And after the initial barrage, he would destroy them. That, at least, was his intention. What happened next astonished him, as well as the rest of the mutants gathered in the street. But it was clear that no one was more astonished than the soldiers under Major Skolnick's command. "Abort mission!" Major Skolnick shouted. Silence reigned supreme for the space of several heartbeats. All eyes were on Major Skolnick. Magneto stared at the man as though he had spoken in some ancient, forgotten language. So did his subordinates. Magneto's gathered followers, the new citizens of Manhattan, of Haven, began to close in on the soldiers. "No!" Magneto said, his deep voice rumbling through the air, breaking the silence. None of the mutants moved again. "Major?" one of the soldiers shouted across the street to Skolnick. "What the hell ... ?" Major Skolnick hung his head, lowered his weapon, then dropped it to the pavement.
