Natasha Romanoff reached out and pressed her palm against the invisible barrier. It didn't yield. The field repelled her effortlessly.
"So he knew from the start," she muttered with a dry smile. "Director's not going to enjoy this report."
She contacted regional support, arranging medical evacuation for the injured agents, then opened a secure line and briefed Nick Fury on everything that had happened.
Inside the school grounds, Wolverine watched Rowan finish reestablishing the barrier and lit a cigar, grinning. "Kid, that woman kept holding her backside when she left. You two didn't just—"
"Logan," Professor X cut in sharply, shooting him a warning look. "The children are here."
Several of the students were already smirking. They'd understood perfectly.
Rowan waved a hand, amused. "Relax. It was just a warning shot. The real conversation is tomorrow. Everyone get some rest."
Today had been nothing more than a test. Tomorrow's meeting with Nick Fury was what mattered.
If it went well, SHIELD and the Iron Front would leave them alone for a long time. Professor X's international warrants would be withdrawn. His frozen assets would be restored. The school could finally exist openly, legally.
At 1:50 p.m. the next day, a black sedan rolled to a stop outside the gates.
Nick Fury stepped out first, eye patch in place. Natasha followed, looking fully recovered, and Clint Barton emerged last, a bow slung over his shoulder.
Fury walked up to the barrier and tapped it with his knuckles. "Any idea what this thing is?"
"R&D says it's a high-density force field," Natasha replied. "Small arms won't touch it. Missiles probably would."
"Pity," Fury said quietly. "Would've been nice if he'd joined the Avengers."
The barrier vanished without warning. The gates opened.
Rowan was already seated on a stone bench, calmly preparing tea.
"Director Fury," he said pleasantly. "Please. Sit. Let's talk."
Fury entered without hesitation and sat across from him. "Tea? Didn't expect that."
"Picked it up after leaving the lab," Rowan replied, lifting his cup. "Didn't like it at first. Grew on me."
He flicked his fingers. Fury's cup floated over and settled neatly in front of him.
"I prefer black tea," Fury said.
"Easy fix."
Rowan pointed at the cup. The liquid inside shifted color instantly.
"Better?" Rowan smiled. "If not, I can do whiskey."
Fury watched the transformation, his expression tightening for a fraction of a second before smoothing out. "You called me here and said SHIELD's future was at stake. Care to explain?"
Rowan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "You came in with only two people. Not worried I'd kill you?"
Fury laughed. "Killing me wouldn't solve anything. Someone else takes my seat tomorrow and reaches the same conclusions. Besides, SHIELD isn't as helpless as you think."
He pointed skyward. "If I give the word, a missile hits this spot within minutes. Can your barrier stop one? Two? Three?"
Rowan laughed openly. "Director, relax. I'm not here to kill you. We're law-abiding mutants, remember? Just having a conversation."
"Law-abiding," Natasha muttered behind Fury, rolling her eyes.
"I trust you, Mr. Mercer," Fury said evenly. "But the people above me won't. So I'd still like you to reconsider our proposal. Think of it as a deal. Mutual benefit."
"A deal is exactly why I invited you," Rowan replied. "Here's what I want. Cancel all international actions against Professor X. Return his seized property. Stop interfering with our lives. Register this school properly and give my students legal identities."
"And in return?"
"I tell you a secret."
Fury smiled thinly. "You expect me to trade all that for a secret?"
"One that concerns SHIELD," Rowan said calmly. "And the world."
Silence fell.
"If that's true," Fury said slowly, "then it might be worth hearing. But I doubt you have something that big."
Rowan met his gaze. "After the Red Skull disappeared, you assumed HYDRA was gone. You launched Operation Paperclip and brought Arnim Zola into SHIELD. You thought you were using him."
Natasha stiffened. Clint's hand tightened slightly on his bow strap.
"You were wrong," Rowan continued. "Zola rebuilt HYDRA from the inside. Your training academies fed him agents. Your command structure absorbed his people. Some of your highest-ranking officials answer to HYDRA."
He leaned back. "SHIELD isn't SHIELD anymore. It's HYDRA wearing a different badge."
The color drained from Fury's face.
"The missions you think saved the world?" Rowan said softly. "Most of them cleared obstacles for HYDRA's long-term goals."
For the first time, Fury looked shaken.
"How do you know this?" he demanded.
"The people who attacked me, Coulson, and Pepper Potts," Rowan replied. "They were HYDRA. Professor X and I can read and alter memories. Following that trail wasn't difficult."
He took another sip of tea. "If you don't believe me, investigate. Once you start looking in the right direction, you won't be able to stop seeing it."
The courtyard fell silent.