American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

“The fraternity probably won’t agree,” Lynn Hall pointed out, glancing at Eileen and her companions.

Wolverine's expression hardened further: "That will be another battle. But tonight, we'll call a truce."

At dawn, the blizzard in the Adirondack Mountains finally subsided, and the sky revealed a strange, almost supernatural clarity. Sunlight shone on the fresh snow, making the world appear as if it were covered in diamond dust, so pure it was almost blinding. Outside the mountain hut, the temperature was still well below freezing, but at least visibility had returned to normal.

Lynn Hall stood on the platform in front of the cabin, his breath forming a white mist in the cold air. After a night's rest, he felt physically recovered, but his vigilance remained. He surveyed his surroundings, assessing the terrain and potential threats. The cabin sat on a small ridge, surrounded on three sides by dense pine forests, with only a gentle, open slope to the north leading down a path. Tactically, this was both an advantage and a disadvantage—easy to defend, but with limited retreat options.

“Very vigilant, federal agent,” Erin Sharp’s voice came from behind.

Lynn Hall didn't turn around, continuing to observe his surroundings. "It's just a habit."

Eileen walked to his side, her golden cat-like eyes scanning the distant scenery. Today she was wearing a white winter coat, almost blending into the surrounding snowscape, with only her signature platinum blonde hair and unusual eyes indicating her presence.

“You know Black Crow won’t let this go,” she said, her tone calm and certain. “Last night we not only destroyed their facility, but we also took their ‘experiments.’ Raven will be after us.”

“I know,” Lynn Hall replied, “that’s why we need to move these mutants to a safe location as soon as possible.”

Eileen chuckled softly: "A safe place? An FBI detention center? Or a secret government research facility?"

Lynn Hall finally turned to her, his eyes resolute: "I think you know very well that if I wanted to hurt these mutants, I wouldn't risk saving them. My sister is a mutant, Eileen. This isn't just a mission for me."

Erin's expression softened slightly, but her vigilance remained: "A well-meaning individual does not represent the intentions of the entire system. The government has a long history of discriminating against and harming mutants."

“That’s why we need people like me to drive change within the system,” Lynn Hall said calmly, “just as you would drive change outside the system. Different methods, same goal.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Wolverine, who emerged from the cabin with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand: "Could you two put aside your ideological debate for a moment? We have more pressing issues to address."

Lynn Hall and Eileen turned to him at the same time, temporarily setting aside their argument.

"How are the mutants who were rescued?" Lynn Hall asked.

“Gradually recovering,” Wolverine replied, taking a sip of his coffee. “The inhibitor's effects are waning, and their abilities are beginning to return. But most are still weak and unable to undertake long journeys.”

“We need transportation,” Eileen said. “Evacuating on foot is too slow and too dangerous.”

Lynn Hall thought for a moment: "Are there any vehicles available near the cabin?"

Wolverine shook his head: "Only my snowmobile can carry two people at most. Rogue is contacting the Xavier's School for backup, but it won't arrive until this afternoon at the earliest."

The three fell into a brief silence, each considering their options.

“I think we should split up,” Eileen finally said, “to mitigate the risk. The Brotherhood has a network of safe houses, and I can lead a group along a different route.”

“Dispersing forces could make each group easier to pick off one by one,” Lynn Hall points out, “especially considering the condition of these mutants.”

Wolverine seemed about to express his opinion when he suddenly stopped, his body stiffening. He put down his coffee cup, his nose twitched slightly, and his eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong?" Lynn Hall immediately became alert and moved his hand to the holster on his waist.

“Someone’s coming,” Wolverine whispered. “Several people, fully armed. The smell is metallic, gunpowder, and some kind of chemical.”

Eileen tensed up too. While her senses weren't as acute as Wolverine's, they were still far beyond those of an ordinary person: "From which direction?"

Wolverine pointed to the open area to the north and the woods to the southeast: "Both directions. They're trying to surround us."

“Black Crow,” Lynn Hall confirmed, quickly analyzing the situation, “they must have tracked our retreat route, or guessed the location of this safe house.”

