章 93: Machine Man 90: Picking Up the Hammer.
Alex then asked, "Is Coulson here?" there was a nagging feeling that his forgetting something although not important, it is something that has small impact. "I'll notify Agent Coulson that you're looking for him, but he's currently securing resource materials from a scientist," the agent said.
Alex then recalled that SHIELD should be confiscating Jane Foster's research materials. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, thinking about how this might work to his advantage. He knew Jane, Darcy, and Selvig were likely distressed, but it would make reuniting Thor with Jane that much easier—assuming everything went according to plan.
Just as Alex was about to lead Thor deeper into the outpost, the soldier suddenly jogged after them. "Sir! Director Fury has requested that I guide you to him personally."
Thor hearing this can't help but praise Alex and said, "It seems you are highly regarded here Alex."
Alex just replied nonchalantly and said, "it comes with the Job," he then nodded at the soldier who led them through the labyrinth of tents and temporary structures. The path was lined with high-tech equipment, some of it still in the process of being set up, and agents in SHIELD uniforms moving with purpose. The environment was one of controlled chaos, with cables snaking across the ground and computers displaying live feeds from the crash site.
After a few turns, they reached a large, temporary command tent, reinforced with metal supports and flanked by two armed guards. The soldier leading them stopped and gestured toward the entrance. "Director Fury is inside," he said before stepping aside.
Alex pushed open the heavy canvas flap and stepped into the tent, Thor following closely behind. Inside, the air was cooler, courtesy of portable air conditioning units humming softly in the corners. The command tent was dimly lit, with only the glow of multiple monitors illuminating the space. At the center of it all stood Nick Fury.
Fury, a tall, imposing figure, was clad in his signature black leather trench coat, which hung open to reveal a matching tactical outfit underneath. His single eye, piercing and intense, focused immediately on Alex and Thor as they entered. His bald head gleamed slightly in the low light, and the black eyepatch over his left eye added to his formidable presence. Fury radiated authority, a man who was always ten steps ahead, his demeanor unreadable but always calculating.
"Is this him, the Asgardian Prince?" Fury asked, his voice a deep, resonant baritone, as he pointed to Thor without preamble.
Alex stepped forward, nodding. "Director Fury, this is Thor, Prince of Asgard."
Thor inclined his head slightly, a gesture of acknowledgement to the man, though his eyes remained steady, observing Fury closely.
Fury's gaze shifted to Alex, curiosity sparking in his eye. "So, what's the story here? And why does he look like he just stepped out of a biker bar?"
Alex chuckled softly. "Thor was banished to Midgard by his father, Odin. His powers were stripped away, and we're here so he can reclaim Mjolnir—his hammer—and regain his powers."
Fury crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "What do you mean take the hammer that is a SHIELD property object designation 0-8-4."
Alex subtly gestured to Thor, signaling for him to step aside for a moment. As Thor moved to examine the screens displaying various angles of the crash site, Alex leaned in closer to Fury, lowering his voice.
"Fury, I assure you that Thor here is the real deal," Alex said quietly. "But between you and me, he won't be able to lift the hammer—not yet, at least."
Fury's eye narrowed, and he regarded Alex with renewed interest. "You seem to know more about this than I do. Care to explain?"
Alex straightened up, keeping his voice low. "As I have said before, I have been preparing my whole life about this, I even give you all the information that I have gathered so far but it seems you still don't believe me, just trust me on this. If I am right and he is the real Thor God of thunder there is a big chance we can make an alliance with an advance being far more powerful than your alien friends or at least we won't offend one."
Fury studied Alex for a moment longer, weighing his words. Then he nodded, his expression hardening back to his usual no-nonsense demeanor. "Alright. But if anything goes sideways, it's on you, Arasaka."
"Understood," Alex replied with a slight smile.
Fury turned back to Thor, who had been patiently waiting. "You can try and pick it up, but we have tried so many ways none have been able to move it even an inch." he said, his tone indicating that the conversation was over.
