Author's note:
This chapter is brought to you in part by "Physicist Breaks Down The Science Of 10 Iconic Marvel Scenes." I was failing to find motivation to write after several false starts on this chapter but then I watched this both wonderfully geeky and nerdy video and it spurred me on.
...
Chapter summary:
The General is ready to put on a show but the Magicals aren't willing to play the part of passive audience.
Chapter 8: The Previews
It had been a long time since Voldemort traveled to muggle Germany. The magical districts he visited at least annually for one reason or another but he had not traveled beyond them since he traveled as John looking for treats and experiences he could write to Harriet about. Stuttgart would not have been his first choice for a vacation get away but he was not there for pleasure. Shield believed they found the General in the city. It was their first lead since the man, proclaiming himself Loki of Asgard escaped the night before. Voldemort had been dispatched along with a host of others to bring him in.
Their Seers could not say whether the man really was the professed 'god' who by all reports was meant to be dead. Likewise they could not say whether the General was actually in Stuttgart or not, though there was something there blocking their Sight. Their intel suggested that the Tesseract was not in Stuttgart. That intel being the vague verdict of Harriet and others. Even Harriet with her superior gift for finding the truth could only say that she felt it likely, stressing that this was instinct and not a clear vision or sign to be interpreted.
While Voldemort trusted Harriet's instincts over most everything she found the lack of concrete insight frustrating and though she wouldn't admit it, she was feeling vulnerable. Harriet hated when she could not See. From past experience she learned that very bad things could come of it. Experiences that left her very set that what she could not know with certainty should be tempered by doubt. No assumption too firmly held to. No plan made without a backup.
Harriet as the leader of their organization could not go to Stuttgart. Field work in general was off limits to her since taking her post. It chaffed her to send others off into danger while she stayed safely sheltered away but Voldemort was grateful for it. He would always prefer that others take on the risk and when a matter was especially sensitive that he see to it himself. As such he'd been on location when this General arrived. They relied on the muggle surveillance to keep watch over what was happening while Voldemort, Ron and the others waited behind the protections Neville and Luna had set up around the facility. They'd been forced to stand back and do nothing as they watched the man kill some and bring others under his control. This chaffed the likes of Ron more than Voldemort but they were equally displeased to part their protections allowing the General to drive away when Shield failed to subdue the threat with their P.E.G.A.S.U.S facility destroyed. Brought to rubble.
It was as the prophecy said.
The General shall come before the leader of Earth's Shield,
To make declarations of war
The Shield will fail, the ground will crumble
The General may not have made formal declarations but he'd drawn first blood and his talk of subjugating the planet was paramount to it. Harriet was disturbed by his speech about ants and boots and freedom. There were some advisories Harriet could sympathize with. So far the General had done nothing to endear himself as others had in the past. That he utilized some method of corrupting a person's agency didn't help. Voldemort felt that perhaps this was a good thing. Harriet would carry out what needed doing with less guilt if the man was irredeemable. However, that the General could be Harriet's father made the matter more complicated.
They still did not know what to think on that front.
Something wasn't right there but they couldn't put their finger on it. All the pieces from Harriet's dreams fit with what they knew of Loki... and yet.
Harriet insisted that it was not the time to think about it. They had other matters to attend to. Whether the General was her sire or not didn't change that he was a threat. War was declared and life still needed living. At the moment Harriet was handling other affairs. With Blaise disguised as John Potter the two were finishing dinner with the Wakandan royals. There were very few Voldemort would trust to hold his place at Harriet's side but Blaise was a capable enough actor and manipulator for Voldemort to be willing to hand the position over to him when it was called for. While Voldemort held down the fort to the rest of the world Harriet and John were about as they should be.
The Wakadan's had wished to return home to their people but it could not be done. On Harriet's recommendation the IWC had advised all the magical world to put a ban on travel. Everyone all over the world was to stay where they are, hunker in to wait. The more moving parts the harder it made the work to be. Also given the effects of the Tesseract there was also an advisory against any form of magical transport as they did not know if this General might do something with the artifact to cast its effects out on a wider scale.
