them. They say mutants are dangerous and uncontrollable, but now it's uncertain who really poses the threat.
After resting for a while, Dr. Greger forced herself to calm her emotions and talked about her husband's situation.
"About two years ago, when we first worked for the government, we already backed up our personalities and consciousness. This used a kind of consciousness transmission technology called 'Flash,' which is not very mature yet, as Ira stole it from the lab where he previously worked."
"We did this to prevent being exploited. Although we can't revive solely by consciousness, we can retaliate by connecting the consciousness to certain critical equipment. That's what I did."
"You transferred your husband's consciousness to the Mother Module?"
"No," Dr. Greger said, "To be precise, it was added to the production line of the Nimrod-type Sentinel Robots. At the moment these powerful robots are produced, my husband's consciousness will take the upper hand, and that will become his new body."
"What will he do?"
"I don't know, but I think he might choose revenge," Dr. Greger said.
"Doctor, we brought you here precisely to discuss this matter," Shiller suddenly spoke, "Mutants are researching the Totem Revival Plan..."
Shiller briefly introduced to Dr. Greger the entire plan of using Clarkian Totem to create a body, then fill it with consciousness for revival. Then he said, "We hope, if possible before the Nimrod-type robots are manufactured, to retrieve your husband's flash. This way, he can be revived through the Totem Revival Plan and reunited with you."
Dr. Greger was completely stunned. Magneto was also shocked; he didn't understand why Shiller would reveal the revival plan to Dr. Greger. Wouldn't it be better to let the powerful Nimrod-type Sentinels take revenge on those who forced him?
However, seeing Professor X not saying anything, Magneto also didn't first question it. But Dr. Greger was obviously aware of this, and she asked back, "Why are you telling me this? Wouldn't it be better to let my husband destroy the Red Orchid Factory?"
"First, you might have underestimated the Mother Module. Whether your husband's consciousness can dominate is still unknown. If he is devoured and merged, then the Nimrod-type Sentinel Robots might not just be robots, but more likely could turn into a wise life form with invincible strength and human intelligence. Mutants will likely struggle to deal with such a monster, and your husband will die as well."
"Furthermore, even if his consciousness prevails, we do not know whether he will choose to take revenge on the mutants who killed him or his military or government. If he chooses the former, mutants will also be harmed. We cannot gamble."
Magneto then realized, indeed, the ultimate weapon without mixed human consciousness was already terrifying enough, but adding a human brain would spell disaster for mutants.
No matter how powerful a super AI is, it is artificial intelligence and has certain limitations. But wise life is different; its action logic is elusive, making it naturally harder to deal with. Combined with a super powerful form, it's practically a second Zero Ultron, posing a threat to mutants across the Multiverse.
Dr. Greger frowned and said, "Are you saying my husband's consciousness might be devoured by the intelligent entity designed by the Mother Module? But the Mother Module shouldn't..."
She left her sentence unfinished, as if she wasn't very confident. After a moment, she said, "In fact, the Red Orchid Factory used many technologies that don't originate from humans, taught to us by those people. We haven't fully understood them, just followed instructions blindly. So what the final product looks like, even I, as the designer, can't say..."
"Really reckless." Stark commented, "Daring to start without understanding the technology's principles. That it was built, and hasn't exploded until now, is sheer luck for you."
Greger sighed and said, "It's always like this. They only care about outcomes, not stability."
"However, can your totem be used for normal people?" Dr. Greger asked, "My husband is not a mutant, and doesn't have the X Gene."
"It should be possible." Professor X said, "However, only the body can be hatched from it. You must ensure your husband's consciousness is intact, or it will merely be a walking corpse."
"I'll find a way to retrieve the Flash." Dr. Greger hesitated only for a moment, and said, "If he can return safely, I also don't want him to take revenge."
After speaking, she looked up at Professor X and said, "You are a truly respectable elder, Professor. Before my husband returns, I can be of service to you all. Although I can't fully decipher the Red Orchid Factory's technology, I do have the majority of the information."
"How much can you remember?" Magneto asked.
"Everything I know." Dr. Greger said, "Professor, you can directly search my memory; I've organized it into categories."
Magneto sighed again; how could he forget that for these super genius researchers, Memory Palace techniques are basic skills.
"I will relay it to the technicians." Professor X said, "Thank you for your contribution, Doctor. You will be a forever friend to Clarkia."
Magneto nodded as well. In reality, Dr. Greger's willingness to hand over the information so easily surprised them.
Shiller had explained earlier that not letting her husband's consciousness enter Nimrod's body would be beneficial for mutants. Regardless of whether Greger wished to reunite with her husband, mutants would find a way to do so, so it's not entirely to aid Greger. Hence, Dr. Greger could easily refuse to provide the information.
Not to mention Professor X could forcefully obtain it. Humans in this universe have sophisticated anti-mind-reading devices, and instant memory deletion technology; otherwise, mutants wouldn't be pushed to this point. As a major researcher, Dr. Greger should also be equipped with these devices. If she were stubbornly tight-lipped, it's possible mutants might have no way.
Shiller walked over, shook hands with Dr. Greger, and said, "Trust me, Doctor. The day you reunite with your husband won't be too far."
"Thank you for your kind words." Dr. Greger still appeared very weary. She looked out at the lush Clarkia through the window, a yearning gleaming in her eyes, "My husband and I come from desert countries; we've rarely seen such a beautiful Forest. For mutants, this must be a wonderful home."
"And thank you for your kind words." Magneto stepped forward to shake hands with Dr. Greger, "Earth is also a beautiful place; we all have a duty to make it better. Don't you think?"