Saxon constructed a robotic duplicate of Magneto, the mutant with great magnetic powers who was then believed to be dead. Saxon decided that he needed some actual mutants to help him lead the robotic army while he himself remain behind the scenes, giving direction through the Magneto robot. First, Saxon had the robot Magneto recruit Mesmero to serve as second in command. Apparently Mesmero did not know that the "Magneto" he served was a robot, and he was probably entirely unaware of Saxon's involvement. Mesmero later discovered that the Magneto he served was a robot when Sentinel robots captured Mesmero and demolished the Magneto robot before his eyes.