the department of mutant affairs

To: [Agents]
From: [Cooper, Val]
Subject: FWD: bollocks

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To: [Allerdyce, John], [Blaire, Alison], [Pryde, Katherine]
From: [Cooper, Val]
Subject: security

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To: [Academy Faculty/Staff List], [Brotherhood Contacts], [DMA Agents]
From: [Cooper, Val]
Subj: success

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Valerie Cooper was in between a rock and a hard place.

On Monday, June 8th, Frost and Cassidy's Academy for Gifted Youngsters was broken into by an unknown assailant who left no trace but a few files out of order. Given the school's history, Val knew the DMA had to investigate further, but Cassidy was wary and Frost was downright frigid. Today's news just made it worse.

"Mystique. What makes you crawl out of whatever hole you've been in?"

"You need my help." Val looked disinterested. "And I need to get into the school again."

"The new Headmistress is never going to let you within ten miles of the school and I--"

"I still have intelligence, Miss Cooper. The school was broken into yesterday, and neither the new Headmistress or you have any idea on how to search for the culprit."

"And you do?"

"I contacted the Brotherhood a week ago. We're sure to fill in any gaps your agents are lacking."

A rock, and a hard place. They didn't need another incident like the one ten years ago...ten years almost to the day, in fact. And that was all the more reason for Val to tell Mystique to leave. But knowing Mystique, she would have broken in on her own if she didn't find a legal means. The blue shifter's smirk said as much.

"You help me, my people will help you."

"You follow my orders and work within the proper legal channels. One wrong move, and even you won't be able to get away this time."

On that optimistic note, the Department of Mutant Affairs and the former Brotherhood made an uneasy alliance to investigate the Academy. Again.

This was destined to end badly.