As he strode through the CIA base, Erik Lensherr contemplated the future. What he had now was a good start, but he needed more. He needed a base, allies, connections. Unfortunately, he didn't yet have the means to do so. It was all very well to have Azazel gather information, but that wasn't enough. If only Raven hadn't gone back to Charles... her powers would have been invaluable. Absent-mindedly, he flicked a finger towards a cluster of armed men, causing their guns to fly out of their hands and knock their owners unconscious.

With things the way they were, he would have been stuck as a small-time player for at least a few years while he built up the Brotherhood. However, he was soon to correct that. Stopping outside a thick cell door, he ripped it from its hinges with a contemptuous wave of his hand and, checking that his telepathy-blocking helmet was in place, stepped inside to make an offer..