Marvel: Open Up, It’s the FBI

Despite maintaining his usual calm facade, Alexander Pierce's expression turned stern the moment the elevator doors slid shut behind him.

Nick Fury might have played it cool about the S.H.I.E.L.D. budget—but Pierce knew better. That sudden, massive surge in funding? Fury was hiding something.

And if it had anything to do with Hydra's long-term plans, Pierce needed to know—immediately.

Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed a secure line.

On the other end, the voice of James Duke answered smoothly.

---

Outside S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ – Later That Day

"Jean. Scott. Good to see you again."

Phil Coulson's smile was warm and familiar as he extended a hand toward the two newest arrivals: Jean Grey and Scott Summers, both dressed in civilian attire but unmistakably poised as seasoned operatives of the X-Men.

"Thanks for inviting us," Jean said, shaking his hand.

"But I thought S.H.I.E.L.D. was taking the lead on this investigation?" she asked, brow arched with curiosity.

Phil chuckled. "Not this time. We're supporting another agency."

Jean's brow lifted further. "Wait. Are you telling me someone else wrestled control from S.H.I.E.L.D. on an active mutant-related terrorism case?"

"This is America," Coulson added with a shrug. "On home soil, the FBI has more jurisdictional leeway than we do."

"FBI?" Scott frowned, instinctively looking to Jean.

He didn't like that.

Trusting S.H.I.E.L.D. had taken time, but they'd proven themselves in key moments—like during the Magneto standoff. The X-Men had worked side-by-side with Coulson and his team before.

But the FBI?

That was another story.

Scott still remembered the early days—military blacksites, interrogations, mutants vanishing without explanation. Colonel Stryker and his ilk had made sure organizations like the FBI were synonymous with hostility toward mutants.

Jean seemed to sense his discomfort. But before either could speak, Coulson added:

"Relax. This isn't some trigger-happy desk jockey with an anti-mutant complex."

"The man leading this operation—Lynn Hall—is smart, measured, and… genuinely decent. You'll see."

Jean tilted her head. "So you're saying he's not one of them."

"As far as I know? No discrimination. No prejudice. Just results."

That was as close to a glowing recommendation as you'd get from Coulson.

Jean nodded slowly. Scott still looked wary.

Coulson didn't push further.

He knew what the X-Men stood for—and he genuinely respected them for it. In a world that constantly vilified their kind, Jean and Scott still believed in Professor Xavier's dream of peaceful coexistence.

Coulson had no problem extending a bit of goodwill. Especially when S.H.I.E.L.D. would undoubtedly need mutant allies in the wars to come.

---

Inside – Just Outside the Interrogation Wing

Before the group could reach the holding cells, Lynn Hall exited with Sean, Alice, and several other agents.

Coulson raised a hand in greeting. "Looks like you got what you needed."

Lynn gave a curt nod, expression unreadable.

"I'd like to introduce some reinforcements," Coulson continued. "This is Jean Grey, and this is Scott Summers—Cyclops. They're with the X-Men. Here to assist."

He turned to the newcomers. "Jean, Scott—this is Lynn Hall, lead agent on this case."

> [Jean Grey – Favorability: 3]

[Scott Summers – Favorability: 2]

[Ororo Munroe (Storm) – Favorability: 3]

Lynn noted the system's alert with mild curiosity. Most people start at 1. A 2 indicates a strong first impression. A 3? That's rare—especially for someone like Jean Grey.

He doubted it was superficial. Jean Grey wasn't some starry-eyed teenager like Mary Jane.

No… that kind of favorability from Jean Grey meant something else. Something calculated.

For now, he simply gave them a polite nod.

---

Debriefing

"We confirmed that after Brotherhood mutants are injured, they're usually treated at an underground clinic in Hell's Kitchen," Lynn explained. "More importantly, they rely on a mutant smuggler codenamed 'Coyote' to escape the city without a trace."

"'Coyote?'" Jean echoed.

"Never heard of him," Coulson said, frowning.

"Neither had I," Lynn admitted. "According to our source, even among the Brotherhood, his identity is highly protected. But the black-market doctor running the clinic supposedly knows him."

"I've already sent agents to lock down the clinic," he added, glancing at Coulson. "Want to come see for yourself?"

"Absolutely," Coulson replied. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is still part of this, after all."

He added with a sly grin, "And speaking of shadowy networks, we've got teams in Europe hunting down some less-than-friendly supernatural types."

"Vampires, to be exact," he added. "We'll have a few in custody soon."

Lynn arched an eyebrow. "Let me guess—join S.H.I.E.L.D., and I get to deal with the vampires?"

"You would get your own vampire problem set," Coulson joked.

Lynn smirked. "I knew you hadn't given up on recruiting me."

"I never give up," Coulson said smoothly.

---

Behind Them – Jean Grey's Perspective

Jean followed quietly behind, but her gaze remained fixed on Lynn.

He was young, but composed. Efficient. Direct.

More importantly, he didn't flinch around mutants.

She'd seen it in his eyes: not admiration, not disgust… but recognition. As if he saw them as people, not weapons.

Could he be… an ally?

Could she sway him?

In her mind, a plan began to form. If they could get someone like Lynn—someone with political leverage—to speak on their behalf at the next congressional hearing… it could change everything.

"Hey," whispered Storm beside her, noticing her lingering stare. "You're staring."

"Huh?" Jean blinked, then shook her head. "It's nothing."

She wasn't ready to share the idea—not yet.

---

In the Car – En Route to Hell's Kitchen

"Boss," Sean said from the passenger seat, glancing back with a mischievous grin. "That Jean Grey chick? She definitely kept sneaking looks at you."

"She's probably falling for your rugged charm."

Alice, sitting behind him, rolled her eyes and lit Lynn's cigarette. "Don't be stupid, Sean. Jean Grey's not some groupie."

"She's a political strategist," she said. "And mutants are under fire. She sees Lynn as a potential asset. Nothing more."

She smirked. "And if Lynn weren't your boss, you'd still be stuck at clearance level S12."

Sean grumbled something under his breath, but Lynn just chuckled.

His mind, however, wasn't on their banter.

He glanced in the rearview mirror—just enough to see Dennis Johnson, seated quietly in the back.

He'd been particularly quiet during the interrogation earlier.

Which was exactly the point.

That brutal session had served two purposes:

One—to break the Brotherhood prisoner.

And two—to send a message to Dennis.

This is the real world. Choose your side wisely.

Now, Lynn had a new target in mind.

And soon, Dennis's favorability score would start climbing in exactly the direction Lynn wanted.

Because Lynn Hall had plans for that boy's unique gift.

Plans he didn't intend to share with anyone.