The Wakandans could have gone against this. After all it was only a suggestion not a mandate. However, with all other Magical Authorities and Peoples, human and not, complying to the order it would have drawn attention to them to be the exceptions. As such they had reluctantly remained on British soil and as they were staying there was still a tour to see to. Blaise as John had taken care of the bulk of hosting duties leaving Harriet free to see to her more important duties as Smith before slipping off to join for dinner.
While she worked on winning over the Wakandans Voldemort would hopefully be bringing this General in but before they would move ahead there was protocol to follow. Ron and his team were working to secure the area of the city around the museum where this general was meant to be. Preparations were two fold with the muggles being subtly diverted away and a whole collection of magic being prepared from anti portkey hexes to works of sorcery to strip away illusions. Generally Voldemort felt weighted down by the tediousness of protocol but given what they were going up against in this case he was patient with it.
Still, by the time Ron returned to his side to give them the go ahead Voldemort was very much ready to act. Shield were on their way and he wanted this done before they got there.
"I won't insult you by going over the plan again," Voldemort told his people. "You know what to do. You're capable of doing it. If you were not you would not be here. We need this done but don't recklessly risk lives and don't allow anyone to be captured or corrupted."
Those around him nodded.
Inside the museum the General was wondering, not to take in the exhibits but watching the crowd. Observing the insect life if Voldemort was to guess. What his motivation for this might be was unclear to them. They'd looked for answers by gathering background on all attendees. None were magical. None were world leaders or particularly extraordinary that they could tell. What did he want there?
"Watch. Wait and see," were Harriet's orders. They were to take what time they had until Shield was closing in or Loki took action to observe.
With how long setting up their preparation had taken Loki was ready to act.
His posture changed, taking purpose.
He made to head down the stairs.
Voldemort gave the signal.
Knowing what parts they were to play all acted as they were meant to.
The fire alarm went off signaling to the guests to leave as near by the extraction team shut down all muggle surveillance within the museum and erect barriers around the confrontation zone.
On mass the Voldemort's strike team emerged from the mirror dimension casting every method of disarming magic on earth. The General managed to keep hold of his weapon but only just. Taking advantage of this Voldemort appeared behind him in the gap his people had left in their spell fire for this purpose. Swiftly he brought his weapon down with the intention of disarming the General. Remarkably it worked. The scepter fell from the General's grasp
The General's surprise didn't give him pause from taking action. Even as his main weapon fell he drew a concealed dagger to bare, turning it on Voldemort. The way he moved was an effort to maneuver the pair of them so he could reclaim the scepter. Voldemort and his people recognized the effort. The others ran interference, launching spells and projectiles to give Voldemort the time he needed to swing his staff down to the scepter, launching it across the floor and off the stairs to where the extraction team was waiting. Voldemort didn't need to look to know they had gotten it. Conformation was whispered in his ear.
As his team continued their fight against the General the extractors would if all went to plan take the weapon far from the General's reach. They would be working to deliver it to one of their facilities where Fred, George, and a host of others were waiting on sight to begin examining it.
With the general shed of the scepter Voldemort retreated back to the line preparing to continue on the fight from a distance. From the mirror dimension one of his people opened the way for him closing it once he stepped through while another opened the way to his destination. But as he reappeared it was to find the general... had stood down. His dagger was returned to its holster. His hands were raised in surrender as his armor was banished away.
He made to speak but they did not allow it. Their restraints were deployed. The enchantments triggered they became animated as they flew through the air. Upon connecting to his body they moved to encompass him, contorting his body and then holding him in a position that would hopefully work to prevent an escape. Every inch of of him was held so he could not move. The last touch was a one way face plate, designed so they could see inside but the prisoner would be blinded to the world around them.