"Get inside," Wolverine ordered. "Notify the others. We need to prepare for battle immediately."

The three quickly returned to the cabin and warned everyone inside. Jennifer and Coleman immediately began preparing weapons, while Rogue shut down his communications and began assisting the rescued mutants to move to a safer location. The Brotherhood members, including the energy shooter "Red Eye" and the metal-scaled woman, also quickly went on high alert.

“I counted at least twelve heat sources approaching,” Roger reported, pointing to her device display. “Based on the heat signature patterns, there are probably four or five mutants.”

Lynn Hall quickly assessed the cabin's defensive capabilities—the wooden structure offered limited cover, the windows, though small, were still vulnerable points, there were only two entrances and exits, and a basement could serve as a last line of defense.

“We need a plan,” he told everyone. “This position isn’t suitable for prolonged defense, but a direct breakout is too risky, especially considering we have weakened mutants to protect.”

“I agree,” Wolverine said. “The best option is to create a breakout window and then retreat.”

Eileen walked to the window, cautiously observing the outside: "They're setting up formation, preparing to attack. There are at least six to the north, and possibly more in the woods."

Lynn Hall quickly devised a plan: “We need to divide the work. Wolverine, you, Erin, and I will take charge of the frontline defense, slowing down their advance as much as possible. Jennifer, Coleman, and the two from the Brotherhood—” He glanced at Redeye and MetalGirl, “will protect the wounded and weakened mutants. Rogue, continue trying to contact the X-Men and request expedited reinforcements.”

“We also need to prepare an evacuation route,” Eileen added. “The woods behind the cabin offer cover, but the terrain is steep and not conducive to rapid movement, especially for a weakened mutant.” At that moment, Vines—the plant-based mutant who had helped Lynn Hall last night—stood up. She looked stronger than before, her eyes gleaming with determination: “I can help. If given time, I can manipulate the trees and plants to create an easier path.”

Lynn Hall nodded. "Then it's settled. Vine, begin preparing the evacuation route. Everyone else, take your assigned positions."

Just as they began to disperse and move out, a huge explosion suddenly came from in front of the cabin, shaking the entire structure. The windows shattered, and shards flew everywhere.

"It's starting!" Wolverine roared, his claws snapping out from between his fingers. "They've used heavy weapons!"

A second explosion followed immediately, this time closer, blowing the front door of the cabin off. Thick smoke and debris filled the entrance area.

"Everyone take cover!" Lynn Hall ordered, quickly moving to a window, raising his rifle, and beginning to observe the enemy outside.

Through the broken window, he could see at least eight Black Raven members approaching from the north, two of them operating some kind of portable grenade launcher. Behind them stood a tall figure in special armor, his hands burning with bright flames—Flame, the fire-type mutant Lynn Hall had encountered at the Phoenix Warehouse.

“The flames are there,” he warned the others, “and there are heavy weapons.”

Wolverine had moved to the front door, preparing for a possible frontal assault. Erin, on the other hand, chose the side window, gripping two finely crafted pistols in her hands.

“They are spreading out,” she reported, “attempting to attack simultaneously from multiple directions.”

Lynn Hall began firing methodically, each shot precisely aimed at a target. The two Black Crow members operating the grenade launchers were primary targets; his first bullet struck one of them in the shoulder, causing him to lose his balance. The grenade he fired missed its target and exploded in the snow next to the hut, kicking up a cloud of snow and dirt.

Eileen also opened fire, her shots equally accurate, and two Black Crow members who tried to approach from the side fell to the ground.

Just then, a new threat emerged from the woods—three mutants stepped out from under the trees, each displaying different abilities. One controlled floating rock fragments; another's hands crackled with electricity; and the third seemed to be able to manipulate snow and ice, forming a rotating barrier of ice crystals around him.

“Three mutants are approaching from the southeast!” Lynn Hall warned.

Wolverine quickly assessed the situation: "I'll handle them. You and Erin continue to suppress the attack from the north."