Fury led the way out of the tent, Thor and Alex following closely behind. They then reach the place where the hammer lies, they could see on the other side of the door it was surrounded by all sort of machines and scanners running. Fury then gestured Thor to try, to which he nodded, his jaw clenched with determination. He opened the door and stepped out, the dry, dusty air hitting him like a wall. The sight of Mjolnir, lying at the bottom of the crater, sent a shiver down his spine. He had never felt so far from home, so uncertain of his own strength.
As he made his way to the edge of the crater, a small crowd began to gather, curious soldiers and scientists watching from a distance. Thor ignored them, his focus entirely on the hammer that had once been an extension of his own being.
Taking a deep breath, Thor descended into the crater, the loose dirt and rocks shifting beneath his feet. The closer he got to Mjolnir, the heavier his heart felt. The hammer lay there, as if waiting for him, its surface unmarred by the impact of the fall.
He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he wrapped his fingers around the handle. For a moment, everything else faded away—the outpost, the onlookers, even Alex's presence. It was just Thor and Mjolnir.
But as he tried to lift the hammer, something was wrong. Mjolnir, once so light in his grip, now felt impossibly heavy. He strained, every muscle in his body tensing as he tried to raise it. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breath came in short, sharp gasps.
"No… No… Noooo… Father have you really forsaken me…." Thor muttered under his breath, his voice filled with desperation. He pulled harder, the veins in his arms bulging as he exerted every ounce of his strength. But the hammer refused to budge. It was as if the weight of his past, his arrogance, and his failures anchored it to the ground.
The crowd watched in silence as the hobo looking man, struggled and failed to the hammer. Thor's heart pounded in his chest, the realization dawning on him like a cold, unforgiving shadow. He saw the runes which have been imbued by his fathers power…
"I'm... unworthy," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. The words cut through him like a blade, and he released the hammer, stumbling back. The strength drained from his body, leaving him feeling weak and powerless.
Above the crater, Alex watched with calculating gaze. He knew this moment was a turning point to Thors life, it's when he truly had accepted that he was no longer the God of Thunder. As Thor sank to his knees, defeated, Alex stepped forward, his face.
Thor remained where he was, his head bowed and his hands resting on his thighs. The weight of his unworthiness crushed him, more than any physical burden ever could. He had come so far, only to be reminded
"Give the man some time," Alex said, his tone casual as he turned to leave the room. But as he did, something changed, he could feel it on the air. His eyes, normally a deep brown almost black, began to shift through different colors—blue, green, red—each transition smooth and fluid as if his vision was adapting to various spectrums of light, looking to different panoramas. It was a new ability, one that Alex had painstakingly developed, and now, for the first time, it was bearing fruit.
As his eyes continued to shift, Alex caught a flicker of movement. His enhanced vision detected something—no, someone—within the room. Loki. The god of mischief was there, standing in the corner, shrouded in invisibility, his figure barely perceptible even to Alex's specialized sight. Loki, with his dark hair slicked back and dressed in his usual Asgardian garb—a long, dark green coat with golden accents—stood silently, his expression one of surprise and calculation.
Alex couldn't help but grin. His experiments with scanning magic had worked, and here he was the proof. Loki was watching Thor, his expression betraying a mix of emotions—concern, curiosity, perhaps even a hint of pity.
Without directly acknowledging Loki, Alex decided to play as if he didn't see that there was another person in the room. "Thor," he called out, keeping his tone light and casual, "I'll give you some time. Let me know if you're good… okay?"
Thor didn't respond immediately, still lost in his thoughts as he stared at Mjolnir. Alex didn't wait for a reply, already turning to leave the room. As he exited, the door hissed shut behind him, and he found himself in the narrow, dimly lit corridor just outside.
He smiled to himself, a wry, knowing smile. "I'm only here to babysit, not to go and set up family counseling," he muttered under his breath, the words a quiet jest aimed at the situation he found himself in.
Behind him, in the room, Loki remained still, his sharp features, often twisted in a smirk, were now serious, there was something off about the mortal that just step out, his eyes narrowing slightly as he pondered Alex's behavior. For a moment, the god of mischief wondered if that mortal was able to see him despite his concealment magic.
