HOLY LAND

Part I: Faith-Based Conflict

By Eric Faynberg

“With a special report on the story, here is ANC foreign correspondent Daniella Rogers.”

“Yes, thank you Bob. Indeed, the scene here in Jerusalem is a bit strange, to say the least. Certainly, it isn’t uncommon to see religious groups staging protests or rallies here in the holy city, but quite rarely do you see those representing the different faiths on the same side. Today, however, as you can see behind me, that is exactly what we are seeing.”

“I’m standing just a short distance away from this brand new building here in Jerusalem, where in just a few moments, we expect to see a press conference that will introduce this structure as the newest office of the X-Corporation. Run in tandem by the famous X-Man and industrialist Warren Worthington and his co-CEO Melissa Bennett, the company claims to be dedicated to the advancement of unity between humans, mutants, and superhumans. X-Corp has opened numerous offices around the world, including ones in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Cairo, Wakanda, and New Dheli, as well as several others.”

“Outside the fences for the new office, hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians have gathered to protest the office, led by political and religious officials. Groups of Jewish, Arab, and Christian citizens alike seem to have come together despite their own differences in opposition of X-Corp’s arrival in Jerusalem. Many of the people are holding up signs adorned with anti-mutant slogans, while others are engaged in chants. I’ve spoken to several sources inside the X-Corp camp, and I’ve been able to confirm that despite the protests, they plan to go ahead with the opening off the office. It is expected that Mr. Worthington will begin the press conference shortly. Ms. Bennett will join him, and it is likely that several other X-Corp board members will appear with them, as well. Several city officials will also be present.”

“Since Worthington and Bennett converted the X-Man’s family business, Worthington Industries, into X-Corporation, they’ve made great strides in improving relations between humans and superhumans. Public opinion polls worldwide seem to support this. However, despite the improvements in public perception, many hurdles still remain, as today’s rallies here in Jerusalem show.”

“Political pundits are sharply divided about the opening of this new office. While no one can argue with the results X-Corp has shown so far, many feel that opening an office in Jerusalem against such strong opposition will result only in problems, perhaps even violent ones. Nothing could be worse for the effort of human-superhuman peace than more violence.”

“I’ll be standing by with any updates, and we will be back here in Jerusalem as soon as the press conference begins. Stay with ANS News for continuing coverage of the X-Corp unveiling in Israel. Back to you, Bob.”

Several hours earlier…

Warren Worthington, III sat at the desk in his hotel room. It was a beautiful, luxurious room, the Executive suite at one of Jerusalem’s finest hotels.

Laying on a bed a few feet away from where he was sitting was the jacket of a designer Italian suit, while Worthington sat adorned in the suit’s pants. He leaned back in the chair, crinkling the specially tailored white dress shirt that he wore.

Specially tailored for his large feathered wings, which twitched slightly as he adjusted his position in the chair. In his blue-skinned hand he held a glass, half-full of ice cubes. He brought it up to his mouth and took a sip of the glass’ expensive Scotch whisky. He savored the taste for a moment, running his free hand through his blond hair.

He was thankful that his hair was still blond. He was sure that with all of the recent stress in his life, his hair would have turned gray by now.

“Then again, if everything I went through with the X-Men didn’t do it, I don’t know what would,” he thought to himself, chuckling at the thought.

His brief moment of relaxation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Placing the glass on the desk, he stood up and straightened his pants and shirt. For a moment, he stretched his wings slightly, and then proceeded toward the room’s door.

“Please, come in,” Worthington said, as he opened the door. A well-dressed man wearing a keffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress, entered the room.

“Mousa al-Ghoul,” Warren greeted the visitor, “I’ve been expecting you.”

“Yes, Mr. Worthington, I felt it was important to speak with you before today’s ceremonies.”

Mousa al-Ghoul walked into the room and took a few steps in each direction, taking in the room. He strode over to the bar and poured himself a drink.

“I’d like to make a suggestion if I may,” al-Ghoul said.

“Well, feel free to speak your mind, Mr. al-Ghoul, though I doubt I’ll be taking much advice from you.”

“That is a shame, Mr. Worthington, for I have only the best interests of everyone on my mind,” al-Ghoul said.

