S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Probing

"What a pity. I was hoping you'd come see me in person," Professor X said with a smile.

"Spare me, Professor. My mind holds secrets far too important. Though I trust your character, an extra layer of insurance never hurts. After all, I am the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., you know," Nick Fury said calmly from the screen.

"I've spoken face-to-face with Ms. Carter many times. She was an admirable woman," Professor X replied, sidestepping Fury's words with an offhand remark.

"Ms. Carter was indeed a great woman," Fury mumbled in response, his momentum visibly deflated.

Peggy Carter—one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founders, Captain America's girlfriend. Professor X had clearly invoked her name to put Fury in his place, and the effect was undeniable.

It's like when someone visits your home and starts talking about how they know your elder relative—you can't help but feel a step behind. What can you do? They've got seniority.

"Before we talk, let's have the others step out," Fury said, wisely changing the subject.

Coulson, standing calmly with his hands clasped in front of him, immediately glanced at Lu Yifang. Without needing a word from Coulson, Lu Yifang turned and walked out.

"Coulson, you too," Fury continued without hesitation.

"Sure thing, Chief," Coulson said with a shrug, following out the door and awkwardly standing beside Lu Yifang.

"You know, I think we've found some common ground."

"Like how we both answer to a bald guy with authority," Lu Yifang said, looking up with a half-joke.

Coulson paused for a moment, then replied, "That's not what I meant, but I have to admit, you've raised a topic worth debating for a while."

As Coulson chatted idly with Lu Yifang, the two bald leaders inside began their formal exchange.

"Professor X, I think you know I'm not fond of dealing with you or your X-Men. But I came anyway."

"No, you didn't come. You just sent your agent with a tablet," Professor X said calmly.

"I don't want to waste time on pointless arguments. I'm here for one reason: the Liberty Island incident," Fury cut straight to the point.

"Isn't the Liberty Island incident already in the past?"

"The past? Now every New Yorker can see the Statue of Liberty reduced to a stump. People just have to look up to notice the change. Do you think they'll forget that quickly?"

"Then fix it. If the government lacks funds, I'd be happy to donate."

"Oh, that's a generous offer, but it's no longer needed." Fury waved a hand. "An ice cream company stepped up first, offering to fund the restoration and a full renovation—on the condition that the statue's torch be replaced with their latest cone design.

Unbelievable. Are these people insane?"

"That might not be a bad idea. Young people today might actually enjoy the change," Professor X said with a smile, his expression unshaken by Fury's increasingly aggressive tone.

"You know what I mean?" Fury's face turned serious as he looked at the smiling Professor X.

"Government authority. The Statue of Liberty is one of America's symbols. The Liberty Island incident dealt a heavy blow to that authority, and for certain reasons, the government can't even reveal the truth. That makes some people uneasy..."

"I know. But those people definitely don't include you, Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Professor X said, his smile fading into a serious expression.

"When government authority is challenged, people trust you more, need you more. You know there are plenty who oppose S.H.I.E.L.D., who think it interferes with democracy and freedom. Fury, you profited from this."

"That's right. This incident gave me more leverage to demand additional resources from the World Security Council," Fury admitted bluntly.

"But at the same time, I have to deliver results to show them their investment pays off."

"What was that white light that appeared and vanished so quickly that night? My people surveyed the area it covered—every plant and animal showed strange changes. Their final conclusion was that the white light had intense radiation, enough to potentially kill everyone in New York City."

"It was just an accident," Professor X explained.

"It wasn't an accident. It was an unprecedented terrorist attack," Nick Fury said, slamming the table.

"But the terrorist attack you're talking about didn't become a disaster. The X-Men stopped it, and the instigator, Magneto, has been sent to a military prison."

"A military prison? Ridiculous. According to my intel, those fools have let Magneto escape multiple times. Their so-called security is a joke," Fury scoffed.

"Tell them that yourself," Professor X said dismissively.

"Those bastards!" Nick Fury cursed under his breath. As a spymaster, he'd always been at odds with the military. Take that green monster that showed up at Manhattan University a few days ago—clearly, it was something cooked up by General Ross, who's obsessed with super-soldier research.

Hell, that green thing was already making out with a woman while hijacking a plane on campus, and that old fool was still hiding it, forbidding S.H.I.E.L.D. from interfering. Was he waiting for the thing to start demolishing New York streets before he stopped playing with fire?

Given the military's track record, Fury didn't think he could secure custody of Magneto.

"Then what about the machine Magneto used? It should be with you, right?" If he couldn't get the big prize, he wasn't leaving empty-handed. Fury wasn't the type to take a loss.

"The machine is indeed with me. It and all related data will be sealed away forever," Professor X replied.

"Sealed away forever? Who can guarantee it won't fall into the hands of some other thug and be turned into a weapon of mass destruction? Who can guarantee that?" Fury demanded.

"I can guarantee it." Professor X stared at Fury, his voice brooking no argument. "I, Charles Francis Xavier, guarantee that the device is as safe in the hands of the X-Men as it would be in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s. Any other questions?"

Seeing Professor X suddenly harden his stance, Fury opened his mouth, then finally let out a sigh. As expected—old ginger is spicier, and bald heads shine brighter.

"Professor X, my people say I'm a tough man who never takes a loss. But today, you've left me with nothing."

"Is that so? Then let me add one more thing." Professor X sat up straight, his gentle gaze sharpening. "S.H.I.E.L.D. had better stay away from that boy."