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

Cyclops nodded, signaling Iceman to dispel the ice wall. Jubilee stepped forward, holding a new pair of suppression gloves.

“I hope you can cooperate more this time,” Jubilee said, handing the gloves to Flame.

Flame hesitated for a moment, then took the gloves and slowly put them on. She knew that resistance now would only make things worse, and the wisest choice was to wait for a better opportunity.

After the gloves activated, she felt that familiar sense of power suppression return, and the warmth of the flames vanished from her fingertips. Jubilee and another X-Men stepped forward to escort her back to the detention area.

Just then, Lynn Hall walked up to the flames, his expression serious.

“This is your second chance, Flame,” he said, his voice low and only the two of them could hear. “There won’t be a third. I suggest you reconsider your choice to cooperate. Black Raven doesn’t deserve your loyalty.”

Flame raised his head, looking directly into Lynn's eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips: "What do you know about loyalty, Agent? You're just a cog in the machine, while I, at least, chose my own side."

Lynn didn't respond immediately, but simply watched her calmly, as if assessing the true meaning behind her words. Finally, he simply nodded, then stepped back, letting Jubilee and her companions take the flames away.

An hour later, Lynn Hall stood in Professor Xavier's office, discussing the events that had just occurred with Cyclops, Storm, and Iceman.

“She’s quite skilled,” Iceman commented, having returned to normal human form. “Not just in her ability usage, but also in tactical thinking and adaptability. Black Crow has clearly provided a high level of training.”

“She also showed considerable restraint,” Storm added, “especially when facing students. She could have caused much more damage, but chose to minimize the conflict.”

“This suggests she might not entirely agree with Black Crow’s extreme methods,” Xavier pondered, his fingers crossed on the table, “or at least, there’s some moral boundary in her value system.”

Lynn listened silently to the comments, reflecting on his brief conversation with Flame. Finally, he spoke, "I think her loyalty to Black Crow isn't just ideological. There are probably more personal factors at play."

"How do you know?" Cyclops asked curiously.

“She mentioned ‘choosing a side,’” Lynn explained. “The wording is special—not ‘the right side’ or ‘the winning side,’ but emphasizes the act of choosing itself. This suggests that for her, being able to make her own decision might be more important than the specific content of that decision.”

Xavier nodded thoughtfully. "Very astute observation, Lynn. This could provide a breakthrough. If we can understand what led her to this choice, perhaps we can find a way to change her stance."

“Or at least make her start to question this option,” Storm added.

Lynn turned to Iceman: "Bobby, you're the first one to go up against her. How did she manage to breach the cell's security system?"

Bobby shrugged slightly, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. “A classic patient trick. She feigned illness to lure the medical staff into the cell, then subdued her. Afterward, she figured out how to break the restraint gloves and used her powers to melt parts of the door lock. A very… creative solution.”

"How are the medical staff?" Lynn asked with concern.

“No injuries,” Storm replied, “just tied up. This proves once again that Blaze has a certain moral compass.”

“We need to strengthen our incarceration measures,” Laser Eye said, “especially considering that we may soon need to interrogate her.”

Lynn nodded. "Yes, but at the same time, I think this incident also presents an opportunity. Flame has now tested the Academy's defenses and failed. She has seen firsthand our resources and coordination. This might influence her calculations—making her more inclined to cooperate rather than continue trying to escape."

“A wise point,” Xavier agreed. “Failed escape attempts often reshape a prisoner’s mental state, especially when they clearly see the impossibility of escape.”

Lynn recalled his last conversation with Flame: "I told her this was her second chance, there wouldn't be a third. She needed to know that continuing to resist would only make her situation more difficult."

“So,” Xavier asked, “when do you plan to try interrogating her again?”

“Tomorrow,” Lynn decided, “I’ll give her one night to reflect on today’s events and reassess her stance. But I can’t give her too much time to rebuild her mental defenses.”

Laser Eye agreed to the plan: "A wise decision. We'll make sure everything is ready."

The next morning, Lynn Hall had breakfast with Jennifer and Coleman in the college dining hall. After explaining the events of the previous night, the three began to discuss their next steps.

“So you think Flame might be more willing to cooperate now?” Jennifer asked, stirring her coffee.

“Not immediate cooperation,” Lynn corrected, “but she might start to consider the option. Failed escape attempts often shake a prisoner’s confidence, causing them to reassess their situation.”

“The problem is,” Coleman pondered, “what can we offer in exchange for her cooperation? Protection? A reduced sentence? These might not be attractive enough to a high-ranking Black Raven member like Flame.”

Lynn nodded. “The key is to find out what she truly cares about. Based on last night’s conversation and her behavioral patterns, I’m starting to believe that her loyalty to Black Crow might be based on some kind of personal connection or experience, rather than just ideological identification.”

“You mean, there might be someone in Black Crow who is important to her?” Jennifer speculated.

“Or perhaps Black Crow helped her at some crucial moment,” Lynn added, “giving her a sense of belonging or purpose.”

Coleman took a thoughtful bite of his toast. "If that's the case," he said, "pure threats or bribes might not be enough to sway her stance."

“Exactly,” Lynn agreed. “We need a different approach—not to try and force her to betray Black Crow, but to show her another possible path.”

Just then, Elisa Chandler—the young woman with limited telepathic abilities—approached their table.

“Good morning, Lynn,” she greeted with a smile, then nodded to Jennifer and Coleman. “Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I heard you were discussing the arrested fire mutant.”

Lynn gestured for her to join them: "Yes, we're considering how to get her to cooperate. Do you have any ideas?"