Without waiting for a response, he had already dashed out the front door, traversing the snow at an astonishing speed, heading straight for the three mutants. The Black Crow's regular members tried to shoot him, but Wolverine moved too fast, advancing in a zigzag pattern, and the bullets only struck the snow behind him.

At the same time, the flames began to advance, forming two enormous fireballs in her hands, which she then hurled towards the hut. The fireballs struck the wooden exterior wall of the hut, instantly igniting the dry wood.

"Put out the fire!" Lynn Hall shouted, continuing to fire and forcing the flames to seek cover.

Jennifer and Coleman acted quickly, using fire extinguishers they found in the kitchen to put out the initial flames. But the situation was deteriorating—more Black Crow members were approaching from different directions, and the fire was becoming increasingly intense.

“We need to fight back,” Eileen told Lynn Hall. “We can’t just stay on the defensive.”

Lynn Hall agreed with her: “Red Eyes!” he shouted, calling to the energy archer, “We need your abilities to suppress the attack from the north, especially that fire mutant.”

Red Eye hesitated for a moment, glancing at Eileen, seemingly seeking confirmation. Eileen nodded briefly, and Red Eye immediately moved to a window, beginning to fire energy beams outwards. His attack was precise and powerful, forcing the Black Raven members to the north to retreat and seek cover. A particularly powerful energy beam struck the snow near Blaze directly, the blast sending her flying into the air and temporarily interrupting her attack.

Outside, Wolverine was already engaged in combat with three mutants. His fighting style was both savage and precise; every movement was calculated, utilizing his speed and agility to outmaneuver his three enemies. He first attacked the Electric Controller, knowing that such abilities were vulnerable in close combat. A swift attack, a claw slashing across his opponent's arm, throwing him off balance, followed by a powerful kick that knocked him to the snow.

The rock manipulator attempted to bombard Wolverine with floating rocks, but Wolverine's reaction speed exceeded his expectations. Wolverine skillfully dodged between the rocks, constantly closing the distance to his opponent. The ice mutant created an ice wall to try and stop Wolverine, but Wolverine's claws easily sliced ​​through the ice, continuing his advance.

Lynn Hall noticed Wolverine's fighting strategy—he didn't kill these mutants outright, but rather incapacitated them as much as possible, indicating that he understood these people might just be mutants forced to work for Black Crow.

Inside the cabin, the vines had already begun their work. She stood near the back door, her hands reaching out into the woods, her face highly focused. Under her control, tree branches began to bend, forming a passage; plant roots on the ground pushed through the snow, creating a smoother path.

“A path is forming,” she said to Jennifer, who was protecting the rescued mutants. “Give me a few more minutes.”

Jennifer nodded and remained vigilant, making sure no enemy attacked from behind.

The battle ahead was growing increasingly fierce. The flames had returned, and this time her attacks were even more ferocious, with continuous fireballs bombarding the cabin. Several places had already begun to burn, and although Jennifer and Coleman tried their best to extinguish the fire, it was spreading.

“We can’t hold out much longer,” Eileen warned, as she changed to a new magazine and continued firing.

Lynn Hall quickly assessed the situation and made a decision: "We need to deal with Flame directly. As long as she's on the field, we can't defend effectively."

"What are you planning to do?" Eileen asked, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "She's an A-class mutant with extremely strong fire control abilities."

“Every ability has a weakness,” Lynn Hall replied, recalling Wolverine’s analysis of the mutant battle yesterday. “Fire requires oxygen and combustibles. In this snowy environment, the range of her flames is limited. And she must remain focused to control them.”

He turned to the red-eyed man: "I need your help. I'll try to get closer to the flames; I need your energy beam as cover to distract her."

Red-Eye considered the plan for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "It's feasible. But you'll need to be very quick; her reaction time is exceptional."

“Leave it to me,” Lynn Hall said, checking his gear. Besides his rifle, he carried two flashbangs and a tactical knife. “Provide covering fire immediately when I give the signal.” (End of Chapter)