Marvel: Open Up, It’s the FBI

Inside the Apartment – Late Night

Lynn Hall sat on the living room sofa, eyes fixed on the TV screen as the news anchor delivered grim details from the concert massacre.

Aside from the lead singer—confirmed dead on stage—seventy-nine people had been killed. Of those, twenty-three were gunned down by the red-jacketed mutant. The remaining fifty-six had died in the chaos of the ensuing stampede.

In a packed arena of ten thousand people, panic had spread faster than bullets. Trampling had been unavoidable.

And the wounded? Over a thousand.

Lynn picked up his phone and dialed Sean.

The call connected almost immediately.

"Status update?" Lynn asked without preamble.

On the other end, Sean walked away from the frightened band members and dropped his voice. "We've finished questioning them. According to their testimonies, the victim—the singer—had no known enemies. Clean record, no police history. Her agency's background is simple and has no dark affiliations."

"So revenge or personal vendetta's off the table."

Lynn nodded slightly. "I wounded the mutant shooter during the attack. Sean, tell Intel to start monitoring every hospital in the city. Anyone being treated for gunshot wounds—especially three to the shoulder. He's not teleporting out of New York in that condition."

He paused.

"Focus especially on unregistered clinics and underground medical operations."

"Got it."

Just as the call ended, Coulson's name lit up on the screen.

Lynn answered.

"Lynn," Coulson began, flipping through a file, "S.H.I.E.L.D. dug up something. Remember what I said about the singer's background?"

"You mean the Gressler family?" Lynn said. "One of the four ancient hunter bloodlines."

"Exactly. And it turns out, this wasn't random."

Coulson's tone shifted, more serious now. "The Gresslers and the other hunter families have been fighting off vampires, lycans, and demonic entities for centuries. They did some serious damage to the Shadow World's balance of power."

"But now, the Gresslers' bloodline is thinning. Their defenses are down. And someone's cashing in."

He flipped another page. "According to one of our informants embedded in the Shadow World, the Bloodline Council has put out high bounties on surviving members of the hunter families."

"So this was a contract hit," Lynn muttered, turning off the TV with a click. "And the mutant was the hired gun."

"Exactly."

"And now you want the FBI and S.H.I.E.L.D. to collaborate."

"That's Director Fury's recommendation. And honestly, I agree—it's a good opportunity."

Lynn chuckled. "So this is your angle to get me into S.H.I.E.L.D., huh?"

He noticed the agency psychologist, Kelly, walking out of the bedroom. He nodded politely to her, then refocused on the call.

"Alright, Coulson. Let's see what your people can do."

He hung up and turned to Kelly.

"Is Gwen okay?"

"She's asleep," Kelly replied, adjusting the thin gold rims of her glasses. "She's stronger than most would expect. Could be because her father is NYPD's commissioner and you're FBI. Fear is there, but manageable."

"I prescribed something mild to help her sleep. No long-term trauma, not if she's supported."

Lynn nodded. "Thank you."

"I suggest bringing in her mother, though," Kelly added. "Familiar presence helps establish emotional stability, especially during shock. And I'm guessing you'll be… busy."

"Already done," Lynn said. "Helen's on her way. Also—I'll be placing your son under FBI protection and assigning him to my unit."

"You're sure?"

"He's a newly awakened mutant. He hasn't done anything wrong, but his identity makes him a target. Under my supervision, he'll be both safe—and useful."

Kelly smiled faintly. "Thank you. I trust you."

With a nod of gratitude, she grabbed her coat and quietly left.

Lynn walked to the bedroom door but paused just short of entering. He stood there for a long moment.

---

Elsewhere – Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters

News coverage of the massacre blared across the room. A solemn silence fell over the staff and students watching.

Professor Charles Xavier sat in his wheelchair, face tight with concern.

"This attack will only deepen the public's fear of us," he said. "They already view mutants as threats. A massacre like this—linked to a mutant attacker—could undo years of progress."

He turned to Jean Grey and Scott Summers.

"Our peace initiative proposal is due in Congress soon. If we don't take immediate action, support will collapse."

"Jean. Scott. You will represent the X-Men and assist both the FBI and S.H.I.E.L.D. in the investigation. We need to show the world that not all mutants are enemies."

He looked between them. "I'll reach out to my contacts in the Bureau to make sure you're officially brought into the case."

Jean nodded firmly. "We'll do what we can, Professor."

Scott adjusted his visor. "Count on us."

---

Next Morning – FBI New York Headquarters

A city still in mourning.

The news played in the background as New York's new mayor led a public memorial. Thousands had gathered in the city square to light candles, leave flowers, and grieve together.

After a heartfelt moment of silence, the mayor vowed in front of the cameras: "We will find those responsible. And we will bring them to justice."

In his office, James Duke killed the television with the remote and tossed a cigar to Lynn.

"You see that?" he said, voice dry. "The new mayor—our guy, I should mention—is publicly putting all the pressure on us."

He leaned back. "I don't care how you do it, Lynn. You've got one week to close this case. One week to shut this mess down completely."

Lynn caught the cigar and gave a curt nod. "Understood."

James's demeanor shifted into a grin. "Good. And remember—this mayor is Brotherhood, just like us. Helping him helps us."

He stood and walked around the desk. "I know S.H.I.E.L.D.'s involved. I know the mutant thing complicates it. But don't worry—I've already worked it out with them."

"You're in charge of the investigation."

He clapped a hand on Lynn's shoulder.

"Don't let me down."

Lynn smiled coolly. "You won't, Director."

"One week," James reminded him, eyes sharp.

"One week," Lynn echoed. "And this city will be clean again."

(End of Chapter)