Inside the water tank, Gabriela and Issa had watched the entire battle through the cameras. Seeing it unfold in real time gave them a clearer understanding of what Logan and Rowan were truly capable of—and Charles had spoken to them quietly while the fighting raged outside.
In Charles's view, racing against time was a mistake. Six days to reach New York, track down Tony Stark's whereabouts, and then mount a rescue halfway across the world was not just difficult—it bordered on impossible. Even if they succeeded, the risks would be extreme. It would mean gambling Logan's life and Rowan's on a plan built on thin margins.
Charles also advised against sending the children to Canada and placing their future in the hands of another government. He had lived long enough to know how quickly goodwill could curdle into control.
After careful discussion, Gabriela and Issa made their decision. They would abandon the arrangement with Canada entirely. No North Dakota border. No handoff. Instead, they would find somewhere safe to settle first, regroup, and plan properly—whether that meant rescuing Stark later or standing their ground together.
This fight had changed something fundamental. The facility had come at them with overwhelming force, and still been driven off. What once felt impossible now looked merely difficult.
Rowan's eyes lit up when Gabriela explained their choice. "That's Charles for you," he said quietly. "Even without his powers, he's still terrifyingly convincing."
He agreed with the decision completely. Six days was tight even with foreknowledge, and New York was a web of competing interests. Too many things could go wrong. Given time, Rowan could push his abilities further—enough to disrupt sniper rounds reliably, or add a few more spells to his arsenal. Either would shift the odds dramatically.
Besides, if his memory was right, Stark had survived captivity for months. They weren't truly on the clock yet.
And there were other paths. Money, for one. If they became financially independent—rich enough to protect themselves—then saving Stark might not even be necessary. Working with Stark meant attention, and attention meant S.H.I.E.L.D. And where S.H.I.E.L.D. looked, Hydra followed.
Rowan nodded. "If that's the call, then we move now. Somewhere safe. Then we plan."
They stripped the fallen of weapons and grenades and left the factory behind without delay. Once they were clear of the border region, it would be difficult for the company to reassemble a force and find them again. This wasn't a government agency with national reach—just a corporation exploiting chaos.
With X-24 destroyed, there would be no immediate pursuit. Creating another clone would take time. Months, at least.
On the highway, Issa drove the truck while Rowan, Gabriela, Logan, Caliban, Charles, and the children rode together in the back, debating their next destination.
They settled on several rules.
First, no city centers. Too visible. Too many eyes.
Second, not too remote. The children needed schooling. Charles needed medication. And they needed income. Remote places were poor places.
Third, close enough to New York to monitor developments. Stark's situation mattered—and so did other things Rowan wasn't ready to name out loud yet.
After the discussion wound down, Charles spoke.
"We could return to the school," he said softly. "Xavier's."
Logan stiffened instantly. "No. Absolutely not. That's walking straight into danger."
It wasn't the old warrant he feared. Twenty-five years was a lifetime. Governments changed. People forgot. What Logan feared was memory—what returning would awaken in Charles.
Tears slid down Charles's face. "I remember now, Logan. All of it. I remember what I did."
His voice shook, but it didn't break.
"I should have died for that. But now… now I want to live. Not for myself. For them." He looked toward the children. "I want to heal. I want to regain control. I want to protect what's left—and make amends for what I destroyed."
He paused, steadying himself.
"The Cerebro chamber beneath the school can be sealed. Beast designed a failsafe. If my mind destabilizes again, my brainwaves can be isolated completely. It won't happen twice."
The truck rolled on through the night as the weight of his words settled over them all.