Now in a private room deep within the SHIELD outpost now, the atmosphere was tense, the air thick with anticipation. The walls were a utilitarian gray, adorned only by a few security monitors that flickered with live footage from the crash site. A long table dominated the center of the room, with several chairs around it. The lighting was dim, casting long shadows that made the space feel even more confined.
Nick Fury, the director of SHIELD, stood by one of the monitors, his one good eye, dark and piercing, shifted between the two men in the room with him—Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, and Alex Arasaka.
Barton, dressed in his standard SHIELD tactical gear, which consisted of a black sleeveless combat vest, pants, and boots, leaned casually against the wall, his bow and quiver of arrows within easy reach. His short, sandy blonde hair was tousled, and his blue eyes were sharp, scanning the room with the vigilance of someone who had seen far too much.
Alex Arasaka, still in his futuristic yellow jacket with sleek white lines, stood near the door. His hands were in his pockets, and he appeared calm, though his mind was clearly working through the complexities of the situation. To break the ice Alex ask Fury, "Are you not hot in the trench coat?"
Fury hearing this ask back, "How bout you, wearing that ugly thick yellow jacket?"
Alex then smiled and replied, "Well this suit actually has a temperature regulator even in the scorching sun heat, I feel cool as if I'm in a room with air-conditioning."
Fury then said, "That is nice. Can you send me one? Anway back to your friend there", his voice low but firm. "What the hell is going on, looking at him he looks like some hobo who seems to be talking to himself right now? Is this Asgard thing real? And if it is, can we communicate with them? Offer a negotiation?"
Alex sighed, pulling a chair out from the table and sitting down. "It's real, Fury. All of it. Asgard, the Bifrost, Thor—it's all true. Thor told me himself why he's here. He's being punished for starting a war with the Frost Giants. As far as I know, he was stripped of his powers and banished to Earth or Midgard, as they call it."
Barton, who had been silent up until now, pushed off the wall and took a step forward, his expression skeptical. "And you believe him? This guy drops out of the sky with a magic hammer, and you just take his word for it?"
Alex nodded, his tone confident as he continued, "I've been keeping an eye on things like this for a while. I've got footage not just of the Bifrost opening, but of the other side as well—the place where Thor came from. It's like nothing you've ever seen. Golden buildings, the architecture, the technology—Asgard is real, and I've got the evidence to prove it."
Barton, his expression still skeptical. "You're saying you've seen Asgard? And you just happened to capture this on your what? satellite?"
"Believe it," Alex replied, his voice smooth. "I've got the footage. It's not something I'm going to hand over lightly, but I can show you enough to prove that this is real. More than that, I've been tracking the energy fluctuations from the Einstein-Rosen bridge—what the Asgard calls the Bifrost. I've seen the readings, and I've captured the data."
Fury's eye narrowed. "You've got recordings of the other side of this bridge? And the what now, the Bifrost?"
Alex nodded, though deep down, he knew the footage was a cleverly edited mix. He had taken energy fluctuation data from Thor's arrival and his entry to Earth via his Zea satellites, combined with visuals he had spliced together from various sources, including images of Asgard from the movie that he can remember, it's been mixed up with both makeup and authentic readings. But he presented it as if it were the real deal.
Alex nodded, understanding their skepticism. "As I have said before, I've done my homework, this has been what's pushing me all my life the unknown and danger it represents towards Earth..." he paused abit and continued, "didn't I told you before to check on mythology and specifically focus on Asgard, and so abit of history lesson for the both of you, the Frost Giants tried to invade Earth many centuries ago—back when Midgard was just a bunch of warring tribes. The Vikings, with the help of the Asgardians, fought them off. That's part of why they revered the Norse gods—because they actually showed up and saved their asses."
Fury frowned, the gears in his mind turning. "So this whole mythology is based on real events? These gods have been watching us for centuries?"
"More than watching," Alex said, leaning forward. "They've been involved. Asgardians see themselves as the protectors of the Nine Realms, and Earth is one of them. We're the weakest of the realms, Fury. Compared to places like Jotunheim, home of the Frost Giants, or Muspelheim, where the Fire Demons live, Earth is practically defenseless."
