- Chapter 10 -
In an instant Director Fury had his phone out and was attempting to access the SHIELD app that gave him real time, completely secure communication with the World Security Council. He frowned down at the device when it refused to leave the login screen. He had to inform them of this. Then he had to get several operations moving to contain the situation. Stark had alien tech and was moving on some worldwide plan in conjunction with Loki. Hunting? Taking over humans to hunt others? God dammit, how did we not catch this?! The schematics for Chitauri devices made so much horrible sense. It's a god-damned secret invasion! Stark had clearly been under Loki's sway for years. The old spymaster still remembered what Loki said in the Tesseract chamber after coming through the portal, "I am burdened with glorious purpose."
Stark and Rhodes were lost causes, but the situation itself could still be salvaged. The Director had to contact the World Security Council, move on Stark's Malibu mansion, and recover the alien ship, recover all of Stark's data, as well as anything else they could find. The situation was so far out of hand, one of the worst yet. Director Fury assessed the situation's potential to explode into something far worse and the thought brought a grim look to his face. The login screen of the app was still stuck on a spinning progress wheel. Why isn't the damn app loading?
When he saw Director Fury pull his phone out of his jacket pocket with a worried look on his face, McCorrmick extended his sarammr to discreetly touch at the Director's phone. His sarammr was stretched out to its limit but he needed to know what America's top spy might be doing. If the device needed to be shut down, then it would be. I'm sorry, sir, but you're not going to cause me to fail this test. As soon as he discerned which app the Director was attempting to access the young man's lips curved into his calm professional smile. This is getting ridiculous. "That won't work, sir," he said quietly as he paused the file mid-play.
Director Fury turned slowly in his seat to face the corporal. "Why not?" How do you know what I'm doing? How do they manage to find out?
"She sealed the room when she left. There's nothing that can open it, except finishing these files. No one enters, no one leaves. Not until it's done, sir," McCorrmick said.
"And what happens when we need something to drink, or need to go to the bathroom?" Bruce asked. "You can't just lock us in here." Nervousness filled his thoughts. Being locked in a small room with other living beings was a terrible idea. Someone was going to die.
The young man looked at Dr. Banner and smiled. The agitated doctor looked like he needed reassurance. McCorrmick didn't like needlessly harming people, so he opted for providing the quiet doctor with what he needed. Extending his sarammr into voice let him infuse his words with the surety he had. They became more believable when he spoke, "You can't turn. Skuld made sure of it. Her mark is on you. While you're in here, the Hulk is sealed away. We're safe with you for the moment, so don't worry, doctor. We won't have any physical needs, that's what she showed me. Everyone just needs to sit down and watch, that's all." He could see the magenta light mark on top of Dr. Banner's chest working. The Hulk wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Her mark? Frey's attention was caught by that. He flared out his seidr to touch at Banner. There was a Sealing Ward placed on the mortal that he hadn't felt before. He furled his seidr and again couldn't feel the seal despite having just touched it. It was interesting. Very little was known about the ancient magics used by the Norns. He wondered what Skuld shared with the boy.
Eyeing the young man and smiling, Frigga tried not to look at her brother as she did so. His betrayal still hurt too much to deal with. "You've been graced with the whole truth, haven't you? You cannot speak of it." It was an understandable dilemma. The Frouwa Holda held dark secrets that could rarely ever be spoken of.
"Yes, ma'am," McCorrmick answered politely. I wish I could just tell them what's going on, he thought. It seemed like an easier solution than all this drama. Stark had the right idea in his opinion while Colonel Rhodes had the best execution of it. A calm discussion was always a good idea.
In the seeing of this is their punishment, Skuld whispered to him.
