"You think you can stop me?" Loki glanced at Nick with disdain and let out a soft laugh.
Then his expression turned cold as he casually issued an order to Hawkeye: "Kill him."
Hawkeye showed no hesitation at all. Faithfully executing Loki's command, he smoothly drew his pistol and fired several shots straight at Nick Fury.
Nick Fury threw himself to the ground and did not move again, as if he had been shot dead on the spot.
Loki merely swept his gaze over Nick once, not bothering to spare him a second glance. To Loki, Nick Fury was nothing more than an ordinary, insignificant mortal—hardly worth any attention.
Seeing Nick fall, Loki turned away and continued using the Mind Scepter to control the researchers involved in the Tesseract experiment.
Creating a device capable of activating the Tesseract's energy and opening a space portal was Loki's only real objective.
For that, he needed these outstanding scientists who had studied the Tesseract to work for him.
Once he had "recruited" enough people, Loki picked up the briefcase containing the Tesseract and left the laboratory.
Some time after Loki and his newly acquired subordinates departed, the motionless Nick Fury finally sat up.
After confirming that Loki and the controlled personnel were truly gone, Nick rubbed his chest and cursed quietly, "Fuck… Barton really didn't hold back.
If I hadn't been wearing high-density carbon-fiber body armor under my clothes, I'd be stone cold dead right now.
But what exactly does this Loki want with the Tesseract?"
Nick Fury had very deliberately played dead earlier, though he didn't see it as cowardice.
The power gap between the two sides was far too great—it was obvious he was no match for Loki. Since he couldn't change anything, preserving himself was the smarter choice.
"Coulson, Barton and several researchers including Dr. Erik Selvig have been controlled and defected. The Tesseract has been taken. Intercept them immediately and recover it." Nick Fury contacted Coulson at once.
"Agent Barton defected?!" Coulson exclaimed in shock, finding it hard to believe.
"I'm heading out right now to apprehend them," Coulson said. Despite his surprise, his training as a senior S.H.I.E.L.D. agent kicked in immediately.
He drew his weapon, gathered nearby agents, and chased after Loki and Hawkeye in the direction they had fled.
Earlier, when Loki had left with Hawkeye and the others, no one had stopped them. Hawkeye and the controlled researchers were all familiar faces, so there was no questioning.
Coulson himself had been focused on transferring the Tesseract-based weapons. He'd only given them a quick glance and noticed nothing wrong.
Who could have imagined that someone had infiltrated the base and even taken control of multiple S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel, including Hawkeye?
...
"They got away?" Nick Fury asked grimly, staring at the soot-covered agents in front of him.
Coulson sighed. "Two of our helicopters were shot down… That unidentified enemy used the glowing scepter in his hand to fire attacks similar to lasers.
More than a dozen vehicles were destroyed. Once they put some distance between us, they seemed to use some method to conceal themselves.
We used every detection and tracking device available to us… none of it worked."
"Who exactly is this person who controlled Agent Barton?" Coulson couldn't help but ask.
Nick Fury's tone was more serious than ever. "He claims to be Loki, the second prince of Asgard."
"Thor's brother?! How is that possible…" Coulson was stunned.
"It seems my worst fears have finally come true…" Nick Fury murmured, gazing meaningfully up at the starry sky.
"From now on, aside from the wounded and essential logistics personnel, all agents are to remain on standby. Activate every S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence network. We must locate this Asgardian prince as quickly as possible." Nick issued his orders without room for argument.
...
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, Conference Chamber
"So what you're saying is that we may soon be facing an attack from an interstellar civilization?" Members of the World Security Council examined Nick Fury through their screens.
Nick Fury nodded noncommittally. "Regardless, I believe we must prepare for all possibilities.
Based on intelligence obtained earlier in New Mexico, this Loki who appeared at our base is likely one of the heirs of an alien civilization known as Asgard.
He's come to Earth with clear hostility. We must consider the worst-case scenario."
"Are you suggesting we fight an interstellar war?" someone scoffed.
Nick Fury remained expressionless. "I only want extraterrestrials to understand one thing—Earth is not a backyard they can trample at will.
I believe it's time to assemble a powerful team of individuals with special abilities."
"You mean the Avengers Initiative you've mentioned several times before?" the U.S. representative asked thoughtfully.
"That's right," Nick Fury replied, his eyes flashing.
"I think it's acceptable," another representative said casually. "It doesn't affect us anyway, and teams of superpowered individuals already exist in some form."
"However," the representative continued, "I still suggest we find an opportunity to communicate with this visitor from beyond Earth, to determine his true intentions.
Didn't S.H.I.E.L.D. already make contact with his brother Thor in New Mexico? I heard that interaction was relatively peaceful.
They're both figures from Norse mythology, which suggests Asgardians may have visited Earth long ago—perhaps even lived here as supernatural beings, leaving behind myths due to their power.
Loki's actions might simply be personal. Asgard itself may not necessarily be Earth's enemy."
Nick Fury nodded and looked deeply at the Chinese representative. "Thor and Loki are indeed very different. We at S.H.I.E.L.D. will clarify this as soon as possible."
"Good. Since there are no objections, the Council authorizes you to handle this incident, Director Fury. Move quickly to assemble your Avengers," the U.S. representative concluded after surveying the room.
...
"Director, how did it go?" Coulson asked as soon as Nick Fury returned to his office.
Nick nodded lightly. "The Council approved it. Recall Agent Romanoff immediately and send her to contact the Hulk in Brazil.
You notify Tony Stark. Those two might be able to help us locate the stolen Tesseract.
And bring in Captain Steve Rogers and Clark Kent as well. The Grongi situation will have to take a back seat for now."
"Should we contact Mr. Frank and invite him to join the Avengers?" Coulson suggested after a moment's thought.
Nick Fury let out a slow breath. "I'll contact Frank.
But based on what I know of him, he's unlikely to formally join the Avengers Initiative.
Still, if it comes down to it… he should act."
(End of Chapter)