Fury frowned.
They really had come prepared.
However...
The Baldy let out a small breath of relief. Fortunately, those weren't their real names. Whenever S.H.I.E.L.D. operated in the field, they almost always used high-quality, authentic-looking fake credentials issued under the FBI's umbrella. The fact that the opposition named them specifically was likely just to prevent them from slipping away.
"The primary defendant in their filing is the FBI, but you three are listed as co-defendants. Judge Dryden Knott is a staunch supporter of government transparency."
The FBI Supervisor finished a call with his own Director and looked at Nick Fury. "My Director was very clear: once this reaches a courtroom, the FBI will not take the fall for this."
Not even the Attorney General could change that. In the past, S.H.I.E.L.D. had used the FBI as cover to successfully close cases. Since the credit usually went to the FBI, the Bureau tended to look the other way.
But asking the FBI to take a 'black pot' for state-sponsored torture?
Not a chance.
Just then.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
A female S.H.I.E.L.D. agent hurried into the office, her face pale with anxiety. "Director, look at the news."
Nick Fury and the FBI Supervisor exchanged a look.
On the main screen in the lobby:
Outside New Amsterdam Hospital, a sea of media—notified by TNT&G—had surrounded the entrance like sharks smelling blood. Cameras and microphones were everywhere.
In the center of the frame stood Buson Laun, dressed in a sharp suit and looking remarkably energetic. He held up the forensic report issued by New Amsterdam. His voice was impassioned and filled with righteous fury, aimed directly at the FBI.
"Just yesterday..."
"At the Midtown High freshman dance, my client, Mr. Locke Broughton, encountered the most infuriating injustice of his life!"
"Several FBI agents arrested my client on completely baseless charges."
"The charge? Suspected terrorist activity!"
"The FBI accused my client of being an accomplice to a killer—a killer who, not long ago, had actually kidnapped my client."
"Furthermore..."
"Look at this forensic report in my hand. What does it show?"
"Mr. Broughton was fully cooperative with the authorities. In return, he was subjected to inhumane, barbaric torture and abuse inside an FBI facility!"
"Locke Broughton is only sixteen years old!"
"Just moments ago..."
"Judge Dryden Knott of the Federal Court officially docketed my client's case. I will be representing him in a lawsuit against the FBI and specifically against Agents Anthony Mason, Phil Nick, and May."
"My client is innocent!"
"One hundred percent innocent!"
"This is yet another classic case of gross abuse of power!"
"..."
The room exploded.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in the command center watched the screen in stunned silence as the attorney publicly named and shamed the Bureau and the three specific agents for their "inhumanity."
This news would spread across the entire Union in less than thirty minutes. In fact, Washington D.C. would likely have the briefing on their desks within ten.
Phil Coulson and Melinda May—her right arm bandaged—looked at Nick Fury. "Sir..."
Fury's single eye narrowed.
The FBI Supervisor beside him shook his head, gave him a look that said 'I told you so,' and walked out.
After a long pause, Fury turned to leave. "Coulson, to the courthouse!"
This matter absolutely could not reach a public trial. If it did, the FBI would undoubtedly throw them under the bus, and not even an order from the Attorney General would stop them.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was a legally sanctioned secret agency, but in this country? Publicly exposing state-sponsored torture was administrative suicide.
...
At the Federal Courthouse.
As Nick Fury stepped out of his vehicle, he happened to see a middle-aged woman of similar complexion exiting a black sedan.
"Ms. Wright!"
"Director Fury."
Ms. Wright was an Assistant Attorney General, and as luck would have it, she was currently in New York.
"I appreciate you coming, Ms. Wright," Fury said somberly. "This case cannot go to trial."
While the Department of Justice doesn't manage the court system, it can petition to dismiss charges on the grounds of national security. Generally, judges are willing to give the DOJ that much respect.
However... this was clearly not a general situation.
Inside the judge's chambers.