"You can't tell us anything?" asked Steve. He'd been silent so far, choosing to listen instead of speak. They were only part way through the second file, and Steve already felt like he'd gone through an emotional gauntlet. He was shocked that Loki was still alive, angry that Tony and Rhodey were being forced to hide this and too many other things. He was appalled at Howard's treatment of his own son. Howard was a good man and a good friend. Steve didn't understand how he could've abused his own son. Shock had turned to sorrow as he began to understand Tony's perpetual dislike of his father. He was disappointed that he'd missed so much. Would things have been different if I were there for Howard, instead of rotting in an icy tomb, he wondered. He was grateful to Rhodey that he took care of Tony. Steve was also intensely curious about the truth that had so violently changed Tony's and Rhodey's opinions about Thor. None of the UCMJ Articles made it sound anything less than infuriating. Then there was the fact that Thor hadn't noticed that his younger brother tried to commit suicide. How does a man miss that in his own brother?
Until that day Steve had thought better of Thor. The Asgardian Prince was impulsive but constantly trying to improve himself as a man and as a leader. It was why he started listening to Rhodey's advice. Steve respected the desire to better himself. Even so, he didn't know how he could fail that badly as a brother. He was beginning to realize that he knew very little about Loki. He knew what happened during the invasion, but that was all. Thor was strangely quiet when it came to the subject of his younger brother. Steve was starting to think that maybe Loki was unhinged before the invasion. There were countless new terms and medicines for when a man began to lose his grasp on reality. Although he was offered a few of them, he turned them all down. He didn't want to mask his problems. The punching bag was his therapist. A nice long jog was the only medicine he needed.
If Loki's own parents hadn't noticed how unhinged their son was, then what kind of help could Loki have been offered? What kind of help would Loki have been comfortable in seeking? Steve didn't lack for compassion. He understood that sometimes a man needed help; that it could be the hardest thing imaginable to ask for that help. For him, he always went to Bucky. There was nothing he couldn't ask Bucky, he knew that. Most times he didn't need to ask for help. Bucky always knew, always helped him in a way that hadn't made him feel weak. Even after so long Bucky would still do what he could if Steve needed help. "I know you can do it by yourself. That doesn't mean you have to," Bucky always said. Steve couldn't imagine being distraught enough to make an attempt on his own life. More than that, he couldn't imagine Bucky not noticing his distress. That's exactly what happened with Thor and Loki. How could Thor claim that he loved his brother, and not notice when that brother hurt himself several times?
If he was honest with himself, which he tried to be, it made him angry. Steve felt that Loki's family abandoned him on Earth for the Avengers to deal with. He had an uncomfortable feeling that they never should've intruded on this whole affair. In his day, this was the kind of thing that was handled quietly by the family. Loki's family hadn't noticed, hadn't done anything. If there hadn't been the matter of an invading alien army, Steve would've said that the Avengers had no place dealing with this. The entire thing was one long, awkward show that wasn't going anywhere good. It was too late for it to be handled by Loki's family alone. Loki was like a rabid dog. There was nothing to be done about it now. He had to be put down, before he could complete whatever he was planning.
Looking quickly over himself didn't show Bruce any markings. He wasn't about to strip to see if he could find it. There was a calm certitude in the young corporal's voice that was reassuring. Bruce sat calmly in his chair and let what the young man said work through his mind. While I'm here they're safe. They're safe. The perpetual fear in his mind began slowly ebbing from his thoughts for the first time in years. His thoughts were clearing out as his breathing slowed and his pulse dropped. I can't change. He smiled and thought it again. I can't change. Bruce couldn't even be sad when it occurred to him that this would end then things would go back to the way they were. This was a priceless gift, and he was going to enjoy it.
There was nothing McCorrmick could say. His elder Aunt, Aideshan's own representative, bid him keep his mouth shut. Showing them what he was shown was his test; the test of his clan. When she framed the test as an exercise of justice it became even more difficult to deviate from it. The Satska Soledras upheld Aidesh's law. It was one of the three things that he was absolutely faithful too. To speak would constitute being unfaithful to all of them, even though he didn't understand why. So as not to endanger his success, he kept his thoughts private. They must be shown. But why? I could just tell them what happened. As he quickly thought over how he would tell them he realized that he was running into difficulty describing some of it. The words needed to be worked on. Everything he came up with was factually accurate, but still not right. The right words. Is it the words that are the problem? Is that why I shouldn't tell them?
