Hawkeye led a group of armed personnel in a surprise attack on the Helicarrier. At the beginning, the operation did achieve considerable results, causing massive destruction and chaos throughout the entire vessel.
Relying on his deep understanding of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and his outstanding combat skills, Hawkeye pushed straight through the defenses, breaking all the way into the main control room with Nick Fury as his ultimate target.
However, this was as far as he got—because he ran into Kent.
Although Hawkeye's combat abilities were already near the human limit by ordinary standards, they were clearly insufficient in front of Kent.
He only managed to fire a single arrow before Kent closed the distance. The explosive arrowhead failed to hit Kent, and even the flames and shockwave from the explosion caused no real damage.
Left with no choice, Hawkeye drew his pistol with one hand and fired at Kent, while swinging his metal bow at him with the other.
The pistol bullets posed no threat whatsoever to Kent after transforming, his entire body now covered in armor. Kent caught Hawkeye's wrist with lightning speed, completely immobilizing him before he could strike.
"Agent Barton is one of our agents. He's only been mentally manipulated by Loki using some unknown method—don't take his life!"
Seeing Hawkeye restrained, Natasha immediately reminded Kent.
Kent nodded lightly. He had never intended to kill him in the first place, but he reduced his strength even further and instead channeled electricity into Hawkeye.
With a dull crash, Hawkeye was slammed to the ground, his body twitching uncontrollably as faint electrical currents crackled across him.
"I used electric current to paralyze his body. He should be unable to move for a short time," Kent said.
Natasha glanced at Kent, then walked over to Hawkeye and skillfully bound his hands behind his back.
After the attack began, Coulson headed to the storage bay to ensure Loki would not be released. He intended to retrieve the high-powered energy weapon that S.H.I.E.L.D. had previously developed using the Tesseract.
"Who are you?"
Coulson stared at the unfamiliar figure in the storage bay, drawing his pistol and demanding sternly.
Genm calmly removed a game cartridge infused with Tesseract energy from an open safe, only then turning to look at Coulson.
"You can call me Genm," he said lightly with a faint smile.
Coulson frowned as he looked at the seemingly unconcerned man.
"Mr. Genm, I don't know how you entered the Helicarrier's storage bay, nor whether you're connected to Loki in any way."
"But everything here belongs to S.H.I.E.L.D. Please put down what you're holding, or I'll be forced to take necessary action."
Genm waved his hand slightly, displaying the game cartridge.
"I have nothing to do with the Loki you mentioned. I'm here solely to obtain this game cartridge."
"So I'm sorry—but I can't give up something I've already acquired."
"Then I apologize."
Coulson's gaze hardened as he fired at Genm's arm.
The result was, of course, exactly what one would expect—no effect whatsoever.
"You're quite lucky," Genm said with a half-smile.
"I wouldn't call running into someone who's immune to firearms good luck," Coulson replied, his pupils shrinking slightly as he spoke while edging closer to the container holding the energy weapon.
Genm made no comment. He teleported behind Coulson and casually struck him once, causing Coulson to collapse limply to the ground.
"What I meant by 'lucky' is that I'm not interested in your life,"Genm said meaningfully.
For Coulson, encountering Genm—who only wanted the game cartridge—really was a stroke of luck, at least in the sense that his life was spared.
Because Coulson was clearly on his way to guard Loki with a weapon. Had he not run into Genm and been taken out here, Loki would likely have stabbed him through later.
Meanwhile, the battle between Thor, Steve, and the rampaging Banner gradually subsided.
As time passed, Banner's reason slowly returned.
This was the effect of the Memory. If it were the Hulk who had gone berserk, he wouldn't calm down unless the battle ended decisively.
Although Banner gained power through anger after transforming with the Rage Memory, he was still able to retain a significant degree of self-awareness.
Earlier, Loki's spell had made his anger difficult to control, leading to his rampage. However, during the fight, the power of the Gaia Memory had been constantly erasing the effects of Loki's magic.
Once the Gaia Memory completely removed Loki's influence, Banner successfully regained his sanity.
After punching Thor away with a single blow, Banner took several steps back, dodging Steve's attack, and said awkwardly:
"Stop fighting. I've come back to my senses."
Steve immediately ceased his attacks.
Thor rubbed his right cheek where Banner had hit him. Though he didn't continue attacking, he kept swinging Mjolnir restlessly, as if trying to burn off excess energy.
"I'll go check on Loki," Thor said after a moment, throwing Mjolnir and letting it carry him toward Loki's prison.
"Loki has escaped. What does he plan to do with the Tesseract?"
At the Helicarrier's main control console, Nick Fury spoke grimly.
"He intends to use the Tesseract to open a portal and bring the infamous Chitauri fleet—cosmic pirates—down to Earth to conquer it for him," Thor said heavily, recalling the illusion Loki had left behind to boast of his plan.
"An alien invasion?!"
Fury's heart sank. Though he didn't know how powerful the Chitauri truly were, they were undeniably an interstellar civilization.
If their fleet arrived and an all-out war broke out, Earth's military strength would likely be no match.
"We must stop Loki," Steve said decisively.
"But we have no idea where Loki intends to open the portal. Searching the entire planet would take too much time," Dr. Banner said worriedly.
"Agent Barton might be able to provide clues. Mr. Kent has already subdued him, but Loki's control needs to be removed first," Natasha said suddenly.
"I'll give it a try," Thor volunteered immediately.
After all, they had grown up together for thousands of years—he was extremely familiar with Loki's abilities and tricks.
Although Thor had never studied illusions, dispelling mind-altering spells with divine power was well within his capabilities.
Nick Fury nodded and immediately ordered the tightly bound Hawkeye to be brought in.
"Loki did select several locations as potential sites for executing his plan," Barton said after breaking free from the control, struggling to recall Loki's actions during the time he had been manipulated.
"Based on my understanding of him, he's an extremely self-centered person. For something this important, he would want an audience—a moment in the spotlight."
"The most likely location…"
"…New York's tallest building—Stark Tower."
(End of Chapter)