In response, Warren snorted. “Let’s get this over with, Mousa. You want to get to the point?”

“Certainly, Worthington, certainly. I am here because I am afraid, Worthington. I am afraid of what might happen here in Jerusalem, and perhaps elsewhere, should your company choose to go through with this…idea of yours. Opening an office here is asking for trouble, my friend. I fear that it will lead only to violence and fighting.”

“First of all, al-Ghoul, you’re no friend of mine. The very thought disgusts me, quite frankly. Secondly, I don’t appreciate threats.”

“Mr. Worthington, I am not making threats. I am simply voicing my concern,” al-Ghoul explained, a slight smile creeping over his lips.

“Yeah, right. Voicing your concern. Who do you think I am Mousa? I know all about you, and I know all about your concerns.”

“I am just a politician, Mr. Worthington. Nothing else,” al-Ghoul said, the smile remaining on his face.

“Get real, al-Ghoul. You think I don’t know what you and your political cohorts are responsible for? If you think I’m going to let you and your buddies push me around with your bullshit threats, you’ve got another thing coming.

Suddenly, beneath al-Ghoul’s thick black mustache, a smile turned into a stern frown. “Heed my words, mutant. Continue with this abomination, and you and your company will suffer the consequences. Consider this a warning,” al-Ghoul said, slamming his glass onto the counter before exiting the room, and slamming the door behind him, as well.

“Asshole,” muttered Warren, sighing deeply.

Minutes later…

The conference room was filling up quickly, staff members shuffling in and out, handing off papers and taking notes, as well as dropping off cups of coffee. In the corner of the large room stood a large black man wearing a dark suit, a traditional African hat on his head. Conversing with him was a petite woman wearing a forest green business suit. Her skirt ended just above her knees and below that, she wore black high heels.

The two bantered back and forth, but soon were interrupted when a blond Caucasian man approached them. He wore a blue suit, with a red and white striped tie, and dark sunglasses hid his eyes.

“What is this, an Avengers reunion?” the man asked, jokingly, as a smirked crossed upon his lips. “Hey there T’Challa. Janet.”

“Hello John. Good to see you,” said Janet Van Dyne, as she gave John Walker a quick hug. T’Challa, king of Wakanda, extended his hand, which John shook.

“Looks, like you’ve been busy, John. All I see is you running around ordering people to do this and that,” Janet said.”

“Yeah, something’s never change, eh?” John said, with a chuckle. “Honestly, I’m just trying to make sure nothing goes wrong. As head of security, I’m accountable. Last thing I need is Worthington on my ass about this.”

“You seem to be enjoying your role in the organization,” T’Challa mentioned.

“Yeah, its all right. Warren is a good guy, and I haven’t felt as confident about something as I do about X-Corp in sometime. I just don’t want to mess this up.”

“Well, John, I haven’t been as impressed with you as I have been here in sometime, so I hope everything goes well for you today.”

“Thanks, Janet. I do too. So how are things in Hong Kong?”

“Well, it hasn’t been long enough yet to say, but I think we’re making some strides. It’s been a thrill being in charge, making big decisions, and it’s really nice to see when things work out. I just hope that things continue the way they are. I also have to say that I’m really happy with what X-Corp is doing right now.”

“Yeah,” John replied, simply. “How about you, T’Challa? How’s the Wakanda office?”

“Things aren’t much different, really. Of course, with my other responsibilities, I cannot be as hands-on as Janet can be in Hong Kong, but I have personally put several measures into place recently that I think will help public perception.”

“Well, things aren’t quite as bad in Wakanda as they are in other places, T’Challa, so your lucky there. You’re job is a little easier,” Janet said, grinning.

“Hey…look, here comes Ororo. Wow! Who’s that with her?” John exclaimed.

“You mean that young woman? I believe that she’s Ororo’s assistant at the Cairo office,” said Janet.

“Wow…” John repeated. “She’s gorgeous.”

“Yes,” agreed T’Challa, “she is very attractive.”

Within a moment, Ororo Munroe, the X-Man known as Storm, approached the three former Avengers. Contrasting with her dark skin, she wore a white suit jacket, with long white slacks, matching her white hair, up in a ponytail. By her side was a young woman, in her early twenties, dressed in a white blouse and a short lavender skirt that exposed her long legs. Her skin was olive colored, and her long black hair was also in a ponytail.

