I made sure I knew how to work the device and that Fury was going to call me and not the other way around before the plane took off with Captain, Natasha, the pilot, and me. I didn't expect Fury to call very soon, so I started an actual conversation with Captain.
"If I didn't know better, I would say there was real irony in you going back to Germany."
"Hopefully it is a short visit."
"I'm sure it will be." However, any further conversation was cut off by a call from Fury on the tablet-like device I had been given. "Duty calls."
Apparently, the device had a special sound dampener so anyone outside about a foot radius from the device itself couldn't hear the tablet or anything else from within that bubble. It was to be used to make the conversation confidential.
"Bubble of silence activated and I have turned myself toward the back of the plane so no one can read my lips, Director Fury."
"You sure this one isn't a spy, Coulson? She takes orders too well to be a civilian." For a long, terrifying moment I had no idea how to respond.
"Director Fury, you are the leader of a secret government agency. I think staying on your good side is a good idea and following orders falls under that goal." I hoped my respectful tone did not betray any of my terror. It was much harder talking to him this time than last because this time I fully realized his reality and power. Before he was still simply the fictitious director of SHIELD. Now he was the man who had the power over my life and the fate of the world.
"Then speak whatever you needed to tell me." In one deep breathe I had collected my thoughts and reminded myself to be clear and to the point.
"When we arrive at Loki's location, Captain Rodgers will fight him. Once Mr Stark arrives though, Loki will surrender. Agent Barton has orders to rescue him and cause as much havoc as possible on the helicarrier. Loki's 'play' is centered on the Hulk, so no need to send Agent Romanov to interrogate Loki for that information. Agent Barton will blow up the third turbine while aboard a ship that has the proper access codes but is not scheduled. Any of those on board who are under Loki's spell can be cured by being knocked unconscious. There will also be those there of their own free will. About ten people total, I believe."
Okay, immediate series of events finished. Now to partially explain the big picture.
"Loki is at the gala because he wants iridium so he can open a portal so he can let in an alien army. This army has its own motives for attacking the earth, so if the portal doesn't open, they will find another way to get here. The aliens are of a hive mind, so a nuclear missile to their mothership will take them all out. Once Agent Barton gets the iridium to Erik Selvig, a portal will be made for us to send the nuke through. It will be on top of Stark tower just after Agent Barton attacks the helicarrier."
"Loki sighted. He's got a large group of civilians trapped. One is trying to stand up to him."
"Here's were I come in. Can you hover over him?"As Captain dropped to protect the brave soul who had decided to stand up to Loki and to deliver amazing lines, I wracked my brains for anything else Fury or Coulson needed to know.
"I don't think Loki can escape the prison without someone to open the door, but if he can, allow him to escape. He is just a simple pawn in a much larger game, and he won't be able to cause nearly as much damage just by himself. Send Thor after him if you must or if I could convince Doctor Banner to Hulk out, we could knock Loki unconscious." Hopefully that would forestall any acts of heroism by Coulson. "Oh, hide the scepter because that can close the portal once the nuke has been sent through." I allowed myself to be distracted by the sudden heavy metal music. Tony...A grin and a couple shakes of the head later I was quickly making sure there was nothing else I needed to say before Loki entered the plane. "It's probably best to not to let Loki see Doctor Banner..." Think, think, think, "I can explain Loki's motives better at a different time..." think, think, "I kind of mentioned that Thor will be joining us shortly, and I think that is it. If anything else comes to mind I will let you know immediately. Loki's about to come on board now."
"You seem anxious to have this conversation over, Ms Christenson." I couldn't quite make out Fury's tone.
"Yes, even with the bubble of silence, I don't feel comfortable talking about all I know with Loki so close. His magic might even be able to penetrate it." The director simply gave a curt nod and cut the connection. What was he thinking? I had sounded kind of demanding and so sure that he would do what I told him to. I just hoped that as few people as possible got hurt in all of this.
As I walked to the front of the plane to give Natasha the communication device, Loki was escorted in. He was sat near the door and both Tony and Captain got as far away from him as possible. Once I dropped the device off , I began to walk back to sit where I had been, across from Loki. A hand on my arm stopped me.
"Rachel, where are you going?"
"To sit where I was before." I watched as Captain's eyes move to where I had previously sat and measured how close it was to the villain.
"Just because he surrendered doesn't make him not dangerous."
"Just because he's the villain doesn't make him evil. Anyway, the whole purpose of me being here requires that I sit by the door. Check with Director Fury or Agent Coulson if you don't believe me, Captain Rodgers." Sliding out of his grasp, I ignored Loki completely as I sat down and started to compose a speech that would hopefully prevent any fighting. Just as I was polishing it, a voice came over the ship's radio.
"Is he saying anything?"
"Not a word," Natasha reported to her superior.
"Just get him here. We are low on time." Such a dramatic Fury; you know events won't go in to motion until Loki is on the helicarrier.
"I don't like it."
"What, Rock of Ages giving up so easily?" For the younger people on the plane, what does that even mean Tony? "I don't remember it being that easy." Clever Captain.
"This guy packs a wallop." Which side was Natasha arguing for? She would hate if she was arguing for Tony.