Avoiding names Voldemort declared, "You are being taken into custody as a prisoner of war. If you resist your capture you will be treated as a soldier on the battle field. If you submit you will retain the rights of a prisoner of the IWC. As a prisoner you are to be kept alive and healthy without suffering unjust punishment or hardship. If you understand this, please blink three times."
From where he lay prostrate on the floor the General considered this before blinking the requested three times.
"As you have indicated to understanding please blink three times again if you are choosing to submit."
Without hesitation he blinked again to indicate his submitting.
"Sic fiat semper," Voldemort said sealing the agreement.
The restraints on the General glowed pulling from his magic to bind as the key to unlocking his restraints did the same while concealed in Voldemort's armor.
The General's face show surprised as he likely sensed what was happening to his magic.
Voldemort held himself back from taunting but only just.
"Get transport ready," he indicated instead, speaking not to his group who knew to remain with the prisoner but to Ron on the outside.
"I'm afraid we have a problem with that," Ron reported to him.
Judging by the interest on the prisoner's face he could hear the words.
"Our coms aren't secure in the prisons presence," Voldemort said for the benefit of all.
"I figured as much," Ron declared. "I have an update coming your way."
Sure enough one of those on Ron's team arrived. In his hand was a black vial, the sides of which were darkened to disguise what was inside. The vial was collected by one of his men and brought to Voldemort. Once in his hand Voldemort could feel that it was Ron's magic holding it shut as he opened it with his own. Inside was the glowing wisp of a memory. Raising it to his lips Voldemort drank the memory and with it his instructions down. As the information became metabolized he sneered.
The muggles were interfering in their affairs.
As was expected of them Ron had reported to the World Security Council their capture of Loki and that as he was in their custody they would be taking him to one of their facilities. Instead of accepting this the Council was divided between those who were willing to see Loki disappear into their hands and those who wanted Shield to remain involved. The divide was almost perfectly between those who knew about magic and those who did not with only a scant few falling on the wrong side of the line.
Voldemort calmed some as he learned that Harriet in her wisdom had decided to allow this. Rather than compromising one of their facilities and allowing the General to potentially study the magics they used there they would allow him to be taken to Fury's helicarrier under their authority and guard, locked in restraints Shield couldn't hope to remove. Once he was there they would have an excuse to be on board, 'working' with Shield and the Avengers. If they decided this arrangement didn't work for them then they would arrange for Loki to be moved into their sole custody under the guise of a rescue. If Fury tried the same thing they would reveal what he attempted to do and use it against him with the Council.
Then of course there was the influence of the prophecy. They couldn't say for certain what was intended by the second half which spoke of the beacon and Shield's heroes but being open to cooperation seemed the best way to fulfilling the prophecy in their favor.
"You got it," Ron asked.
"I got it."
...
Flying in one of Shields Quinjets didn't feel all that unfamiliar to Steve. For all the difference in the in design a plane was still a plane. Sure, it was a faster, smoother ride then he was used to but watching the clouds go by felt much less unsettling then driving through the streets of New York seeing all that was changed compared to his memory of it.
Agent Romanoff was in the pilot's seat. It was just the two of them in the jet. Steve had a hard time knowing what to say. What small talk did he know to fall back on that still applied? There were still sports teams and politics but he was out of the loop there and talking about the weather could only get you so far. Thankfully Romanoff was good at making conversation that didn't become awkward and avoided things that might be uncomfortable for Steve. Given the info he'd been given spoke of her as one of Shield's best spies Steve wasn't surprised by her ability.
They were just passing over Europe when Romanoff had a message come through.
Steve did his best not to show it as he focused his hearing trying to pick up the words from the headset. Peggy hadn't been able to come out and say it with their interactions being monitored but she gave him hints which lead him to believe that while Shied may have been her creation, she didn't entirely trust those who had taken it over from her. Steve was still willing to work with Shield but having dealt with his fair share of leaders not worthy of their posts Steve wasn't going to act on blind faith.
"Change of plans Captain," Romanoff called back to him.
