Marvel: Open Up, It’s the FBI

The Next Morning —

Barbara stood calmly in the open courtyard, red ponytail swaying as she focused her energy. Before her, the still air began to shimmer—then tear open like paper, revealing a glowing rift in space.

As a swirling portal began to stabilize, Coulson watched in awe.

"Gotta admit, I'm a little jealous," he said to Lynn Hall, standing nearby. "A power like hers—instant teleportation to anywhere on Earth? That's the kind of asset S.H.I.E.L.D. dreams of."

Lynn raised an eyebrow. "So you're trying to poach her now?"

Coulson chuckled, not denying it. "Well, the FBI mostly handles domestic threats. S.H.I.E.L.D. deals in global security, so talents like hers are a better fit with us."

He paused, glancing at the agents standing behind Lynn. Then he added with a grin, "How about a trade? You let Barbara join us… and in return, S.H.I.E.L.D. will provide the New York FBI with twenty fully equipped Quinjet fighters."

Lynn didn't even look at him.

Instead, he turned to Jean Grey and struck up a casual conversation, leaving Coulson to awkwardly shrug and step back.

He pulled out his phone and fired off a message to Nick Fury: "Offer rejected. As expected."

The twenty-Quinjet proposal had been Fury's idea. If Lynn weren't FBI, Fury might've tried taking Barbara by force. But Coulson knew from the start—Lynn wouldn't give her up. Not for twenty jets. Not for anything.

---

Nearby, Jean Grey approached Lynn.

"You're saying you want to handle the Adam Morris mission yourselves?" Lynn asked, already guessing her answer.

"Yes," Jean replied. "He's a Brotherhood member—aggressive, unstable, and with teleportation powers of his own. He's incredibly dangerous and difficult to contain."

She smiled slightly. "I'm sure your agents are more than capable. But this kind of mission carries a high risk of casualties. I'd like the X-Men to handle it."

Jean had done her homework.

After speaking with Coulson the night before, she had learned just how much pull Lynn had in the FBI—his position, his reputation, and his potential.

Winning his favor had quickly become a priority.

And what better way to do that than offering to take on a high-risk operation?

Lynn didn't hesitate. "Fine by me."

Whether the X-Men caught Adam or not, Lynn would still be the one calling the shots when the dust settled.

---

At that moment, Barbara's portal widened fully—revealing a view of an old European estate nestled behind thick stone walls.

She wiped sweat from her brow. "That's it. A castle in Europe. Adam Morris forced me to teleport him there."

Lynn's demeanor shifted instantly. He clicked off the safety on his SMG and looked to his agents. "Gear up."

In unison, dozens of FBI tactical agents racked their weapons and fell into formation. Sean led the first strike unit through the portal, fanning out tactically into the estate grounds.

The estate was massive.

Just the gardens alone stretched across three sections, and armed guards patrolled constantly in tight formations.

Coulson scanned the perimeter and froze when he spotted the family crest hanging from a banner. "Damn. This is the Nathanael family."

He turned to Lynn, grim. "One of Europe's thirteen vampire clans. They've got deep blood feuds with hunter families."

"That means they're probably the ones who hired Adam Morris for the concert attack."

"These guards?" Coulson continued. "They're trained militia. The Nathanael family uses them to capture civilians—livestock—for their vampires."

He glanced at Lynn. "We should move in quietly. Take them by surprise."

Lynn smirked. "Coulson… have you ever actually been on a real combat op?"

Without waiting for a response, he raised his hand and made a series of sharp tactical signals.

Sean immediately responded, deploying the strike team in a fan-shaped combat formation.

Once everyone was in place—

Lynn stepped forward, raised his SMG, and opened fire.

"RATATATATA!"

A hail of bullets cut through the air. The guards never saw it coming—mowed down before they could even react.

The next instant, Lynn's tactical team surged forward, unleashing coordinated suppressive fire like a storm of lead. Screams, chaos, and sirens filled the estate as the security system triggered an emergency alert.

More guards came rushing in, only to be shredded by another wall of bullets before they could identify their attackers.

---

Inside the Estate – Dimly Lit Study

Adam Morris sat in a large armchair, his left shoulder wrapped in thick gauze. Across from him, Lord Nathanael III of the vampire clan swirled a crimson liquid in a crystal goblet.

Gunfire echoed from outside.

Adam bolted upright, eyes wide, trying to peer through the heavy blackout curtains. Not even a sliver of sunlight made it in—he couldn't see anything.

Lord Nathanael III remained calm.

"This is Europe," he said, casually sipping from his glass. "This is our land. The FBI bloodhounds don't have reach here."

He swirled the liquid again. "Besides, our guards are battle-tested. Anyone foolish enough to attack us will pay dearly."

His words were confident—but his eyes told another story.

He wasn't looking at Adam like a comrade.

He was looking at bait.

Adam didn't notice the shift. Relieved, he slowly sat back down.

Then the gunfire… stopped.

Nathanael raised his glass and smiled. "You see? That's the might of the Nathanael family's armed—"

ZAP!

A blinding laser beam tore through the wall, slicing into the study.

Blazing sunlight poured in through the hole.

"AAAAARGH!"

Nathanael screamed as his skin began to blister and steam. The glass fell from his hand, shattering on the marble floor.

Smoke rose from his burning skin.

In a panic, he dove under the desk, his body morphing into the shape of a massive bat.

Adam shielded his face and looked toward the breach in the wall.

Through the hole, he saw the man leading the assault.

Lynn Hall.

The same agent who had shot him—three times.

Their eyes locked.

And Adam Morris felt a chill settle in his bones.