High above the Atlantic, the morning sun glinting off it's frame, a Quinjet sped west through the clouds.

The pilot, a woman wearing a black leather jacket over a deep red tank top, paired with dark blue jeans and dark brown leather boots. Her emerald green eyes scanning the horizon, taking in every detail, making minor adjustments to the various controls around her.

Brushing a lock of auburn hair aside, Natasha Romanoff flicked several switches, activating her radio as she hailed the ship seen far below.

"Mother Base, this is Q-bird Beta-13-37, on final approach, seeking permission to land, over."

For a moment, all Natasha heard in her earpiece was the hiss of static before with a click she received a response from the ATC.

"13-37, you are cleared for landing, proceed to helipad B-1 via north-western approach, adjusting for a thirty mile per hour crosswind, and a sailing speed of eighteen knots. Be advised, the Director wishes to speak with you on line two."

"Affirmative."

Correcting course for the assigned helipad on SHIELD's mobile base, an aircraft carrier acquired and refitted several years ago, Natasha switched the comms over to line two, accepting the Director's call, watching as the carrier's profile became visible through the clouds below. "Director Fury, I heard you wished to speak with me?"

"You heard correct Agent, I wanted to commend your actions in Kolkata, you handled the situation well, but I still require a full debrief from you later today. Speaking of Kolkata, how did Doctor Banner fare on the flight, any complications?"

Glancing back into the troop bay of the Quinjet, Natasha observed Bruce Banner, a man in his mid to late thirties wearing a dark grey suit paired with a purple dress shirt and brown loafers, running his fingers through his short curly hair, obviously nervous of the situation.

As if he could feel her gaze, Banner lifted his head making eye contact, before dropping his hands to his lap and sighing.

"Hey, are we there?"

"Almost," Natasha responded, noticing as his shoulders visibly relaxed," I just received permission to land, we'll be touching down shortly."

Bruce gave a sigh of relief. "Good, that's…. that's good."

Keying back into her com-link, she answered Fury's question. "Doctor Banner seems fine, if anxious and slightly airsick, otherwise it's been a smooth flight."

"That is good to hear, in fact, Coulson should be arriving with the good captain at about the same time as you. Do you mind escorting both Banner and Captain Rogers to the bridge? Normally I'd have Coulson do so, but we just received enough salvaged video data from the PEGASUS research facility to start a face-trace on Loki, and I want him here asap to lead those efforts."

Natasha smirked at the reminder of Coulson's predicament and began the landing procedures as she responded. "Yes sir. By the way… did you have to be so cruel to Phil? You and I both know he'll be beside himself to be escorting his idol, but to not inform him beforehand? That could be interpreted as an attempted joke sir."

"I don't know what you're talking about Agent Romanoff," Fury replied, though the mirth was plain in his voice, "I don't have a sense of humor."

Natasha shook her head lightly chuckling under her breath, "No sir, you don't, Widow out."

Disconnecting from the call, she guided the Quinjet the last fifty or so feet before with a light jolt, the tires hit tarmac, the Quinjet settling as with a hiss the back hatch began to depressurize.

Unbuckling the harness in the pilot's seat, Natasha walked into the troop bay, helping Doctor Banner with his own harness before going over to the door controls.

Making eye contact with Banner, he gave a slight nod, and she hit the switch, the back of the Quinjet opening into a ramp that led out onto the carrier's flight deck.

"We need to meet up with Agent Coulson and his escort before heading inside, so if you'll follow me."

"I don't want to cause any problems, so unless I'm told otherwise that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Giving Banner a nod in response, Natasha began walking across the tarmac, moving aside as deck crew began flocking to the now vacant Quinjet, heading for the adjacent landing zone that another Quinjet was on final approach to.

Doctor Banner stumbled slightly as he adjusted his walking speed to hers, coming up on her side as they stopped a short way away from helipad B-3.

"So, who is this other person you guys are bringing in?" he asked, waving his hand towards the Quinjet that was just touching down, the rotors slowly decelerating as Natasha started walking forwards once more. "Are they another consult?"

"Not quite," Natasha replied over her shoulder, "He's had experience with the Tesseract before, and from what I've heard he's the best to have beside you during a firefight."