Getting up Steve made for the cockpit. Playing ignorant he asked, "Ma'am?"
"We've been downgraded to escorts. Someone else has already taken Loki into custody."
"Who," Steve asked.
"A former subdivision of Shield known as Buckler." She was watching Steve from the corner of her eyes. "You've heard of it."
Steve nodded.
They'd been mentioned in the debriefing packet he'd been given in regard to this Loki's brother Thor but most of what he knew had come from Peggy. He'd video called her from his apartment after Fury's visit. She'd looked tired, more so than usual but didn't allow it to dictate her action as she debriefed him concisely on what she felt he should know. Even after all this time she let nothing get in her way. Not age. Not being unable to walk. That woman was still as strong as ever. It was both inspiring and heartbreaking for Steve see her spirit the same as ever but her body failing her.
Buckler had been Peggy's project. One of her last before being forced into retirement. While Shield's job was to deal with threats which originated on Earth her intention was for Buckler to focus on threats which came from beyond. After her retirement the division had been allowed to remain but was hamstrung, given minimal resources and power until Thor and his hammer happened.
Buckler personal had been on sight but over ruled and sidelined through it all despite what they said proving to later to be wise. Shield had handled the event like spies which was not what the situation called for was how Peggy explained it. Given their mishandling Peggy was able to push for Buckler to be given autonomy and support separate from Shield so they could handle these matters going forward. Steve still wasn't sure how she was able to push for it when she didn't work for Shield any longer but some things he didn't have clearance for. Peggy promised she was working on getting clearance for him but until then Steve was in the dark.
What he did know was that she'd succeeded. Peggy had gotten Buckler made into its own independent agency but there were growing pains. Fury and others in charge at Shield weren't happy about forfeiting authority, resources, and knowledge. They were used to being the secret keepers looking into everyone's affairs whether enemy or not. Now they were being told there was an agency that was none their business and they weren't happy about that.
The Tesseract was a prime example. Despite legend saying it came from the space, from Odin and Asgard who they now knew were real, Shield had spent months insisting the power source and control over Project Pegasus stay under their control as it had been weaponized by Hydra in the past which was an Earth based threat. Some higher authority, Peggy couldn't say who, had decided to leave the tesseract in Shield's hands and here they were now.
Peggy seemed confident that had the Tesseract been moved into Buckler's hands their people would have ensured things went right with Loki. It t seemed they were proving her right given that they'd managed to bring him down before Shield even got on site.
When they arrived to the museum where Loki was being held a team was there to guide them down. Waiting for them as they disembarked was a man tall and built enough to stand toe for toe and nose to nose with Steve. Most of his strawberry blonde hair was concealed by a face obscuring some of his face as well. Further covering his features were a pair of googles though Steve would make out a portion some nasty scars that his gear didn't quite hide.
Looking around Steve could see the other personnel on sight were wearing the same googles. It was the only thing that marked them as a group as they did not bare any obvious insignia or have a standard uniform though they all appeared to be dressed in the same color scheme of neutrals with the occasional pop of white.
"Romanoff," the man greeted with his arms crossed and his posture stiff.
His confrontational demeanor had Steve flexing his hand on the strap of his shield. He did not look happy to have them there.
"I want to make one thing very clear. We will not have the problems here that we did the last time an Asgardian came to earth. Not with the planet hanging in the balance. Buckler has the lead. What we says goes. Shield is support, transport, and nothing more. Do we have an understanding?"
Breaking his stone facade the man raised an eyebrow challengingly at Romanoff.
Curious how she would react Steve turned to find her wearing an easy smile.
"I'm just here to drive," she assured.
"Good," the man said sounding accepting. Instantly his posture relaxed some. He turned to Steve and raised a salute. "Captain."
Not knowing the man's name or title Steve saluted in return with a polite, "Sir."
With that settled the man turned beckoning them to follow as he led them inside.