The grin creeping across his face was halted swiftly. McCorrmick put his professional smile back into place. I think I understand now. Words were never his specialty even though they were his father's lifeblood. Colonel Gabriel McCorrmick's favorite words were, "No matter the cost, you do what's right." It was a virtue he tried to instill in everyone under his command, and more than a few who weren't. The young corporal hoped his father, the colonel, would understand; hoped he would be proud.
Knowing what the pitfall to avoid was, McCorrmick looked back up to General Rogers. This living legend, who he deeply respected, had asked him for help. What help can I offer though? There's nothing I can say. They have to witness it themselves. They didn't believe when they were told, didn't look closer, didn't ask the hard questions when they were given the chance. This situation could no longer be ignored. With a moment of thought he spoke carefully, "I can't tell you what I've seen, but I can tell you that everything you've seen today, everything you will see today, is the unquestionable truth. I've seen that myself, sir." He stopped to give the Captain what he hoped was a meaningful look. "It is nothing less, and nothing more, than the truth. I can't tell you what's ahead. I can only tell you that everything before today is a grand lie."
"Did you really just tell us that everything we thought we knew about this situation, about Loki and his allies is wrong?" Director Fury demanded. His patience with this whole thing was running thin. One of the worst terrorists they'd ever faced not only wasn't in custody but had turned two of the brightest men he knew into his personal flying monkeys. The Director was getting damn tired of Loki doing that. Am I really supposed to believe that I don't know anything about this situation? That was an even worse proposition than what he was already facing. What he knew was bad enough, to not have a hand on the entire situation was beyond unacceptable. Unfortunately for him, the source telling him that he was wrong was one of the most trustworthy in his eyes. What do you know that I don't?
McCorrmick looked at the Director, "Yes, sir."
"And how do you know that?" Director Fury asked him calmly. Right then the young man reminded him of another Sean McCorrmick, long gone now. His calm certainty, quiet audacity and impeccable manners were all standard for McCorrmicks. It was the corporal's familiar face which brought out a willingness to listen in him.
"I decrypted these files under orders, sir, and in a SHIELD facility with clearances. I viewed all of them. The evidence in the files intercepted from Stark's own AI is succinct and undisputable. I was waiting for the briefing to begin to inform you of this precarious situation. Skuld arrived before I could do that. She showed me even more, the pieces in between that you won't be seeing. Everything I've seen makes it even more clear that the contents of these files are both accurate and an extraordinary plight which has been expertly hidden," McCorrmick said calmly. If insubordination was his ice rink he was doing laps around the edge of it. It was galling to lack the standing and position he was accustomed to operating with. If the world were right we'd be discussing this with mutual respect. A dark laugh was swallowed down then. If the world were right my clan wouldn't be punished for crimes we can't remember. A little sigh left him. I pass the test and we stop aggressively flirting with extinction. At this point his insubordination didn't matter. McCorrmick's course was set. A little sliver of worry worked its way into his thoughts. The Director is going to Article 15 me so fast after this. I don't want my ten years to be a waste! He exhaled another soft sigh. Maybe if I pass the test it won't matter.
"You're a decryption specialist, not a threat analyst, corporal," Director Fury calmly reminded the young man.
"He is a Truthkeeper, mortal. He has been given the truth and a duty to that truth by a being more powerful than any in the Nine Realms, including those assembled here today," Frey motioned to Odin, Frigga, Thor and then himself. "As for your knowledge, it's deficient." He was more curious then as to what Skuld shared with the boy. More than would be shared with him, that much was obvious. The boy's comment was ominous. What plight?
"Because you know the truth already?" Director Fury wouldn't ordinarily challenge the younger of the two Kings when calm diplomacy was a better option. The powerful need to know what has happening drove his tone towards it though.
"Yes, I do." Frey met his gaze with a look of bored contempt.
Keeping his gaze down at his laptop McCorrmick thought, No, sir, not yet you don't. We might want to get back to fixing that.
