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

“Detective, the situation is getting tense,” Cook said. “The crowd is very agitated and it’s still growing. I recommend increasing security measures to prevent any unforeseen events.”

Lynn nodded. "Immediately notify the NYPD and request that they dispatch riot police to be on standby. Also, ensure there are sufficient security personnel at all entrances and exits."

Just then, Benjamin Harrison's voice came through the loudspeaker again, this time directly naming Lynn.

“Detective Lynn, I know you’re in there!” Benjamin’s voice was full of challenge. “I’m officially declaring war on you! I’m giving you three hours: either release Mr. Blackwood or prepare to face me in court! I guarantee Mr. Blackwood will be free within three hours!”

The crowd erupted in cheers again, with many chanting "Free Blackwood!" The media became even more active, cameras and video recorders constantly capturing the scene.

Lynn took a deep breath; he knew he had to respond. This wasn't just a legal issue, but a moral one concerning justice and fairness. He turned to Sarah and said, "Make the arrangements; I'm going out to talk to them."

“Detective, this could be dangerous,” Sarah said worriedly. “The crowd is very agitated, and you are the focus of their anger.”

“That’s precisely why I should go out and face them,” Lynn said firmly. “They have the right to know the truth, the right to express their opinions. But I also have a responsibility to tell them that everyone is equal before the law, whether they are mutants or ordinary people.”

Lynn straightened his clothes, making sure his FBI badge was clearly visible, and then strode towards the building's main entrance. Cook and several security personnel followed closely behind him, ready to respond to any unexpected situations.

As Lynn stepped out of the building, the crowd fell silent instantly. All eyes were on him, their gazes a mixture of anger, expectation, doubt, and despair. Lynn could feel the tension in the air.

Benjamin Harrison broke the silence first, turning off the megaphone and walking directly towards Lynn. The two met in front of the building, creating a dramatic standoff.

“Detective Lynn, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Benjamin said, extending his hand with a professional smile. “I am Benjamin Harrison, and I will be representing Mr. Blackwood in his defense.”

Lynn shook the man's hand; it was a well-maintained hand with neatly trimmed nails. "Mr. Harrison, I've heard of you. Your client is suspected of serious criminal offenses, including financing terrorism and murder."

“Those are just accusations, Inspector,” Benjamin’s voice was calm and confident. “My client is innocent until proven guilty in court. And I believe these accusations are baseless. Mr. Blackwood is a man who fights to protect human society, and his actions were legitimate self-defense.”

A chorus of support erupted from the crowd, and many began to applaud Benjamin. Lynn looked around and saw the pained faces, his heart growing even heavier.

“Mr. Harrison, I understand the pain of these victims,” Lynn raised his voice to make sure everyone in the crowd could hear, “but hatred cannot conquer hatred, and violence cannot resolve violence. The Blackwood-funded organization murdered innocent mutants who also had families and loved ones.”

The woman holding the photo of her son suddenly stepped forward, her voice trembling as she said, "But who will seek justice for our child? My Tommy is dead, and the mutant who killed him only got five years! Five years! Is my son's life only worth five years?"

Lynn looked at the grieving mother, a wave of sympathy washing over him. “Madam, I understand your pain. Losing a child is a devastating blow no parent can bear. But revenge is not the solution. If we hate all mutants because of the wrongdoings of a few, how are we any different from those who harmed your son?”

“The difference?” the woman said emotionally. “The difference is that we are the victims! We don’t have superpowers, we can’t protect ourselves! Mr. Blackwood is speaking out for us, fighting for our rights!”

Benjamin seized the opportunity and shouted, "Detective, did you hear that? These are ordinary American citizens who have been harmed by mutants but haven't received the protection and justice they deserve. Everything Mr. Blackwood has done is to fill this legal loophole and protect these innocent victims."

Voices of support rose again from the crowd, and more and more people began to share their experiences. A young man stepped forward and said, "My sister lost her eyesight in an accident caused by mutants! She was only twenty-two years old, with a bright future ahead of her, and now she will spend the rest of her life in darkness!"

Another middle-aged man stepped forward: "My wife was burned by a mutant who can control fire. Sixty percent of her skin needs skin grafts! We've spent all our savings and mortgaged our house, but she still hasn't fully recovered!"

Lynn listened to these painful stories, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew these people's suffering was real, and their anger was understandable. However, this did not mean that Blackwood's actions were right.

“I understand your pain,” Lynn said loudly, “but think about what the world will become if we respond to hatred with hatred, to violence with violence? Those mutants killed by the Blackwood organization also had families and friends. Their deaths were just as tragic, and they shouldn’t have happened.”

"But mutants have superpowers!" someone shouted from the crowd. "They can kill us, and we can't fight back!"

“Yes, some mutants do have superpowers,” Lynn admitted, “but that doesn’t mean all mutants are dangerous. Just as there are good and bad people among ordinary people, there are also mutants. We cannot choose hatred out of fear, nor violence out of prejudice.”

Seeing the crowd growing increasingly agitated, Benjamin decided to intensify his attack. "Detective, you make it sound nice, but the reality is harsh. The existence of mutants is a threat to ordinary humans—that's an undeniable fact. Everything Mr. Blackwood has done is to protect humanity's right to survival. What right do you have to deprive humans of their right to self-defense?"

