"I'm afraid it's a little more complicated than that," he said, reaching to settle his fingers around the mug of tea on the table. He didn't lift it, merely set his hand around it as if anchoring himself.

"There are some important differences between us, in our home world and I am uncertain that we can overcome them."

Charles spoke with conviction, though there was a small part of his own conscience that ruthlessly point out that he'd made some spectacular mistakes and errors in judgement. That small voice was quickly silenced beneath the horror of seeing Erik turn the missiles back around towards the human fleet.

"I'm not certain we're meant to find common ground."