Fury's eye narrowed. "And Thor's here for what? Some kind of training? Punishment?"
"Both, probably," Alex replied. "Where else would you send an immature prince who needs to learn humility? Earth is the safest place for him. We're too weak to even though of hurting someone of his position, and he can learn a thing or two about the life of a as they say mortal."
Fury processed this information, his expression darkening. "If he really is Thor, do you think we have a chance to negotiate with Asgard? Maybe get our hands on some of their technology?"
Alex chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Even if we wanted to negotiate, who would we send? Earth doesn't have a true ruler, just a bunch of pencil pushing politicians. Do you think they could stand in front of Odin, the king of Asgard conqueror of the 9 realms, without wetting themselves? Our best bet is to work with Thor, the prince. He's the only one we might be able to sway."
Barton, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "This all sounds like we're way out of our league. We're talking about beings who were alive centuries before we even we're alive, their akin to gods, right? And we're just supposed to play baby sitter?"
"We don't have much choice," Alex said, his tone serious. "Asgardians have technology and power far beyond ours. They've got machines that can teleport entire armies across the galaxy. If their myths hold true, they could wipe us out. But as long as we're not a threat, they'll leave us alone. At least, that's the hope, until we grew in power."
Fury rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. "I don't like the idea of Earth being under someone else's control. Especially without people knowing about it."
"I don't like it more than you do. But it can't be helped," Alex replied. "We're not technologically matched with them. They've got centuries of experience, maybe even weapons that can destroy planets. We're not even close to that level, heck we can't even leave our own planet. But we do have one thing going for us—Thor. As long as we keep him on our side, we have a chance."
Fury's paranoia flared, but he kept it in check. He knew that Earth was, indeed, backward compared to a civilization like Asgard, he heard from his Skrull friends that even their once might empire won't dare to step into Asgards boundary and although he has someone powerful like Carol Danvers but is she powerful enough to fight someone like a God? He'd need to take Thor seriously, treat him like royalty—at least until he could prepare some contingencies. "So what's the plan?" Fury asked, his voice calm but resolute.
Alex leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. "Simple. We keep Thor close, gain his support, and use that relationship to protect Earth. In the meantime, I'll provide you with the equipment to track events like this—better than what you stolen from Jane Foster."
Fury raised an eyebrow. "Borrowed."
"Sure, borrowed," Alex replied with a grin. "But you must understand Asgardian culture. They might have advanced technology, but they think like warriors. And as you know, wars can start over something as simple as a woman."
"What do you mean?" Fury asked, his tone sharp and direct, but he think he knows what it is.
Alex smirked, glancing at Fury. "Thor's fallen for Jane Foster," he replied smoothly.
Fury nodded, acknowledging the point. History was full of kingdoms that had fallen because of conflicts over women. If Alex had proof of the Einstein–Rosen bridge and recordings from the other side, then ensuring Jane Foster's safety and carrying a little favor, was a small price to pay to avoid an intergalactic war that their completely unprepared for. "Just give the data you have collected and provide the equipment you've mentioned. I'll do the rest."
Alex hearing this smiled as everything is going as planned, "And you don't have to return the research immediately," Alex continued. "Have Jane come and pick it up herself, then let Thor carry all the equipment. That way, we can tie Thor to our cause and gain his trust."
Fury allowed himself a small smile. "Setting a honey trap, huh?"
"Exactly," Alex said, his grin widening. "It's the best way to keep Thor on our side."
Barton, who had been watching the exchange with a growing sense of disbelief, finally spoke up. "I can't believe I'm in a room full of schemers and scammers, not powerful men who can change the world with a wave of their hand."
Alex shrugged. "Sometimes, Barton, it's the schemers and scammers who get things done."
Fury's mind raced with possibilities. He knew he needed to prepare Earth for the worst, and that meant forming a plan, a team—something that could stand up to the threats they were now facing. The Avengers initiative suddenly seemed more urgent than ever and he needs to dig-up the best Soldier to lead them.
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