"And who is that?"

The Quinjet before them opened, revealing Phil Coulson, leading out a man standing over six foot at least, sandy brown hair in a military haircut, with piercing blue eyes taking in the carrier, wearing a brown leather bomber jacket over a green plaid shirt tucked into army green pants with brown combat boots visible under the cuff.

"Steve Rogers, otherwise known as Captain America."

At the bridge of SHIELD's Mobile Defense Platform, Nick Fury observed the bridge crew at work, adjusting various functions as they prepped the carrier for full active service for the first time since it's acquisition.

The rest of the personnel all had a singular goal in mind as they began hijacking global security systems, running facial recognition software, scanning everyone within sight of any camera for one purpose… to find Loki.

Hearing a polite cough behind him, Fury turned to see Coulson standing at attention.

"You needed me sir?"

The Director nodded as he turned back to observing the room, "Yes, I need you to run down to R and D, see if they are having any luck homing in on the tesseract's gamma signature, and inform them that Doctor Banner will be along shortly to assist before returning here to lead the facial sweep." Fury stated, ensuring his voice was loud enough to be overheard by several of the crew, motioning with his hand minutely to Phil who stepped forward slightly.

Whispering just loud enough for Coulson to hear, he relayed his secondary orders. "I've been keeping a close eye on our Jane Doe, and at 0130 last night, the cameras in that sector went down for approximately five minutes. The investigation came back as faulty wiring, but I'm nothing if not paranoid."

"I understand," Coulson whispered back in response, "I'm assuming you wish to have her discretely moved from the Cage, possibly to one of the empty research labs just down the hall?"

"If we manage to detain Loki, he will be being held in The Cage, so she needs to be moved regardless. However, considering the risk she poses just while unconscious? I can't risk someone going against orders to perform testing. Put her in one of the Meta-Chambers on the level below the Cage, cordon off the necessary hallways to ensure secrecy, and only move what equipment is required. Pick someone you can trust to aid you in this endeavor and inform only her primary physician of the location change and why."

"Yes sir!" Snapping a salute, Agent Coulson motioned to one of the bridge crew, the pair turning the corner into one of the adjoining hallways, a small amount of tension leaving Fury.

A few moments later, Agent Hill, who had been aiding the bridge crew in their task, turned to face him. "Director, all systems green and ready for ascension sir!"

"Helmsman, initiate takeoff."

A low vibration could be felt as four massive rotors lifted from the water, locking into place as they spun up to speed. The individual blades blurring together as they slowly lifted the SHIELD Helicarrier into the air, water draining from it's ballast tanks, cascading down into the ocean further and further below as the marvel of modern engineering ascended ever higher.

Back on the bridge, the crew performed their duties like a well-oiled machine, Nick Fury feeling a hint of pride as the crew began reporting in.

"Maximum performance takeoff initiated, increasing output to capacity."

"Power plant performing at optimal levels."

Maria Hill turned to face the Director once more, giving Fury a nod," All engines operating at full capacity and holding, SHIELD Emergency Protocol 1-9-3.6 in effect, and we will be level at our cruising altitude of 35,000 feet in ten minutes."

"Good, lets vanish."

At his command, the Holo-Reflective panels along the exterior activated, the flat grey underside of the Helicarrier fading from view, with only a slight disturbance in the sky, not unlike a heat mirage, to indicate the presence of the massive airship.

It was at that moment the sound of several more persons stepping onto the bridge reached the Directors ears, and facing them, he saw Doctor Banner and Captain Rogers, escorted by Natasha.

"Gentlemen, glad you made it, I hope you read the briefing packet?" The Director asked, shaking both their hands in turn.

Agent Romanoff and Captain Rogers both gave a brief nod, while Doctor Banner stuttered slightly in his reply, obviously nervous about working with SHIELD given his condition no doubt.

"Good, that means I won't have to waste unnecessary time, but first, there is another matter you three should be made aware of, a development I left out of the packet due to security reasons."

Motioning for the group to follow, he started walking off the bridge, Rogers handing him a ten dollar bill as he passed him, and for the briefest moment a smirk could be seen pulling on Director Fury's mouth.