Alyssa sat down next to Lynn, her expression turning serious. "Actually, I was thinking maybe I could help." The three FBI agents looked at her curiously.

“My abilities,” Elisa explained, “while limited, are perfectly suited for building initial understanding and trust. I can sense her core emotions and thought patterns, helping you find more effective ways to communicate.”

Lynn considered the suggestion for a moment: "It's an interesting idea, Alyssa. But it could be dangerous—Flame is a highly trained agent, and her emotions can be quite volatile."

“I understand the risks,” Alyssa said firmly, “but that’s precisely where my abilities are most valuable. Building connections amidst conflict and mistrust—that’s something I’ve been training for. And this could be my chance to actually help you, to prove I’m more than just a mutant who needs care.”

The last sentence seemed to touch Lynn. He looked into Elisa's eyes and saw a genuine determination and a desire to prove herself. This resonated with his sense of responsibility towards the young mutants.

“I need to discuss this proposal with Professor Xavier and the X-Men,” he finally said, “to ensure all security measures are in place. But if they agree, I think it’s worth a try.”

A smile bloomed on Elisa's face: "Thank you, Lynn. I won't let you down."

Lynn nodded, but his expression remained serious: "Remember, Alyssa, this is not training or a simulation. Blaze is a dangerous enemy with deadly abilities and extensive combat experience. Even with restraint gloves and safety measures, the risk remains."

“I understand,” Elisa replied earnestly, “but sometimes, the greatest risks bring the greatest rewards. If I can help build a bridge of understanding, even if it’s just a small beginning, it’s worth it.”

Lynn looked to Jennifer and Coleman for their opinions. Jennifer seemed reserved, but Coleman nodded slightly, as if he thought the plan was worth a try.

“Alright,” Lynn decided, “let me arrange the meeting with Xavier and Cyclops. If all goes well, we’ll try this new method this afternoon.”

Alyssa stood up, her expression a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. "I'll be ready. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Lynn."

After she left, Jennifer turned to Lynn: "Are you sure this is a good idea? To expose a young, inexperienced mutant to flames?"

“I’m not sure,” Lynn answered honestly, “but we’ve tried the conventional methods without success. Sometimes, unconventional methods bring breakthroughs. And,” he paused, “it’s also a matter of trust and respect for Elisa. If we expect her to build confidence in the 'normal world,' we need to give her opportunities to prove her worth.”

Coleman nodded. "That makes sense. And if sufficient security measures are in place, the risk should be kept within acceptable limits."

Lynn finished the last sip of his coffee, stood up, and said, "Then it's settled. I'll go find Professor Xavier to discuss the details."

Lynn Hall stood in front of Professor Xavier's office and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in, Inspector Hall." A familiar voice came from inside the door.

Lynn pushed open the door and entered, seeing Professor Charles Xavier sitting in a wheelchair with several documents spread out in front of him. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the large French windows, illuminating the classic oak desk and lending the office a warm and tranquil feel. The professor looked up, a gentle smile playing in his deep blue eyes.

“It seems you have something important to discuss with me.” The professor put down his pen and gestured for Lynn to sit in the leather armchair opposite him.

Lynn sat down in the chair and gathered his thoughts. For the past three days, he had been trying to break through Flame's psychological defenses, but conventional interrogation methods were completely ineffective. Derek Mallory was like an impenetrable wall; any question about the Black Crow organization would shut him up completely.

“Professor, I need your help,” Lynn said bluntly. “We’ve reached a stalemate regarding the interrogation of Flame.”

Professor Xavier nodded, his expression turning serious. "I expected it. Derek's psychological trauma runs deep, and coupled with years of accumulated hatred, getting him to talk is indeed not easy."

“I was thinking…” Lynn hesitated for a moment, “that perhaps Alyssa can help us. Her telepathic abilities might be the key to breaking through Derek’s psychological defenses.”

Upon hearing this suggestion, Professor Xavier's expression became complicated. He slowly turned his wheelchair to face the courtyard outside the window, and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“Detective Hall, I understand your concerns, but Alyssa is still very young. To involve her in such a dangerous situation…” The professor’s voice was filled with obvious worry.

“I know this request is unreasonable,” Lynn said sincerely, “but according to our intelligence, the Black Crow organization is planning a major terrorist attack. If we don't obtain this intelligence in time, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Professor Xavier sighed deeply. “I know you won’t make such a request lightly. If the situation is truly that urgent, I will speak with Alyssa and see what she thinks.”

“Thank you for your understanding.” Lynn stood up. “I promise I will do everything in my power to protect her safety.”

“I believe your promise.” The professor pressed the intercom on the table. “Please ask Elisa to come to my office.”

A few minutes later, the office door was gently pushed open. Alyssa walked in, wearing a light blue sweater and dark jeans, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her distinctive pale purple eyes scanned the room before finally settling on Lynn.

"Detective Hall, is there something you need?" Her voice was soft and pleasant.

These past few days of interaction have given Lynn a deeper understanding of Elisa. She is intelligent and kind, but also very sensitive. Her telepathic abilities allow her to sense the deepest emotions in others, which is both a gift and a burden.

“Elisa, please have a seat,” Professor Xavier said gently. “We need to discuss something important with you.”

Alyssa sat down in another chair, her gaze shifting between the professor and Lynn, clearly sensing something. "Is it about the Flame?"

"You felt it?" Lynn asked, somewhat surprised.

“Your emotions are complicated, Inspector,” Alyssa said softly. “There’s a sense of urgency, worry, and a…moral struggle. You’re considering whether to ask me to do something I might not want to do.”

Professor Xavier and Lynn exchanged a glance. Elisa's perceptiveness exceeded their expectations. (End of Chapter)