"Brother, how long have you known? Why did you not tell me?" Frigga was still struggling to keep a calm. Anger, disappointment, and a deep sorrow were still warring within her. They'd gone through their lives together. Frey was always there for her. There were more times than she could immediately think of that he'd lent his aid to her. There were too many ways he'd lent his aid to immediately bring to mind. Along with Odin, he was one of the two stable constants in her life. There'd only been a few times where she hadn't written to him weekly. Frey always wrote back immediately. Moisture covered Frigga's eyes. They'd survived an unthinkable horror as children and done so together. They'd always been together. Even the thought that he turned against her was a nightmare in itself.
Pity clouded Frey's gaze as he looked at his sister. She'd lost so much that she didn't even know. Yes, it's time. "Loki came back to me about seven years ago. I told her that unless she could convince me otherwise, I would return her to Asgard myself."
"He convinced you then? What did he offer you to betray us?" Odin asked. There was a simmering anger in him for Frey's betrayal of Frigga. He could hear the pain in her seidr. It angered him.
"He? He?! You know what she is, what she's always been." Frey could only keep so much of a hold on his anger. What Odin did to Loki was despicable. He gave Odin a very hard look. "I know why you took Loki from the temple that day! You knew what she was, what she would become, and you raised her as only half anyway! What you have done to Loki is beyond cruel," Frey's voice lowered to a near whisper, he pointed to his sister, "and today, she will know as well. Today, your words will be shown as the lies they've always been!" It was with some satisfaction that Frey noticed Frigga giving Odin a considering look. Frigga knew what deception Odin was capable of.
Odin listened but didn't stop glaring. Half, Loki is a woman, what she would become? He thought over Frey's words trying to discern the meaning as he had none. There was no worry over what Frigga might learn. She knew very well why Loki was taken from the temple. She was the only other person, besides himself, who did know.
"Uncle, what could Loki have told you that swayed you against us so? What do think father has done to Loki, for Loki is a man," Thor said. His uncle wasn't a man easily persuaded, nor given to flights of fancy. Everything Frey did was for the betterment of Vanaheim. In this however, his uncle seemed to have put Loki ahead of everything else.
Frey turned to Thor, "Your sister gave me the truth." With one more hard look at Odin, he looked back to his nephew and said, "More than that, the Norns vouched for her." Frigga's quiet gasp didn't pull his attention from Thor. "Loki is owed a debt, boy. Owed by each and every one of us, three times over at least. It is a debt we can never repay. I know this." He sat back in his seat.
"Who are the Norns? And why should we believe a word they have to say?" Director Fury asked. He was getting very tired of being told to take things on faith from an unknown source. It was only because there was a McCorrmick involved that he entertained the idea that he might not have the right idea about what they were facing. His gut instinct told him that it was worse than he thought it was, which he didn't want to be true.
"They're the Weavers of Fate. They are power given form," Frigga spoke quietly. She motioned to the young mortal serving Skuld, and said, "They speak through their Truthkeepers, and we listen." That the Norns might have already come to Frey and might be involved in this from before that day was a troubling thought. Part of her hoped it was they who ordered Frey to silence. That was something she might be willing to forgive. The power of the Norns couldn't be fought, not even by her brother.
"Hm, we'll see," the Director said. He still didn't have nearly enough answers for the dozens of questions that he already had.
Yes, sir. You're all going to see, whether you want to or not. McCorrmick silently agreed with him. We really should get back to that. If they didn't turn back around soon, he was going to have to ask them to politely.
"Why wouldn't you tell me, brother? How could you keep this from me?" Frigga asked. She was disappointed in herself for not seeing her son's pain. She was disappointed in her brother for keeping it from her, and many other things as well. She needed to know why he betrayed her. Even the thought of it was a knife in her chest.
A little sigh slipped out of Frey. At least he could tell her this much, "Frigga, when Loki came to me, when she gave me this terrible truth, she only asked three things in return. The first was that I never reveal the truth to anyone, regardless of whether she lived or not. The truth, she argued, could not be revealed. It was a persuasive argument. It will probably be revealed today by the Norns. It is only this that has somewhat loosened my tongue. The second was that I never reveal Loki's new life to anyone in Asgard. She told me that it would be best for everyone if you believed her to be dead. She didn't do this out of malice, but out of love for all three of you. Loki wished for you to be able to grieve, and then to move on with your lives. It's her opinion that there's too much bad blood between all of you for your relationships to be maintained. She feels that she has no right to dictate changes in you, even to change what caused the bad blood to begin with. Without those changes, Loki feels that there's no hope for your relationships to be repaired." Frey spared a hard glance at Thor before continuing. "It hurt me to do so, but I promised it to her anyway."
