7613/Sentinels: Professor X

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Sentinels: Professor X
Date of Scene: 24 May 2019
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Professor X speaks to Sebastion about humanity.
Cast of Characters: Bastion, Professor X
Tinyplot: Sentinels


Bastion has posed:
The Avengers' facility where the Sentinel 'scientist' is staying is low key. The technology there does exist, but much of it is for security purposes, nothing more, as well as scanning. The large footprints that Sentinels have made out in the cement front area of the buildings and warehouses are the largest calling card that the facility is interesting at all. 'John Doe' as he was originally called, has adjusted his own name. He has been going by 'Sebastion', when asked, and that information has found its way to the materials that the X-Men have. From video footage and pictures, the team will have a full scope of what the man looks like: he's a heavily built, military looking guy, with pale blonde, short hair. In videos, he is generally responsive to honesty, and is direct, for the most part. He seems to favor Captain America and Jessica Drew's style of treatment to him, the polite approach seems to work. Even Lorna's polite approach wasn't met with outright hostility.

Sebastion/Doe is currently outside in one of the parking lot areas in a back, shielded zone, in a rather impressive pile of sentinel parts and pieces. He's dressed simply: sweatshirt, tracksuit pants. He doesn't look anything like a killer robot of any sort, including a Sentinel one. It is clear on just a glance that he's either dismantling one of the big ones, repairing it, or putting it back together, and is in some stage of that. He's partially hidden by an open torso, but he's big enough to easily be seen from quite a distance, working.

Professor X has posed:
Charles watches for a moment from a distance then takes a deep breath and begins pushing himself forward. He wears a dark blue three-piece suit and his wheelchair is simple, basic, and looks well-used. His expression is curious as he comes closer and glances around at all the parts.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Charles says, stopping at a polite distance. "You seem to have quite the project going here."

If Sebastion looks his way Charles smiles. "I am Professor Charles Xavier. Do you have a moment?"

Bastion has posed:
If Charles chose to compare this greeting to the one Lorna recieved, it would mirror it just about exactly. Sebastion does look up, orienting well before Charles is even all that close. He does pick up a small dark blue towel he has nearby, and uses it to smoothly wipe some kind of white liquid off one of his forearms.

To a telepath, Sebastion just doesn't exist. He isn't there, any more than the sentinel is. If he's a hybrid or cyborg, there's enough nullification to drench any specks of anything out. He inclines his head a little, and nods once.

There is no warmth or extension of politeness in return, but Sebastion does seem to respond to it. "I do have both the project, and a moment, although due to timeline, I need to keep going while we speak," he says, curtly. "I have a promise to keep." He smiles a small amount, but it may feel a little forced. Not like a machine would force a smile, but a person, that had some other emotion to NEED to force past.

Professor X has posed:
"By all means, I appreciate you seeing me," Charles says. He stays where he is, not pressing Sebastion's space. "I could not resist the opportunity to meet you after hearing Ms. Dane talk about her meeting with you."

Charles folds his hands in his lap."Though, I am sorry that you've become stranded outside your time. That must be difficult," he says sincerely.

Bastion has posed:
"It is not," Sebastion answers, still studying the Professor. "Because I do not remember that being the case, not really. Only pieces of what technology 'should' be. A number of what year it 'should' be only made me feel that I must have been mistaken, somehow. Coming from a dream back into a real place, perhaps." Sebastion doesn't hesitate in his speech, he seems willing to converse, though his eyes finally move back to his project.

There's no showing off, he's just working through, in this case, a really enormous foot, which he decouples from the ankle, and flips the bottom open. There's a relaxed, mechanic feel: there's no fumbling or looking for access. More of an efficiency seen in someone that's familiar with their craft.

Professor X has posed:
Charles watches Sebastion's movements carefully. He considers his words for a moment.

"Well, I'm glad of that, then. I understand what you may be finding harder to tolerate is the existence of mutants like myself. I take it they are as much an issue where you come from as they are here. Your feelings on the issue have caused some concern, as you no doubt know. We are just feeling our way through using Sentinels here and have many concerns."

Bastion has posed:
Sebastion looks up abruptly as mutants are brought up, as if perhaps it surprised him to have that so casually mentioned, so quickly. He doesn't smile, but he does listen, and assess this. "I've learned to keep my feelings about it to myself," Sebastion says with a slight amused laugh. "As my connection to Sentinels already has caused a great deal of prejudice towards what I'm expected to do."