"We have the area evacuated and cordoned off under the cover of a terrorist threat. All security cameras have been disengaged so you don't have to worry about the news of Captain America's return showing up in tomorrows paper," he said giving a look over Steve's suit. The set of his lips was pitying.
"Do we know why Loki was here," Steve asked.
"We didn't have a clue until a couple minutes ago."
The man handled a tablet over to Natasha. On display were a series of images and surveillance footage of what appeared to be Agent Barton.
"One of the guests tonight was Doctor Heinrich Schäfer." Despite sounding like he was from the states the man's tongue worked around the name with ease. "He owns the Schäfer Institute whose store of Iridium was being stolen at the exact time we were apprehending Loki. Taken by a team Agent Barton appeared to be heading.
Reaching out the man swiped at the screen bringing up the image of a device.
"We found this on Loki's person when we took him in. From what our people can tell it's designed to... capture an eye sending the information needed to create a facsimile elsewhere. The easiest way for Barton to get to the Iridium would have been to trick the retina scanner which would have required Schäfer's eye, which was here, where Loki just happened to be. We believe the plan was for Loki to acquire the eye during the heist sending the needed information there way. When he failed to follow through on his end Barton resorted to a back up plan."
Romanoff was silently studying the information handed to her leaving it to Steve to ask, "Casualties?"
The man frowned before forcing it off his face. "Seventeen."
"And how many taking down Loki," Romanoff asked lowering the tablet to hold at her side rather than returning it to the man.
"None," the man declared, sounding oddly unhappy about it. Before either of them could ask he explained, "The moment it looked as though Loki was approaching the civilians we moved in. We disarmed him and he immediately surrendered."
"That easy," Steve asked skeptically.
The man shrugged. "We could speculate that it was because he was out numbered, but the man's part of a race that consider themselves gods and he wasn't exactly hiding. Currently the leading theory is he wanted to be caught."
Romanoff and Steve shared a look as the man moved slightly ahead of them to meet the guard who was watching the door ahead.
Correcting Steve's assumption their escort introduced, "Romanoff. Captain. I'd like to introduce you to Deputy Director Cal. He's running security for the prisoner."
Raising his googles Cal offered them a polite smile. He didn't look like much. Despite being tall he wasn't particularly muscular and further had a pretty face free of any scars or previous injury. But then Natasha and Peggy didn't look like much by most people's standards either. It didn't stop them being formidable.
Turning from them to his compatriot Cal placed a hand on the man's shoulder and instructed, "I've got things from here. Go oversee the sweep of their guinjet. The boss wants us out of here as soon as possible."
The man who's name Steve still did not know gave a nod of acceptance and nod goodbye to the pair before heading back the way they came.
With some of his congeniality fading away Cal put his attention back on the pair. "I understand you are both professionals but I want to go over some things with you. The first is we don't talk in front of the prison unless-"
The man suddenly cut off as his hand went to his ear but Steve could hear nothing like a message over coms coming through.
His face now pinched Cal asked, "Miss Romanoff, were we meant to be expecting Iron Man?"
...
Voldemort was not pleased. Working with a seasoned Soldier and Shield operatives was one thing. Spies though they were he trusted his people to maintain secrecy against them. Dealing with Tony Stark was another entirely. The only authority he would listen to was himself and worse he was an impulsive, inquisitive genius who was as bad as Voldemort himself when it came to his desire to know things.
Stark was expected to be on the helicarrier helping Doctor Banner to find the Tesseract. Not out in the field flashing smiles as he completely disregarded the orders he was given! They weren't to talk around Loki as they did not want to risk something they said being used against them. But did Stark care? Of course not. He was talking incessantly. The fact that others were respecting the rules and not talking to him only seemed to insight further. And then there were the questions. Questions about everything. How did Loki's restraints work? Why was he in a cage given that he was restrained? How had they taken him down? Where was Loki's staff? Well, if they took it away how was he to analyze it? On and on and on and worse peeking the Widow and the Captain's curiosity as well.