A balding but sharp Dryden Knott took off his glasses. He looked at Nick Fury and Ms. Wright, who had barged into his office first thing in the morning, and rubbed his temples. "I docketed this case less than half an hour ago, and the DOJ is already at my door?"
The speed was unprecedented.
Ms. Wright spoke up, "Apologies, your Honor, but this is an emergency."
Judge Knott put his glasses back on and nodded. "Evidently. You wouldn't be here otherwise."
Ms. Wright continued, "On behalf of the Department of Justice, I move for the immediate dismissal of the charges filed by Locke Broughton against the FBI and its three agents—in the interest of national security."
"National security?"
Judge Knott nodded. "I see. And which flavor of national security would that be?"
Ms. Wright remained silent. She had just rolled out of bed to this explosive news; she had rushed here so quickly her makeup wasn't even fully set.
"It is a state secret."
"Oh, please."
Judge Knott let out a short, amused laugh. "Ms. Wright, are you really not going to give me even a token excuse? 'To protect the lives of agents'? 'To protect an ongoing classified operation'? Or 'To protect a certain mysterious law enforcement agency'?"
Ms. Wright looked at the judge. "With all due respect, your Honor, I don't care for your sarcasm."
"Is that so?"
Judge Knott looked down at the file he had just received. "I also have things I don't care for, Ms. Wright. I don't like people coming into my court and telling me what to do. Have you seen this forensic report?"
"What?"
"I have."
Judge Knott held up the injury report sent over with the filing. He looked at Ms. Wright. "I don't know how the courts in D.C. deal with you, but in my chambers, I am not pleased by a motion to dismiss based on 'state secrets' when confronted with this. The physical safety of a citizen of this Union stands far above your so-called secrets."
Ms. Wright gasped. "Your Honor..."
Judge Knott cut her off, his eyes shifting to the silent Nick Fury behind her. "In two days, we will hold a closed-door hearing. If I determine that this matter truly compromises national security, I will dismiss the case."
"Your Honor..."
Ms. Wright was stunned. A closed-door hearing, even without a jury, still required appearances. If they appeared, the exposure of S.H.I.E.L.D. was a foregone conclusion.
"Your Honor!" Ms. Wright frowned. "You don't have the authority. This involves national security!"
Judge Knott sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Ms. Wright, haven't we seen enough federal overreach? Haven't we seen the consequences of unrestrained federal action? You decide. I can hold you and your agents in contempt of court and have my bailiffs take you into custody right now, or you can accept my ruling. Choose. Right now!"
I don't have the authority? This is my court. My turf! Not the DOJ's.
Ms. Wright: "..."
...
The developments at the courthouse were quickly relayed to Buson Laun.
"Understood. Thank you."
Laun hung up and looked at Locke, who was having breakfast with Gwen's help in the hospital room. "Mr. Broughton, the hearing is set for two days from now."
Gwen was surprised. "That fast?"
Usually, from docketing to the first hearing, it takes at least two weeks. Courts are busy, after all.
Locke thought for a moment. "Did something happen?"
Laun nodded. "The court informed me that Ms. Wright from the DOJ and that Nick Fury went to see the judge. They moved to dismiss the case on national security grounds."
Gwen was shocked. "They can do that? They illegally detained Locke and tortured him!"
"National security is always a convenient excuse," Laun said. "With any other judge, they might have succeeded. But we sought out Judge Knott."
Some judges favor law enforcement; others are skeptical of them. Judge Knott was firmly in the latter camp.
"The case has been moved to a closed-door hearing," Laun explained. "Judge Knott will hear our testimony and theirs in two days. My contact says Ms. Wright told the judge he didn't have the authority."
Locke tilted his head. "Has she lost her mind?"
Buson Laun smiled. "Clearly, they are nervous. It's highly likely those agents aren't actually FBI, but as you suspected—CIA or some other shadow agency we don't know about. That possibility is looking stronger by the second. By the way, how did you know about that?"
Locke shrugged. "If I told you they told me themselves, would you believe me?"
Buson Laun's smile widened. "You're my client. I believe you!"
Locke: "..."