Sebastion's pause ends, he continues with the foot. He's doing diagnostics, not actively repairing, at the moment: just opening and checking over the systems, as if he were bending over a large engine at an airport. It does look like an engine inside, a lot of firepower to make a Sentinel fly.

"I don't approve of current Sentinel use, or these models. Unleashing them was entirely irresponsible. I don't have to like mutants to think that."

Professor X has posed:
Charles smiles at Sebastion's comment about keeping his opinion to himself
He wheels slightly closer so he can watch Sebastion work a bit better.

"Yes, it was reckless," Charles agrees. "Thank you uncovering Trask's control over the Sentinels. That kind of power should only be the purview of a legitimate authority, wouldn't you agree?"

Charles waits for Sebastion's answer before continuing. "I hope you won't feel the need to... dissemble with me. I certainly won't insult your intelligence by doing so," Charles assures him. "I actually have these conversations a lot. I am a leading biophysicist and geneticist, among other things. I specialize in studying the causes and effects of mutation. I don't suppose you recall any advances in the field from your time? The genetic understanding to make the suppression fields is years beyond us. I can barely imagine the medical applications."

Bastion has posed:
Sebastion lifts a brow at the thank-you, but inclines one hand some in acceptance. He doesn't deny that he did assist there. "I suspect you are aware that I have a similar control over them as well. It isn't a secret. It should be with legitamte authority, yes. Barring that, I am able to step in." A gesture to the Sentinel parts all around them shows the physical proof of that.

"I don't have a full idea of what I do, or do not, know. My memories are not cohesive," Sebastion says, with some annoyance, but it's at himself: inward, not outward. "However, I have a lot of cybernetic solutions. I suspect to repair myself, should I have to, or perhaps someone that is injured. ... Suppression, though... it is hard for me to describe. But I understand your interest in it. It is a defense against what mutants do."

Professor X has posed:
"We have common ground there," Charles says about the authorities.

"But my interest in the suppressors is what I said. I am not working to counter them. I'm not certain anyone should," Charles says looking thoughtful. "I am a powerful psychic, though," he raises a hand to forestall any concern. "Even if I could sense your presence I would not be in your mind without permission. That would be abhorrent. Like rape.

"Thankfully I take the responsibility of my abilities very seriously. But not everyone does. I can't help but think suppressors could be valuable and even humane tools if used properly by police. They should have the ability to protect all of us against all criminals, including mutants."

Bastion has posed:
"While it occurred to me I could suppress whatever your ability is, I also understand some mutants might die if I did that," Sebastion says, smoothly. He looks at Charles directly, and then continues with the foot. He's starting to close it up. "Move back, please," he adds, gesturing to Charles. Once the man gets out of range, he triggers the foot to blast, and sends it out of the way -- over to a pile of parts that, it can be presumed, are finished.

"From what I know, not all Sentinels are massive. They could be used very well among police. But these are not acceptable in civilian areas: they are like using a hammer when a scalpel is wanted."

Professor X has posed:
"Of course," Charles says and backs himself out of the way and watches the foot go.

"Then perhaps they have a place. If they can be used safely and humanely, and for policing rather than oppression. The status quo is not acceptable for anyone."

"I wondered if you would share where you feelings about mutants come from. I thought about what Lorna shared with me about you. In my experience, that level of antipathy has a few sources; wrong information, overwhelming cultural influences, personal loss, instability or external imposition. You are far too intelligent and rational for it to be instability or cultural influence. The others remained possible, especially given that I assume someone had to have made the changes to your body for you," Charles says curiously, somewhat analytically. "What is your thought?"

Bastion has posed:
"I don't know where they come from, that is beyond what I can sense," Sebastion answers, without seeming to be upset about it, or admitting he doesn't know. He just doesn't.

"I think there are many things beyond what I can see. Or any of us. I feel I have some sort of gift, to be able to sense what you say is a mutant aspect. I did not know it was mutants I felt until I was told. And that may not even be right," shrugs the android. "I sense that you are not human. That something has twisted nature into a way that horrifies me. What did it? It may as well be a devil, for all I know. It's just there. My rationality and intellect can't make sense of it. But it's real." Sebastion stopped working, and there's a fight in his face, in his emotions. He has a lot of trouble with all of it. With what he can see and feel, and what his logic says.

"Perhaps I lack memory of a mutant killing my family, and it is now part of my emotions. I can't tell you. I can't disconnect it, like I can other things. But I don't let it rule me. You can believe that, or you won't; I have a hard time believing much of what you say. But we do what we can." Sebastion turns away, more fully, and crosses to the ankle he'd used earlier. He flips it over with a surprising level of physical strength. Sebastion's, probably, a physical nightmare for more than just nullifiers. He's upset, or he may not have shown it: he's been careful.

