Chapter 28: Assemble pt.3

Chapter 28: Assemble pt.3

2012

Classified Location

S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier

A Few Minutes Later

(Omniscient POV)

"Maximum performance during take-off, output is stable, and power systems performing at capacity. We are clear." One of the S.H.I.E.L.D technicians calls out as Rogers and Banner follow Natasha into the command brig.

Natasha peels away from them as they stare and observe around in awe. The brig is very busy, as S.H.I.E.L.D personnel moves around the command center, working at stations, and communicating over earpieces.

A tall woman with short dark brunette hair and blue eyes stands at the helm of the brig, watching over the working technicians.

"All engines operating. S.H.I.E.L.D emergency protocol one nine three point six in effect. We're at level, Ma'am." A tech reports to the tall woman.

"Good! Let's vanish." Maria Hill orders.

"Engaging retro reflection panels." The tech announces as the underside of the Helicarrier appears to become coated with mirrors and blends in with its outer surroundings.

As the Helicarrier continues to soar through the sky, Nick Fury walks through the doors of the command brig and receives a salute from Maria and the other Agents.

"All systems are operational and Reflection panels are engaged, Sir," Maria reports as Fury gives her a nod and looks over towards the two men standing off to the side.

"Doctor Banner, thank you for coming." He says as he walks over and extends his hand.

"Um, thanks for asking nicely," Bruce states as he shakes Fury's hand.

"So, um, how long am I staying?" Bruce asks.

Fury eyes the man with an unreadable look.

"Once we get our hands on the Tesseract and secure it, you can go back to your life."

Bruce nods at the man's words, taking them at face value.

"Well, where are you with that?" He asks.

Coulson steps up from the side and answers for Fury.

"We're sweeping every wirelessly accessible camera on the planet. Cell phones, laptops, street cams, if it's connected to a satellite, it's eyes and ears for us."

Bruce takes a moment to think before opening his mouth to speak.

"It's still not gonna be enough to find them in time. You have to narrow your field. How many Spectrometers do you have access to?" He questions.

"How many do you need?" Fury asks.

"Call every lab you know. Tell them to put the Spectrometers on the roof and calibrate them for Gamma rays. I'll rough out a tracking algorithm, basic cluster recognition. At least we could rule out a few places. Do you have somewhere for me to work?"

A smirk comes to Fury's face at Bruce's words and he turns toward Natasha, who was quietly observing the conversation.

"Agent Romanoff, would you show Doctor Banner to his laboratory, please?"

Natasha gives Fury a look before reluctantly walking over to Bruce and leading him and Steve out of the brig area.

As the door closes behind them Fury turns over to Maria.

"Hill, were you the one who told the council that Barton had been compromised?" He questions the woman.

Letting out a bored sigh, I grab a lighter from my desk, walk over to the kitchen sink, and burn the letter. Watching until it was nothing more than ash circling the drain.

"No rest for the wicked, I guess," I mutter under my breath as I leave the comfort of my small room and head out to work.

**************

Loki's Underground Lab

(Omniscient POV)

"Hey! This is wonderful. The Tesseract has shown me so much. It's- it's more than knowledge, it's truth!" Erik announces as Loki and Clint enter the makeshift lab.

Erik and Clint's eyes glow a bright blue as they are under the mind-controlling power of Loki's scepter.

"I know. It, ah- it touches everyone differently." Loki states while smirking at the crazed scientist.

He turns his head to Clint.

"What did it show you, Agent Barton?" Loki asks.

Clint gives the God a stiff look.

"My next target."

Erik lets a manic chuckle at the archer's words.

"Stick in the mud. You've got no soul. No wonder you chose this..this tomb for us to work in."

At Erik's mocking words Clint just continues to stare stiffly, like a robot.

"This place gives us three levels of lead-lined flooring between S.H.I.E.L.D and that Cube." He states dryly.

Erik ignores him and walks back to the machine he was working on.

"I see why Fury chose you to guard it. You seem adept at your work." Loki says.

Clint doesn't register Loki's praise and just gives him a vacant look.

"You're going to have to contend with Fury sometime...sir. As long as he's in the wind, I can't pin him down. And he'll be putting together a team."

"Are they a threat?" Loki asks, the amused smirk never leaving his face.

"To each other more so than you, sir. But if Fury can get 'em on track, and he might, they could throw some noise our way."

"I want to know everything you can tell me about this team of his. I would... test their mettle."

Clint nods.

"Other than them, there is also the S.T.R.I.K.E team. They shouldn't pose much of a problem, but their Captain is skilled."

Loki laughs at Clint's words, unconcerned.

"You mortals love to overestimate yourself's."

Loki looks over to the glowing scepter in his hand.

"But I'll show you. I'll show them all what it means to be a true God."

**************

A/n: Hey guys, hope you are enjoying my story and as always thanks for reading!