The following morning, Lynn Hall sat alone in his office, reviewing the dossier James Duke had handed him at the end of last night's gathering.
The target: Kevin Robert, a known mutant.
According to the file, Robert was a former member of the Mutant Brotherhood. But ever since Magneto had been captured and imprisoned in a high-security, undisclosed facility, the Brotherhood had completely collapsed.
Lynn had encountered mutants in the past—twice, to be exact—while handling high-risk cases. But neither time had yielded much. The mutants' favorability toward him hadn't dipped below -5, so even if he had killed them, he would've gained little more than a few dozen experience points. Plus, they had been flagged as high-value targets by other departments. Orders were to bring them in alive.
He closed the folder and leaned back.
Superhuman strength. That was Kevin Robert's gift.
According to the intel, he could effortlessly lift twenty tons and was a seasoned hand-to-hand combatant.
The test was clear now.
This wasn't just a mission.
This was HYDRA's evaluation.
Duke had claimed last night that Robert had sabotaged assets belonging to "Brotherhood" members—some properties, maybe even lives.
But Lynn didn't buy that narrative.
Not for a second.
Considering the kinds of people Duke had introduced him to at that party—the military brass, the billionaires, the judges—any of them could have Kevin Robert erased with a snap of their fingers.
So this wasn't about justice or revenge.
It was about loyalty.
It was about proving Lynn Hall could get his hands dirty—for them.
A test.
With that in mind, Lynn picked up his phone.
"Alice," he said once the line connected, "I've got a name for you."
---
Ten minutes later, Alice stepped into Lynn's office, smiling.
"You called, boss?"
Lynn handed her the photo and profile from the dossier. "Have Intelligence track this guy—Kevin Robert. I want everything: patterns, routines, contacts."
"On it."
But she didn't leave immediately.
Lynn glanced up from his coffee. "Something else?"
Alice scratched her head sheepishly. "Uh… boss, are you free this weekend?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You need backup?"
"No, no," she laughed, pulling out the chair across from him. "My parents are trying to set me up again, and I kind of told them I already have a boyfriend."
She pressed her hands together and gave him a pleading look. "Would you be willing to help me fake it for one night?"
Lynn smirked. "Didn't you once tell me you're into women?"
"Shhh! That's a secret!"
Alice sighed dramatically. "You're the only one who knows that. My parents are super old-school. If they found out, they'd probably break my legs."
"You could always take Sean," Lynn teased, sipping his coffee. "He's been chasing you for months."
"Yeah, and if I take him, he'll think I'm finally giving him a chance." She groaned. "I'd rather fake date a Broadway actor."
She stood up, pacing. "Actually, that's not a bad idea. I could hire a guy, fake a breakup later, and claim that it turned me off men entirely."
Lynn grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "Sounds solid."
Alice lit up. "Right?! Okay, I'm doing that."
With a skip in her step, she left for the Intelligence Division.
---
Two Nights Later – Brooklyn, Midnight
"Team One in position."
"Team Two in position."
"Electromagnetic traps online."
"Sniper teams standing by."
Lynn sat in the back of a matte-black Chevy Suburban, watching the dimly lit street through a half-lowered window.
According to the Intelligence report, Kevin Robert lived nearby and typically returned home late at night.
Lynn had designed the op himself—if the man was as strong as they claimed, brute force wouldn't cut it.
They needed tech.
"Boss, target acquired," Sean's voice crackled over the comms.
Lynn straightened up. "All units, stand by. Once he enters the kill zone, we move."
"Copy that."
---
Kevin Robert
The mutant walked down the quiet street with his hood pulled low. He was unsettled by how empty it felt tonight.
But then again, the local gangs had just shot each other up over turf.
Let the humans cower, he thought.
He lit a cigarette, recalling how the man from earlier tonight had thrown himself in front of his family. Trying to be a hero.
Kevin had laughed as he crushed the man's spine.
Fools. Humans exist to serve us.
If only Magneto's plan hadn't failed. If only the Brotherhood hadn't crumbled.
Crossing the street, Kevin frowned. Something was off about the streetlight ahead—it flickered strangely, casting an ominous yellow hue.
Before he could react—
CRACK!
A bolt of electricity exploded from the streetlight and arced into his body.
Four hidden EM units activated, unleashing synchronized high-voltage bursts.
Simultaneously, two sniper teams opened fire.
Bullets ripped through Kevin's knees and shoulders with surgical precision, shredding tendons and splintering bone.
"ARRRGHHHH!"
He roared in agony, muscles spasming violently under the electric surge.
Before he could recover, two full tactical squads emerged from the shadows, weapons raised.
For any normal person, this would've been over.
But Kevin Robert was still conscious.
Barely.
His muscles convulsed uncontrollably, but his eyes burned with rage as he locked eyes on the nearest agent.
He was still ready to fight.
And Lynn Hall?
He was just getting started.