"The third thing she asked from me," Frey stopped, he took a moment to shove down the unstable mix of emotions that filled him for a moment, "was if I would be grandfather to her young son. It simply followed that I would be grandfather to the other children as well," He met his sister's gaze despite the fact that the pain he saw there made him want to look away. "Loki felt that since you believed her dead, and since Anthony's parents are dead, her children would have no grandparents. Loki wanted her children to have at least one grandparent. Once I knew the truth, I couldn't refuse her requests. She could've asked for my kingdom, and I would've given it. You need to understand that, sweetling. She did not. All she asked for were things for other people."
He didn't mean to betray me? Frigga could understand how Frey had thought she wouldn't be so angry with him. She could see how he thought himself to be doing the right thing, especially if the Norns vouched for whatever Loki told him. There was still a terrible anger in her. He hid her child from her, kept her from her grandchildren, took her place from her. She didn't even know how grandchildren she had. "How many?" she had to know. She couldn't be still until she did.
Ales? Not nearly enough. Debts? Too many. Failures? I'm need to stop counting. "Of what?" Frey asked quietly.
"How many children does Loki have? How many grandchildren have I missed?" Frigga could barely keep the anger out of her voice. She owed Loki several apologies. She was almost certain that her brother didn't know the true reason for Odin bringing Loki home. She was the only other person to know that awful secret. It wasn't something that she'd ever whispered to anyone else. That stayed between her and Odin, as so many other things had. It confused her why Frey insisted that Loki be treated as a woman. It was a guise he was wearing to avoid Heimdall, it had to be. She didn't worry over how her son might have carried a child. There were magical means that could be used to aid in the carrying of a child. So long as Loki found a woman willing to share the needed parts of herself, then Loki could possibly carry a baby. Those methods were seldom used because they seldom worked in those with seidr cores. She knew. She'd researched all of them when she was younger. It had to be one of those methods that allowed Loki to have carried a child while wearing a guise. It had to be. Frigga didn't want to think there was more she'd failed to notice about her son. She couldn't do anything about those concerns at the moment. She could know how many grandchildren she had.
How many children does Tony have? Pepper was paying close attention now. They were Tony's children. That devil wasn't included in Tony's family. After her quirky inventor was freed, she would see about getting to know them. She couldn't hold a grudge against children. It wasn't their fault. They were innocent, it was Loki who was at fault.
Looking away from his sister for a moment, Frey crossed his arms over his chest. He didn't think that Loki would mind if he told Frigga how many children she and Anthony had. He also didn't think he should be held to account for the actions of the Norns. That didn't mean he wouldn't be. His oaths were kept for as long as he could. When he saw her next he would beg her forgiveness. Then he would offer her, Anthony, and the children sanctuary. It would be no hardship for him. Them staying for much longer would be quite the opposite in fact. Frey wasn't afraid of Odin or Asgard. The other realms wouldn't go to war against Vanaheim just because Odin was displeased. He knew several of them would ally themselves with Vanaheim simply because Odin was displeased with him. If it weren't for the danger it posed to all the Nine Realms, Frey would happily spread the truth to every corner of The Nine. There was always a terrible shame that came with that thought. Truly, it would suit all his purposes to offer them sanctuary. He frowned as he made a mental note to have the healers on hand when he told her. Anthony will be livid.
"Brother, please. Won't you tell me?" Frigga asked with more urgency. It worried her that he wouldn't answer her immediately. Him stopping to consider before answering such a simple question was worrisome.
Frey huffed a little. He hated this. None of it was what he wanted, not lying to his beloved sister, or having the truth revealed in such a haphazard manner. I didn't want these secrets. I don't want them, he thought sourly. "Nine. Loki and Anthony have nine children, and Loki is carrying their tenth."