Professor X has posed:
Professor X says, " "I am sorry if my question upset you," Charles says gently. "And I do believe you, I think you're a very honest and moral person."

Charles shifts a bit uncomfortably in his chair. His shoulder is incredibly sore and he likely should not have taken off the sling.

"I think understand something of your pain. It is difficult to have an ability you don't understand but affects you so much. For some it's frightening, a feeling of being out of control. For others it shows them things they wish they could unsee. I've experienced it. I have helped many through the experience," Charles says. "To understand and accept their gifts."

"It is strange that mutants do not seem human to you, or so unnerving. I can also detect mutants, it is one of my gifts. They feel different than other people, but at their core, they are very human. I have yet to get to know a mutant mind that was any different than a human one. Which makes sense," Charles muses.

"The mutation is caused by a single gene. Human and mutant genomes are nearly identical, and we see no trouble with interbreeding, so they are by definition the same species. Genetically speaking, the difference between what we call human and mutant is less than the difference between someone with pure African ancestry from someone with pure Asian ancestry. And those differences are miniscule. All information you can access and verify yourself if you are able to study any of the better genetics journals." Charles watches Sebation's expressions carefully. "And from what I see, there is nothing fundamental that separates you from any other human. Your ethic, emotion, sense of responsibility, nobility and dignity. All markers of a human. A remarkable one, in fact.""

Bastion has posed:
There are reactions to watch, through the description. Sebastion isn't resistant at all to being told what causes a mutant. He seems to listen, and doesn't get upset. Technical things don't seem to bother him. He strips open the Sentinel part, and this time does some active repair: sort of. It mostly looks like he squats and reaches up into it like he's stuffing a turkey. There's various mechanical sounds. Sebastion has no obvious tools.

"I am not a human any longer, no matter how much I may wish it otherwise," Sebastion says. "That I judge someone a mutant or not by how much they unnerve me is a part of me now, from what I can tell. I am able to disable it, just as I can with any Sentinel I come across."

He focuses some, and there's some mechanical noises as Sebastion works blind inside the leg. "But an order is given to /react/ to sensing it. And that's where these models are flawed: the default is aggressive, when no other order was given. I overrule that, personally, I think."

Professor X has posed:
Charles lets his face show his actual marvel at how Sebastion is able to work on the Sentinels without needing to look, much less use any tools.

"I wonder if you might be writing yourself off too quickly," Charles says.

"I have met people with cybernetic enhancements before, and they were still human. And could have their bodies restored. I know people with the genetic and technological understanding to give you back what you've lost, or was taken from you. If you wish to be fully human again, as you were, it is not impossible" Charles says quietly, his face exhibiting genuine compassion without a trace of pity.

"It strikes me you are still there, Sebastion. After all, /someone/ does the turning off of the mutant sensing. That tells me that part is an appendage, external to who you really are."

Bastion has posed:
Sebastion stops, pauses for a moment as if doing something inside the ankle, and then draws his hand out. He watches Charles with something akin to being injured. Something definitely went haywire with the discussion, judging by the reaction.

"I don't want to sound intolerant, but I don't believe you, and I don't want to hope about something that unrealistic. If there was proof, perhaps. But I don't know how to build a machine that could give me proof," Sebastion replies.

His mood drifts: it's very human to watch, really. "I am not human, and I have to accept that. I am one of these, now." He presses his hand back into the side of the ankle, and the whole leg responds fully to Sebastion's clear direction to bend at the knee. "You see. ....Please leave." Sebastion turns his eyes away, more clearly onto his project.

The injury itself feels the opposite of robotic, but has an irrational, emotional edge to it. But Sebastion lacks a trustable mirror that can show it to him.

Professor X has posed:
"If you change your mind, your hosts know how to contact me. It really can be done," Charles says, gently but firmly. He wheels his chair backward and starts to turn away. "My door will always be open to you. Thank you again for seeing me, Sebastion."

Then he turns fully and wheels slowly away.

Bastion has posed:
Sebastion doesn't reply, but he does look at the professor's back as he leaves. Will Sebastion look into this lead? Most definitely. But in a way that doesn't involve mutants. He relaxes some as the mutant gives him some distance, and works to focus on his project, trying to put those emotions away.

If only he were a real machine, he could do that, couldn't he? .... Hmm.