“The right to self-defense?” Lynn’s voice turned stern. “Is murdering innocent people considered the right to self-defense? Among the mutants killed by the Blackwood-funded organization, some were ordinary workers, some were students, and some were even children! Their only ‘crime’ was possessing abilities they couldn’t control!”

Dissenting voices began to emerge from the crowd. A young female reporter stepped forward and asked loudly, "Detective, could you elaborate on the mutant victims? Were they truly innocent?" Lynn nodded. "Of course. Mary Jones, sixteen, could control plant growth; her dream was to become a botanist. She was murdered on her way home from school by members of the Pure Human Organization, still wearing her school uniform. Peter Parker, twenty-eight, could foresee events three seconds in advance; he used his abilities to help the police prevent numerous traffic accidents and save countless lives. He was poisoned in his sleep. And..."

“Enough!” the mother who had lost her son suddenly interrupted Lynn. “We don’t care about any of this! We only care about our children and our families! Are mutant lives more valuable than ours?”

Lynn looked at the grieving mother, his voice softening slightly: "Madam, no one's life is more precious than another's. Every life is valuable, whether it's your son or those mutants who were killed. That's why we must stop more killing, stop more hatred."

Benjamin noticed that Lynn's words were beginning to have an effect, and hesitant voices started to emerge from the crowd. He decided to use a tougher strategy.

“Detective, empty idealism won’t solve anything,” Benjamin said loudly. “I’m giving you one last chance: release Mr. Blackwood immediately, or I will enforce it through legal channels. I have already prepared the application for a habeas corpus, and it is being heard by a federal judge. Trust me, Mr. Blackwood will be walking out of this building freely within three hours.”

The crowd erupted again, with many chanting "Free Blackwood!" The journalists were also excited, this dramatic standoff providing exactly the news they wanted.

Lynn glanced at his watch; it was already three in the afternoon. Benjamin's three-hour deadline meant a result was needed by six. He knew Benjamin Harrison wasn't bluffing; this lawyer was indeed capable of challenging their arrest through various legal means.

“Mr. Harrison, we will fully cooperate with the legal process,” Lynn said firmly, “but I must remind you that the evidence is conclusive, and Blackwood’s guilt is beyond question. No judge will release him easily after seeing this evidence.”

“We’ll see you in court,” Benjamin sneered. “I look forward to seeing whether your so-called ‘conclusive evidence’ can withstand the test of the court.”

Just then, a commotion arose from the crowd. A voice shouted, "The mutants are here! They've come for revenge!"

Everyone turned to look at the other end of the street, where a group of about fifty people was walking towards them. The group included men and women, young and old, and they held signs that read "Justice for the Dead," "Stop Hate Crimes," and "Mutants are Humans Too."

Leading the group was a woman around thirty years old, with long red hair, dressed simply in jeans and a T-shirt. Lynn recognized her; she was Jane Grey, a well-known mutant rights activist and a powerful telepath.

"My God, they've really come!" someone in the crowd cried out in terror. "They're here for revenge!"

Panic began to spread through the crowd, and many people started to back away, trying to distance themselves from the approaching mutant horde. But some appeared even more enraged, clenching their fists and preparing to confront what they perceived as "enemies."

Lynn realized the situation was becoming dangerous; two opposing groups were about to clash in front of the FBI building. He had to act immediately to stop it.

"Everyone, stay calm!" Lynn shouted. "I demand that both sides remain rational and not let hatred cloud your judgment!"

But his voice was barely audible amidst the chaos. Benjamin Harrison also realized the gravity of the situation and began trying to calm his own group.

"Calm down, everyone! Don't be impulsive!" Benjamin shouted. "We're here for a peaceful protest, not to fight!"

Jane Grey's group also stopped, and she raised her hand to signal her people to keep their distance. But the tension in the air continued to escalate, as if a conflict could erupt at any moment.

At 5:45 PM, fifteen minutes remained until the three-hour deadline given by Benjamin Harrison. Lynn Hall stood in the FBI headquarters' operations room, nervously watching the multiple monitor screens on the wall. Outside, the protesters and mutant rights activists maintained a delicate balance; tensions were high, but no direct conflict had yet broken out.

“Detective, we just received news from the federal court,” Sarah rushed into the command room, holding a legal document that had just been faxed over. “Attorney Harrison’s application for a habeas corpus has been approved. The federal judge has ordered us to release Blackwood immediately.”

Lynn's face turned pale instantly. He took the document from Sarah and quickly scanned its contents. The judge's reasoning was simple: while the FBI's evidence was somewhat persuasive, it was insufficient to constitute a "clear and present danger," therefore the suspect could not be detained further.

"This is impossible!" Lynn slammed his hand on the table. "We have bank transfer records, audio recordings, and confidential documents from his safe! Isn't that enough?"

“The judge believes this evidence requires further technical analysis and courtroom debate,” Sarah said helplessly. “Furthermore, Harrison’s lawyer argued that Blackwood, as a well-known public figure, has a fixed address and social connections, and therefore poses no risk of absconding.”

Lynn took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew Benjamin Harrison wasn't bluffing; the lawyer truly possessed extensive experience and strong legal skills. But the outcome was still a huge blow to him.

“Are there any other conditions?” Lynn asked.

“Yes, Blackwood is prohibited from leaving New York State, must surrender his passport, and must report his whereabouts to the court regularly,” Sarah replied. “Meanwhile, the court has scheduled a formal hearing for one month from now.” (End of Chapter)