Northwestern Texas.

Everyone is surrounded by everyone.  Guns are drawn by soldiers, awaiting the next order.

Marvel Girl assesses the situation and turns to Iceman.

Marvel Girl “Wall.”

Iceman “You got it.”

Iceman turns his palms toward the ground and from the ground up, a barrier of ice suddenly separates the X-Factor from everyone else.  Everyone, from the soldiers to Iron Woman and Rescue to the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents look on in wonder.  It will be only the first of such moments today.

Back in Washington, D.C. at S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Agent Hand is in Agent Hill’s ear, with Hill in Texas.

Victoria “What’s going on, Agent Hill?”

Maria “Agent Hand, the one they call ‘Iceman.’  He just…put up a wall of ice.”

Victoria “That’s one of their procedures for stopping criminals.”

Maria sees another agent emerge, alongside herself, Black Widow, and Mockingbird.

Maria “Agent May?”

Victoria “Agent May?  What’s she doing there???”

Melinda “Expect to hear from Coulson.”

Maria “We’re sticking to the game plan, Agent Hand.”

Victoria “Good.  If the soldiers find them, you take control.  I’m going to find Director Fury.”

Just as Agents Hill and Hand cease communication, everyone can hear the thunderous voice of General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.

“Move in!” the command from the field rings out. Every soldier tenses as the front line squad makes haste toward the motel, intent on the door to the small room. Overhead, the whine of jet engines sets the tone. Everyone feels the thrum of the moment. The seconds begin to stretch.

Potts, a.k.a. Rescue opens a secure line with Stark, a.k.a. Iron Woman. “I have a very bad feeling about this.”

“Uh huh. Spin up a grid. We’re going to need to see the entire sandbox on this one. Mark targets by threat level. Anybody in a costume at the top of the list. Anybody with green skin trumps the entire list.” Stark begins hovering a few feet off the ground, repulsors adding to the whine of the larger jet engines.

Rescue opens up a virtual replica of the area around them, her suit’s computer begins to tag anything that moves, listing beside each target its offensive and defensive abilities. She’s a bit surprised to see that her suit has grouped the four S.H.I.E.L.D agents on hand in the same threat level as the X-Factor squad.