oldest established faction of mutants in the world. We number at least two million on the Eastern Seaboard, three million throughout the country, and another million on the West Coast. It’s no secret that the majority of the Eastern Council members are plenty conservative. But that’s not true of every mutant: the Western Council has a tradition of liberalism that I must respect. However, what your brother is doing horrifies and alarms me.” His voice rose on the last word and now I caught a glimpse of steel behind the velvety bonhomie. “He has no authorization from us and he ignores the best interests of the mutants in favor of his own wild ideas. C wier aHe even chased away a delegation from the Western Council. Refuses to communicate with any of the designated mutant authorities. We would like to work with him. Peacefully. But he rejects our every overture.”
His implication was clear and I began to be frightened, both for my brother and all mutants. But I had to stay cool and pretend to be the pacific Dr. Akimura. “I know it’s frustrating. But threatening Rick won’t bring him back into the fold.”
“Who said anything about threatening?” Metzger was suddenly the genial, well-met fellow again. “We’re not threatening him, not in the slightest. In fact, we’d be happy for him to join us, even now. We’ve sent him repeated entreaties, but he’s refused every one while he pursued his own course.”
“But I thought he was willing to cooperate with the Mutant Council as long as it was on equal terms.”
“That’s not good enough,” Metzger said. “He must recognize our authority. By refusing to do so he’s forced our hands into opposition. Which is where you come in.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what role you foresee for me in all of this.”
“It’s simple, really.” His voice took on a pedantic tone. “If your brother were keeping a lower profile, just rescuing cats from trees or lost kids at county fairs, I’d say bravo. God knows we need more people interested in helping others. But your brother is getting too big for his own good. Or ours. It’s only a matter of time before he does something wrong and brings down the wrath of the entire society upon the heads of the mutants. So you must publicly oppose his actions at every opportunity.”
“You know I don’t trust what Rick is doing,” I said. “In fact, I hope to send him a personal message about my feelings, between the lines. But I’m not entirely comfortable with speaking out publicly against him, especially if he’s sincere in his intentions. And, frankly, Metzger, you sound a trifle paranoic to me. After all, the age of pogroms is long past.
Metzger bristled as though I had just kicked him. “ We remember, Julian. We must. You young guys think that we’re safe because we’ve made it through almost a century without violence. But it can happen again at any time. We’re never safe. Never. Which is why we must always be on guard.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting that Rick be hurt?”
To Metzger’s credit he looked genuinely uncomfortable. “Of course not. Of course not. That’s the last thing I want. We’re talking about organized opposition here, not violence.”
“I see.”
“Julian, I want to offer you a leading role in this.”
“Why not you?”
“It might splinter the entire mutant community if I’m seen actively opposing what a large segment seems already to support.”
“You mean Alanna’s faction?”
He nodded. “You know, of course, that Rick has not accepted her, either.”
“What?”
“She was turned away from Better World when she arrived. I hear she’s currently in Taos, attempting to reach your brother by any means possible.”
“Interesting. So he doesn’t want her, either.”
“ Cfy" trifJust you, it seems.”
I was heartened by that. Perhaps Rick was attempting to make a real fresh start. But I mistrusted his intent enough to agree with Joachim Metzger that
His implication was clear and I began to be frightened, both for my brother and all mutants. But I had to stay cool and pretend to be the pacific Dr. Akimura. “I know it’s frustrating. But threatening Rick won’t bring him back into the fold.”
“Who said anything about threatening?” Metzger was suddenly the genial, well-met fellow again. “We’re not threatening him, not in the slightest. In fact, we’d be happy for him to join us, even now. We’ve sent him repeated entreaties, but he’s refused every one while he pursued his own course.”
“But I thought he was willing to cooperate with the Mutant Council as long as it was on equal terms.”
“That’s not good enough,” Metzger said. “He must recognize our authority. By refusing to do so he’s forced our hands into opposition. Which is where you come in.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what role you foresee for me in all of this.”
“It’s simple, really.” His voice took on a pedantic tone. “If your brother were keeping a lower profile, just rescuing cats from trees or lost kids at county fairs, I’d say bravo. God knows we need more people interested in helping others. But your brother is getting too big for his own good. Or ours. It’s only a matter of time before he does something wrong and brings down the wrath of the entire society upon the heads of the mutants. So you must publicly oppose his actions at every opportunity.”
“You know I don’t trust what Rick is doing,” I said. “In fact, I hope to send him a personal message about my feelings, between the lines. But I’m not entirely comfortable with speaking out publicly against him, especially if he’s sincere in his intentions. And, frankly, Metzger, you sound a trifle paranoic to me. After all, the age of pogroms is long past.
Metzger bristled as though I had just kicked him. “ We remember, Julian. We must. You young guys think that we’re safe because we’ve made it through almost a century without violence. But it can happen again at any time. We’re never safe. Never. Which is why we must always be on guard.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting that Rick be hurt?”
To Metzger’s credit he looked genuinely uncomfortable. “Of course not. Of course not. That’s the last thing I want. We’re talking about organized opposition here, not violence.”
“I see.”
“Julian, I want to offer you a leading role in this.”
“Why not you?”
“It might splinter the entire mutant community if I’m seen actively opposing what a large segment seems already to support.”
“You mean Alanna’s faction?”
He nodded. “You know, of course, that Rick has not accepted her, either.”
“What?”
“She was turned away from Better World when she arrived. I hear she’s currently in Taos, attempting to reach your brother by any means possible.”
“Interesting. So he doesn’t want her, either.”
“ Cfy" trifJust you, it seems.”
I was heartened by that. Perhaps Rick was attempting to make a real fresh start. But I mistrusted his intent enough to agree with Joachim Metzger that
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