Marvel: Dodging Bullets & Stealing Hearts

John and Lorna stared at Max, waiting for his response.

Max didn't answer immediately. Even though he had been in this world for more than a day, he had spent most of his time testing his abilities and understanding his situation. Planning for the future? Yeah, that hadn't been on the agenda just yet.

Join the Mutant Underground and play hero? No, thanks. Max had zero interest in that. It wasn't that he had anything against them, but their approach didn't really fit his style. He preferred working solo, doing things his own way. Still, having connections with the Underground could be useful. They had a network, access to a lot of Mutants, and most importantly—information. And if he was going to continue playing the mercenary game, he'd need reliable intel and a steady flow of clients.

"You guys go ahead first," Max finally said.

Lorna raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'go ahead first'?"

"He means we'll go now," John interrupted.

But before he could move, his expression suddenly tensed. His eyes darted around, his senses picking up on something.

"Shit," John muttered, his tone suddenly urgent. "The Sentinel Services are here—lots of them. They brought Sentinels, too. We need to leave. Now."

Max's eyes narrowed slightly. In the TV series, the Sentinels weren't the towering, mutant-hunting death machines from the movies. They were more like robotic spider drones—agile, relentless, and equipped with suppression tech. That meant one thing: the Underground hadn't captured Rogue yet. After all, Sentinel Services developed their ability-absorbing Sentinels based on her powers.

The rustling of movement in the trees confirmed John's words.

"John, take Sonia and get out of here first," Max said. Then he turned to Lorna. "You stay. I need a favor."

Lorna folded her arms, skeptical. "Why would I do that? You did just punch my teammate in the face."

"At least I didn't kill him," Max said with a smirk. "And let's be real, you'd have done the same to test a stranger's strength."

Lorna huffed but didn't deny it.

Sonia hesitated. "Max, come with us."

"Don't worry, we'll meet up later," Max assured her.

John gave one last glance at Lorna before nodding and guiding Sonia away, using his perception to find a weak point in the enemy's formation.

As soon as they left, Max turned on his heel and stepped back into the wooden cabin.

Lorna followed, frowning. "What exactly is your plan?"

Max peeked out through the cracks in the door. The searchlights from the approaching agents were cutting through the darkness, illuminating a sea of heavily armed men slowly closing in on the cabin.

They weren't playing around. The Sentinel Services had sent a lot of guys.

"Can you mess with their guns from this distance?" Max asked.

Lorna scoffed. "You want a gun? Do you even know what you're getting into? If you take on the Sentinel Services, they will hunt you down. And when they catch you, you're screwed."

Max grinned. "Well, they'll have to catch me first."

Lorna narrowed her eyes as Max muttered, almost to himself, "Glock 17, standard police issue… 9mm rounds… effective range of about 50 meters… lightweight polymer frame…" He glanced at her. "You think you can manage it?"

Lorna rolled her eyes, but her hands lit up with a green glow. Outside, the approaching agents suddenly jerked in surprise as their weapons were wrenched from their grip and sent flying into the air.

"The hell?"

"Mutant ability detected—stay alert!"

The agents weren't panicked. These guys were professionals.

Lorna smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "There, I did my part. Now what?"

Max didn't answer. Instead, he casually pushed the door open.

Lorna's eyes widened. "You're seriously just walking out there? Are you insane?"

Max only grinned.

She sighed but flicked her wrist, making the now-floating weapons shoot into the cabin. The moment they crossed the threshold, she snapped her fingers—click!—the door swung shut behind them.

Outside, one of the agents barked through a megaphone.

"The Mutants inside, you are surrounded. Surrender now, and we won't use force."

"Yeah, right," Lorna muttered. "Like that's ever true."

"Failure to comply will result in immediate escalation."

Max glanced at Lorna. "Looks like we're on the clock."

She turned and finally got a good look at him. His shirt was off now, and he was securing the stolen guns against his shoulder with a makeshift strap, tucking two into his waistband and holding another in his hand. Scars crisscrossed his torso—old wounds, some deep, some faint.

Lorna stared.

Who was this guy?

Max caught her staring and smirked. "Like what you see?"

Lorna huffed, looking away. "Decent body, I guess."

"'Decent'?" Max chuckled. "Ouch. Guess I'll have to work harder at the gym."

She rolled her eyes. "Seriously, what's the plan? They're deploying Sentinels. I can maybe control one, but there are at least three out there. We can't just—"

"We're gonna walk out the front door," Max interrupted.

Lorna blinked. "We're gonna what?"

Max ignored her, stepping up to the door. He reached for the handle and pushed it open.

"Wait, you're crazy—"

But the moment the door swung open, Lorna's words died in her throat.

The scene outside had completely changed. The world had taken on a dark green hue, like an oil-slick reflection in water. The trees, the agents, even the Sentinels looked distorted, unreal.

It was like stepping into a different dimension.

Lorna's breath hitched. "This is… your ability?"

Max smirked. "When God closes a door on you…" He extended a hand toward her. "I open another one."

Lorna hesitated, glancing between him and the eerie world beyond the door.

Then, with a deep breath, she grabbed his hand and stepped through.