It was only his love for Harriet which kept Voldemort from arranging the billionaire's 'accidental' death. He couldn't even entertain himself with imagining it as he usually would with someone so insufferable as Voldemort couldn't afford to divide his focus under the circumstances.
Small mercies Stark was willing to fly as escort to the quinjet rather than attempting to force his presence on them inside. The Captain and Agent Romanoff were far more willing to keep their mouths shut and their focus attentive to the mission. Unfortunately it seemed to Voldemort the fates were not with them this day as the peace did not last. They had yet to clear German airspace when an urgent word to them form Hermione about a change to the future their seers had observed. Namely their plane disappearing for some time only to reappear crashed when the future returned.
Ron from his place besides the Black Widow barked out orders, "Land the plane."
"What? Why," the Widow asked.
Ron, Voldemort, and a few others from the guard on board glared at her insolence.
"I believe we had a conversation about following orders," Ron chastised. "Now land the plane!"
"Given that one of our top Agents was compromised it feels prudent to check whether orders are coming from the proper authority Sir," the Widow replied with some bite.
Outside came a crack of thunder. The instruments on the quinjet began to read out warnings.
"We have interference similar to that given off by Thor's hammer in New Mexico. It could be a similar weapon or Mjolnir itself but whatever the case we want on the ground now. Here," he explained rapidly while pointing to out a landing sight to the Widow who had already their descent.
She nodded her understanding and focused on the work.
"I'm sorry for," Ron started to apologize.
"Later," Voldemort scolded. "Romanoff stay in your seat. Be ready to take off again if so ordered. Lance, take my place. Captain at my side. Everyone else, remain with the prisoner. You know our priorities, stick to them."
There were 'yes sir's all around as the Captain readies his shield and Ron left the cockpit to take Voldemort's place in the formation around Loki's cage where the god of mischief was looking decidedly anxious as the storm outside grew worse with lightning cutting across the sky and thunder rumbling angrily through the air.
"Let us out then lock this jet down," Voldemort ordered. Activating the com which would allow him to speak to Stark, Voldemort had time to say, "Stark. Get down here now."
Following his orders Romanoff had opened the way for them and changing at them like a missile was a blur of red cape. The God of Thunder himself. Raising his wand which was illusioned to look like a rather futuristic gun, Voldemort intended to shoot the god back. Before the spell could leave the tip however one of Iron Man's repulsor rays blasted Thor in the side sending him hurting off into the trees, away from the jet. A moment later came Stark soaring after him with the good Captain his tail running off to follow despite his orders to stay at Voldemort's side. It seemed even seasoned super soldiers could not be expected to obey orders.
If he'd had the time Voldemort would have sighed to himself about this being one of those days. The days that tried his patience and tempted his sadistic desire to indulge in torture. Just a few quick Cruciatus curses to bring people in line and vent his frustration. Instead he continued to bark out orders to their other escorts and backups, his temper getting the better of him as he stalked after the three until Harriet voice came over the line soothing him and bringing calm control as she took over as leader, directing everyone as she felt best.
Continuing to trudge off on foot Voldemort followed the sounds of battle and trail of destruction to where Stark in all his arrogance was taunting a god while Thor in all his temper allowed himself to be goaded and the Captain who was youngest of the all in experience tried to interject sense. Sense was not to be had here however as it was one of those days.
The mighty Thor, God of Thunder, a Prince and a warrior over a thousands year old brashly 'put his hammer down' on an unknown.
Driven with the might of an Asgardian Mjolnir met a vibranium shield braced by the human race's first super soldier.
The effect was spectacular.
On reflex Voldemort raised a barrier to protect himself. His mind was occupied with other things. Miles away in a country hidden were deep deposits of vibranium waiting to be mined. He thought he'd asked for enough from the Wakandan's in their deal but seeing the Captain's shield stand against the might of a magical weapon had him salivating at the thought of what they could do with more. In his mind he could see Harriet outfitted in a suit of vibranium armor and he became determined that one day he would see it so.
