Ch 2

March 1942

Hydra troopers led by Johann Schmidt stormed a stone church in Tønsberg, Norway.

They were looking for a magical Asgardian artifact known as the Tesseract to harness its unlimited energy for use in their weapons.

"I think you are a man of great vision." Schmidt said to the church keeper. "And, in this way, we are much alike."

"I am nothing like you." the church keeper replied firmly.

"No, of course, but what others see as superstition, you and I know to be a science." Johann noted.

"What you seek is just a legend." the church keeper said, hoping to draw Johann's attention away.

"Then why make such an effort to conceal it?" Schmidt asked.

"The Tesseract was the jewel of Odin's treasure room. It is not something one buries."

"But I think it is close, yes?"

"I cannot help you."

Schmidt's expression suddenly turned nasty and he looked right into the church keeper's eyes.

"No. But maybe you can help your village. You must have some friends out there. Some little grandchildren, perhaps? I have no need for them to die."

Then Schmidt saw a carving of a tree with lots of very long branches and three kingdoms.

"Yggdrasil, the tree of the world. Guardian of wisdom... and fate also." Schmidt said with fascination. He then found a box behind the tree carving and opened it, revealing a shimmering cube with a glowing blue aura. "And the Führer digs for trinkets in the desert. You have never seen this, have you?"

"It's not for the eyes of ordinary men." the church keeper replied.

"Exactly. Give the order to open fire." Schmidt said to the commander next to him who nodded, then walked off.

"Fool! You cannot control the power you hold! You will burn!" the church keeper said with a fierce defiance.

Schmidt gave an evil smile at the church keeper before raising his pistol.

"I already have." Schmidt replied.

Then he fired.