Marvel: Open Up, It’s the FBI

Lynn Hall froze mid-step at Sean's report.

"You're telling me we can't find any Brotherhood mutants?" he asked, frowning deeply.

"Not a trace, boss," Sean confirmed. "The intel and tech teams have gone over every database, black market registry, and activity log we have access to. It's like they vanished."

Sean hesitated, then added, "Also—none of the underground clinics have reported treating anyone matching Adam Morris's injuries."

That made Lynn narrow his eyes.

He remembered something—what James Duke had said back when he handed him the Hydra pin after passing the Brotherhood's 'loyalty' test.

"Don't worry about those mutants. The obedient ones get bones. The disobedient? We skin them alive."

Could it be…?

Could these missing Brotherhood mutants have been absorbed by Hydra?

It made sense. With Magneto imprisoned and the Brotherhood in shambles, the remaining mutants would be desperate, scattered, and vulnerable. Hydra—always hungry for assets—could easily sweep in as a savior.

"Alright," Lynn said, refocusing. "If we can't track the Brotherhood mutants directly, let's flip the approach."

He turned to Sean.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is holding a few Brotherhood members, right? We go through them. See who they talked to last, who they worked with, anything that might link us to Adam Morris or Hydra."

"After lunch, we're heading to S.H.I.E.L.D."

Sean looked uncertain. "You think they'll cooperate?"

"They will," Lynn said firmly. "I'm leading this investigation. S.H.I.E.L.D. plays ball."

"Got it."

Sean nodded, then glanced over at the quiet figure trailing behind Lynn.

Dennis Johnson.

"New recruit?" Sean asked, curious.

Lynn gave a small nod. "Kelly's son. Take him upstairs, get his ID processed. After lunch, we move."

"On it."

Sean gave a brief salute, then gestured for Dennis to follow him.

Lynn returned to his office, poured himself a coffee, and signaled for Alice to bring his lunch up. He leaned back in his chair and flipped open the file on Adam Morris, but before he could read a full paragraph, his phone buzzed.

Tony Stark.

Lynn raised an eyebrow and answered.

"Stark."

On the other end, Tony was lounging in his workshop, lazily overseeing J.A.R.V.I.S. assemble another version of the Mark Armor.

"Wow, pal. Heard you've got yourself a bit of a problem," Tony said with his trademark smirk. "Mass casualty mutant attack, public panic, mayor's already holding candlelight vigils—damn. This might be the fastest I've ever seen government pretend to care."

"How's it feel having the weight of the city dumped on your desk?"

Lynn chuckled. "It's a lot. Unless, of course, you're planning to leave Stark Industries and join the FBI. I could use the help."

Tony snorted. "Please. You guys couldn't afford my hourly rate."

He raised a glass of disgustingly green vegetable juice, eyed it with mild horror, then took a sip.

"But hey, we're friends," he added. "So I'll loan you one of my private satellites. You'll have full access—J.A.R.V.I.S. is sending you the login now. Top-tier permissions. Use it to track whatever, wherever. Consider it an early Christmas present."

Lynn checked his phone. Sure enough—credentials arrived instantly.

"Appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," Tony replied. "I'm working on something very cool. Once it's done, you'll be the first to see it. You'll freak out. Guaranteed. Alright, gotta go."

And just like that, the line cut.

Back in his lab, Tony turned to the holographic projection of his current armor prototype and began disassembling its plating.

"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. spoke up. "Are you not planning to ask Agent Hall for help tracking those who kidnapped you?"

"I was," Tony admitted. "But the guy's clearly swamped right now. Let him clean up the mutant mess first."

"By the way—how's Ethan doing?"

"Arrived home safe," J.A.R.V.I.S. replied. "The private jet delivered him directly."

"Good. Alright—let's finish rebuilding this suit."

---

2:00 PM – S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters

As Lynn stepped into the facility with his team, Phil Coulson greeted them with a warm, practiced smile.

"Your prisoner's prepped for interrogation," he said. "Ready when you are."

"Thanks," Lynn replied.

"No need to thank me," Coulson waved it off. "You're heading this investigation. We're just backing your lead."

As they walked through the corridors of S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson leaned closer.

"By the way—have you reconsidered my offer?"

"If I join you, I'd have to resign from the FBI," Lynn replied without missing a beat. "Right now, that's not in my best interest."

Coulson shrugged. He'd expected the answer—but he wasn't discouraged.

If anything, it made him want Lynn on the team even more.

---

Outside the interrogation room, Lynn peered through the one-way glass.

Inside sat a man with a suppression collar clamped tightly around his neck, arms shackled to the table. His expression was smug, utterly unbothered.

Coulson's tone dropped. "Level-3 mutant. Brutal. Killed over a hundred—humans and mutants alike. Magneto considered him one of the Brotherhood's top assets. We lost an elite team just to bring him in."

Lynn nodded and entered the room, Alice close behind.

Outside, Dennis shifted uneasily. "Aren't we going in with him?"

"No," Sean replied calmly. "We observe. This is your first real lesson, rookie."

"Lesson one: Always follow the boss's lead. If he tells you to move, you move. If he tells you to shoot, you shoot. If he tells you to stand still—even with a gun to your head—you don't act without his command."

Dennis swallowed hard and nodded.

Coulson, who had overheard, gave a slight nod of approval.

He was about to ask Sean another question when his phone rang. He checked the caller ID.

The X-Men.

His expression shifted.

"Excuse me," he said, stepping away to take the call.