“Hello, you three. How are you doing?” Ororo asked, as she approached her fellow X-Corp co-workers. John Walker responded with a wave.

“Hello, Ororo,” T’Challa greeted.

“Wonderful, ‘Ro. How about you? How are things?” Janet asked.

“Everything is well, Janet. We have been very busy at the Cairo office. It is hard work, but it is good work.”

“Good to hear,” John said.

“Oh, before I forget, please let me introduce you to Nesrea Eskander. Nesrea is my assistant at the Cairo office. She has been a wonderful help.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Nesrea said, smiling sweetly. T’Challa, Janet, and John all responded in kind.

“You know,” began Janet, “we aren’t the only ones here. I saw some of the other division heads on my way down here.”

“Who else is here?” questioned John.

“James Rhodes and Sam Wilson are both here. I think Rhodes is running the LA office, while Sam is in charge in Chicago.”

“I also saw Jamie Madrox, who is running the office in Toronto,” added Ororo.

“I think that the Sydney office is going to be done soon, and I’m pretty sure old Stingray is going to get the call over there,” John said.

“Really? Walter Newell?”

“Yep. Walter’s a real smart guy, so I think it’ll work out.”

“Newell is indeed extremely intelligent. It is a good choice,” responded T’Challa.

“Boy,” Janet wondered, “just how big is this thing going to get?”

“Warren has always been very ambitious. I believe that he has a very large vision for X-Corp, and I would not be surprised to see a few other offices pop up soon enough,” Ororo related.

“Speaking of Mr. Worthington, do any of you know where he is?” asked Nesrea. ” Ms. Munroe and I found some information that may prove to be very valuable to him.

“Speak of the devil. Here comes Warren now,” said John, pointing toward the entrance of the room.

Through the conference room’s doorway walked Warren Worthington, his large wings escaping through his specially tailored suit. He was handed a manila folder by a staff member, which he looked over for a moment. Glancing at a box sitting on the large executive table, he reached in and claimed a chocolate donut for himself and took a big bite, before eyeing the group in the corner. He put down the folder and approached them, still eating his donut.

“Hey, guys. How’s it going? Ready for the big day?” asked Warren, as he shook hands with T’Challa and John, and gave Janet and Ororo each a hug.

“I think that question is better suited for you, boss man,” Janet replied.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Warren said, scratching the back of his head.

“Warren,” Ororo began, ” I am glad you came down here. This is my assistant, Nesrea Eskander. I told you about her, if you recall, in that e-mail I sent you a few weeks ago. She has been doing a great job for me in Cairo.”

“Hello, Nesrea. I’m very pleased to meet you, and I’m glad to hear you’ve been doing such a great job for Ororo,” Warren said, sizing up the attractive young woman. “The Cairo branch of X-Corp has one of the most important jobs, so we need all the help over there we can get.”

“I am thrilled for the opportunity, Mr. Worthington. Working for X-Corp, with Ms. Munroe, it has been a dream come true. I just hope I can make a difference.”

“I’m sure you are, and will continue to.”

“Thank you, Mr. Worthington. However, I am glad that you are here not only because of the chance to meet you, but also because Ms. Munroe and I have uncovered some information that you might find to be very helpful.”

“Oh? What might that be, Ms. Eskander?” Warren queried.

“You just met with Mousa al-Ghoul, yes?”

“Yeah, I did just meet with that scumbag. What of it?”

“His niece is a mutant,” said Nesrea.

“I guess I could try to use that against him,” Warren said, without much confidence in his voice.

“That is not all, however, Warren,” said Ororo.

Nesrea pulled a folder out of the bag that she carried around on her. She opened it and flipped through its contents for a moment before pulling out a black and white photo. She handed it to Warren.

“Who is this?” Warren asked, as he looked at the picture of a teenage Arabic boy.

“This is al-Ghoul’s son,” replied Nesrea.

“Rather, it was al-Ghoul’s son,” interrupted Ororo. “Before al-Ghoul had him killed.”

“Why did he kill him?” asked Janet, a look of disgust crossing her face.

“Because he was a mutant.”