"Still, you are pretty spry for an older fellow. What's your thing, pilates?" Tony, you do realize Captain is younger than you, right?
"What?"
"It's like calisthenics? You might have missed a couple things..."
"Mr Stark! I didn't see you enter the plane earlier. It must have been the two handsome men you came it with who distracted me." It was humerus to see Captain blush and Loki even acted incredulous, though very subtly. The point of the comment was to prevent Captain hearing the word 'capsicle,' but their reactions were a very good added bonus. I couldn't bruise Tony's self-esteem so badly though. "Hearing my roommates rave about you all the time must have desensitized me to your own good looks." No one had time to respond to my comment as a huge roll of thunder was heard.
"Where's this coming from?" asked Natasha worriedly. Since he was still looking at me, Captain noticed Loki squirm.
"What's the matter? Are you scared of a little lightning?"
"I'm not overly fond of what follows." With the large bang coming from the ceiling, I stood up and tried not to think very much about what I was doing in fear I would freeze up in terror.
"Agent Romanov, would you please open the door so I can welcome our guest inside?" When Thor dropped, I jumped but tried to appear calm. "Thor, I am afraid that your brother Loki has surrendered himself. We ask that you honor this battlefield made contract and leave him. You may come with us if you wish to look after his care." I really hoped I had picked the right wording. I figured that as a warrior that surrendering was a matter of honor and contract and that Thor would hesitate to break that.
"My brother surrendered to you?" A laugh was evident in his tone.
"No, he surrendered to us." Captain gestured to himself and Tony beside him. After sizing them both up, Thor found my words more believable.
"Then I will come with you." Thor sat himself down and Natasha closed the door before continuing to fly to the helicarrier. An awkward silence descended upon all. I was planning on preparing a carefully worded meeting with Loki later on, but I decided to start breaking the ice now.
"Loki, you do understand that no one on earth knows what is real and what is false in the mythology about your people? We only know what you are telling us, and right now, what your telling us isn't good. Why couldn't you have made this a fresh start?" He seemed thunderstruck by my frankness and ability to look him straight in the eye. I turned to Thor before he could reply because my cool demeanor would have crumbled to pieces. "And Thor, realize that how you treat Loki is going to not only tell him what you think of him, but it is going to tell everyone else how to treat him. Nothing has changed has it?" I was greatly comforted by Thor's shake of his head. "Then don't act like it."
When Thor jumped up, pulled Loki to his feet, and hugged him yelling"Brother!", I felt like my face was going to split open from my grin. Take that, Loki's misconceived view that his brother couldn't love him! Sadly, we were landing on the helicarrier at this point. As soon as the door was open, a group of SHIELD agents tried to surround Loki, and Thor looked like he was going to attack all the poor fellas.
"Thor," I quickly began to explain, "They're here to escort Loki to his cell." It was relieving that Thor's mournful expression was so apparent; even Loki couldn't deny Thor was saddened by my comment.
"I understand." Thor reluctantly allowed his arms to drop. The SHIELD agents moved into formation and I had to look away as the maniac, in control mask slid over Loki's face. The loop he had been thrown for by Thor could not be seen in his manner or in his face anymore.
I quickly dashed out of the way as Tony powered up his suit and flew away. Obviously he was avoiding any orders from SHIELD.
"You alright?" Once again, Captain's concern caused me to be embarrassed.
"Perfectly. Mr Stark is not one for subtly, so I had plenty of time to move out of his way." The pause seemed to show that Captain was debating on how to respond.
"Loki didn't do anything to you, did he? I saw you look away quickly." Oh, poor Loki.
"I looked away because he was locking away all his emotions just when Thor had almost found his hope again. Seeing someone denying hope is...painful."
"Denying hope?" I debated on how to respond to Captain's confusion and incredulousness.
"Knowing someone's background can be vital to understanding motive. Loki's is...complicated, but from his point of view is perfectly justified. His father should beware my fist though."
"His father?"
"Practically everyone on this team has daddy issues. I believe everyone but you, except I don't really know anything about your parents." Coulson decided to make an appearance at that moment.
"Rachel, Captain, you are requested in the control room." I moved quickly to follow orders with Captain walking beside me.
When I passed Coulson I spoke, "Agent Coulson? Mr Stark may need some encouragement as well." He nodded curtly.
"First let me lead you to the control room; you'll get lost if I don't." I heartily agreed with the sentiment and followed cheerfully.
"If I could trouble you, what do you mean by daddy issues?" After shoving my amusement at Coulson's very subtle tensing away I answered Captain.
"I mean their father was not the ideal comforter, protector, and/or provider. Its becoming a lot more common these days, unfortunately. Mothers are becoming less focused on their children as well." It was depressing to think about.
"You speaking from personal experience, Rachel?"
"No, Mom is great! She does everything she can to be there for me while balancing work." My automatic response did not include the realization that Coulson was asking the question. How strange. I would have thought he would stay out of the conversation, or at least not asked such a personal question.
We entered the control room at this point and saw Natasha and Banner waiting.
"If you will look at the table, you can see the Director talking to Loki." Things were about to get very interesting.