"Let me get this straight…"

Nick fury, after leading them into a secured meeting room, had briefed the three of them on the Jane Doe currently being held onboard, and now waited patiently as Captain Rogers started questioning him.

"…Loki, an alleged god from Norse mythology, broke into your facility using the tesseract as a gateway, stole it and brainwashed several of your men, and managed to get away before said facility imploded from unstable energies left over from the gateway being used in the first place…"

The other two in the room, Agent Romanoff and Doctor Banner, based on how they fidgeted in their seats, looked to also have their own questions, but held their tongues as Captain Rogers continued.

"…However, somehow, someone – or something else, in the form of a massive white wolf, fell forty or so feet from the imploding energy, fell unconscious from it's injuries, and changed into the shape of an assumedly young, if tall woman that has remained unconscious since. And yet said Jane Doe is responsible for the death and insanity of personnel, and the destruction of valuable equipment… You know how crazy this sounds right?"

Rogers leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, his icy blue gaze locked with the Director's, neither making a move for several seconds till Steve leaned back in his chair with a slight huff. "If it was anyone else, I'd have thought they were pulling my leg, but considering I've seen quite a bit of impossibilities myself… some more recent than others… I'll trust your judgement, for now. My only question is this… What are my orders?"

"As soon as we get a lock on Loki's location, you and Agent Romanoff will be our response team alongside STRIKE. Meanwhile, Doctor Banner…"

Director Fury motioned towards the Doctor in question, Bruce sinking a little into his seat.

"… will be leading our science division on two fronts," the Director pinned Bruce with his lone gaze as he continued. "Primarily you will be trying to triangulate the Tesseract's location using it's unique gamma energy signature, but even still it'll be like looking for a needle in a haystack."

"And my second task… Sir?" Banner asked, still hesitant, clearly unsure of how to address the Director.

"If it makes you more comfortable Doctor, call me Fury, as for your second task, I want you to try and figure out anything you can about our Jane Doe, I know that will be difficult considering our current standing order of non-invasive methods only, but any knowledge is better than none. A good starting point may be the personnel who survived the MRI disaster, if seemingly driven insane."

Doctor Banner relaxed a little, giving a nod in confirmation.

Giving Agent Romanoff a look, she sighed near inaudibly, her questions would have to wait until later.

"Come along Doctor…" Natasha said, standing from her seat, motioning towards the door, "…I'll show you to our Science Division, we have all the toys."

Soon after the two left, Director Fury and Captain Rogers could be seen making their way back to the bridge, nary a word spoken between them.

The minute the Director stepped foot on the bridge, he swept the room with his gaze, ensuring everyone was performing their duties.

Fury was pleasantly surprised to find Agent Coulson was back from his task, even as said agent looked towards the arriving pair. "Director Fury, we've started the face-trace, and are now combing the network for any hint of Loki, Selvig, or Barton.

"Good, have any of our other divisions checked in?"

"Several, most are on standby for lockdown procedures once we get a hit, to prevent a second escape if possible. But if Loki utilizes the Tesseract for transport, then I don't think we could keep him from escaping again." Coulson replied, shaking his head.

The Director rubbed his chin in thought, "Based on what Norse mythology dictates concerning Loki's tendencies, he's an arrogant prick that prefers to face his enemies while using underhanded tactics and subterfuge. Using the mythology is a gamble considering we have been unable to verify their accuracy, but it's all we have to go on for now. At the present he would likely believe himself to have the advantage, and thus would disregard utilizing the tesseract for a retreat. All we can do is hope his arrogance clouds his judgement."

Several minutes pass, the Director watching as while Coulson performed his duties, he slowly edged towards Captain Rogers, A smirk coming to Fury's face as the captain remained unaware of Phil's approach.

Now standing beside his idol, Fury watched with mild amusement as Coulson cleared his throat, getting Steve's attention.

"Hey, so I was just wondering…"

Captain Rogers looked towards the nervous senior agent, a smile on his face, "Yes Phil? Is there something I can help you with?"

"Would you mind signing my Captain America Trading Cards? I mean," Coulson stammered slightly, "if it's not too much trouble."

For a moment, Captain Rogers looked surprised, a little of his shock showing in his reply.

"No-no, it's fine."