As the dust settled the soldier, the man of iron, and the god stood in the epicenter looking around at the destruction and at the perimeter where Voldemort a host of magicals stood dispersed and at the read ready to attack.
"Enough," Harriet declared, her voice ringing out through the clearing as she appeared striding out of the tree line as Smith, Head of the ICW's Investigators and Enforces, and more recently Director of Buckler.
"Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard I assume," she asked.
Looking uncertain and tense the god shouted back, "Aye."
"Well then. Despite Asgardian law prohibiting the visitation of your people to this planet this is twice in recent memory that you have come to Midgard. Twice now also that you have attacked our citizens. The force you have used here today would have killed the average human, something you should know all to well. My hope is that despite this murderous aggression there has been some misunderstanding but given the lives your brother claimed and his declarations of war I fear I'm hoping for nothing."
Thor shifted some showing to Voldemort that Harriet had done well in inspiring some shame in him. While Harriet did not give out her easy smiles and open nature as Smith her sincerity and conviction was not lost to this form. While her face stayed impassive she could not stop her eyes from being expression. Even unable to read Thor she was still able to effect him.
Tracking over the perimeter Thor took in all of those armed around him as well as Stark and the Captain before returning to Harriet in her guise as Smith. All were prepared to continue on with the battle if need be.
"The last time you were here you swore to the Son of Coul that you would be Earth's ally if what was taken from the Lady Jane was returned. Her supplies were returned to her and when Loki came to earth she was moved to ensure her safety. We honored our agreement. Will you honor your word? Are you here as hero? Or as a villain?"
Putting the final nail in the coffin Harriet asked, "Does Asgard mean to wage war on us?"
"What," Thor asked confused.
"Loki has declared war against Midgard but he has yet to state for which power he fights. Does he fight in the name of Asgard?"
"Asgard has no quarrel with earth," Thor declared relaxing his stance.
"And you? Do you have a quarrel with earth?"
Thor stood tall. "I have come here to deal with Loki. I mean no harm."
"If that is the case, then please prove it. As a show of good faith put Mjolnir down and come with us peacefully."
Thor eyed Stark and the Captain again before nodding his assent. Despite combatants at his side and more all around him Thor let his hammer drop. Given that he could reportedly summon it back to his hand it wasn't much of a concession but it was something.
With sure steps Harriet walked down to him.
With a giddy anticipation in his gut Voldemort watched as without hesitance or arrogance she stopped besides Mjolnir and picked up the hammer. Thor's reaction to this, his expression at another being worthy was something Voldemort would treasure always.
Harriet allowed herself some moments to trace a finger over the surface of the legendary artifact. Said to have been forged by the Dwarves of Nidavellir in the heart of a dying star, granted its power by a cosmic storm which had been bound to the Uru from which it was made by Odin himself. So fierce was the storm it was named the God Tempest. If this mythos was true then the hammer was a very apt weapon for a God of Thunder. If the legend was true. Asgard had been known to distort the truth to the point of fairy tale; dubiously useful for its life lessons but far from historical fact.
"It is a fine weapon," Harriet complimented, her tone soften with affection in a way she never allowed herself as Smith. Closing her eyes she set the emotion aside then looked to meet Thor's still wide with shock eyes. "We will treat it with the respect it deserves until we are feel it is safe to return it to you."
Still looking at Thor she requested, "Captain Rogers. Mr. Stark. If you would please escort the Prince we have a second quinjet waiting to take him with us to the helicarrier."
"What about Loki," Steve asked eying Thor.
"We have him in hand."
"And who are you exactly," Stark asked giving 'Smith' a sweep up and down. Smith who stood taller than Stark in his suit and in competition with Thor in height.
"Smith, Director of Buckler," Harriet explained. Steve instantly stood a little straighter.
"Fury's foil then," Stark said. "Interesting..."
He gave Harriet another look up and down and Voldemort sneered.
