John and Lorna fixed their gaze on Max, awaiting his response. Max took a moment before speaking. He had been in this world for just over a day and had barely had time to process everything, let alone contemplate his future.
Join the Mutant underground organization as a hero? Max didn't intend to go down that path. He had reservations about the underground Mutant organization, and he preferred the freedom of continuing his mercenary work on his terms. However, establishing connections with underground organizations could prove valuable in terms of information and potential clients. After all, these organizations were hubs for Mutants with various abilities.
"If you want to, you can go and check it out first," Max replied calmly.
Lorna, however, was more eager. "No need to wait; let's go now!"
But just as they were about to move, John interrupted with a look of concern. "Wait!"
He concentrated for a moment, his brow furrowing in deep thought. After a brief pause, he spoke urgently, "The Sentry Secret Service is here. There are a lot of them, and they've brought Sentinels to surround the area. We need to leave right away, right now!"
His voice carried a sense of urgency.
Max, who had watched the TV series, understood that the Sentry John mentioned was not the Mutant-slaying Sentinels from the movies, but rather the spider-like Sentry machines. Did this mean that the mischievous Mutant with the ability to absorb other Mutants' abilities had not yet been captured by the Sentry Secret Service personnel?
The sound of something moving through the woods echoed, indicating that the Sentry Secret Service was getting closer.
"John, you take Sonia and go!" Max turned to Lorna and said, "You stay and help me!"
"Why?" Lorna questioned. "Don't forget, you fought alongside us just now."
"At least I didn't kill you, and it's also a way to test your abilities," Max replied casually.
"Max, let's go together!" Sonia instinctively didn't want to be separated from Max, especially in this perilous situation.
"Don't worry, we'll meet up later," Max assured Sonia and then turned to Lorna. "Do you accept?"
"What's there to accept?" Lorna snorted and nodded at John.
John promptly led Sonia away. His perception Ability would help them find the best route to break through the Sentry Secret Service's defensive line.
After John and Sonia had departed, Max and Lorna entered the wooden house. Lorna, her brow furrowed, asked, "What's your plan?"
"Get some guns," Max replied as he glanced outside through a crack in the door.
Flashlight beams pierced the darkness of the woods as heavily armed men emerged, forming a fan-shaped perimeter around the wooden house. Another team was approaching from the rear.
Max didn't inquire how Sonia's identity had been exposed, but he knew Sofia's Ability and personality wouldn't have led to any destructive acts. Yet, the fact that so many people had been sent to capture her, including Sentinels, was alarming. It explained why Mutants faced such dire circumstances.
"Do you think you can control their guns from this distance?" Max asked Lorna.
Lorna glanced at Max and cautioned, "Are you sure you want a gun? Do you understand the consequences of this? The Sentry Secret Service will hound you relentlessly. If they catch you, it's game over!"
"I am sure." Max replied with a smirk.
Lorna's current abilities weren't quite as formidable as needed. She could control metallic objects, similar to the early abilities of Magneto, but handling other materials might be a challenge. "I'll give it a try. If it works, I'll take care of it. If not, you'll have to do it yourself."
Lorna snorted in annoyance, and suddenly her hands emitted a green light. In the next moment, the people outside felt a powerful force, causing their guns to be ripped from their grasp and fly uncontrollably.
"What just happened?"
"There are other Mutants here. Stay alert!"
Although the voices were filled with tension, there was no panic; they seemed well-trained.
Lorna gave Max a provocative look. "What now?"
Max didn't respond but casually opened a door.
Lorna snorted and telekinetically directed the pistol to fly into the wooden house. With a swipe of her finger, she closed the door with a click.
"Mutant inside, you're surrounded. Come out and surrender immediately."
"Otherwise, we'll take drastic measures."
"You have one chance—surrender now!"
The shouts from outside echoed, and Lorna noticed that they had brought out several boxes containing Sentinels. These Sentinels were fast, and once caught, escape was nearly impossible. Frowning, Lorna turned to ask for the next step and was surprised to see Max removing his shirt and strapping multiple guns onto his shoulders, with two more holstered at his waist, and one in his hand.
The scars on Max's upper body caught Lorna's attention, leaving her wondering, "Who is this guy?"
After Max finished organizing the firearms, he happened to catch Lorna staring at him. Their eyes met briefly, and Lorna quickly averted her gaze.
Max commented, "Let's get out of here."
"How do we escape? They've deployed Sentinels. I can barely control one. Dealing with so many is impossible," Lorna said, her brows furrowing in concern.
There were at least three Sentinels and more than ten Sentry agents outside. While she could handle the agents, the Sentinels posed a significant challenge.
"Just open the door and step out," Max interrupted Lorna's worries. He then approached the door and reached out to push it open.
"You're out of your mind..."
"What?"
Lorna was about to remark that stepping out the door would be suicide, but she quickly realized that the situation outside wasn't what she had expected. Although she could see the people outside the door, something was amiss.
The space beyond the door appeared to be tinted in dark green, like a reflection in water, giving it an otherworldly quality.
"Is this your Ability?" Lorna asked instinctively.
"When God close one door, I'll open another for you," Max replied, looking at Lorna with a faint smile as he stepped through.