At Steve's answer, Phil Coulson positively beamed.

"It's a vintage set. Took me a several years to collect them all. Near mint, slight foxing around the edges on some, but-"

Before Phil could continue, one of the terminals pinged, and the agent assigned to it spoke up in excitement.

"We've got a hit on Loki. Sixty seven percent match. Wait… cross-match, eighty nine percent!"

Immediately the fanboy was gone, Agent Coulson taking on a professional demeanor once more.

"What's the location?"

The agent, one Jasper Sitwell if Fury recalled correctly, turned in his seat, facing towards the command deck of the bridge, and the three men on it while he gave his reply.

"Stuttgart, Germany. Twenty-eight, Koenigstrasse. He's not exactly hiding."

Fury nodded towards Steve. "Captain, you're up. Meet with Natasha and STRIKE in the hangar asap, Coulson, escort the captain."

Rogers gave a salute before turning to his guide, Agent Coulson giving Fury a nod before leading the Captain out.

Director Fury steeled himself, even as he looked towards the monitor at Agent Sitwell's terminal, the frozen expression of Loki's sneer amongst a sea of unaware civilians filling the screen.

Just what are you playing at you crazy bastard.

Four hours later and Fury still didn't have the answer.

By this point their group had grown, now including Tony Stark, who had finally shown his support by arriving as Iron Man in Germany, before getting into an all-out brawl with Thor, who (he had been informed by Agent Romanoff) had been sent from Asgard to collect Loki, on their return to the Helicarrier.

Fury found himself rubbing his forehead, feeling the onset of a stress induced headache forming even as the Quinjet descended into the hangar on a flight deck lift, the blast doors closing above sealing out the wind and rain from the mid-Atlantic storm they had just entered.

Only moments later, and the Quinjet's rear hatch lowered, permitting Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff to step out, followed by Tony Stark, wearing his customary dark designer suit, his hair and beard well-trimmed, all looking immaculate despite recently tumbling with the god of thunder whilst inside a metal suit.

Following behind him was Thor, wearing an outfit befitting a nordic warrior prince, looking both outdated and futuristic, his crimson cape flowing behind him as he stepped towards the Director, hand extended. "Greetings from Asgard, I am Thor, son of Odin, my fellows here tell me you lead this force?"

The Director took Thor's outstretched hand, noticing his grip was surprisingly gentle despite the strength Fury knew he wielded.

"That would be correct, I am Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD. I hear from my agents that you were sent to apprehend Loki, and take him home, correct?"

Thor nodded releasing his grip before resting his hand on the pommel of his hammer.

"While that is true, the fact he allowed himself to be captured so easily disturbs me, and I request that I may participate in the recovery of your men, to ensure nothing of ill intent has been set in motion."

"You will hear no complaints from me, and in fact, there is another matter of potentially off-world nature you may be able to assist us with."

The two of them stepped aside, watching as STRIKE escorted Loki away, the Cage awaiting him.

Turning to the remaining group of four, Fury addressed them. "I am going to go and see to our prisoner, if the four of you would make your way to the briefing table adjacent to the bridge, I will meet up with you there once I'm done with our new guest. Agent Romanoff can escort you."

"Hey now, Director Pirate, where am I supposed to keep my suit?" Tony Stark asked with his typical snark.

Giving Tony a one-eyed glare, Fury motioned to the hangar around them, "Pick an empty spot that's out of the way and inform the Hangar Coordinator of your decision."

"Aye Aye, Captain One-Eye!" Tony gave a mock salute before walking away, the others watching him go.

"Are all men of science on Midgard as eccentric as he?"

Captain Rogers placed a hand on Thor's shoulder, the two of them turning and walking in the general direction of the bridge as Steve replied.

"Quite a few from my experience, I knew his father, and he could become very strange when he got excited or nervous. Or maybe it's just a Stark thing."

The alarm suddenly sounded off, the klaxon's pattern indicating a security breach. Fearing the worst, Nick Fury activated his comm, "Agent Coulson, what's going on?"

"It's our Jane Doe sir…" The director stopped in his tracks, motioning for Thor and the Captain, knowing he'll need backup even as Coulson continued, confirming his fears. "…She's awake, and escaping as we speak…"