With his inspection done he reached out and thumped Thor on the back earning himself a glare from the god. "Come on Reindeer Games."
"This way," Stark asked pointing off to the east.
Harriet nodded and the three headed off with Thor and Captain Rogers both bowing their heads in respect as they left and receiving the same respect in return.
As they made for the perimeter Voldemort's headed to Harriet side.
Taking a risk he erected privacy barriers to ask, "What is your plan in putting those three together? Loki is muzzled so he can't talk. Thor is not. He could reveal us."
"But due to the protections on Thor we can't know that will happen. And if it should we can't risk a mind like Stark's with obliteration when he isn't a proven threat. Then there is Rogers, who I've already been trying to get permission debrief. If he already knows they might as well accept it," Harriet explained.
Voldemort smiled at her.
"And how exactly did you know you wouldn't make a fool of yourself with the hammer," he asked with some excitement, his eyes traveling down to the weapon, still in her hand. Ideas were whirling around in his head. That Harriet was worthy seemed further proof that this was indeed Loki, the Asgardian Prince they were dealing with. Loki, son of King Laufey by birth and son of King Odin by bond. The implications! "Do you think this means you can take the Asgardian throne?"
Harriet rolled her eyes and sighed with exasperation. "So eager to burden me with a crown."
"No head is more worthy nor would carry power so well," Voldemort declared his side in an old argument, dismissing anything else as a possibility.
"First you dreamed of making me the Queen of Wakanda and now you aim for Asgard," Harriet asked taking off for the quinjet where the General, Ron, Romanoff, and his team were waiting. Voldemort kept to her side, falling into step with her.
"At least this throne would not require a political marriage."
"No, only to wage war on one of the most feared realms in history."
Voldemort kept his mouth shut on what he wanted to say. Instead he asked, "What were you able to gleam from the hammer? Can if offer us a look at some of what has been denied to us?"
Harriet shook her head, "Asgard and its people are still blocked from my Sight but Mjolnir is sentient to an extent and has retained an impression of all who have wielded it or attempted to do so since Odin's curse was placed, as well as those it has been used against."
"Useful information," Voldemort said with appreciation. "But not so useful as to be worth you're coming here and exposing yourself."
"I didn't come for the hammer."
"Then what?"
"After Loki submitted to your custody a new vision of the future solidified in my Sight, one which was disturbingly certain to come. In the vision there was war monument filled with millions of names. It was only when I set myself to coming to handle things in person that this future became less likely. No other variable I looked for would change it but me. There is a chance now to see less lives memorialized. A slim chance that monument may never be built."
Voldemort thought of the prophecy calling for the beacon's involvement to bring about a favorable conclusion to this conflict. "Earlier I though perhaps the fates weren't with us. Now I wonder if things aren't going exactly as they intend."
Having nothing to say to that Harriet changed the subject. "Any progress dissecting the measures on Loki that are blocking us.
With a frown Voldemort admitted, "No. If he is the God of Lies and Manipulation he claims to be, I wouldn't be surprise. The way he's layered protections over himself is clever and deceptive. I've made almost no progress on piecing it out."
"Let us hope I have better luck then you," Harriet said as the back of the Quinjet opened their way to Loki. She frowned at her likely sire. Her first sight of him as their prisoner.
For all that he was physically blinded to the world it didn't stop the General from looking their way as they were revealed. It did not stop his eyes from widening as he took in Harriet and the hammer in her hand.
"Well, your eyes are better than mine," Voldemort said with a frown firmly on his face, "and it seems his are as well."
...
Closing notes:
*"Sic fiat semper," Voldemort declared.
Which according to google is Latin for 'so mote it be.' As I don't know Latin I chose to trust google on this. I didn't want to use 'so mote it be' as the binding phrase since while it's used by Neopagans I don't remember it having roots in Harry Potter canon. However I figured by translating it to Latin that made it Harry Potter like and worked as good as anything else.
